Australia immediately conjures images of the Sydney Opera House, the Great Barrier Reef, big-wave surfing, miles of Outback and a rather strange, and endearing, assortment of animals. While the country’s main cities offer charm, glamour, unique festivals, a well-preserved historical heritage, fabulous beaches and fun events, it’s also a land of immense contrast and captivating nature. The nation offers something for just about everyone – from water lovers, desert wanderers and canyon climbers, to arts and culture buffs, historians, and foodies. The country’s vast size makes it almost impossible to take it all in during a single visit, but you can pick and choose a perfect holiday according to your personal preferences.
The idyllic, crescent-shaped slice of paradise known as Lord Howe Island lies in the Tasman Sea east of Port Macquarie. The island is the top ridge of an extinct underwater volcano and seamount, projecting above the surface of the ocean. Boasting a diverse range of spectacular natural landscapes, it is the perfect place for outdoor activities for a variety of interests and levels of fitness. Visitors can relax on the island’s gorgeous white sandy beaches, snorkel on the stunning coral reef, hand-feed fish on Ned’s Beach, discover the world's tallest sea stack, or experience some of Australia’s best day hikes while climbing Mount Gower. Visitors are restricted to a maximum of 400, adding to the remote feeling and tranquillity of this tropical getaway. Lord Howe is a multi-award-winning destination and a certified World Heritage Site.
Daintree National Park is a vast wilderness area located in far North Queensland, Australia. Characterised by dense tropical rainforests - including the oldest rainforest on the planet - the park is comprised of two sections - Mossman Gorge, with the Mossman River cascading over massive granite boulders - and Cape Tribulations, with its rainforest-clad mountains sweeping down to long stretches of glorious white sandy beaches. The park boasts remarkable biodiversity as well as high levels of endemism. From kangaroos that live in trees to six-foot-tall prehistoric birds and numerous saltwater crocodiles, the area is home to some truly unusual species. Over half of Australia's bird species, a third of its mammals and frogs, and more than a quarter of its reptiles inhabit the park.
Kangaroo Island (“Ki” to the locals) is Australia’s third largest island and a well-known haven for wildlife enthusiasts seeking a retreat. The island lies around 112 km southwest of Adelaide and is almost two thirds protected by reserves and national parks. There are also many cafés and restaurants that serve fresh local fare. The island’s main focus is on eco-tourism and you’ll find flawless beaches along the coastline such as Vivonne Bay, which was crowned Australia’s best beach in 2003. Island Beach is another remote oasis, where kangaroos, seals, dolphins and various birds are found in abundance, while the west coast of Flinders Chase National Park is home to the iconic granite boulders known as Remarkable Rocks.
