Australia: one country, hundreds of little worlds. You may think you know Sydney, or Melbourne (watching Neighbours doesn’t count) but do you know any tiny caster-sugar islands with more turtles than people sleeping on them? We do, and can take you there.
If you haven’t seen camels on a beach, herded sheep at a working sheep farm, experienced the open vulnerability of sleeping in a red outback, woken up to chattering galahs, or slept in a room with a neutral magnetic field, it’s time to head to Australia.
Here are our top six areas of the country bursting with incredible experiences. These are just tasters on what’s on offer: we are here to mix ‘n’ match you a perfectly seamless tailor-made trip to Australia. It’s been hard to choose from the never-ending number of unique excursions around, so this is just a start to tickle your travel tastebuds. Read on…
luxury camping by uluru
the red centre
Total escape in dramatic red wilderness, the vast landscape in Australia’s red centre will make you feel like a tiny dot in thousands of miles of nothingness. Want to find the polar opposite to your crowded daily commute? Here it is. Aborigines believe that this is where ‘Dreamtime’ began, and we think you’d be crazy to miss out on this other-worldly iconic location.
The Red Centre is the halfway point between the East and West coasts, making a visit here not only a great place to break up the long journey between the two, but also an essential addition to any trip Down Under. We suggest spending a few days exploring secret islands and mountain peaks in Queensland before experiencing total silence in the Red Centre’s luxury at Longitude 131°, and then flying out to Western Australia for colonial towns, world class wine, and whale sharks. Perfect.
Of course, the big pull in the Red Centre is the world famous and spiritual Uluru – when you’re standing in front of it, it’s the only thing that interrupts the horizon for as far as you can see. Simply breathtaking. This whole region is one natural wonder after another, and includes a mountain range that runs in a perfectly straight line (the MacDonnell Ranges). From the top of Uluru to the bottom of Kings Canyon, the Red Centre offers a totally different experience from the country’s sweeping coastlines.
from urban life to ancient mountains
When you think of Australia, we’re guessing the Sydney Opera House comes to mind. What if we told you that near (in Aussie terms) this classic landmark you could find stunning mountain wilderness, pristine beaches and the birthplace of Australian wine? Read on…
kangaroo island
After you’ve got that snap of Australia’s most famous piece of architecture and taken the spectacular climb to the top of Sydney Harbour Bridge, get some fresh air in the high altitudes of the Blue Mountains. Sleep under the stars in our luxury camp ground and during the day take a trek, or even a 4WD, through some practically untouched terrain for a genuine off-road experience.
Head north from Sydney towards the Gold Coast and you find Hunter Valley – where Australian wine first had its roots. Enjoy glasses of Semillon and Shiraz as you learn about this region’s rich history, then sleep surrounded by vineyards in the charming Tower Lodge hotel: our favourite Hunter Valley retreat. If you’re looking for a bit more action or perhaps just some lazy beach time, keep travelling north, and you’ll find it in places such Byron Bay or our hidden gem in the Whitsundays. Take a walk along Byron’s coastal path for stunning views of the cliffs and ideal spots to admire the surfers. At the top of the cliffs, you’ll find the picturesque Byron Bay Lighthouse – mainland Australia’s eastern-most point and the perfect place for a picnic. This is Sydney and more, with a twist.
tasmanian wilderness
If you don’t associate Tasmania with white sand beaches and azure waters, you should. The island’s stunning Freycinet National park is home to miles of picture-perfect shores, with barely a single other person on them. Sound good? How about rugged white water rafting un-crowded rivers and gorges, climbing table-top mountains reflected in mirror-still lakes, and recovering in sheer luxury with spas and boutique hotels to match any major city? Tasmania is as much a rugged back-to-nature outdoorsy destination as it is luxury pampering.
freycinet national park
Coastal capital Hobart is Australia’s second oldest city, and the echoes of its colonial beginnings are still around. To say the locals here are relaxed would be an understatement. It’s a fun town with cosy cafés, hip bars and a picturesque harbour to boot. But it’s what’s outside the city which really lures us to mystical Tassie. Rush down the Franklin River on a white water rafting trip passing ancient limestone cliffs and lunching on polished stone beaches, then ride horse-back around the amazing Cradle Mountain on our Tasmanian Experience. You can even learn how to fish for trout, visit a whiskey distillery or hunt on this island. Mystery is part of Tasmania’s charm, and the only way to get to the bottom of the little-known island is to experience it for yourself.
red wine, iconic drives and wild islands
For an Australian experience without the crowds, but with all the pristine beaches and rugged wilderness you could imagine, southern Australia is a must. Explore colonial Adelaide, head further south for a stunning road trip or leave the mainland to see our hidden island: a unique experience that few know about.
The Great Ocean Road is one of the most famous road trips on the planet. Dotted with some of our favourite remote hotels (such as Moonlight Head: this is no neon-lit roadside motel), and must-see destinations like Bells Beach, this road is a top destination in itself. And the best bit is, once you get to the end (when driving East to West), you’re perfectly positioned to visit the Barossa winelands. Handy, eh?
the red flinders ranges
The Barossa valley is a booming wine community with some of the oldest Shiraz vines in the world. With sweet colonial villages that still have a local butcher and baker (remember those days?) these rural winelands are well worth a visit. Head further inland and you’ll discover the striking red Flinders Ranges. Explore rough mountain wilderness on walking safaris or a rugged 4×4 whilst staying at the new super-luxe 1850s homestead Arkaba.
A short trip by plane or ferry off the mainland gets you to our secret gem, Kangaroo Island – stay in cutting edge luxury at the Southern Ocean Lodge while you take in the miles and miles of white sand and pristine turquoise waters as you get up close to sea lions and wallabies on our incredible South Australia experience.
western australia: cattle muster, swim with giants and sip world-class wines
From the rolling Kimberley plateau to the tumbling surf off Perth’s coastline and the green vineyards and luxuries of Margaret River, when it comes to alternative experiences in Australia, we say go west. Renowned for being a laid back city, Perth’s coastline completely defies this reputation. With dramatic coastlines and inhabitants including penguins, sea lions and dolphins, if anything, this is heaven. But it doesn’t stop there.
ride camels on the beach in broome
Head out of the city in any direction for an utterly different experience. Down in Margaret River take a leisurely drive around award-winning vineyards, sipping world-class wines with an expert. Or, why not fly right up north to Broome: an old Wild West town famous for its laid back culture and impressive sought-after pearls. The open spaces here will make you feel like you have literally stepped back in time. The nearby landscapes of the Kimberleys are the perfect location for some true cattle mustering, so stay where wallabies, dingoes and wild buffalo roam, and get on a horse with a true drover to help heard his cattle home. Talk about authentic. For some beach time, hit our alternative to the Great Barrier Reef: where you can swim out to the coral in just minutes from your eco-luxury tent at Ningaloo Reef. Take a dip with the largest fish in the world between April and June: the mighty whale shark. Don’t forget your underwater camera as you swim beside these giants of the sea. Simply incredible.
the great barrier reef: scuba heaven, vibrant coral, clear seas
remote wilson island
We’ve all heard of the Great Barrier Reef, so it needs no introduction. Stretching for a wopping 2,600 kilometres halfway down the east coast of Australia, the reef is home to endless picture perfect opportunities. We recommend doing it by helicopter (we all know desert islands take on a whole new meaning from above), luxury boat, and of course, flippers to get up close to the mind-blowing colours and inhabitants of the reef itself.
For the ultimate private experience, head by heli to Wilson Island, where you’ll feel like a guest in a turtle’s world. Enjoy the feel-good factor of eco camping before heading out to the other islands (rainforests, cliffs, and more white sand beaches) on a luxury motor yacht with gourmet cuisine. Bliss.
The mainland overlooking the reef is pretty impressive too. For breathtaking mountain scenery, hit the Scenic Rim: an arc of spectacular mountains 90 minutes inland from the Gold Coast. Perched up high at Spicer’s Peak, sipping the finest local wines you’ll really start to feel the benefits of experiencing North-East Australia.
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