Marvel at Australia’s natural beauty
Away from the blues and yellows of the coast, the reds and greens of the interior reveal another spectacular side to the wonders of Australia
The wonders that the continent contains won't take long to find. Australia’s pristine wilderness, ancient landscapes and natural beauties are there for discovery, exploration and revelation – red sandy deserts, luscious green forests, incredible wildlife and unforgettable vistas. Here, Laura Miller steers visitors to the continent’s outstanding areas of natural beauty.
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Queensland
The coast around Cape Tribulation in north east Queensland is encompassed by the vast Daintree National Park, with its compelling mixture of world heritage rainforest and beaches, and the ultimate getaway from everyday life. Daintree is one of the world’s oldest rainforests, packed with unique species, and a paradise for bird watchers. And as well as the ultimate in nature in its purest, wildest state, you’ll find rolling farmland, historical Daintree Village, and a plethora of luxurious restaurants and retreats.
A journey around Queensland’s Scenic Rim offers up vistas of dramatic mountain ranges and World Heritage-listed rainforests circling lush valleys packed with alluring villages, rural retreats and paddock-to-plate producers. Covering an area of 4,000sq km, It’s an easy drive from Brisbane and the Gold Coast, and you can drive, explore and graze upon the richness of the area’s produce over several days of leisurely travel.
Straddling an ancient volcanic caldera in the lush hinterland of south-east Queensland, the Scenic Rim envelops parts of Australia’s World Heritage Gondwana Rainforest, as well as six national parks, and with plenty of bushwalking trails leading you to natural rock pools, waterfalls, lookouts and ridges where epic views sweep across distant peaks. After a day immersed in the Scenic Rim’s unparalleled beauty, it’ll be up to you to choose exactly where to relax at one of the region’s luxury lodges, to enjoy delicious local produce accompanied by tasty local wines.
Discover Cape Tribulation where rainforest meets reef
Immerse yourself in the epic landscapes of the Scenic Rim
‘The landscapes here are as intoxicating and varied as the wines themselves’
As epic and as striking as it is, Victoria is not all about the coast – the majestic Grampians, sandstone mountains some three hours drive from Melbourne, have it all for nature lovers – craggy lookouts such as The Pinnacle and Mount Abrupt; thundering waterfalls such as Mackenzie Falls, the most well-known, and Fish Falls, cascading 60m over terraced rocks; wild flowers and walking trails; and in the southern extremity of the Great Dividing Range, some of the country’s best wineries and oldest vines. Here you will find world-class shiraz, rieslings and pinot noirs.
To the east of Melbourne, and an easy 90-minute drive from the city, Yarra Valley is Victoria’s oldest wine region, with a truly eclectic range of wines and cellar doors that range from grand designs to humble sheds hidden amid the vines. The landscapes here are as intoxicating and varied as the wines themselves – if you have a head for heights, take a hot air balloon to get a panoramic bird’s eye view. You can see why the first vignerons settled and started planting here back in the 1830s. Almost two centuries later, you’ll find more than 70 wineries to explore, with sumptuous dining options to match.
The small but lively town of Alice Springs has a stellar reputation for Aboriginal art and is buzzing with creativity and tradition. There are countless galleries in the area, but the Araluen Arts Centre is a must-visit. A hub for the visual arts scene, it’s home to superb dot paintings and watercolours by some of Australia’s most prominent artists, and an extraordinary sculpture garden. At Yubu Napa gallery, you can meet and chat with artists and learn first-hand the stories behind their work.
Victoria
Take to the skies in a hot air balloon ride over the Yarra Valley
New South Wales
The world-famous Blue Mountains, two hours by train from Sydney, are so named after the tiny droplets of oil released by the region’s vast stretches of eucalyptus forest. Pine fresh doesn’t begin to describe it; expect slack-jawed wonder as you explore this great World Heritage site, from Tablelands and clifftop lookouts to crystal caves and underground rivers via Aboriginal walks and maybe a gallery or two in attractive mountain villages such as Leura.
Slack-jawed wonder is more or less the reaction of anyone venturing into the alien landscapes of Mungo National Park for the first time. An ancient lake bed, and an area steeped in Aboriginal history – it was here that the remains of Mungo Lady and Mungo Man, dating back some 40,000 years, were discovered in 1974 – touring this Unesco World Heritage site with a First Nations guide will open a wide, panoramic window onto Australia’s deep past. Geological highlights include the lunette, or “Wall of China”, a 17km stretch of sand and silt deposits, and best seen at moonrise – time your visit right and you could join one of the monthly Mungo Full Moon Tours.
Heading up from Sydney towards the Gold Coast and Brisbane, Dorrigo National Park, near Coffs Harbour, is another stunning World Heritage site, a Gondwana Rainforest that hides beneath its canopies breathtaking waterfall walks, picnic spots and excellent birdwatching. You can hike your own Waterfall Way, follow the Lyrebird Link or head, as surely you must, to the Skywalk Lookout for the kind of aerial views that even a sky deity would be jealous of, across Dorrigo National Park and over Bellinger Valley to the coast.
Head to the outback and find Mungo National Park
You can find Pretty Beach House nestled into the rugged bushland of Bouddi National Park
Check in to the crisp and modern-style Jackalope hotel on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria and enjoy five-star luxury – and some very good vintages – amid the surrounding vineyards.
The Pretty Beach House, Central Coast, New South Wales, does what it says on the tin. It’s a highly attractive boutique guesthouse set on an escarpment on the beautiful Bouddi Peninsula, just 90 minutes from Sydney.
Imagine jumping out of your bed and straight into your morning swim. This is the ultimate getaway – an adults-only retreat away from the main InterContinental Hayman Island Resort in Queensland. As a Pavilion guest you have complete freedom to everything on the resort. Consider it your own private Great Barrier Reef experience.
For breathtaking views overlooking the stunning Piccadilly Valley, head 15 minutes just outside of Adelaide, South Australia, to the five-star boutique luxury of Mount Lofty. The vista will take up enough of your time but if you need to fill your days, there’s all the South Australia wineries to make your way through.
In Tasmania, Saffire Freycinet at Coles Bay – a popular holiday town and gateway to the breathtakingly beautiful Freycinet National Park – is a full-throttle resort luxury combined with outdoor adventure.
Australia's most remote luxury lodge, Berkeley River Lodge, is only accessible by air but the experience is worth the wait. Bathe in the Kimberley moonlight of Western Australia or cool off in freshwater rock pools or under a waterfall. Dine on fresh, seasonal food (even catch your own if you dare).
Stay within sight of Uluru and Kata Tjuta in the Northern Territory for a real piece of the country's history. At Longitude 131° you can sleep under the stars round a campfire or indulge in a little more luxury in your tented lodge. Opt for a private dining experience under the stars at Table 131 and sample outback ingredients like you've never tasted them before.
Unleash your inner tiger with a stay at the Jamala Wildlife Lodge, situated within Canberra’s National Zoo and Aquarium. Sleep within a private enclosure overlooking the Molonglo River, feed giraffes from your balcony or opt for a shark tank in your room. The luxury is just wild.
Stay in style
Because sometimes it’s nice to push the boat out
Tasmania
A mere one-hour flight south from Melbourne is the glorious island state of Tasmania. Roughly the size of Ireland, Tassie, as it’s affectionately known, has a total population of around half a million and offers lively festivals and a vibrant foodie scene. If that were not enough, nearly half of its land consists of stunningly beautiful national parks.
As a result, being outdoors is the norm and there are plenty of memorable experiences to enjoy. Just off Tassie’s east coast is Maria Island, a world heritage island national park. You can do a four-day guided walk here, and along the way you’ll explore a heritage-listed convict settlement, walk empty white-sand beaches, view rare wildlife and – perhaps most importantly – enjoy gourmet food.
Other popular draws include the Bay of Fires, to the north. This spectacular stretch of red rocks and white sand beaches attracts campers, boaters, fishermen, surfers and birdwatchers. South of Hobart, the Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs are a fascinating collection of stalactites, stalagmites, columns and corridors in an underground area formed millions of years ago, with an onsite thermal pool. Hikers will want to conquer Cradle Mountain, 5,069ft at its highest point, where they’ll be rewarded with striking views of sparkling, sapphire Lake St Clair below. And for more breathtaking beauty, don’t miss out the Freycinet Peninsula, just north of Maria Island, famous for the almost perfectly semicircular sweep of stunning Wineglass Bay. Base yourself at Coles Bay, gateway to the Freycinet National Park where the ultra-luxurious Saffire Freycinet hotel offers jaw-dropping views across the sea.
The Three Capes Track is one of the most dramatically beautiful walking routes in the world, and one of 12 Great Walks of Australia – five of which take walkers through Tasmania’s unspoilt landscapes. Brand new this September is the Three Capes Lodge Walk, a three-day walk that’s fully guided by local wildlife and nature experts, with a boat trip as part of the journey, and stays in smart and sustainable lodges along the way.
If the taste of the sea is what you’re after following a day’s hiking, then Declan Brown’s Freycinet Marine Farm in Great Oyster Bay, set against the majestic backdrop of Freycinet National Park, offers a briny alternative to farm-to-fork dining. Declan invites you to don waders, walk into the sea and harvest your own oysters from the rack before settling down for what must be Australia’s juiciest, freshest seafood feast.
Tasmania is known for its beautiful bays and rust-coloured rocks
Take in the views along the famous Three Capes Track
‘Don’t miss out the Freycinet Peninsula, just north of Maria Island, famous for the almost perfectly semicircular sweep of stunning Wineglass Bay’
Longitude 131° is a luxury wilderness camp in Australia's Red Centre
Surrounded yourself in the ancient mountains of the Flinders Ranges
Home to expanses of desert and wilderness, most people will associate South Australia with Adelaide, its cosmopolitan and dynamic coastal capital, known as the Vineyard City. The Botanic Gardens are in the heart of the city, but make you feel as if you’re a world away, as you can seek shade within its manicured gardens and stunning architecture. Adelaide’s zoo is the second largest in Australia and one of its most iconic attractions, housing exotic and native mammals – the pandas are a particular draw. For a hefty dose of culture, visit some of the country’s most renowned museums and galleries, such as the Art Gallery of South Australia or the Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute.
However, much like Sydney, Adelaide is lucky enough to have an array of appealing beaches close to the city centre. Probably the most popular is Glenelg, a family friendly stretch next to Moseley Square, with its elegant 19th-century Town Hall. It’s due to get its first licensed beach bar, run by Moseley Beach Club, so sundowners will take on a new meaning. Once you’ve spent time on the sand, you can stroll around the picturesque Holdfast Shores district, and browse the boutiques, bars and cafes along Jetty Road. Less crowded, Brighton Beach has a relaxed vibe, with tasty fish-and-chip shops nearby and its own jetty, while Henley is the one to head for if you fancy dining on some fine seafront seafood after your dip.
Kangaroo Island is Australia’s third largest, after Tasmania and the Northern Territory’s Melville Island. Here you can get up close to kangaroos in the wild, as well as wallabies, koalas and echidna. Flinders Chase National Park is packed with wildlife and even wilder views, while Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park is one of its finest attractions, home to more than 150 species of Native Australian wildlife. The island is also a foodie hotspot, known for its freshly caught seafood, cheeses and wines; try cellar-door tastings at the likes of Dudley Wines, nibble on halloumi, feta or manchego at the Island Pure dairy and cheese factory, browse the Kangaroo Island Farmers Market and generally indulge. There are several different types of accommodation available but you can also go glamping. Specialists Wandering Souls allow you to pick a tent to match your personality – from Hollywood glamour to gipsy style – dictate where you want it set up, then they take care of the rest.
For a more immersive experience, Xplore Eyre on the Eyre Peninsula has been leading visitors into remote and spectacular destinations throughout South and Western Australia for more than 15 years. Led by Craig Haslam, they range from adventure tours to luxury and private expeditions ranging from Margaret River through the bare, beautiful Outback landscapes of the Nullabor Plain to Port Lincoln, dubbed the “seafood capital of Australia”.
Some 200km north of Adelaide, and you come to the beginning of Flinders Ranges. Travel further, and you may be forgiven for thinking you’ve been beamed up to the surface of Mars or some other, as yet unnamed, alien planet. Here you can get a proper sense of scale under towering ancient cliffs and deep craters bordering dusty red roads. Take an Outback flight from Kati Thanda to Lake Eyre to enjoy bird’s-eye views of this extraordinary landscape, or drive along the Aboriginal Dreaming Trail and immerse yourself in the otherworld of Aboriginal rock art and engraving at sites such as Arkaroo Rock, a cave site dating back some 5,000 years.
South Australia
‘Flinders Chase National Park is packed with wildlife and even wilder views, while Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park is one of its finest attractions, home to more than 150 species of Native Australian wildlife’
Western Australia
Western Australia opens up a vast expanse of wondrous, otherworldly and dreamlike adventures. For those with energy and good walking boots, the Cape-to-Cape coastal walk spans 88 miles from Cape Leeuwin in the far south west of Western Australia heading north to Cape Naturaliste. It’s the longest coastal walk in the country and not only offers stunning scenery, but is also in the Margaret River region, well known for its vineyards, good accommodation and exciting dining options.
Outside of Perth, Western Australia’s most-visited attraction is The Pinnacles Desert of Nambung National Park, a two-hour drive north of the state capital. Here, you’ll walk amid thousands of amazing natural limestone structures created some 30,000 years ago after the sea receded and left deposits of sea shells exposed to the elements for millennia. An array of Australian wildlife also calls the Pinnacles home, so keep an eye out for the likes of kangaroos, possums, wallabies, lizards and emus.
To the north of the state, the Kimberley region is home to the unique Bungle Bungle Range, set within Purnululu National Park (“Purnululu” means “sandstone”). These 350 million year-old geological wonders were virtually unknown to non-Indigenous people until the 1980s. Highlights include the two kilometre Echidna Chasm – best visited at “golden hour”, when the sun illuminates the striking colours of the narrow chasm – as well as the leisurely Domes Walk around the Bungles’ iconic beehive shaped domes, and the extraordinary acoustics of Cathedral Gorge – so good that the Sydney Symphony Orchestra chose to play here. Given that it’s a 50km drive down a rough dirt track from the Great Northern Highway, that’s quite a commitment.
Take the Great Northern Highway from the Bungles, and some 1,000km later you’re in the Dampier Peninsula, which has a long history of pearl fishing. Visitors can tour local pearl farms to see how some of the world’s best are cultured in the Kimberley waters. Don’t miss seeing The Horizontal Falls, nicknamed ‘The Horries’ – one of the most amazing natural phenomena in the world which cause vast tidal whirlpools to appear as horizontal waterfalls. Visit during the dry season from May to October for the best road conditions.
The Pinnacles are limestone formations within Nambung National Park
The sunsets in Western Australia are legendary
Easily accessible by seaplane or helicopter are the
awe-inspiring Horizontal Falls
From the sparkling harbour to its rich culture, Darwin is an adventurer's paradise
You can find a range of coastal towns and beaches, including in the capital, Darwin, where crowds assemble in Vestey, and Mindil, which also has a famous Sunset Market. Nearby, the Casuarina Coastal Reserve offers shaded places to picnic, cycle paths and hiking paths, while East Point Reserve, Darwin’s largest park area, is the place to go for great views back to the city, sunsets from Dudley Point, and saltwater swimming in Lake Alexander.
The best way to get around the Territory’s northernmost islands is by helicopter. You can take heli-fishing trips and the Heli Pub Tour is guaranteed to be the most memorable pub crawl of your life, hopping between boozers on these remote little islands and flatlands. For a day to remember, combine half a day’s helicopter pub-crawling with half a day’s fishing – not necessarily in that order or you might not be concentrating on the fish. Cheers!
Visit the Tiwi Islands for the Australian Football League Final. Australian Rules Football is akin to religion on the Tiwi Islands, and people congregate here each year for the grand final. It’s the only day in the year when permits are not required for travel to the Islands.
Placed at the heart of the Northern Territory, the huge sandstone monolith that is Uluru rises up out of the Red Centre, some 450km from the nearest large town of Alice Springs. It is thought to be around 550m years old, and is one of the most sacred places in Aboriginal culture, while its nearby ‘big sister’, Kata Tjuta (also known as The Olgas) comprises 36 utterly extraordinary red-rock domes, making a formation that is bigger, longer and wider then Uluru and set in a stunning desert landscape. You can visit both on a range of inclusive tours.
Northern Territory
Mindil Beach Sunset Markets is the place to be for food, art, crafts and a great night out
Darwin Casuarina is popular for its white sandy beaches, picnic areas, cycle paths and wildlife
Produced by Telegraph Media Group
Project Manager: Tom Gadd, Commissioning Editor: Hannah Hopkins, Sub-editor: Tim Cumming, Video and Photography Manager: Alex Kelly and Cat Costelloe, Lead Designer: Victoria Griffiths, Web Editor: Katherine Scott
It’s been a while since you last took a holiday; head Down Under to a place where the water’s warm and the welcome even warmer. So come on, we’re waiting for you to come and say G’day.
Plan your trip at Australia.com
Every great adventure begins with G’day
Mount Lofty is famous for its fine dining and indulgent spa experiences
The African inspired luxury suites at Jamala Wildlife Lodge lie in the heart of the National Zoo and Aquarium
‘Here, you’ll walk amid thousands of amazing natural limestone structures created some 30,000 years ago after the sea receded and left deposits of sea shells exposed to the elements for millennia’
Start planning your perfect Australia adventure with the help of a dedicated Audley specialist and experience their award-winning expertise and trusted service
Visit website
Order a brochure
Make an enquiry
Produced by Telegraph Media Group
Project Manager: Tom Gadd, Commissioning Editor: Hannah Hopkins, Sub-editor: Tim Cumming, Video and Photography Manager: Alex Kelly and Cat Costelloe, Lead Designer: Victoria Griffiths, Web Editor: Katherine Scott
It’s been a while since you last took a holiday; head Down Under to a place where the water’s warm and the welcome even warmer. So come on, we’re waiting for you to come and say G’day.
Plan your trip at Australia.com
Every great adventure begins with G’day
Start planning your perfect Australia adventure with the help of a dedicated Audley specialist and experience their award-winning expertise and trusted service
Visit website
Visit website
Order a brochure
Order a brochure
Make an enquiry
Make an enquiry
Start planning your perfect Australia adventure with the help of a dedicated Audley specialist and experience their award-winning expertise and trusted service
Visit website
Visit website
Order a brochure
Order a brochure
Make an enquiry
Make an enquiry
Start planning your perfect Australia adventure with the help of a dedicated Audley specialist and experience their award-winning expertise and trusted service
Visit website
Visit website
Order a brochure
Order a brochure
Make an enquiry
Make an enquiry
Start planning your perfect Australia adventure with the help of a dedicated Audley specialist and experience their award-winning expertise and trusted service
Visit website
Order a brochure
Make an enquiry
Start planning your perfect Australia adventure with the help of a dedicated Audley specialist and experience their award-winning expertise and trusted service
Visit website
Order a brochure
Make an enquiry
Start planning your perfect Australia adventure with the help of a dedicated Audley specialist and experience their award-winning expertise and trusted service
Visit website
Order a brochure
Make an enquiry