By Rama Gaind.
The Whitsunday Islands are beautifully dotted all along the east coast of Queensland. Photo: Rama Gaind
As confidence continues to grow, an increase in travel to many beautiful Australian destinations is not a surprising trend. Australia is famous globally for many things – the Outback, spectacular landscapes, dynamic cities, vibrant regional centres, Aboriginal culture and natural icons such as Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef.
A myriad of holiday options are on offer. The Whitsundays provide a tropical playground beyond our wildest imagination, with colourful reefs, clear waters and rainforest trails looking over the tranquil Whitsunday Passage.
Broome presents an adventure you won’t forget, with year-round tropical climate, rugged wilderness, turquoise water and some of the most breathtaking sunsets on the planet. Visit Ayers Rock (Uluru) for an unforgettable experience on your next journey. The splendour of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park has to be seen to be believed.
It’s easy to see why Byron Bay is a popular choice for a vacation. Fill your day with stunning beaches, great surfing, natural eateries and celeb-spotting. Head off the beaten track and explore Broken Hill, one of Australia’s most famous outback towns with spectacular landscapes, mining history, art galleries, museums and more.
Go south of the Australian mainland. A new Tasmania walk awaits to including an exceptional heli experience over unforgettable country. Tasmania’s walking industry has welcomed Life’s An Adventure’s new Walk Three Capes offering. A three-day itinerary, the adventurous pack-free walk offers participants the opportunity to heli hike on Tasman Island.
Broome tour encourages travellers to indulge in mud crabbing experiences.
An exploration of dramatic landscapes, the hike commences in Hobart/nipaluna and includes two nights at Stewarts Bay Lodge’s deluxe spa chalets, all meals, professional guides and the option to choose from one wow-factor experience. On the hike, guests can also choose to participate in a boat cruise or scenic flight over Cape Pillar and Tasman Island, which can include time on the secluded island.
Walking tours
The Walk Three Capes Pack-Free has been designed for those looking for a walking experience of the Three Capes and Tasman Peninsula without the burden of carrying a heavy multi-day hiking pack. This walk allows you to explore the natural beauty of the Tasman Peninsula in the far south-east corner of Tasmania, a region famous for its three spectacular capes featuring the highest, vertical seas cliffs in Australia and a dramatic coastline of caves and towering sea stacks.
Then it’s a walk to the spectacular and must-do Cape Raoul with its dramatic dolerite cliffs. We walk to stunning Cape Hauy to view the famous ‘Candlestick’ and ‘Totem Pole’ sea stacks and we walk the gorgeous Tasman Coastal Track, between Waterfall and Fortescue Bays, with its lush rainforest and breathtaking coastal views.
The journey also includes an unforgettable helicopter flight over Cape Pillar and Tasman Island, or you could choose an exciting wilderness cruise around the base of Cape Pillar for a unique view of this rugged coastline.
Passions of Paradise launches new, entry-level citizen science experience. Avid snorkellers can join conservationists in Cairns exploring the Great Barrier Reef with Passions of Paradise’s newest tour – Marine Biologist for a Day. The expansion of the operator’s program represents another package in the region aimed at increasing travellers’ understanding and participation in supporting the health of the reef. The citizen science offering allows snorkellers to participate in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s Eye on the Reef Rapid Monitoring which invites them to see the reef through a conservationist’s lens.
The Three Capes guided Pack-Free walking experience explores the natural beauty of the Tasman Peninsula in the far south-east corner of Tasmania.
A Broome tour encourages travellers to indulge in a mud crabbing encounter.
Western Australia’s Broome Tours has launched a flavour-filled Mud Crab Adventure. Seamlessly blending relaxation with gorgeous Broome vistas and the iconic town’s fine produce, the five-hour expedition offers the opportunity to catch and then dine on the sought-after Kimberley mud crabs. Cruising through the Bay’s mangroves and pristine turquoise waters on a 42ft catamaran, the small group tour includes complimentary coffee, morning tea and transfers to and from the beach landing. The sunrise adventure tour runs throughout the week and commences at 7am.
Returning to heat up the Top End winter is the balmy cultural Darwin Festival next month. Described as Australia’s hottest winter arts festival, the program will run from 4 to 21 August and feature a cavalcade of existing local and touring performances. Underneath the balmy tropical winter sky, the festival will include a mix of concerts, theatre, dance and comedy shows.
Festival headliners include staging of cult quiz show Hard Quiz, a one-night act from performer and playwright Tim Minchin and showcases from a raft of Indigenous talent. Performances take place across Darwin/Gulumerrdgen, with the main Festival Park setting up in the centre of the city.
DETAILS BOX
www.lifesanadventure.com.au
www.stewartsbaylodge.com.au
www.passions.com.au
www.darwinfestival.org.au
