AUSTRALIA The Insiders’ Guide

Unspoiled beaches, national parks, unique wildlife, rainforests and the extraordinary Outback await. Cover image: Slot Canyon at Karijini National Park - Getty Images - Posnov Welcome! Australia. wonders of to explore the centers urban the head away from you toencourage to cities major on info We’ve out left deliberately for the next generation, too. great shape in leavecountry, and it experience the best very of this huge in aresponsible way, you’ll get to responsibilities. In exchange for traveling comes with around Australia journeying Australia. While many of us travel to escape obligations, join us as we explore the most breathtaking destinations across From Broome in the to far north the Flinders Ranges in the south, Contents Australian Capital Territory Capital Australian NSW Australia Eastern Weather Visas Festivals Transport Where to Stay Don’t Miss Overview Safety Australian Wildlife Australian TravelSustainable Tips Culture Indigenous 27

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Perth

AUSTRALIA WEATERN 26 23 16 18 31 14 Broome 11 5 3 Western Australia TerritoryNorthern Australia South Need an Insurance Quote? See Our Other Guides Contributors Our Tips Insurance Essential Outback & Central Australia Central & Outback A Nomad’s Story Queensland Tasmania Victoria NORTHERN TERRITORY Darwin AUSTRALIA SOUTH 33 Springs Alice Adelaide 37 42

QUEENSLAND VICTORIA NEW SOUTHWALES

AUSTRALIAN TASMANIA TERRITORY CAPITAL Melbourne

Cairns Hobart Brisbane

68 52 70 70 57 47 61 51 Canberra 71

Sydney

Central Australia Central Overview &

Eastern Australia Eastern Western Australia Western 2 Tips Insurance

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DON’T MISS

See rock paintings 10 Unique Experiences while kayaking through Nitmiluk National Park, in Australia Northern Territory (jump to page 60) Getty Images/Whitworth Images Getty Images/janetteasche & Overview & Contents Contents Eastern Australia Eastern

Challenge yourself on the four-day Three Capes Track, Tasmania (jump to page 39) Central Australia Central Outback & Outback Getty Images/by wildestanimal

Go diving with sea lions or sharks, South Australia

(jump to page 54) Western Australia Getty Images/John Crux Photography Crux Getty Images/John

Go hiking in Grampians National Park, Victoria (jump to page 35) Insurance Tips Insurance

Take a drive through the spectacular Flinders Ranges,

South Australia Getty Images/John White Photos (jump to page 55)

3 DON’T MISS

Spot big crocodiles and tiny tree frogs in the Daintree National Park, Queensland (jump to page 42) See natural and artificial pink lakes, Western Australia

(jump to page 63)iStock/South_agency & Overview & Contents Contents Getty Images/John Crux Photography Crux Getty Images/John Eastern Australia Eastern Getty Images/Max Shen Central Australia Central Outback & Outback

Explore the incredible Walls of China, Outback NSW Getty Images/miroslav_1 (jump to page 30) Western Australia Getty Anupong Images/Boy

See the incredible sandstone formations of Kings Canyon,

Getty Images/Michael Fuller Northern Territory (jump to page 60) Insurance Tips Insurance

Stand inside the red-rock amphitheater of Cathedral Gorge, (jump to page 67)

4 Where to Stay Australia has a wide variety of places to stay to suit all budgets, from high-end luxury and beach houses, to & Overview & campgrounds and hostels. Contents

With festivals and events on year-round, it’s important to find out what’s going on, and book accommodation well in advance for Eastern Australia Eastern big events like New Year’s Eve in Sydney. New South Wales mid-North Coast Milly McGrath Milly Hostels Hostels can vary greatly in standard a few weeks, think about house and size, so look at reviews and sharing which can be the most ratings on online booking sites, and affordable option for travelers and Central Australia Central social media. At a minimum, they easier than trying to find a house Outback & Outback will offer free WiFi, a kitchen, shared with locals who don’t want to search bathrooms, and several dorm rooms, for a new flatmate every few months. and should be cheaper than hotels. Try flatmates.com.au or Domain. com.au to search for rooms, as Flats and house sharing well as Gumtree, the Australian

If you’re looking to stay longer than equivalent of Craigslist. Western Australia Rent can be quoted weekly or monthly (it varies between cities), and the bond (deposit) is usually Hostels can four weeks or one month’s rent. If vary greatly you have an informal or short-term in standard agreement, try to negotiate on price. and size, Breaking formal leases can cost

so look at Tips Insurance you up to six weeks in rent (again, reviews it varies by state), so make sure you and ratings know what you are agreeing to. on online booking sites, Hotels and B&Bs Streets of Newtown, Sydney and social

Getty Images/Westend61 Hotels and bed and breakfasts in media.

5 Australia can be booked through the standard international booking sites; booking.com, hotels.com, Expedia, and TripAdvisor. Prices will climb when big events or festivals are on, so set a price alert if you’re working to a budget. Prices should be inclusive of goods and services tax & Overview &

(GST) and not have any other costs Contents on top unless you want parking, breakfast, or other services not included in the price. Outside of major cities, Australia Manly beach and the city beyond, Sydney has many affordable roadside motels Getty Images/Spaces Eastern Australia Eastern and accommodation in pubs. It’s worth booking or calling ahead, as book out early when events are towns can be long distances apart, on, in particular, music festivals. It’s and you don’t want to be stuck often illegal to camp on beaches or without somewhere to stay. in national parks without a permit, so always check online or with the AirBnbs locals before you set up camp. The Central Australia Central Airbnb and other accommodation National Parks and Wildlife Service Outback & Outback sharing sites are legal in Australia, website has details of campgrounds although different states have in national parks around the different rules governing short-term country, which are often in beautiful rentals, and those rules continue locations. to evolve. In major cities, you

might be able to find better-priced Western Australia accommodation in the suburbs, so Budgeting for Your Trip do a little research to make sure Generally, the east coast is the most affordable to travel, the west there’s suitable public transport to coast is the most expensive, and the Outback falls somewhere in get to the things you want to see. between. Sydney has become the most expensive city in Australia, followed by Melbourne, Darwin, Brisbane, and then Perth. Western Australia is generally more expensive than the other states. Expect Camping costs to increase the further from major towns and cities you travel. In the far north and extreme south, fuel will cost a little more. With so many national parks and

To cut costs, research ways to work as you travel, drink glorious Tips Insurance wide-open spaces across Australia, goon (cheap wine in a cardboard box), eat two-minute noodles, and you’ll find numerous camping ask around hostels to see if backpackers are willing to share their grounds outside of major cities and contacts for car-sharing, or give you free camping gear that they don’t want to take home. regional centers. Most campsites will Never underestimate the hospitality of Australian people, many of have a website and can be booked whom offer couchsurfing and friendly advice. in advance. Popular campsites might

6 Transport Australia is made up of six states (including the island of Tasmania) and two territories, with 85% of the population living within 31mi (50km) of the coast. To see all 2,969,907mi2 & Overview & (7,692,024km2) that make up Contents Australia’s massive continent, you’ll need a significant amount of time. Don’t set unrealistic goals to see the whole country

in three months – it’s just not Australia Eastern going to happen.

Melbourne CBD Getty Images/SolStock Going from Perth in the west to Sydney in the east is a long journey, you a lot of your hard-earned money. and there’s a whole lot of nothing During the high season, especially While the in between. The huge red Outback around Christmas and New Year summer Australia Central desert cuts a gigantic swath through holidays, you’ll want to plan ahead. months & Outback its middle, where Uluru is in the Accommodation books out months in provide the middle of nowhere. With so much advance, especially in Sydney. While best weather, ground to cover, there are many the summer months provide the best it also means

ways to get around. Some methods weather, it also means peak tourist peak tourist of transport are fast and expensive, season; spring and fall may be your season; spring

others are much slower but will save best bet to avoid heavy crowds. and fall may Western Australia be your best Public transport cards bet to avoid around Australia heavy crowds. Opal Cards can be used on all Sydney trains, buses and ferries, Trainlink services, all buses in the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Insurance Tips Insurance Hunter and Illawarra regions, Sydney Light Rail and selected private ferries. In Victoria, a myki card can be used for trains, trams and buses in Melbourne and regional Victorian Flying over Brisbane

Getty Griggs Images/Jodie centers.

7 reliability. usually for less money and abit less Express (Rex) will get you there, too – Regional and Tigerair Jetstar, while carriers, biggest are the Australia Virgin and expensive. Qantas most Australia. Unfortunately, it’s also the most time-efficient way to see to state by domestic flight is the Moving from to and city city state flights Domestic this can also be used in Alice Springs. – to makecard easier catching buses Tap purchase a Darwin, Ride In and onto the public transport in Perth. you get will card SmartRider a and ofcity Adelaide via train, tram or bus, a Metrocard will get you around the Canberra, in you access buses to all give will MyWay Hobart, in transport the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast. Ipswich, around Brisbane, services buses, trains, ferries and tram Camper trailer,Camper Western Australia Use aprepaid Greencard to access Translink all on Card Go a Use round-trip ticket or purchase one of Choose aspecific one-way or territories. and states mainland all in services running coach operator and the only long-distance national coach operator, largest country’s clothes. comfortable in travel and entertained toyou keep have you something make so sure are long, journeys for you. However, be warned, bus driving the does else someone and admire the vast open road as you’re relax back, backpacking. Sit if particularly around, way to get Traveling by bus is the cheapest Bus or coach you’reflights. regional catching when drop further Weight restrictions feesextra if your bags weigh more. charging economy class, in pounds) many bags restrict to carry-on 7kg (15 as limits, weight carrier’s luggage Greyhound Australia is the youIf fly, be sure to check the Australia. way to see time-efficient is the most flight domestic to state by and state city to city from Moving

Getty Images/Jill Harrison

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romance and hark back to days gone Australia. to the Territory Northern and South travelers linking Western Australia, Rockhampton to Winton. from the Gold Coast to Kuranda, or network of tracks that can take you state. the throughout services regional train and ACT. In Victoria, V/Line operates Queensland Victoria, neighbouring into and state the throughout more civilized way to go. on someberths routes make it a sleeping and lounges cars, dining expensive than taking the bus, but Train travel will be slightly more Train travel experience. weaving Dreamtime stories into the by your imagination spark will who guides Indigenous local with often tours in different of the parts country, coaches guided and comfortable there. you the time, they’ve got the coach to get over the country, as long as you have has It coachesUSB ports. running all conditioning, restrooms, WiFi and buses,luxury tricked out with air- unlimited consecutive travel on 365 days, and just go. gives It you from 7to 45, 21, 60, 90, 120 or even the time period that works, ranging Choose passes. Greyhound’s Whimit Plus, certain trains are filled with Trains throughout operate coversQueenslandRail wide a Trainlink NSW connections has Many other tour companies offer Australia by car or campervan (what (what campervan or by car Australia side of the road so you can explore Get used to driving on the left-hand Driving for the time. first east and west coasts on asingle train route opened in 1970, connecting the four-day, adventure. The three-night Indian Ocean to Pacific Ocean,a on between and Perth Sydney, from the train that rumbles coast to coast, way. the along tour stops and food, fantastic cabin, sleeping luxurious complete with Darwin to Adelaide (or vice versa), from four-day, journey three-night legendary the history, Ghan, The ride To European settlers. that experience routes that opened up the country to in the 1870s that trace the railroad by, constructed rolling tracks along The Ghan Railway, near Alice Springs The Indian Pacific is another luxury and Sydneyand Perth between coast to coast, rumbles that train luxury another Pacific is Indian The

Getty Images/FiledIMAGE

Central Australia Central Overview &

Eastern Australia Eastern Western Australia Western 9 Tips Insurance

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insurance to drive legally, and in case legally, case toinsurance drive in and You’ll it. bought to have need car done sell with it, it the same way you once you’re and sale, vehicles for for boards notice campground hostel/ Check campervan. or car a trip, you may find it cheaper to buy details. sneaky any to be sure you aren’t caught out on thoroughly hire paperwork your car beware of surcharges. extra Read and minimum, to a drivers of number with your pick-up location, keep the a full-to-full fuel policy, be flexible booking it in advance. Always choose accommodation way or the along a car at the airport and go, finding wonder if there’s anybody out there. big cities to places so remote you’ll best way to explore everywhere from Aussies motorhome call RVs), the Manly Beach If you’re planning on an extended you’reIf extended an on planning rent simply exploring, easy For cause a major accident if hit. if accident major a cause active at dawn and dusk, and can kangaroosare most which especially out for wildlife on or beside the road, the next one. Always keep an eye it could be hundreds of miles before station in remote areas –sometimes tank whenever you pass apetrol return, and always fill up the petrol your to expect when and heading, know where someone let you’re map, paper a Carry Outback. and country the in especially spotty, be you who are doing longer road trips. won’t be of much help for those of but cities, around major are getting peer services are best for those who around cheaper.get peer-to- These Car to see if you can save money and such as Door Car Next or Drive My emergencies. any of Mobile reception in Australia can options carshare online out Check

Unsplash/Simon Rae

Australia Trip Around for aRoad Apps Useful Southern sky. Southern Australia’sin constellation every you shows that app stargazing 2, the fantastic Walk Star and gone; is signal your phone if even lost, never you’re so maps download offline HemaExplorer to places to camp; for Australia too. Try WikiCamps sights, must-see and parks national sites, caravan to campgrounds, way, the you along guide to help apps of phone mobile There are plenty

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Festivals Calendar Australians love a party, so it should come as no surprise that the festival scene is as eclectic as the landscape that’s the backdrop for many of the country’s best events.

Music festivals New Years Eve’s annual Falls Festival has expanded & Overview &

from the Victorian town of Lorne to beachside towns in Contents three other states: Marion Bay (TAS), Byron Bay (NSW), and Fremantle (WA). The three-day festivals have a Glastonbury vibe, with camping, great headliners, and a convivial atmosphere. Tamworth Country Music Festival has been celebrating Eastern Australia Eastern the sound and spirit of the bush each January since 1972. Vivid Sydney

In addition to big international and local names, the NSW Rae Unsplash/Simon town gives itself over entirely to the festival, with multiple buskers and extra events. WOMADelaide is a contemporary music festival of global sounds and conscious living for all ages, held in Adelaide’s Botanic Gardens each March. Central Australia Central In April and May, Groovin the Moo music festival is Outback & Outback held over three weekends in the picturesque regional centers of the Hunter Valley (NSW), Townsville (QLD), and Bendigo (VIC). Also in April, Byron Bay Bluesfest is a relaxed, family- friendly festival and arts celebration. The hippie haven is

also home to Splendour in the Grass, with a Coachella- Western Australia Buskers at Tamworth Country Music Festival

like line-up of musical talent, held each July. Getty Williams Maree Images/Lisa

Deni Ute Muster, NSW Deni = the town of Deniliquin; ute = utility (like an SUV); muster = 20,000 people descending on a small community to celebrate Outback culture. Two decades ago, when the region struggled through Insurance Tips Insurance a crippling drought, locals came up with the idea of a festival to generate an alternative source of income to farming, and the uniquely Australian Ute Muster was born. A full program includes chainsaw carving, wood chopping, Australian wildlife shows, and, of course, car exhibitions Deni Ute Muster

and racing. The free camping is a bonus after the Getty Images/Brook Mitchell/Stringer

11 eight-hour drive from Sydney, but don’t expect to sleep.

Outback Camel Races, NT Camels have been raced in the Outback since the 19th century, when, what is now the largest herd of camels in the world, was transported from Asia to be used for labor. Check out the Uluru Camel Cup each May, while the Queensland season begins in July, with weekly carnivals & Overview & in Bedourie, Boulia, and Winton. As well as the races, Contents there’s plenty of food, drink, music and more. Camping is free on site for ticket holders.

Beer Can Regatta, NT Darwin’s Beer Can Regatta started in 1974 when 22,000 Eastern Australia Eastern people turned out at Mindil Beach to watch boats, made Camel in the Outback of beer cans, race and often fall apart. Today, it’s even Getty Images/masterskyBeard more popular and has expanded to include a thong- throwing competition (flip-flops), live music, and plenty of drinking – it’s hot up there.

Henley-on-Todd Regatta, NT Central Australia Central The annual Henley-on-Todd Regatta has been held in the Outback & Outback Todd River’s dry creek bed since 1964. What was once considered a joke to outsiders, who didn’t understand that the Todd is usually a waterless riverway, has turned into the only dry boat race in the world. Competitors race Henley-on-Todd Regatta their vehicles on foot, like the cars in The Flintstones. GettyImages/Lisa Williams Maree Western Australia Dark Mofo, TAS In Tasmania, the winter solstice is celebrated at Hobart’s Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) with the 10-day Dark Mofo festival. Ticketed art events and free talks are held around the city, and festival highlights include the Winter Feast, a three-night nod to pagan tradition, and the Nude Solstice Swim in the Derwent River. Brrr. Insurance Tips Insurance

Elvis Festival, NSW Every January, the NSW country town of Parkes gets all shook up by the music of The King at the five-day Parkes Elvis Festival. The festival celebrates the music and legend Dark MOFO of Elvis Presley with car shows, rock ‘n’ roll dancing, and Ali Atkinson

12 couples renewing their vows as Elvis and Priscilla. Aussies Love Racing Things Every week, in Port Douglas and Broken Heel Festival, NSW Tambourine in Queensland, cane toads are raced at local pubs. In Berry Springs, Disco divas head to this desert festival, in the NSW in the Northern Territory, people bet on Outback town of Broken Hill, to celebrate the cult film crocodiles racing to the edge of a ring, while Priscilla, Queen of the Desert which was partly filmed at Brisbane’s famous Story Bridge Hotel, cockroaches are raced. Or, if you prefer here. For one weekend each September, the festival something bigger, the Melbourne Cup horse offers comedy, cabaret and live music. Get in early for race, aka ‘the race that stops the nation’, is

held on the first Tuesday of November each Overview & tickets on the Stiletto train from Sydney, or look for buses Contents year and is a public holiday in Victoria. from Adelaide and other major cities.

Wide Open Space, NT Head to Ross River Resort in the East MacDonnell Ranges, 52mi (85km) east of Alice Springs, each May to Eastern Australia Eastern experience Wide Open Space, one of Australia’s most unique events. Since 2009, this three-day festival has celebrated the unique desert culture of central Australia through music, art and culture, and features a selection of artists and performers who wouldn’t normally travel to the Sculpture Symposium in Broken Hill

Australian Outback. Getty Chan Images/Christopher Central Australia Central Outback & Outback Year-round Festivals at a Glance

ACT NSW NT QLD SA TAS VIC WA

Tamworth & JAN Elvis festivals

FEB Western Australia Illuminations, WOMADelaide MAR Canberra

Byron Bay Groovin the Moo, Groovin the Moo, APR Bluesfest Townsville Bendigo & Groovin the Moo, Uluru Camel Cup MAY Hunter Valley & Wide Open Space

JUN

Splendour in the Darwin Camel racing JUL Grass, Byron Bay Beer Can Regatta season begins

Henley on Todd

AUG Regatta Tips Insurance

Deni Ute Muster SEP & Broken Heel

OCT

Dark Mofo, NOV Hobart

Design Canberra Falls NYE Festival, Falls NYE Festival, Falls NYE Festival, Falls NYE Festival, DEC Festival Byron Bay Marion Bay Lorne Fremantle

13 Culture Indigenous domestic service. domestic occurred leases in pastoral and on families, and the work conditions that children their from Indigenous of removal the missions, on internment the policy of assimilation, the massacres, the about learn should Visitors Australia. real Aboriginal to understand wants who traveler any some of this history is important for understanding colonization, and greatly from of the impacts Aboriginal Australia has suffered History environment. harsh often and diverse basis for their ability to thrive in a Indigenous people live by and the spiritual belief systems are the laws Dreaming”,“the these complex called Often creation. and other and their relationships with each clan, the within responsibilities and spiritual emblem. Totems define roles their group as clan a of members by are inherited and animal or plant Totems object, natural a be can spiritual beliefs. spiritual and totems in embraced species things), living kindred and and land for wording Aboriginal (the their connection to Country people, Indigenous between relationship complex the in lies treasures cultural Indigenous Australia’s of essence The and considered a great insult to to considered great insult a and sacredfrom this region taboo is artefacts Removal and rocks of land. ancient into this deep go that connections and wisdom, ancient about learn and to listen ready Uluru as acultural site, and come are welcomeVisitors to appreciate coming into effect in October 2019. huge sandstone formation, with aban decided to stop all climbing on the Uluru (also known as Ayers Rock) take photographs. and places certain to visit permission for ask practices are strong, visitors should cultural where especially Australia, regional experience. In cultural Aboriginal evenan more valuable to doors opens and understanding, Australia demonstrates apositive as the Traditional Custodians of Aboriginal rock art at Carnarvon Gorge, Queensland Gorge, Carnarvon at rock art Aboriginal In 2017, the Traditional Owners of Acknowledging people Aboriginal 2019. October in into effect coming with aban formation, sandstone huge the on climbing to stop all decided Ayers Rock) known as (also Uluru Owners of Traditional In 2017, the

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Traditional Custodians and a breach about Aboriginal culture. of cultural lore. In Tasmania, book a tour You can with Wukalina Walk, by Palawa learn how to Authentic Indigenous tours Enterprises, to walk with a Palawa identify plants Kuku Yalanji Cultural Habitat Tours Aboriginal guide while exploring the used for bush in Far North Queensland, offer spectacular Bay of Fires. tucker (food) authentic insights into traditional and medicine, fishing grounds on a walk through Indigenous culture in cities and the daily & Overview & the mangroves. You can also learn Take a guided walk through Sydney’s local traditions Contents how to identify plants used for bush Botanic Gardens with Aboriginal of the local tucker (food) and medicine, and Bush Food Experience, and at people. the daily local traditions of the local Sydney’s Barangaroo, Aboriginal people. Cultural Tours show how Indigenous In Broome, Western Australia, history, culture and connections Eastern Australia Eastern Bart Pigram runs Narlijia Cultural survive despite urban development. Tours, and helps travelers learn On Queensland’s Gold Coast, about fascinating stories of life experience the interactive around Roebuck Bay from his unique Dreamworld Corroboree. In Cairns, perspective. millions of visitors have seen In South Australia, Quenten Agius performances and dance at Tjapukai of Aboriginal Cultural Tours will walk Cultural Park. Central Australia Central you across the beautiful country of Outback & Outback the Yorke Peninsula and Outback South Australia, sharing Dreaming Taste Indigenous Food Native foods are gaining attention for their stories that bring the landscape to high nutritional value and unique flavors, life, and demonstrate his people’s with celebrity chefs capitalizing on their occupation of Country for thousands exotic and nutritional profiles. Indigenous chefs such as Mark Olive, Clayton Donovan, of years. Rayleen Brown and Josh Whiteland ensure Western Australia Noma’s Rene Redzepi food Lirrwi Tourism in northeast Arnhem Aboriginal expertise stays front and center foraging in South Australia Land, Northern Territory offers of the native foods phenomenon. Kungkas Can Cook in Alice Springs, Koomal Dreaming in the Margaret adventures in culture, including a River region of Western Australia, and Charcoal Lane Restaurant in day tour to the Bawaka Homeland Melbourne are all worth a visit. with a Traditional Owner, or a yidaki Unique fruits, vegetables and spices, that have been harvested and traded for thousands of years, are now becoming available to (didjeridu) masterclass as part of a wider markets. While these are seasonal and generally in limited small group tour. supply, items such as lemon myrtle, saltbush, quandongs and bush Insurance Tips Insurance In Victoria, look for Brambuk limes are in high demand. Aboriginal Cultural Centre located Known as emu apples or native cranberries, muntries are a low- growing shrub found on the south coast of Australia. When ripe, in the Grampians National Park the berries are green with a red tinge and have the flavor of spicy (Gariwerd). You can book an apples. These tasty little berries are high in antioxidants, (four times that of blueberries), and can be eaten fresh or used in many Aboriginal rock art tour and try native sweet and savory dishes. foods at the café, all while learning

15 Katie McIntosh Travel Tips Sustainable ecosystems. Many states have between cross-contamination hikers to wash their boots to avoid require parks national many borders, state and Beyondfood). airports materials and plant (such as about you’re declare anything unsure and enforced. confiscation of materials arestrictly country’s biodiversity, and fines and the world, designed to protect the of the strictest quarantine laws in island nation, Australia has some an As again. Think deal? big no is your backpack in apple that Think laws quarantine Respect impact journey Down Under. Down journey impact here are some tips for alow- use, local respecting culture) bag avoiding plastic littering, travel of (not commandments Beyond the obvious universal Mataranka Thermal Pools, Queensland Pools, Thermal Mataranka Carefully read your arrivals card card read your arrivals Carefully and traditions and sites. Support Indigenous talent by by talent Indigenous Support sites. sacred and rockof people, art, photos before taking permission seek always communities, Indigenous culture.Indigenous Australia’s about rich to learn spirit, and you’ll be in agood place nature, generous curious and a mind, day Australia. groups make modern- up language and tribes Indigenous of hundreds communities of the Central Desert, people of to the north the inland saltwater seafaring From the culture Respecting national parks. national entering from species invasive and boot cleaning stations to stop bays vehicle wash-down installed Kangaroo on beach, the Esperance, WA Whenever you encounter always,As travel with an open

ecosystems. between contamination cross- avoid to their boots wash to hikers parks require national many borders, state and airports Beyond

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should only be admired in the wild wild the in admired be only should interaction, by human stressed easily and wombats look cuddly, they are koalas are. they Even though royalty deserve to be treated like the animal big drawcard for visitors, and they are traveling. you where matter recommended no better) state than you found it is Leaving aplace in the same (if not environment the and wildlife native Respecting instead. artisan Indigenous and buy the real deal from an probably made overseas, in afactory boomerang, produced souvenir guides. Indigenous tourowned to operators from learn Indigenous- Find work. their for price from galleries that afair pay artists directlybuying or from art artists Bald Head Walking trail, Albany, Western Australia Australia’s native animals are a areAustralia’s a animals native cheap, mass- that Sidestep will thank you for it. you for thank will pick up some litter instead. Australia and impact make bigger a souvenir; a your catch. always follow size and bag limits for in aline, check the local laws and in many states, so, before throwing cycle. regeneration wildflowers can interrupt nature’s picking as innocent as something Even states. most in illegal license is Australian native plants without a picking circles, but culinary in rage road at those times. stay vigilant extra if you are on the most active at dawn and dusk, so Kangaroos are roads. onto wanders often which wildlife native of wary interaction. encourage venues that and not picked up. Avoid wildlife Never remove coral seashells or as illegal is permit a without Fishing the all be might food for Foraging be areas, rural in driving When

states. most in illegal is license without a plants native Australian picking but circles, culinary in all the rage food might be for Foraging

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Australian Wildlife (That Won’t Kill You) While Australia is well-known for its many dangerous creatures, it is also home to some of the world’s most adorable, beautiful, and captivating animals.

Wildlife of the Australian Outback Thorny devil lizards move across the sand in search for & Overview &

ants, greater bilbies construct extensive underground Contents tunnel systems, and large perentie goannas prey on just about anything they can catch. Perenties have been known to even take down large wombats, kangaroos, and dingoes. If you camp out in the Outback, you’ll hear the howls of Eastern Australia Eastern dingoes echoing across the landscape. You’ll also come Red kangaroos

across the world’s largest herd of feral camels, which Megan Jerrard were introduced to Australia in the 19th century from India and Afghanistan for transport and work in the Outback. They were replaced by motorised vehicles in the early 20th century and released into the wild. Central Australia Central Wildlife of Tropical North Queensland Outback & Outback Australia’s dry Outback interior gives way to the world’s oldest rainforest in Tropical North Queensland. A visit to the Daintree Rainforest is like stepping back into the age of dinosaurs. Eclectus parrot

You half expect to come across a towering T-Rex Megan Jerrard

but instead, you must settle for the prehistoric-looking Western Australia cassowary. These flightless birds can be more than 6ft (1.8m) tall, and the southern cassowaries of Australia can inflict serious injuries with their dagger-like claws if provoked or while protecting their young. Unlike most birds, it is the male cassowaries that incubate and care for the young, while the females live solitary lives. While their kick may be dangerous, cassowaries would much rather Insurance Tips Insurance browse the forest floor for various fruits. Give them a bit of space while you admire these giants, with their colorful heads, adorned with extraordinary casques. Kangaroos take to the trees in tropical North Queensland where, if you’re lucky, you might catch a Koala

glimpse of a threatened Lumholtz’s or Bennett’s Pixabay/MartinStr

18 tree-kangaroo. You almost wonder if they are trying to climb to get a better glimpse of the shimmering blue Ulysses butterfly or the vibrantly colored Eclectus parrot that grace the canopy.

Wildlife in the Northern Territory The wetlands of Kakadu National Park are home to hundreds of bird species including brolgas, black-necked & Overview & storks, and vibrant Gouldian finches. You may also Contents come across a frill-necked lizard trying to steal some of the attention when it displays its threatening mane. As darkness falls, giant flying foxes take to the skies to Cassowary

provide a moving concert of sound. Getty Images/Richard Sharrocks You might feel quite small in the Top End, due to the Eastern Australia Eastern sheer expanse of the landscape and also when standing next to the towering natural skyscrapers created by cathedral termites. These termite mounds can reach 26ft (8m) in height and can remain active for up to 100 years.

Wildlife of Tasmania Australia’s island state provides the opportunity to see Central Australia Central many species which have become endangered or extinct Outback & Outback on the mainland. It’s known as the ‘land of the devil’ Frill necked lizard after its most notable inhabitant, the Tasmanian devil, a Getty Images/kuritafsheen marsupial carnivore with an intimidating personality. This once common, and loveable, species has seen a rapid decline in its population due to a detrimental facial tumor

disease that has spread across Tasmania. Western Australia While searching for the devil, you will probably come across the adorable small kangaroo-like pademelon, as well as marsupials the potoroo, bandicoot, and bettong. The island is also home to both of the world’s only egg-laying mammals – the duck-billed platypus and the spiky echidna. The platypus, a creature which looks like it was pieced together from a box of leftover animal parts, Insurance Tips Insurance is generally shy, and often nocturnal on the mainland, but can be spotted more often in Tasmania. It’s too late to spot one of Tasmania’s most iconic animals, the thylacine (or Tasmanian tiger). The last known surviving thylacine died in the Hobart Zoo on September Tasmanian Devil

7, 1936. It was declared extinct in 1982. Megan Jerrard

19 Safety have the latest maps, emergency emergency maps, latest have the goes into the but desert, ensure you way to experience any road trip that Renting a4WD vehicle is the safest a satellite phone to stay in touch. hiring consider remotein bushland, off-road, into the desert or camping when you’re meant to. you’re If going the authorities if you don’t turn up your travel plans, so they can alert about tell someone Always backup. a as maps paper carry and school often be rendered useless. old Go will coverage, your smartphone so that have no internet and phone roads.along windy where you’ll to need drive slowly Country High the in particularly the distances can be deceptive, but while the state is compact, prepared. to ensure road trip success is to be and the rough terrain. The best way destinations, between distances underestimate Australia’s size, the Australia is on aroad trip, but don’t One of the best ways to experience preparation trip Road travelers in the past. the travelers in unprepared many for problems great idea, but it has caused you want to might seem like a wherever (seemingly) camp the freedom to drive, hike and and bush dense Outback, the Long stretches of roads through There are huge areas of Australia around Victoria, to drive easy It’s Perth toPerth Esperance clocks in at 470mi is almost 1,500mi (2,414km), while to Broome accommodation. Perth communities, and towns with stops, fuel between distances Australia, be prepared for vast roads. unsealed to on travel terrain vehicle well-suited all- hire an Instead, evening news. subject of acautionary tale on the and could find you becoming the bought off a guy in a pub isn’t wise, hatchback you up, old banged a in Plain Nullarbor Crossing the trip. your you through to get fuel and of the road by ample carrying water Avoid being stranded by the side water can be difficult in the Outback. fresh and accessing fuel means road. about weather and hazards on the and stay up to date with information gear, recovery off-road equipment, Lucky Bay le National Grand inLucky Cape Park, Western Australia While driving around Western driving While towns between distances Huge stops. fuel between distances vast for prepared be Australia, Western around driving While

Getty Images/John Crux Photography

Central Australia Central

20 Overview &

Eastern Australia Eastern Western Australia Western Insurance Tips Insurance

Outback & Outback Contents

Australian sun. Red, roasted Brits and The Europeans on Australian beaches emergency are a common sight, but this can be number in prevented. Always slip, slop, slap; slip Australia is on a shirt, slop on water-resistant,

broad spectrum sunscreen (at least 000 (or 112) 30+) and slap on a hat. It’s essential which puts to cover up and protect your skin you in & Overview & from the UV rays during the hottest touch with Contents parts of the day (between 10am - ambulance, Jumping Crocodile Cruise, Northern Territory police and Katie McIntosh Katie 3pm). Seek shade where possible fire. and always stay hydrated. (756km). Make a strategic plan and Sunburn is painful, and can take plot out the location of roadhouses days or weeks to go away depending Eastern Australia Eastern if you’re venturing into remote on the severity. Melanoma (skin locations. Most roadhouses offer fuel cancer) is a major issue in Australia 24/7, as well as accommodation and with an estimated 14,000 cases bathroom facilities. diagnosed each year.

Total fire bans Where not to swim During bushfire season, Australia’s On a blistering hot day, the rivers, Central Australia Central dry heat turns the country into a beaches and billabongs of Australia Outback & Outback tinderbox. Knowing when a Total are unbelievably tempting – but Fire Ban is declared is essential. think before jumping in. From Displayed on local government crocodiles to strong currents and websites, news bulletins, and submerged rocks, hidden dangers highway signage, a Total Fire Ban lurk in Australia’s waterways. Always

means exactly that – don’t light swim between the yellow and red Western Australia a fire. Even throwing a cigarette flags at patrolled beaches as these butt out of a car window can have are the designated safe spots, and On a catastrophic results including never swim when you’ve been on blistering endangering lives, wildlife, and the booze. Read the signs – many hot day, homes. If you build a campfire (only rivers and lakes look serene but the rivers, where and when allowed), always hide strong currents. Don’t put a beaches and extinguish it properly with water, and foot into any body of water in Far billabongs of Insurance Tips Insurance bury the embers with soil or sand. North Queensland or the Northern Australia are Territory without first asking a local, a unbelievably Sun safety ranger or reading signs – Australia’s tempting While an Australian summer will 200,000-plus population of saltwater – but think do wonders for your tan, don’t crocodiles live here but can be before underestimate the harshness of the avoided by swimming where it’s safe. jumping in.

21 Sharks Despite all the media hype, sharks aren’t a big problem in Australia. You’re statistically more likely to end up in a car accident going to the beach than being bitten by a shark, however there are things you can do to be shark smart while enjoying the & Overview & ocean: Contents • Avoiding the ocean around dawn Great White Shark

and dusk is a myth – incidents can Getty Images/wildestanimal happen any time of day • Don’t swim after rain, when run- pain of a bluebottle sting, seek first off reduces water visibility, or if the aid immediately. Don’t rub the sting You’re Australia Eastern water is murky area. Try to pick off the tentacles with statistically • Avoid areas where there is fish tweezers and immerse the sting area more likely to feeding going on e.g. visible bait in hot water (as hot as you can stand) end up in a balls, which attracts smaller marine or pack with ice. car accident animals, with larger ones like sharks Irukandjis and box jellyfish are going to the following too. Birds dive bombing mainly found up in the waters of beach than are a clue northern Australia and as far south being bitten Australia Central • Always swim or surf in a group as the Whitsundays, with numbers by a shark. & Outback • Only swim at a patrolled beach, and peaking during November to obey all directives from authorities May, however they are found all if a shark has been sighted, and year around. Irukandjis are more calmly leave the water transparent and smaller than • If a beach is closed, it’s closed. bluebottles, which makes them hard

Don’t disobey the signage or to see in the water, and their sting Western Australia warnings by authorities. causes localised pain, disorientation, respiratory distress, and more. Box Bluebottles and other stingers jellyfish are bigger than Irukandjis, and Bluebottles are a common sight their sting is reportedly more painful, on Australia’s beaches during the and causes noticeable wounds. summer, with armadas of these If you are stung by Irukandji or a iridescent blue, long-tentacled box jellyfish, immediate first aid is Insurance Tips Insurance creatures washing up on the beach. vital. Call 000 and rinse the area Copping a sting is painful, and many with vinegar. Carefully remove the people accidentally step on them tentacles with tweezers. Reassure the while walking near the shore, or get patient and keep them calm. Perform stung while swimming in the ocean. CPR if necessary until medical help If you happen to experience the arrives.

22 Visas Holiday Visas: Subclass 462 and 462 and Subclass Visas: Holiday in Australia for up to years. two of you 31 may qualify to live and work holiday visa. you’re If under the age can make it reality with aworking you and dream travelers, many for Living and working in Australia is a Working holiday visas country. and re-apply once you’ve the left the date on which your visa ends, you must leave Australia no later than condition stay’ further on your visa, visa. If, however, you have a‘No allow, you need to apply for afurther will visa your original than longer face penalties. you If wish to stay traveling. while Australian laws attached to the visa all to obey character. important It’s and health about declarations includes which Card, Passenger travelers must fill out an Incoming 600). (subclass visa 651),(subclass Visitor (subclass 601) Authority of visas:types Electronic Travel you can apply for three different purposes, business or tourism For Tourism visas business and the country.the visa and valid passport to enter New Zealand, you will require a If you are not from Australia or Australia has different two Working you will your visa, you overstay If all Australia, in Before arriving , eVisitor​, won’t know if you don’t try! of visas available per year. But you number have limited countries a Working Some for a Visa. Holiday accepted be will applicant every country or anearby country. Not Immigration office within their own visa applications at the Australian online. your visa website to see if you can apply for Immigration of Department the Check must instead file a paper application. and However, online apply can all not website. Protection Border and Immigration of Department Australian the through online apply can qualifies you for. Many nationalities your nationality subclass visa which 417.Subclass Check onlineto see Hikers on Fraser Island on Hikers Some nationalities must lodge their holiday visa. holiday working a with reality make it can you and true for many, come dream a is Australia in working and Living

Getty Images/bamse009

Central Australia Central

23 Overview & Eastern Australia Eastern Western Australia Western Insurance Tips Insurance

Outback & Outback Contents

Weather the temperatures inevitably drop. drop. temperatures inevitably the when to August), (June winter during thunderstorms potential and rain mild winters. Be prepared for heavy and summers dry hot, enjoys Perth Western Australia Territory much easier. the remote spots of the Northern access to up, making area dry this in humidity. Waterholes rivers and low and rainfall, October, low sees waterfalls. raging and darkened skies across flashing time for photography with lightning the region. The wet season is agreat across damage widespread causing could form off the coast of Australia, and be aware that tropical cyclones to be closed because of flooding, Travelers roads some expect should rainfall. heavy temperatures, and scorching humidity, high with April, the wet season from November to experience all Westernof Australia reaches northern and Queensland, Territory, Northern The Far North The Top End your destinations. your for season best the choosing by activities your all for ahead Tasmania plan winter; during in hiking on out missing or season wet the during parks in Australia’s far north national incredible reaching chances of your ruin Don’t The dry season,The dry from May to moderate weather in fall, and and fall, in weather moderate winter,in scorching summers, hot freezingoccasionally temperatures with predictable, pretty are usually The seasons in New South Wales Wales South New happy, swimmers year-round.and year, hikers keeping keen surfers, the enjoyed throughout be can sea temperatures both in and out of the Warm summers. dry and to hot winter temperatures cool in comfortable from ranges coast southern climate Queensland’sThe on Queensland ocean are high. ocean are high. Western Australian sunset over the incredible chance catching an of your so doesn’t receive rainfall, much Perth From to February, December Dawn in the bushland of the Northern Territory bushlandDawn Northern of the the in much easier.much Territory Northern the of spots remote the to access making up, this area dry in rivers and Waterholes humidity. low and rainfall, sees low October, to from May season, The dry

Getty Images/Boy_Anupong

Central Australia Central

24 Overview & Eastern Australia Eastern Western Australia Western Insurance Tips Insurance

Outback & Outback Contents

August. between the months of June and Adelaide Hills will receive adusting South Australia, but occasionally the rare in is Snow rainfall. little very to May) for pleasant weather and (40ºC). Try visiting in fall (March above soar 104ºF occasionally will temperatures and to February, December from sparse is Rainfall summer. dry warm, a and winters mild experiences Australia South Australia South Peninsula. Mornington the walk along coastal coast for or asurf enjoy abeautiful January and February, head to the December, in warmer is weather the remember, you’re When Australia. in bring to the city ahalt in summer – be surprised if insane heat waves year-round. locals Don’t surprising freezing and rain, temperatures heavy winds, wild with temperamental, Melbourne’s famously is weather fields of theVictorian High Country. it’s time the to perfect head to the ski August), and July (June, winter During Victoria crowds. no temperatures to enjoy warm and able gems along the NSW coast, you’ll be weather. if you But, find some hidden tourists flock to Australia for the warm when January, and December of trails to yourself during the months to have the beaches and hiking course, expect don’t Of spring. in climate enjoyable most the (arguably) wonderland. snow-covered into a landscapes wild the turns snowfall and to August), November. and September between June and July, or later in the year May, during visit path, migratory their on whales humpback to see want the leaves turn red and yellow. you If time to go hiking. From March to May, best the typically is and February, torrential rain. and the west coast is famous for its – known as the Roaring – Forties you away with strong winds gusty Tasmania also,literally, quite will blow wet weather gear and warm clothes. notice. Just in case, always pack much without dramatically change Tasmania in weather The often can Tasmania Paragliding at Stanwell Tops, at Paragliding Wale s South New Temperatures (June winter drop in to December from runs Summer and January. and December of months the during yourself to trails hiking and beaches to have the don’t expect course, Of

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25 Overview & Eastern Australia Eastern Western Australia Western Insurance Tips Insurance

Outback & Outback Contents

26

sized adventure. sized

Brisbane, but then head out of the city to have an Australian- an have to city the of out head then but Brisbane,

where to go. You’ll probably arrive in Sydney, Melbourne or or Melbourne Sydney, in arrive probably You’ll go. to where

so much to explore on land and water; you just need to know know to need just you water; and land on explore to much so

and beach towns of New South Wales, Australia’s east has has east Australia’s Wales, South New of towns beach and Insurance Tips F

Rainforest in Queensland and the laid-back country country laid-back the and Queensland in Rainforest

in Tasmania, the tropical landscape of the Daintree Daintree the of landscape tropical the Tasmania, in

rom the country’s longest and deepest cave systems systems cave deepest and longest country’s the rom

HHiStock/LukeWaitPhotography AUSTRALIA

Western Australia Western EASTERN

Outback & Central Australia Eastern Australia Contents

& Overview Cradle Mountain, Tasmania Mountain, Cradle NEW SOUTH WALES New South Wales Home to some of Australia’s best beaches, hundreds of national parks, six World Heritage Areas, and fascinating Outback towns, & Overview &

New South Wales is best explored Contents by car. Rent a car in Sydney and set off to explore the state with Blue Mountains National Park

your own set of wheels. Getty Images/lovleah

Explore the Illawarra region a challenge, hike down the Golden Eastern Australia Eastern Drive south of Sydney to explore Stairs and climb Mount Solitary If you want Royal National Park with its miles for 360-degree views down the a cave of bushwalking tracks and beautiful Megalong Valley. experience beaches. The world’s second-oldest On the western edge of the Blue without the national park is great for hiking, Mountains, you’ll find the country crowds, head mountain biking, surfing, and whale town of Lithgow. Nearby, Hassan’s 40 minutes watching. A little further south the Walls Lookout is the highest in the north of Australia Central dramatic Grand Pacific Drive takes Blue Mountains, offering panoramic Lithgow to & Outback in the quiet surf towns of Thirroul, views of the national park. An hour the Glow Austinmer, Stanwell Park and south, Jenolan Caves is a 24mi Worm Coledale. You can go skydiving over (40km) network of ancient limestone Tunnels in Wollongong, visit Dharawal National caves containing Silurian marine Newnes Park for hiking and wild swimming, fossils and massive calcite formation. Plateau.

hang gliding in Stanwell Tops, and But, if you want a cave experience Western Australia head to Budderoo National Park for a without the crowds, head 40 minutes birdwatching rainforest walk. north of Lithgow to the Glow Worm Tunnels in Newnes Plateau. Blue Mountains National Park Each year, millions of people head Kangaroo Valley and Jervis Bay west from Sydney to the Blue In the Shoalhaven region of NSW, Mountains to see the famous Three about two hours from Sydney and Insurance Tips Insurance Sisters in the World Heritage-listed Canberra, Kangaroo Valley is a lush Greater Blue Mountains Area. Escape paradise of rainforests and green the crowds in Blackheath to enjoy pastures, perfect for camping and great food and the breathtaking bushwalking. There’s a great village views of the Grose Valley from pub, and you can canoe or kayak Evans Lookout. Or, if you’re up for along the Kangaroo River with

27 NEW SOUTH WALES & Overview & Contents Contents

Carlotta Arch, Jenolan Caves Getty Images/chameleonseye

Kangaroo Valley Safaris. Check the weather, the Snowtunes Music Eastern Australia Eastern out the many festivals and markets Festival kicks off the coldest season throughout the year, including the of the year with music, bright lights, lively Folk Festival every October. and lots of booze. Shop for arts and crafts, listen to folk The Snowys are also a hiking, bands from around Australia, and horse riding, cycling and fishing enjoy poetry readings. hotspot in the summer months. While Get those legs moving and lace up you’re in Kosciuszko National Park, Central Australia Central your hiking boots for a walk along the hike to the top of mainland Australia’s Outback & Outback Griffins Fire Trail in Morton National highest peak, Mount Kosciuszko. Park or Cooks Nose in Barren The 8-mi return (13km) hike isn’t too Grounds Nature Reserve. demanding on the knees and offers One hour further south is Jervis spectacular views of the mountains Bay National Park, brilliant for scuba and surrounding countryside.

diving with weedy seadragons and Western Australia cuttlefish, dolphin spotting, and The old mining town walking along the impossibly white of Newcastle sand at Hyams Beach. Back on the coast, two hours north of Sydney, the city of Newcastle is While you’re The Snowy Mountains the gateway to the Hunter Valley, in Kosciuszko Some of Australia’s best ski fields and is famous for its beautiful surf National await in the Snowy Mountains in the beaches. Here, nightlife is happening,

Park, hike Tips Insurance state’s south. Thredbo and Perisher beaches are quieter, and parking is to the top are popular ski resorts, and each much easier to find. Take a stroll up of mainland year during winter, locals cross to Nobbys Lighthouse, established Australia’s their fingers in hope for a good in 1858, to enjoy coastal views and highest snow season. On the first weekend to learn about the history of the land peak, Mount of winter each year, regardless of dating back to the Dreamtime. Take Kosciuszko.

28 NEW SOUTH WALES

beachside camping, fishing, whale watching and swimming in Arakoon An hour National Park before heading north. north of Dive at Fish Rock with its cave swim- Newcastle, through, and swim among the large Port schools of fish and many types of Stephens is a subtropical and tropical marine life. quiet coastal town with & Overview & Coffs Harbour excellent Contents Coffs Harbour, 240mi (540 km) north whale Byron Bay Lighthouse

Getty Images/John White Photos of Sydney, is dominated by farmland watching. and banana plantations, and the a detour inland to the Hunter Valley only place in NSW where the Great to relax with a glass of wine at one of Dividing Range meets the Pacific Eastern Australia Eastern Australia’s oldest wineries. Ocean. Surrounded by national parks and Go sandboarding marine reserves, check out nearby in Port Stephens Bellingen River and Dorrigo national An hour north of Newcastle, Port parks, and take in the view from the Stephens is a quiet coastal town mountains to the sea from the Forest with excellent whale watching, May Sky Pier at Sealy Lookout. Central Australia Central through November, watersports, and If you’re looking for a challenge, Outback & Outback fishing. For an adrenaline rush, go the Yuraygir Coastal Walk, covering sandboarding at Worimi Regional 40mi (65km) of coastline, takes Park (also known as Stockton Sand four days to complete, and is home Dunes) or join a quad biking tour, with to many rare wetland creatures, a company owned and operated by likes the eastern ground parrot and

Indigenous communities. eastern grass owl. Western Australia Go diving offshore from Coffs Barrington Tops Harbour to Solitary Islands Marine and South West Rocks Park, where the warm tropical waters Venture inland to Barrington Tops of the Great Barrier Reef meet the National Park, where, during winter, cooler waters from the south. Here, a snow falls on the campsites and great mix of tropical and subtropical bushwalking trails. If you’ve got a marine life merge, with colorful corals, Insurance Tips Insurance 4WD, get the paint dirty on some of sponges and anemones, schools of the muddy tracks – but don’t attempt fish, sharks, turtles, giant cuttlefish, them without off-road equipment. rays, and eels can be seen. Drive east towards the coast again to explore the history of Trial Bay Byron Bay Gaol in South West Rocks, and enjoy Chill out in the surf town of Byron Bay

29 NEW SOUTH WALES while enjoying the waves, nightlife, and food from quirky cafes. It gets busy here, so head south to Ballina to catch the waves at Lighthouse Beach and Lennox Head, or north to beautiful, peaceful Brunswick Heads. Get those limbs moving in the ancient World Heritage-listed rainforests of Walls of China, Mungo National Park & Overview & Contents Contents Nightcap National Park, near Lismore, Getty Images/miroslav_1 on the 0.9mi (1.5km) Big Scrub loop walking track. See the Walls of China Go diving at Julian Rocks during in Outback NSW Fans of the summer and autumn to hang out Off the well-driven east coast trail, movie Mad with leopard sharks and manta rays. Mungo National Park is hiding away

Max will Australia Eastern During the cooler months, grey nurse in the southwest corner of NSW, enjoy the sharks will arrive. Other marine life 625mi (1,006km) or a 15-hour drive Mad Max include turtles, wobbegongs, eagle from Sydney. This 110,967-hectare Museum in rays, starfish, and anemones. national park is rich in Indigenous Silverton, Inland from Byron Bay, check history. From Mungo lookout, gaze where the out the busy country towns of across an ancient ice-age lake bed, movie was Mullumbimby and Bangalow, where undiscovered bones of original

filmed. Australia Central surrounded by rolling hills, or head megafauna remain today, and see Outback & Outback northwest to extraordinary Wollumbin the iconic Walls of China formation, National Park. sculpted over thousands of years by wind and rain. This erosion has See Australia’s only revealed artefacts, dating back more Dark Sky Park than 40,000 years, belonging to

Venture far into Outback NSW to see the Mutthi Muhhti, Ngyiampaa, and Western Australia the night skies above Warrumbungle Paakantyi Aboriginal people. National Park. This special place While you’re out here, head to became Australia’s only Dark Sky the nearby Outback mining town Park because of the exceptional of Broken Hill. The Living Desert quality of its starry nights, and is also Sculptures are a collection of home to Australia’s largest optical sandstone artworks created by telescope. This is the perfect spot for international artists in 1993. Fans Insurance Tips Insurance star-loving campers. Don’t miss the of the movie Mad Max will enjoy 9mi (14.5km) Breadknife and Grand the Mad Max Museum in Silverton, High Tops walk to see iconic rock where the movie was filmed. formations, wildflowers in spring, and Nearby Mundi Mundi Plains Lookout wedge-tailed eagles soaring above in offers spectacular views of the search for prey. vast plains.

30 AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY Australian Capital Territory Sydney is often mistaken for the capital of Australia, but

186mi (300km) south, inland Overview & Contents Contents from Budawang National Park, is Canberra, in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).

Canberra Eastern Australia Eastern The center of Australia’s political life, and the home to many of the Parliament House, Canberra

country’s leading cultural institutions Getty Images/Yicai (including the brilliant Australian War Memorial, the National Gallery of region, and is surrounded by pristine Australia, and the National Portrait countryside. Canberra’s growing Canberra has Gallery), Canberra is often labelled as media industry and a large student an exciting Australia Central boring and is accused of having had population are serviced by hipster food scene, & Outback a fun bypass. markets, cool cafes, festivals and a an emerging In reality, while the carefully planned calendar of events. cool-climate capital might seem structured and wine region,

curated compared to Australia’s other Food and nightlife and is cities, Canberra has an exciting food Head to Lonsdale Street for small surrounded

scene, an emerging cool-climate wine bars, industrial cafes and restaurants. by pristine Western Australia Colorful street art and edgy bars countryside. make it the ideal place for a night out or slow morning. For something more upscale, Kingston Foreshore is home to restaurants overlooking Lake Burley Griffin, perfect for dinner and with a sunset over the lake. Fyshwick Insurance Tips Insurance Fresh Food Markets is Canberra’s oldest food market and is a great foodie hangout with a fantastic range of seasonal fresh produce, bakery goods, and locally made beer, wine Murrumbidgee river

Getty Images/Garry Hodson and spirits.

31 AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY & Overview & Contents Contents Eastern Australia Eastern

Canberra Getty Images/Leelakajonkij

Out of town 40-minute drive from Canberra, More than half of the ACT is a and a great place for hiking. Here Here protected nature reserve and you’ll spot kangaroos, koalas, you’ll spot Australia Central national park, with waterfalls, gorges, possums, emus and, possibly, even kangaroos, & Outback rives, lookouts, and snow-capped a platypus. At the northern end koalas, mountains waiting to be explored. of the Australian Alps, Namadgi possums, There are plenty of walking and National Park has mountain biking emus and, mountain biking trails, and places to trails, horse riding and the Bendora possibly, fish, paddle, climb and camp. Arboretum heritage track, which even a

passes through a conifer forest. platypus. Western Australia Raft the Murrumbidgee Walk part of the 90mi (145km) If grade 3 white-water rapids don’t Centenary Trail which takes in all give you dizzy spells of anxiety, of Canberra in a loop following book an exhilarating whitewater the NSW border, tackle the adventure just outside Canberra. well-signposted 16mi (27km) From July to December, day trips Murrumbidgee Discovery Track can be booked through Alpine River that crosses the cliffs of Red Insurance Tips Insurance Adventures. Before you book, check Rock Gorge (and take a dip in the to make sure your travel insurance Kambah Pools swimming hole policy covers this activity. while you’re there), or take a 2.7mi (4.5km) return hike to the top of Strap on the hiking boots Mt Ainslie that rises up behind the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, is a Australian War Memorial.

32 VICTORIA Victoria Melbourne is a vibrant, multicultural city, but there is a lot more to Victoria than its bustling capital. If you’re road-tripping your way around Victoria, you’ll be rewarded with & Overview & stunning landscapes, historic Contents towns, and abundant wildlife.

Walking with wildlife in Gippsland Gippsland is a highlight of southeast Eastern Australia Eastern Victoria. Wilsons Promontory Mt Hotham in Winter

(known as The Prom) is one of the Getty Images/FiledIMAGE state’s best-loved national parks, with turquoise waters, white sand Victoria is where you’ll find beaches, sand dunes and temperate the state’s highest mountains, As winter rainforests. The hiking here is snowfields, vineyards, and a colorful rolls in, keen spectacular, and there are more than history. Learn about the notorious snowboarders Australia Central 49mi (80km) of walking tracks. Test bushrangers (outlaws who lived in and skiers & Outback your stamina on the 11.8mi (19km) the bush and were widespread in migrate walk from Telegraph Saddle to the this area in the 1850s) in the town of to Mount lighthouse – the southernmost Glenrowan, where you can visit the Buller, Mount occupied point of mainland Australia. Ned Kelly Museum and Homestead. Buffalo, Mount Along the way, you’ll see eastern Follow the interpretive displays to Hotham, and

grey kangaroos, swamp wallabies, find out more about Australia’s most Falls Creek. Western Australia emus, wombats, and fairy-wrens. famous bushranger. The natural beauty of Gippsland Visit the towns of Bright and is on full show in Croajingolong Myrtleford in fall (March, April and National Park, one of 12 World May), when leaves turn red, amber Biosphere Reserves in Australia. and orange. As winter rolls in, keen Koalas hide in the gum trees along snowboarders and skiers migrate to the path of the Double Creek Nature Mount Buller, Mount Buffalo, Mount Insurance Tips Insurance Walk, and kangaroos graze near the Hotham, and Falls Creek. Once the banks of the Mallacoota Inlet. snow melts, bushwalkers, horse riders, and cyclists come out in force, Adventure in the Victorian ready to tackle the tracks. High Country Most of the trails throughout the The High Country in northeast High Country are shared among

33 VICTORIA

Starting in Port Campbell, drive the iconic 86mi (140km) loop of the & Overview &

12 Apostles Contents Gourmet Trail.

Loch Ard Gorge Australia Eastern Getty Images/4FR

walkers, runners and riders, and the in Drysdale, which also offers home most popular paths are the 1.9mi made gin. (3.1km) Family Trail starting at the An easy 90 minutes east of clocktower in the Mt Buller village Melbourne, the Yarra Valley is a square, the 2.4mi (4km) Mt Timbertop thriving wine region. Take your Central Australia Central walk located on Howqua Track just time checking out the cellar (and Outback & Outback past Merrijig, and the 2.7mi (4.5km) distillery) doors including Four Pillars, Packhorse Heritage Trail starting a boutique gin distillery that uses from Falls Creek village. Australian native botanicals, and TarraWarra Estate, offering wine and Food, wine and whiskey spectacular views.

Starting in Port Campbell, drive the Western Australia iconic 86mi (140km) loop of the 12 Hanging Rock Apostles Gourmet Trail, which takes Venture out to Hanging Rock in in local farmers selling gourmet central Victoria, and stop by the cheese, ice cream, whiskey, olives, Hanging Rock Discovery Centre to chocolate, snails (yep, snails), learn how Indigenous Australians strawberries, wine, beer and fudge. used the area for more than Check out great wineries in the 26,000 years, the geology of the Insurance Tips Insurance High Country, including Feathertop unusual volcanic formation, and the and Gapsted. In May each year, background to Joan Lindsay’s famous the High Country Harvest Festival book, Picnic at Hanging Rock. Take a celebrates local food, wine and craft walk on the trails to see this volcanic beer. Or, if single malt whiskey is plug that has been exposed to the more your flavor, visit the Whiskery elements, causing erosion and

34 VICTORIA resulting in very unusual landscapes. Pack your camping gear to spend a few days exploring the Macedon Ranges.

Take a step back in time Drive north of Melbourne to the gold rush town of Bendigo to see the & Overview & thriving arts scene and gilded history, Contents then continue north to Echuca on the banks of the Murray River, where the whistles of paddle steamers fill the air as you cruise down the river, passing ancient river gums and imagining

Grampians National Park Australia Eastern what the area was like in the 1800s Photography Crux Getty Images/John when this was one of Victoria’s busiest stretches of water for trading the significance of the Grampians for wool from nearby sheep stations. Indigenous people, where Aboriginal The guides offer tours to rock art sites. Grampians, Rock art and nature in There are a number of spectacular or Gariwerd The Grampians waterfalls in the Grampians National as it is Australia Central The Grampians, or Gariwerd as it is Park, including the powerful

traditionally & Outback traditionally known, has been central 115ft (35m) high MacKenzie Falls. known, to the dreaming of Aboriginal people Swimming isn’t allowed, so locals has been for more than 30,000 years. It’s head to the deep pools of Fish Falls central to the home to more than 80% of Victoria’s for a dip, which is near Zumsteins dreaming of rock art sites, and other ancient picnic area. Take the easy or medium Aboriginal people for

Indigenous artifacts such as stones trail to The Pinnacle Lookout, a Western Australia for tool making and oven. Go hiking, 3.4-mile (5.5km) round trip from more than camping, mountain biking, fishing, the Wonderland carpark, offering 30,000 years. see waterfalls, or try abseiling and spectacular views of the eastern rock climbing (check your travel Grampians. insurance policy to be sure you’re covered for these activities). The Mornington Peninsula From Melbourne, take the Western An hour southeast of Melbourne, the Insurance Tips Insurance Highway to Halls Gap, traveling Mornington Peninsula has a stunning through Beaufort. On your way, stop coastline, abundant marine life, off at Michael Unwin and Mt Langi vibrant coastal villages, and delicious Ghiran vineyards to sample some fine local food and wine. shiraz. The Brambuk Center in Halls The charming towns of Flinders Gap is a great place to learn about and Balnarring are a great place to

35 VICTORIA

Island, a two-hour drive southeast of Melbourne, to see the Penguin Take a day Parade at Summerland Beach. trip to Phillip Spectators must stay a safe distance Island, a two- away while they watch, every night hour drive at dusk, hundreds of small penguins southeast of emerge nervously from the ocean to Melbourne, make their way up the beach to their to see the & Overview & burrows for the night. Adorable. Penguin Contents Parade at Brighton Beach

Getty Images/jamesphillips Dandenong Ranges Summerland National Park Beach. stop off for a meal in a cozy pub. The winding roads of Dandenong The rugged and historic Cape Ranges National Park, just one hour Eastern Australia Eastern Schanck Lighthouse Reserve, in from Melbourne, are riddled with Mornington Peninsula National Park, quaint villages and artists’ studios, has spectacular wild beaches and and forests of mountain ash and rugged basalt cliffs. Take a walk fern gullies. Walk or run up the 1,000 along the Bushrangers Bay Walking steps, a 1.8mi (3km) track ascending Track for views over the pristine through a damp fern valley up coastline and, further along the coast, through tree ferns and manna gums. Central Australia Central you can soak in healing thermal Outback & Outback waters at the Peninsula Hot Springs or don a mask and snorkel to spot sea dragons under Rye Pier.

Go surfing in Torquay

Catch a wave at Torquay’s beaches, Western Australia which are surrounded by high cliffs forming a natural amphitheater. The golden sand and rolling swells are just over an hour from Melbourne, so there’s plenty of time to surf and visit the world’s largest surfing/ beach culture museum, the Australian Insurance Tips Insurance National Surfing Museum.

Phillip Island There are few things cuter than seeing tiny penguins in their natural The Pinnacles Rock, Phillip Island

habitat. Take a day trip to Phillip Getty /Boy_Anupong Images

36 TASMANIA Tasmania Once the butt of jokes by its mainland cousins, Tasmania is now a go-to destination with cool festivals headlined by international acts, historic cinemas with a modern twist & Overview & and public nudity that is legal Contents once a year.

Then vs now A decade or two ago, there were two places your parents or grandparents

Cradle Mountain Australia Eastern

would go for a holiday, either a wine Megan Jerrard tour in South Australia or an RV trip around Tasmania in true ‘grey summer festival MONA FOMA, nomad’ style. curated by Violent Femmes guitarist What was Fast forward to now, and travel Brian Ritchie. Using his industry once a state in Tasmania is booming. What was contacts, a state that once struggled that only once a state that only came alive in to lure any big-name acts can now came alive Australia Central summer with the finish of the iconic boast the likes of The Flaming Lips,

in summer & Outback Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, now Gotye, Philip Glass and Nick Cave in with the boasts a year-round calendar of its past line-ups. finish of the broad ranging events, attracting While once Tasmanians hibernated iconic Sydney everyone from hipsters, backpackers, during the bitterly cold and long to Hobart foodies and anyone else who feels winter, another brainchild of Walsh, Yacht Race, now boasts

left out at dinner parties because Dark MOFO has lured them out of Western Australia they haven’t been to MONA. their homes, alongside thousands of a year-round interstate and international visitors, to calendar of The MONA effect celebrate the Southern Hemisphere’s broad ranging This is the term locals use to explain winter solstice with musical acts, events. the explosion of interest in the art installations, food, artisan beers island state. In fact, the founder of and spirits. The festival wraps up the Museum of Old and New Art with a nude swim, where shrinkage Insurance Tips Insurance (MONA) David Walsh, a long-haired is guaranteed as the temperature arts patron from the working-class struggles to get into double figures in northern suburbs of Hobart, is often the early morning. referred to as Tasmania’s unofficial And Walsh hasn’t stopped there; leader. stay tuned for his hotel and casino, MONA is responsible for the HoMo.

37 TASMANIA

Tasmanians are fiercely loyal, so it’s often a surprise to visitors that people in the & Overview &

north are not Contents huge fans of the south and vice versa. Hartz Mountains National Park Getty Images/Posnov Eastern Australia Eastern On the road A state divided If you want to escape the crowds, but Tasmanians are fiercely loyal, so it’s still love getting amongst the vibe, often a surprise to visitors that people get yourself to Golconda in the state’s in the north are not huge fans of the remote northeast. For two nights south and vice versa. Whether you and three days in March, the 50-acre are from Hobart or Launceston, the private property opens its gates for state’s two biggest cities, each argue Central Australia Central the Panama Festival. Don’t be fooled the best thing about the others’ Outback & Outback by the name, you won’t find a bush respective cities is the view in the band banging a Mendoza on the rear-vision mirror as they drive away. main stage. The rivalry even extends to which Nearby, but later in the year, the beer you drink. Take a tour of James North East Rivers Festival kicks off, Boags Brewery in Launceston but

an event that started with a single don’t mention the ‘c’ word. Cascade Western Australia river race 40 years ago. If you don’t is the beer brewed in the south of the mind getting wet and covered in flour state. While both breweries are rich bombs, enter a homemade raft or in history, a bloke at a pub in Hobart boat in the Derby River Derby and would never order a beer brewed in tackle the rapids of the Ringarooma Launceston. You be the judge. River. The festival is now so popular If beer is not your thing, visit Willie it’s expanded from that race to two Smith’s Apple Shed in the Huon, Insurance Tips Insurance full weekends of action. south of Hobart, for a cider. It ticks And if you are traveling to all the boxes, it’s organic, served in a Golconda from Hobart, make sure rustic barn with Sunday sessions and you stop at Elephant Pass and enjoy quality produce. The nearby museum a stack of pancakes overlooking the tells the story behind the orchard Tasman Sea. industry’s comeback in the region,

38 TASMANIA helping the state reclaim the title of the ‘Apple Isle’.

Tassie’s deep south Further south in the Huon, the tiny town of Geeveston is where you’ll find the best sushi in the state at Masaaki’s Sushi. But you need to be & Overview & quick, chef Masaaki Koyoma only Contents opens on weekends, is sold out by mid-afternoon and closes early Getty Images/janetteasche Sunday to go surfing. Walk the Three Capes Track While in Geeveston, you can Standing on Australia’s tallest sea cliffs, towering 984ft (300m) over explore the Hartz Mountains, Huon the Southern Ocean, can be vertigo-inducing, but their raw beauty is worth the challenge. The track passes a fabled rock climbing route, Australia Eastern and Picton Rivers, Hastings Caves The Totem Pole, along with eucalypt forests, heaths and moors and and relax in the thermal springs. the pristine sands of Fortescue Bay. Camping sites must be booked in When you get back to Huonville, advance for this circular walk, and include a bed in comfortable hiker cabins, a boat cruise to the trailhead, and a bus back to the start. return to Hobart via Cygnet. It’s Time: 28mi/46km, four days popular among people desiring an Getting there: Catch a bus 1.5 hrs from Hobart to Port Arthur. alternative lifestyle and is full of art Tip: With a bed and cooking facilities provided, you’ll have more studios and galleries. It’s also where space to pack a bottle of wine. Central Australia Central renowned former Sydney Morning Difficulty: Moderate Outback & Outback Herald restaurant critic Matthew Many of Tassie’s multi-day hikes require thorough planning. Evans first lived when he moved to Advanced bookings and permits may be required, and there are restrictions such as daily limits on the number of hikers allowed, as Tasmania. His story, documented in well as areas that are off-limits to trekkers. the TV series Gourmet Farmer, has been credited with luring people to

Tassie from around the world looking red. The cinema is at the top of the Western Australia for a ‘food change’. restaurant strip in North Hobart. The art-deco Star Theatre in A good old-fashioned Launceston is another independent movie house cinema screening fewer mainstream In Hobart, the State Cinema is the films. Like the State Cinema, it has place to go. It screens arthouse a bar and café with relaxed seating and foreign movies alongside options. Insurance Tips Insurance blockbusters. Find out what’s being screened in cinema five or eight and A protected island you will enjoy an intimate experience More than 40% of Tasmania with just a few leather couches is a national park, reserve, or surrounded by sandstone walls. conservation area. At the heart of Make sure you grab a glass of Tassie Tasmania’s conservation efforts is

39 TASMANIA the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, which covers nearly 20% of the island. Tasmania has 19 national parks, more than 400 conservation areas, and hundreds of nature reserves and historic sites.

While Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park receives the most & Overview & attention, due to its modern facilities, Contents popular Dove Lake Circuit Trail, and the world-famous Overland Track, it is Tarkine the lesser-known parks and reserves Megan Jerrard which offer pure wilderness. Find Aboriginal heritage sites, Cave, welcomes divers through its Eastern Australia Eastern shipwrecks and lighthouses in massive opening, leading into a maze Get lost Rocky Cape National Park, or go of caverns and passages. Access to in the camping among iconic animals this site is weather-dependent, so prehistoric- such as Tasmanian devils, wombats, check with your dive operator. Marine looking pademelons and sea eagles in life includes weedy seadragons, Tarkine Narawntapu National Park. Take turtles, fish, cuttlefish, plus smaller Forest a short hike around the park’s marine animals such as nudibranchs Reserve, Australia Central Springlawn Lagoon in the early and sea spiders. home to & Outback morning for your best chance of Australia’s spotting wildlife. Take a drive to Port Arthur largest National parks, such as Freycinet, Take a drive from Hobart to the temperate offer well-groomed, sign-posted historic convict settlement turned rainforest. trails that take you to beautiful open-air museum at Port Arthur.

sights, including Wineglass Bay. A Walking through the remnants of Western Australia visit to Southwest National Park will the buildings, you can almost hear require careful planning, as much of the cries and despair of the convicts this national park is unexplored, and that were imprisoned here with is home to rare animals such as the no hope of escape. On the way critically endangered orange-bellied to Port Arthur, stop off to see the parrot. Some areas of the park can natural rock formations of the Devil’s be accessed by road, but others, Kitchen, the Tessellated Pavement, Insurance Tips Insurance such as the South Coast Track, and Tasman Arch. require a helicopter to enter, before you hike out. Tarkine Forest Reserve Get lost in the prehistoric-looking Go diving at Cathedral Cave Tarkine Forest Reserve, home Australia’s largest sea cave, Cathedral to Australia’s largest temperate

40 TASMANIA

rainforest. The Tarkine Drive circuit cuts through Tasmania’s northwest, and is dotted with numerous hiking trails and camping areas along the coast and deeper into the rainforest.

Take the Great Eastern Drive White sand beaches and crystal- & Overview &

clear waters can be found on the Contents Great Eastern Drive, guiding you from the scenic Bay of Fires to Orford. Further south along the Bay of Fires

coast, take a hike for a better chance Megan Jerrard of seeing wildlife in Freycinet and Eastern Australia Eastern Maria Island National Park. rare, quiet spots like Lobster Falls or Redwater Creek Falls, which rarely White sand Chase a waterfall, or three see visitors for weeks at a time. beaches and The only thing better than witnessing crystal-clear the roar of a waterfall is not having Some of Australia’s longest waters can to share the experience with anyone and deepest cave systems be found on else. Across Tasmania, countless Mole Creek Caves in Tasmania’s the Great Australia Central waterfalls can be accessed via a short north are home to entrancing glow Eastern Drive. & Outback hike that’ll bring you close enough to worms, stalactites, stalagmites, and feel the cool mist on your face. The shimmering crystals. If you are a bit rainy winter season brings many of the claustrophobic, instead head south falls to life, including the elegant Liffey of Hobart to the spacious Hastings Falls and the towering Montezuma Caves where you’ll also find a thermal

Falls, Tasmania’s tallest. Seek out pool to soothe the legs after climbing Western Australia the cave’s many stairs.

Don’t miss Tassie’s offshore islands Travel back in time with a visit to Maria Island, which was once home to convict settlements but now Insurance Tips Insurance provides a safe refuge for wildlife, including introduced devils. Search for albino wallabies on Bruny Island, dine on fresh seafood on King Island, and escape modern life on Flinders Port Arthur

Megan Jerrard Island.

41 QUEENSLAND Queensland There’s more to Queensland than the Great Barrier Reef, with ancient rainforests, epic four-wheel driving tracks, exciting islands, national parks and Outback pubs. & Overview & Contents Contents Daintree Rainforest From Cairns, head north (by car, bus, seaplane or helicopter) to explore the Daintree National Park, a spectacularly green and wild Eastern Australia Eastern environment that teems with life. Cape Tribulation

The Daintree, with its dense Getty Images/DarrenTierney tropical foliage, huge fan palms, big crocodiles and tiny tree frogs, Day trips from Cairns is a UNESCO World Heritage site, Take a one hour drive inland The Daintree, and is the oldest, continuously from Cairns to see the Atherton with its dense surviving tropical rainforest on earth, Tablelands. Visit the huge Cathedral tropical Australia Central estimated to be 165 million years and Curtain fig trees, and camp on foliage, huge & Outback old. Yikes! the shores of Lake Tinaroo. fan palms, Head to Cape Tribulation, the Take a short drive to Kuranda to big crocodiles remote, desolate beach edged see the mighty waterfalls in Barron and tiny tree by mangroves (explore those via Gorge National Park. After heavy frogs, is a the boardwalk). It’s known for its rain, the power of the waterfalls is a UNESCO

windswept beach reminiscent of a sight to behold, whether that be as World Western Australia desert island. Always read the signs, a passenger on board the heritage Heritage site. and if it says not to swim, don’t swim. railway, or while taking a stroll along The Daintree River is home to a the boardwalk from the car park to number of large saltwater crocodiles, see them from afar. which are a must-see (from afar). Two hours south of Cairns, see the Take a crocodile boat cruise to spot iconic Millaa Millaa Falls. Surrounded the prehistoric critters that make by rainforest, the falls cascade into Insurance Tips Insurance North Queensland their playground. a waterhole where you can enjoy a Another fascinating, and refreshing dip. dangerous, inhabitant of northern Closer to town, take a drive to Queensland is the cassowary, a very Stoney Creek Falls, a series of large, shy but aggressive bird, found cascading waterfalls with a short in the Paluma Range National Park. uphill walking trail. You could take

42 QUEENSLAND a swim, but always ask the locals series of swimmable waterfalls and before putting your little toes into the deep pools at Little Crystal Creek. A Laze on the water, as Tropical North Queensland historic bridge spans the creek, and beach at is crocodile country. just below it is a popular rock face Horseshoe used as a diving board, but always Bay, and sit Magnetic Island check the water levels before taking on the jetty Take a 20-minute ferry ride from the plunge. Find natural rock slides at Picnic Bay Townsville across Cleveland Bay to and the swimming hole known as the as the sun & Overview & ‘Maggie’, where 2,000 people make Paradise Pool at Big Crystal Creek. sets over the Contents this magnificent island their home. Set up camp at Crystal Creek sea. More than two-thirds of the island campsite, where large shaded areas is a national park, with boulder- give you the chance to relax beneath strewn headlands, hoop pines, the rainforest or walk one of a sandy beaches and fringing coral number of short trails surrounding the Eastern Australia Eastern reefs. Composed mostly of granite, site. Wake up early to take a morning Magnetic Island was once part of the dip in the nearby waterhole before mainland before the sea level rose cooking up some breakfast over your about 7,500 years ago. campfire. Rent a convertible or a classic moke and explore Mt Cook, the Go diving at Lady Elliot Island highest point on the island (named At the southern end of the Great Central Australia Central after Captain Cook who discovered Outback & Outback the island and believed it affected his compass), or head to one of the island’s fantastic fishing spots. Do the Forts Walk from Bungalow Bay Koala Village to spot one of the

island’s 800+ wild koalas. You can Western Australia also climb concrete structures from the Second World War for panoramic views of the island. Laze on the beach at Horseshoe Bay, and sit on the jetty at Picnic Bay as the sun sets over the sea.

Paluma Range National Park Tips Insurance Find Big and Little Crystal Creek in Paluma Range National Park, two lucky finds in the far north. After following a steep, winding road into Magnetic Island the hills, you’ll be rewarded with a Pixabay/bangkokflame

43 QUEENSLAND

Barrier Reef, between Fraser and Lady Musgrave Islands, Lady Elliot was declared a No-Take fishing zone in 2005, and has become one of the most biodiverse spots on the Great Barrier Reef. Tiny marine critters and big ocean giants (such as manta rays, turtles and at the right time of year, & Overview & whales) call it home. Contents This is one of the best spots on the reef to see giant manta rays Road to Birdsville and several species of turtle all year Jo Stewart around. Plus, a large variety of fish species, corals, clams, starfish and Townsville toward Charters Towers, Eastern Australia Eastern many other small marine creatures to Ravenswood, a small historic which call the many bommies, caves, mining town in the Queensland and reefs home. The wreck of the Outback. History buffs will love Severance, sunk in 1999, is the place the Ravenswood Railway Hotel, a to see colorful fish and occasional ray heritage landmark retaining original visitors. furniture, rooms, and fittings. It’s said to be haunted, so if you’re brave Central Australia Central Find a platypus in enough, you can stay the night. If Outback & Outback Finch Hatton Gorge you don’t fancy a night in the hotel, You might strike luck in Finch Hatton there’s a campground nearby, so Gorge, where many platypus call pack your camping gear in case you the forests and waterways home. chicken out. These diminutive, and notoriously shy Drive further west into the Outback

mammals are hard to spot, but for the along the Flinders Highway to Mount Western Australia lucky few who get to see them in the Isa, a mining town 570mi (917km) wild, the memory will last a lifetime. If west from Townsville. Fans of you’ve packed camping gear, spend Western films should check out the a night in the wilderness at Platypus annual Mount Isa Rodeo held in early You might Bush Camp, and hikers should take August, or join a tour to learn about strike luck in the Wheel of Fire Walk, keeping an some of the mines in town. If a bit of Finch Hatton eye out for the large groups of fruit WWII history interests you, check out

Gorge, Tips Insurance bats which call the forest home. the underground hospital. where many platypus Discover Queensland’s Outback Queensland’s 4WD call the Queensland isn’t all beaches and island escapes forests and rainforests (although, to be fair, a World Heritage-listed Fraser Island waterways lot of it is). Travel southwest from lies off the coast of Queensland, home.

44 QUEENSLAND near Hervey Bay, just north of the Outback Pubs in Queensland Sunshine Coast. It’s the world’s largest sand island, and Seventy Five Mile Beach is an official highway with a speed limit of 49mi/hr (80km/hr), while the inland roads have a limit of

21mi/hr (35km/hr). Driving conditions vary with the tide and weather, but & Overview & normal road rules apply. Seventy-Five Contents Mile Beach is also one of the best Birdsville Hotel beach fishing locations in the world. On the edge of the Simpson Desert, in a remote corner of Outback Queensland, the Birdsville Hotel has welcomed travelers since 1884. The interior of Fraser is covered by A place that revels in its legendary status as a pub that has endured rainforest, with beautiful freshwater the highest recorded temperature in Queensland (a sizzling 121.1°F / 49.5°C), here you can expect to encounter leather-clad bikers, caked lakes including Lake McKenzie and

in red dust, alongside well-dressed retirees ticking another Outback Australia Eastern vivid green Lake Wabby, surrounded pub off their list. In the Front Bar, an eclectic mishmash of memorabilia by sand dunes. catalogues the pub’s history of attracting explorers, wayfarers, wanderers, rovers and larrikins, with the Hat Wall paying tribute to long Take a dip in the Champagne serving Birdsville locals. Grab a beer, sit on the veranda and watch Pools, as the water from the ocean small planes take off from the airport across from the pub. There’s no crashes against the rocks, and airport bar like it anywhere else in the world! look out for the abundance of Betoota Pub wildlife, including 47 species of Driving in Queensland’s Diamantina Shire means traveling on long, bumpy stretches of unsealed road with nothing on the horizon but Australia Central mammals, more than 354 species red earth, feral cattle and the odd dead tree. That is, until you reach & Outback of birds and 79 species of reptiles. the ghost town of Betoota. Once a busy outpost, Betoota’s population Accommodation on Fraser Island plunged to zero after the death of the local publican in 2004. You won’t be able to get a beer, but an obligatory stop at the creepy, abandoned ranges from luxury to budget, and is Betoota pub is a must in a place with few other options to break up a great place to camp with several the trip. Stand at the eerily silent bar, close your eyes and listen for the campgrounds where you can cook clinking glasses of the ghosts of drinkers past.

your own meals, set up tents and Lions Den Hotel Western Australia With walls plastered with bumper stickers, memorabilia, newspaper articles and graffiti, this long-standing Far North Queensland roadhouse serves beer and pizza with a side serve of dry Australian humor. A magnet for travelers drawn to the region for fishing, camping and off-roading, this is the type of place you’ll hear laconic drinkers spinning tall tales of miraculous escapes from giant crocodiles and epic battles with the one that got away.

Western Star Hotel

In Queensland’s Channel Country, the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it town of Tips Insurance Windorah is a popular stopping point for travelers driving to Birdsville from Longreach, Charleville and beyond. Windorah’s Western Star Hotel has all the hallmarks of a good bush pub with wood-paneled interiors, ceiling fans circulating in tempo, XXXX brand beer and a dart board that has seen better days. There is nothing more True Blue Aussie than sitting on a pub veranda, with a beer in hand, as flocks of Fraser Island cockatoos fly overhead. Getty Images/ampueroleonardo

45 QUEENSLAND camp out under the stars. If Fraser Island isn’t offering the isolation you’re looking for, take a 75-minute ferry ride from Brisbane to Moreton Island. Get around by 4WD to explore the lakes, lagoons, and three heritage sites. Go whale or dolphin watching, diving or & Overview & snorkeling, explore Moreton Island Contents National Park, join a 4WD tour, or experience the thrill of sand tobogganing.

Mt Ngungun, Glass House Mountains

The Glass House Mountains Getty Images/Posnov Eastern Australia Eastern Get up high on a hike up Mount Beerwah which can be summited If the weather is clear you’ll be in via a mile-long (2.6km) trail. The hike luck, so take a short walk through There are a can be dangerous with steep banks the beech forest for views from Best number of and uneven ground, so take care of All Lookout. Head to Canyon shorter walks on the way up. If you’re not keen on Lookout from where you can access and trails the climb, a fine lookout over the several short and longer trails, and along with Australia Central mountains can be found along the don’t miss the natural bridge at Cave picnic spots & Outback Glass House Woodford Road. Creek before walking one of the trails to soak in the Just outside of the park, Mount nearby. afternoon Ngungun can also be summited via sun or spot a similarly demanding track. There Lamington National Park lazy koalas. are a number of shorter walks and Close to Springbrook, and part

trails along with picnic spots to soak of the Gondwana Rainforest, the Western Australia in the afternoon sun or spot lazy road connecting Lamington and koalas. Another great spot to view Springbrook National Park is a steep, the mountains is McCarthy’s Lookout, windy but beautiful 90-minute drive. just south of Maleny. The Green Mountains campsite is inside the national park, and Springbrook National Park access to the Python Rock lookout, On the border of Queensland and Moonlight Crag and the Morans Falls Insurance Tips Insurance New South Wales, Springbrook walk is easy after the long hairpin National Park is very different from drive up. There are more than 93mi the far north, with forests of fungi, (150km) of walking tracks in the park, moss and thick foliage that flourish including the 33mi (54km) Gold Coast among the damp and often misty Hinterland Great Walk, which can be mountains. started from the campsite.

46 A NOMAD'S STORY Jennifer Neal & Overview & Contents Contents

A Rap Battle

With Snakes Australia Eastern on Walsh’s Pyramid An outdoor not-so-enthusiast tackles one of Australia’s most unforgiving hikes.

Wait, are there snakes on this mountain, ya think?” I asked my friend over the phone, who had graciously volunteered to accompany me – Central Australia Central by phone, at least – on the first few steps of my hike. I hate snakes. Outback & Outback “Good chance,” he replied. “But you know, just stomp your feet, clap your Jennifer Neal hands and sing to give them some warning of your whereabouts, so they can Jennifer is scamper off, and you’ll be fine.” a journalist,

“I don’t know what to sing,” I said. author, stand- “Well, then rap,” he responded. up comedian, and visual artist

We hung up and I faced the dry, barren brush of Walsh’s Pyramid on my who writes about Western Australia own. A thinly defined path lay before me, covered in layers of crunchy brown intersections of bush and long, dried sticks from which various creatures darted in and out. race, sexuality, gender and Hawks circled overhead, and kookaburras guffawed from the surrounding migration. shrubbery. It was only a 3,097ft (922m) hike to the summit, but a near-vertical climb that would challenge even the most experienced bushwalker…or, in my case, body pumper. Insurance Tips Insurance “I like big butts and I cannot lie…” I started singing, while clapping my hands half-heartedly, and stomping my feet as loudly as I could. I headed up the trail one step at a time, with Sir Mix-a-Lot as company. Up until then, the most challenging feat of athleticism I had faced was managing to make it to a gym class three days a week. I had always shied

47 A NOMAD'S STORY away from physical tasks that required long-term commitment and unavoidable amounts of pain. In body pump, the weights could be I might have known adjusted, and 45 minutes of high-interval training would be followed to wear actual hiking by a nice, relaxing stretch that made me feel good about myself boots, instead of Nike again before meeting up with girlfriends to eat pizza. trainers with white But Les Mills’ full-body weights and cardio workout never required rubber soles. knowledge of rough, jagged terrain, inland taipans (the world’s most venomous snake), or any number & Overview & of bushwalking survival hacks that I Contents should have studied before tackling one of Australia’s most unforgiving hikes. If they had, I might have known to Getty Images/Feargus Cooney wear actual hiking boots, instead of Eastern Australia Eastern Nike trainers with white rubber soles. Or long-sleeved attire that would protect me from the brutal sun (and possible snake bites), instead of the fast-wicking apparel I usually reserved for my gym class. I also might have paced myself a little better for a hike that takes experienced bushwalkers Central Australia Central between three and four hours to ascend, but took me six and a half. Outback & Outback Pilates didn’t prepare me for that. Body balance didn’t prepare me for that. No amount of squats in the world prepared me for that. A short drive south of Cairns, Walsh’s Pyramid is an intimidating structure – not the least of which because it’s the highest freestanding pyramid in the world. Coated in sparse vegetation that bakes beneath the tropical

Queensland sun, there’s little to provide shelter for its vast array of slithery Western Australia inhabitants – snakes, geckos, and me. After having found Nemo on the Great Barrier Reef and eaten my way through a series of food-related tourist traps in the Daintree Rainforest, I was ready for a new challenge – one that nearly killed me. Because I was hiking alone (which I don’t recommend for inexperienced climbers or basically anyone smarter than me), I had to devise ways to keep myself psychologically engaged. Besides rapping, I picked leaves and created Insurance Tips Insurance origami concoctions while stopping for water breaks. I finished week-old arguments with colleagues while fashioning a hiking stick with my pocketknife. I meditated on the possibility of a Trump presidency while playfully chasing geckos (my only hiking companions) on trees that hung a bit too close to the edge of a cliff.

48 A NOMAD'S STORY

I snaked up the mountain rock by gigantic rock, using muscles I had never felt before, bracing myself as close to the steep slopes as I Getty Images/Mangiwau could. When I was forced to climb an intimidating boulder by gripping, pushing, and sliding over a rough, hot stone-surface that terrified me with its & Overview & girth – I realized I may have gotten a Contents little over my head. Five hours in, I stepped Five hours in, I stepped into what into what remote remote coverage I could find and coverage I could find texted my friend: “I’m going to die on this mountain.” His response and texted my friend: was swift and mocking: “Quitter.” “I’m going to die on this Australia Eastern Damn right, I thought. mountain.” Having peed a suspicious brown urine over what felt like the edge of the world, I pushed the impending threat of more serious (say, kidney-related) health ailments out of my head and sat down for what I thought would be the end of my hike. Right then, another hiker – the only one I’d seen all day – approached from behind with the steam of a freight train. She was a Maori woman with ropey muscles that hoisted her up the Central Australia Central Pyramid at double my speed. She stopped and asked me if I was all right. “Oh, Outback & Outback I don’t know. Maybe?” I replied. After a failed attempt to tandem together, I let her go ahead of me, huffing and puffing in her direction until her hot pink singlet disappeared from view. As she descended, seemingly minutes later, she told me I was really close, and not to give up. Then she gave me two handfuls of gummy snakes, a pear,

and an apple and wished me well before heading back down the mountain. Western Australia To this day, I don’t know who that woman was, but I do believe she was single-handedly responsible for ensuring that I didn’t end up on the five o’clock news. I inhaled the snakes, which tasted to my depleted senses like they had a touch of the divine. Their sugar propelled me toward the top of the summit, where I emptied my camel pack and ate the fruit all the way down to the seeds as, below me, the clouds started rolling in and the sun sank towards the horizon. Insurance Tips Insurance Shaking, sore, and ecstatic, I texted my friend photos from the summit. He replied “Oh, so you’re not a quitter then, hey?” Jerk. I used to think hiking was for daredevils and adrenaline junkies who don’t appreciate the subtle nuance of staying home and doing nothing. Or the

49 A NOMAD'S STORY kinds of people who believe that a brush with death is akin to an appreciation for life – like people who swim with great white sharks. But as I stood on top of this rock looking down at the world, I felt like I had conquered something that didn’t belong to me – a piece of a world that shows no mercy to her inhabitants. But more than that, I had conquered my fears of physical exertion outside of the parameters of a group class, and pushed myself to the edge of my endurance. My reward was a view of such & Overview & grandeur that I tried to memorize Contents every detail – every rolling hill, every shadow cast by a hovering Jennifer Neal cloud, and every patch of farmland meticulously segregated in an impressive geometric display. Eastern Australia Eastern Australia was showing off with her beauty that day, and I felt like I was the recipient of a private show-and-tell that left me breathless. “I conquered you!” I screamed My reward was a view from the top of the rock. The wind of such grandeur that I Central Australia Central responded with the smell of rain. tried to memorize every Outback & Outback But I hadn’t conquered the steady descent. My wobbly legs detail – every rolling buckled halfway down and I rolled my ankle, releasing a blood- hill, every shadow cast curdling scream that sent every kookaburra on the Pyramid into a by a hovering cloud. laughing fit. I spent two hours crawling through the brush, unsure of what I would uncover with each handful of dried leaves, crying

to no one and long overdue for my celebratory dinner of fish and chips. It Western Australia should have put me off hiking forever, but it had the opposite effect. I’ve often mocked people for attempting to vanquish nature, because nature always has the last word in the end. But I understand now that it’s not about subduing; it’s about submitting. In order to make it up that mountain and back, I had to submit to my fears and re-emerge humbled but stronger. “…you other brothers can’t deny…” I started rapping all over again, pulling myself inch by inch closer to my Insurance Tips Insurance rental car. “That when a girl walks by with an itty-bitty waist, and a round thing in your face, you get sprung.” Alex Hatton

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culture? So, head out of the cities for adventures in the desert desert the in adventures for cities the of out head So, culture?

sparse Outback landscapes, or experience a rich Aboriginal Aboriginal rich a experience or landscapes, Outback sparse Insurance Tips E

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Western Australia Western

CENTRAL & Outback & OUTBACK Central Australia Eastern Australia Contents

& Overview Kings Canyon, Northern Territory Northern Canyon, Kings SOUTH AUSTRALIA South Australia South Australia has long been underrated by travelers, but take a journey from the Great Australian Bight to the Outback, ? & Overview &

and you’ll soon see why this is Contents one of Australia’s best adventure destinations.

Belair National Park Established in 1891, Belair is the Eastern Australia Eastern state’s oldest national park, and is only a half hour drive from Adelaide, Kangaroo Island

making for an easy day trip if you Pixabay/envasa don’t have time to explore further. Take a hike through the park world. Channel your inner sommelier to see fire scars on ancient trees, at one of the wine schools in the Indigenous tree carvings, waterfalls, area to learn about the intricate Central Australia Central lakes and wildflowers. There are differences in tastes and textures. If Outback & Outback several scenic picnic spots including you’d rather be drinking that learning, at Long Gully and on the shore of you can visit two of the most famous Playford Lake. For travelers with wineries, Penfolds or Rockford, on a families, try Wood Duck Walk, a wine tasting tour. 0.6mi (1km) circuit that takes about In Clare Valley, two hours from

half an hour, where you can see (you Adelaide, Claymore Wines has a Western Australia guessed it) ducks! great selection of locally produced If you’re an experienced hiker, wines, as well as cheeses and olives head for the Adventure Loop Trail, to keep your stomach full during a a steep 7.8mi (12.6km), six-hour hike day at the vineyard. The Barossa that circles around the whole national Eden Valley is another wine Valley, an park. Or swap out your hiking boots region just over an hour’s drive from hour from for two wheels and take on the path Adelaide. The region is known for Adelaide, Insurance Tips Insurance with a mountain bike. its great Riesling and Shiraz, due to is one of the perfect climate. At Flaxman or the oldest The wine state Fernfield Wines tuck into great wine and most The Barossa Valley, an hour from and local food, such as the broad acclaimed Adelaide, is one of the oldest and selection of cheese platters or Mt wine regions most acclaimed wine regions in the Pleasant smoked salmon tartlets. in the world.

52 SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Epicurean Way road trip that links great food and wine destinations in Follow the Adelaide Hills, Barossa Valley, the Eyre and Clare Valley. Along the way, stop Peninsula off to enjoy some of South Australia’s Seafood Trail best food, wine, and beer. between Drive along the Limestone Coast Whyalla and for incredible coastal views, and Ceduna; & Overview & stop at Canunda National Park for a along the Contents bushwalk along the Coola Outstation way, try fresh Barossa Valley vineyard

Getty Images/neoellis Historical Walk, or Beachport prawns, Conservation Park to stay at 3 Mile oysters, Drive the Eyre Peninsula Bend Campground and observe a lobsters, Seafood Trail variety of water birds on the lake. tuna, and Eastern Australia Eastern South Australia is known for its more. abundance of seafood, and the local Wet a line on the Murray River seafood industry places a major The Murray River is Australia’s focus on freshness and sustainability. longest, spanning an incredible Follow the Eyre Peninsula Seafood 1,558mi (2,508km) across New South Trail between Whyalla and Ceduna; Wales, Victoria and South Australia. along the way, try fresh prawns, But, there’s no better place to enjoy Central Australia Central oysters, lobsters, tuna, and more. a spot of fishing and kayaking than Outback & Outback Stop at Tumba Bay and have a go at catching your own lunch on a chartered fishing tour searching for King George whiting. Locks Well, between Port Lincoln and Streaky

Bay, is known as one of the best Western Australia salmon fishing spots in Australia, and there is an abundance of quality salmon in restaurants in the area.

On the road Start your road trip in the far southeastern corner of the state at Insurance Tips Insurance Mount Gambier, and explore the 90ft-deep cave in Cave Gardens, or take a guided tour of the sinkhole cave system at Engelbrecht Cave. Drive northwest 277mi (447km) Port Lincoln to Willunga, where you’ll start the Getty Images/Kieran Stone

53 SOUTH AUSTRALIA in South Australia. In the small city of Murray Bridge, an hours’ drive from Adelaide, hire a kayak, pack a picnic, and paddle along the river to find the perfect picnic spot. You can fish here for Murray cod, callop, catfish, bream and redfin. Pack a fishing rod and try your luck at Katarapko & Overview &

Creek for golden perch and yabbies, Contents or at Mungabareena for large river- dwelling trout. Riverboat trips along the Murray leave from Adelaide daily, and range from three hours to a week. Eastern Australia Eastern

Sea lion pups

Go diving with sharks Getty wildestanimal - by Images and sea lions South Australia has some cave kayak tour to visit a local colony phenomenal dive sites along its of inquisitive Long Nosed Fur-seals. coast, but many people head to Port Try swimming with sea lions Lincoln to go cage diving with Great Naracoorte Caves National Park at Grindal Australia Central White sharks around the Neptune South Australia’s only World Heritage Island or & Outback Islands. If that sounds too terrifying Site, Naracoorte Caves National Park Hopkins, for you, try swimming with sea lions is a vast cave system. Book a tour just offshore at Grindal Island or Hopkins, just to learn about the resident bats and

from Lincoln offshore from Lincoln National Park. fossil-filled chambers. National If you’re a caver, go straight to Park.

Explore the Fleurieu Peninsula the Starburst Chamber and Fox Western Australia There is great snorkeling, diving, Cave to crawl your way through with fishing, and sailing on the Fleurieu an experienced guide. You’ll learn Peninsula. Beginner and experienced about the history and geology along divers will love the variety of dive the way. If you’re new to the sport, sites, such as ex HMAS Hobart which book a novice tour to build your was sunk in 2002 to make an artificial confidence. Always read your travel reef. insurance policy wording to be sure if Insurance Tips Insurance On the lower end of the Peninsula, you’re covered to do these activities. Rapid Bay is a seaside community with a beautiful beach. Snorkelers Ikara-Flinders Ranges may get a glimpse of a leafy sea National Park dragon, a seahorse that is unique to South Australia is no slouch when it the region. You can also take a sea comes to natural wonders. All it takes

54 SOUTH AUSTRALIA & Overview & Contents Contents

Wilpena Pound Getty photos phillips Images/tim Eastern Australia Eastern is one trip into the Flinders Ranges likely to have those friendly creatures to discover there’s a whole world right outside your door. The start of beyond the state’s famous wine the southern regions. Take a hike in South Australia Outback, The start of the southern Outback, Walk the short 1.4mi (2.4km) Ridge the Flinders the Flinders Ranges is easy to get Trail in Mount George Conservation

Ranges Australia Central to from Adelaide via a quick flight or Park that leads to a rocky outcrop

are easy to & Outback a five-hour drive. Stop in the Clare at the summit of Mount George for get from Valley along the way for fine food views over Bridgewater to Mount Adelaide via and wine. Once in the ranges, you’ll Lofty. Or take the very short 0.3mi a quick flight find a wilderness with vast expanses (0.5km) walk to the summit of Mount or a five-hour of desert, massive cliffs, rocky hiking Barker to see the countryside of drive.

trails, deep gorges and a surprising Adelaide Hills, Porongurup Range, Western Australia number of birds, reptiles and Stirling Ranges and the town of mammals that survive in this rugged Mount Barker below. landscape. If you’re looking for a challenge, Take to the skies on a Chinta Air take a hike to the top of one of the Tour to see the extraordinary Wilpena highest peaks in South Flinders Pound from above. This extraordinary Ranges, Mount Brown (3,162ft/964m). natural rock amphitheater of The loop hike including the spur Insurance Tips Insurance mountains is hugely popular with trail to Mount Brown is 9.3mi (15km), rock climbers and bush walkers. On and should take approximately 7.5 the ground, watch for emus, parrots, hours to complete. Not only will grey kangaroos and yellow-footed you be treated to spectacular views wallabies. Stay in an eco-villa at the of Flinders Ranges from the top, Rawnsley Park Station and you’re but you may even end up with a

55 SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Guided by residents, you can tour some of the underground homes, or “dugouts” as & Overview &

the locals call Contents them. Coober Pedy Getty Images/Ladiras

couple of mountain goats as hiking many underground accommodation companions. The trail is flanked by options. Eastern Australia Eastern large, majestic River Red Gum trees. In the Dutchmans Stern WOMADelaide Conservation Park, a five-hour return and Adelaide Festival hike to the summit of Dutchmans Culture vultures should make a Stern will really test your endurance. beeline for WOMADelaide, a four- This 6.5mi (10.6km) moderate hike is day celebration of multicultural worth it for views of the Spencer Gulf music and art. You can also engage Central Australia Central and the Willochra Plain from the top. in talks about the environment Outback & Outback and sustainability or take part in Coober Pedy workshops of soul capoeira or yoga. The small Outback town of Coober The annual Adelaide Festival Pedy is the opal mining capital of the attracts an eclectic mix of world but only has a few thousand outstanding performers, celebrates

residents. Due to the overwhelming creative excellence, and draws huge Western Australia heat during summer months arts-loving crowds. Both festivals run (December to February), many every March. people live in underground homes, dug out of the rock. No matter what the temperature was outside, these Stop by the Outback Pub, William Creek Hotel homes remain at a comfortable Around 100 miles (160km) from the opal mining town of Coober Pedy, temperature. and halfway along the rugged Oodnadatta Track, South Australia’s Insurance Tips Insurance Guided by residents, you can tour William Creek Hotel is not just a pub but also a one-stop-shop service some of the underground homes, center. A place to eat, drink, buy fuel, book a scenic flight, pick up souvenirs and more, this simple pub is a hub for travelers who find or “dugouts” as the locals call them. themselves in the remote outpost famously home to a population of If you want to experience what six people and one dog. Under the rusty corrugated iron roof, you’ll find cool ales, hot meals and a place to leave your mark by planting a it’s like to live in an underground sticker on the wall or hanging a hat from the ceiling. home, spend the night in one of the

56 NORTHERN TERRITORY Northern Territory A rich Indigenous history and culture is waiting to be explored in the Northern Territory, a vast area with wildlife and natural & Overview &

wonders like nowhere else in Contents Ormisten Gorge

the country. Getty Images/Bryce Thomas

Food in the Northern Territory to relay telegraph messages from From a pub meal in the Outback Darwin to Adelaide. Downtown, you’ll to Asian dishes in Darwin, a wide find incredible Aboriginal art in many Eastern Australia Eastern range of food is on offer around the of the art galleries in Todd Mall and Northern Territory. Mindil Beach the Araluen Galleries. Before buying Sunset Market in Darwin is a great any art, ensure the dealer follows the place to sample food from around the Indigenous art code or buy directly world, such as crepes, kebabs, Indian from the artist at a community art dishes, and more. Daly Waters Pub center. first opened in 1930 and is one of the Located 62mi (100km) offshore Central Australia Central most famous stops along the Stuart from Darwin, the Tiwi Islands are Outback & Outback Highway. While you’re there, try the home to the Tiwi people, one of Barramundi sandwich. Check the menu carefully if you’re looking for something uniquely Road Trip Ideas Australian, as many restaurants Driving the Northern Territory from Alice Springs to Darwin via the Stuart Highway is one of the classic Northern Territory road trips,

around the state also serve meat and will take you from the red dirt of the desert to the coral reefs in Western Australia from crocodiles, camels, emus, and the Arafura Sea. There are plenty of places to stop along the 932mi (1,500km) route to break up the drive, including Karlu Karlu (Devils kangaroos. Kangaroo is very rich and Marbles), Daly Waters Pub, and Katherine Gorge. lean, best cooked medium-rare, while Take the long way to Uluru from Alice Springs and visit Kings Canyon, crocodile meat is very pale and tastes Kata Tjuta, and Finke Gorge National Park, where the Finke River, one like chicken. Camel and emu meat of the oldest waterways in the world, flows. Peer into Tnorala (Gosse Bluff), a comet crater that’s more than 140 million years old. taste similar to beef and is best eaten Driving the Savannah Way, from Cairns to Broome, is one of on a burger. Australia’s most epic road trip routes. Drive the 2,175mi (3,501km), Insurance Tips Insurance to see the best the Australian Outback has to offer. If you’re driving a 4WD, you can explore remote parts of the Outback, see the Culture in the Northern Territory sandstone spires in Cape Crawford before visiting Borroloola, one Alice Springs is the cultural hub of of Australia’s most remote towns, which is also home to excellent the Red Center. Just outside of town, fishing. On the other side of Katherine, Flora River Nature Park is one of the best barramundi fishing destinations in the NT. Catch your you’ll find the Alice Springs Telegraph dinner and roast it over a campfire under the stars. Station that was established in 1871

57 NORTHERN TERRITORY

Australia’s Indigenous groups. Tours leave from Darwin, by plane or ferry, and include morning tea with the Tiwi women, a stop at a Tiwi burial site, and a traditional smoking ceremony, performed by the women of the community to bless their visitors. & Overview & Mary River Contents An hour’s drive from Darwin, Mary River Wilderness Retreat is a great Litchfield National Park spot for bushwalking, with trails for McIntosh Katie all fitness levels from the 1mi (1.6km) Wallaby Walk to the 4mi (6.4km) River where you’ll see lots of hand art, Eastern Australia Eastern Walk. If you have time, drive a further figures hunting, and more. Look for 45 minutes to Mary River National the Tasmanian tiger at Ubirr, where Park for more bushwalking trails and the smooth stone surfaces were vast wildlife-rich billabongs, including perfect for painting. Mistake Billabong. However, it’s not for swimming; Mary River is infested Litchfield National Park with crocodiles. A 90-minute drive from Darwin, Central Australia Central Litchfield National Park is much Outback & Outback Kakadu National Park smaller than Kakadu, and makes for Covering more than 7,722mi2 a great day trip. Cool off by taking (20,000km2) the World Heritage a wild swim at Florence Falls, the site of Kakadu National Park is Buley Rockhole or Wangi Falls. Most considered one of the best national swimming sites in the Northern

parks in the world. With incredible Territory are only accessible during Western Australia biodiversity, Kakadu is filled with the dry season. During the wet Search for wildlife and dramatic rugged season, crocodiles find their way crocodiles landscapes. Search for crocodiles into many of the waterways. Never and birds in and birds in Corroboree Billabong, go swimming if there’s a warning Corroboree watch the sunset in Ubirr, and take a sign, and always check to be sure Billabong, dip in nature’s infinity pool at Gunlom these places aren’t sacred to local watch the Falls. Indigenous tribes.

sunset in Tips Insurance The Bininj and Mungguy people On a typical humid day in the park, Ubirr, and have lived in Kakadu for more than splash in the rock pools of Buley take a dip 50,000 years, and the local rock art Rockhole before walking the 1.9mi in nature’s is some of the best in the country. (3.2km) Florence Creek Walking trail infinity pool Nourlangie is home to the famous to Florence Falls, where (again) you at Gunlom Lightning Man Creation Ancestor can take a swim under the waterfall. Falls.

58 NORTHERN TERRITORY & Overview & Contents Contents

Uluru Unsplash/Holger Link Eastern Australia Eastern Robin Falls Uluru Take a drive to this quiet waterfall, a In the heart of the Red Center (and Visitors are 90-minute drive from Darwin. This is Australia), Uluru is one of the great asked not a rare gem where you won’t find any natural wonders of the world, rising to climb the tour groups, but don’t be surprised 1,141ft (348m) out of the desert. Uluru rock as the if you spot the odd (harmless) water is an important spiritual place for the path follows snake or water monitor. It’s a great local Anangu people, who are the the same Australia Central place to cool off after going on a traditional owners of Uluru. Visitors

walked by & Outback must-do Jumping Crocodile Cruise are asked not to climb the rock as initiated on the Adelaide River. the path follows the same walked senior by initiated senior Indigenous men, Indigenous Sweets Lagoon the Mala. An official climbing ban men, the Sweets Lagoon is famous for its comes into effect in October 2019 Mala.

iconic five-meter-long, territorial out of respect to local custom. The Western Australia crocodile, Sweetheart, who used to climb is also incredibly dangerous chew motors off boats in the 1970s. and has resulted in the deaths of You can visit his former home to see more than 30 people. For a much the vast floodplain and spot wildlife better appreciation of the famous with Outback Floatplane Adventures, which can fly you to the remote area Grab a Feed at the Daly Waters Pub and tour you by airboat. Though, Bring your sense of humor to this one-of-a-kind watering hole found Insurance Tips Insurance at US $500, the tours aren’t cheap. 560 miles (901km) north of Alice Springs. Sitting just off the Stuart Alternatively, stop in at the Windows Highway, this pub shows zero restraint when it comes to interior decoration. Bras hang from the ceiling, flip-flops are strung up in the on the Wetlands, a lookout point with beer garden and stickers cover every square inch of the bar. Find interactive exhibits. It also offers free a spot at the bar, order a cold beer and ask the publican about the pub’s chequered past – since the 1930s, the pub has seen brawls, nature walks on weekends during the murders, robberies and cattle stampedes. dry season.

59 NORTHERN TERRITORY

The Rim Walk starts with a difficult climb uphill before you reach the top The Jatbula of the canyon. Halfway along, stop Trail is a 36mi to see (swimming isn’t allowed) the (58km) multi- waterhole surrounded by rare plants day trek that in the “Garden of Eden”, and walk in starts at the the shade of ancient palms that dot visitor center the length of the trail. and ends at & Overview & Leliyn. The Contents Nitmiluk National Park trail passes Katherine Gorge

Getty Images/Whitworth Images Home to Katherine Gorge, Nitmiluk ancient National Park belongs to the Jawoyn Aboriginal monolith, take the 6.2mi (10km) Uluru and Dagomen people. In its 13 gorges, rock art, Base Walk, or wake up early a catch there are Indigenous rock paintings waterfalls, Eastern Australia Eastern a colorful sunrise from Dune Walk on the sandstone walls featuring x-ray- monsoon Lookout. style art. Hire a canoe to see them on rainforest, the canyon walls, or cool off with a dip and takes Kata Tjuta at Leliyn (Edith Falls). about four A 45-minute drive from Uluru, Kata The Jatbula Trail is a 36mi (58km) days to Tjuta is a 36-dome rock formation multi-day trek that starts at the visitor complete. that is as beautiful as Uluru but has center and ends at Leliyn. The trail Central Australia Central fewer crowds. The Valley of the passes ancient Aboriginal rock art, Outback & Outback Winds walk winds through the heart waterfalls, monsoon rainforest, and of Kata Tjuta offers incredible views takes about four days to complete. of the ancient landscape. There are The trek can be completed with or many Dreamtime legends associated without a guide, and you should with Kata Tjuta, but the most shared expect to carry all your equipment and

story is about the great snake king, food, walking approximately 6–10mi Western Australia Wanambi, who is said to live on the (10–17km) a day. summit of Kata Tjuta. Many of the traditional stories of the Anangu are Walk the Larapinta Trail not usually shared with outsiders as is The Larapinta Trail is 138.5mi (223km) the custom. long, and winds through the West MacDonnell Ranges. The trek typically Watarrka National Park takes 12 days to complete. Due to the Insurance Tips Insurance Take a three-hour drive north of Uluru intense heat, the best time of year to to Kings Canyon in Watarrka National attempt it is between May and August. Park. Lace up your hiking boots and Many people choose to walk smaller discover the natural beauty of the sections as a day hike. The trail is 328ft (100m) sandstone walls of the challenging and remote, so carry canyon on the 3.7mi (6km) Rim Walk. equipment, water, and food.

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Australia’s biggest state. state. biggest Australia’s

away from the city and the visitor hotspots to discover discover to hotspots visitor the and city the from away

so many other incredible destinations to explore. Head Head explore. to destinations incredible other many so Insurance Tips T

city of Perth. But in a state this diverse, there are are there diverse, this state a in But Perth. of city

The Pinnacles, Margaret River and, of course, the the course, of and, River Margaret Pinnacles, The

he guide books will all tell you to see Wave Rock, Rock, Wave see to you tell all will books guide he

HH Images/samvaltenbergs Getty AUSTRALIA

Western Australia Western WESTERN Outback & Central Australia Eastern Australia Contents

& Overview The Bungle Bungles Bungle The WESTERN AUSTRALIA Western Australia An incredible coastline, a pristine reef and extraordinary opportunities to observe wildlife, plus national parks and stunning ? & Overview &

natural wonders make this huge Contents state an adventurer’s paradise.

Elephant Rocks On the far south coast of the state, Eastern Australia Eastern William Bay National Park lies around 10mi (16km) west of the town of Exmouth and the Ningaloo reef

Denmark. The park has a number of Getty Images/SammyVision beaches, coves and rock formations which many travelers bypass on the Waterfall Beach has a unique road to Albany. Perhaps most famous freshwater waterfall cascading are Elephant Rocks, a group of large directly onto the sand, and Madfish Central Australia Central rocks resembling a herd of elephants Bay is another great place to go Outback & Outback wading out to sea. The rocks are swimming and fishing. Both can be only a short walk from a car park, but accessed by 2WD, but note that nearby Greens Pool, where round reaching them requires driving on boulders naturally shelter the bay corrugated and sandy tracks. from crashing waves, makes a great

place to swim in the calm water. Esperance Western Australia The town of Esperance acts as a hub to refuel, refresh and restock before heading into one of many national parks that litter the southern coast Take a day of Western Australia. Take a day trip trip from from Esperance to follow Twilight Esperance Beach Road and explore the coves

to follow Tips Insurance along the coastline. Twilight Further east, head 29mi (46km) Beach Road to Cape Le Grand National Park to and explore share the sand with kangaroos at the coves Lucky Bay, picnic among the sand Twilight Beach near Esperance along the

Getty Images/John Crux Photography Crux Getty Images/John dunes and heathlands of Hellfire Bay coastline.

62 WESTERN AUSTRALIA & Overview & Contents Contents Eastern Australia Eastern

The Pinnacles, Nambung National Park Getty Images/John Crux Photography Crux Getty Images/John

and Thistle Cove, or, 4WD on the How Exmouth Became beach at Cape Le Grand. the World’s Cleanest Beach Inland, Frenchman Peak is a Conservation has always been key for the people of Exmouth, in Western Australia. Here, the locals show great pride in the natural well-paced, 1.8mi (3km) hike that beauty of their town and coast, the jumping-off point for pristine Australia Central rewards with sweeping views Ningaloo Reef. More than a decade ago plastic bags were banned, Outback & Outback back across the park. Along with and local schools launched initiatives to teach the next generation about sustainable waste management. kangaroos, emus can be found Exmouth’s government officials, activists and locals are already way roaming the pristine sands of Lucky ahead in their dedication to making not only the city’s Town Beach a Bay, and offshore, whales can be pristine place, but to keeping other beaches in the North West Cape and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed area of the Ningaloo Coast, seen basking in the shallows. Lucky free of trash, pollutants and plastics.

Bay was also selected as having the Massive Community Involvement Is the Key Western Australia whitest sand in Australia in 2017. Since the initial plastic-bag ban 10 years ago, local people have been responsible for making the beauty of the area’s beaches legendary around the world. It was, explains Exmouth Shire See incredible pink lakes President Matthew Niikkula, “a voluntary community initiative, There are a number of pink lakes supported by local residents and embraced by visitors to the area. The Exmouth community is very aware of the importance of our across Australia, some natural and natural environment and the need to protect its unique World some artificial (which are used as Heritage values.” Beta-Carotene farms). Created by a So not only do the people of Exmouth take their own bags when

they shop, they go much further. “Since February 2016, I have been Tips Insurance combination of high salt levels, algae, organizing beach cleans as part of Sea Shepherd’s Marine Debris and brine shrimp, pink lakes can be Campaign,” explains Grace Keast, the Sea Shepherd Chapter Coordinator for Exmouth. “There are many different beaches along found at the Hutt Lagoon on the road the coast of this peninsula, so we go to a different one each month. to Kalbarri and also just below the We choose the beach by the level of footfall or from reports from Collier Ranges, although they are people witnessing rubbish accumulating. To this end, we have conducted 12 cleans with 131 volunteers.” often dry. The Pink Lake, 2mi (3km)

63 WESTERN AUSTRALIA west of Esperance, may have lost much of its once bubblegum pink color, but it could be slowly returning, and the lake is worth checking out while driving the scenic Twilight Beach Road. Lake Hillier is a far more vibrant pink lake located on Middle Island, & Overview & part of Cape Arid National Park. Due Contents to its remoteness, the best way to see the lake is via a scenic tour from Esperance.

Coral Bay, Exmouth

Whale Shark, Ningaloo Reef Australia Eastern

& Ningaloo Reef Ningaloo Discovery Coral Bay is a small settlement on the northwest coast. Previously known as Coral Bay, making the town a popular Maud’s Bay, after the first European place for scuba diving charters, The Ningaloo ship to visit the area, the town took its snorkeling, eco tours and sailing. Reef is also current name from a local hotel in the Stretching more than 160mi (257km) famous for 1960s. There are numerous sites to along the far northwest coast, as a boat tours Australia Central snorkel off the beach, but, for those fringing reef, you can walk off the that take & Outback more confident, head just offshore beach in many places to snorkel. visitors out to the spot known as Ayers Rock for The Ningaloo Reef is also famous just beyond better visibility and often, greater for boat tours that take visitors the reef, numbers of reef fish. out just beyond the reef, between between There are also numerous tour March and June, to swim alongside March and

companies in Coral Bay, ranging from extraordinary, huge whale sharks. June, to swim Western Australia eco-friendly reef and wildlife tours, to Other marine life including dugongs, alongside dune buggies and quad biking. The dolphins, humpback whales and extraordinary, UNESCO World Heritage Ningaloo manta rays can also be seen. huge whale Reef runs close to the coast, and sharks. there are opportunities to swim Shark Bay alongside whale sharks, whales and The World Heritage site of Shark manta rays. Bay is an exceptional place to see Insurance Tips Insurance The dunes south of the town are a dugongs and dolphins, and the popular spot for four-wheel driving, natural phenomena, stromatolites, complete with basic campsites littering Hamelin Pool. Shark Bay scattered along the beaches and is also home to Monkey Mia, coves. where travelers can learn about The Ningaloo Reef lies just off the significance of the area to local

64 WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Indigenous people as part of an eco-tour. Visit Eagle Bluff Lookout, where you may be lucky enough to spot sharks, rays and turtles in the clear water below. For those seeking the opportunity to hand-feed wild dolphins, the closely monitored marine park offers just that. & Overview & Contents Contents Kalbarri National Park Around 96mi (154km) north of Geraldton, Kalbarri National Park is home to the Murchison River, river gorges, dramatic coastal cliffs and Eastern Australia Eastern beaches, coastal and inland hiking trails and off-road activities including Natures Window rock formation in Kalbarri National Park quad biking and four-wheel driving. Getty Images/Celina Nikolay/EyeEm There are no campsites in the park, but there is accommodation in the dragonflies, and you can hire a kayak coastal town of Kalbarri. to see nature while paddling through Check out the Z Bend River Trail, the water. Central Australia Central which ends at a great gorge lookout, Along the coast, stop by Outback & Outback and The Loop Track, where you Mushroom Rock, Eagle Gorge, and can see the Natures Window rock Red Bluff before relaxing on the formation. While hiking, keep an eye beach at sunset. If you’re searching out for echidnas, kangaroos and for a beach campsite, you can rest for emus. Along the river, you might see the night at Lucky Bay, which is on

bearded dragons, hopping mice, and the road to Kalbarri. Western Australia

Karijini National Park Take a long drive 650mi (1,046km) north of Perth to the World Heritage site of Karijini National Park, where you can explore vast wilderness Take a long areas that include gorges, rock

drive 650mi Tips Insurance formations, hiking trails and (1,046km) swimming holes. north of Perth At Dales Gorge, take a hike to see to the World Fortescue Falls and Fern Pool, both Heritage site sites that hold significance for the of Karijini Knox Gorge, Karijini National Park

Getty Images/Posnov local Indigenous people. There’s a National Park

65 WESTERN AUSTRALIA campground close to Dales Gorge, in case you arrive late in the day and want to stay overnight. Don’t miss Hancock Gorge, further east, and Knox Gorge, accessed via an unsealed road. Both offer great lookouts and trails where you’ll see the unique rock layers in the park. & Overview &

Descend into Hancock Gorge, via Contents a steep ladder, to swim in beautiful Kermit’s Pool. In the southern part of the park, walk to the summit of Mount Bruce in time to catch the sunrise. A steady Eastern Australia Eastern two-hour hike will seem like nothing once you reach the top and see Champagne Springs, El Questro the vibrant colors of the Outback Getty Images/samvaltenbergs at dawn. Check the trails are open before you set off. off Gantheaume Point. Between March and November, Broome a unique phenomenon called the Central Australia Central Broome sits on the northwest coast ‘Staircase to the Moon’ can be seen Outback & Outback of Western Australia, close to the from Broome. The moon rising over natural wonders of the Kimberley exposed mudflats forms a truly region. Famous for stunning sunsets breathtaking sight. Check for the best at Cable Beach, Broome is a great dates and times to see it while you’re Between place to base yourself before visiting. March and November,

heading east into the Kimberley or to Western Australia a unique Purnululu National Park. Horizontal Falls phenomenon Broome once had a thriving In Talbot Bay, in the far north of the called the pearling industry, and each year, the Kimberley region, the world-famous ‘Staircase to Shinju Matsuri Festival is held in late Horizontal Falls are formed by rising the Moon’ August and September to celebrate tides and water levels on either side can be seen the fusion of European, Japanese, of narrow passes, leading into an from Broome. Chinese and South Asian cultures enclosed lagoon. As the water rises

The moon Tips Insurance that arrived here during the city’s quickly on one side of the pass, rising over pearling heyday. Roebuck Bay is powerful whirlpools are formed, exposed home to large colonies of seabirds, creating the horizontal waterfalls. mudflats and, at low tide, fossilized dinosaur One of the most intriguing natural forms a truly footprints can be seen along areas of wonders to be seen in Australia, breathtaking the coastline and the mudflats the falls can be viewed via boat and sight.

66 WESTERN AUSTRALIA plane tours operating from Derby, but are best viewed from the water.

El Questro The Kimberley region in Western Australia’s far north is pure wilderness, untamed and remote. About 64mi (102km) west of & Overview &

Kununurra, visit El Questro Contents Wilderness Park to experience what Campervan on the beach near Broome has been described as Australia’s Getty Images/Westend61 last frontier. The landscapes are incredible, with dramatic mountains, right equipment for your vehicle. winding gorges, thermal springs, In northern Australia Eastern swimming holes, rainforest and Cathedral Gorge, Purnululu Western waterfalls. Hire a 4WD and stock National Park Australia, up on supplies before heading out In the heart of the Bungle Bungles, hundreds of to one of the campsites including hike across the surreal countryside campsites dot Kingfisher Camp, the luxurious El with a local Indigenous guide to hear the shoreline Questro homestead or El Questro the cultural stories of the region. and national Station. Walk into Cathedral Gorge, a massive parks, some Australia Central There are dozens of hiking trails red-rock amphitheater, with amazing

basic and & Outback within a short distance of each acoustics, that will make you feel very others with campsite, but don’t miss Amalia small – but your voice will echo to the excellent Gorge, El Questro Gorge or the sky beyond. facilities. swimming holes at Jackaroo’s Hole and Moonshine Gorge. You can

camp, stay in a simple bungalow or Go Camping in Western Australia Western Australia go all out and enjoy the Homestead, In northern Western Australia, hundreds of campsites dot the shoreline and national parks, some basic and others with excellent in your own villa perched on the facilities. If you’re looking for somewhere wild and remote, try edge of Chamberlain Gorge. You Gregories at the tip of Cape Peron, or Kurrajong, Osprey or Yardie can cruise along the gorge, climb Homestead in Cape Range National Park. Explore the sand roads in a self-contained camper north of Broome to Zebedee Thermal Springs for a or in the King Leopold Ranges. Stay the night at Charnley River cooling dip in a tree-lined hideaway, Station or Silent Grove. In southwest Australia, go camping at Lucky Bay and Cape Le or go on a fascinating guided Grand Beach. Further east, set up camp at Yokinup campground, Insurance Tips Insurance bushwalk that culminates in a located in Cape Arid National Park. sunset toast high above El Questro’s Most campsites that offer facilities require a fee, but many wilderness camps can be used free of charge – just double check 700,000 of untamed wilderness. online ahead of time. Remember, some 4WD trails Download the Wikicamps app to use offline, so you can find major may require creek crossings, which and minor campsites throughout Australia. If you’re on a last-minute hunt for a site nearby, it could be a lifesaver. shouldn’t be attempted without the

67 for full details of cover, including the Essential limit payable on each item, the excess Theft is a Insurance Tips (your contribution or deductible) and common any exclusions or conditions of cover Ignoring the practicalities of claim in such as depreciation or valid proof of traveling through a large, remote Australia. It ownership. and often very hot and dry takes just seconds for a country has caught out many Baggage delay thief to grab & Overview & experienced travelers. Here Australia’s remoteness is part of your camera Contents are a few things to know about its charm but can also present or wallet from your insurance cover before you some challenges if your baggage is under your travel around Australia. delayed. Most visitors require a half- beach towel day plane ride to get to Australia, so at Bondi Protect your gear from theft you’re unlikely to get your baggage while you’re Eastern Australia Eastern Australians are renowned for their back quickly if your airline has swimming, or welcoming attitude and it’s with good delivered it to Sidney, Canada instead off the table reason, however, while the majority of Sydney, Australia. while you’re are friendly to travelers, some are Most travel insurance policies can ordering more interested in your wallet than help replace essentials, like a change coffee. getting to know you. of clothes or toothbrush, if you have Theft is a common claim in to wait more than 24 hours for your Central Australia Central Australia. It takes just seconds for a bags to arrive. Travel insurance isn’t Outback & Outback thief to grab your camera or wallet designed to swap your ripped jeans from under your beach towel at Bondi for a designer pair, so read this while you’re swimming, or off the section of your policy carefully before table while you’re ordering coffee. you spend up big and then try and Always keep your valuables on you claim.

or locked up (using the hotel safe Before you leave home, ensure Western Australia or hostel lockers). Also don’t leave your baggage is clearly labelled and anything in your car as break and the tags are firmly attached, giving enters are common in urban areas your airline the best chance of getting (especially at night). If your belongings it on the right plane or finding it aren’t with you, and there is no quickly and getting it back to you. evidence or police report of a theft, you may not be covered if they’re

Real-claim story Tips Insurance stolen. “I was in the stall of a washroom with my bag in front of me, Travel insurance isn’t designed within arm’s reach. While I was using the toilet, my bag containing to cover everything, particularly if my electronics was pulled from under the door by an unknown person. By the time I pulled up my pants and went outside, no one you leave something behind or, on was there. I went to the Police immediately and filed a report.”

some insurance plans, if your gear is Canadian resident in Australia. damaged. Check your policy carefully

68 Medical insurance is why our travel insurance covers for accidents or injuries hundreds of them from kite surfing to The Australian medical system is first skiing and parasailing. class, but it comes with a price, so Policy exclusions do vary, so, make sure you take out a full medical depending on the level of cover you’ve travel insurance plan before you travel. purchased, read it carefully and make This is different to the medical sure you’re covered before you go insurance cover you might have at bungee jumping in Cairns or scuba & Overview & home which won’t cover you overseas. diving in Byron Bay. Contents Medical Insurance is your safety net If you get hurt skiing in the Victorian if you become very unwell; it’s not Alps, and it’s not in your policy, it’s designed to pay for every scratch and going to be a very expensive trip. headache, which is why benefit limits and excesses apply. Check your policy carefully Eastern Australia Eastern If you’re hurt or injured, contact us so there are no surprises for assistance and we can help you Your travel insurance policy will understand what your policy covers. have limits and exclusions. This You may decide, if your ailment is minor ensures the policy you pay for is and under the excess, to not make a kept at a lower cost. claim. If it’s a life-threatening medical And, remember, if you do something condition, always seek medical help really stupid, like grab a snake by the Central Australia Central immediately. Let us know as soon as head or go swimming with crocodiles, Outback & Outback you can what has happened so we can you may not be covered at all. help you access medical assistance and keep your family and friends informed. Real-claim story “My surfboard, which was packed in a proper travel board cover,

Adventure sport coverage was creased and snapped after being transported on plane.” Western Australia There are many great opportunities to Australian returning from overseas. do adventure sports in Australia, which

All of the information we provide about travel insurance is a brief summary only. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions and termination provisions of the travel insurance plans described. Coverage may not be available for residents of all countries, states or provinces. Please carefully read your policy wording for a full description of coverage. WorldNomads.com Pty Limited (ABN 62 127 485 198 AR 343027) at Governor Macquarie Tower, Level 18, 1 Farrer Place, Sydney, NSW, 2000, Australia is an Authorised Representative of Cerberus Special Risks Pty Limited (ABN 81 115 932 173 AFSL 308461) and is underwritten by certain underwriters at Lloyd's. World Nomads Travel Lifestyle

(Europe) Limited (CN 601852) markets and promotes travel insurance products of Nomadic Insurance Benefits Limited (CN 601851), First Floor, City Quarter, Lapps Quay, Cork, Tips Insurance Ireland. Nomadic Insurance Benefits Limited is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. WorldNomads.com Pty Limited markets and promotes travel insurance products of Nomadic Insurance Limited (License No.1446874), at PO Box 1051, Grand Cayman KY1-1102, Cayman Islands. World Nomads Limited (05443592) is an Appointed Representative of Millstream Underwriting Limited (FCA Firm ref: 308584) at 52-56 Leadenhall Street, London, EC3A 2DX, United Kingdom. World Nomads Inc. (1585422), at 520 3rd Street, Suite 201, Oakland, CA 94607, plans are administered by Trip Mate Inc. (in CA & UT, dba, Trip Mate Insurance Agency) at 9225 Ward Parkway, Suite 200, Kansas City, MO, 64114, USA, with 24-hour and Assistance Services provided by One Call Worldwide Travel Services Network, Inc. and plans underwritten by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and affiliated companies, Columbus, OH. World Nomads (Canada) Ltd (BC: 0700178; Business No: 001 85379 7942 RC0001) is a licensed agent sponsored by AIG Insurance Company of Canada at 120 Bremner Boulevard, Suite 2200, Toronto, Ontario, M5J 0A8, Canada. World Experiences Seguros De Viagem Brasil Ltda (CNPJ: 21.346.969/0001-99) at Rua Padre João Manuel, 755, 16º andar, São Paulo – SP, Brazil is an Authorized Partner (Representante) of Zurich Minas Brasil Seguros S.A. (CNPJ: 17.197.385/0001-21) at Av. Getúlio Vargas, 1420, 5th floor, Funcionários, Belo Horizonte, State of Minas Gerais through the SUSEP Process 15414.901107/2015-77. All World Nomads entities listed above, including Nomadic Insurance Benefits Limited and Nomadic Insurance Limited, are subsidiaries of nib holdings limited (ABN 51 125 633 856).

69 iStock/zetter & Overview & Contents Contents

North Cottesloe beach, Perth Eastern Australia Eastern

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