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Where to Go in Australia Based on Your Travel Style

Australia is vast and varied with endless options. Whether you’re a wildlife lover, foodie, or adrenaline junkie—we know just the right place for you.

Planning a trip to Australia can be overwhelming, but this continent-sized nation provides endless opportunities for travelers. Whether you’re looking for adrenaline-packed adventures, great food and wine, chill beach time, or all of the above, you’ll find it here.

For animal lovers: if you’ve always longed to see wild koalas, jumping kangaroo, lazy penguins, massive saltwater crocodiles, or those rare green possums—we know just the place. If, instead, you dream of an epic multi-day trek through Tasmania and want to gaze deep into the night sky or see the world from the vantage of a hot air balloon, we’ve got you covered. From learning about Aboriginal cultures, adrenaline pumping water sports, fine dining, or basking in nature, Australia has something no matter your style of travel.

 

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For Hikers and Trekkers

WHERE: Tasmania

If you’re looking for a multi-day hike to remember for the rest of your life, Tasmania is the place to find it. This island state contains an abundance of multi-day hikes. Signing up for a guided experience with a professional is a great way to learn the ropes of the unforgiving Tasmanian wilderness. Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service lists 17 different incredible hiking routes so there are plenty of possibilities, including Three Capes Track, Overland Track, and Freycinet Peninsula Circuit.

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For Night Owls and Star Gazers

WHERE: Western Australia

Western Australia is so large it makes up about a third of Australia’s land mass, offering endless room to explore. With virtually no light pollution, it’s a perfect place to gaze at the stars, watch meteor showers, look for shooting stars, and observe unique sky phenomena. In Broome, full moon nights between March and October offer an opportunity to see the “Staircase to the Moon” as the moon rises over tidal flats. In April 2023, a total solar eclipse will be visible near Exmouth.

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For Culture Lovers

WHERE: Northern Territory

Visiting Australia’s Northern Territory is a rich cultural experience, where visitors can respectfully learn about and experience Aboriginal cultures. Enjoy one of the many Aboriginal experiences available, sign up for a cultural tour, or check out one of the art trails. Music and dance experiences abound and consider timing your trip to align with a festival, such as the Barunga Festival which features music, a didgeridoo competition, sports, art, storytelling, and more. In the Top End, visit Kakadu National Park and stop by the Warradjan Cultural Centre to visit the museum and see a craft demonstration.

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For Serenity and Relaxation

WHERE: Lord Howe Island, New South Wales

Slow down, relax, and enjoy island paradise, just two hours from Sydney via air. Once you reach Lord Howe Island, there’s no rush, but there’s plenty to do. Luxury properties like Arajilla, Island House, and Capella Lodge are perfect for relaxing, and bicycles are a popular way to traverse the small island. Go for a hike or enjoy a delicious luxury beach picnic prepared by Love Lord Howe. Sign up to snorkel or scuba dive by Balls Pyramid, which at over 1,800 feet is the world’s tallest sea stack. Lord Howe Island has numerous dive sites, and one popular trip is to snorkel or dive with Galapagos whaler sharks or stay closer to land with a glass-bottomed snorkeling trip to swim with brightly colored fish and sea turtles. You can also snorkel, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard straight from the beach to coral reefs.

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For Adrenaline Junkies

WHERE: Top End of the Northern Territory

If a 20-foot saltwater crocodile doesn’t get your blood pumping, nothing will. Venture to the Top End of the Northern Territory to explore Kakadu National Park and hop on a Yellow Water Cruise for a close look at some of the area’s mammoth saltwater crocodiles, birds, and other wildlife. Sign up for a 4WD excursion to explore off the beaten path, and venture to Darwin to ride a jet ski with 00Seven. About an hour and a half from Darwin, Finniss River Lodge offers upscale accommodations right on a working cattle station, with bespoke adventures tailored to each traveler’s interests—don’t miss the airboat tour with crocs.

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For Wildlife Lovers

WHERE: Queensland

Queensland’s “Wet Tropics” region contains 12 species that don’t exist anywhere else on Earth, including a green possum and tree-kangaroo. Wildlife lovers will find plenty of species to check off their lifetime lists in this state, which is home to a huge array of animals, including kangaroos, koalas, emus, platypus, bandicoots, echidnas, cassowaries, crocodiles, lizards, and many others. Explore Daintree National Park’s rainforests and rivers, and be sure to visit the Great Barrier Reef, where you can stop by the Museum of Underwater Art. 

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For Foodies

WHERE: Melbourne and Bendigo, Victoria

Dubbed the “culinary capital” of Australia, Melbourne is packed with 3,500 restaurants representing cuisine from 70 different countries. Victoria has dozens of restaurants earning the distinguished Australia Good Food Guide “Chef Hat Award,” a renowned Australian culinary honor. Whether you’re searching for street food, hip and trendy spots, or fine dining, you’ll find it in this bustling metropolis—along with plenty of art, live music, and events. Then travel north to Bendigo, named a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. Here, dine at Masons of Bendigo to enjoy a seasonal, locally grown menu, among many other delicious foodie options.

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For Beach Bums

WHERE: Gold Coast, Queensland

Queensland’s Gold Coast is synonymous with sand, surf, and sea. With 44 miles of beaches, you can find an option for any desire, from a mellow, family-friendly afternoon splashing in the shallows to surfing breaks for experienced surfers. Be sure to pay attention to the beach warning flags and swim where lifeguards are on patrol. Take a surfing lesson, rent a paddleboard, or just find a sunny spot to relax. Surfers Paradise Beach is iconic, and it’s a scene with plenty of dining options, night markets, and accommodations.

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For Oenophiles and Wine Connoisseurs

WHERE: South Australia

Known as “The Great Wine Capital of Australia,” South Australia is a must-visit for dedicated wine lovers. Explore the wine regions like Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, and the Adelaide Hills, sampling sustainable wineries along the way. Be sure to plan for a few unique wine experiences, like sampling wine at the DArenberg Cube, a curious architectural gem. Or travel to Down the Rabbit Hole, famous for its double-decker bus. Active wine lovers may wish to cycle the approximately 20-mile Clare Valley Riesling Trail.

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For Road-Trippers

WHERE: Great Ocean Road, Victoria  

Travel along Victoria’s Great Ocean Road for an unforgettable coastal road trip. Plan at least a couple of days to cover this adventure, and consider extending your trip to swing out to the Mornington Peninsula and Phillips Island. See crashing waves, beaches, and wildlife, and keep an eye out for migrating whales from May through September. Learn about history, shipwrecks, and lighthouses—with a stop by the Cape Otway Lightstation, which dates back to 1848. Explore national parks, and be sure to see the 12 Apostles—stunning limestone formations—at sunset. After the sun goes down, look for glow worms—which aren’t even worms—they’re actually glowing larvae.

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For Couples and Romantics

WHERE: Hunter Valley and New South Wales

Head to Hunter Valley and New South Wales for an unforgettably romantic adventure perfect for honeymooners or even “popping the question.” On the way up from Sydney, stop by Sydney Oyster Farm Tours in Mooney Mooney for a unique experience in the Hawkesbury River. Yes, in the river. You can wear waders out to an “in-water” table where you can sip champagne and sample oysters. Once you arrive in Hunter Valley, settle into a luxurious villa or spa. This wine region is known for hot air balloon rides and a variety of tasting tours—including some on horseback—as well as the VIP Soil-to-Cellar experience at Brokenwood which features oyster pairings, tours, a four-course lunch, and a grazing platter. You can even arrange to arrive via helicopter if you’re feeling fancy.

1 Comments
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mrdrivers September 3, 2023

This article are very helpful and awesome, also providing very helpful  guide us..