Like the old poem of Dorothea McKellar, writing about his hometown, wrote: “I love a country that burns in the sun”. And Australia is definitely the place to fall in love.

The Great Southern Land is a diverse collection of some of the most beautiful natural elements anywhere in the world – ranging from coral-fringed shores to scorching sun-drenched outbacks – to national cities. extremely cool economies like Sydney and Melbourne.

Australia holidays can range from low budget backpacking to family resort vacations and everything in between. But there are some holidays that will truly create memories that last a lifetime. They are not always cheap, but they are worth every penny.

If you want a true polar opposite adventure that makes you take off your flip flops – or flip flops, if you will – then these are for you. From iconic train rides to swimming with minke whales, here are some vacations you should try to take at least once in your life.

Reaching the Red Center

Visit the heart of Australia with a holiday enjoying the extraordinary landscapes of the Red Center – the horizon desert plains, rugged mountain ranges and deep canyons – as well as sacred indigenous sites , including Uluru (Ayers Stone).

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A six-day trip to the outback with brave designed to immerse you in First Nations culture as well as natural beauty. Highlights include participating in a “Welcome or Acknowledgment of Country” in recognition of the land’s traditional owners, the Anangu people, hiking along the West MacDonnell Mountains and Kings Canyon, and admiring Uluru from many angles and at different times of the day, allowing you to fill your Instagram with different photos. When night falls, being unpolluted means the constellations shine brightly.

From £1,496pp, including accommodation, activities and most meals; Shorter packages, plus a stay for families with children under five, are also available. intrepidtravel.com

Kimberley from the coast

Along with the North Pole and Alaska, the Kimberly in northwest Australia is one of the last great wildernesses on Earth. Its size – twice the UK – compared to its population (40,000 people) gives some idea of ​​its vastness. It has an unspoiled coastline, dotted with more than 2,000 islands and a wealth of marine life, making it perfect for exploring from the ocean.

RIGHT WAY is one of the few operators offering trips in Kimberley, with the small vessel carrying no more than 99 passengers. Theme experts will travel on every trip, covering topics like birds, reptiles, and marine life, so tourists can really learn what makes the area so special. separate. Daily Zodiac boat excursions reveal Kimberley’s gems, such as Montgomery Reef, where the area’s large tidal range creates a reef-like effect; The same tidal phenomenon produces Horizontal Falls, which Sir David Attenborough has described as “one of the greatest natural wonders of the world”. For human history, a highlight is seeing examples of cave art depicting tall European ships arriving, dating back to the 15th century^{lame pants} century.

Departures from May to September. The 10-day Grand Kimberley Coast cruise costs from £6,295pp based on two people sharing a double cabin. Includes experiences at 18 destinations, daily boat excursions, 26 “locally inspired” meals and complimentary drinks. apouring.co.uk

Flirting with minkes

The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system, a kaleidoscope of coral dunes and colorful fish. It is also the only place in the world where people are allowed to swim with dwarf beaked whales. They pass through tropical northern Queensland every winter (it’s the southern hemisphere, so it’s June and July for best viewing), and visibility at Ribbon Reef is also excellent. great. Dive into the warm waters below, the sunlight glinting on the celestial blue waves and come face to face with the creatures as they pass.

Mike’s Shadow Diving Expeditionbased in Cairns, where the city meets the rainforest, has been offering diving excursions with minke whales since 1996. At the time, the largest group found included 28 whales – and the company says they have a 98% whale find success rate. .

From AU$2,143 (£1,151) for a three-night expedition, including accommodation on a Spoilsport live dive boat, flights from Cairns to Lizard Island, up to 10 dives and meals; Longer trips are available. mikeball.com

Hop from Great Ocean Road to Kangaroo Island

There is so much to see (and often so little time to see) in southern Australia. For a whirlwind eight-day tour taking the best part in the region, Contiki have you insurance. Start with the side streets, cafes and hipster spots of Melbourne, Australia’s trendiest city, before heading along the Great Ocean Road; The massive limestone formations that make up The Twelve Apostles will be one of the landmarks you’ll come across.

The next big stop is Adelaide, past geological wonders like Umpherston Sinkhole and Blue Lake, admiring labyrinthine rock formations and eerie waterfalls of rain. The ‘City of Churches’ is often seen as drab, but while it’s not as good as Melbourne or Sydney, there are some classy restaurants and bars, plenty of green space and a beach within 20 minutes. set from the center.

Then a trip to Kangaroo Island, a wildlife zoo, home to dolphins, echidnas, koalas, seals and – of course – the Aussie animal of its name. Visit Flinders Chase National Park, on the island’s southwest corner, to see exotic rock formations (like Admiral’s Dome) and penguins.

From £1,418pp, including accommodation, four breakfasts, two lunches and one dinner, full transport, trip manager and local guide; flights are not included. contiki.com

North South by railway

Ghan still offers, after nearly a century of service, one of the world’s great trains, from Paris to Istanbul on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and gliding through Mexico’s Copper Canyon on El Chepe. It rumbles through the Outback, and is named after the Afghans who worked to usher inland Australia on camels.

Lulled to sleep the night before by the gentle clack of wheels on the tracks, each morning welcomes a new destination. A three-night train break from Journey Beyond the Railroad begins in steamy Darwin, in the Northern Territory, flying over Red Center’s Alice Springs and the quaint opal mining town of Coober Ped (where, due to the heat, more than half the inhabitants live underground), before on arrival in Adelaide. At each stop, activities await those who set off, from barbecues under the stars at historic Alice Springs Telegraph Station to sailing down Nitmiluk Gorge.

From £1,977pp, including meals, drinks and off-board experiences. journey beyondrail.com.au

Walking towards the wild

Just over two miles from Tasmania’s east coast is Maria Island, a national park and collection of pristine beaches, crystal clear waters, dense forests and magnificent mountain peaks. Rare and endangered wildlife, such as the Cape Barron geese and of course the Tasmanian devil, call this their home.

The only facilities on Maria Island belong to the Parks and Wildlife Service, which is also good because it offers the best experience on foot. The Walking on Maria Island is a guided four-day holiday covering about 26 miles (42km), taken through extraordinary landscapes while learning about the history of the outpost (including its role as a convict settlements) from experienced guides.

You’ll spend your two nights in campsites in the wilds – which means falling asleep as the waves crash – and the rest of the night in the heritage-listed Bernacchi House, which has been renovated. page again in 2022.

Prices start at $2,850pp (£1,527) based on two shares. mariaislandwalk.com

Camping by the coral

Western Australia’s Cape Range National Park is bursting with wildlife. Located in the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area, it is home to a diverse range of creatures, from kangaroos to emus, wallabies to echidnas – the animals that are signatures of Down Under. It’s also right next to Ningaloo Reef, home to more than 500 species of fish and 250 types of coral, and an exceptional place for water sports like kayaking, canoeing and snorkeling. .

If you like the idea of ​​the sun waking you up as it rises over the reef, a luxurious stay at Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef is the perfect start to a longer stay in Australia. The safari tent has some non-negotiables to ensure it maintains the luxury element – an extremely comfortable bed, en suite bathroom, drinking water and daily cleaning service – but other than that, it’s just you , oceans, coral reefs and mountain ranges. Food and wine, like in most of Australia, is taken seriously here and is well made, so expect hearty dishes after you’ve got your cravings while swimming with whale sharks and Humpback whale.

From £,1220 per night, with a minimum stay of two nights; All meals, beverages, national park fees and activities are included. salsalis.com.au

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