Australian Traveller's 2019Top 100 things to do

1. Hike the Gold Coast’s hinterland

Drive one hour outside the Gold Coast and explore the Springbrook National Park.

Strike out from the beaches and boutique hotels of the Gold Coast into its lush hinterland and you are in for a treat of rainforests, waterfalls and wildlife-packed scenery.

Tamborine Mountain

Tamborine National Park is the third oldest national park in the world; it has walking tracks (try the Witches Falls circuit), waterfalls (head to Curtis Falls) and attractions such as the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk and glow worm caves.

Springbrook National Park

A one-hour drive from the heart of the Gold Coast, Springbrook National Park’s stunning natural wonders include Natural Bridge, a cave rock formation and waterfall; The Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area, the most extensive subtropical rainforest in the world teeming with wildlife and plant species; and Springbrook Plateau, which boasts stunning views across the park.

Lamington National Park

Also part of The Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area is Lamington National Park. Head to the Green Mountains section of the park for spectacular views; camping is available and you can book half day and full day tours of the area.

2. Sydney’s historic pubs with the best makeovers

Stop into The Imperial Erskineville and enjoy a vegan, vegetarian or omnivore meal at Pricillas Restaurant.

The Aussie pub holds a near and dear place in our cultural history; at one stage local watering holes proliferated, taking up prime locations in towns, suburbs and neighbourhoods across the country. Locals would flock to them after a hard day’s work to relax and socialise, but as times and social mores changed, so too did the fortunes of ‘the local’.

From their heyday in the 1920s, ’30s and ’40s, many pubs morphed into live music venues in the ’70s and ’80s, and had seen better days by the turn of the 21st century. But historic pubs are proving rich pickings for a new generation of publicans; in Sydney drop into The Imperial Erskineville, the Terminus Hotel or Hotel Palisade to drink in the revamped atmosphere and style.

3. Experience Australia’s best suburbs

Spend a morning stocking up on supplies at Eveleigh Farmers Markets at Carriageworks.

Elsternwick

This inner-city Melbourne suburb’s designation as a hip hood was assured when it played host to the 2018 incarnation of The Block. Sandwiched between St Kilda and Caulfield, you need to head here for the interesting cafes and bars and eclectic mix of inhabitants.

Newstead

Once a down-at-heel industrial area, this Brisbane neighbourhood has seen an influx of restaurants, bars and new developments. But its true cool credentials come from the fact that it has its own microbrewery and designer donut store. Say no more!

Mount Lawley

This Perth inner-city village has a laid-back feel that permeates its restaurants and bar, and the buzzy shopping strip of Beaufort Street.

Eveleigh

The former rail yards, now known as Carriageworks in this inner-city Sydney suburb now play host to galleries and food markets and plans are afoot to develop the newly named South Eveleigh into a retail and commercial hub, including a first of its kind rooftop Indigenous garden.

4. Check out Brisbane’s best boutique hotels

For an incredibly chic boutique stay book into The Calile in Brisbane. Credit: Sean Fennessy

Long relegated to the ranks of second-tier capitals, Brisbane started to get its funk on a few years back with the opening of some seriously stylish boutique hotels. Now it is ground zero for designer digs, each imbibed with their own brand of chic.

The Calile

Think impeccable styling, a completely now colour palette of whisper quiet pinks and seafoam greens, clean lines (and a statement-making pool), all played out over 175 rooms in Fortitude Valley.

Ovolo Inchcolm

Calling this 50-room property eclectic doesn’t fully convey the riot of colour and pattern and design that is contained within its Art Deco walls; shrinking violets need not apply.

Tryp Fortitude Valley Hotel

This ‘street art hotel’ led the charge in the Valley’s journey to hip hood status, with its exuberant graffiti walls and hipster vibe.

Emporium Hotel

With a rooftop infinity pool and understated luxe interiors, this five-star hotel has become a South Bank landmark.

Crystalbrook Vincent

Located in the revitalised Howard Smith Wharves development, the six-storey Crystalbrook Vincent hotel (formerly the Art Series hotel The Fantauzzo) is filled with works by Vincent Fantauzzo.

 5. Discover the best things to do in Albany, WA

Bruce Munro’s Field of Light Avenue of Honour. Credit: Mark Pickthall

The port city of Albany is actually older than both Perth and Fremantle, having been settled in 1826 as a military outpost. While this has left a legacy of charming historic buildings – check out Old Farm, Strawberry Hills, Patrick Taylor Cottage and St John’s Church – it is a decidedly modern undertaking that has been generating buzz in the city, a gateway to WA’s stunning South West region.

The award-winning National Anzac Centre is a sleek, cantilevered building looking out over King George Sound that commemorates the ANZAC tradition through the stories of the men themselves; Albany was the final departure point for the first wave of troops heading to the battlefields of Europe. The centre also recently hosted a Field of Light installation by artist Bruce Munro, the lights of which fittingly went out for good on ANZAC Day 2019.

6. Find Australia’s best regional cities

Passing through Geelong? Stop for a feed at Wah Wah Gee.

Tamworth

This New England city is earning quite the reputation as an emerging foodie destination, with loads of local producers, a dedicated food festival – Taste Tamworth in April with pop-ups, long lunches and food markets – and interesting new restaurants cropping up.

Geelong

An hour-and-a-bit drive from Melbourne, this city of 250,000, designated by UNESCO as a City of Design in 2017, is forging a new identity for itself, anchored by initiatives like the ‘Green Spine’ rejuvenation of the city centre, the vibrant waterfront, home to interesting restaurants like Wah Wah Gee and new civic developments like the award-winning Geelong Library and Heritage Centre.

Bundaberg

The Queensland coastal city has all the elements needed to stamp it as a city on the rise, from a thriving regional art gallery to a microbrewery (head to Bargara Brewing Company’s Brewhouse on Sunday afternoon when it goes off) to a growing food scene – visit during Taste Bundaberg Festival in May.

7. Take a day trip to Brighton, Vic

Brighton is the perfect place to spend a day, with its best-of-both-worlds inner-city location and laid-back beach vibe. Any outing here (it takes about 30 minutes by bus from Melbourne’s CBD) should start with a stroll along the beachfront checking out the historic, multi-coloured bathing boxes. With that box ticked, head to Church Street and its surrounds for the plentiful cafes (try Brighton School House Cafe on St Andrews Street or the famed Royal Brothers and Lickings Fine Ice Cream on Church Street), bars and shopping.

8. Canberra’s best food, festivals and galleries

We say it often enough here at Australian Traveller, but in case you missed it: Canberra is great! The comparisons with Sydney and Melbourne have become redundant as our national capital establishes its own identity as a city of culture – the National Gallery of Australia would win an arm wrestle with some of the world’s best galleries – great food and wine (think Braddon and cold climate wines), and headlining festivals like Floriade. All of which explains the satisfied grins on the faces of the locals here. Lucky ducks.

9. Go to the Street & Lanes Festival in Toowoomba

When it comes to regional cities with capital city swagger, Toowoomba takes the prize. If you didn’t know better, the cafe-packed laneways and vibrant street art might suggest Melbourne, but this city of over 115,000 inhabitants, the gateway to the Darling Downs, has its own uniquely laid-back, friendly vibe. See the city at its most vibrant during The Streets & Lanes Festival, held each year over the Easter weekend, when its streets and public spaces are given over to performers, music, food and fun.

10. Port Adelaide’s Wonderwalls Street Art Festival

A targeted urban renewal plan, close commuting proximity to the city centre and an influx of young creative types have seen the formerly industrial suburb of Port Adelaide become one of the South Australian capital’s hotspots. It is certainly one of its most colourful locations thanks to the Wonderwalls Street Art Festival. The resulting artworks creep up the sides of buildings and stretch along walls; search them out, with regular stops for coffee along the way (try The Folklore Cafe or Drummer Boy).

11. Listen to the trees in Pemberton, WA

Pemberton trees.

The Walk-Through tree – and her countless cousins – are found in Pemberton, 3.5 hours’ drive south of Perth. A place where tracts of pale, smooth-surfaced karri trees rise like Roman columns and fringe the rolling earth like stubble on a man’s chin.

And while everyone’s attention is focused on Margaret River, 1.5 hours’ drive west, these giant trees are left to whisper among themselves.

12. Cool off in Australia’s best secret swimming spots

Yarrangobilly thermal pool, near Tumut, NSW.

You may not have heard of these stunning natural pools that demand to be swum (and photographed).

Yarrangobilly thermal pool, near Tumut, NSW

Go skiing at nearby Selwyn ski resort then warm up in this gorgeous 27ºC thermal pool.

Python Pool, Millstream, WA

Swim in the green waters of this desert oasis, hemmed in by starkly contrasting buttresses of red rock.

Josephine Falls, Wooroonooran, Qld

South of Cairns, slide down the smooth rocks of the falls into plunge pools; a perfect spot for kids to go wild.

Artesian Bore Baths, Lightning Ridge, NSW

It’s almost worth moving to the opal mining town to enjoy these thermal baths of 40ºC mineral water.

13. Stay in Australia’s most sustainable luxury eco retreat

Elysian Retreat.

Stay within some of our greatest natural spots safe in the knowledge that your carbon footprint will be kept to an absolute minimum. Take newly opened Elysian on Long Island in the Whitsundays.

It opened in April as perhaps Australia’s most sustainable luxury eco retreat, with a solar farm powering the entire resort including the energy-hungry air-con. Coupled with careful waste and water management, it means you’re free to enjoy the coastal chic interiors of its oceanfront villas and organic, locally sourced food, and explore the coral reefs with snorkel and flippers with a carbon-free conscience. Just make sure you offset the CO2 from your flights to get there…

14. Swim with a minke whale

Swim with minke whales in the Great Barrier Reef.

There’s something utterly counterintuitive about jumping into the ocean knowing that you’ll be at the mercy of nine-metre-long, seven-tonne beasts. But minke whales are gentle giants and will tolerate you floating in their presence in awe at their massive torpedo-like, streamlined bodies.

Several operators including Silver Series and Spirit of Freedom run trips out to the Great Barrier Reef from Port Douglas and Cairns respectively to swim with the whales, something that is done in partnership with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and James Cook University’s The Minke Whale Project to learn more about their migratory paths, feeding habits and other behaviours.

You don’t need any diving qualifications to swim with the whales – just the ability to hold your breath with a snorkel; you’ll be holding onto a line off the back of a boat and it’s totally up to the whales as to how close an encounter you’ll be rewarded with.

15. Find Australia’s dinosaur footprints

Dinosaur footprints caste in concrete.

Australia has a wealth of incredible dinosaur footprints, their strides lasting signatures from a lost world. Here the top three sites in the country to let your imagination run wild picturing the magnificent creatures they belonged to.

Lark Quarry Conservation Park, Qld

Head to the Dinosaur Stampede National Monument, 110 kilometres from Winton, which preserves the footprints of a dinosaur stampede, the only such example you can see in the world.

Milanesia Beach, Vic

In aptly named Dinosaur Cove, you’ll find small, three-toed tracks in a sandstone block, accessed via the Great Ocean Walk en route to the 12 Apostles.

Roebuck Bay and Cable Beach, WA

Take a tour with Broome Hovercraft out to impressive prints belonging to huge, diplodocus-like plant-eaters that become exposed at low tide; plus marvel at the sets on Cable Beach.

16. See the Thorny Devil in Alice Springs Desert Park

The thorny devil.

There are some Australian icons of the animal kingdom you’d be forgiven for accidentally stepping on, such is their ability to melt into the landscape with incredible powers of camouflage. It’s for this reason that you’d also be forgiven for paying a visit to the Alice Springs Desert Park, 10 minutes’ drive from Alice, to admire them for yourself.

Take the thorny devil, a curious reptile that looks like a prickly bit of shrub slowly moving across the desert. Its ochre, brown and cream patterning is a reflection of the surface of the sun-baked deserts it inhabits, making it very hard to spot for a passing snake, or budding reptile photographer. Alice Springs Desert Park also has some rare desert dwellers like the bilby and brushed-tailed bettong, but the highlight is possibly the native desert garden, revealing all the surprising colour you can find when the desert is in bloom. Take a tour with an Indigenous guide to learn how the Arrernte people have been living here for thousands of years.

17. See the stromatolites in Hamelin Pool Marine Nature Reserve

Marvel at Hamelin Pool Marine Nature Reserve, Shark Bay.

Yes, you read that right. Bacteria have made it onto Australian Traveller’s prestigious annual 100 list. But this ain’t any ol’ bacteria; this particular microorganism represents some of the oldest known examples of life on the planet and they happen to like it in the clement, salty waters of the Hamelin Pool Marine Nature Reserve in WA’s World Heritage-listed Shark Bay.

Cyanobacteria give rise to the stone-like columns called stromatolites, their mucus collecting sediment which is stuck together with a by-product of calcium carbonate, and they’ve been up to this for around for 3.5 billion years.

A one-metre-high stromatolite represents a colony of life some 2000 to 3000 years old, so pay your respects to these sentinels of time, and hang around to take a photo of them in the shallow waters at sunset, when they will reveal themselves to be far more beautiful than their name suggests.

18. The best spots to see penguins in Australia

The fact that Australia is home to penguins seems an oddity – they must have washed ashore here a while ago from Antarctica and never looked back. Make it your mission this year to go and appreciate our polar denizens at these special sites:

Manly Wharf, Sydney, NSW

The only breeding population of fairy penguins in the state, look out for them from July to February waddling up the sand to nest.

St Kilda Pier, St Kilda, Vic

While walking along this historic pier keep an eye out for fairy penguins hopping about on the rocks below.

Bruny Island, Tas

Penguins and short-tailed shearwaters can be observed from viewing platforms on the Neck, Bruny’s famously skinny isthmus.

19. Save the corroboree frog

The corroborree frog looks like it’s been transplanted from the depths of the Amazon, such are its vivid, liquorice allsorts-inspired black and yellow stripes. But this alpine frog, endemic to the Southern Tablelands and Kosciuszko National Park, is under attack from a warming climate, frog-killing fungus, off-road vehicles, and the many damaging hooves of wild brumbies.

Marvel at this most striking frog at Healesville Sanctuary outside of Melbourne, where a captive-breeding program is racing to keep these amazing animals in the wild. To learn about the amphibians and the threats they face you can also visit Melbourne Zoo and Taronga Zoo, Sydney, both of which are breeding the frogs in captivity for subsequent release.

20. Dive Sydney’s protected reef

Diving should be on the national curriculum, such is the bounty of wonderful animals in Australian seas. And it’s not just all about the Great Barrier Reef; you wouldn’t think it, but divers are spoilt when it comes to the temperate waters in and around Sydney Harbour.

Head out with the likes of Manly Dive Centre and there’s the spectacular protected reef of Shelley Beach and its friendly blue gropers; a chance to spot the incredible weedy sea dragon beyond the surf of Maroubra Beach; and there’s another less famous dragon: the blue dragon (Pteraeolidia ianthina), a spectacular nudibranch (sea slug) with rows of fluorescent blue spines along its length. Look for them snaking along the rocks and make sure you have an underwater camera set to macro mode to capture this striking animal.

21. The Mornington Peninsula

Beautiful view of the vineyards on a wine tour of the Mornington Peninsula, Australia.

Located just over an hour’s drive from the city centre, the Mornington Peninsula is a wonderland of pretty towns, rolling countryside, wide beaches and, more importantly, a fertile foodie haven. Here is a taste of the best this patch of Mornington has to offer.

Red Hill

The area of Red Hill is populated by so many wineries, restaurants and producers that any exploration will be a stop-start affair as small clusters of shopfronts along Shoreham Road and Mornington-Flinders Road lure you in with wine stores specialising in local drops, interiors stores and cafes.

Merricks

Sculpture is a big drawcard at Merricks, where the imposing Pt. Leo Estate has been wowing visitors with its large-scale sculptures and flavoursome dining experience at the hands of Culinary Director Phil Wood. The estate’s hulking modern concrete construction houses the Pt. Leo Restaurant, cellar door and fine-dining Laura. The Sculpture Park offers up two circuits, one that takes 30 minutes and a more rambling 60-minute walk.

The design is equally cutting edge at Jackalope in nearby Merricks North, where the sleek hotel’s signature restaurant Doot Doot Doot is another must-do dining experience.

Rosebud and Dromana

Apart from its rolling landscape of grape vines and sun-bleached bush, the Mornington Peninsula is also celebrated from its beaches and pretty seaside towns. Two of the best, just a short drive from Red Hill, are Dromana and Rosebud; the road between the towns (Point Nepean Road) stretches along the coastline, presenting a vista of vintage bathing boxes and sand on one side and interesting cafes and shops on the other.

22. Dine at Australia’s most stylish restaurants

ARC Dining and Wine Bar located within Brisbane’s exciting Howard Smith Wharves development.

It stands to reason that with Australia’s enviable and innovative dining scene comes excellence in restaurant design. After all, hospitality is a holy trinity of food, space, and service. If one of these elements falters, the whole thing comes tumbling down.

A collective of talented hospitality design firms means that almost every new opening is noteworthy and such openings are too numerous to list, but a good start is with the brooding Japanese bunker vibes at Melbourne’s Ishizuka; Bondi’s Mexi-cool, candy-coloured Fonda; and the deftly restrained interiors of Adelaide’s muted Osteria Oggi.

23. Restaurants with the best views

Icebergs Dining Room and Bar.

With both an enviable food culture and some wildly spectacular landscapes, Australia wouldn’t be trying hard enough if we didn’t have some incredible dining rooms with a view. From the sun-bleached coast to glinting city skylines, there’s far too many to shout out to here.

We’d start a furious debate if we were to suggest one above another. But to get you started, these eateries offer a view that threatens to throw shade on the menu: diners are almost engulfed by waves at Burleigh Heads’ Rick Shores; displaying Bondi’s beautiful beach and bodies is Icebergs Dining Room and Bar; pretty Melbourne glitters below Vue de Monde; and Perth’s rooftop Wildflower parades the city and Swan River.

24. Australia’s best food festivals

Noosa Food and Wine festival.

Drop a pin anywhere on Australia’s fertile fringe and you’ll be guaranteed it will land on a region that produces an amazing food source, be that oysters, wine grapes, meat or orchard fruit. We truly are the lucky country when it comes to the abundance and diversity of our food regions, so celebrate them at one of these excellent festivals.

Orange FOOD Week

Showcasing the wines and produce of Orange, this festival takes place in April each year. It’s a great excuse to visit if you haven’t yet been to this beautiful rural food bowl.

Noosa Food & Wine Festival

As if you needed another excuse to go to Noosa, this festival, which runs from 16–20 May, explores produce from the coast to the hinterland.

Melbourne Food Festival

Frequently declared Australia’s food capital, Melbourne puts on an extraordinarily large festival to celebrate all aspects of food culture every March.

WA Gourmet Escape

Attracting internationally and locally renowned chefs and set in the gorgeous Margaret River region, food-lovers must experience this event at least once.

25. Luxury stays on vineyards

Empire Estate’s irresistible boutique hotel.

The regretful thing about wine tours is that eventually you have to leave. There’s no lingering over a riesling as the sun beds down for the night. But at these luxury stays, you can take your time finishing off a bottle, enjoy a superb dinner, then either saunter or swagger to your room.

The Louise

Set in Barossa wine country, The Louise is not only front and centre to the captivating scenery and best wineries of the region, it’s also home to the celebrated restaurant, Appellation.

Empire Retreat

You’ll come to sample the cabernet merlot of this Margaret River region winery, but you’ll end up staying in Empire Estate’s irresistible boutique hotel, which layers natural timbers and stone for a contemporary, rustic effect. Book into the spa too, for its big stone baths and rainforest shower suites.

Sequoia at Mount Lofty House

Projected to open this October at one of the Adelaide Hill’s best-loved estates, the luxury 14-suite Sequoia will sit separately to the existing guesthouse.

Mornington Peninsula Glamping

Situated on Blue Range Estate Wines in the pretty coastal town of Rosebud, the 10 bell tents that make up Mornington Peninsula Glamping are stylishly furnished, there’s a sleek amenities block, the Cellar Door and Cafe has a Mediterranean sensibility, and there are panoramic views of Port Phillip Bay and Bass Strait that just won’t quit.

26. Whisky distilleries and festivals

Tasmanian Whisky Week.

As a nation, our thirst for the deeply nuanced tipple of whisky is far from quenched. Perhaps it has something to do with our enterprising convict roots but, as a country, we’ve become exceedingly accomplished at both enjoying and crafting this spirit. With its peaty earth, crisp climate, and barley fields, Tasmania has been leading the way in Antipodean whisky for some years now with the likes of Lark, Sullivan’s Cove and Spring Bay.

There’s even a dedicated whisky trail and you can fire up your cockles at Tasmanian Whisky Week in August. If you can’t make it down for August, Sydney is hosting the Sydney Whisky Fair in August.

It’s not just our bog-blessed southernmost state that is distilling distinguished whisky; other noteworthy examples are the single-malt and accessible Starward, Victoria’s Timboon, and WA’s Limeburners, to name just a few. If your tastes run to a more American style of whisky, some distilleries are mashing up rye for moonshine-style drinks: try Archie Rose, and Young Henry’s Nightsweat Moonshine.

 27. Unique Sydney eateries

The signature Boathouse.

Melbourne often claims the culinary crown, but there’s something about the Sydney hospitality scene that’s become particular to the harbour city. From fine dining to casual, eateries, Sydney has mastered a refined but playful approach to style and food. Instead of relying on the beauty of what’s outside, restaurateurs began making spaces that would draw people off the beach and keep them seated.

Merivale, of course, was among the first to master the art of deftly attuning to a theme with their diverse but en-pointe locales from the high-end Mr. Wong in the city to the new, laid-back Bondi Italian, Totti’s. But you’ll also see this chilled out, polished style at the coastal-clinging Boathouse collection of restaurants, the newest of which is at the until-now sleepy Central Coast town of Patonga.

28. Bottle your own wine

Do you have a sneaking suspicion that you would’ve been a talented winemaker in another life? You can test your theory and your palate at some of the country’s best cellar doors. Blend it like a vintner and slosh together vintages, vineyards and varietals in a blending class, where you can bottle your own handiwork to take with you as proof your talents are wasted in your day job.

McLaren Vale’s d’Arenberg offers a blending class, followed by lunch. Tahbilk in Victoria teaches the art of winemaking in a 1.5-hour class plus a tour of their beautifully atmospheric 19th-century cellar. While Jacob’s Creek teaches you the fundamentals of blending in a concise 30-minute session, you can even order an entire box of your quickly created masterpiece, should you be wholly convinced of your mastery.

29. Taste Tasmania’s best gourmet experiences

For Australia’s smallest state, Tassie sure is ravenous.

Producing some of the country’s finest fare, from fine-dining restaurants to hand-crafted cheeses, distilled spirits and cool-climate wines, the island’s reputation for good food shows no signs of decelerating. This makes Tassie the gourmet hotspot for mainlanders who come for Bruny Island’s sharp, minerally oysters, golden Leatherwood honey, Flinders Island grazed lamb, and applauded restaurants such as Franklin, The Agrarian Kitchen, and Templo.

Perhaps one of the best ways to nibble your way around the state is to hire a car and hit some food and wine trails, one of which is the Cradle to Coast Tasting Trail. Of course, you may need to intersperse all that with some hiking, or you might be returning home with some extra luggage you can’t check in.

30. Restaurants that give back to the community

We all want to give back somehow, but oftentimes the pitch from charities, while well meaning, is abrasive and gratingly insistent. Most of us don’t respond well to being accosted on the street during our lunch break. But more and more eateries are opening up where you can give back while sipping your morning latte.

Portal in Sydney’s Martin Place looks like any other hip city haunt with a chic architecturally considered fit-out and a chef-created seasonal menu, but this social enterprise cafe (and its sister cafe, Symbol, in North Sydney) donates 100 per cent of its profits to charities.

Unlike tossing a coin into a bucket, you can track exactly where your money goes on the Portal website. Happily, there are plenty of places to help your fellow humans by tucking into a wholesome lunch, each with their own charity alignments. Also try Melbourne’s Feast of Merit in Richmond, or Kinfolk in Bourke Street.

31. We might just have the best beach houses in the world

Roozen Residence in Margaret River.

As a country of coast-huggers, Australia knows a thing or two about great beach houses. Whether that’s the rustic-chic Little Black Shack perched on the water’s edge at Pittwater in Sydney or a private retreat in the shape of Tasmania’s Satellite Island, or one of our perennial favourites, the slick and sexy Roozen Residence in Margaret River – the five-star property of local surfer and artist Ron Roozen that dishes up 180-degree ocean views from every room – there’s a property to suit every mood and season. Check out listings on Airbnb, HomeAway and Contemporary Hotels to see the whole gamut of options.

32. A secret island paradise

Sand banks on Cockatoo Island.

Kimberley guide and author of 100 Things To See In The Kimberley, Scotty Connell has tipped us off that one of the region’s best-kept secrets is set to reopen for tourism. Cockatoo Island, a dramatic swathe of silica beaches and bays off Australia’s west coast, has seen many incarnations.

Traditionally the home of the Dambimangari people, it became a mining town in the 1950s then a resort owned by Alan and Eileen Bond. Mining took hold again in the early 2000s and now a revival is on the horizon. “Once marketed as ‘the least known island paradise in the world’ Cockatoo Island’s resort has been used by miners for years but is set to reopen again soon,” Scotty says. “Their infinity pool has glorious views over the neighbouring Buccaneer Archipelago and the sunsets were supposedly the inspiration for Eileen Bond to paint all of the bungalows pink.” Check Cockatoo Island’s website for updates.

33. Beaches, wine and good times

Port Willunga sunset.

The Fleurieu Peninsula, Adelaide’s weekend playground, is an epicurean idyll. The sweeping hills of its wine regions (McLaren Vale is an ideal place to explore if you like your wines big, bold and red) just about roll into the ocean, where a dramatic shoreline gives way to soft, sandy and sometimes deserted beaches, like Port Willunga. You can drop anchor here for a couple of nights in a range of unique accommodation.

Hotel California Road is a boutique offering built out of shipping containers and set in the vineyards of McLaren Vale’s Inkwell Wines; it’s a four-minute drive to Maslin Beach, which was designated Australia’s first official nude beach in 1975. Further along the peninsula, Southern Ocean Retreats’ Ridgetop Retreat is ensconced in a stringybark forest and not far from the beautiful Second Valley Beach.

34. Some of Sydney’s best beaches are closer than you think

Shark Bay in Sydney’s Nielsen Park.

In Sydney, you don’t have to head too far out of the city to find lovely stretches of sand; many a Sydneysider’s favourite beaches are part of the harbour itself – and they’re usually less crowded and altogether more tranquil than their famous cousins.

Try Camp Cove in Watsons Bay, a visit to which isn’t complete without taking a bush walk round the harbour’s South Head and rewarding yourself with a helping of fish and chips from local institution Doyle’s afterwards. Nielsen Park, tucked into picture-perfect suburb Vaucluse, is home to equally attractive Shark Beach – a kid-friendly swimming spot with a great cafe to boot. It’s also the starting point for a scenic foreshore walking track. On the North Head side of the harbour, you can’t beat Balmoral Beach: a prime spot for stand-up paddle boarding, swimming and tucking into lunch at the Boathouse.

35. A new eco-retreat on Perth’s favourite island

Discovery Rottnest Island: luxury tents all equipped with en suites and outdoor decks.

New to Perth’s popular offshore spot, Discovery Rottnest Island is the island’s first low-impact glamping experience. Set just behind the dunes of Pinky Beach, this eco-retreat features 83 luxury tents all equipped with en suites and outdoor decks; premium options offer up unparalleled sea and sand aspects and there are also family and accessible tents available.

Soak up life’s simple pleasures from your deck, wander the boardwalks through the dunes to Pinky’s Beach Club for dinner, cocktails and Margaret River wines, and take a refreshing dip at nearby popular swimming spot the Basin – or in the resort pool. The city might be just about visible on the horizon, but you’ll feel cast away in a world of your own.

36. The Rainbow Beach that lives up to its name

There’s an island in the Tiwis – a quick boat ride from Darwin – with a beach they call Rainbow for crystal-clear reasons. Alongside Michael Goetze, Jampal Williamson is one half of Salty Wings – photographers who specialise in spectacular aerial seascapes of unique and remote places.

Here, he describes a journey he embarked on to Melville Island in 2017 with Tourism NT that secured the epic shot that graces the cover of Australian Traveller issue 83. “Whilst exploring the northern part of the island we were told by the locals about ‘Rainbow Beach’, a special part of the Tiwis where the red ochre dirt was collected and used for painting and ceremonial purposes,” he says.

“This was the first time anyone had captured this place from above before. We departed the next morning before the sun to capture this magical place. Dodging a few crocs on the beach I was dropped off and managed to capture these images in the soft morning light. To this day it truly is one of the most special places I’ve seen from above.”

37. Cruising the Whitsundays

An aerial at Hayman Island.

Queensland’s Whitsunday Islands are having a moment in the sun (well, are they ever not?) with the reopening of Hayman Island in July and the recent refurbishment of Daydream Island. Which makes us think of one of the dreamiest ways to explore the 74 islands that make up this out-of-this-world archipelago…

Cruising the Whitsundays is a classic bucket-list item for many travellers for good reason, and there are different ways to make it happen: from taking a day tour to skippering a boat yourself – aka bareboating. For some old-world glamour, step aboard the Lady Enid, a rare Australian heritage yacht. This luxurious sail departing the Port of Airlie marina will take in Whitehaven Beach, lauded as one of the world’s best. If you choose to DIY – and the Whitsundays provide plain sailing for novices and pros alike – check out Go Bareboating for options.

38. The big lap by sea

Living on an island, with all its islands off the islands, leaves Australia prime for exploring by boat, so keen seafarers take note. The Coral Expeditions’ Tasmanian Circumnavigation will take in the best and most adventurous bits of the island state over 16 nights.

Departing Hobart on 1 January on board the Coral Discoverer, you’ll travel to Tasmania’s UNESCO World-Heritage wilderness; the Bass Strait islands including the rugged, produce-rich King Island and Flinders Island with its spectacular Strezlecki National Park; and the Tamar River to get deep into the heart of one of Australia’s best wine regions.

39. See the Galapagos of the Southern Ocean

The resident 100,000 (mainly elephant) seals and millions of penguins.

For those whose dream of visiting Antarctica is just slightly out of reach, consider a trip to Macquarie Island instead… physical or virtual! Described as the Galapagos of the Southern Ocean, this unique destination is designated a World Heritage Area on account of its outstanding geological and natural significance. Here you’ll find an abundance of fauna, including the resident 100,000 (mainly elephant) seals and millions of penguins.

Macquarie Island has the very Aussie nickname of ‘Macca’, and technically it’s part of Tasmania, but geographically it’s around halfway between Australia and Antarctica. In good weather it takes about three days to reach from Hobart, but tour companies like Heritage Expeditions that include it on their epic itineraries tend to depart from New Zealand.

40. Hike or cruise to Victoria’s secret coves

On the southernmost tip of mainland Australia, Wilsons Promontory National Park is home to some of the best views and beaches in Victoria, packed full of hidden coves and boats and just two hours away from Melbourne. Many spots are accessible only by foot or by boat, including Refuge Cove. A drop-dead-gorgeous secluded beach situated on the eastern side of the Prom, it’s found – for the adventurous – at the end of a 19.2 kilometre overnight hike from Tidal River. A campsite surrounded by lush vegetation offers promised refuge.

Or cut to the chase on a full-day tour with Refuge Cove Cruises, departing Port Welshpool on a 42-passenger catamaran and taking in the cove and other highlights.

41. Stay on Lord Howe Island

Life on Lord Howe Island.

Paradise is a much overused word these days, but we are not exaggerating when we say that Lord Howe Island is just that, paradise. The UNESCO World Heritage-listed island is just 700 kilometres north-west of Sydney, but a world away from the everyday. Its staggeringly blue waters lap wide beaches; fish crowd around your feet when you step into the water; turtles frolic in the shallows; and the lush, hulking mass of Mount Gower dominates the horizon, its peak often shrouded in a crown of wispy white cloud. Like we say, paradise. And everyone on island is determined to keep it that way; only 400 visitors are allowed at any one time, cars play second fiddle to bikes (riders wave warmly to each other as they pass) and – wait for it – there are no mobile phone towers anywhere. Yeah, we know, paradise!

42. Take a Kimberley cruise

Cape Leveque on the Dampier Peninsular.

When it comes to cruising the ochre-tinged Kimberley coast, luxury is the order of the day. But while the price tag might be considerable, the pay off is a once-in-a-lifetime experience with a cost-per-brag ratio that is well worth the investment. Try these for starters.

Kimberley Quest

Its four-day Taste of the Kimberley cruise ticks off the must-sees like Horizontal Falls and Buccaneer Archipelago.

The Great Escape

Its luxury 85-foot catamaran caters to only 14 guests at a time and has its own helicopter!

True North

The onboard mod-cons on this 36-person vessel includes private deck spas and onboard specialists.

Kimberley Quest

While there’s more people on Silversea cruises, there is no compromise on luxury with butler service included.

43. Stay at Longitude 131° for the best view of Uluru

A view of the Rock, Longitude 131°.

When it comes to securing a privileged uninterrupted view of the Rock, Longitude 131° wins hands down. But, within the resort itself it doesn’t get much better than the Dune Pavilion. The sprawling two-bedroom suite has jaw-dropping views from just about every angle, but arguably the ultimate position from which to gaze upon the behemoth that is Uluru is its tin bathtub, watching as the setting sun casts mesmerising colours across the desert landscape.

44. Cross the Simpson Desert

Chambers Pillar historical reserve within the Simpson Desert.

The mighty Simpson Desert is the stuff legends are made of, a seemingly endless stretch of rich, red soil that presents itself as the ultimate challenge. The largest parallel sand dune desert in the world, it stretches across the south-east corner of the Northern Territory, and creeps into Queensland and South Australia. Crossing it is not for the faint-hearted, but the rewards are rich including seeing the desert come to life with colour when the spring wildflowers bloom.

If you don’t want to go it alone, there are a number of tour companies plying the desert dunes and tracks: Tri State Safaris do a 12-day Simpson Desert Crossing; Outback Spirit offers a 14-day Simpson Desert Expedition; and Tagalong Tours of Australia has 12-day Simpson Desert tours heading east to west or west to east.

45. Be the first onboard the Great Southern Rail

The magical 12 Apostles.

Great Southern Rail, operators of iconic rail journeys on The Ghan and Indian Pacific, is adding another epic Aussie journey to its roster, with the launch of the Great Southern in December this year.

Be one of the first onboard as the train travels from Brisbane to Adelaide over four days and three nights, cruising through the NSW north coast (day one), stopping in the Hunter Valley on day two, and exploring the Great Ocean Road and the iconic 12 Apostles, before arriving into the South Australian capital. Prices start from $2299 per person, but the satisfaction of being the first in line is priceless.

46. Stay at Sal Salis and explore Ningaloo Reef

Sal Salis, a beach-side safari camp.

Ningaloo Reef; these two words inspire such longing in those who imagine one day exploring this staggering natural wonder, home to over 500 types of fish and some 250 coral species. Of course, if you are going to go all the way there (it’s just shy of 1200 kilometres from Perth) you might as well stay somewhere that’s truly of its location. Somewhere like Sal Salis, a beach-side safari camp tucked into the dunes where life is metred out by nothing more than the rising and setting of the sun.

47. Visit the Whitsundays

In the ultimate example of a silver lining, the disastrous summer of early 2017 that brought devastating Cyclone Debbie, damaging these two Whitsundays staple resorts beyond immediate repair, resulted in two fabulous and headline-making island makeovers.

The most northerly of the Whitsundays archipelago, stylish Hayman Island throws open its doors in July 2019 with a swathe of new delights including five new bars and restaurants, a luxe new spa and a fresh take on watersports.

he more central Daydream Island has already reopened to much fanfare, with a renewed focus on eco-tourism; its Living Reef signature experience has been developed to make the resort’s show-stopping lagoon, wrapped around the main resort, even more of a draw. Guests are invited to wade right in amongst the rays, fish and small sharks, or simply enjoy it all from the underwater observatory.

48. Embrace luxury on a private jet

There’s luxury, and then there’s the take-no-prisoners, entirely uncompromising ironclad commitment to exclusivity and service that leads to the kind of journey Captain’s Choice provides. Its voyages hop from bucket-list destination to destination with the kind of dreamy insouciance reserved for the very, very rich. But if you are looking for the travel experience to end all travel experiences, cast an eye over its range of Journeys by Private Jet.

The upcoming Gourmet Trail of the Southern Coast is for those who like to employ all the senses. Jetting across the country, the flight begins in Perth, popping in for a casual limited-release wine-paired seven courses at Voyager Estate in Margaret River, ducks over to shuck world-famous oysters in South Australia’s Coffin Bay, then takes in a gastronomic journey of Kangaroo Island via Southern Ocean Lodge executive chef Asher Blackford’s four-course, wine-matched extravaganza.

Drop in to Mount Gambier’s Coonawarra region for an exclusive showing at Yalumba’s The Menzies vineyard, then finish in Mona’s cutting-edge The Source Restaurant in Hobart, complete with a private tour of the museum’s winery – but of course.

49. Cruise from Hobart to Antarctica

A weathered tabular iceberg, just offshore from the Italian Antarctic base, at Terra Nova Bay, in the Ross Sea.

There are few destinations left in the world as seemingly unreachable, as immense and fragile, as Antarctica. Yet reachable it certainly is, with a surprising 40,000 travellers, give or take, venturing to its remote, icy reaches via cruise ship. The path less travelled, though, remains the cruising route from our own Hobart (most travel from South America), with only two operators, Chimu Adventures and Eclipse Travel, plying the waters of the Southern Ocean through to East Antarctica and the likes of fascinating Macquarie Island and gobsmacking McMurdo Sound.

50. Where to see platypus in the wild

An emblematic sight.

This famously shy little monotreme is made for stealth, but here are some likely spots where, if you put on your patient face, you just might score the ultimate sighting.

Latrobe, Tas

The riverside boardwalks in Warrawee Forest Reserve are what locals call the Platypus Capital of the World.

Lake Elizabeth, Vic

Paddle your canoe oh… so… gently at sunrise or sunset, and you may glimpse a shiny back or two.

Nymboida River, NSW

The riverside camping area in Nymboi-Binderay National Park up from Pollacks Bridge is named Platypus Flat. We like their confidence.

Maleny, Qld

Stroll the boardwalk to the wetlands and the old pump house and at best, you’ll spot a cute little critter. If not you’ll have enjoyed this gorgeous hinterland town.

51. Ballarat’s cultural places to eat and drink

Renowned artists, David and Yuge Bromley, gave Ballarat’s Pub With Two Names a creative makeover.

This formative era defines the streetscape of Ballarat today, and new life is being breathed into Ballarat’s attractive heritage buildings and industrial spaces.

When Mitchell Harris Wines opened in a 140-year-old former produce store, tentmakers and motor workshop in 2013, it stood out in the city’s hospitality landscape as a pocket of Melbourne-style quality and cool. Fast forward six years and while this rustic-chic wine bar, which showcases cold-climate wines of the local regions as well as Mitchell Harris’s own, is still at the top of its game, the bar has been raised around it.

Lost Ones Gallery and Bar is a basement bar of a contemporary art gallery that used to be a masonic temple. It serves cocktails made with pine foraged from a nearby forest and is styled with eclectic furnishings foraged from Gumtree.

Tucked away down a laneway in the CBD, Hydrant Food Hall is a great breakfast and lunch spot in an atmospheric old warehouse space. And five minutes’ walk from here is The Pub With Two Names – a heritage pub that was reopened in 2018 following a creative makeover by renowned artists David and Yuge Bromley. Its relaxed menu focuses on its South American-style charcoal grill.

The pièce de résistance of Ballarat’s new foodie wave is located in a space with no sign at the door. Underbar is chef Derek Boath’s 16-seat fine diner that opens on Friday and Saturday evenings to serve a tasting menu shaped by the seasons and surrounds.

52. Aboriginal fairs and festivals

Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair represents the work of over 2000 artists. Credit: Murray Hilton

If you’re an art, design and music lover, there’s no better time to visit Darwin than August. Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair is one of the most dynamic of its kind: it hosts over 70 remote community Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-owned art centres, representing the work of over 2000 artists and offering visitors the chance to purchase work ethically with 90 per cent of sales going back to the communities.

The fair (9-11 August) complements the prestigious National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards, and takes place in the same week as the National Indigenous Music Awards and Garma Festival.

53. Art galleries in NSW

The Margaret Olley Art Centre can be found on the NSW North Coast.

Is there something about Australia’s hinterlands that attract hidden pockets of creativity? In the Noosa Hinterland you’ll find a pioneer of Pop Art who has created a large-scale studio and gallery, and in the NSW North Coast Hinterland, there’s the Margaret Olley Art Centre.

Part of the Tweed Regional Gallery in the picturesque town of Murwillumbah, this purpose-built centre looks like a slick contemporary art gallery from the outside, but inside it’s a different story. Here, parts of Margaret Olley’s Sydney terrace house – which served as the much-loved Australian artist’s home studio for nearly 50 years – have been faithfully reconstructed.

The Hat Factory and the Yellow Room contain a treasure trove of paintings, objets d’art and household clutter belonging to the artist, who spent many of her childhood years here in the local area.

54. Ground-breaking architecture

We can’t wait to see what Pritzker Prize-winning architect Glenn Murcutt pulls out of the bag when his design for MPavilion – the country’s leading architectural commission and hub that is installed in Melbourne’s Queen Victoria Gardens – is unveiled in 2019. He’s long been famous for his innovative and environmentally sensitive buildings that are rooted in Australia’s culture and topography, and at the age of 82, he’s still delighting and surprising us. Ten years in the making and completed in 2016, the Australian Islamic Centre is one of his most ambitious projects to date.

Located in the Melbourne suburb of Hobsons Bay and designed in collaboration with local Islamic architect Hakan Elevli, it’s a striking space for both Muslims and non-Muslims that brings a contemporary slant to traditional mosque design, with lantern-like skylights acting in lieu of a minaret. And in Lightning Ridge in outback NSW, a $34-million opal museum designed by Murcutt has been given the green light: watch this space.

55. Adelaide’s biggest festivals

Adelaide’s two longest running, marquee festivals turn 60 in 2020. Adelaide Festival, which runs over 17 days each March, and Adelaide Fringe which runs for four weeks each year in February and March, both started life in 1960. Expect packed programs and exciting collaborations, such as Adelaide Festival’s exclusive partnership with one of the world’s best classical music festivals, Festival International d’Art Lyrique d’Aix-en-Provence in France. This collaboration, which will launch at upcoming Adelaide Festival, will see the two festivals co-produce and co-commission major operatic productions over a three-year period.

Meanwhile, the Fringe has won the bid to host Fringe World Congress in 2020. This gathering of international Fringe directors and organisers from across the world will be held in the southern hemisphere for the first time and is a major coup for South Australia’s arts community. Expect it to further raise the profile of Australia’s ‘festival state’ as an arts destination.

56. The NGV’s best exhibitions

Terracotta Warriors: Guardians of Immortality and Cai Guo-Qiang.

Melbourne’s National Gallery of Victoria just keeps on giving in the culture stakes, from fashion blockbusters like the House of Dior to contemporary works of modern masters like David Hockney: Current. This winter’s epic exhibition is no exception.

Terracotta Warriors: Guardians of Immortality and Cai Guo-Qiang: The Transient Landscape is a dual presentation of Chinese art and culture from both the past and present. The former will see a large-scale presentation of the Qin Emperor’s Terracotta Warriors – the so-called ‘eighth wonder of the world’, while the latter sees contemporary artist Cai Guo-Qiang create all-new artworks inspired by China’s culture and traditions.

57. Discover the Art Deco town of Innisfail

Find the Historic Blue Bird Cafe building, now housing the Bodhi Cafe, in Innisfail.

You might not expect to find one of Australia’s biggest bounties of Art Deco buildings in a town in Far North Queensland, but this is what you get in Innisfail – where Art Deco meets the Great Barrier Reef. The CBD of this once-prosperous sugar cane town was largely rebuilt in the style of the day following a cyclone that destroyed much of it in 1918. Explore its bold and colourful buildings on The Innisfail Town Walk or take a tour of the landmark Johnstone Shire Hall, which was said to ‘rival any hall built in Sydney’ when it opened.

58. Go to the festivals in Alice Springs

The Fab-Alice Mardi Gras is worth planning your Alice Springs trip around.

With groundbreaking Parrtjima – A Festival in Light going from strength to strength each year, fusing ancient culture with modern technology, and Fab-Alice Mardis Gras fresh from giving Sydney a run for its money with its inaugural event, Alice Springs is becoming a cultural destination in its own right. So consider planning your next trip to the Red Centre around its cultural calendar.

59. Listen to the talks at Australia’s writers’ festivals

The Sydney Writers’ Festival at Carriageworks. Credit: Prudence Upton

From Melbourne to Mildura, Byron to Brisbane and the Kimberley to Canberra, writers’ festivals around Australia are truly world-class, attracting top local and international talent and providing the perfect excuse to do something different of a weekend.

60. Even more art at Uluru

The first ever Opera Australia performance at Uluru is coming in 2019.

From Field of Light to creative fine dining experiences and ancient and contemporary Aboriginal painting, the scope for transformative art set against the iconic Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park feels endless. And now for the first time ever on Saturday 2 November, Opera Australia will perform here in a blend of music, art and landscape. Presented by Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, the concert will include famous arias from Bizet, Puccini, Rossini and Verdi.

61. Sign up for the best art workshops and retreats

Escape to an artists’ retreat in a suitably inspiring location.

Artists are credited with being solitary creatures, lost in their own artistic vision. But for those needing a little help finding their inner Monet, an artists’ retreat in a suitably inspiring location is just the ticket.

Artworkshops Australia conducts weekend workshops in its Byron hinterland studio, or you can indulge in one of its art retreats, painting in the likes of the Flinders Ranges, the Blue Mountains, Kakadu, the Pilbara, Fowlers Gap and Tasmania.

Art Travel Adventures’ art expeditions also allow you to immerse yourself in amazing locations – the remote East Kimberley, Lord Howe Island, the East MacDonnell Ranges and Arnhem Land – while learning from celebrated Australian artists.

62. Find a walking trail in Australia’s best national parks

Spend time exploring one of Australia’s many national parks.

If you are looking to clear your head and get away from it all, walking is the perfect solitary pursuit. And with a wealth of national parks at our disposal – there are over 600 national parks in Australia occupying over 28 million hectares – there’s plenty of choice of where to go.

The general rules of solo walking are to do your research to find destinations suitable for singles (remote areas should not be attempted with fewer than three people), know your strengths and limitations, let people know where you are going and when you’ll be back (consider hiring a personal locator beacon) and stick to the trails at all times. Some good starter walks include the Royal National Park Coastal Walk out of Sydney, the Great Ocean Walk in Victoria and the Six Foot Track from the Jenolan Caves to Katoomba.

63. Find a hotel with Australia’s best bathtub views

Unwind at Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island.

There is no more indulgent solo pursuit than soaking in a tub, and if it comes with a stunning view (and a glass of bubbles close at hand) then all the better.

Some of the most stunningly positioned tubs can be found in South Australia, including this humdinger at the sublime Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island. Book El Questro’s Cliffside Retreat stay for its outdoor tub looking over the Kimberley landscape, spot whales from the bath in qualia’s Windward Pavilion, or head to the bush bath at Kingsford Homestead, a working sheep station in South Australia’s Barossa region.

64. Book a cruise that caters to solo travellers

There is plenty of choice when it comes to cruising to your dream destination solo.

First it should be stated that there’s a big difference between cruising solo and singles’ cruises. If you are looking for a little time out on your own with endless water views rather than looking for endless love, most cruises will cater to your needs.

While most cruise companies offer discounted solo supplements, there are certain companies going that extra mile to make lone travellers welcome, including offering studio cabins priced for one (Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International and Holland America Line), organised activities and shore trips that allow you to interact with other travellers, and communal dining so you don’t have to eat alone.

65. Visit a library

Read a book in a beautifully designed library. Cobram Library is a great place to start.

There is quite the groundswell of creativity going into the design and construction of libraries at the moment. Much more than just spaces in which to read, modern libraries are meeting places where people can come together to feel a sense of community (and get free wi-fi). For this reason architects and designers are conceptualising buildings that are welcoming, multi-purpose spaces where people can spend time reading, learning and socialising.

Some stand-out libraries worth going out of your way to see include Cobram Library, designed by Cohen Leigh Architects; Melton Library, Max Webber Library in Blacktown and Bankstown Library and Knowledge Centre, all designed by FJMT; and the award-winning Green Square Library in Sydney, designed by Stewart Hollenstein in association with Stewart Architecture.

66. Learn to surf

Experience the rush of catching your first wave.

Given our enviable access to beaches and water in Australia, and our history as a surfing early adopter (many credit Hawaiian surfer Duke Kahanamoku with introducing the sport to Australia at Freshwater on Sydney’s Northern Beaches in 1915, but there are those who believe we figured it out for ourselves much earlier), learning to surf is the perfect way to spend time next to the water while getting fit and having fun.

Former world champion surfer Pam Burridge retired from the pro circuit in 1998, starting up Pam Burridge Surf Schools on the NSW South Coast. It runs regular women’s-only Surf Retreats at Mollymook Beach, including surfing lessons from the legend herself.

Alternatively there are equally picturesque places to learn to surf around the country: Surf Camp Australia hits the waves of Byron Bay on the NSW Far North Coast; Go Ride A Wave operates out of the gorgeous Great Ocean Road in Victoria; former pro surfer Cheyne Horan’s School of Surf is based on Queensland’s Gold Coast; and Margaret River Surf School conducts its lessons at Redgate Beach in WA.

67. Camping for one

Oztent’s King Single Stretcher and King Single Swag combo ($229.95 and $599).

Oztent’s King Single Stretcher and King Single Swag combo ($229.95 and $599 respectively) might just be the coolest camping accessory around. The giant cot and super durable cover mean you can effectively camp where you stand, all the better to enjoy the solitude of nature.

For a truly off-grid, ‘look at these views’ experience, try these: Memory Cove in Lincoln National Park, South Australia, where daily access is limited to ensure its remains pristine (you need a pass from the Port Lincoln Visitor Information Centre to enter); Noah Beach in Daintree National Park, Queensland, with its lush tropical landscape and abundant wildlife; and Narawntapu National Park in Tasmania, where wombats, kangaroos, wallabies and even Tassie devils are easily spotted after dark.

68. Book a writing retreat

Dream of writing your own novel? Rainforest Writing Retreat at O’Reilly’s will help you make it a reality.

In the lush Gold Coast Hinterland, surrounded by Lamington National Park, the Rainforest Writing Retreat at O’Reilly’s is one of the most immersive writers’ retreats in the country, designed to coax words and ideas out of novices and experienced wordsmiths alike. Gaining insight from bestselling authors, the two-day retreat works on developing writing skills and storytelling techniques, and offers guidance in publishing, marketing strategies, and networking. But it also leaves ample time to be inspired by the picture-perfect surroundings, with rainforest walks, night tours and plenty of wildlife to spot.

69. Pamper yourself

Peppers Mineral Springs Hotel is the perfect place to pamper yourself.

Setting off on a solo adventure is the perfect excuse to look deep within yourself to find inner harmony – or just get a really good massage. Victoria’s spa country is anchored by the pretty heritage towns of Daylesford and Hepburn Springs, with their gracious accommodation and plentiful spa experiences.

Treat yourself to a rejuvenating mineral soak at Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa and stay the night in one of the futuristically stylish Hepburn Springs Escape Villas, indulge in the charm of Peppers Mineral Springs Hotel) or book the rustically chic White House in Daylesford and explore at your leisure.

70. Take a road trip in a caravan around Australia

Experience the freedom of travelling in a caravan on the wide open roads of Australia.

Pack the essentials, stock up on snacks, borrow a stack of books from the library and hit the road to relive the halcyon days of the caravan vacation at these holiday park hotspots.

• First Sun Holiday Park in Byron Bay for the absolute beach frontage, and its strolling distance to chi-chi cafes, bars and shopping.

• Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort Camping for the dolphins, of course.

• Lake Argyle Resort, Kununurra, for the remote beauty of the Kimberley.

• Cairns Coconut Holiday Resort for its easy access to the Great Barrier Reef.

• Batchelor Holiday Park for its proximity to Litchfield National Park’s stunning waterfalls.

• Phillip Island Caravan Park for the penguins!

• Sea Vu Caravan Park, Robe, for the Limestone Coast landscape and uninterrupted water views.

71. Find the Brewarrina Aboriginal Fish Traps in NSW

Two boys put the Brewarrina Aborginal fish traps to use in the late 19th century.

If you know what to look for, you’ll find them on a bend that looks like a million others, on a river that often struggles to flow, behind a tiny town on a road that beelines for the back of Bourke. Many people in this north-western New South Wales town, and plenty of others besides, sincerely believe that the Brewarrina Aboriginal Fish Traps are among the oldest, if not the oldest, human-made structures on Earth.

The traps’ U-shaped design is simple yet shrewd. A half-dozen of the structures are full circles, built at different heights so they could be used at various levels of river flow. These are pens to store caught fish, an ancient Esky, as it were. According to the Dreaming story, creation-being Baiame cast his vast net over the river course. His powerful sons, Booma-ooma-nowi and Ghinda-inda-mui, then set the stones in the pattern of the net, uncoincidentally a place rich with river mussels, crayfish, golden perch and Murray cod.

72. Drive the Gibb River Road

Take a dip in a gorge while you road trip Gibbs River Road.

A drive along the Kimberley’s Gibb River Road is adventure on repeat. From the moment the wheels of your 4WD plunge into the pindan roads, you belong to a world of wild desolation, startling history, and enigmatic landscapes that can never be accurately replicated in photographs. Despite the track being well-beaten, passing others on the road still comes as a novel surprise. You’ll find them, of course, parked at the campsites and you’ll see cars waiting for their occupants to return from a swim in Bell Gorge or a stroll along Tunnel Creek. In total, the trail is 660 kilometres and only accessible by 4WD. If time is a constraint, you could do a truncated version of the trip, or punctuate the drive with a spot of luxury at El Questro. However you decide to make the journey, a night spent at the Indigenous Bardi Jawi community-run Kooljaman Wilderness Camp to watch the sunset at Cape Leveque is compulsory.

73. Drive Explorer’s Way

Karlu Karlu, also known as Devil’s Marbles is must-see on your journey.

Imagine those early south to north journeys bisecting the country from Adelaide to Darwin; the parched, unrelenting landscapes would have truly felt like frontier country. If you’ve ever wanted to slip your feet into the well-worn boots of an explorer, such as John McDouall Stuart, who marked the way for the Overland Telegraph this route follows, then pack a sturdy vehicle with supplies and prepare to muddy up your hub caps on the Explorer’s Way. Of course, there are more than stubby, dust-cloaked grasses and the odd kangaroo to spot, this journey is full of unforgettable sites and stories from the original custodians of the land. From Karlu Karlu (Devil’s Marbles) to Mataranka Thermal Springs and the impossibly serene Nitmiluk National Park, this arterial route is pure adventure. Stop by the interior townships of Alice Springs and Tennant Creek to sink a few with the locals and get a hold of why this historic journey and those who live along it capture the essence of Australia.

74. Tasmania’s Great Eastern Drive

Make you way to Tassie’s east coast to see the Bay of Fires.

The full stop on the exclamation mark of Australia, Tassie is perhaps one of our most road trip-friendly states. While the whole isle is ripe for vehicular exploration, the East Coast, with its standout stops at Freycinet National Park and the Bay of Fires, gets our blue ribbon. The Great Eastern Drive is a precise but pretty 176-kilometre stretch, making it entirely doable over a long weekend. Begin in Orford, continuing onto Triabunna to make the crossing to Maria Island National Park. Hit the road again before taking in the wine route from Swansea to Bicheno, then make your merry way to Freycinet and onto the grand finale at Binalong Bay.

75. Drive from Cairns to Cape York

It’s a long way to the top if you want to stop and stroll. Actually, it’s around 29 hours give or take, in a typically Queensland style of casual estimation. However long it takes you, a drive from Cairns to the tip of Cape York (or the other way round) is a quintessential Australian experience. Whether you choose to brave the crocs and cassowaries alone or join the safety of a tag-along tour, the wilds and wonders of this part of the country are the stuff of red dirt-encrusted dreams. We suggest timing your drive to coincide with the biennial Laura Dance Festival of Indigenous performing arts for a once-in-a-lifetime experience you can (and will) retell for the rest of your days.

76. The best towns to stop at on the Pacific Coast

Stop in at Wategos Beach in Byron Bay on your drive of the Legendary Pacific Coast.

The Legendary Pacific Coast drive is perfect for passing on those wonderfully torturous car trips of your childhood to your own offspring. Pile the kids in the car, make them listen to your music on repeat, and refuse to stop for unscheduled toilet breaks on this summer holiday journey. While this coastal escape is perfect for families, it’s a must for everyone at any point of their lives. Weaving through charming and diverse beachside towns and their hinterland sisters, such as Coffs Harbour and Bellingen, Cabarita and Murwillumbah, as well as Byron Bay and Bangalow, and many more, you’ll find idyllic, sparsely populated beaches, artsy communities, and plenty of activities both in and out of the water. Plunge your beach brolly into the sand and take your time to travel this 900-kilometre stretch of endless summer from Sydney to Brisbane.

77. Drive through South Australia’s Flinders Ranges

Drive through the Flinders Ranges in South Australia.

Drives don’t get much more dramatic than the one through the Flinders Ranges in South Australia. Layered landscapes that switch like Instagram filters with the shifting light, uncommonly clear night skies, and the lunar-like amphitheatre of Wilpena Pound, an excursion into this corner of the outback is an artist’s dream, but is equally gob-smacking for anyone with even the slightest appreciation of nature. To begin a road trip through the ranges, you must first take the five-hour drive from Adelaide in your 4WD to Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. There, you’ll marvel at what was the seabed 600 million years ago. Camp out at Wilpena Pound Resort and Campground before taking off for a hike the next day through this spectacularly ancient, natural bowl. A pilgrimage to beloved outback pub, the Prairie Hotel is imperative for any traveller of drinking age.

78. The Great Ocean Drive road trip

Looking down on the beautiful roads of the Great Ocean Road, Victoria.

There’s a reason the Great Ocean Road lands on every Australian bucket list ever made. We will never tire of the spectacle of beauty this rocky ribbon-like road delivers. And while the route’s headline attraction may be in its 20 millionth year, the 12 Apostles never get old. It’s easy to see why the sight of these monolithic sentinels that look caught in an act of desertion from the shoreline draw countless tourists each year. But this drive offers more than a cluster of handsome rocks: along the way there’s also the Great Otway National Park, frolicking whales, famous Bells Beach, and when you reach the Grampians, pause and exhale before looping back.

79. Victoria’s Great Alpine Way

Drive the Great Alpine Road to Mt. Feathertop, Alpine National Park in Victoria.

When we think of an Australian road trip, images of hot and dusty roads come to mind, not deep gum-lined valleys and snow-dusted mountains. But Victoria’s Great Alpine Way is a 339-kilometre stretch of year-round accessible road that leads to snowfields, mountain stream fishing, bushwalks, and, of paramount importance, cool-climate wines. From Wangaratta to the Gippsland Lakes, this High Country drive isn’t long, ensuring the trip is about savouring the journey. Stop at Milawa, the home of Brown Brothers, and sample the Rutherglen region’s cockle-warming fortified wines. Ramble up the alps to Mount Hotham for some powder play, then wind down to admire the incredible inland waterways that make up the Lakes region

80. The ultimate odyssey along Savannah Way

The Savannah Way drive is one every adventurer must tick off their bucket list.

This is it. This is the drive for those who consider a trip a failure unless they’ve found themselves comprehensively and catastrophically lost. This is for those head-torch-wearing people who actually know how to make billy tea and cook damper. The Savannah Way ticks every box for adventure, passing through two states and one territory along the way. A whopping 3700-kilometre route, this is the big one. Beginning in Cairns and following northern Australia’s tropical savannahs, you’ll wind through upper Queensland, along the Northern Territory’s Top End, and drop down through the Kimberley to finish in Broome. The people you’ll meet, the scenery you’ll experience, and the tales you will tell are incomparable to any other journey.

81. The Tatts Finke Desert Race in Alice Springs

Experience the Tatts Finke Desert Race in Alice Springs.

A fully equipped 4WD is like a sturdy ship able to cover every stretch of this wide, brown land of ours. And the off-roading capital of Australia, if not the entire world, is Alice Springs. It’s a national love affair celebrated every year at the Tatts Finke Desert Race, from 7 to 10 June. Over 600 competitors in everything from dune buggies, rally cars, 4WDs and dirt bikes head out from Alice Springs, taking two days to blast through 460 kilometres of red desert to the Finke River (thought to be the oldest in the world), in the Indigenous community Aputula. If you’re not taking part, you can camp along the route; there’s something uniquely Australian about seeing Mad Max made real as hundreds of marauding vehicles kick up dust.

82. Explore the best of Arnhem Land

Examples of what is thought to be the country’s finest rock art, found in the vast north-eastern stretch of the Northern Territory that is Arnhem Land, have been dated to some 20,000 years old. And so isolated is the region, so hard to access, that the Indigenous Yolngu people, who have called its white beaches and rugged bush home for as long as the art is old, have succeeded in maintaining a traditional lifestyle, their dance, music and art. It’s this that makes travelling to Arnhem Land an irresistible cultural adventure, to witness a thriving Indigenous society and to be invited in to take part and learn about its ancient practices, hear its stories. You’ll need a permit to enter Arnhem Land and a sturdy 4WD, so travel with the likes of Venture North Safaris who can show you the best of this remote world, and more importantly, introduce you to the Yolngu. Leave with a sense of optimism about the future of this remarkable land and the people that call it home.

83. Kayak Tasmania’s Bathurst Harbour

Roaring 40’s Ocean Kayaking offers premium sea kayaking eco-tours that range from two to seven days.

We often hear talk of Tasmania’s ruggedly beautiful south-west coast, centred on Bathurst Harbour in Tasmania’s World Heritage-listed wilderness, but how best to really appreciate it? Arguably one of the most impenetrable areas left to explore in the country, there’s only one way to access its mountains and ancient forests: via sea kayak. Roaring 40’s Kayaking offers three-, five-, and seven-day guided expeditions deep into this wild place that’s kissed by the Roaring 40s winds that deliver crisp air here all the way from Chile. Each day you’ll set out from a standing camp in the rainforest to explore the islands, channels, white sand beaches and mountaintops. And you’ll be treated to the finest Tasmanian produce and select wines to boot, because you deserve a little comfort when exploring the great beyond after all.

84. Hike the Great Walk on Fraser Island

The Great Walk on Fraser Island.

We all know Fraser Island is synonymous with driving 4WDs along its beach highways and swimming in its spectacular lakes, but visitors often neglect the fact that it has a world-class hiking route: the Great Walk. At 90 kilometres in length it can take six to seven days to complete, but you can always opt for as many stages as you like while camping or glamping along the way. Tracing ancient Indigenous Butchulla trails and old logging routes, the walk takes in the best of Fraser from its dense rainforest to the white-sand beaches of Lake McKenzie.

85. Hinchinbrook Island walk

The view from Nina Peak towards Ramsay Beach on Hinchinbrook Island in Queensland.

It’s a World Heritage site and for good reason: Hinchinbrook’s vast expanse of rainforest and mangroves is a remote wilderness that constitutes the biggest island in the Great Barrier Reef. And to protect its wilderness status, just 40 people are allowed a permit to visit at any given time. They come to sea kayak the island’s coast alongside dugongs and green turtles, but most come to attempt the world-famous Thorsborne Trail, a 32-kilometre path through the rainforest and mountains that takes four-days, pitching up at campsites along the way. So get your permit, and experience the exhilaration of being in near total isolation – a castaway in an untouched, tropical landscape.

86. Swim in Cairns’s Behana Gorge

The picturesque waterfalls into Behana Gorge in Woonooroonan National Park.

The many waterfalls and swimming pools of Cairns’s Behana Gorge perhaps slip under the radar up this way owing to that other little natural wonder just off the coast, but to really ingratiate yourself in this rugged landscape of rainforest, giant boulders and rapids you’ll need to familiarise yourself with the art of canyoning. Located 45 minutes south of the city on the slopes of the iconic Cairns Pyramid mountain, don a helmet and harness and with Behana Gorge Canyoning Tour you’ll be able to abseil down cliffs to access the top waterfalls of the gorge before sliding, jumping and climbing your way down the rocks and waterfalls, with the help of a guide of course. Swimming in the plunge pools and behind roaring cascades, you’ll also get a good view of the freshwater life up here in the creeks with a snorkel – you’ll spot yabbies, fish and… eels. But really it’s about spending a day deep in the rich rainforests that you see clinging to the mountains up this way, jumping, swimming and sliding your way down through and amongst it all. See, it’s not just about the Reef in Cairns.

87. Compete in the Great Ocean Road Running Festival

Sign up for the Great Ocean Road Running Festival.

It may be regarded as our most scenic drive, but could it also represent our most spectacular run? Find out for yourself by picking an event to compete in at the Great Ocean Road Running Festival, which takes place from 18-19 May. You can do everything from an ultramarathon (only those with a death wish need apply) to a walk and everything in between (1.5, 6 and 14 kilometres, half and full marathons), taking in stages from Kennett River to Apollo Bay with the wild surf of the Southern Ocean on one side and dense coastal forest on the other. And even if you’re not into the running side of things there’s a kite festival, a music festival and the good ol’ 12 Apostles themselves to have a gander at.

88. Explore the best things to do in the Kimberley

Explore Western Australia’s remarkable northern wonderland.

We asked celebrated Kimberley tour guide Scotty Connell, author of 100 Things To See In The Kimberley, for his suggestions on where adventurers should head when exploring WA’s remarkable northern wonderland.

King Cascade

This gorgeous year-round falls is hidden away in the Prince Regent River, accessible via boat. There’s a lovely billabong to swim in above and definitely no swimming below. American woman Ginger Meadows was tragically taken by a saltwater croc here in 1987 while swimming below the falls.

Reddell Beach, Broome

Venture beyond Cable Beach to find some gorgeous red-cliffed beaches in Broome. Take a drive out to the lighthouse at Gantheaume Point and then follow Kavite Road towards Broome Port. You’ll find a beautiful stretch of coastline with few tourists and lots of nooks and crannies to explore.

The Dampier Peninsula

The 220-kilometre stretch of coast between Broome and Cape Leveque is a popular camping getaway. Ardi (meaning north-east in the Bardi language) offers stunning shoreline and some great cultural experiences with the ‘saltwater people’. There are plenty of places to camp or glamp including Kooljaman at Cape Leveque, Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm or Whale Song campground.

Waterfall Reef, Cygnet Bay

Have you ever seen a waterfall in the ocean? Waterfall Reef is a natural phenomenon caused by the world’s largest tropical tides. The reef emerges on outgoing tides to reveal a long and spectacular waterfall. You can visit Waterfall Reef on a sea safari from Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm, Australia’s oldest working pearling operation located 200 kilometres north of Broome.

89. Ski in the Snowy Mountains

Take on Australia’s ski fields at Perisher.

While Australia can’t claim to have the steep downhill ski acreage of the likes of France’s Chamonix, it does have oodles of snow gum-peppered wilderness that’s ripe for exploration on a pair of cross-country skis. Head to Perisher, and take a tour of some of the 100 kilometres or so of trails that wind a snow-dusted path through Kosciuszko National Park. Nordic skis allow you to walk or skate over and up snow trails, and depending on how far you go it’s a beautiful way to get a good cardio workout. Take some lessons and a guide with you from Wilderness Sports in Jindabyne.

90. Cycle Tasmania’s Blue Derby Mountain Bike Trails

Fancy yourself a cyclist? Ride the Blue Derby Mountain Bike Trails in Tasmania.

The Blue Derby Mountain Bike Trails around the old mining town of Derby east of Launceston, Tasmania, represent some of the best anywhere in the world, with the Formula One of mountain biking, the Enduro World Series, rolling up here. Winding through old-growth eucalyptus and giant tree ferns, experience this rollercoaster ride of dirt by staying at glamping paradise, Blue Derby Pods Ride; you’ll be jumping through the forests on the latest mountain bikes with expert guides leading the way, plus indulging in fine food and wine back at the lodge every evening.

91. Spend a weekend in a tiny house

Get off the grid for a weekend with the kids in a Kindled tiny house.

Kindled is one of a new upswell of operators offering the opportunity to see what tiny house living is all about. Located a three-hour drive from Sydney; you’ll make your way through the endless rolling hills of parched grass surrounding Oberon before heading up a winding dirt track into the private property. 

Kindled’s property proudly exhibits a huge window that takes up almost an entire end for expansive views of the valley, its lake reflecting brilliantly come sundown. Inside, a wood burner sits next to a generously proportioned daybed, which can double as a baby sleeping area (parents will be comfortable on Koala mattresses up on the mezzanine accessed via a stepladder). A wall of shelves holding board games, magazines and books hems you in at one end of the space making it all feel cosy as opposed to confined thanks to the big feature window. You’ll find that downsizing for a weekend with the kids is the perfect tonic from the constant noise and motion of Sydney.

92. Spot the Big Five on Tasmania’s Maria Island

Spot Australia’s own Big Five on Maria Island in Tasmania.

The thrill of spotting animals in the wild never wanes, so wildlife warriors of all ages will love Maria Island, a World Heritage-listed national park off Tasmania’s east coast, which provides its very own native Big Five experience – wombats, eastern grey kangaroos, wallabies, cape barren geese and Tasmanian devils. Tassie devils were released onto the island in 2013 to become a successful, breeding population – an insurance policy for the animals that earned the island the nickname Australia’s ‘Noah’s Ark’.

It is also a haven for twitchers, boasting 11 of the state’s endemic bird species, while whales, dolphins and seals frequent its coast. Accessible by a 30-minute ferry from the town of Triabunna, you can explore the island via the walking tracks, join a guided tour, or hire a bike.

93. Snorkel Agincourt Reef from a Quicksilver catamaran

Explore the outer Agincourt Reef in a Quicksilver catamaran.

One of the most biologically diverse ecosystems on the planet sits right in our backyard, so we really owe it to ourselves (and our kids) to explore it beyond a few hours of snorkelling. Enter the likes of Quicksilver, whose state-of -the-art catamaran vessels depart Port Douglas, skipping across the sea, delivering you to the outer Agincourt Reef in no time at all.

Once there, children can snorkel, with flotation aids on hand if they’re not confident in the sea, and with Agincourt Reef being on the edge of the continental shelf the water is crystal clear – you might be joined by a curious green turtle or two. But every kid will be clamouring to get into the ship’s submersible, with marine biologists on hand to explain the differing behaviours of the many species of fish and coral to see out of the sub’s big windows. But if you really want to blow their little minds, there’s an optional helicopter flight over this region of the Barrier Reef so they can see why it’s earned its ‘Great’ moniker.

94. Go behind the scenes at the zoo in Sydney and Dubbo

Get up close with the animals at Taronga Zoo in Sydney and Dubbo.

If your child shares a passion for animals and conservation, Taronga’s Youth at the Zoo program (for ages 13 to 19) is a unique opportunity to gain an understanding of how zoos work and to develop awareness for serious conservation issues while having fun. Held during school holidays, members of this program will partake in animal-focused workshops, work at the entrance of the zoo greeting and providing information to visitors, assist in running holiday programs for younger children, and eventually have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience alongside keepers.

95. Clean up the Great Barrier Reef

Volunteer to take part in a number of programs to help clean up the Great Barrier Reef.

Do good while you explore the Queensland coast as you help to protect one of our greatest natural assets, the Great Barrier Reef.

Be a ReefSearcher

Next time you go snorkelling, scuba diving or reef walking purchase a ReefSearch Field Kit online, record what you see, any animals and visible reef impact, and share this via the website to assist with research.

Clean up marine debris

Volunteer with the Whitsunday Marine Debris Removal Program, which runs up to 40 marine clean-ups per year from Airlie Beach. Each barge visits impacted bays around the Whitsundays region cleaning up a staggering average of 300 kilograms of debris per trip.

Improve the reef’s water quality

One Reef restores wetlands (the ‘kidneys of the reef’) by planting trees and removing weeds, which helps to filter the pollutants entering the waters of the Great Barrier Reef. Volunteers can get involved across a number of projects online at Conservation Volunteers.

96. Learn the art of dot painting at Ayers Rock Resort

Kids can take part in a dot-painting workshop at Ayers Rock Resort.

An artwork is a souvenir many travellers favour… but an artwork you have created yourself under the guidance of a local artist, well that’s something else. Remember your visit to Uluru, one of the country’s most iconic places, with a dot-painting workshop at Ayers Rock Resort. Led by a local Anangu artist, you will learn about the tools, techniques and symbols used to create dot paintings while hearing different creation stories. Kids will love using vibrant colours and traditional methods to tell their own story.

97. See the street art in Melbourne

Locate the street art on Melbourne’s laneways.

Many city councils across Australia embrace and even commission murals to revitalise otherwise bland, characterless streets, creating open-air galleries that the whole family will enjoy. Melbourne’s cobblestone Hosier Lane is arguably Australia’s home of urban art, but is now part of a wider collection across the city, which is one of the best in the world. Join a tour with Melbourne Street Tours that takes in the city’s best murals and also visits Blender Studios, a creative space for street artists.

98. Experience the best sand boarding across Australia

Sand dunes are made for sand boarding.

There’s not much better than watching your kids have fun (and wearing themselves out in the meantime). Grab a sandboard or toboggan and find these spots for the best sand boarding across the country.

• Thurra River Dunes, in far-east Gippsland, Victoria

• Henty Dunes, located just 14 kilometres north of Strahan, in west Tasmania

• Moreton Island, a short ferry ride from Brisbane, Queensland

• Little Sahara, located near Vivonne Bay, Kangaroo Island, SA

• Perry Sand Hills, just 30 minutes from Mildura, south-west NSW

• Stockton Bight Sand Dunes in Port Stephens, NSW

99. Take a tour of Australia’s spookiest locations

Take a ghost tour of Old Fremantle Prison.

A ghost tour can be a fun way to explore the history of a place. Try these spooky tours suitable for the bravest of kids (10+):

Fremantle Prison, WA

Take a Torchlight Tour through the 19th-century prison and hear tales of the innocent and guilty.

Old Melbourne Gaol, Vic

Another prison that’s home to unexplained ghostly activity (Ned Kelly was hanged here).

Q Station, Manly, NSW

Sydney’s former quarantine station is reportedly one of the country’s most haunted sites. The tour includes using gadgets to detect ghosts.

Battery Point, Hobart, Tas

Walk in the footsteps of convicts and explore Hobart’s underground tunnels.

100. Go camping with the kids

There’s something to be said for a family having to fashion a shelter, make a fire and sit talking to each other rather than watching Netflix. Give it a go at these prime camping spots:

Kanangra-Boyd National Park, NSW

Three hours from Sydney, find yourself in wilderness; take the Plateau Walk with the kids to see why.

Lucky Bay Campground, WA

The best beachside camp? Possibly, with the azure waters and roos who famously join you on the white sand.

Cape Tribulation Camping, Qld

Walk in the ancient Daintree, keep an eye out for cassowaries, go on a croc safari; just don’t go swimming…