Down Under, we hear the call of the beach often. But if you’re up for more than just a swim or a stroll, these pristine beach spots along the coast offer mesmerizing views, remote camping, reef snorkeling, horse riding and even cliff walking above the Tasman.
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When it comes to Australia’s best wine producing regions, Western Australia’s Margaret River or South Australia’s Barossa Valley may come to mind. However Australia has more than 60 designated wine regions across the country and many regions on the East coast have also developed a worldwide reputation for award-winning wine.
So while the largest wine production region is South Australia, and Western Australia receives similar fame, don’t discount wine regions along the East Coast. Remember these names!
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If you’re heading to Darwin for your next holiday, you won’t be bored for things to see and do. The city is brimming with attractions, and often the biggest issue is how to fit them all in!
However the following attractions should absolutely be on your list. Don’t miss out on these highlights when you visit Darwin – they are real icons of the area, and each one of them will contribute towards a truly memorable stay.
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These beach camping destinations around Australia are gorgeous, and they’re some of my favourites. Here’s where to go to sleep (and wake up!) this summer by the sea.
Whitehaven Beach, Queensland: You’ll find a gorgeous array of beach camping sites in the Whitsundays, but one of the standouts is Whitehaven.
Pristine white sands and glistening blue waters await, with the campsite and toilets nestled in the bush just metres back from the beach. It’s only small (with seven sites), so book early to grab a spot.
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When people think of thrilling adventures and adrenaline pumping activities, mixed with beautiful beaches and extraordinary wildlife, they think of one place — Australia.
It’s one of those countries that achieves the dichotomy between a laid-back lifestyle on the beach, and a culture of daring adventure and extreme sports. And if there’s one State which should be on every travelers list it’s New South Wales; an amalgamation of old-world charm and modern city vibe.
In exploring NSW, you’ll discover colonial history, and cultural heritage and traditions from one of the oldest aboriginal cultures in the world. Along with some of Australia’s most breathtaking landscapes and famous national parks. Though it combines this with the glamour of city living.
So once you’ve packed your bags and are ready to get on that plane, you might want to consider stopping by New South Wales on your way!
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Usually associated with washing in rivers and pooping in horrible public toilets, a campervan holiday doesn’t exactly scream luxury.
However, a holiday on the great open road should not be completely dismissed by those folks who fancy the finer things in life. With the right choice of vehicle, it really is possible to combine the freedom and flexibility of a road trip with the luxury of a four star apartment.
That’s why we’ve compiled this guide to the fanciest mobile homes the Aussie dollar can buy. Whether you’re buying or hiring, take a look and see what we mean – you might just be surprised!
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Gorgeous landscapes, exotic wildlife and awesome food are the things that drew me back to Australia.
My first visit was during a backpacking trip across this beautiful country right after graduating high-school. This time, I went with my wife who was quite awestruck with all the spectacular destinations we explored.
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I’m loving the explosion of glamping in Australia; the availability of luxury accommodation in picturesque natural surrounds. I’m talking tents with real beds, cozy decor, and all of the amenities of home. I’m talking luxury cabins offering secluded wilderness with a hot tub.
From barns and cabins, to tree houses and caves, glamping is a way to connect with your surroundings without having to rough it. And with incomparable access to nature, “glamorous camping” is the newest Australian craze. Tucked inside mountains, scattered along white-sand beaches, unique structures with an amazing backdrop are beginning to pop up everywhere.
Located in the beautiful East Gippsland region of Victoria, one glamping site is particularily worth noting. Situated in lesser known Nungurner is a unique rural homestead; a contemporary vacation cabin nestled on 50 acres of stunning countryside. Just over three hours east of Melbourne, this property provides the perfect setting to retreat, relax and rejuvenate, and is the ideal base for exploring everything East Gippsland has to offer.
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Staying at a hotel is always exciting and fun. They’re clean, have beautiful facilities, and provide you with a new personal space with endless options for fun. Though the hotel culture in one country is not necessarily the same as the next and if you’re traveling internationally you will notice slight differences in how hotels are run.
When it comes to Australia, the following are a few necessary things you should know about staying in our hotels. These are the most common and most significant things you just must remember while planning your stay.
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When traveling overseas, it’s important to remember that you must obey the laws of the country you are visiting, even if they are different from those you are used to at home. Because when it comes to the law, pleading the ignorant tourist is no defence.
It’s therefore always a good idea to familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations of a destination before you travel. Some countries for instance are particularly sensitive about photographs. Others are incredibly conservative and prohibit public displays of affection. You’ll get arrested for taking naked selfies at Machu Picchu. And failing to flush a public toilet in Singapore could result in a fine.
When it comes to Australia, we have our fair share of laws which you may believe are strange or slightly peculiar. But it could be important to familiarize yourself with them nonetheless! The following are 6 of the odd but strict laws that could get you into serious trouble down under.
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No visit to Australia is complete without a road trip. From coastal journeys and outback adventures, driving is one of the best ways to see this great Southern land.
Driving Australia can be easy on most routes, but you do need to be prepared for the distances. Once you find yourself outside the main cities, much of Australia is very spread out, and towns can be few and far between. So prior planning is essential, especially when it comes to choosing overnight stays to break up the trip.
For those traveling between Melbourne and Adelaide, we recently stayed at Horsham International Hotel which was the perfect overnight stopover for this route.
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Kangaroo Island is less than one hour ferry ride from the mainland of South Australia, yet here you’ll feel a million miles away.
The Galapagos Islands of Australia, this is one of the world’s greatest nature based destinations, and with more than one third of the land preserved in conservation parks, the island acts a sanctuary where native Australian animals roam free.
People travel from all over the world to see sea lions basking on unspoiled white beaches, koalas dozing in lofty eucalyptus trees, and bottle-nosed dolphins and fur seals jumping from the sea. Though more than 260 bird species also call Kangaroo Island home, and it is here where you have the unique opportunity to get up close and personal with Australia’s most impressive birds of prey.
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In 1931, Airstream began with Wally Byam’s dream: to build a travel trailer that would move like a stream of air, be light enough to be towed by a car, and create first-class accommodations anywhere.
85 years later, when it comes to spotting one on the road, no other travel trailer comes close to the classic, instantly recognizable “silver bullet” look, and after decades of touring the roads and campsites of America (and the world), the Airstream has gone from being an oddity to a true American icon.
For those who have ever wanted to spend a couple of nights in an iconic Airstream travel trailer, a new glamping experience awaits you on Australia’s NSW South Coast. Having come a long way since Wally’s first design, modern Airstream trailers now resemble a luxury home.
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While the majority of travelers to Australia head straight for the iconic sites of Melbourne, Sydney and the Great Barrier Reef, this amazing country offers so much more. Occupying the vast eastern corner of Victoria, Gippsland is one area in particular that travelers should explore; a region of spectacular natural landscapes of unparalleled beauty.
With quaint seaside villages, alpine towns and farming communities, unspoiled beaches, ample farm-fresh produce and beautiful lakes, rivers and mountain ranges, we are fortunate to call Gippsland our home. Being such a large area, National Parks are a plenty here, and our days and weekends are spent camping, bush walking, fishing and relaxing on unspoiled beaches along the coast. This is a paradise for those who love nature and the outdoors.
The following are the top 5 National Parks to visit in Gippsland, Australia.
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The Sydney Opera House is one of the most iconic, most visited and most photographed landmarks in Australia, and if you love travel photography, getting the perfect shot will most likely be at the top of your list.
Situated on one of the most beautiful harbours in the world, whether you’re on the water, above the water, or even below it, there are a million ways to get a shot of the Sydney Opera House. It’s quite easy to take a great photo here. Though this is one of the most photographed landmarks in the world, so what’s not always easy is taking an interesting one. As a tourist, it’s difficult to capture a unique angle which the world hasn’t already seen.
The following are great photography locations for shooting the Sydney Opera House. Head here if you’re looking to travel like a photographer and not a tourist.
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It can be a pretty terrifying experience. Sitting in a tiny prop plane and watching those in front of you position themselves on the edge of an open door and tumble out into the abyss. At an altitude of 14,000 feet, their screams carried away by the wind.
You follow their lead, of course, and shuffle your way to sit on the edge of that open door while the plane is still in flight. You’re strapped to a beautiful stranger who instructs you to arch your head back on their shoulder, though I haven’t yet figured out if this is for actual safety or merely to ensure you don’t freak out from look down!
When I heard my cousin was visiting Sydney to Skydive in celebration of her 18th there was only one possible reaction. I was driving three hours to Sydney so I could come too!
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For those who love to shop, this can be as much an international sport as any you will find in the program at the next Olympic Games.
It’s the thrill of haggling in international markets, the strained faces of people fighting for items in a mall, and the stamina to get up at ungodly hours for a city’s sample sale stampedes. It’s the bragging rights in finding a souvenir or luxury item for so little that you’re the envy of your friends and family on returning home. For some, just the search for that must-have item can be as fun as owning the actual product.
Yes, shopping is a sport. And some cities offer shoppers a variety of options. So, where are the top shopping destinations around the globe?
The following destinations are some of the most fashion-frenzy, shopping capitols of the world. And, if getting paid to shop for people while you’re overseas sounds like the dream, you should set up a free account on Grabr; a peer-to-peer delivery service where travelers get paid to shop for people and bring home hard-to-find items for a sweet delivery fee. Your travels take you to distant places…why not make some extra money shopping for people while you’re there?!
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For generations, the Gold Coast has been Australia’s capital of fun, embracing and entertaining travelers with a spectacle of golden beaches, legendary theme parks, iconic rain-forests and lively attractions. Though with opportunities for adventure on land, air, and sea, the most difficult question is actually how to fit it all in!
To help you out, the following is a 4 day Gold Coast itinerary suited to the luxury adventurer; a terrific combination of adrenalin pumping thrills set on one of Australia’s most spectacular natural stages.
Modeled on our recent trip, follow this guide for rainforest glamping, horse back riding, transparent kayaking over sunken shipwrecks, skydiving over the southern beaches, and suiting up in a harness for Australia’s largest and longest zipline.
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If you’ve been following this blog for a while now, I wouldn’t blame you for thinking I have an issue with scenic flights. From the Swiss Alps, to the Blue Mountains, and now Australia’s iconic Gold Coast, I’ve never made it through a whole plane ride. On reaching 12,000 feet I’ve always opted for the quickest route back down to the ground. Free falling at 200 kph after having jumped mid flight.
But I truly can’t stop. The air rushes into your face and your heart starts racing. As the adrenalin rush kicks in, you feel like you’re floating on a cushion of air. The silence is amazing, the view is sensational, and as the initial shock of the free fall quickly wears off your fear disappears, replaced with an intense and exhilarating thrill of soaring through the air.
I’m addicted to the jump. I crave the adrenaline at this point. Skydiving is an electrifying experience far more thrilling and intense than any sort of drug. Though I had never before jumped over the coast and landed on the beach.
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The Crimson Rosella’s are forced to scatter as a pair of Rainbow Lorikeets decide it’s their time to feed. They descend upon the bird feeder we’ve packed with seeds, sending the two Rosella’s into a fast retreat. A sudden burst of vivid plumage and squawking fills the air. The Lorikeets have first pickings here. They have their run of the rainforest and make sure every other bird knows it too.
Over the past few years, Mike and I have been fortunate enough to experience our fair share of sensational accommodation. Think plush penthouse suites in Las Vegas where the range of in room amenities is so excessive it will fulfill every wildest dream. Or an intimate boutique loft apartment in New York. Think a decadent hotel built atop ancient Incan ruins in Peru. We recently also stayed in a room which came with a zoo!
Suffice to say, we have slept around quite extensively when it comes to luxury rooms. And it as such takes something truly exceptional to wow us to our core. Who knew it would be our first experience glamping, in the Australian bush no less, which would leave us both in absolute awe.
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There’s something to be said about experiencing the world, though being able to travel with the comforts of home. It’s walking barefoot along a windy beach and at the end of the day having access to a laundry for your sandy clothes. It’s waking up and having the freedom to cook your own eggs, without the need to make yourself decent for other guests.
While you may not think twice about these kind of things on a short vacation, it’s these little luxuries in life that a full time traveler craves, and why we were so taken by our recent Wollongong stay.
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Gold Coast Australia, or Surfers Paradise, is bigger, brighter, and more epic than you could possibly imagine. An iconic Australian coastal destination famous for sun, sand and surf, this is where travelers head for a truly good time.
With so much to see and do, this guide is your ultimate resource to the Gold Coast’s best beaches. These are some of the best in Australia.
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We were on a spectacular scenic flight over Australia’s South East Coast, with breathtaking views over the Blue Mountains, Wollongong beach, and Sydney’s iconic skyline which stretched out in the distance. Though it was difficult to enjoy the view with a stomach full of nerves. Difficult to fully appreciate the scenery outside when we knew we were about to become part of it.
Because this wasn’t your average scenic flight. 7 of us were seated on top of each other in a tiny prop plane, each strapped to a beautiful stranger, and as soon as the plane hit 14,000 feet we would be taking the quickest route back down to the ground. Free falling at 200 kph after having jumped from a perfectly good plane.
The air rushes into your face and your heart starts racing. As the adrenalin rush kicks in, you feel like you’re floating on a cushion of air. The silence is amazing, the view is sensational, and as the initial shock of the free fall quickly wears off your fear disappears, replaced with an intense and exhilarating thrill of soaring through the air. This is sky diving.
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This itinerary will see you fly into Hobart and rent a car, ready to indulge in the ultimate Tasmanian escape. Your first day will see you experience Hobart, discovering the oldest and most historic parts of the city. Having strategically chosen to fly in for the Saturday markets, you will browse local arts, crafts and handiworks, and will treat yourself to fresh, gourmet produce for lunch.
You are in the vicinity of one of Australia’s leading whiskey distilleries, which offers affordable tastings and 45 minute tours. The afternoon will see you drive to the top of what locals call “the mountain” for spectacular views over the city of Hobart and the wilderness forest to the west of the city. Have dinner on the waterfront and take a leisurely stroll before heading in for the night.
On your second day you will discover Tasmania’s rich natural beauty, driving a stunning coastal route to spend your final two days in a pristine National Park. You will stay in a spectacular waterfront location, in a secluded bushland setting – the ultimate romantic retreat.
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Travelers love to eat, and one of the most unique aspects of travel is the luxury to sample great restaurants and exotic cuisine from all around the globe. The excitement is in experiencing new tastes that broaden your culinary horizon, and new flavors that calibrate your taste buds.
There are many, many, reasons to travel the world, though for a growing number of travelers, food is one of the biggest ones. And whether you’re interested in hitting up the best markets, dessert spots, cafes, fine dining or even street stands, the joy for many people is returning home with new recipes in place of souvenirs!
The following are the world’s premiere food destinations. If you’re a foodie and you love to travel, you should consider the following destinations for your next trip.
Read MoreAbout Me
I am Megan Jerrard, professional travel blogger/journalist with a focus on adventure, discovery, immersion and inspiring you to explore!
