Sunset at Uluru, Tourism NT
What trips are on your Australian bucket list? Do you want to climb Big Red on the Birdsville Track in a 4WD? Or do you want to island hop in the Whitsundays in your own boat?
Here are six Australian trips that have captured our imaginations and catapulted to the top of our must-do lists.
Taking time off to travel Highway 1
Want to circumnavigate the world’s largest island, on one of the world’s longest highways, in one epic trip? Look no further than Highway 1.
This highway includes many iconic Australia drives, such as the Nullarbor crossing and the drive down the east coast. This isn’t a drive you should rush, as there’s much to see and do along the route. In fact, you won’t get to see everything even if you take six months the complete it.
But no matter how much time you have, things you must see include the Daintree, Cable Beach in Broome, Kalbarri National Park, the Valley of the Giants, the caves and cliffs of the Nullarbor, the beaches of Jervis Bay, dolphins off Byron Bay and the calm Gippsland lakes.
There are also sections of the road that, while not technically Highway 1, head in the same direction and are much more exciting than the main route. We recommend detouring down the Great Ocean Road in Victoria and also, if you have a 4WD, taking a drive along the Savannah Way in Queensland.
Travel the Development Road to the tip of Australia
You can’t go any further north on mainland Australia than Cape York. After travelling the bumpy and often wild Peninsula Development Road (complete with crocs and river crossings), there’s nothing more satisfying than hopping out of your 4WD and seeing the sign that announces you’ve arrived at the northernmost point of Australia. A 4WD or dirt bike are the only vehicles that can reach the tip.
Once you’ve snapped a few photos, you can stay at Punsand Bay Camping Resort, only 5 kilometres away from the tip, which has campsites lining the beautiful coast.
And after your stay, there’s nothing left to do but turn around and go back the way you came. But not without stopping at a few iconic stops along the road, including Musgrave Roadhouse. Maybe it’s time to head to the southernmost point?
Camp next to Uluru
Everything seems bigger in the centre of Australia, including Uluru. We’ve all heard stories about how big it is, but you can’t truly anticipate the scale of the rock until you’ve seen it in person.
You’ll need a bit of time to take it in, so why not set up tent at Ayers Rock Campground? Once you’ve marvelled at Uluru, keep on looking up – on a clear night in the true outback the sky gives a whole new meaning to the word big.
Spending the night at Uluru will also give you some extra time to explore other natural wonders in the region, including Kata Tjuta. After all, it’s a five hour drive back to Alice Springs, so make the most of your time at what could almost be called the spiritual heart of the country.
Houseboat on the Murray River
Houseboat on the Murray River, Tourism Victoria
If Uluru is the heart of Australia, then the Murray River is one of its arteries. This graceful river stretches from the Australian Alps, along the border between Victoria and New South Wales, before finally ending where the river meets the sea in Goolwa, South Australia.
And the best way to experience the Murray River is on it. You can rent houseboats from many of the towns along the river and all you need is an unrestricted car license to drive a houseboat.
Meander along the river by day and park next to the riverbank at night to experience one of our greatest rivers as never before.
Tackling Overland Track in Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park
Welcome to the Tasmanian wilderness, an area of unparalleled beauty. Many of the places in the Tasmanian Wilderness Area remain virtually untouched. And the best way to see these places (without leaving much of a trace) is by walking in with everything you need on your back.
The Overland Track is the most famous of these walks. Traversing Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park for 65 kilometres, the walk normally takes around six days. You need to book the walk, as well as the huts along the route, as places are strictly limited. Walking through the ancient landscape, past mountains and valleys and rainforests and lakes (you really do see a lot a scenery), will give you the time to truly appreciate the landscape.
If you want to go on a walk that’s a little bit more wild, both the South Coast and Port Davey tracks trek through the protected wilderness of Southwest National Park, at the bottom of Tasmania. These walks don’t have the facilities of the Overland Track – there are no huts, visitor centre or even boardwalks. Just a lot of hard graft and spectacular nature.
Travel like the Man From Snowy River in Victoria’s High Country
Victoria’s High Country might not be home to the highest peaks in Australia (that honour goes to nearby Kosciuszko National Park, over the border in New South Wales), but it is home to some of the best outdoor adventures you’ll find in the country, including walking, mountain-biking, rafting, fishing, horse-riding and cross-country skiing, if you’re there in the right season.
Bush camping is allowed in most sections of Alpine National Park, so you can camp next to your chosen adventure.
