In this country of outstanding natural beauty, here are 4 views you really cannot afford to miss. The magical land of Australia is something of a dream destination for many travelers. With its incredible natural beauty, huge expanses of land, diversity, outdoor adventure and history, it has plenty to offer the traveler, in particular, families and backpackers.
What is more, despite the length of the journey, flights to Australia are very reasonably priced – and an off-season bargain can be had for under £1000.
With such a huge mass of land – it is only marginally smaller than the United States and is the 6th largest country by land – it can be difficult to navigate Australia’s diverse, and distant, beauties.
Here are the 4 areas it is worth busting a gut for:
1. The Red Centre
There’s more to the middle of Aus than Uluru – the country’s most famous landmark is one of a huge expanse of stunning geological life. Stay in Alice Springs, an outback town at Australia’s red heart, and from there travel by foot, camel, car, horse or bike around the Simpson desert. Then take in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and its stunning red stones.
2. Blue Mountains
It’s all about an incredible rainbow of colours – and the blue mountains add another splash of primary wonder to the Australian palette. 100 km west of Sydney, the Blue Mountains are easy to get to and ideal to walk around. Don’t miss the original horse trail from Katoomba to Jenolan Caves.
3. Great Barrier Reef
Absolutely unmissable: an underwater continent all of its own. The Great Barrier Reef, situated off the north-east coast of Australia, is the real jewel of the country’s crown. If you don’t like to dive, you can island hop, sweeping from party-beaches to tranquil idylls on the Whitsunday Islands.
4. Tasmanian Wilderness
Get away from the city – and the hubbub that often forms around iconic spots like Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef – by running away into Tasmania. The island is 20% covered by a World Heritage-listed wilderness perfect for trekking: Don’t forget to see Russell Falls at Mount Field National Park; and the stunning curve of Wineglass Bay.