Beautiful places in Australia!

[Deactivated] on 24/06/2016 - 08:59

I would like to travel and explore this beautiful-vast country known as Australia. My preferred travel time would be within the warmer months. I am very eager to discover new places and meet new people, particularly interested in finding the hidden local spots within a town. The internet is full of information about generic “hot spots” within each city, but I am willing to see the hidden beauty and gather local knowledge about those towns. Therefore, I would like to hear personal experiences or stories about beautiful locations around Australia that I should not miss..

In addition, as I am a single one, I would be interested in travelling with a companion or a tourist group. I would appreciate any positive suggestions that would assist my travels..

p.s:I am living in ACT for five years. For many reasons, never get enough chances to travel around!

Travel

Comments

  • cypher67 on 24/06/2016 - 09:26
    +3

    My top recommendation is far north Queensland in the Winter months, as winter has the perfect weather! Everyday is 24 degrees, the water is perfect and there is so many amazing places to visit such as a little known tourist attraction called the great barrier reef. Avoid summer as it is far too hot and prone to cyclones and storms. There is so many beautiful rain forests, rich with history and if you hire a 4x4 you can hike your way up to the tip.

    • Woodinski on 24/06/2016 - 14:37
      +1

      Agree with this as well as the Northern Territory and northern WA, leave these at possible for the winter months when they are much more pleasant to visit and generally less busy.

  • inherentchoice on 24/06/2016 - 10:06
    +2

    Definitely Whitsundays. But don't just stay at Airlie Beach, book a sailing trip. Nothing like sailing with the wind (no engine) in the azure waters with white beaches and green islands. You can book on a sailing trip as a single person. I booked with https://sailing-whitsundays.com/

    To get into airlie beach you can get a cheap flight to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) Airport (some Tigerair sales have $50 from SYD to PPP), or even fly directly to Hamilton Island. That's what Oprah and Taylor Swift did anyway.

    You can even do the Whitsundays in the winter months like cypher67 suggests. Winter in North Queensland means no stingers (poisonous jellyfish). Although I went in early November and it was great.

    I live at Sunshine Coast and think this area is also amazing, and unlike North Queensland we have no stingers all year round. Awesome rainforests and good beaches. Check out this video: https://youtu.be/XBd_TYLBKqs

    • [Deactivated] on 24/06/2016 - 10:16

      Sounds good :) thank you so much..

      • inherentchoice on 24/06/2016 - 10:58
        +2

        You're right. But there is a distinct stinger season and most swimming beaches have special stinger nets up only from November to May.

        Marine stingers may be present in the waters of tropical Queensland year round, with the higher risk season during November – May. During this period, jellyfish are prevalent in the waters around the mainland, islands and have occasionally been found out on the reef.

        Source: http://www.tourismwhitsundays.com.au/visitor-information/sti…

      • [Deactivated] on 03/07/2016 - 16:07
        +1

        There can be marine stingers present year round - depending where you are. Generally though, there is a season; where they are closer to shore and more prevalent. Either way - a light wetsuit/stinger suit would negate any dangers they present, most tour operators provide/sell/make people wear stinger suits in the water anyway.

        Also +1 for going on a bit of a cruise (I went on a 2 night, small group of 8 one and enjoyed it) - Airlie Beach is kind of meh, but the islands are amazing!

        If you want to see the reef, go to Cairns - they have better/cheaper snorkelling trips from there.

        • inherentchoice on 04/07/2016 - 07:14
          +1

          Airlie Beach is kind of meh, but the islands are amazing!

          Totally agree.

          Airlie Beach doesn't really have a beach and hence they had to build a fake lagoon.

  • DavoW on 24/06/2016 - 10:57
    +3

    WA in the winter is still really lovely. We did a 16 day self drive trip from Margaret river to Broome (a campervan is actually more expensive than driving and staying in hotels…). The rough itinerary was this:

    Fly into Perth, overnight stay.
    Drive to Margaret River, 2 night stay for wineries. (it'll probably be cold)
    Drive back to Perth, overnight stay.
    Drive Perth to Kalbarri with a stop off at Pinnacles national park. Overnight stay.
    Drive Kalbarri to Monkey Mia/Shark Bay national park, overnight stay.
    Drive Monkey Mia to Coral Bay, 2 night stay.
    Coral bay to Karratha, overnight stay.
    Karratha to Karijini, 2 night stay.
    Drive Karijini to Port Hedland, overnight stay.
    Drive Port Hedland to Broome, 3 night stay.

    Coral Bay and Karijini are just spectacular, as is most of the west coast. I'd have liked to spend more time there, as well as Kalbarri. Ningaloo reef easily tops great barrier I reckon. Port Hedland and Karratha were only overnight stays to break up the drive to Karijini, but apparently the Dampier archipelago off Karratha is amazing.

    To be honest it's a lot of driving, like a massive amount, but WA is possibly the best trip i've done in Australia (i'm a kiwi native).

    Hope that helps, feel free to ask any questions.

    • [Deactivated] on 25/06/2016 - 20:35

      I went to WA once. Visited Kings Park, Penguin island, Wave rock and Pinnacles but miss that Coral Bay :(

    • ynot1985 on 04/07/2016 - 11:41
      +1

      Coral Bay, Examouth and Ningaloo Reef easily beats the Great Barrier Reef..

      you can literally get to the reef from the Reef.. if you tried doing that from North East QLD, you'll probably end up eaten by crocs.

      My fav parts of OZ is NT.

      Ayers Rock, Kings Canyon, Kakadu and the waterfalls around there..

      northern NT/WA also has the Kimberleys which is great to visit. There's the bungle bungles, lake argle, many waterfalls in between.

      Broome is also lovely with cable beach

    • [Deactivated] on 25/06/2016 - 20:19

      Thanks for your suggestion. I went to Narooma, Moruya and Shellharbour.. Hopefully will go to the rest soon..:) I went camping in Moruya once. That was sooo good! One of the best and most memorable trip of my life.. Loved that place..

    • PVA on 25/06/2016 - 20:34
      +1

      dont forget Pambula, used to go there for annual holidays as a kid.

  • ESEMCE on 24/06/2016 - 11:52
    +1

    Just jump in the car and go for a random drive… There's stacks of incredible spots everywhere in Australia within a few hours drive from any city.
    No need to fly anywhere, no need to take any more time off than a weekend.
    Pick a mountain or a river and go have a look.
    Don't be afraid to get off the highway.

    • [Deactivated] on 25/06/2016 - 20:26

      I often do random driving.. Actually, I love to drive.. Thanks for the last line:) I will not be afraid to get off the highway!

  • Mumbles on 24/06/2016 - 12:22
    +3

    Best tip is to visit the town Information Centre of whichever town you happen to be in. Ask them whatever you are interested in (land marks, architecture, beach, cliffs, river, 4WD, wineries, ferries, house boats, boat tours, etc.).

    For me, I ask where are the best lookouts, get a free map, ask them to draw directions.

    The lookouts will give you an idea of how long and where to focus your time.

    If there are no Information Centres I just lunch at a local eatery, chat with staff + customers. You can find unique spots this way.

    Additionally, use your imagination and curiosity. If you see a huge mountain then hike it. If you cross over a beautiful river then stop for a lunch.

    When driving look for the brown coloured road signs put out for tourists to mark attractions. Eg. Lookouts, Dams, botanical gardens, picnic area, rest stops.

    Look out for "Tourist drives". These show up on local maps and will link multiple local attractions. Eg. tourist drive #1, #2, #3.

    • [Deactivated] on 25/06/2016 - 20:31

      Like the word "use your imagination and curiosity…." I think I am very good on that..Specially unrealistic imagination :) Thanks anyway..

  • cassidy02 on 25/06/2016 - 09:53

    My recent favourites are Adelaide and Cape Bridgewater. Adelaide's pace is similar to Canberra, but has lovely beaches. Cape Bridgewater/Portland is just really quiet/calm. You need to see the Great Ocean Road once as well, it's beautiful.

    • [Deactivated] on 25/06/2016 - 20:11

      Yap Great Ocean Road is beautiful.. I went there once.. Hopefully will go again :)

  • Pumpkin_rrr on 25/06/2016 - 13:28
    +1

    How much time do you have? If you have over a month, can consider campervan ot the like. Just head north and stay at caravan parks. You will meet other travellers including the Grey Nomads and they have good stories.Or join a 4WD Club.

  • [Deactivated] on 03/07/2016 - 16:15
    +2

    Re: finding hidden local spots - have you thought about giving geocaching a go? You can get the app for free on the app/play-store (paid version also available).

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join