Australia

A car is a must if you wish to truly see Australia, the distances are vast, but the Aussie “outback” and bush is a great experience.

New South Wales is home to Sydney and the nearby Blue Mountains.

Bathurst and Dubbo are true Aussie outback sheep towns. Broken Hill and Lake Mungo are historically important, while the Snowy Mountains and Mount Kosciusko National Park are popular in winter. Byron bay, north, is bohemian and popular with surfers.

Queensland’s busy and lively Gold coast includes Surfers Paradise. The Sunshine coast, north of Brissie, is slightly more upmarket, while World Heritage site Fraser Island is a popular four-by-four adventure trip.

The Capricorn coast includes the Great Barrier Reef and beautiful Whitsunday Islands, while Cairns is popular with divers. The incredible rainforest of Daintree and Cape Tribulation further north is unbeatable.

The main attraction of the Northern Territories is the remarkable Uluru (Ayer’s rock) and nearby Kata Tjuta (Olgas). Alice Springs and its strong Aboriginal character are unusual and Kings Canyon and Catherine gorge are notable side trips en route to Kakadu national park, near Darwin.

Western Australia is a bit out the way and vast, but Margaret River, the Karri forests, Monkey Mia, Bungle Bungles, stromatolites and Kimberleys are all worth the drive.

South Australia’s three notable attractions include the Barossa and McLaren vale vineyards, Kangaroo Island and Flinders range.

Victoria boasts the spectacular Great Ocean road, with its photogenic Twelve Apostles, while Phillip Island and Wilsons Promonitory are popular nature areas. The Yarra valley, Dadenong range and Victorian Alps are all easily accessed from Melbourne. Southwestwards, you will find Ballarat, a preserved gold mining town, and the Grampian mountains, prime Aussie bush.

Tasmania is a spectacular wilderness, often resembling English countryside, boasting World Heritage sites, historic Port Arthur, the sweeping beauty of Wineglass bay, and the outstanding vistas of the Walls of Jerusalem national park and Cradle Mountain – Lake St. Claire national parks.