AUSTRALIA’S 50 GREATEST ATTRACTIONS AND EXPERIENCES

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Your essential guide to the best experiences Australia has to offer!

 

DOVE LAKE CIRCUIT, CRADLE MOUNTAIN, TAS
Stephen Guildford
One of the best known walks in Tassie, at six kilometres it is a mainly flat, gravel and duckboard track which allows easy viewing of the varied terrain, cascading streams and the jagged, often brooding, twin peaks of Cradle Mountain. Easily one of the prettiest short walks we’ve ever done.

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EXPLORE KANYAKA STATION RUINS, SA
Mike O’Neil
About 30km south of Hawker, SA, comprise two main historical sites: the woolshed which in its day boasted 24 blade shearers on confined shearing floors; and the main building, the homestead. Close your eyes, press an ear against the stone blocks, and embrace our outback heritage.

TEE OFF ON THE WORLD’S LARGEST GOLF COURSE
NULLARBOR LINKS, KALG OORLIE TO CEDUNA, WA -SA
Marg McAlister
This was an absolute hoot. We laughed our way across the Nullarbor, playing on the longest golf course in the world. We chased balls down rabbit holes, lost them in the rough, and yelled at crows that swooped down to snatch a ball out of the air. You’ve never played golf like this before… a must-do!

GOLDEN HOUR BEACH WALK
Twilight Beach Esperance
Fred Wright
The best memory I took away from Esperance was a walk along the iconic Twilight Beach at sunset. Now, the trick is, don’t leave until it’s dark. There’s a half an hour window after the sun is gone where the beach and its amazing rock formations are bathed in soft, pastel pinks, blues and purples. It’s surreal. I cherish this memory more than any.

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EXPLORE A GHOST TOWN
ARLTUNGA HISTORICAL RESERVE, NT
Mike O’Neil
Get a taste of the rugged life our forebears endured as they searched for elusive gold in our nation’s unforgiving outback. Arltunga Historical Reserve (5,000 ha) 110 km east of Alice Springs, NT, was established in 1975 and encompasses the deserted gold rush town of the same name.

REACH THE TIP,
CAPE YORK, QLD
Steve Collins
“You’re standing on the northernmost point of the Australian continent.” These days, the hike up to the tip of QLD is more achievable than ever before, and boy, what an adventure. The area is rich with indigenous culture and history which surrounds the many World War II relics scattered across the landscape.

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CLIMB BIG RED
SIMPSON DESERT, QLD
Steve Collins
Off-road travel isn’t for everyone – I get that. But you’re seriously missing out if you don’t check out the famous Big Red sand dune 30km west of Birdsville. At almost 40m high, Big Red is the tallest dune in the Simpson Desert – the world’s largest sand dune desert. That should speak for itself. Any basic 4WD will get you there plus there are easy routes to the peak – if you don’t want to drive up, it is reachable by foot. The breathtaking red dune scenery from the top is second to none.

TRAVERSE THE UNDARA LAVA TUBES
GULF SAVANNAH, QLD
Come the start of May, the weather up north will be perfect – especially around the Gulf Savannah. Head to the Undara Volcanic National Park and walk through the winding tunnels of a long-inactive volcano. It’s hard to find anywhere else in
Australia where you feel just how our ancient our nation is. Tours start from $57
and you can grab powered site at $37 a night for some excellent bush camping.
Ph: (07) 4097 1900 W: www.undara.com.au

EYRE BIRD OBSERVATORY
COCKLEBIDDY, NULLARBOR, WA
Stephen Guildford
Crossing the Nullarbor? Why not take a break at Cocklebiddy and drive to the coastal observatory, first built in 1877 as a telegraph station and now run by Birdlife Australia. Historical displays and a profusion of wildlife amidst a stunning landscape will make this a memorable detour. 4WD required but soft sand only.

ICONIC FACTORY TOUR
BUNDABERG DISTILLERY, QLD
Steve Collins
If you haven’t yet, make sure you stop in and do the Bundaberg Distillery tour next time you’re heading up the Bruce. It’s my favourite factory tour. Why? Because they inject life into their tours and the history, ingenuity and hardship endured over the years hasn’t been lost to commercialism.
Ph: (07) 4131 2999 W: www.bundabergrum.com.au

SWIM WITH WILD DOLPHINS
MONKEY MIA, DENHAM, WA

In Shark Bay, you’ll find Monkey Mia – famed for its clear blue waters and warm weather all year round, but most of all… it’s opportunity for you to swim with wild dolphins! Every day you’re all but guaranteed an interaction with the dolphins, there’s only been four occasions in the past five years that they’ve not shown up.

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EXPERIENCE MONA MUSEUM OF OLD AND NEW ART,
BERRIEDALE, TAS
The privately funded Museum of Old and New Art is much more than the sum of its parts, it’s an adventure land full captivating and questionable art – the cloaca exhibit will test your sensibilities… For the full experience, catch the MONA ferry from the heart of Hobart.
Ph: (03) 6277 9900 W: www.mona.net.au

TROPICAL LEGEND – MEET ELDER EDDIE DEEMAL
You won’t find a more genuine bloke than Eddie Deemal, a Thiithaarrwarra elder who runs the Elim Beach camp ground just north of Cooktown. In a world full of fakes and frauds, it’s refreshing to meet a person who lives his life based around one word – respect.

WALK WILPENA POUND
FLINDERS RANGES NATIONAL PAR K, SA
Mike O’Neil
In the heart of Flinders Ranges National Park 429km north of Adelaide, you can enjoy a natural amphitheatre of mountains. It was harnessed by cattlemen of yesteryear as a safe haven for stock. Its natural and unique beauty makes it one of the truly inspiring and breathtaking walks – an absolute must-do experience for South Australia.

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SET UP IN THE RIVERLANDS
LAKE BONNEY, BARMERA, SA
Mike O’Neil
For its sheer beauty, peace and tranquillity Lake Bonney near Barmera, SA, is right up there in my top locations to free camp. The freshwater is gin-clear, the sandy bottom snow-white and simply perfect for swimming. Set up camp at water’s edge, chuck out a table, grab a wine and drink in Lake Bonney’s magnificent sunsets. This isn’t just a camp – there’s so much to
experience here!

KEEPING THE DREAM ALIVE: DOIN’ IT FOR DADDY
With Carolyn Woodberry
“Just over 12 months ago, I set off to conquer a dream of my darling late husbands and mine, to see Australia with our kids. Since then, the “Doin it for Daddy” tour has taken us over 20,000km around the eastern half of Australia. We’ve ticked two big things off Daddy’s bucket list, one – to drive down the centre of Australia and two – cross the Nullarbor Plain. We’ve been to hundreds of towns and loved every minute of it. We are making memories, memories that will be cherished for a life-time – we just wish Daddy was with us.”

TACKLING THE OODNADATTA TRACK
MARREE TO MARLA, SA
Stephen Guildford
Our first experience of outback travel was rattling along the Oodnadatta track in a Kombi in 1980. Lake Eyre was full and two aeroplanes were parked out the front of the William Creek Pub! We’ve been back twice, drawn by its splendid isolation, bubbling mound springs and hard, dry firewood, remnants of railway sleepers from the old Ghan railway. An offroad van is advised for this track – and even then a larger, heavier van will feel the rattle – ground clearance at creek crossings could also be problematic.

DESCEND THE CHAMBERS OF THE BLACK HAND THREE MILE DIGGINGS,
LIGHTNING RIDGE, NSW
With Marg
You can visit all kinds of mines throughout Australia, but it’s hard to find anything as unique as Ron Canlin’s Chambers of the Black Hand Opal Mine. With a jackhammer, a pickaxe and a few kitchen implements, this ‘arty’ miner has created an underground sculpture gallery featuring everything from Egyptians to goblins and quirky politicians. Awe-inspiring and amusing!

THE COASTAL EXPERIENCES YOU CAN’T MISS
NINGALOO DRIFT: The favourite of thousands – grab your snorkel hop in the calm waters of Turquoise Bay and let the currents float you over vibrantly coloured reefs and marine life.
CAPE LEVEQUE: Book in with Kooljaman Safari camp and camp beside the crashing waves, beneath billions of stars – relax and revitalise your spirit on the remote Dampier Peninsula!
MISSION BEACH : Head to North QLD and camp right where two world heritage sites meet on the Coral Sea – the Wet Tropics Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef.

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THAT ULTIMATE PENTECOST CROSSING SHOT
It’s one of the most iconic backdrops to a photo in Australia – here’s how to nail your shot when you get to the Pentecost Crossing. It’s best shot in the late afternoon as the ranges start to glow gold. Use a mid to telephotolense, as they’ll bring the ranges closer to the camera, making it more of a feature.

REACH THE LOST CITY
KINGS CANYON, WATARRKA NATIONAL PARK, NT
When you visit the Red Centre you can walk around the base of the canyon surrounded by 100m high rock walls, but what you really want to experience is the rim walk. The hike up is steep (wear good walking shoes) but the views of “the Lost City”, rock colours, waterholes and “the Garden of Eden” will last a lifetime. Pack at least 3L of water!
Ph: 1300 731 551 W: www.kingscanyonresort.com.au

NO LAP OF AUS IS COMPLETE WITHOUT…
GIVING FARM WORK A GO: No big lap is complete without free station stay meals and accommodation – you could even earn a few extra bob!
SUPPORTING A RURAL TOWN: There is no better feeling than helping struggling
rural towns stay afloat – enjoy great attractions and support a community in need.
BECOME A FREE CAMP HOST: Plenty of free camps seek camp hosts – sign up through local info centres and extend your day for free in some of our most beautiful regions!
ATTEND A RALLY: Is there a substitute for the camaraderie and festivities of a Campervan Motorhome Club of Australia, or Australian Caravan Club rally? Nothing that we can vouch for!

EXPERIENCE WA’S WILDFLOWER SEASON
KALBARRI AND MULLEWA , WA
You won’t experience a more dramatic change in landscape than the wildflowers bloom in WA’s red dirt country. Every year around the September this arid country comes alive with whites, pinks, reds and yellows of the local region’s flowers – the bees a humming and the local communities come out of their mid-year slumber with plenty of events tailor made for us RVers. The best places to go are Meekathara, Kalbarri and Mulawa keep an eye on the winter weather – a bit of rain will make the season even better!

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A HISTORICAL TOUR LIKE NO OTHER PORT ARTHUR, TAS
With Fred
This sleepy coastal town is famous for being the scene of Australia’s worst massacre – a page in our history books we’d all prefer was never written. However, a tour of the town and a guide walking you through just what happened really makes you remember how lucky we are, and it’s a way we can pay our respects to the fallen. The pursuing gun laws show just how significant this moment was in Aussie History. It’s an experience you won’t forget – eerie, but well and truly worth it.
Tour info: www.portarthur.org.au

CAPE YORK INDIGENOUS ROCK ART
Laura, Cape York Peninsula, Far North Queensland
Stephen Guildford
Interested in seeing some of the oldest rock art in the world? Well the road to Laura is now sealed and there’s thirst-quenching camping behind the Exchange Hotel. Split Rock is a self-guided freebie trail but for the best stuff you need a guide. Book at the fabulous Quinkan Cultural Centre and don’t miss the Quinkan Gallery.

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WIND THROUGH COBBOLD GORGE
ROBIN HOOD STATION, GULF SAVANNAH, QLD
Rangers greet you before a giant 4WD passenger vehicle takes you across river crossings until you reach the gorge – and your boat. Set sail through one of the oldest places in Australia and take in the vibrant tropical plant life, birds, and animals. Explore in June when everything is thriving!
Ph: 1800 669 922 W: www.cobboldgorge.com.au

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A BEER WITH CROC DUNDEE
WAL KABOUT CREEK HOTEL, MCKINLAY
There’s no shortage of iconic outback pubs to visit in Australia, but one of our pics that doesn’t get enough love is the Walkabout Creek Hotel, the pub made famous for being Croc Dundee’s in his movies. Perch up at the bar that still has the scar from Mick Dundee’s knife, and have a drink and a chat to very friendly publicans. Best of all there’s a top caravan park out back, and they have a heap of memorabilia from the movie set. You don’t get a more true blue Aussie experience!