While Australian borders remain closed to everyone but our mates across the ditch, there has never been a better time to explore our own backyard. Australia is a big place, and even for those of us who have spent our whole lives here, there’s a good chance there are still large parts of the country that remain unexplored!

There are many iconic experiences Australia is known for, and for good reason. But why not take this chance to experience Australia like you’ve never seen it before? Get off the beaten track and enjoy some undiscovered parts of this great southern land.

Whether you’re looking for a luxury couples getaway, an affordable camping trip with mates, or a fun-filled family holiday, there is an adventure waiting in Australia for any type of budget and travel companion. In this post, we highlight 5 reasons you should start planning a #holidayherethisyear.

1. Indigenous experiences

Australia is blessed to be home to the world’s oldest living culture. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are custodians of the Australian land and have a rich history of stories, knowledge and traditions to share with visitors (that includes residents!).

There are a diverse array of immersive cultural experiences available throughout the country, showcasing Australia’s landscapes, wildlife, cuisine and cultures. No matter which state you’re going to, whether you’re having a city break or getting back to nature, there is likely to be an Indigenous experience you can participate in. The Sustainable Traveller can book a range of indigenous experiences, which you can browse on our website here.

Indigenous tourism experience at Rainforestation Nature Park in Queensland
(image by Tourism and Events Queensland via Tourism Australia)

2. Food and wine

Australia is jampacked with vineyards, farms, breweries, and orchards that produce some delicious cuisine and tasty tipples. If you’re a gourmand, you’ve probably visited some of the better-known food and wine regions, like the Barossa, Hunter Valley and Margaret River. But there are so many other regions hidden around the country where you can indulge in fine wine and fresh food.

If you’re a wine lover, consider the lesser-known regions of the King Valley in Victoria, the Canberra wine region, or Orange in New South Wales. When it comes to food, you’d be pretty unlucky to get a bad meal in most places around Australia these days. Even smaller country towns are now full of Instagrammable cafes, and paddock to plate style restaurants dishing up the freshest local produce.

Mount Majura Vineyard in Canberra (image by Tourism Australia)

But food isn’t just for eating anymore, and there is a ton of unique foodie experiences around the country where you not only get to eat the food, but meet the makers who have grown it, caught it, produced it or prepared it for you. In many places, you can even get involved too! Diving for lobsters, distilling your own gin, foraging for bush tucker or cooking up your lunch are just some of the ways you can earn your feed!

3. Wide-open spaces

Social distancing? No problem in Australia. If you’re looking for a getaway without the crowds, Australia has over 7 million square kilometres of space to keep your distance. Some of the best parts of Australia are hidden away in remote areas, and those who venture off the beaten track are rewarded!

If you prefer getting around on your own two feet, there are a ton of walking tours available that offer a great way to experience a destination. Maybe a trip to the tip, at Australia’s most northern point at Cape York in Queensland. Or perhaps a road trip along Western Australia’s remote coastline, or hitting the lesser-explored parts of the Outback in South Australia.

The Flinders Ranges in Outback South Australia (image by Tourism Australia)

4. Animal experiences

If you’re from Australia, it can be easy to forget how unique our wildlife is. Almost 90% of the wildlife living here are endemic to Australia! Although we’re not riding kangaroos to school, they tend to just become part of the scenery. But when you stop and think about all the strange and interesting creatures that call Australia home, we are pretty lucky! Spotting some of these critters in the wild is the best way to see them, and is a great activity to add to any holiday, for the kids (or the kids at heart).

If you’re looking for the elusive platypus, Eungalla National Park near Mackay in Queensland is a great place to chance a glimpse. For creatures of the spikier variety, Kangaroo Island in South Australia is a good bet to spot some echidnas. Kangaroos are found all over the country, but spotting roos on the beach in Lucky Bay in Western Australia is a truly special encounter. The Otways in Victoria is home to a large population of koalas, but if you prefer wombats, then head for Maria Island in Tasmania. And you can find our feathered friend the emu in Mungo National Park in New South Wales.

Kangaroo on the beach at Lucky Bay, Western Australia
(image by Sean Scott Photography via Tourism Australia)

5. Epic road trips

A road trip can be the best way to tackle this enormous country. Whether you’re preparing for the big lap, or just looking for a long weekend getaway there’s guaranteed to be a strip of road that’s right for you. If you’ve conquered the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, done the Grand Pacific Drive in New South Wales, and ticked off the Red Centre Way in the Northern Territory, you could consider some of these alternative road trips.

The Gibb River Road in Western Australia and the Nullabor Plain in South Australia are both iconic Aussie road trips that most locals would be familiar with. But not so many have actually completed, and now would be a great time to tackle the challenge. For something shorter, The Great Barrier Reef drive links Cairns to Cape Tribulation in Tropical North Queensland and passes through two World Heritage sites, with the rainforest on your left and the reef on your right.

If you’re looking for transport and accommodation all in one, a motorhome is a perfect option for a self-drive road trip. Park up along the coast, in the middle of a national park, or under the stars in the desert for a true nature experience!

Road trip on the Nullarbor Plain, South Australia 
(image by Sean Scott Photography via Tourism Australia)

Get out there and experience Australia like never before

If you’re an Aussie, it can be easy to forget how lucky we are to call this beautiful big land our home. And if you’re a Kiwi, we know far-flung lands can often seem more appealing than your neighbour. But whatever kind of adventure you’re looking for, you will find it here in Australia. Now is a better time than ever to look at Australia with a new lens, and experience it in a way you never have before.

The Sustainable Traveller is a full-service travel company and we can help you to plan an epic Aussie adventure, whatever your taste or budget. Your trip will be planned by an expert personal travel advisor, who can help as much or as little as you like, from simply booking a hotel all the way up to working with you on your itinerary and destination choice. We’ve done the hard work vetting accommodation providers and tour operators around the country, ensuring they operate in a way that is environmentally, socially and economically beneficial for our planet. So you can be sure that you are treading lightly our great southern land.

Ready to start planning? Get in touch with us today.