AUSTRALIADestination Guide

AUSTRALIAAustralia is a vast land of discovery and adventure, with everything from incredible red deserts and rock formations to coastal beauty and thriving urban centres.

Stretching from the Indian Ocean in the west to the Pacific Ocean in the East, Australia is divided into six states and two territories, each with amazing sights, sounds and scenery to offer. Australia’s six states are Western Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania, which are joined by the Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory.

Australia's eight states and territories are home to a plethora of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, cities jam-packed with global icons, shorelines studded with golden beaches stretching as far as the eye can see and stunning natural attractions including tropical rainforests and colourful coral reefs.

Population: 24.6 million

Capital: Canberra

National Anthem: Advance Australia Fair

Currency: Australian Dollar

Main Language: English

CLIMATE

Western Australia

TasmaniaAustralian

Capital Territory

South Australia

New South Wales

Victoria

Northern Territory

Queensland

Due to Australia’s large size, the country has several climate zones. Northern Australia tends to have a tropical climate with hot and humid summers and warm, dry winters. The southern areas are generally more temperate to warm with summer daytime temperatures in the late twenties, and mild winters with temperatures around 5 to 10°C. Weather in the desert and bush areas of the outback is more extreme, with temperatures sometimes reaching the fifties and rain a rare occurrence.

OUR RECOMMENDATIONSTake a look at some of our Travel Counsellors’ recommendations for a unique, once in a lifetime experience in Australia. To share your special holiday memories, please upload your images to your social media account using the hash tag #TCexperience

Travel Counsellor Sarah said:

“We flew up to Hamilton Island in the Whitsunday Islands, and we were fortunate to have perfect sailing weather. We helped raise the sails and learned about sailing boats before watching the sunset. We also went snorkelling and saw some amazing marine life."

Travel Counsellor Angela said:

"We spent a week in Perth, one of Australia's more underrated cities. The botanic gardens and river were stunning, and dinner overlooking the Indian Ocean at the Blue Duck at Cottesloe Beach was absolutely lovely."

Travel Counsellor Katie Griffin journeyed to Australia’s Red Centre with her family and had experiences she will never forget:

“This was my third trip to Central Australia but the first for my partner and kids. We were travelling between Christmas and New Year’s which is the hottest time of year to visit the region, but we had perfect weather. Our guide Emily from Belgium had been taught by the local Anangu owners of the land and knew all kinds of wonderful stories about Uluru and its history. After a wonderful morning, the rest of the day was spent enjoying the swimming pool and just hanging out. The following day, we took a sunset scenic flight over Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Lake Amadeus. The area had just had the most rainfall over a two-day period for 30 years and the normally dry salt lake was full and stunning – we were so lucky. Our final tour was the sunrise Kata Tjuta tour which the kids absolutely loved."

DID YOU KNOW...Australia has over 750 different reptile species - more than any other in the world

The average Australian drinks 71.4 litres of beer per year

Australia is the world's sixth largest country by area

Australia has a larger population of camels than Egypt

Melbourne has the largest Greek population of any city in the world - outside of Greece

Australia holds the record for the largest margin of victory in an international football match, defeating American Samoa 31-0 in April 2001

QUEENSLAND

Queensland’s headline act is the Great Barrier Reef. Stretching for more than 2,000 kilometres, the world’s largest coral reef is home to beautiful marine life and over 3,000 individual reef systems. Explore this natural wonder on one of hundreds of experiences including snorkelling, scuba diving and aircraft tours. The Whitsunday Islands are also a popular spot with paradise-like beaches and luxurious resorts, while the Gold Coast is a haven of entertainment with the iconic Surfers Paradise beach and theme parks including Warner Bros. Movie World and Wet’n’Wild.

Seafood reigns supreme in Queensland, with the region’s culinary offerings relying heavily on its favourable coastal position. King and tiger prawns, mackerel, sea scallops, fresh barramundi and Moreton Bay bugs are local favourites, while the native Macadamia nut can be found in all kinds of food including desserts and salads. If you want a culinary experience, try a tour of the wineries at Mount Tamborine and Maleny, taste local beers at one of Brisbane’s breweries, or feast in the forest at Julaymba Restaurant & Gallery on the Daintree River.

One of Queensland’s most exciting excursions can be found at Hervey Bay. Its safe, sheltered waters make it one of the world’s best places for whale watching from July to November, when humpback whales travel north along the Queensland coastline from Antarctica to the warm waters of the Whitsundays, stopping

in Hervey Bay to breed and nurse their young. You can also pay a visit to Daintree Rainforest, the world’s oldest tropical rainforest. See the 600-million-year-old Zamia Fern, whose underground trunk system was a defence against dinosaurs, or cruise the Daintree River where you may spot a crocodile or turtle.

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NEW SOUTH WALES

New South Wales is where you’ll find Australia’s largest city, Sydney. The Sydney Opera House holds over 40 shows a week with various performances suited to all ages, and also offers tours and experiences, while BridgeClimb is the ultimate Sydney Harbour Bridge Experience where you will be guided up to the top of the steel structure for panoramic views across the city. In the north-east of the state, Byron Bay is a popular coastal retreat with beautiful beaches and a laid-back lifestyle. Catch a wave and learn to surfboard, or simply go for a walk and take in the stunning scenery.

NSW is also home to the Hunter Valley wine region which has more than 120 wineries, gourmet restaurants and luxury retreats. A convenient two-hour drive north of Sydney, you can sample a diverse variety of wines in Hunter Valley as well as delving into delicious tasting menus at acclaimed restaurants such as Muse and XP. There’s also the Southern Highlands which are famed for its nature reserves and waterfalls, but also have plenty of opportunities for foodie exploration with fruit orchards, truffle farms, artisanal cheese factories and craft breweries in abundance.

Australia is a land full of national attractions, but few are as spectacular as the Blue Mountains. This UNESCO World Heritage Area has a wealth of natural beauty and offers excellent hiking, spectacular scenery and quaint towns and villages, making it a popular getaway from big city life in Sydney. Take a walk to the foot of the

Three Sisters rock formation on the 998-step Giant Stairway, glide between clifftops on the Scenic Skyway cable car or take a stroll around the mountains’ picturesque villages of Leaura and Blackheath for antique shops, quirky cafés and fantastic restaurants.

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If you’re looking for something a little adventurous, head to Litchfield National Park which has great hiking, magnetic termite mounds and clusters of weathered sandstone pillars at the Lost City. It is also a great place to take a dip with several stunning waterfalls

and Buley Rockhole, a series of connected swimming pools with crystal-clear water. There’s also Elsey National Park, where you’ll find the sandy-bottomed Mataranka Thermal Pool, where you can go snorkelling and experience a bevvy of fish and freshwater turtles.

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NORTHERN TERRITORY

Northern Territory is home to the Red Centre, an extraordinary landscape of desert plains, weathered mountain ranges, rocky gorges and some of the most sacred sites in Aboriginal culture. Its most famous landmark is Uluru, a giant sandstone monolith and a sacred place for the Aboriginal people, who believe that the spirits of ancestral beings continue to reside there. You can walk around its base and learn about the history of the Red Centre with an Aboriginal guide, take a helicopter ride over Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park or see it from the back of a camel on an early morning safari.

If you’re in the Northern Territory’s hip coastal capital, Darwin, check out the lively Mindil Beach Sunset Market which runs on Thursday and Saturday evenings from April through to November. The markets feature street performers, rides for children, live music, craft stalls and an eclectic range of Asian and Australian food. Visit Yulara in the centre of the territory to learn about the ancient ways of the world’s oldest living culture and enjoy a fine dining experience on an Uluru Sunset Tour, watching the rock change colours as the day draws to a close.

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WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Australia’s biggest state encapsulates the entire west coast and is best known for its spectacular landscapes, but there is a lot more to discover in Western Australia. The Bungle Bungles is one of Australia’s stunning rock formations, a collection of tiger-striped sandstone domes which are best viewed from above, and the acclaimed Margaret River wine region hits the perfect balance between fine wines and beautiful beaches. Perth is the state’s lively urban hub and has plenty to keep you occupied including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Freemantle Prison.

As one of the most biologically diverse regions in the world, Western Australia serves up a fusion of fresh local flavours, succulent seafood, highly-prized black truffles, hand-crafted beers and world-class wines across nine sensational wine regions. Perth has more restaurants per capita than any other city in Australia, many of which have been awarded for food excellence. The city is also the perfect place for bar hopping, at rooftop bars such as Wildflower atop COMO The Treasury, Perth’s most acclaimed boutique hotel.

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If you want to do something different in Australia, then WA is the place to be. Go swimming with giant whale sharks off at Ningaloo Reef, ride a camel along the extraordinary Cable beach as the sun sinks over the horizon or walk through the canopy of the rainforest at Walpole’s Valley of the Giants Treetop Walk. Don’t forget to head

to Rottnest Island and make sure you bring your selfie stick, as this laid-back island is home to Australia’s most photographed marsupial – the quokka. Found mainly on Rottnest Island, these furry, cat-sized animals are super-friendly and have a tendency to smile. Say cheese!

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SYDNEY, ROCK AND REEF

Australia has a wealth of natural attractions begging to be explored, from the monolithic rock at Uluru; the wild, untamed and unforgiving Outback; and the colourful wonder of the Great Barrier Reef off Queensland’s sunsoaked Gold Coast. Australia possesses some unique and unforgettable sights.

Days 1–4: SydneyArrive in Sydney and be driven by private car to the Parkroyal Darling Harbour for a four night stay. Discover this iconic city by taking in attractions like the Opera House, Bondi Beach and Harbour Bridge, visiting its trendy Oxford Street shopping district and enjoying its chic cafes and restaurants.

Sydney

Discover two vibrant cities and two natural wonders with our tour of unforgettable Australia.

Days 5–7: MelbourneFly to Melbourne for three nights at a centrally-located boutique hotel. Immerse yourself in Melbourne’s vibrant energy by visiting sites like the Brighton Beach bathing boxes and the Eureka Tower, shopping at Queen Victoria Market and sampling multicultural dishes in foodie district Lygon Street.

Days 8–9: Ayers RockYour next stop is Ayers Rock a.k.a. Uluru. Explore sites like Kata Tjuta - a 500 million year old rock pile which holds great significance in aboriginal culture, or ride across red sand dunes at the local camel farm.On your second day watch the sun rise above Uluru, creating a spectacular light display.

Days 10–13: CairnsCairns is your last destination, and you can use it as a base to discover Australia’s natural heritage. The Great Barrier Reef – one of the world’s best diving sites, Daintree National Park and the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary are just a few of the natural sites which await. Fly home on day 13.

Cairns

Melbourne

VICTORIA

Victoria is home to the world’s most liveable city, according to The Economist. The laid-back metropolis of Melbourne is Australia’s cultural, shopping and sporting capital. Here you’ll be able to take in some key events on the sports calendar such as the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix and the Australian Open. You can also experience an incredible coastal drive on the Great Ocean Road. Starting in Torquay and stretching all the way west to Allansford, see natural phenomena such as the 12 Apostles sea stacks, the Gibson Steps and the London Arch.

Eat and drink your way through the state of Victoria, from the renowned wineries of Yarra Valley to Melbourne’s trendy pop-up restaurants. Enjoy fine-dining restaurants such as The Lake House, a trailblazing farm-to-table restaurant and spa resort in the Daylesford Macedon Ranges, and savour long lunches at winery restaurants overlooking vineyards in the Mornington Peninsula. Go on the hunt for Melbourne’s hidden bars and speakeasies such as Eau De Vie, where bartenders pull out all the stops to offer a magical mystery tour of history’s greatest drinks.

Invigorate your body and mind in the natural mineral springs and the historic villages of the Daylesford Macedon Ranges region, which is just 80 minutes outside of Melbourne, and soak in thermal waters at spa and wellness retreats. For something a little more adventurous,

discover the history and culture of the Goldfields region, spending a day at the recreated gold-mining town of Sovereign Hill, which brings to life the highlights of Australia’s 1850s gold rush era. Here you can meet costumed characters, pan for gold and learn from skilled craftsmen.

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SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Experience the outback, a vast land of dry grassy plains, dazzling red dirt, desert countryside and rugged hills in South Australia. Patrolled by emus, kangaroos and wedge-tailed eagles, theres's plenty to see and do including Coober Pedy, a working opal-mining town with underground homes, and the craggy red mountains and ancient gorges that make up the Flinders Range. Any visitor to South Australia should spend some time in the vibrant capital city of Adelaide which has the Art Gallery of South Australia, the Oval RoofClimb and amazing street art.

With more than 80 great stalls, Adelaide Central Market is a great place to pick up fresh produce, with no shortage of mouth-watering eateries including Lucia’s, a family-run Italian restaurant. The oldest family-owned chocolate maker in Australia also resides in Adelaide. Go on a tour of Haigh’s Chocolate Factory and find out how it produces these tasty treats. The thirsty traveller need not worry as South Australia is one of the world’s premier wine producing areas featuring more than 200 wineries and 18 major winemaking regions.

South Australia is known as the Festival State with many major events taking place throughout the year. Visit Adelaide between February and March to experience a month of cabaret, circus and comedy at the Adelaide Fringe Festival, while in late April and early May the focus is

on local food and wine when Tasting Australia comes to the state. You should also check out South Australia’s rugged coastline, with dramatic clifftop scenery and remote surfing sports, popular beaches and a sparkling sea that frequently welcomes whales and dolphins.

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TASMANIA

The island of Tasmania is both intimate and beautiful. Its capital city, Hobart provides a diverse range of activities and experiences including incredible views from Mount Wellington, the underground Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) and the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens. Tasmania also has several UNESCO-listed penitentiary buildings, which tell the story of almost 50 years of convict life in the 19th century, with the most notorious settlement found in the coastal setting of Port Arthur. If you’re feeling brave, stick around for the nightly ghost tour.

Seafood comes no fresher than in Tasmania, where you can take a boat from the docks at Hobart for a banquet pulled straight from the ocean. Embark on a Tasmanian Seafood Seduction trip, a day-long tour towards the coast of southern Bruny Island where you’ll harvest oysters from a farm’s leases and feast on barbecued crayfish and abalone caught by your guide. If you’re looking for an eatery on land, head to Hobart and enjoy fresh produce is a number of outstanding restaurants such as The Agrarian Kitchen, Fico and Dier Makr.

Wildlife parks across the island offer the opportunity to get up close and personal with the state’s emblematic animal, the Tasmanian devil. Take a night tour at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, just half an hour north of Hobart, and you’ll get to feed the devils in a tug-of-war

game, or join a Devi Tracker on the Tasman Peninsula to help monitor wild populations. If flora is more your thing, visit in October for the Bloomin’ Tulips festival – an annual celebration of the beautiful, colourful and charming tulips that adorn the island’s Table Cape.

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AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

The Australian Capital Territory contains Australia’s capital of Canberra and is where the country’s federal government is located, which is why it is home to so many national institutions. Explore the world’s largest collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artworks at the National Gallery of Australia, learn about the war experiences that helped shape the nation at the Australian War Memorial and gain a deeper understanding of the country’s social and political history at the Museum of Australian Democracy, inside the iconic Old Parliament House building.

Canberra has a flourishing foodie scene which has garnered national attention in recent years. From fine dining and tapas to cheap eats and casual fare, the Australian capital has a breadth of culinary experiences including the multi-award-winning Monster Kitchen and Bar with its seasonal, local produce and ever-changing menu, and Aubergine, the territory’s most celebrated restaurant which serves up original dishes with a casual twist. The region is also home to 2015 world champion barista, Sasa Sestic, whose speciality roasted coffee beans you can try at ONA Coffee.

A cool climate and differing soil types ensures the Australian Capital Territory is an ideal spot for winemaking. Home to 140 vineyards, a visit to one of the ACT’s wineries is the perfect way to spend an afternoon. Experience the journey from paddock to plate at the Pialligio Estate, and indulge in homemade food and sensational

wines in a relaxed environment. You can also gain a different perspective of the surrounding area by taking a hot air balloon ride over the city of Canberra at dawn. Thanks to its open spaces and parkland areas, floating over Canberra is one of the world’s few city ballooning experiences and can be enjoyed year-round.

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These are just a few of the incredible things to see, do and eat while you’re in Australia. We hope our

recommendations inspire you to discover the country for yourself time and time again.

Get in touch to build a bespoke itinerary, tailor-made just for you. We’d love to see your photos and

stories on social media, so please share your memories using #TCexperience