Australia Country Highlights, Australia Vacations and Luxury Travel Packages

Australia Country Highlights

NEW SOUTH WALES

Undisputedly one of the world's most breathtaking cities, Sydney is blessed with a temperate climate and unrivaled natural beauty. Cruise by private yacht on its stunning Sydney Harbour , dine in its many fine restaurants, take in a performance at the Sydney Opera House , visit an Aboriginal Cultural Center, purchase local opals in its world class shops, or purchase local craft from the eclectic Paddington Markets. The Botanical Gardens are an inspiring place to watch the sunset, wander the museums, or stroll the neighborhood's funky cafés.

For an unforgettable experience, be marooned by sea-plane on a deserted beach for a gourmet picnic or river kayaking; visit the famous Hunter Valley and experience award winning Australian wines; access the magnificent Blue Mountains by 4WD and spot the nocturnal animals at twilight; or search for bottleneck dolphins from the beach at Jervis Bay or Port Stephens. Visit the Outback with a flight to Broken Hill , the backdrop for such movies as Mad Max and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Overnight on a camel safari , sleeping under the stars; visit a ghost mining town of Silverton or the opal mining town of White Cliffs; or explore Mootwingee and Kinchenga National Parks with their ancient Aboriginal paintings.

Tucked away in the southern tablelands is the site of Australia's capital, Canberra . Outside the capital, enjoy deluxe homestead accommodation at a cattle or sheep station. Southwest of Canberra towards the Victorian border are Australia's best ski fields.

VICTORIA

Melbourne , the second largest metropolis of Australia, is both refined and cosmopolitan. Rich in history and cultural heritage, its diverse ethnicity is apparent in the bewildering choice of restaurants making it the undisputed gastronomic capital of Australia. Discover Melbourne's appeal through its exceptional street markets, affluent shops of Toorak , tiny BYO cafés, and restaurants and nightlife to rival New York and London.

Drive to the magnificent Dandenong Ranges ; explore the wine region of the Yarra Valley or the gold rush towns of Bendigo and Ballarat; or embark on a spectacular scenic drive along the Great Ocean Road and Shipwreck Coast. Further afield from Melbourne, take in the pioneering spirit of the mighty Murray River, perhaps on a luxury houseboat or onboard one of the original paddleboats. Overnight at one of the many country homesteads, farms or quaint bed & breakfasts while touring the "Garden State" of Victoria.

TASMANIA

The island-state of Tasmania is small and compact. From its capital city of Hobart explore the Gothic sandstone ruins of Port Arthur , once Australia's most notorious and barbaric convict prison. Over twenty percent of the state is World Heritage-listed, offering pristine wilderness walks amongst landscapes of unparalleled beauty such as Freycinet Peninsula or Cradle Mountain . Launceston is a pretty city of parks, gardens, elegant Victorian streetscapes and Georgian architecture while the small port town of Devonport is the gateway and terminal for the Spirit of Tasmania, a comfortable overnight ferry, crossing the Bass Strait to Melbourne and the mainland.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

An elegant city of parks, festivals and churches, Adelaide offers stunning beaches to the west and the lush Adelaide Hills to the east. Spend time in this stately city and explore its charm, excellent restaurants, fine wines and leisurely pace. Depart from Adelaide for two of Australia's epic rail journeys: the legendary Ghan to Alice Springs or the Indian Pacific to Perth. Perhaps overnight in a country manor of Victorian Gothic turrets and gables, or spend a few nights onboard a paddle steamer as you cruise The River Murray.

Drive from Adelaide to the historic wine region of Barossa Valley , or take a short flight from Adelaide to Kangaroo Island , a nature paradise offering an unbelievable array of wildlife including fairy penguins, koalas and sea lions. The spectacular Flinders Ranges offers a home to wildlife, historic ruins and Aboriginal rock paintings. Further outback lies Coober Pedy , where you can visit a working opal mine and spend the night in the world's only underground international hotel.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Four times bigger than Texas, with cattle stations the size of England, Western Australia is Australia's largest state. Regarded as one of the world's best preserved 19th century seaports, Fremantle is best known as the site of the winning America's Cup and is a twenty minute drive from Perth . Just a short ferry ride away lies Rottnest Island, home to the tiny marsupial quokka.


Head to one of Western Australia's most unusual natural wonders, the Pinnacles Desert , or directly to the golden heartland of WA's mineral wealth and the thriving gold mining town of Kalgoorlie . Easily accessible by plane from Perth, Monkey Mia is famous for the wild bottlenose dolphins and the diver's dream site of Ningaloo Reef, home to 35-foot whale sharks.

Nearly 700 miles further north of Perth brings you to Broome , the gateway to the Kimberley region which includes the extraordinary rock towers of the Bungle Bungle Range . The Argyle Diamond Mine is the world's largest diamond mine and sole source of deep pink diamonds accessible via air tours from Kununurra. Overnight at a secluded bush camp for Barramundi fly fishing on the Ord River, or for the ultimate deluxe outback experience, pamper yourself at a luxurious million acre cattle station . Take a seasonal expedition cruise from the Kimberley to the Australian Outback with a cruise from Broome to Darwin exploring the untouched coastline and rivers of the breathtaking landscape.

THE NORTHERN TERRITORY

"The Territory", as the locals call it, is the ancient heart and soul of Australia. As the gateway for exploring the Red Centre, Alice Springs offers an array of experiences from overnight safaris in the desert or at a local homestead. Perhaps take in a scenic flight or pre-dawn hot air balloon excursion over the MacDonnell Ranges, or a day trip by air to Uluru (Ayers Rock).

From Ayers Rock visit Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), Kings Canyon or Mt. Conner . Learn about the geological formation of these monoliths and canyons, their central place in "The Dreaming" and explore the rich Aboriginal culture throughout the entire area. Tour by private guide, small groups, on camelback, or even by Harley Davidson! Scenic aircraft or helicopter flights can also be arranged for those with limited time wishing to explore the area by land and air.

Darwin , capital of the Northern Territory, is the natural base for exploring the Top End . Take a 4WD or small plane excursion and explore the remote national parks and Aboriginal lands of the North. Litchfield National Park , World Heritage-listed Kakadu , and the Katherine Gorge are all easily accessed by 4WD or small aircraft from Darwin.

Arnhem Land is a must see for those wishing to experience the breathtaking expanse of this rugged escarpment country and learn first hand of the culture. Owned and inhabited by the Aboriginal people, Arnhem Land and the Tiwi Islands are only accessible by special permission with permits organized by only a few select tour companies. Sleep in deluxe tented accommodations, wake up to the cries of the bush and spend the day visiting the oldest culture and rock art galleries in the world. Perhaps take a seasonal expedition cruise from Darwin to Cairns exploring the coastal wonders, stretching from the Northern Territory's Cobourg Peninsula to the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland.

QUEENSLAND

The World Heritage rainforests of Tropical North Queensland....the brilliance of The Great Barrier Reef ....unique formations such as underground lava tubes....the rugged mountains of the National Parks....miles of pristine sandy beaches....these are only some of the wonders that make Queensland a state of environmental wonders. Cairns, Palm Cove or Port Douglas are ideal bases to explore Daintree or Cape Tribulation , the quaint village of Kuranda or cruise out to the Coral Sea to dive the magnificent coral. For the energetic there's hot air ballooning, whitewater rafting or adrenaline pumping bungy jumping. For serious deep sea fishing, the waters of this region are famous for its black marlin.

Strung along Queensland's coast are the jewels of Australia's island resorts. From low lying coral cays like Heron Island, to the rugged peaks of the Whitsundays and unabashed indulgence of Bedarra , Hayman and Lizard ; the Great Barrier Reef Islands offer everything in a resort from moderate family style accommodations to international award-winning luxury. The reef may also be accessed by three or four night Great Barrier Reef Island cruises, live-aboard dive vessels or even seaplane excursions to deserted coral cays.