Image: Posnov via Getty
At this time of year, we’re approaching wet season in the north, so it’s the perfect time to discover some of the hidden gems in the Australia’s south. While our main cities and popular tourists spots such as Melbourne and the Barossa Valley are wonderful holiday experiences, if you’re looking for something new, check out these out-of-the-box destinations.
If you’re hitting the road with your campervan, caravan or motorhome to explore Adelaide and surrounds, head north and discover Wilpena Pound, a 17km-wide crown of serrated mountains. This is a spot for nature lovers as the mountains in the region create a natural amphitheatre. It’s smack-bang in the middle of Flinders Ranges National Park and the views are well worth the exercise to reach them. Perhaps the only reason it’s not a national icon and bustling tourist attraction is the fact it’s a six-hour drive from Adelaide.
Lord Howe Island is a pristine, unspoiled island just a two-hour flight from either Brisbane or Sydney. It’s a place where you can escape the masses, to the extent the island even caps the number of visitors allowed at any one time so the island’s natural beauty is preserved. Travellers will love the opportunity to hand-feed the fish at Ned’s Beach, have an island-style barbecue, explore the marine park and walking the island’s mountain ridges for spectacular views.
Eaglehawk Neck is known for being one of the best places to dive in Tasmania, but it’s also a stunning small town and natural gateway to many of the Tasman Peninsula’s stellar attractions, including historic Port Arthur. The isthmus (a narrow piece of land connecting the Tasman Peninsula with Forestier Peninsula) at Eaglehawk Neck is less than 30m wide, so you’ll feel like you’re walking on water crossing it. The area has an interesting history as well. There were so many escapees from the Port Arthur Penal Station in the early 1800s that a ‘line of dogs’ was established to alert guards to any escapees trying to pass the line. The dogs were tied to posts and kept on chains with sentries posted near them.
Along the Murray River is the little town of Berri, 238km north of Adelaide. If you’re someone who loves to discover little Australian towns and learn about their heritage, this is the region for you. In the town of Berri itself is a lovely riverfront café and shops, as well as plenty of opportunities for fishing, boating and relaxing by the water’s edge. A great way to see some of the off-the-beaten-track towns in the area is to take a trip on the Proud Mary, a river cruise ship that meanders along lesser-known parts of the Murray River.
On Tasmania’s south-east coast, Bruny Island provides an ultimate Tasmanian wilderness experience – it’s the perfect island for walking, breathing in the cool sea air. Stroll to see the penguins near Adventure Bay and feel like the only people on earth who have been here with a walk on a stretch of untracked sand. The island is nearly 100km long so the landscape varies greatly – from tall forests to open bays and farmlands. One of the best ways to see Bruny Island is with a cruise where you’ll spot dolphins, seabirds and seals, as well as the spectacular rugged coastline Tasmania is famous for.
At the foothills of the Great Dividing Range in Victoria is the picturesque little town of Daylesford, known for its mineral springs. About an hour and 40 minutes’ drive from Melbourne, it’s a great place for a day trip or to spend a night or two at one of the lovely bed and breakfast accommodations available. The town’s restaurants and galleries are another part of its charm, as is its creative atmosphere.