Who doesn’t love the wonders of Australia? I for one adore it inside out. The attractions, the cities, the people, and ultimately, the wildlife are absolutely breathtaking. Everyone here loves snorkelling, swimming, diving, fishing, biking, and more. That’s why I think this place is divine. I’ve been traveling to Australia for 5 years now. Every year I try to uncover destinations and attractions that go beyond the conventional. Here are some of my favourites.
Western Australia – The Kimberley
It’s time to start dreaming! The Kimberley is one of Australia’s most iconic travel destinations; the original Australian Aborigines first came to this territory nearly 40,000 years ago. I love the historic allure of the place; the culture, the people, and the overall vibe of the surroundings. I always get a feeling of isolated romanticism when I come here. It’s such a rugged, untamed destination that I personally find luxurious, but in a different sense of the word.
The Kimberley is vast. It spans on 420,000 sq. km, however only 40,000 people live here. If you’re looking for a place to relax and unwind far away from the hustle and bustle of Australia’s big cities, this is it. Whenever I tell my friends I’m going to the Kimberley, they always ask me why do I like it so much if there’s no really much you can do here; I always give the the same answer: “I love going back to the roots, and explore the sheer-side mountain regions; regions that very few have had the chance to explore”. Among some of the Kimberley’s most memorable sights, I have to bring up the waterfalls; the gorges, and the beautiful rivers.
“The first time I was in Melbourne I was surprised to find out that there are so many parks and green lands…”
Queensland – Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is destination like no other in this world. I’ve never been to space, but I’ve heard it’s one of the largest and most vast living structures on Earth. The ecosystems present underneath the waters are breathtaking. I enjoy snorkelling a lot, so I often explore the under waters whenever I feel that I need to relax and unwind. Over 3,000 coral reefs and 600+ continental islands are in the area.
The park spans on 2,300 km, about the distance between Vancouver and Mexico just for you to have a broader perspective. Whenever I think of luxury travel destinations in Australia, I always prefer the wildlife instead of the luxurious resorts. There’s something about rugged terrains and unexplored territories that entices me, and makes me want to see more. This year, I plan on renting a glass bottom boat so that I can have a closer look at the tropic fish, turtles, corals, and overall sea life of this place. I’m sure it will be an experience I will remember for a lifetime.
Blue Mountains National Park
Another World Heritage Site in Australia that I’m deeply fond of is Blue Mountains National Park. It is located about 80 km away from Sydney, and it got the name because of the blue haze that comes from the eucalyptus trees in the area. Over 660,000 acres encompass the beautiful park. The first time I came, I just wanted to trek and explore the premises all day long. I’ve seen incredible waterfalls, dramatic gorges, plenty of tricky trekking and hiking trails, and of course, the main attractions of the park: the Three Sisters; a towering sandstone formation of rocks that simply took my breath away.
Melbourne, My Love!
Australia has its fair share of outstanding cities and metropolises. I prefer Melbourne because it packs amazing theatres, restaurants, beautiful resorts, galleries, and restaurants; I also love the vibe the city gives me. It’s energetic and sophisticated, especially close to the Yarra River area. The first time I was in Melbourne I was surprised to find out that there are so many parks and green lands spread across the city. The Royal Botanical Gardens and the National Gallery are two of my favorite spots.
Whenever I feel the need for some extra luxury, I head to the Royal Arcade, or explore the Melbourne Central Shopping Centre. Every now and then, I go for a jet hire to see the outskirts of the city and have a broader picture of Australia beauties.