All Ways Pacific

The Australian Capital Territory was created to house the nation's capital Canberra.

Explore the treasure trove of national attractions, sprawling parklands and fashionable restaurants and bars. Just a 45 minute drive from the city, you'll find the wildlife, walking trails and Aboriginal rock art of Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve and Namadgi National Park in the northern Australian Alps.  Drive the Poacher's Trail to the wineries, farms and galleries of the surrounding scenic countryside. Hike past wildflowers and glacial lakes in the Snowy Mountains and spot dolphins from pristine beaches on the South Coast. 

Canberra

Soak up Australia's history, culture and character in the many museums and galleries. Contrast Australia's political past with our modern democratic government at Old Parliament House and Parliament House. See Australia through the eyes of our artists at the National Gallery of Australia and celebrate Australia's proud sporting achievements the Australian Institute of Sport. When you've finished with the national attractions, get into the great outdoors. Walk or cycle the lake, parklands and native bushland surrounds. This planned, modern city sits amidst green open space and wears the decorations of four distinct seasons, from golden autumn leaves to glorious spring blooms. Beneath the foliage lie great restaurants and nightlife and a non-stop calendar of festivals and events.

Snowy Mountains

See glacial lakes, snowgum woodlands and colourful alpine meadows on the climb to Mount Kosciuszko, Australia's tallest peak. At the top you'll find a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with 20 species of plants found nowhere else in the world. In winter, hit Australia's highest ski slopes at Charlotte Pass or carve up the snow at Thredbo and Perisher Blue. In summer, hike, bike or horse ride past fields of wildflowers or soak up the scenery going caving, rafting, kayaking and four wheel.  Fish for trout from the clear streams around historic Cooma or throw your line in Lake Jindabyne.  Don't miss the show of autumnal leaves around Tumut, also the place to also explore the huge stalactites and thermal pool of the Yarrangobilly Caves.

South Coast

Walk pearly white beaches and see dolphins frolic in the sparkling water in Jervis Bay. Spot whales from Eden on the Sapphire Coast,  see native and exotic animals at Mogo Zoo and explore the wildlife haven of Montague Island, near Narooma. Go kayaking through the Kangaroo Valley and cruise down the pristine Clyde River in Bateman's Bay. Taste oysters in Merimbula and award-winning cheeses in Bega.  Bushwalk past freshwater lakes and magnificent beaches in Bournda National Park and through the undisturbed wilderness of Wadbilliga National Park.The South Coast has 30 national parks, marine parks and reserves, as well as gorgeous beaches and rich Aboriginal history for you to explore.

Capital Country

Meander past churches, old-time pubs, galleries and antique stores in historic Braidwood and charming Bungendore. Trek past the waterfalls, wildflowers, rainforest gullies and sandstone cliffs of Fitzroy Falls and Moreton National Park, near Bundadoon.  Explore English-styled country gardens and art and craft shops in the highland getaway of Bowral and 1830s Georgian-English architecture in Berrima. Stay on a working farm at Yass, visit wineries in the Hilltops district and buy fresh produce in Young, Australia's cherry capital.  Learn about the life of Australia's best cricketer at the Bradman Museum in Bowral and see world-renowned glass works in Bowning.

New South Wales has endless unspoilt beaches, breathtaking natural treasures and one of the world's most famous and vibrant cities.

Climb Sydney Harbour Bridge or take the ferry past the Opera House to Manly. Do a day trip to the Hunter Valley vineyards or the romantic Blue Mountains. Restore your zen on the beach in Byron Bay and see dolphins play in the clear waters of Jervis Bay. Bike ride and dive on Lord Howe Island and visit the world's oldest ceremonial burial site at Mungo National Park. Horse ride, hike or hit the snowfields in the Snowy Mountains or head west for Tamworth's country music and Moree's natural artesian spas. Whatever you do in New South Wales will be an investment of time you definitely won't regret. 

Sydney

Soak up the city's gorgeous harbour, seductive outdoor lifestyle and great natural beauty. Kayak under the Sydney Harbour Bridge or wave at the Opera House as you ride a ferry across the harbour to Manly. Learn to surf at Bondi Beach or swim in the calm waters of Coogee. Lose yourself in the cobblestone cul-de-sacs of The Rocks or in the markets, boutiques, cafes and pubs of Paddington. As well as a world-famous harbour and more than 70 sparkling beaches, Sydney offers fabulous food, festivals and 24-7 fun. You'll soon agree there's no place in the world like Sydney.

Sydney surrounds

Listen to jazz amongst the vines in the Hunter Valley, bush walk in the Blue Mountains or float down the Hawkesbury River on a houseboat. Watch dolphins from Port Stephens and Forster and lose yourself in the World Heritage-listed wilderness of Barrington Tops. Escape to the hills, forests, valleys and heritage villages of the Southern Highlands. Surf on the Central Coast or on the South Coast, where you can also see Kiama's famous blowhole. These mountains, rivers, beaches, parks and rich tablelands are just a short drive from Sydney's fringes. 

North Coast

Hang-glide and spot humpback whales in the new-age beach paradise of Byron Bay. See the Big Prawn in the bustling holiday town of Ballina and scuba dive off the Coffs Coast. In the Tweed Valley, you can fish the Tweed River and see the southern hemisphere's biggest eroded volcanic crater. On the rainforest-fringed North Coast, classic Aussie surf culture mingles with World Heritage-listed national parks, hinterland villages and great food and wine.

South Coast

Walk pearly white beaches and see dolphins frolic in sparkling water in Jervis Bay. Meet grey kangaroos and cruise the pristine Clyde River in Batemans Bay. Try award-winning cheeses at Bega and watch whales in Eden on the Sapphire Coast, near the Victorian border. The South Coast has 30 national parks, marine parks and reserves, as well as gorgeous beaches and rich Aboriginal history for you to explore.

Lord Howe Island

Trek to the top of Mount Gower and bushwalk through native forests and over white sand beaches. Snorkel and dive in protected, temperate waters on the world's southernmost coral reef. You'll find more than 50 sites teeming with fish, colourful coral and green turtles. On World Heritage-listed Lord Howe Island, bicycles are the best way to get around and there's no mobile phone reception. Even better, its unspoilt beauty is less than two hours' flight from Sydney.

Outback

Visit the world's oldest ceremonial burial site at Mungo National Park in the Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area. Stay underground in the quirky opal mining town of White Cliffs or see where exquisite black opal is mined and meet eccentric locals in Lightning Ridge. Discover distinctive light, desert landscapes and an oasis of lakes around Broken Hill, the former mining town known as Silver City. Don't miss the characters, history and horizons of the New South Wales outback.

Snowy Mountains

Hit Australia's highest ski slopes at Charlotte Pass and climb Mt Kosciuszko, Australia's tallest peak. At the top you'll find a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with 20 species of plants found nowhere else in the world. In winter, carve up the snow at fields such as Thredbo and Perisher Blue. In summer, take in the trout-filled streams and wildflower-coated plains going cycling, caving, rafting, kayaking, four wheel driving, horse riding and hiking. Whatever the season, the Snowy Mountains has endless opportunities for outdoor adventure.

Heart of country

South of the Queensland border you'll find Australia's country music capital of Tamworth and Moree's natural artesian spas. See the volcanic spires of Warrumbungle National Park and the World Heritage-listed national parks of Glen Innes. West to the outback, climb the red dunes of the prehistoric Perry Sandhills and explore the wineries and citrus orchards of Griffith. To the south, chug down the Murray River in a paddlesteamer from twin towns on the Victorian border - Echuca-Moama and Albury-Wodonga. Drive the Poacher's Trail through the Yass Valley and check out captivating art galleries in Wagga Wagga.

Whether you adore the arts or love the great outdoors, Victoria has something for you. 

The state is packed with both scenic and cultural attractions - from striking public spaces and state-of-the-art museums to heritage sites and rare wildlife.  Discover the cafes and bars of Melbourne's gothic laneways and drive the Great Ocean Road. Wind your way through the wineries of the Yarra Valley and chug down the Murray in a paddle-steamer. Swim with dolphins on Mornington Peninsula and see fairy penguins on Phillip Island. Trek the rugged Grampians then relax in a Daylesford health spa. Bushwalk Gippsland's coastal wilderness, hit the High Country slopes or explore the grand architecture of a Goldfields town.

Melbourne

Sitting on the Yarra River at Port Phillip Bay, this stylish, vibrant city is a maze of hidden laneways, opulent bars, exclusive restaurants and off-the-beaten-track boutiques. Visit Federation Square, the city's landmark cultural space, and enjoy a sunset beer on the St Kilda promenade. Shop till you drop on funky Brunswick Street or upmarket Chapel Street. Wander Southbank's cafes, bistros and bars and get a world tour of cuisines in Carlton, Richmond and Fitzroy. Take an Aboriginal Heritage Walk through the Royal Botanic Gardens and cheer with a capacity crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges

Stay in Yarra Glen, the heart of the food and wine region and tour the acclaimed wineries of the Yarra Valley. Trek through the tall forests of the Dandenong Ranges National Park. You can stop amidst the fairytale mists of Sherbrooke Forest or take the Puffing Billy Steam Railway through the villages of Belgrave, Gembrook and Emerald. Visit the famous Healesville wildlife sanctuary and wander the gardens, waterfalls and forest of Marysville, also a gateway to the Lake Mountain ski fields.

Mornington Peninsula

Swim with dolphins and stroll the bay and surf beaches of the historic seaside village of Sorrento. Take in the cliff-top walks, stunning views and million-dollar mansions of Portsea at the tip of the Mornington Peninsula. Pick your own berries and visit wineries and galleries in Red Hill and Main Ridge. In Flinders, you'll find great beaches, wineries and golf courses.

Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges

Sample the health-giving mineral waters of Hepburn Springs and explore Kyneton's antique shops. Bushwalk past gardens and hillside estates at Mount Macedon and picnic at legendary Hanging Rock. This region is a fairytale at the end of a fast highway from Melbourne, filled with galleries, boutique accommodation and fine places to eat.

Phillip Island

See koalas and waterbirds in the wild at Rhyll and watch fairy penguins waddle home at dusk on Summerland Beach. For a different kind of wild life, visit the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, home to the Australian Motor Cycle Grand Prix and V8 Supercar 500. To get here take a car ferry from Stony Point to Cowes, the island's main town. Or arrive in the gateway of San Remo - also a fishing and pelican haven- via suspension bridge.

Great Ocean Road

Discover beaches, bushland and kangaroos at Anglesea and see epic waves crash on Bells Beach, near the surfing town of Torquay. Swim, surf and fish in Lorne and walk through the waterfalls and lush rainforest of the nearby Otway Ranges. You can stand on Shipwreck Coast and marvel at the craggy limestone stacks of the Twelve Apostles in Port Campbell National Park. Sea kayak and surf in idyllic Apollo Bay and watch whales from Warrnambool. You'll find fishing and an annual folk festival in historic Port Fairy.

Grampians

Stay in Halls Gap and trek the spectacular ridges of the Grampians, which rise dramatically from the flat expanse of Victoria's west. Go bushwalking, rock climbing, fishing and canoeing in the rugged Grampians National Park. It's also a haven for wildlife, wildflowers and Aboriginal art sites, such as the famous Bunjil's shelter. You can fish on the banks of the Wimmera River in the tranquil rural town of Horsham. Visit the beautiful village of Dunkeld at the Grampian's southern end and bustling, historic Stawell at the north.

High Country

Ski or snowboard at Mount Hotham, Australia's powder capital, or on the steep slopes of the winter playground of Falls Creek. Tackle winter sports, biking or four wheel driving at Mount Buller and marvel at Mount Buffalo's unique granite beauty. Visit wineries fringed by gum trees in Rutherglen and see the courthouse where Ned Kelly stood trial in the historic gold rush town of Beechworth. Go fishing, houseboating and waterskiing at Lake Eildon. Or base yourself in Bright for walking, cycling and easy access to snowfields and gourmet delights.

Gippsland

Trek the pristine coastal wilderness of Wilsons Promontory National Park and dive and snorkel with brightly coloured marine life in Wilsons Promontory Marine National Park. From Bairnsdale and the holiday haven of Lakes Entrance you can explore Gippsland Lakes and Ninety Mile Beach, where fine sands shelter the planet's highest diversity of species. Stay in the pretty coastal town of Mallacoota and lose yourself in nearby Croajingolong National Park, which has eco-systems so precious they are protected by a World Biosphere Reserve. Explore an ancient honeycomb of caves at Buchan Caves Reserves and four wheel drive the Australian Alps in Alpine National Park. Enjoy fine wine and dining in Traralgon and fish and boat in the historic port of Sale.

The Murray

Visit the home of paddle-steamers in Echuca-Moama and explore the pioneer history of Swan Hill. Indulge in fine food and wine amongst the citrus groves and vineyards of the vibrant outback oasis of Mildura. In the twin river towns of Yarrawonga-Mulwala, you can camp, bushwalk, play a round of golf, or fish and water ski on the local lakes and rivers.

Goldfields

Walk the Eureka Trail, pan for gold at Sovereign Hill and see the grand architecture of the gold rush boom in and around Ballarat. In Bendigo, another boom town, you can see opulent buildings, explore a rich Chinese heritage and drop the equivalent of thirty-storeys in the Central Deborah Gold Mine. Discover antiques, wineries and Aboriginal rock water wells in Maryborough. Experience Castlemaine's wide streets, fine public buildings and historic homes on a heritage trail.

In Tasmania soak up history on Hobart's riverfront cobblestone streets and wind through the Coal Valley's cool-climate wineries.

Lose your breath at Wineglass Bay and discover shipwrecks and diamonds on Flinders Island. Walk over Cataract Gorge, a dramatic wilderness in the heart of Launceston, or head to the World Heritage-listed wilderness that makes up 20 per cent of the island. See your face in Dove Lake and trek the Overland Track in Cradle-Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, wander through dark Gondwanan rainforest Southwest National Park and watch two wild rivers tumble through valleys as one in Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. As well as rugged and ancient natural beauty, Tasmania has a thriving creative culture, a rich history of convicts, piners, miners and whalers and fabulous food and wine.

Hobart and surrounds

Cruise or kayak the Derwent river, sip coffee under the sun umbrellas of Salamanca Square or soak up the seafaring vibe of Hobart's first suburb, Battery Point. Just 20 minutes from Hobart's 19th century sandstone warehouses lies windswept Mount Wellington. A little further to the south-east, wind past the Coal Valley's cool-climate wineries to the historic towns of Huonville and Richmond. In the coastal hamlet of Kettering, you can take a car ferry to Bruny Island or a wildlife cruise past crags, caves and sea cliffs. From crescent-shaped Cockle Creek, you can sense the World Heritage-listed wilderness of Southwest National Park even if you never step beyond the beach. Learn about life as a mid-19th century prisoner at the Port Arthur Historic Site on the Tasman Peninsula. Then stay in Woodbridge, walk the sweeping beaches of Tasman National Park and dine in luxury at Peppermint Bay. See 200-year-old oaks and sandstone cottages in Oatlands or follow the path of pioneers on the Heritage Highway from Launceston to Hobart. Visit the antique-loving town of New Norfolk and pretty Hamilton on the Clyde River. For a taste of high country and malt whiskey, visit Bothwell at the southern edge of the Central Plateau.

East Coast

From Triabunna, you can take a ferry to history-rich and car-free Maria Island, also a bushwalking and sea kayaking paradise. Stay in the holiday haven of Coles Bay overlooking crystal-clear Oyster Bay at the entrance to Freycinet National Park. Walk to breathtaking Wineglass Bay, then swim, boat, fish, snorkel and scuba dive from the dreamy white beach. In nearby Mount William National Park, you can follow the Bay of Fires walk past forrester kangaroos, Aboriginal middens, woodlands and white beaches. Go game fishing or diving from the picturesque port of St Helens, on the shores of Georges Bay. Taste farm cheese at nearby Pyengana or visit vineyards and berry farms around the seaside towns of Bicheno and Swansea. Then head to Douglas-Apsley National Park, where you can walk and camp amongst quiet rivers, waterfalls, rainforest and tall eucalypts and pines. At the northern end of the coast you'll find Flinders Island, the place to dive shipwrecks, climb to the top of the pink and grey cliffs of Mount Strzelecki and fossick for diamonds at Killiecrankie.

Launceston, Tamar and the North

In Launceston, you'll discover elegant Edwardian buildings and the magical wilderness of Cataract Gorge. Stroll through the ferny glade or abseil, rock climb or hang glide on and around the gorge's dramatic walls. You can also take the chairlift to cross the gorge. Nearby, see birds in their own habitat in the Tamar Island wetlands or meet kangaroos, wallabies and wombats in Narawntapu National Park. To the north east you'll find the neat croplands and Forest EcoCentre of Scottsdale. Next door in Bridport, you can fish, play golf overlooking Bass Strait at Barnbougle Dunes and wander through the tidy lavender fields of Nabowla. See little penguins at Low Head and take a boat trip to the fur seal colony of Tenth Island. Then ski, walk or rock climb the rugged summits of Ben Lomond National Park. Once you've worked up an appetite, eat and drink your way through the Tamar Valley's cool-climate wineries, such as Ninth Island, Pipers Brook and Jansz, on the Tamar Valley Touring Route. You can stop at the gold mining museum of Beaconsfield and pan for sapphires near the tin mining town of Derby on the way. South of Launceston, soak up the ambience of a 19th century village in Longford and see Australia's biggest working craft fair in the charming riverside village of Deloraine. Browse antique galleries, craft shops and markets in the Georgian village of Evandale and cross the Ross River on a cobblestone bridge in Ross.

North West Coast

Arrive in Devonport on one of the Spirit of Tasmania ships that have become landmarks in this pretty port.  From here you can walk or cycle along Devonport's coastline, see murals in Sheffield and enjoy antique shops in LaTrobe. Go water-skiing, sea-kayaking or fish from a floating pontoon in Port Sorrel. Stroll the vibrant markets and scenic beach of Penguin. Explore the limestone caves of Mole Creek Karst National Park, which sit beneath the Great Western Tiers, known to the Aboriginal people as Kooparoona Niara. Stay in the busy port of Burnie or in the historic town of Stanley, where you can look out over the steep volcanic plug known as ‘The Nut'. See carpets of colourful spring tulips in Table Cape and walk along the sea cliffs of Rocky Cape. In the far north-west, stay on the historic 22,000 hectare property of Woolnorth on Cape Grim. Cruise down the Arthur River past sea eagles to the temperate rainforest, sand dunes and Aboriginal sites of the Tarkine wilderness. Even more remote is King Island, where you can go game fishing, taste cheese from the famous King Island Dairies and dive more than 70 shipwreck sites

Western wilderness

Cruise down the majestic Gordon River from the west coast fishing village of Strahan. Watch it meet the wild Franklin River and tumble through forested valleys as one in the World Heritage-listed Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. Back in Strahan, you can kayak on Macquarie Harbour, walk Ocean Beach and explore pine and myrtle forests by four wheel drive. Search for thousand-year-old Huon Pine from the window of a sea plane or relax and indulge in great food and wine. Take a scenic rack-and-pinion railway from here to the historic town of Queenstown, once the world's richest gold and copper mine, or enter it on a road that spirals for more than 90 bends. Explore the rollicking mining past of Zeehan, once a wealthy silver town. Then jump on a barge to Corinna and stay in a restored miner's cottage on the banks of the majestic Pieman River. From the peaceful town of Rosebery, you can do a tour of Pasminco Mine or walk to Montezuma Falls, Tasmania's tallest waterfall. Then explore the rugged peaks and mirrored lakes of World Heritage listed Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. Do all or some of the famous 65-kilometre Overland Track and see Mount Ossa, Tasmania's highest mountain.

Western Australia is famous for long days of sunshine and diverse landscapes and climates.

Cruise down Perth's Swan River to Fremantle or the Swan Valley vineyards. Or visit wineries fringed by tall forests and crashing surf in the Margaret River. Dive with the huge whale shark on Ningaloo Reef and feed wild bottlenose dolphins at Monkey Mia. Ride a camel down Broome's Cable Beach at sunset and four wheel drive along the remote, beautiful Dampier Peninusla. Fly over the Bungle Bungle ranges and boat down huge, man-made Lake Argyle in Kununurra. Get gold rush fever in Kalgoorlie or swim from the snow-white beaches of Esperance.  Don't miss Western Australia's huge spaces and unique natural beauty.

Perth and surrounds

Cruise the Swan River past parks and skyscrapers to 40 vineyards in the Swan Valley or the Perth Zoo. Visit Rottnest Island, where you can explore history, bike ride to secret beaches and kayak to secluded bays. Feast on seafood and soak up the carnival atmosphere in historic Fremantle. Discover the lookouts, landscaped gardens and Aboriginal heritage of huge Kings Park. Swim, surf, fish, windsurf and sail on clean and uncrowded beaches such as Cottlesloe or Scarborough. Then skip between the sunny boardwalks, beaches and marinas of the Sunset Coast.

Coral Coast

This coastal paradise stretches from Cervantes and the moonscape Pinnacles Desert in the south to Exmouth and Ningaloo Reef in the north.  Bushwalk past gorges, cliffs, winding river and white beaches in Kalbarri National Park. Four wheel drive in Cape Range National Park, where spectacular gorges, carved by ancient rivers, meet Ningaloo's coral reefs, clear blue seas and sandy beaches. Swim with the docile whale sharks, the world's largest fish, at Ningaloo Reef between April and June.  In the Shark Bay World Heritage Area you can feed wild bottlenose dolphins at Monkey Mia and get up close to sea lions, manta rays, dugongs and humpback whales.

Golden Outback

Tackle adventure on the rich red earth of the Gascoyne Murchison outback. Discover the national parks and snow-white beaches of Esperance and the South Coast.  See the rugged outback come alive with the colour of wildflowers in winter and early spring. Learn about the Aboriginal history of Mount Augustus and the Kennedy Range. Escape to the Wheatbelt's small, friendly towns and geological wonders such as Wave Rock. Head to Kalgoorlie and the goldfields for goldrush history and unique flora and fauna.  From the sparkling Southern Ocean to Western Australia's red outback heart, you won't forget these diverse and theatrical landscapes.

North West

Ride a camel on Broome's breathtaking Cable Beach and see dinosaur footprints preserved in rock. Four wheel drive the red-dirt road from Broome along the Dampier Peninsula, where you can stay in an Aboriginal wilderness camp and see the church with a mother-of-pearl altar.  Further north in Derby, watch the sun set over the King Sound and fly over the Horizontal Waterfalls on the islands of Buccaneer Archipelago.  From Kununurra, you can explore the beehive-shaped domes of the Bungle Bungle Range and boat down the Ord River and vast Lake Argyle. Get up close to a huge treasure trove of ancient Aboriginal rock on the Burrup Peninsula, near Dampier. Further south, don't miss the spectacular red gorges, waterfalls and emerald swimming holes of Karijini National Park.

South West

Dive the Southern Hemisphere's largest accessible dive wreck - the HMAS Swan - from Dunsborough. Visit world-class wineries, swim in the crystal-clear waters of Bunker and ride the waves of Surfers Point in the lush Margaret River region.  Here you can canoe through sun-speckled woodlands and relax on 75 spellbinding beaches.  See fossils in Mammoth Caves, mirrored underwater lakes in Lake Cave and straw stalactites in Jewel Cave.  Follow a fairytale drive through towering karri forests to Hamelin Bay, where you can snorkel with stingrays and walk the idyllic sands of Boranup Beach. Visit romantic Augusta, where lighthouse-tipped Cape Leeuwin parts the Indian and Southern Oceans. Swim with dolphins in Mandurah and Bunbury and spot whales from the towns of Augusta, Albany and Dunsborough from June to October.

In South Australia cellar hop in the Barossa Valley and cycle between vineyards and churches in the Clare Valley.

Lose yourself in Adelaide's sprawling green parklands and visit the picturesque German village of Hahndorf in the Adelaide Hills. Meet native wildlife on Kangaroo Island and swim with sea lions on the Eyre Peninsula.  Four wheel drive past the deep red gorges of the Flinders Ranges and soar over majestic Wilpena Pound. Swim, surf and fish on the pristine beaches of the Fleurieu Peninsula and glide past the willow-fringed banks of the Murray River on a houseboat. Dive into shipwrecks and Aboriginal history on the Yorke Peninsula. Explore the fossil-rich Naracoorte Caves on the Limestone Coast.  From historic buildings to pristine islands, you'll love South Australia's rich heritage and spectacular natural attractions.

Adelaide

Admire the elegant colonial architecture and browse museums and libraries along North Terrace. Shop up a storm at Rundle Mall or sample the fresh produce from Adelaide Central Market. Embrace the alfresco ambience of Rundle Street in the East End or explore the exotic, bustling foodhalls of Chinatown. Swim with dolphins in vibrant Glenelg and fish from the jetty in Henley. Bike ride in Elder Park and row past rose gardens in Rymill Park. Picnic in sprawling Botanic Park, where the international music festival WOMADelaide is held. Explore the museums, markets and historic harbour of Port Adelaide or see heritage buildings and colourful summer sideshows in family-friendly Semaphore. Browse the world's largest collection of Aboriginal antiquities at the Aboriginal Cultures Gallery or do a cultural tour of Adelaide Botanic Gardens with a local Kaurna guide.

Adelaide Hills

Drive to the Adelaide Hills, where the picturesque farmlands and charming villages have inspired many generations of artists. Stay in Bavarian-inspired chalets and browse the bakeries, craft shops and galleries of Hahndorf, Australia's oldest surviving German village. Visit The Cedars, once the gracious old home and studio of famous landscape artists Sir Hans Heysen.  Sample jams, pickles, chutneys, mustards, marinades and sauces at the Beerenberg Strawberry Farm. Or buy fresh-fruit and vegetables from a roadside stall.Then hit the markets of Lobethal, a fairytale town which celebrates Christmas with metres and metres of colourful lights.

Barossa

Visit world-famous vineyards such as Yalumba, Seppelts, Penfolds and Two Hands and sample quality, local produce on the Butcher, Baker, WineMaker Trail. In the nearby heritage town of Gawler, you'll find stone churches, galleries and museums set against rolling hills and manicured vineyards. Take a tour of historic wineries and boutique breweries. See artisans at work in one of the many studios or buy some of the region's famous handicrafts. Of course, nothing beats a long lunch under the gum trees with a bottle of one of the region's flagship wines, Barossa Shiraz or Eden Valley Riesling.

Clare Valley

Walk or cycle the 25-kilometre Riesling Trail between vineyards and restaurants, past green hills, churches and classic stone buildings. Taste sacramental wine made by Jesuit priests at the cellar door in Sevenhill. Drive the Heartland Heritage Trail to lovingly restored heritage towns such as Burra, Kapunda and Mintaro, where you can tour the stately Georgian mansion of Martindale Hall. Learn about the region's pastoral history with a stay at Bungaree Station in Clare. Explore the Aboriginal history of Two Wells or see old steam trains in Gawler, South Australia's oldest country town. Explore the restaurants, cafes and pubs of the gourmet haven of Auburn.  Buy country produce from the colourful markets in Sevenhill or take a cooking course at Thorn Park.

Eyre Peninsula

Swim with sea lions at Baird Bay and snorkel with giant cuttlefish near Whyalla. For a real adrenalin rush, go cage diving with a Great White Shark south of Port Lincoln. Spot Southern Right Whales in the Great Australian Bight Marine Park between May and October and sea-lions on the rocks at Point Labatt Conservation Park all year round. Visit the natural salt lakes of Lake Newland Conservation Park, a haven for hundreds of wetland birds. Visit an oyster farm in Cowell, fish from Ceduna and Coffin Bay or join a deep sea fishing charter from Whyalla. Head inland for the colourful volcanic rock, shimmering salt lakes, wildflowers and native wildlife of Gawler Ranges. Four wheel drive further into the Nullarbor Plain - the vast, treeless plain that fascinates anyone with an explorer's spirit.

Fleurieu Peninsula

Dive or snorkel with leafy sea dragons from the jetty at Rapid Bay. Swim through the sunken engine room and turrets of the ex-HMAS Hobart in a dive off Yankalilla Bay. Watch migrating whales and waddling little penguins in Victor Harbor. Swim and boogie board from Horseshoe Bay in Port Elliot, where you can also bike ride or walk the top of the cliffs. From Goolwa, you can chug down the Murray River or canoe past wetland birds in the Coorong's shimmering, shallow lagoons. Walk on the white sand of Goolwa, Cape Jervis, Christies and Middleton Beach, where you'll also find great fishing and surf breaks. Visit wineries, almond orchards and art and craft galleries in the McLaren Vale wine region. 

Flinders Ranges and Outback

Stay in the outback town of Hawker and spend your days exploring the rugged, majestic Flinders Ranges. Walk to the rim of Wilpena Pound, a huge natural amphitheatre, or soar over it on a scenic flight.  Hike to the top of Parachilna Gorge on part of the Heysen Trail. See fossils in ancient sea beds at Brachina Gorge and Aboriginal art at Arkaroo Rock. Explore the area's pastoral past at Wilpena Pound Station. Deeper in the desert, you can fossick for opals in the quirky underground town of Coober Pedy or in the frontier town of Andamooka. Four wheel drive the Oodnadatta Track along a traditional Aboriginal trading route and the old Ghan railway to salty Lake Eyre. Or take the Strzelecki Track past awesome desert landscapes and scenic wetlands such as Coongie Lakes and Dalhousie Springs. Keep in mind this is remote country so a four wheel drive and thorough preparation is essential.

Kangaroo Island

See pink pelicans wheeling through the sky at Reeves Point and sea  lions  lying on the rocks at Cape du Couedic. Seal Bay is home to a colony of Australian sea lions that can be observed from a boardwalk or up close with a ranger. Watch packs and pairs of little penguins make their nightly pilgrimage to the shore in Penneshaw or from Kingscote Wharf. Fish from the historic jetty at Emu Bay or join a fishing tour from American River. Load up on fresh produce - from Ligurian honey to free range chickens and eggs - and wine produced by 30 growers from Cape Willoughby to Kingscote. Stay in a restored lighthouse keeper's cottage at isolated Cape Willoughby on Dudley Peninsula. Swim on secret beaches at Stokes Bay and surf at Vivonne Bay. Dive through shipwrecks and with leafy sea dragons from American Beach. Take a scenic drive to the underground caves of Kelly Hill Conservation Park and the Remarkable Rocks in Flinders Chase National Park.

Limestone Coast

Marvel at the Blue Lake of Mount Gambier, which in November changes from steel-grey to a brilliant turquoise blue. Discover the fossil deposits and spectacular scenery of the World Heritage-listed Naracoorte Caves, where you can view a bat cave under infra-red. Get up close to hundreds of wetland birds and learn about Aboriginal history as you canoe or sail along the lagoons and waterways of the Coorong. Snorkel and cave-dive in the spring-fed limestone ponds of Ewens Ponds Conservation Park, or in the crystal-clear water of Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park. Walk down Australia's longest jetty and float in the salty Pool of Siloam in the pretty port of Beachport. You can fish, dive, windsurf and sail from the picturesque crayfishing town of Kingston and holiday haven of Robe.

Murray River

Hire a slow-moving houseboat from Mannum or Renmark. Or take in the sandstone cliffs, giant red gums and weeping willows on a luxury cruiser or historic paddlesteamer. Stop for a picnic at Sturt Reserve at Murray Bridge or a pub meal in Tailem Bend or Swan Reach. Go water-skiing, jet-skiing, canoeing and sailing at Lake Bonney, near Barmera. In Murray River National Park, you can stay in Berri or Lyrup and canoe through the bird-filled backwaters of Loch Luna, Chowilla/Ral and Katarapko Creek. Cycle along the scenic East Front Road and follow the Rail and River Walk from Murray Bridge. Four wheel drive and spot endangered malee fowl in Ngarkat Conservation Park. Visit the Loxton Historical Village, peek into the past at Morgan Wharf or see the birthplace of the Black Duck Dreaming with a Nganguraku Aboriginal guide.

You can lose and find yourself in the Northern Territory, a place rich in Aboriginal history and rugged, natural beauty.

Immerse yourself in Darwin's melting pot of cuisines and cultures and explore the rainforest and Aboriginal rock art of World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park. Stay in the Red Centre town of Alice Springs, then visit the iconic wonders of Uluru-Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon. Cruise down vast Katherine Gorge and pan for gold at Tennant Creek. The Northern Territory also offers a huge array of wildlife, colourful outback characters and landscapes for outdoor adventure.

Darwin and surrounds

Soak up Darwin's balmy weather and the melting pot of food and cultures in the city's many outdoor festivals and markets. Then explore the region's dramatic history - from World Way II air raids to Cyclone Tracey - in the museums and galleries. Sail Darwin harbour at sunset, cruise next to crocodiles and bushwalk through monsoon forest. Do a day trip to Litchfield National Park, where you can swim in crystal-clear waterholes and see thousands of tall termite mounds. Or visit the Tiwi Islands, where you can watch traditional weaving and painting or immerse yourself in the noise and excitement of a local football game.

Kakadu and Arnhem Land

See wildlife, waterfalls and one of the world's largest areas of accessible rock art World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park. Bushwalk, spot rare and spectacular wildlife and plunge into sparkling waterholes. Explore the many rich and detailed Aboriginal rock art galleries. See Namarrgon, the Lightning Man at Nourlangie Rock and some of the world's finest examples of X-ray art at Ubirr Rock in Kakadu's north-east. North in wholly Aboriginal-owned Arnhem Land, you can fish off the spectacular beaches of the Gove Peninsula and in the creeks, reefs and ocean of the Cobourg Peninsula. Explore the eco systems of Mt Borrodaile with an Aboriginal guide and watch Aboriginal artists at work in the traditional community of Oenpelli.

Tennant Creek and surrounds

Pan for gold and explore an underground mine in the Battery Hill Mining Centre. Visit the Telegraph Station built in 1872 to link Australia to the outside world. See the huge, precariously balanced boulders known as the Devils Marbles in the plains south of Tennant Creek. You can learn about their cultural significance to traditional owners the Warumungu people at the Nyinkka Nyunyu Culture Centre. Buy Aboriginal art in the tiny township of Ti Tree and visit Australia's UFO capital of Wycliffe Well. Stay on huge cattle stations north of town and in the vast Barkly Tablelands to the east.

Katherine and surrounds

Explore the historic pioneering township of Katherine and see ancient Katherine Gorge in Nitmiluk National Park. Sink into the hot springs of Daly River and fish in the remote waterways of the Gulf of Carpentaria. Spot rare wildlife and wander gorges in Gregory National Park, in the Victoria River region, and relax in Mataranka's sandy-bottomed thermal pool. Katherine's rugged and ancient landscapes - which stretch from the Gulf of Carpentaria to the West Australian border - also invite you to canoe, bushwalk, bird watch, camp and four-wheel drive.

Alice Springs and surrounds

Stay in the famous outback town of Alice Springs, which sits in Australia's red heart just 200 kilometres south of its geographic centre. From here you can bushwalk, four wheel drive or join a camel trek across the rolling sand dunes of the Simpson Desert. Trek through Ormiston Gorge and Pound, visit breathtaking Glen Helen Gorge and see rock wallabies at Simpsons Gap, all in the nearby East and West MacDonnell Ranges. Bike ride to Simpsons Gap at dawn, discover different Aboriginal art styles along the Tanami Track and explore the rock art, artefacts and ceremonial sites near the small Aboriginal community of St Teresa.

Uluru-Kata Tjuta

Lose your breath at Uluru, which rises 348 metres from the desert and matches the light and weather with shades so vivid they upstage the sunset. Learn about Uluru's cultural significance as you walk around its base with an Aboriginal Anangu guide.  Get up close to the grandeur of nearby Kata Tjuta - sacred russet domes formed through millions of years of erosion - on the Valley of the Winds Walk.In Watarrka National Park, you can trek to the rim of Kings Canyon and swim in a waterhole in the lush valley of the Garden of Eden. Walk to Kathleen Springs, drive the Mereenie Loop or soar over the canyon on a helicopter.

In Queensland sun yourself on the golden sands of Surfers Paradise, snorkel through the technicolour treasures of the Great Barrier Reef and four wheel drive Fraser Island.

Explore the magical Daintree Rainforest with an Aboriginal guide or charter a yacht to the pristine Whitsunday Islands.  Enjoy resort relaxation in Noosa, frolic on the beaches of the Capricorn Coast and see dinosaur footprints near Winton. Go diving from the gracious town of Bundaberg and bushwalk through national parks near Mackay. Visit wineries and rodeos in Southern Queensland Country and go horse riding on Townsville's Magnetic Island. However you experience Queensland, the landscapes and lifestyle will never leave you.

Brisbane

Bike ride in the City Botanic Gardens or cruise down the Brisbane River spotting pelicans. Laze next to the gardens and lagoons of South Bank or explore Fortitude Valley's cafes and boutique shops.  For an adrenalin-pumping view of the city and its surrounds, you can do a bridge climb, abseil down Kangaroo Point Cliffs or coast over in a hot air balloon. On the clear waters and islands of nearby Moreton Bay, you can fish, boat, feed wild dolphins and toboggan down the world's tallest sand dunes.

Gold Coast

Frolic on the sand or in the world-class nightclubs of Surfers Paradise.  Then trek the World Heritage-listed rainforest of the Gold Coast hinterland, where you can swim in crystal-clear rock pools, explore rainforest retreats like Mount Tamborine and see Australia's largest glow-worm colony.  Of course, you can't miss the Gold Coast's famous themed attractions. See dolphin and sea lion shows at Sea World, ride the world's tallest and fastest thrill rides at Dreamworld or jump in a giant wavepool at Wet 'n' Wild Water Park.

Sunshine Coast

Soak up sunny sophistication on Noosa's Hasting Street or meet koalas in the coastal rainforest of Noosa National Park. Ride a mountain bike, abseil the volcanic peaks of Glasshouse Mountains or trek through rainforest in Kondalilla National Park. Browse cafes, country pubs, art and antique galleries in the sleepy mountain villages of Montville and Maleny, atop the Blackall Ranges. Feast on seafood on the Mooloolah River in Mooloolaba and relax on the wide beaches of Maroochydore. In family-friendly Caloundra, you'll find great surf beaches and estuary creeks brimming with fish.

Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef

Base yourself in cosmopolitan Cairns and take a day trip to the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef. Snorkel or dive in warm tropical water with rainbow coloured coral, sponges and fish. Or head to the magical, primeval Daintree Rainforest. Here you can cruise the Daintree River past birds, animals and crocodiles or cross it on a ferry to the four wheel drive country of Cape Tribulation.  See a performance by the world-famous Aboriginal dance theatre Tjapukai, then ride the Kuranda Scenic Railway to the rainforest village of Kuranda. Fish from tranquil Mission Beach, where the rainforest meets the reef, or sip cocktails in the vibrant resort town of Port Douglas. Pamper yourself in a Palm Cove spa or camp, fish and four wheel drive in the remote wilderness of Cape York Peninsula.  Explore the world's longest lava tube system in Undara Volcanic National Park and a 1930s Spanish-inspired castle in Paronella Park.

Whitsundays

You can sail, swim, snorkel, dive or just relax in the Whitsundays - 74 pristine, palm-fringed islands tucked inside the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea.  Enjoy five stars of resort luxury on Hayman Island and party on Daydream or Hamilton islands. Visit Whitsunday Island and walk the pure white, silica sands of Whitehaven Beach. Camp on the wilderness of Hook Island or get a natural holiday on South Molle  Island. You can stay in the carefree, backpacker town of Airlie Beach or take in the tropical islands from a chartered sailboat.

Fraser Coast

Four wheel drive past coloured cliffs, rainforest and fresh water lagoons on World Heritage-listed Fraser Island, the world's largest sand island. Or visit Lady Elliot Island on the Southern Great Barrier Reef. Cruise next to giant humpback whales and their calves from Hervey Bay between early July and late October. See the gracious Queenslander and colonial homes in historic Maryborough. Follow a wine trail through the fertile South Burnett Valley, then camp and bushwalk amongst strangler figs and Bunya Pines in the Bunya Mountains rising up behind.

Central Queensland

Enjoy a mouth-watering steak in Rockhampton, Australia's beef capital. Then venture north to the Capricorn Coast, which has 13 stunning beaches stretching from Yeppoon to Emu Park. Inland, you can see Aboriginal rock art in Carnarvon National Park and the picturesque Rainbow Falls in Blackdown Tableland National Park. Paddle along the Byfield River in Byfield National Park and fossick for gems in the Sapphire Gemfields, the Southern Hemisphere's largest. Around the pretty port of Gladstone, you'll find rainforest gorges, lakes and long white beaches stretching to the Southern Great Barrier Reef. Fish for barramundi at Lake Awoonga and camp and four wheel in Mount Castletower National Park at its base. Discover the majestic cliffs of Kroombit Tops or do a day trip to  Fitzroy Lagoon, where you can dive, snorkel, fish and even walk on the reef.

Outback Queensland

See fossils dating back 25 million years in World Heritage listed Riversleigh Fossil Fields and the world's best-preserved dinosaur stampede near Winton. Canoe the emerald waters of Lawn Hill Gorge in Boodjamulla National Park. Fossick for opals at Opalton, Quilpie and Yowah, amethyst near Cloncurry and moonstone at Moonstone Hill. Four wheel drive famous outback tracks like the Birdsville Track or Plenty Highway. Or tackle on-road adventure on the Matilda Highway, which stretches more than 1,700km from Cunnamulla to Karumba on the Gulf of Carpentaria. See bucking broncos at the Mount Isa Rodeo or learn to muster and shear on a cattle or sheep farm.

Mackay

You can feast on fresh seafood, tropical fruit and succulent beef steaks in the small coastal city of Mackay. Bushwalk and swim along the dramatic coastline of Cape Hillsborough National Park, then spot platypus on Broken River in the subtropical oasis of Eungella National Park. Sail or take a sea plane to a Great Barrier Reef island. Camp on the Newry Islands or stay a few nights on Brampton and bushwalk its many nature trails. Catch reef fish or snorkel around Bushy Atoll - a suspended lagoon of corals and marine life. See one of Australia's largest coal mines in Blair Athol in the hinterland and huge sunflower fields in the Peak Range Mountains of the highlands.

Bundaberg

Explore gracious old buildings and sugar and rum-making history in Bundaberg. Join a diving or fishing trip to Lady Elliot Island and Lady Musgrave Island, the southernmost coral isles of the Great Barrier Reef. See loggerhead turtles nest and hatch at Mon Repos Beach. Swim or fish at Elliot Heads, dive from Coral Cove and Innes Park or spot kangaroos in Woodgate Beach, just some of the beaches along the pristine 140-kilmotre long coastline. Visit Lady Elliot or Lady Musgrave islands on the Southern Great Barrier Reef. Stay in the postcard-perfect town of 1770, named after the year it was discovered by Captain Cook, or in the historic, character-rich towns of Gin Gin and Childers. Bushwalk the lush rainforest of Cania Gorge National Park and marvel at the ancient Mystery Craters in Eurimbula National Park.

Southern Queensland Country

Explore wineries, orchards and pretty, historic villages such as Nanango, Blackbutt and Yarraman in South Burnett. Stay in cosy guesthouses in the Southern Downs. Take in wide, rose-lined streets, old sandstone buildings and the Warwick Rodeo in Warwick. See panoramic views in Sundown National Park, towering granite boulders in Girraween National Park and the 40-metre-high Queen Mary Falls in Main Range National Park. In Bald Rock National Park, you'll find the biggest rock after Uluru. Explore the historic streets, vivid flower beds and perfectly manicured lawns of Towoomba, a garden city on the edge of the Great Dividing Range. You can enjoy their colourful Carnival of the Flowers each September.

Townsville

Don't miss Townsville's sensational sunsets, scenic beach promenade and balmy nightlife. Take a catamaran to Magnetic Island, where you can bushwalk through national park, horse-ride on pristine beaches, swim from secluded bays and snorkel colourful coral reefs. Here you can spot humpback whales in August and koalas in the Koala Park Oasis all year round.  In the living museum of Charters Towers, you'll find country music, gracious heritage buildings and Australia's first stock exchange. Visit the natural attractions of Saunders and Balgal Beach and Australia's highest sheer drop waterfall at Wallaman

In Queensland sun yourself on the golden sands of Surfers Paradise, snorkel through the technicolour treasures of the Great Barrier Reef and four wheel drive Fraser Island.

Explore the magical Daintree Rainforest with an Aboriginal guide or charter a yacht to the pristine Whitsunday Islands.  Enjoy resort relaxation in Noosa, frolic on the beaches of the Capricorn Coast and see dinosaur footprints near Winton. Go diving from the gracious town of Bundaberg and bushwalk through national parks near Mackay. Visit wineries and rodeos in Southern Queensland Country and go horse riding on Townsville's Magnetic Island. However you experience Queensland, the landscapes and lifestyle will never leave you.

Brisbane

Bike ride in the City Botanic Gardens or cruise down the Brisbane River spotting pelicans. Laze next to the gardens and lagoons of South Bank or explore Fortitude Valley's cafes and boutique shops.  For an adrenalin-pumping view of the city and its surrounds, you can do a bridge climb, abseil down Kangaroo Point Cliffs or coast over in a hot air balloon. On the clear waters and islands of nearby Moreton Bay, you can fish, boat, feed wild dolphins and toboggan down the world's tallest sand dunes.

Gold Coast

Frolic on the sand or in the world-class nightclubs of Surfers Paradise.  Then trek the World Heritage-listed rainforest of the Gold Coast hinterland, where you can swim in crystal-clear rock pools, explore rainforest retreats like Mount Tamborine and see Australia's largest glow-worm colony.  Of course, you can't miss the Gold Coast's famous themed attractions. See dolphin and sea lion shows at Sea World, ride the world's tallest and fastest thrill rides at Dreamworld or jump in a giant wavepool at Wet 'n' Wild Water Park.

Sunshine Coast

Soak up sunny sophistication on Noosa's Hasting Street or meet koalas in the coastal rainforest of Noosa National Park. Ride a mountain bike, abseil the volcanic peaks of Glasshouse Mountains or trek through rainforest in Kondalilla National Park. Browse cafes, country pubs, art and antique galleries in the sleepy mountain villages of Montville and Maleny, atop the Blackall Ranges. Feast on seafood on the Mooloolah River in Mooloolaba and relax on the wide beaches of Maroochydore. In family-friendly Caloundra, you'll find great surf beaches and estuary creeks brimming with fish.

Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef

Base yourself in cosmopolitan Cairns and take a day trip to the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef. Snorkel or dive in warm tropical water with rainbow coloured coral, sponges and fish. Or head to the magical, primeval Daintree Rainforest. Here you can cruise the Daintree River past birds, animals and crocodiles or cross it on a ferry to the four wheel drive country of Cape Tribulation.  See a performance by the world-famous Aboriginal dance theatre Tjapukai, then ride the Kuranda Scenic Railway to the rainforest village of Kuranda. Fish from tranquil Mission Beach, where the rainforest meets the reef, or sip cocktails in the vibrant resort town of Port Douglas. Pamper yourself in a Palm Cove spa or camp, fish and four wheel drive in the remote wilderness of Cape York Peninsula.  Explore the world's longest lava tube system in Undara Volcanic National Park and a 1930s Spanish-inspired castle in Paronella Park.

Whitsundays

You can sail, swim, snorkel, dive or just relax in the Whitsundays - 74 pristine, palm-fringed islands tucked inside the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea.  Enjoy five stars of resort luxury on Hayman Island and party on Daydream or Hamilton islands. Visit Whitsunday Island and walk the pure white, silica sands of Whitehaven Beach. Camp on the wilderness of Hook Island or get a natural holiday on South Molle  Island. You can stay in the carefree, backpacker town of Airlie Beach or take in the tropical islands from a chartered sailboat.

Fraser Coast

Four wheel drive past coloured cliffs, rainforest and fresh water lagoons on World Heritage-listed Fraser Island, the world's largest sand island. Or visit Lady Elliot Island on the Southern Great Barrier Reef. Cruise next to giant humpback whales and their calves from Hervey Bay between early July and late October. See the gracious Queenslander and colonial homes in historic Maryborough. Follow a wine trail through the fertile South Burnett Valley, then camp and bushwalk amongst strangler figs and Bunya Pines in the Bunya Mountains rising up behind.

Central Queensland

Enjoy a mouth-watering steak in Rockhampton, Australia's beef capital. Then venture north to the Capricorn Coast, which has 13 stunning beaches stretching from Yeppoon to Emu Park. Inland, you can see Aboriginal rock art in Carnarvon National Park and the picturesque Rainbow Falls in Blackdown Tableland National Park. Paddle along the Byfield River in Byfield National Park and fossick for gems in the Sapphire Gemfields, the Southern Hemisphere's largest. Around the pretty port of Gladstone, you'll find rainforest gorges, lakes and long white beaches stretching to the Southern Great Barrier Reef. Fish for barramundi at Lake Awoonga and camp and four wheel in Mount Castletower National Park at its base. Discover the majestic cliffs of Kroombit Tops or do a day trip to  Fitzroy Lagoon, where you can dive, snorkel, fish and even walk on the reef.

Outback Queensland

See fossils dating back 25 million years in World Heritage listed Riversleigh Fossil Fields and the world's best-preserved dinosaur stampede near Winton. Canoe the emerald waters of Lawn Hill Gorge in Boodjamulla National Park. Fossick for opals at Opalton, Quilpie and Yowah, amethyst near Cloncurry and moonstone at Moonstone Hill. Four wheel drive famous outback tracks like the Birdsville Track or Plenty Highway. Or tackle on-road adventure on the Matilda Highway, which stretches more than 1,700km from Cunnamulla to Karumba on the Gulf of Carpentaria. See bucking broncos at the Mount Isa Rodeo or learn to muster and shear on a cattle or sheep farm.

Mackay

You can feast on fresh seafood, tropical fruit and succulent beef steaks in the small coastal city of Mackay. Bushwalk and swim along the dramatic coastline of Cape Hillsborough National Park, then spot platypus on Broken River in the subtropical oasis of Eungella National Park. Sail or take a sea plane to a Great Barrier Reef island. Camp on the Newry Islands or stay a few nights on Brampton and bushwalk its many nature trails. Catch reef fish or snorkel around Bushy Atoll - a suspended lagoon of corals and marine life. See one of Australia's largest coal mines in Blair Athol in the hinterland and huge sunflower fields in the Peak Range Mountains of the highlands.

Bundaberg

Explore gracious old buildings and sugar and rum-making history in Bundaberg. Join a diving or fishing trip to Lady Elliot Island and Lady Musgrave Island, the southernmost coral isles of the Great Barrier Reef. See loggerhead turtles nest and hatch at Mon Repos Beach. Swim or fish at Elliot Heads, dive from Coral Cove and Innes Park or spot kangaroos in Woodgate Beach, just some of the beaches along the pristine 140-kilmotre long coastline. Visit Lady Elliot or Lady Musgrave islands on the Southern Great Barrier Reef. Stay in the postcard-perfect town of 1770, named after the year it was discovered by Captain Cook, or in the historic, character-rich towns of Gin Gin and Childers. Bushwalk the lush rainforest of Cania Gorge National Park and marvel at the ancient Mystery Craters in Eurimbula National Park.

Southern Queensland Country

Explore wineries, orchards and pretty, historic villages such as Nanango, Blackbutt and Yarraman in South Burnett. Stay in cosy guesthouses in the Southern Downs. Take in wide, rose-lined streets, old sandstone buildings and the Warwick Rodeo in Warwick. See panoramic views in Sundown National Park, towering granite boulders in Girraween National Park and the 40-metre-high Queen Mary Falls in Main Range National Park. In Bald Rock National Park, you'll find the biggest rock after Uluru. Explore the historic streets, vivid flower beds and perfectly manicured lawns of Towoomba, a garden city on the edge of the Great Dividing Range. You can enjoy their colourful Carnival of the Flowers each September.

Townsville

Don't miss Townsville's sensational sunsets, scenic beach promenade and balmy nightlife. Take a catamaran to Magnetic Island, where you can bushwalk through national park, horse-ride on pristine beaches, swim from secluded bays and snorkel colourful coral reefs. Here you can spot humpback whales in August and koalas in the Koala Park Oasis all year round.  In the living museum of Charters Towers, you'll find country music, gracious heritage buildings and Australia's first stock exchange. Visit the natural attractions of Saunders and Balgal Beach and Australia's highest sheer drop waterfall at Wallaman