Ah, Australia!

The enchanting land of Oz is best explored by navigating its coastlines, rainforests, and swimming among the famous Great Barrier Reef. And once Mother Nature has astonished you, this country’s cultural hubs will further seduce any curious adventurer with only-in-Australia art and cuisine.

BY CRAIG TANSLEY

One moment there’s nothing but sea. The next, a pod of 39-foot-long whale sharks have taken up position beside me. I’ve sucked water through my snorkel in shock, but now I gather myself and stare each gentle giant in the eye. In the weightlessness of the ocean, these massive creatures seem to float in air, as if we’re flying together in formation. I’m so overcome by their presence that hot tears smudge my goggle lenses. As a Sydney native, I’ve grown up exploring the vast Australian coastline. Here, visitors can meet the ocean’s most extraordinary creatures and lounge on the world’s finest beaches. Put simply, there’s nothing quite like Australia. Its personality is as diverse as its explorers; its mystique has inspired many to change course and stay much longer than originally planned. So, just where to? Let mother nature be your muse, and pick your adventures based on your unique travel personality.

A quokka on Rottnest Island.

THE EXPLORER

Snorkel with whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef, the only place on the planet where they gather in such large numbers. Book a full-day boat tour; March to August is prime time to spy these magnificent creatures. And if traveling between July and October, you’ll catch humpback whales.

Further north is the stunning outback of the Kimberley, Western Australia’s remote northernmost region defined by rugged coastlines, incredible gorges and waterfalls, and an ethereal savanna. Spanning the entire northwest corner of Western Australia, the Kimberley is three times the size of England yet home to barely 25,000 people— mostly indigenous Australians. Trek the coastline or traverse the heart of this ancient landscape via a guided 4x4 ATV excursion.

In Western Australia’s capital city, Perth, take a 25 minute boat ride to Rottnest Island, where top dive sites are located near a capital city—a rarity. Snorkel and dive in secluded coves across the island, and if surfing gets you revved, discover some of Australia’s most coveted breaks.

On the other coast of Australia, Dwarf Minke whales congregate each June and July at the Great Barrier Reef. Take a live-aboard dive boat or a day trip from Cairns and snorkel on drift lines with the world’s most gregarious ocean creature (and one that was only discovered in the mid-1980s).

The Great Walks of Tasmania.

Coastal cuisine at Amelia Park Restaurant.

If you’re shorter on time, fly from Brisbane or the Gold Coast to the southern Great Barrier Reef and Lady Elliot Island. Spend the day swimming with manta rays, sea turtles, and hundreds of species of fish over the reef’s mesmerizing coral. Here, you’ll find why the Great Barrier Reef is such a cherished part of the earth and how conservationists are working tirelessly to protect it.

Considered the most scenic 185-mile stretch of terra firma on the globe, the “Great Walks” of Tasmania include many stunning routes, several of which snake along an unforgettable coastline. Accessible only by ferry, take a day trip to the mountainous Maria Island. Where to stay while adventuring in Tasmania? The Bay of Fires Lodge is perched in the hilltops and overlooks Australia’s most unique flora and fauna, while Cradle Mountain Lodge is located on the edge of the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, an iconic wilderness region that begs for exploration.

Take a helicopter ride over one of Australia’s most iconic attractions, The Twelve Apostles on the Great Ocean Road. This collection of limestone stacks off the coast of Port Campbell National Park sits in the wild waters of Australia’s Shipwreck Coast, which stretches from Cape Otway to Port Fairy.

Ride the swells along the Great Ocean Road at the iconic break, Bells Beach, a 90-minute drive from Melbourne. Home to the world’s oldest surfing event, it’s also movie-set inspiration for the scene in which Patrick Swayze surfs 50-foot waves in the blockbuster film, Point Break.

THE FAMILY

Kick start a day in Sydney with a multi-generational surf lesson. Hang ten together in Manly Beach, then refuel at Hemingway’s Manly, an eclectic café lined with rare books. Take the ferry back to the heart of the city for a walk around the historic Rocks or Royal Botanic Gardens spotting cockatoos and the Opera House. Then experience the Roar and Snore adventure at the famous Taronga Zoo Sydney. The overnight experience features an exclusive night safari with private guides and the venue has the best views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House.

Charter a yacht and sail the 74 islands of the Whitsundays, one of the world’s most alluring—and safest—yachting destinations. All but six islands are uninhabited, offering hundreds of deserted anchorages. Stop at the famous Whitehaven Beach, a four-mile stretch of sand only accessible by boat, seaplane, or helicopter from Airlie Beach or Hamilton Island.

Hugged by turquoise waters, this part of Queensland ensures Instagram envy. Each sunrise and sunset, you may glimpse eastern gray kangaroos fossicking for food in rock pools along the beach at Cape Hillsborough.

Every day at sunset, thousands of little penguins return from fishing to burrow in the sand dunes at Phillip Island, located two hours south of Melbourne. Kiddos (and adults) revel in watching the bustling penguin parade from platforms and boardwalks located just a few feet away.

Drive along the Great Ocean Road, which is peppered with Victoria’s most beautiful beaches. Shop or stay at tiny fishing villages along the way, and spot koalas in trees or zipline over the treetops in the Great Otway National Park rainforest.

A furry friend on Cape Hillsborough Beach.

The famous Whitsunday Islands beg for yachting adventures.

D’Arenberg Winery in McLaren Vale, South Australia.

THE FOODIE

With a spectacular coastline hammered by huge Indian Ocean waves, Margaret River is one of Australia’s most cherished wine regions, home to acclaimed Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. Perhaps lesser known is the region’s food offerings. Some of Australia’s tastiest food is found here, created by chefs from all over the globe. Amelia Park Restaurant at Amelia Vineyards, helmed by Executive Chef Blair Allen, is one of the most talked about. With inspiring vineyard views and French influenced cuisine, this Margaret River eatery celebrates source-to-fork fare.

Perth’s al fresco dining scene captures the flavors of southeast Asia. Seafood lovers will appreciate straight-from-the-sea daily specials, many of which include the state’s native shellfish, Marron. From food trucks to rooftop restaurants—where you’ll glimpse a setting sun dipping into the Indian Ocean—this is where east meets west. Don’t miss the year-round Two Feet & a Heartbeat walking bar tour, which features three bars in three hours, and then head to Freemantle for craft beer season and witnessing the famous prison.

Explore Adelaide by starting in the Adelaide Central Market, which features authentic cuisine and locally sourced ingredients. Then visit the d’Arenberg, an Australian winery established in 1912 where you can blend and bottle your own wine. Top off your South Australia trip with the wildlife tours and food trails of Kangaroo Island.

King George Falls, located on the Kimberly Coast.

Sample fresh seafood delicacies created by Michelin-trained international chefs where the Daintree Rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef at Port Douglas and Palm Cove, just north of Cairns. If planning a trip in August 2019, time your visit with the annual Taste Port Douglas Food Festival.

Melbourne’s inner-city labyrinth of secret laneways is chock full of the country’s top-rated restaurants. International cuisine is inspired from far-flung locales—a melting pot of tastes and flavors that will impress the most discerning gourmand.

Four of Australia’s best wine regions are all within an easy drive of Melbourne’s city center. Here, you can source Victoria’s finest Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, sparkling wine, and Riesling. Afterward, dine at lauded regional restaurants located in the Yarra Valley, the Mornington and Bellarine Peninsulas, and the Macedon Ranges Wine Region.

THE CULTURE BUFF

Learn about Australia’s storied past with a trip from Broome to Darwin. Take a multi-day expedition cruise with Lindblad Expeditions or Crystal Cruises, or visit both destinations via land, where outback experiences showcase the best of the untrammeled wilderness. In Darwin, go barramundi fishing or off-road jeeping, then visit the incredible waterfalls in Kakadu.

Pearls grow to record-setting sizes in the Broome/Kimberley region of Western Australia. After boutique hopping, find out what makes these South Sea pearls so unique when exploring the Broome Historical Society & Museum. Featuring a sailmaker’s shed, rare artifacts, and a virtual museum that relives Broome’s history during WW1, it pays homage to historical treasures.

The Australian Football League.

Degraves Lane, in Melbourne.

A trip to Australia isn’t complete without learning about the amazing Aboriginal culture. Discover their 50,000-yearold traditions at Aboriginal cultural centers around Cairns, including the iconic Tjapukai Cultural Centre. Day shows feature boomerang throwing, bush medicines, didgeridoo music, and authentic Aboriginal cuisine, while night shows stage Aboriginal dancers.

Brisbane’s cultural precinct is located in the heart of the city. Catch international touring exhibitions, plays, and musicals at Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Queensland Art Gallery, Queensland Museum and Gallery of Modern Art—all within a five-minute walk of each other.

Melbourne is Australia’s cultural epicenter, with an art gallery, museum, or theatre on almost every corner of its city streets. International exhibitions and local work can be viewed at eclectic galleries, including Australia’s oldest, the National Gallery of Victoria. Founded in 1961, it’s the country’s most frequented museum, and the rotating exhibitions attract art aficionados from nearly every major international art hub.

Live music more your scene? Melbourne has no shortage of stages, which host rock, jazz, classical, and hip-hop concerts. Huge international acts tour here frequently, and ground-breaking local bands begin their rise to global stardom at smaller, quirky live venues across the city.

For culture of a more physical variety, no city celebrates live sport quite like Melbourne. Each January the Australian Open comes to town, while Australian football is played in front of 80,000-plus crowds most every weekend.