Australia is known for its beautiful coastline, lively urban spaces, and fabulous wildlife. Many South Africans will be looking to plan their trip to visit family over the festive season, so here are a few places that should be on your to-do list!
1. Hobart
Nestled at the entrance of the Derwent River and the foothills of Mount Wellington, Hobart is Australia’s second oldest capital combining heritage charm with a modern lifestyle. The beauty of Hobart is that everything is so close: if you’re eager to explore beyond the GPO you’ll stumble across breweries, vineyards, beaches, museums and mountains right next door to the city.
You can drink in the view of the D’Entrecasteaux Channel from the top of Mount Nelson; then a few minutes later, kick off your shoes and walk along the beach of Lower Sandy Bay. Visit the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), described by its owner as being a ‘subversive adult Disneyland’. Hear MONA’s unique voice in the Australian art world with its continually evolving, non-chronological, boundary-pushing exhibitions.
2. Melbourne
Australia’s cultural and entertainment hub is known for its eateries, endless shopping, international sporting events and world-class galleries. Whether this is your first time venturing to this bay-side capital or you’ve worn the soles of your bespoke leather shoes on its cobblestone lanes many times before, Melbourne will almost always have something fresh and new in store.
3. Sunshine Coast
Stretching along the Coral Sea about 100 kilometres north of Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast extends up to Rainbow Beach, named for its distinctive multi-coloured sand dunes.
Th Sunshine Coast has four sub-regions, and there’s no limit to the awesome adventures a family could have here. You’ll find beaches, surfing, eco-parks and nature reserves (including the Great Sandy National Park with its sculpted sand dunes), mangrove forests, rivers and rare birds.
4. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
No visit to the Northern Territory would be complete without a visit to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park (Ayers Rock and The Olgas).
Explore Australia’s most iconic landmark, walk or cycle around the base of this mammoth rock to marvel in its sheer size and to learn about the traditional stories and facts about the local flora and fauna. The base walk or cycle is the best way to fully appreciate the natural and cultural beauty of Uluru. Sunrise and sunset are the best times to view Uluru, as you can witness the colours of the rock appearing to change in colour, a truly memorable sight.
5. Visit Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef
Cairns is the major jumping-off point for the extraordinary Great Barrier Reef, the lush Daintree Rainforest and slow road trips through the beautiful countryside of the Atherton Tablelands. The food is great too, with some of the country’s finest chefs setting up five star restaurants in the luxe outpost of Port Douglas.
Snorkel or dive the beautiful Great Barrier Reef with an array of outer reef tour operators that offer options to cater for all types of activities; alternatively thrill seekers can head out on safari and spot local saltwater crocodiles in their natural habitat.
The one thing that discourages most South Africans from visiting Australia is the idea of spending several hours on layovers. Luckily for you, Qantas is a premium airline that provides more value both on and off the flight – and flies direct to Sydney without any layovers. If you’re curious and want to learn more, visit the Qantas website to check your options for flights and dates!
