Living in New Zealand, Australia is one of those destinations that is so close that you kind of take it for granted. I’ve spent a bit of time in Australia, but just visiting friends and family in Sydney and Brisbane. There are so many different places in Australia I’ve never been to but would really love to. Someday soon I’d love to set aside 6 months to do a road trip across Australia. I’ve seen friends posting photos of their trips across Australia and I can’t get past how diverse the country is – from lush rain forests to stunning beaches and of course some of the world’s greatest cities.
So where would I go if I had six months spare? I’d head straight to Queensland and get started there. I love Queensland’s warm climate; it barely deviates from summer temperatures even in the winter, making it the perfect road trip destination. I’d fly into Cairns and collect a rental car at DriveNow car hire Cairns airport and get my trip started.
The Great Barrier Reef
This is one of Australia’s most famous destinations and for good reasons, if you love diving or snorkelling you’ll be absolutely spoiled for choice as this is one of the best diving destinations in the world. Rich with marine life, the Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral system, offering a striking, alien-like landscape. A large part of the reef is protected to ensure that it is not too damaged and retains it’s splendour. I’d love to spend a few days here enjoying the great dives, great weather and hopefully spotting a turtle or too!
The Whitsunday Islands
In the heart of the Great Barrier Reef there are 74 little islands that are absolutely gems. From the photos I’ve seen, they are as close to paradise as you’ll ever come; bright white sand, contrasted against the deep blue ocean. Many of the islands are not inhabited, which makes for a very special escape. Whitehaven Beach is routinely voted as one of the best beaches in the world and I’d love to spend some time working on my tan there. There’s no better way to enjoy the Whitsunday islands than by boat, as you can tour around the different islands easily.
Paronella Park
For something completely different, I’d head to this beautiful natural reserve. Here you’ll find a Spanish castle hidden amongst over 13 acres of lush rainforest. There’s also the striking Mena Creek Falls as well as a number of excellent walking tracks for you to enjoy. This is a completely different side of Queensland, but is worth a visit too – it helps showcase the diversity of Australia.
Brisbane
Not quite as famous as Sydney, but Brisbane has its own charm and is a wonderful place to visit. My favourite area of Brisbane is Southbank, which is near the river, has a fake beach and is dotted with high quality cafes and restaurants. It’s a great area to stroll around. Not far outside of Brisbane there are also the theme parks located in the Gold Coast, which are a must see for any thrill seeker! The great thing about traveling to the theme parks is they cater to all ages and make for a great family holiday destination.
There’s so much to do and see in Australia that you might find it a little overwhelming planning your road trip around this large country. Use these tips to get your dream Australian holiday started!
