{"id":235215,"date":"2022-02-18T16:56:54","date_gmt":"2022-02-18T05:56:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.australiantraveller.com\/?p=235215"},"modified":"2023-02-16T13:57:32","modified_gmt":"2023-02-16T02:57:32","slug":"iconic-aussie-journeys-not-to-be-missed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.australiantraveller.com\/australiamagazine\/travelinspiration\/iconic-aussie-journeys-not-to-be-missed\/","title":{"rendered":"Iconic<\/span> Aussie journeys not to be missed"},"content":{"rendered":"

There is no single, defining Australian journey… but these eight quintessentially Australian journeys come pretty close.<\/h2>\n
\n

By Steve Madgwick<\/h4>\n\n

There is no single, defining Australian journey. Why? Because this country and its people are too diverse. Sure, there are constants. We unreservedly love exploring life in our \u201cgreat outdoors\u201d. We like to take it easy with people who make us laugh, and enjoy our food<\/a> and wine,<\/a> which we humbly think is the best in the world. These eight quintessentially Australian journeys take a little from columns A, B and C. Enjoy them \u2013 we do!<\/p>\n\n

Our Rock, our heart: Uluru<\/h3>\n

Uluru<\/a> is intensely sacred to its traditional owners, and an unofficial pilgrimage for visitors and Australians alike. For some, it\u2019s enough to make it to \u2018the rock\u2019 and drink in its enormity (5.8 miles around) up close, walking or cycling its perimeter. Others appreciate it from afar, inside one of the most luxurious glampsites on earth: Longitude 131,<\/a> or via a sunset helicopter jaunt, which puts Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park\u2019s vast desert-scape into perspective.<\/p>\n

\"Uluru

Uluru is an unofficial pilgrimage for visitors and Australians alike.<\/p><\/div>\n\n

An \u2018Outback Cruise\u2019: The Kimberley<\/h3>\n

Australians are a humble people but believe us when we say that the Kimberley<\/a> in Western Australia is one of the world\u2019s last great wilderness areas. The best part? You can experience it from the water in laidback luxury from your balcony suite. Starting in carefree Broome on the north-west coast (less than three hours by air from Perth), cruise the vibrant coastline where the aqua Indian Ocean and ocher-red earth battle for your attention. Remote (328-foot-high) King George Falls<\/a> will undoubtedly impress; jump onboard your ship\u2019s helicopter to find a picnic spot among its upper rock pools.<\/p>\n

\"Top

The Kimberley is one of the world\u2019s last great wilderness areas.<\/p><\/div>\n\n

\"Koala

Keep your eyes peeled for koalas.<\/p><\/div>\n

<\/h3>\n

The Great Ocean Road(trip)<\/h3>\n\n

This coast-hugging road trip<\/a> (starting just outside Melbourne) swirls you through seaside towns with fairytale names, such as Port Fairy and Apollo Bay, and past the 150-feet-high 12 Apostles, which rise dramatically from the Southern Ocean. Otway National Park\u2019s temperate rainforest begs you to take a hike, with eyes peeled for resting koalas. If you aren\u2019t interested in self-driving, private tours and guided walks are readily available options.<\/p>\n\n

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A Bird\u2019s-Eye View: Sydney<\/h3>\n

Sydney\u2019s<\/a> sparkling harbor is reason enough to make it the first stop on your Down Under adventure, and there\u2019s no better way to see it than from the sky.<\/p>\n\n

Seaplanes regularly depart from Rose Bay, taking in the Sydney Harbour Bridge<\/a> and Sydney Opera House<\/a>, before soaring over the khaki scrubland of Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park<\/a>. Gently swoop down to the bush-enveloped Berowra Waters Inn<\/a> to feast on a seven-course menu of \u2018modern Australian\u2019 cuisine.<\/p>\n

\"Birds

Seaplanes regularly depart from Rose Bay.<\/p><\/div>\n

Heart Reef: Great Barrier Reef<\/h3>\n

A private helicopter or seaplane flight to this tiny, heart-shaped composition of coral in the world\u2019s largest reef system is a journey you won\u2019t soon forget. Board your aircraft from Hamilton Island, one of 74 Whitsunday Islands and the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef<\/a>. On the way out to Heart Island, ask your pilot to stop at one of the Whitsunday\u2019s<\/a> most well-known (and pristine) beaches, Whitehaven. With Heart Reef<\/a> seared into your psyche, return to Hamilton Island for a tranquil week in the tropics at a Polynesian style bungalow or in five-star luxury at qualia resort.<\/p>\n

\"Birds

A journey to this heart-shaped composition of coral is something you won’t forget. (Image: Robbie Josephsen)<\/p><\/div>\n

Fine Times Above the Vines: Barossa Valley<\/h3>\n

As dawn breaks, soar over this classic Australian landscape in a hot air balloon, taking in the panoramic vineyard views, and toast with a Barossa<\/a> sparkling upon touch down. Located just over an hour from the city of Adelaide<\/a> and home to more than 150 wineries, including legendary producers Penfolds<\/a> and Seppeltsfield<\/a> \u2013 not to mention some of Australia\u2019s finest restaurants and farmers markets \u2013 there\u2019s still plenty to do in the Barossa with two feet firmly on the ground.<\/p>\n

\"Hot

Soar over Barossa Valley in a hot air balloon.<\/p><\/div>\n

The Ghan: On Track to Central Australia<\/h3>\n

The Ghan<\/a>\u2019s 1,851-mile trajectory covers a spellbinding cross-section of the country, from the bustling laneways of Adelaide to Darwin\u2019s<\/a> tropical hues. Unlike AMTRAK, this train \u2013 whose 90-year heritage celebrates the Afghan cameleers who helped \u2018build the outback\u2019 \u2013 is pure Golden Age of Rail.<\/p>\n\n

Simply watch the outback go by in your elegant private cabin, while being waited on by disarmingly friendly Aussies. Or \u201cget off your bum\u201d, as we say, for some quirky excursions, such as visiting underground homes in the Wild West-style opal town of Coober Pedy<\/a>, taking a leisurely outback day-hike looking for rock wallabies, or exploring the desert landscape from a fitting position atop a camel.<\/p>\n

\"Birdseye

The Ghan\u2019s 1,851-mile trajectory covers a spellbinding cross-section of the country.<\/p><\/div>\n

A road less driven: The Great Eastern Drive<\/h3>\n

The great eastern drive meanders 137 miles up and down the less-explored east coast of Tasmania.<\/a> Call into cool-climate wineries for a tasting plate, pick up a gourmet picnic basket to go, and find a deserted white beach to lay down your picnic blanket. Pass through sleepy towns to reach Freycinet Marine Farm<\/a>, where you can sample \u2018tassie\u2019 oysters straight from the source and, finally, rest your happy head at one of the design-driven coastal pavilions at Freycinet Lodge<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Birds

Explore the east coast of Tasmania.<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

There is no single, defining Australian journey… but these eight quintessentially Australian journeys come pretty close. By Steve Madgwick There is no single, defining Australian journey. Why? Because this country and its people are too diverse. Sure, there are constants. We unreservedly love exploring life in our \u201cgreat outdoors\u201d. We like to take it easy […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":125,"featured_media":235992,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"ta-article.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_expiration-date-status":"","_expiration-date":0,"_expiration-date-type":"","_expiration-date-categories":[],"_expiration-date-options":[]},"categories":[5292],"tags":[5339,5336,5285],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nIconic Aussie journeys not to be missed - Australian Traveller<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"There is no single, defining Australian journey... but these eight quintessentially Australian journeys come pretty close.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.australiantraveller.com\/australiamagazine\/travelinspiration\/iconic-aussie-journeys-not-to-be-missed\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Iconic Aussie journeys not to be missed - 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