Plan Ahead For Your Next Holiday Down Under With These Once-In-A-Lifetime Experiences
Australia, we seriously miss you wei!
Published for Tourism Australia, 24 Jul 2020, 10:44 AM
COVID-19 has definitely changed a lot of things in our lives, and the way we travel is no exception
Besides taking precautions such as wearing masks and washing our hands, the kind of things we do on holiday will change as well.
In the new normal, we are likely going to travel in smaller groups, go on personalised tours, and stay away from enclosed spaces. And we'll definitely practice important social distancing measures.
Australia is home to lots of cool experiences that you can enjoy safely when you are ready to (and can!) travel abroad again.
Many of us are quite familiar with the land Down Under so we put together a list of incredible experiences that you may not have tried yet.
Check them out and plan ahead for your next holiday in Australia:
1. Experience Aboriginal culture like never before in an immersive learning adventure
A trip to Australia would be incomplete without an Aboriginal cultural experience. Not having one is like going to Australia and not going to see kangaroos and koalas, you'll seriously be missing out on something amazing!
Dating back more than 50,000 years, Aboriginal culture is the world’s oldest living culture. What better way to learn about it than from an Aboriginal guide? With one by your side, your eyes will be opened to a whole new culture and way of life, changing the way you see, experience, and connect with the world.
From urban festivals and rock art tours, to chefs serving up delicious meals and storytelling around the campfire, there's loads of ways to immerse yourself in Aboriginal culture. Some of them can even be done in the city!
Recommendations:
- Walkabout tours in tropical north Queensland: Go on a full or half-day cultural adventure in far north Queensland's Port Douglas and Daintree region with Walkabout Cultural Adventures.
On this personalised tour led by Kuku Yalanji guides, you'll learn about the environment as well as different bush foods and medicine. Explore the beautiful region where two World Heritage sites meet – the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef.
You'll even get to sample some seasonal bush tucker! All while appreciating the history, culture, and traditions of the local Aboriginal people.
- Bush barbecue with RT Tours Australia: Embark on an amazing lunch or dinner experience through Central Australia, specifically, at the grand, red cliffs of the MacDonnell Ranges. There, Aboriginal Australian man Bob Taylor invites you to enjoy a bush barbecue and a relaxed chat about his culture.
Check out more Aboriginal culinary experiences here.
- The Rocks Aboriginal Dreaming Tour in Sydney: Gain a new perspective of the harbour city as you leisurely stroll along Sydney's famous foreshore with Dreamtime Southern X.
The guides will share stories about what Australia was like before colonisation, tell you about how the harbour landscape continues to influence modern Aboriginal culture, and more. You'll even get to visit sacred Aboriginal sites hidden in the heart of the city's most popular tourist precinct.
Check out more urban culture Aboriginal experiences here.
2. Go on wildlife encounters to spend some time with animals in their natural habitats
Whether you want to cuddle a koala, play with a platypus, or swim with dolphins, you can do it all in Australia. It's home to some truly adorable wildlife. The best part is that you'll get to see them in their natural habitats, both in the wild and in wildlife sanctuaries.
Recommendations:
- Kangaroo Sanctuary in Alice Springs: Here, you can go on a guided sunset tour from Tuesdays to Fridays. Get up close to the beautiful kangaroos, and you can even bottle-feed the adorable baby joeys, awww!
Check out the video below for a lil preview:
- Swim with sea lions in South Australia: If you wanna join sea lions in the water, head over to Port Lincoln, which is a seven-hour road trip from Adelaide. There are many different services that will help you make your dream of swimming with sea lions come true, such as Adventure Bay Charters or Calypso Star Charters.
Check out more wildlife experiences here.
3. Connect with the place, produce, and people as you indulge in Australia's food culture
Whether we're on a local or international holiday, one of the most important things has gotta be foooood! We love hunting down all the best makan spots and stuffing ourselves with lots of yummy eats.
Yes, Australia has earned a well-deserved reputation for their amazing brunches, but there's so much more to Australian food than that. There are lots of cool foodie experiences that'll have you indulging in mouth-watering treats. Pick your own fresh produce, visit markets, farms, and producers, or go on a food trail.
Recommendations:
- Seafood Seduction Tour in Tasmania: Treat yourself to an unforgettable day of indulgence and relaxation. On this full-day cruise, you won't just enjoy the gorgeous scenery, you'll also get to eat loads of seafood!
Oysters, rock lobster, abalone, sea urchin, and more, all freshly caught straight from the water you're sailing on. Your catch will be turned into a delicious seafood feast accompanied by gourmet local produce and Tasmanian wines, boutique beers, ciders and juices.
- 7-day foodie trip through Western Australia: Rent a car and go on a gastronomic journey through the Swan Valley and Margaret River. This hand-picked food lover’s itinerary combines two of Western Australia's most accessible and most naturally breathtaking food and wine regions. Save your stomach space for all the yummy stops you'll be making!
4. Lose yourself in the beauty of nature through multi-day walks
Did you know that Australia has some of the best walking experiences anywhere in the world? This includes epic treks in the outback, hikes through World Heritage-listed national parks, and more.
The best way to experience these incredible walks is through the Great Walks of Australia, a collection of premium guided walks. Their multi-day guided walks cover some of Australia's most iconic destinations and landscapes.
And best of all, they'll take care of all the details like food and accommodation. So, don't worry about a thing. Just fully enjoy and immerse yourself in the adventure of a lifetime.
Recommendations:
- Bay of Fires Lodge Walk: Located in north-eastern Tasmania, the Bay of Fires is a magnificent coastline with dramatic landscapes, ecology, and wildlife. You'll get to walk along soft, sandy beaches, explore coves, kayak down the Ansons River, and more. Plus, enjoy staying at luxury accommodation like the Forester Beach Camp and the award-winning Bay of Fires Lodge.
- Twelve Apostles Lodge Walk: If you've always been jealous of everyone's gorgeous photos of the Great Ocean Road coastline, this is your chance to explore it for yourself. This four-day walk is an absolutely incredible way to not only see the iconic shipwreck coastline, but to also explore all the hidden areas.
Visit remote beaches, spotting seals, wallabies, koalas and birds along the way. As a grand finale, you'll walk up to the Apostles and enjoy a scenic helicopter flight over their heads.
- Margaret River Cape to Cape Walk: This four-day, fully-guided small group walk will let you experience the Margaret River at its finest. From staying in ocean-front luxury accommodation and enjoying world-class food and wine, to exploring the turquoise ocean, white beaches, coastal cliffs, and towering karri forest, it's sure to be an unforgettable experience.
