Welcome to part two of our blog series, “23 Amazing Places to Visit in Australia”!
We’re giving you the insider track on vacation destinations and little-known locales in Oz—all based on our personal experiences and those of our friends across the country! Forget the Sydney Opera House or Great Barrier Reef (both amazing, of course), and get up close and personal with the REAL unseen beauty of Australia. Travel guides can only dream of this kind of insider info! In part one we snorkelled with whale sharks, tanned beachside with some kangaroos, and took a sunrise hike through the Olgas. This week, we’re dropping even MORE knowledge, so make yourself a flat white, sit back, and read on to discover your future favourite travel destination and/or totally life-changing experience. You won’t regret it!
7. Witness Alternative Culture in Nimbin
Sometimes it’s better to just sit back and take it all in, rather than rush from place to place. This laid back philosophy will probably be the feeling you get from the villages of Nimbin, just 70km west of Byron Bay. While the counterculture of these hippie towns is illegal, they thrive and remain undisturbed by the outside world. Nimbin is widely-known as Australia’s “alternative lifestyle capital.”
Although it might seem more like a social experiment, it’s worth a day’s visit! We recommend camping at Granny’s Farm and taking a tour through the local-made museum. There are also a few beautiful hikes in the area, if that tickles your fancy. Whether you want to BE a hippie for the day or just stare at them, Nimbin is a stop you can’t miss.
When To Go
Anytime
Location
Nimbin, Northern Rivers, New South Wales
8. Wet Your Whistle at an Authentic Historic Outback Pub
The desert is dry—why suffer when there are local watering holes just off the main highway? The Larrimah and Daly Waters are two must-stop pubs in the Northern Territory! Larrimah Pub not only cracks a VB or XXXX Gold for you, they also have an array of local wildlife wandering around the property. Hand-feed kangaroos or check out venomous snakes (in tanks) while sipping your favourite brew.
On the other hand, Daly Waters Pub—established in 1930—provides amazing service, excellent food, and really funky décor (we found Canadian Tire money decorating the walls). Despite that small piece of Canada, we guarantee you’ll feel out of place in the best way possible!
When To Go
Anytime
Location
Stuart Highway, Larrimah, Northern Territory
Stuart Highway, Daly Waters, Northern Territory
9. Catch Crabs—for Lunch—at Port Parham
If you’re looking for a quick bite, this is the place to do it—just make sure your lunch doesn’t bite you first! Wade out here at low tide, and wear your shoes or rubber boots, as the Blue Swimmer crabs love nibbling at your toes. Walk out about 200 meters with a rake to search for these tricky little guys. With a little bit of patience, and some friendly local advice, you’ll be able to feed everyone in your entourage in no time!
P.S. Camp for free here!
When To Go Anytime; go at low tide and check for size and limit regulations
Location
Port Parham, South Australia
10. Take a Ride on Australia’s Biggest Pest in Broome
Take in one of the country’s best sunsets while riding high on Australia’s biggest pest: a camel! Surprised? In the early 1800s camels were imported from India, Afghanistan, and Arabia as a means of cheap and hardy transport—aptly nicknamed “ships of the desert.” Now, Australia has the largest population of wild camels on the planet!
With a small amount of predators on the continent, camel populations have continued to explode. One of their friendly uses is to take you along the stunning Cable Beach as you watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean. Romance! Adventure! Humps for DAYS! Can you ask for more than that?
When To Go
April – June
September – November; avoid the wet season and cooler winter temperatures
Location
Broome, Kimberly Region, Western Australia
11. Witness the Most Spectacular National Park in Oz
Just north of the Tropic of Capricorn is Australia’s best-kept secret—Karijini National Park. About 1,055 kilometres from Perth, Karijini is often overlooked.
Its rugged and spectacular scenery offers a variety of recreational experiences, including hiking endless gorges, cooling off in pristine waterholes with cascading waterfalls, exploring 10-foot termite mounds, colourful cliffs, and chasms, and meeting wild horses (aka brumbies). While it’s hard to narrow down, our top spots in Karijini are: Hancock Gorge, Fortescue Falls, Weano Gorge, Hamersley Gorge, Circular Pool, and Fern Pool. It’s one best-kept secret you won’t want to keep to yourself!
When To Go
April – November; avoid the summer heat and cyclone season
Location
Karijini National Park, Pilbara Region, north Western Australia
With that, we’ve reached the end of this week’s instalment. We hope you’ve got some new adventure fuel in the tank, and tons of fresh ideas for your next vacation. Click back here next week for part three in the series, and more great things to do and see down under!
What do you think of when you read the word “Australia”? Boomerangs, vegemite, and kangaroos? Hugh Jackman and Crocodile Dundee? There are plenty of cultural touchstones we associate with the land down under—the sixth largest nation in the world.
Still, Australia has far more to offer than koalas and didgeridoos. One of the best things about living there is chasing the unknown: off-the-beaten-track locales, hotspots that locals love, and secluded spaces that shout “adventure!”
Leading Out has compiled an extensive list of places we’ve personally visited and gathered from our friends scattered across the country. In this four part blog series, we’ll introduce you to 23 of Australia’s best and little-known destinations—places travel guides wish they knew about!
Your next roadtrip is waiting, just scroll down!
1. Snorkel with Whale Sharks on Ningaloo Reef This fringing reef is a stone’s throw away from the shores of Exmouth, Turquoise, and Coral Bay. It’s Australia’s only large coral reef accessible with nothing more than a snorkel and fins.
As you enter the shallow, tranquil waters you are likely to encounter a gentle giant, the world’s largest fish, the WHALE SHARK. The Coral Coast is one of a few places on the planet where whale shark migration patterns are predicted, as they seek mass amounts of plankton. It’s an Australian must!
When To Go
April – July; specifically May and June
Location
North West Australia, about 1,200km north of Perth
Top Operator
Ningaloo Whaleshark-n-Dive
08 9949 1116
www.ningaloowhalesharkndive.com.au/
2. Dive Navy Pier in Exmouth
While you’re in the Coral Coast, why not see all that the Ningaloo Reef and its abundant aquatic life has to offer at Navy Pier? Whether you’re an experienced diver or it’s your first time, this shallow dive site provides opportunities for everyone.
Expect to see more marine life in a single dive than most people will see in a lifetime: angelfish, sharks, sea turtles, and much more! Navy Pier at Point Murat consistently ranks in the world’s top 10 shore dives, and is not to be missed! Important note: Navy Pier is actually on American soil and you’ll need a passport to access the pier itself.
When To Go
March – July; only accessible at low tide
Location North West Australia, about 1,200km north of Perth
Top Operator Three Islands Whale Shark Dive
08 9949 1994
http://www.whalesharkdive.com
3. Share the Beach with a Kangaroo in Lucky Bay, Esperance
Postcards have led us to believe that kangaroos spend most of their time lounging on the beach, but the reality is they rarely venture onto seaside sand—unless of course, that sand is located on one of the country’s most beautiful beaches!
When the crowds leave Lucky Bay, kangaroos emerge from the bush to lay in the sand. Why? Perhaps to witness one of Western Australia’s secret gems in Cape Le Grand National Park, or work on their tan. This common occurrence is a chance to spend your evenings with the furry locals. Even if you don’t spot a ‘roo, you’ll be happy just to have spent some time with the amazing view.
When To Go November – March; temperatures are in the mid-20s (Celsius).
Location Lucky Bay, Cape Le Grand National Park, Western Australia
4. Pay Attention to the Ugly Duckling at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
Here at Leading Out we like to think everyone can recognize the famous Ayer’s Rock—also known as Uluru—but how many know about Kata Tjuta, its impressive sibling? For years, Uluru has stolen the show, and now we think it’s time to pay attention to an equally impressive rock formation about 60km away.
Similar in colour and composition, Kata Tjuta—also called The Olgas—offers a breathtaking hike called Valley of The Winds. Take a sunrise walk to catch the many colours as the light washes over the landmark. As you hike, you may be lucky enough to spot a camel, rock wallaby, echidna, or dingo. This is the Red Center, so take your time exploring, and bring your camera!
When To Go April or May; less heat and flies
September and October; desert flowers are in bloom
Location Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Petermann, Northern Territory 5. Spot a Koala in Otway National Park
For thousands of immigrants, Cape Otway was the first sight of land after leaving their maiden country. For you, Cape Otway will offer you your first glimpse of one of Australia’s most iconic animals—the koala.
Hours of hiking and driving around the country have taught us that koalas aren’t dripping from every tree. In order to spot one of these cuddly creatures, we recommend taking The Great Ocean Road, specifically halfway down Otway Lighthouse Road. Keep your eyes on the treetops—once you spot your first koala, you’ll quickly become an expert at pointing out entire colonies!
When To Go Anytime
Location Otway Lighthouse Road, Cape Otway National Park, Victoria
6. See Dozens of Kangaroos at The Dutchman It’s basically a rule: you can’t leave Australia without checking “see a kangaroo” off your to-do list! No need to worry, we know a place! The Dutchman’s Stern Conservation Park in the Flinders Ranges sees them springing around everywhere.
Upon parking your car and taking a deep breath of fresh air, you will quickly begin to spot these timid marsupials in the grass and on the hills. Hike around, and while you’re here, enjoy the rest of the Flinders Ranges like Wilpena Pound, rock paintings at Yourambulla Caves, a drink at the North Star Hotel/Pub, and wrap it up at Rawnsley Park Station.
Note: we recommend you don’t drive through the park at night (unless you are craving kangaroo steak and a new front end of your vehicle).
When To Go Anytime
Location
Dutchman’s Stern Conservation Park, Flinders Ranges, South Australia
With that, we’ve reached the end of this week’s instalment. We hope you’ve got some new adventure fuel in the tank, and tons of fresh ideas for your next vacation. Click back here next week for part two of four in the series, and more great things to do in Oz!
This fringing reef is a stone’s throw away from the shores of Exmouth, Turquoise, and Coral Bay. It’s Australia’s only large coral reef accessible with nothing more than a snorkel and fins.
