Escape Edition 85

Downunder? Downright Simple

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Downunder Downright Simple

A holiday to Australia is a truly unique experience. It’s one of the world’s largest countries and home to Earth’s oldest living culture. Between tropical cities and arid deserts, Mediterranean wine regions, and temperate South Pacific coasts, Australia experiences almost every known climate. It’s filled with natural wonders, iconic attractions, and some of the best wines on the planet. In this week’s Escape Edition, we showcase Australia and a few incredible things this country offers visitors.

FOODIE FEAST? NO PROBLEM.

ALL CULTURE. NO SHOCK.

EXPERIENCE THE UNEXPECTED

NO-FUSS FREEDOM

FOODIE FEAST? NO PROBLEM.

We could write a lot about all the unique places you should visit in Australia to sample the best food and drinks, but we have limited it to just a few (for now!).

Starting on the east coast just a few hours north of Sydney, a trip to the Hunter Valley is the perfect culinary addition to any Australian holiday. Home to sprawling vineyards and fine-dining restaurants, you’ll be spoilt for choice. A vineyard and wine tasting should be one of the first things you do, and there are plenty of cosy cellar doors to choose from, all offering something different. Top of your list should be the Audrey Wilkinson Winery. Located at the top of a hill, you can enjoy panoramic views of the mountainous valley as you taste wine straight from the barrel. For an evening of fine dining, the award-winning Margan Restaurant is the place to go. Championing seasonal produce, almost all the restaurant’s ingredients are grown on-site. Tour the garden, orchard, and vineyard before tucking into the delicious, wine-paired menu.

Show Less

Next, head south to Melbourne. Coffee is a huge deal here; each morning, you can enjoy a different coffee shop, where you’ll find freshly ground beans and carefully crafted drinks. Fitzroy is the place for street markets and retro diners; gorgeous green Guildford Lane is brilliant for breakfast and brunch, while the Yarra River is lined with al fresco restaurants and bars.

In the heart of South Australia, you’ll find one of the country’s oldest markets, ‘Adelaide Central Market’. With over 70 vendors under one roof, there is a huge range of fresh food and some of Adelaide’s most popular cafés and restaurants. For something a bit different, why not explore the pristine sands of Coffin Bay in the Eyre Peninsula? Hike the nine-mile Oyster Walk and uncover the secrets behind the shellfish industry with an oyster farm tour, or taste the fruits of the sea with a delicious seafood buffet.

Show Less

ALL CULTURE. NO SHOCK.

Accept an invitation into the sacred lands of the Anangu and Luritja people in Australia’s Red Centre, and get ready to experience something spectacular! Formerly known as Ayers Rock, Uluru is the show-stopping monolith of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, the icon of this desert landscape. Take a guided hike around the base of Uluru itself or take a helicopter ride above for a bird’s eye view. At Uluru, you’ll uncover the myths and legends of ancient Aboriginal culture. As the sun sets, enjoy Wintjiri Wiru, a breathtaking cultural storytelling experience brought to life. Take a seat in the sustainably built theatre and enjoy Australian wine, cheeses, and a selection of deserts while you marvel at the beauty of Uluru’s silhouette as darkness falls. You’ll watch a chapter of the ancestral Mala story light up the desert sky with choreographed drones, lasers, and projections.

Show Less

If you’re looking to put a cultural twist on a classic adventure, why not try the Burrawa-Aboriginal Bridgeclimb Experience? You’ll uncover stories that span thousands of years as a First Nations Storyteller takes you on a journey back in time while you climb to the top of the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and enjoy 360-degree views. Enjoy the views from an Aboriginal perspective, learning the origins of the familiar place names that circle the water’s edge, Bennelong Point and Barangaroo.

The Northern Territory’s ‘Top End’ is sometimes overlooked, but Kakadu, Katherine, and Arnhem Land offer visitors an Australian adventure like no other. Learn tales of ancient times through the Dreamtime stories and early rock paintings. Kakadu’s rock art represents one of the longest historical records of any group of people in the world and is one of the reasons that Kakadu was given World Heritage status. The paintings provide a fascinating record of Aboriginal life, dating back some 20,000 years.

Show Less

EXPERIENCE THE UNEXPECTED

Paperbark Camp offers a serene experience in New South Wales. Canvas safari-style tents have been thoughtfully placed among the soaring eucalyptus and paperbark trees. And, as they're built above the ground, each tent has plenty of privacy and a lovely sea breeze. You can expect a wrap-around deck, solar-powered lighting, handmade soaps, and lotions made from natural ingredients. Your luxury tent also has a private open-air bathroom to watch kangaroos while enjoying a steaming hot shower. After a delicious dinner in the treetop dining room, grab your torch and meander back to your bush hideaway. You can snuggle up under the stars and then be lulled into a restful sleep by the sounds of the forest at night.

Show Less

In Western Australia, glamping is made easy at Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef. Wake to the song of a butcherbird, the raucous squawks of a galah, or the thump of a wallaby passing by. And, at night, you can fall asleep to the sound of the waves brushing the beach. The activities at Sal Salis focus on the reef and the pristine natural surroundings, so you can kayak and snorkel in the sea and go bird-spotting on guided walks through Cape Range National Park. The UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef lies just off-shore, too. Here, you can swim with whale sharks between March and July and see humpback whales from August to October.

Unique experiences don’t get much better than The Great Barrier Reef off the Queensland coastline, but overnight at Reefsleep with Cruise Whitsundays takes it to another level. You’ll cruise through the idyllic Whitsunday Islands to Hardy Reef and the Reefworld pontoon. This floating hub sits on the epic Great Barrier Reef, where you’ll spend the day snorkelling amongst tropical marine life and chilling on the sundeck. As the afternoon comes around, the day guests will depart the pontoon, and only those staying the night will remain. When the sun sets, dinner will be served before making your way to the top deck and cosying up in your reef bed under the twinkling stars for a peaceful night's sleep.

Show Less

NO-FUSS FREEDOM

The beauty of Australia is that you can combine numerous travel styles in one holiday.

Australia is an excellent road trip destination due to its exceptional – and largely quiet – road network and magnificent scenery. Plus, there’s the bonus that the Aussies drive on the left. A self-drive holiday gives you endless choices, from your type of vehicle to your start and end points and everything you do in between. A campervan holiday might be best if you want to hit the open road and see where the wind takes you. You can travel whenever and wherever you like, and you’ll always have a bed for the night. But if you’re more of a planner, a self-drive trip by car allows you to travel much faster and tick off all those must-see sites.

Show Less

And let’s not forget about the railway journeys Australia has to offer. It doesn’t get more epic than traversing an entire country by train, and in Oz, you can do just that. Jump aboard the Indian Pacific in Perth and arrive in Sydney four days later – or vice versa – and you’ll witness the Outback’s vastness, the Nullarbor Plains’ expanse, and even the Blue Mountains. Or travel from north to south on The Ghan between Darwin and Adelaide, with excursions in Katherine and Alice Springs.

If you want to combine as many places as possible in the quickest way, don’t forget the amazing internal flight network, which can get you from A to B as easily as one, two, three.

Show Less

FOODIE FEAST? NO PROBLEM.

We could write a lot about all the unique places you should visit in Australia to sample the best food and drinks, but we have limited it to just a few (for now!).

Starting on the east coast just a few hours north of Sydney, a trip to the Hunter Valley is the perfect culinary addition to any Australian holiday. Home to sprawling vineyards and fine-dining restaurants, you’ll be spoilt for choice. A vineyard and wine tasting should be one of the first things you do, and there are plenty of cosy cellar doors to choose from, all offering something different. Top of your list should be the Audrey Wilkinson Winery. Located at the top of a hill, you can enjoy panoramic views of the mountainous valley as you taste wine straight from the barrel. For an evening of fine dining, the award-winning Margan Restaurant is the place to go. Championing seasonal produce, almost all the restaurant’s ingredients are grown on-site. Tour the garden, orchard, and vineyard before tucking into the delicious, wine-paired menu.

Show Less

Next, head south to Melbourne. Coffee is a huge deal here; each morning, you can enjoy a different coffee shop, where you’ll find freshly ground beans and carefully crafted drinks. Fitzroy is the place for street markets and retro diners; gorgeous green Guildford Lane is brilliant for breakfast and brunch, while the Yarra River is lined with al fresco restaurants and bars.

In the heart of South Australia, you’ll find one of the country’s oldest markets, ‘Adelaide Central Market’. With over 70 vendors under one roof, there is a huge range of fresh food and some of Adelaide’s most popular cafés and restaurants. For something a bit different, why not explore the pristine sands of Coffin Bay in the Eyre Peninsula? Hike the nine-mile Oyster Walk and uncover the secrets behind the shellfish industry with an oyster farm tour, or taste the fruits of the sea with a delicious seafood buffet.

Show Less

ALL CULTURE. NO SHOCK.

Accept an invitation into the sacred lands of the Anangu and Luritja people in Australia’s Red Centre, and get ready to experience something spectacular! Formerly known as Ayers Rock, Uluru is the show-stopping monolith of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, the icon of this desert landscape. Take a guided hike around the base of Uluru itself or take a helicopter ride above for a bird’s eye view. At Uluru, you’ll uncover the myths and legends of ancient Aboriginal culture. As the sun sets, enjoy Wintjiri Wiru, a breathtaking cultural storytelling experience brought to life. Take a seat in the sustainably built theatre and enjoy Australian wine, cheeses, and a selection of deserts while you marvel at the beauty of Uluru’s silhouette as darkness falls. You’ll watch a chapter of the ancestral Mala story light up the desert sky with choreographed drones, lasers, and projections.

Show Less

If you’re looking to put a cultural twist on a classic adventure, why not try the Burrawa-Aboriginal Bridgeclimb Experience? You’ll uncover stories that span thousands of years as a First Nations Storyteller takes you on a journey back in time while you climb to the top of the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and enjoy 360-degree views. Enjoy the views from an Aboriginal perspective, learning the origins of the familiar place names that circle the water’s edge, Bennelong Point and Barangaroo.

The Northern Territory’s ‘Top End’ is sometimes overlooked, but Kakadu, Katherine, and Arnhem Land offer visitors an Australian adventure like no other. Learn tales of ancient times through the Dreamtime stories and early rock paintings. Kakadu’s rock art represents one of the longest historical records of any group of people in the world and is one of the reasons that Kakadu was given World Heritage status. The paintings provide a fascinating record of Aboriginal life, dating back some 20,000 years.

Show Less

EXPERIENCE THE UNEXPECTED

Paperbark Camp offers a serene experience in New South Wales. Canvas safari-style tents have been thoughtfully placed among the soaring eucalyptus and paperbark trees. And, as they're built above the ground, each tent has plenty of privacy and a lovely sea breeze. You can expect a wrap-around deck, solar-powered lighting, handmade soaps, and lotions made from natural ingredients. Your luxury tent also has a private open-air bathroom to watch kangaroos while enjoying a steaming hot shower. After a delicious dinner in the treetop dining room, grab your torch and meander back to your bush hideaway. You can snuggle up under the stars and then be lulled into a restful sleep by the sounds of the forest at night.

Show Less

In Western Australia, glamping is made easy at Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef. Wake to the song of a butcherbird, the raucous squawks of a galah, or the thump of a wallaby passing by. And, at night, you can fall asleep to the sound of the waves brushing the beach. The activities at Sal Salis focus on the reef and the pristine natural surroundings, so you can kayak and snorkel in the sea and go bird-spotting on guided walks through Cape Range National Park. The UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef lies just off-shore, too. Here, you can swim with whale sharks between March and July and see humpback whales from August to October.

Unique experiences don’t get much better than The Great Barrier Reef off the Queensland coastline, but overnight at Reefsleep with Cruise Whitsundays takes it to another level. You’ll cruise through the idyllic Whitsunday Islands to Hardy Reef and the Reefworld pontoon. This floating hub sits on the epic Great Barrier Reef, where you’ll spend the day snorkelling amongst tropical marine life and chilling on the sundeck. As the afternoon comes around, the day guests will depart the pontoon, and only those staying the night will remain. When the sun sets, dinner will be served before making your way to the top deck and cosying up in your reef bed under the twinkling stars for a peaceful night's sleep.

Show Less

NO-FUSS FREEDOM

The beauty of Australia is that you can combine numerous travel styles in one holiday.

Australia is an excellent road trip destination due to its exceptional – and largely quiet – road network and magnificent scenery. Plus, there’s the bonus that the Aussies drive on the left. A self-drive holiday gives you endless choices, from your type of vehicle to your start and end points and everything you do in between. A campervan holiday might be best if you want to hit the open road and see where the wind takes you. You can travel whenever and wherever you like, and you’ll always have a bed for the night. But if you’re more of a planner, a self-drive trip by car allows you to travel much faster and tick off all those must-see sites.

Show Less

And let’s not forget about the railway journeys Australia has to offer. It doesn’t get more epic than traversing an entire country by train, and in Oz, you can do just that. Jump aboard the Indian Pacific in Perth and arrive in Sydney four days later – or vice versa – and you’ll witness the Outback’s vastness, the Nullarbor Plains’ expanse, and even the Blue Mountains. Or travel from north to south on The Ghan between Darwin and Adelaide, with excursions in Katherine and Alice Springs.

If you want to combine as many places as possible in the quickest way, don’t forget the amazing internal flight network, which can get you from A to B as easily as one, two, three.

Show Less

GET INSPIRED BY OUR TOP TIPS

SAY G-DAY TO K'GARI

K’gari, as its Butchulla custodians named it, means simply ‘Paradise’ – and when you see the island, you’ll understand why. Previously known as Fraser Island, K’gari boasts a 75-mile-long beach, inland rainforest, wildlife-filled scrub, crystal-clear lakes, and no roads. So, when visiting K'gari, you can expect to discover some of Australia’s most untouched landscapes. Explore the island on a 4WD tour, take a scenic flight, or tackle the picturesque hiking routes. See incredible sand cliffs and rock pool formations. Look out for whales, sharks, and turtles. Spot parrots, cockatoos, and sea eagles. Walk among dingoes, kangaroos, and possums. And search the rusting ruins of an 85-year-old shipwreck marooned on the vast sands.

GET INSPIRED BY OUR TOP TIPS

LUXURY IN THE Northern Territory

Nestled amongst ancient dunes of the Northern Territory, Longitude 131° is a gathering of 16 tented pavilions and a serene spa designed to offer a luxurious sanctuary in the World Heritage Listed Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Soak up unparalleled views of Australia’s best-known natural landmark, Uluru, from the comfort of your bed or private balcony. Enjoy the sights of the Outback through floor-to-ceiling windows, stay cool under the canopied roof, and relax on your outdoor deck. This is the ultimate luxury camp from which to explore the natural and cultural landscapes of Uluru and Kata Tjuta as you experience this magical part of Australia. You can enjoy an all-inclusive stay at Longitude 131°, as breakfast, lunch and dinner are all covered, as well as the open bar with Champagne, premium wines, and spirits. Don’t miss out on Table 131°, an iconic outdoor dining experience where a feast is prepared on a remote dune top and served under a glittering star-filled sky.

GET INSPIRED BY OUR TOP TIPS

LORD HOWE ISLAND NO HASSLE

What remains of an ancient shield volcano, Lord Howe Island is a hidden-away paradise on the east coast of New South Wales. Approximately 700 kilometres away from Australia’s mainland, getting here usually requires a flight. If you like your holidays to be all go, you’ve landed in the right place. A haven for all sorts of water activities, the crystal-clear Tasman Sea surrounds every corner of this stunning island. You can go on a thrilling snorkelling or scuba-diving trip to see tropical fish, turtles, stingrays, and sharks. Or take a kayak or paddleboard out across the water, discovering the wildlife-abundant bays and beaches that can’t be reached on foot. Lord Howe is one of the most exciting hiking destinations in New South Wales, with rugged coastal trails and gnarly paths that take you through the banyan tree forest.

FIND THESE UNIQUE EXPERIENCES ON OUR TRIPS

Australia's Icons

New South Wales Food and Wine

Longitude 131°

12 Day Australia Glamping and Wildlife Safari

Paperbark Camp

13 Day Queensland Beaches, Islands & Reefs

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Escape Edition 85

Downunder? Downright Simple

FOODIE FEAST? NO PROBLEM.

ALL CULTURE. NO SHOCK.

EXPERIENCE THE UNEXPECTED

NO-FUSS FREEDOM

FOODIE FEAST? NO PROBLEM.

ALL CULTURE. NO SHOCK.

EXPERIENCE THE UNEXPECTED

NO-FUSS FREEDOM

FOODIE FEAST? NO PROBLEM.

FOODIE FEAST? NO PROBLEM.

ALL CULTURE. NO SHOCK.

ALL CULTURE. NO SHOCK.

EXPERIENCE THE UNEXPECTED

EXPERIENCE THE UNEXPECTED

NO-FUSS FREEDOM

NO-FUSS FREEDOM

GET INSPIRED BY OUR TOP TIPS

SAY G-DAY TO K'GARI

GET INSPIRED BY OUR TOP TIPS

LUXURY IN THE Northern Territory

GET INSPIRED BY OUR TOP TIPS

LORD HOWE ISLAND NO HASSLE

FIND THESE UNIQUE EXPERIENCES ON OUR TRIPS

Australia's Icons

New South Wales Food and Wine

Longitude 131°

12 Day Australia Glamping and Wildlife Safari

Paperbark Camp

13 Day Queensland Beaches, Islands & Reefs

LOOKING FOR MORE INSPIRATION?

SPEAK TO A SPECIALIST

Out There Made Easy

Knowledge

Ease

Value

Trust

Knowledge

Ease

Value

Trust

Part of the Dnata family

Good Housekeeping

ATOL Protected

Rated Excellent