Hi Rhyme and Ribbons readers! I’m Carly, the Australian girl behind the travel, life and style blog Let Us Wanderlust. I am so happy to be here today sharing with you a country I love dearly. I grew up in Australia, and felt the way most people do about their home country when they are young – I couldn’t wait to get out, spread my wings and travel the world! It wasn’t until I did some growing up that I truly began to see and appreciate the wonder, magnificence and endless possibilities that Australia presents. I have had some truly unforgettable experiences here, memories that will linger a lifetime and stories I will never forget.
So when I sat down to write about my favourite Australian adventures, I found myself in a bit of a conundrum. Choosing just five Australian adventures was harder than I thought possible, but I didn’t want to bore you all with 50 Unforgettable Australian Experiences, so here we are. Five. Just five of my favourite things to do in Australia, a little sampler if you will, and definitely things that should be at the top of your list should you ever visit here. Ok, let’s do this!
1. Sail around the Whitsundays on an all-inclusive Catamaran for the day
As cliché as it is, the group of islands that make up the Whitsundays off the northeastern Queensland coast are a tropical paradise. With views that rivals those of the Caribbean and 74 islands in total, the Whitsundays are a traveller and adventurers dream. If you want to snorkel or scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef, you can. If you want to glide through the air on a seaplane overlooking some of the most beautiful scenery in the world, you can. If you want to live the good life and spend a leisurely day sailing around the islands on an all-inclusive Catamaran, you can. It’s been quite a few years since I visited the Whitsundays and did all these things, and it’s been calling my name ever since! The Whitsundays belong at the top of your Australian bucket list!
2. Road trip around Tasmania
Tasmania is an island state of Australia located 240 kilometers south of the mainland and it offers some of the most spectacular and varied scenery you could imagine. Surrounded by rugged coastlines, wilderness rich in convict history, sweeping ocean views, spectacular farmland, towering mountains, and Australian wildlife, there really is something for everyone in Tasmania. My fiancé and I completed a month long road trip around Tasmania in 2012 and it was honestly one of the best trips we’ve ever taken. Definitely worth at least a visit!
3. Lounge out at Whitehaven Beach
The 7 kilometer stretch of warm, aqua waters and pristine silica sand at Whitehaven Beach is nature at its most stunning. It provides the most incredible escape, with gorgeous views every which way you look. Located off the Queensland coast of Australia, I visited Whitehaven Beach a few years ago by boat and it was honestly one of the most peaceful, relaxing and beautiful spots I’ve ever been lucky enough to discover in Australia. A definite must-see!
4. Visit the Port Arthur Convict Site by day, and embark on the terrifying Ghost Tour by night
The World Heritage site of Port Arthur is an absolutely fascinating place to visit. The Peninsula boasts stunning scenery and the grounds are dotted with incredible crumbling ruins and beautiful old buildings. In a true juxtaposition, Port Arthur was also once home to the early Australian convicts and provides a valuable lesson in Australian history. It’s no wonder than that it is said to be Australia’s most haunted site and at night, when the darkness creeps in, you can participate in a lantern-led Ghost Tour of the grounds and building remnants – but only if you dare! My fiancé and I visited back in 2012 and I still get shivers whenever I think about it!
5. Spend a weekend at Byron Bay
Byron Bay is a beautiful beachside town located in the northeastern corner of the state of New South Wales and it is an extremely popular travel destination for both international visitors and Australians. And it’s no wonder! With the sun, surf and laid-back, a-little-bit-hippy lifestyle, Byron Bay feels just like a little piece of paradise. We last visited a few years ago now and it was one of those truly great holidays – we rented a house and spent the weekend swimming in the ocean, going for long walks along the golden beaches, basking in the beautiful sunshine and enjoying the lively nightlife. If you want to holiday where the locals holiday, go to Byron Bay!
Do you dream of travelling to Australia? Or have you already been? In which case, let me know what your favourite Aussie adventure was! I’d love to know!
I hope you enjoyed my Top 5 Australian Adventures. If you like, you can follow along on all my adventures, both in Australia and abroad, over at Let Us Wanderlust!
