Dust off your suitcases, pile the fam into the car and let’s go explore this glorious country of ours. Its winding rivers, lush rainforests, pristine beaches, and beautiful bushland offer a wide range of experiences everyone will enjoy. But where to first?
The Murray River
Explore one of Australia’s magnificent inland wonders and the third-longest navigable river in the world. Stretching 2520 kilometres through three Australian states, the Murray River is rich in history, culture, life, and beauty – it’s the perfect place to holiday. Whether it be relaxing by the river, enjoying fine dining, cruising down the river in a paddle steamer, water skiing, hiking through red gum forest or kayaking down the river – there is something for everyone. A great place to stay along the Murray is Echuca/ Moama. Delve into its rich and diverse history with a visit to one of its many museums, explore the river on a canoe or indulge your sweet tooth at the Echuca Chocolate Company. There is so much to keep the whole family entertained.
Getting there
When visiting the Murray River, there are plenty of spots to base yourself. However, to stay in Echuca/ Moama where the world’s largest fleet of operating paddle steamers is seems like a great place to stay. Driving from Sydney will take you about eight and a half hours. But from Melbourne or Albury, you’ll be there in two and a half hours.
Places to stay
Running along three Australian states there is no shortage of accommodation options. Tasman Holiday Parks have a few options in New South Wales listed below including Murray River waterfront accommodation.
Tasman Holiday Parks – Moama on the Murray
Tasman Holiday Parks – Merool on the Murray
Tasman Holiday Parks – Lake Mulwala
Bay of Fires, Tasmania
Head south to Tasmania and experience one of the world’s most beautiful beaches. Rated as one of Lonely Planet’s top ten regions in the world, it’s the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle and bliss out in pure paradise. Stretching along 50km of coastline, it’s not hard to find a quiet beach where you can swim in the pale turquoise water, lay around on the white sandy beach, or admire the bright orange lichen-covered granite boulders glowing under the sun.
There are so many things to see and do at the Bay of Fires. Take a stroll along the white sandy beaches of Binalong Bay, go for a surf or dive beneath its crystal-clear waters to see an abundance of marine life. Head north and you’ll find a quiet holiday coastal town named Ansons Bay. Kayak around Ansons Bay Lagoon or throw a line in to try your luck at catching a fish. It’s the perfect place to get amongst nature with its abundance of local wildlife and stunning bushland to explore.
Getting there
St Helens is a great place to stay as it’s known as the gateway to the Bay of Fires and is less than a ten-minute drive away. There is also no shortage of St Helens accommodation. It’s approximately four hours from Hobart and three hours from Launceston.
Places to stay
Tasman Holiday Parks – St Helens
Fraser Coast, Queensland
Visit the Fraser Coast in Queensland to experience a mix of picturesque beaches, islands, cities, and landscapes. Stay in Hervey Bay and have a range of activities right at your doorstep. Tasman Holiday Parks – Hervey Bay is minutes away from the departure point to Fraser Island, the world’s largest sand island. Explore long uninterrupted white beaches, sand dunes, over 100 crystal clear freshwater lakes and ancient rainforests.
Hervey Bay is one of the best places for whale-watching in the world. Join a whale watching cruise to observe the magnificent humpback whales as they migrate through these beautiful waters. For the more adventurous, there are plenty of water-based activities to get the adrenaline pumping like windsurfing, wakeboarding, scuba diving, jet-skiing, sailing and more. After a day of sun and sea, dry off and hit the Esplanade, a beautiful 14-kilometre drive of shared pathway with plentiful options for dining out.
Getting there
Hervey Bay is an hour and a half drive south of Bundaberg and approximately a three-and-a-half-hour drive north of Brisbane. There is also an airport in Hervey Bay for those that prefer to fly straight there.
Where to stay
Tasman Holiday Parks – Hervey Bay
Jervis Bay, New South Wales
Explore the white sandy beaches and turquoise blue waters at Jervis Bay on the south coast of New South Wales. The tranquil beaches here are perfect for swimming, paddle boarding, snorkelling, diving, kayaking whale and dolphin watching and more. If you prefer to keep your toes dry, there are plenty of nature walks, cycling tracks, restaurants cafes and wineries in the surrounding area. For more of a cultural experience look no further than Booderee National Park. Learn all about the Aboriginal history of this magical place and how generations have thrived here for many years.
Getting there
Jervis Bay is a three-hour drive from Sydney and Canberra.
Where to Stay
Cairns, Queensland
Cairns has that laid-back tropical vibe that will have you relaxing in no time. From its lush rainforest to its beautiful beaches, there is something here for everyone from thrill-seekers to chillers. Home to the world heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, you can’t go to Cairns without experiencing this natural wonder. For the adventurous type, scuba dive or snorkel the reef with one of the many dive operators in the area. For an adrenaline rush like no other, try sky diving over these picture-perfect waters. For a more relaxing trip to the reef, sail through these crystal-clear waters on a yacht or for a bird’s eye view, take a scenic flight over the reef.
There are many lush rainforests to explore including Kuranda’s rainforest. Spend a day exploring the area visiting the village markets, experiencing wildlife encounters, learning more about our indigenous community, taking the scenic railway and Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and soaking in the views.
After a day of exploring this wonderful place, there are plenty of dining options to satisfy your hunger and quench your thirst.
Getting there
Cairns has an airport so you can fly directly there. Alternatively, you can travel by rail and board the Spirit of Queensland. Cairns is approximately a four and a half drive from Townsville.
Places to Stay
Tasman Holiday Parks – Cairns Cool Waters
Put these Australian destinations on your travel list and book today.
