Things to do in Australia Experience Beaches Nature and Wildlife

Islands Adventure

A trip to Queensland

1.Great Barrier ReefYou can swim, snorkel, dive and sail the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef,

a living masterpiece so big it can been seen from outer space.

We saw the Turtles at Townsville’s Reef HQ AquariumWe saw the sights without getting wet at this educational, interactive coral reef aquarium. It was perfect for young children and non-swimmers who want to understand the majesty of the coral kingdom, where sick and injured turtles are rehabilitated. It also offered sleepovers, where you can observe the nocturnal habits of reef creatures.

Speedboat Your Way to the Great Barrier ReefRace to the Reef from Port Douglas in just 15 minutes aboard a 500-horsepower speedboat. The Reef sprinter offered 14 guests at a time the chance to snorkel vast coral gardens and witness the abundant fish life of the Low Isles. The whole tour took only two-and-a-half hours.

Indulge Yourself on the One & Only Hayman IslandExplore, relax, enjoy – you can do it all on Hayman Island, located in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. Wake up to incredible natural beauty before taking advantage of a range of services and activities, including bushwalks, snorkeling, private dining and wildlife experiences. If that’s not enough, how about a massage while you float in the sea?

Skydive above the Whitsunday IslandsWe took home bragging rights and lifelong memories when we saw the Great Barrier Reef from this mind-blowing perspective. Skydive into the most picturesque drop zone in the world and experience the greatest reef thrill there is. The experienced tandem instructors handled the parachute, so all we had to do is enjoy the incredible view.

The Daintree rainforest We did a day trip, and stayed in an eco lodge nestled in the rainforest or picturesque Daintree Village on the Daintree River. Then got up close to the Daintree's diversity of life on an aerial walkway or one of the many hiking trails. We saw bright butterflies, musky-rat kangaroos and the shy, endangered cassowary, with its blue neck and regal head dress. Cruised the mangrove-lined Daintree River past crocodiles and see turtles in clear, sparkling streams.

Beyond the trees, the Daintree also offered pristine beaches with shallow, warm, tropical seas. We found them clustered in the north near Cape Tribulation, where the rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef. It's the only

place in the world where two World Heritage sites meet. We chilled out on Coconut Beach, bike ride to Donovans Beach and camped near the sand on Noahs Beach.

To really appreciate this magical, primeval landscape, we did a tour with traditional owners, the Kuku Yalanji people. Took a guided walk on traditional tracks alongside Mossman Gorge. Learned how they have used the rainforest for food, medicine, shelter and spiritual sustenance for more than 9,000 years. Fish for barramundi

and snack on traditional food. Visited a waterfall with sacred healing powers and learn about the Kuku Yalanji's five distinct seasons. Spring begins at the end of the Buluriji cold season in September and lasts throughout the

Wungariji hot season in November.

A trip to New South Wales

1.SydneyWe talked to the Animals at Sydney’s Taronga ZooThe zoo houses 2,900 exotic and native species including gorillas, tigers, leopards, chimpanzees, giraffes, kangaroos and koalas and is a short ferry ride from Circular Quay.

We went backstage at the Sydney Opera House Climbed the Iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge

Walked Sydney’s Magnificent Bondi to Coogee TrailThere are several beaches near Bondi that are just as beautiful, including Tamarama, Bronte and Coogee. To appreciate this amazing piece of coastline, we joined the Bondi to Coogee Walk which links all these beaches and showcases Sydney’s finest ocean views. There were also plenty of cafés en route, interesting landmarks and naturally, some great swimming spots.

Explored Sydney’s Royal Botanic GardensThe beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens are extensive and a place of scientific research, running many educational programs. There were walking paths and scenic train rides for kids. Learned about the gardens through free guided walks through the 30-hectare site, plus special Aboriginal Heritage Tours and sample tasty bush foods.

Went Wild in the Blue MountainsFamous for its blue-tinged escarpment and Three Sisters rock formation —along with graceful hotels and quaint townships — the Blue Mountains National Park is just a few hours from Sydney. The mountains have been a popular spot for walkers, climbers and outdoor types for 100 years so get active and try a spot of mountain biking or abseiling.

South Australia

Kangaroo Island1. With wildlife: including seals and platypus, koalas and kangaroosWe fed pelicans and see giant cuttlefish, seahorses and little penguins at Kingscote Wharf.Met wallabies, Kangaroos on a nocturnal tour along American River. Cuddled koalas and hand-feed lorikeets, hold a possum or get wrapped by a snake at Stokes Bay. Bushwalk past the ducks, swans and waders of Murray Lagoon in Cape Gantheaume Conservation Park. Observed Australian sea lions at Seal Bay and over 7,000 New Zealand fur seals playfully interacting in and around Admirals Arch in Flinders Chase National Park, also home to hundreds of docile kangaroos. You’ll spot koalas pretty much everywhere.

Eyre Peninsula

We swimmed with playful sea lions and dolphins in the wild. Snorkeled or dived next to giant cuttlefish - the chameleons of the sea - in the protected waters near Whyalla. Or got up close and personal to a Great White shark when cage diving in the waters south of Port Lincoln. Went on a four wheel drive safari in the Gawler Ranges and saw unique and rare native species at play in their natural habitat. Or watched majestic Southern Right whales from the Nullabor Plain coastline between May and October.

Visit Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement in the heart of the Adelaide Hills. Learn more about the life of the early German settlers in the museums and galleries. You can see original sketches by Sir Hans Heysen, the famed landscape artist and Hahndorf resident, in a local gallery or on a tour of his studio and house.Nearby you'll find wonderful wineries and a strawberry farm famous for its jams, chutneys and sauces. When you've finished exploring stay in Bavarian-style chalets and dine out on sausage, sauerkraut and apple strudel with a stein of German beer.Expect to leave with a hamper of gourmet German goodies and an urge to yodel.

Victoria

MelbourneDay 1 Began our Melbourne adventure in its bustling centre. Hopped on and off the free shuttle bus or City Circle Tram. Lost ourself in the bustle of Queen Victoria Market. Checked out Southbank’s huge casino complex and string of riverside restaurants, bistros and bars. Then visited the unique galleries and museums in the cultural hub of Federation Square. Toured the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the super star of Australian sporting grounds, and caught a game of cricket or AFL. In the evening, headed out for a Chinese feast along Little Bourke Street or try Italian in a laneway trattoria. Stopped for live jazz whereas some others found café serving late night coffee and cake.

Day 2 Yarra River to St. Kilda BeachWatched the elegant crowds pass by from a café in South Yarra’s Chapel Street. Get seduced by the designer fashion.Afterwards, caught a tram down to St Kilda beach where you can wander the esplanade or go sailing, windsurfing or kiteboarding. Browsed the boutiques and had lunch in one of the cafés spilling onto Fitzroy Street or Acland Streets, which is lined with inviting patisseries. Dined out in one of the city’s diverse eating enclaves – tryed Vietnamese in Richmond, Italian along Carlton’s Lygon Street or Spanish or Indian along Johnston Street in Fitzroy. Nearby Brunswick Street offers gourmet pubs, hip ethnic eateries and lively nightspots to dance the night away.Saw a performance of comedy, theatre, ballet and modern dance at the Arts Centre on the Yarra River.

Western Australia

Lake Hillier

We first went to Lake Hillier. This is a pink-coloured lake on Middle Island, the largest of the islands that make up the Recherché Archipelago off the coast of Esperance. From above the lake appeared a solid bubble gum pink. There's plenty to see and do around Esperance. We went horse riding, walking and cycling, fishing, scuba diving, whale-watching and then windsurfing, abseiling, kayaking and 4WD drive tours. We stayed two nights there in a hotel near the lake.

After there, we went Karijini National Park that it was earth cleaved and carved over two billion years ago. We discovered the spectacular chasms, marbled rock tunnels, cool rock pools and sparkling waterfalls. We took a lot of photos there. That night we camped beneath the vast outback sky. When we entered the park, its wild, weathered landscapes are surprisingly accessible, with waterfalls, emerald pools and plunging gorges beginning just beyond the car park. There is also a wonderful network of walking trails, ranging from easy to arduous, snaking through the scenery. It’s around an hour downhill to Dales Gorge, which shelters Fortes cue Falls, the park's only permanent waterfall. At the bottom, we swam in the spring-fed pools beneath Fortes cue Falls.

We also went to discover the ancient desert sculptures of the Pinnacles. It's a true desert landscape in Nambung National Park, where the weathered rock spires of the Pinnacles rise out of yellow sand dunes. We stayed in the fishing village of Cervantes, with its white beaches, coral reefs and Lake Thetis, a salt lake teeming with living fossils. We watched wild emus, koalas and other wildlife stalking through the spires and saw the landscape lit in spectacular sunset colours from the lookout point. Then, we visited the interpretive discovery centre to learn how the Pinnacles evolved and about the region's biodiversity. We were really impressed from its fauna and plant world.

In our way to the northest coast, we went to Ningaloo Reef. We swam with whale sharks and snorkel over tropical fish and coral. They lead us to the waves, caves and wineries of Margaret River. We walked with them through soaring karri forests on the Bibbulmun Track or take in their dazzling diversity from Albany. We did wildflower day walks, joined longer tours and celebrated the blooms with the locals at any of the many festivals.

Northern Territory

Kings KanyonClimb to the top of the rim of Kings Canyon at sunrise or sunset. The challenging six kilometer Kings Canyon Rim Walk takes around 3-4 hours. There are spectacular views of the gorge below and of the surrounding landscape. Take a guided rim walk with an Aboriginal elder and learn about the significance of the area to its traditional owners.Descend to the canyon to the Garden of Eden, a permanent waterhole surrounded by lush plant life. Explore the unusual weathered rock formations known as The Lost City. For the less energetic, the shorter and easier Kings Creek Walk at the Canyon base leads you through lush ferns and eucalypts to a platform with views of the sheer canyon walls above. The 22-kilometre Giles Track that connects Kings Canyon to Kathleen Springs is popular with more adventurous hikers.You could also explore the landscape from the back of a camel on a camel safari or tour Kings Creek Station, a real working outback cattle station, by four-wheel quad bike. To appreciate the true beauty and grandeur of Kings Canyon see it from above on a scenic helicopter flight.

Worked:Leader:Stela GarunjaEleni KafexhiuIna SalliuKaterina KasaMariol CakalliMariglen Kycyku