Port Douglas is the gateway to the World Heritage wonders of Tropical North Queensland. It is the closest mainland port to the Great Barrier Reef and only a short drive into the heart of the Wet Tropics rainforest at Daintree and Cape Tribulation. Getting to Port Douglas from Cairns is an hour's drive along one of Australia's most scenic coastal roads with the rainforest on one side and the Great Barrier Reef on the other. Favoured by A-list celebrities as the place to get away, Port Douglas is an intimate and relaxed town where food, wine, arts and culture are appreciated. The friendly locals are only too happy to include visitors whether it's sharing their favourite coffee stops and fishing spots or playing 18 holes on a world-class golf course. Feel the pace slow as you revitalise with lazy days on the beach, or come alive and explore nature's untamed tropical wonders. Swim at beautiful Four Mile Beach, wander down the main street for boutique shopping with a tropical twist, dine with the birds at a wildlife park or dive into the Great Barrier Reef. Nearby is Mossman Gorge, a spectacular freshwater swimming hole where you can experience local Indigenous culture and explore the Daintree rainforest. Restaurants are many and varied with delicious interpretations of local produce and tastes from around the world or relax with a counter meal at a glorious Queenslander pub. While luxury is definitely a highlight of Port Douglas with magnificent resorts, elegant homes and superb apartments the holiday choice of the well-heeled, backpackers and families are equally well catered for in the relaxed tropical atmosphere of Port.

The breathtaking beauty of Albany's rugged coastline creates a fitting backdrop to a dramatic whaling, convict and settler history and a sensational south coast adventure. The Albany Highway gets you there in just five hours from Perth, while a direct flight from Perth airport will whisk you there in one hour and 15 minutes. Or why not take your time and enjoy one of the world's greatest journeys, walking the Bibbulmun Track that runs from Perth to Albany. This charming city marks the spot where the first European settlers set foot in Western Australia, and much of their legacy remains today with around 50 colonial buildings standing proudly as museums, galleries and restaurants. From convict prisons, whaling ships and taverns to quaint cottages and grand National Trust residences, you can take in almost two centuries of history on a 30-minute self-guided walk, following the Amity Trail. Albany's King George Sound also marks the spot where the first convoy of ANZACs departed for the battlegrounds of the First World War. Today, you can follow their extraordinary stories through the National Anzac Centre's state-of-the-art interactive displays. You'll also find some of the town's biggest tales in the Historic Whaling Station at Discovery Bay, the only museum of its kind to be housed in a former whaling station. The industry met its end in 1978, creating a safe port of call for migrating humpback, southern right and blue whales. Spot them from the shore or join a whale-watching cruise for a magical encounter. One of the most scenic areas for whale spotting and cliff-top walks is Torndirrup National Park. Here, the Southern Ocean has sculpted the granite coastline into striking formations known as The Gap and Natural Bridge. For sensational views over King George Sound, head for Middleton Beach boardwalk trail. Or take a drive up to Albany Wind Farm and feel dwarfed by the towering turbines. As well as world-class hiking, you'll also find some top-notch spots for fishing, sailing and diving. A weekend visit also brings the iconic Albany Farmers' Markets. No imports here, just fresh and fabulous, locally-grown flavours.

Discover ancient granite boulders that seem to have dropped from wide blue skies of the Barkly Tablelands, 95 kilometres south of Tennant Creek. Wander around Karlu Karlu / Devils Marbles where you will find boulders that are precariously balanced and defying gravity, scattered across a wide, shallow valley. The Devils Marbles are a sacred site known as Karlu Karlu in the language of the traditional owners the Warumungu people. Formed over millions of years, they continue to crack and erode making for a unique view each time you visit. Take your time to explore the region's most famous landmark. Follow the walkways and learn via the information boards how the granite formations have withstood the eroding forces of wind and rain, unlike the surrounding sandstone. The fascinating geological marvel can be explored through a short self-guided walking trail with informative signage. The Karlu Karlu/Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve offers a scenic bush camping area with fireplaces. Stay the night to ensure you're there at sunset, the most dramatic time to experience the area.

At the southern extremity of the Mornington Peninsula, the seaside village of Sorrento is one of the most popular and pretty holiday escapes on the Mornington Peninsula with its sweeping outlook, historic buildings, cafe culture, shopping and resident dolphins. Sorrento's gentle front beach is an ideal place to while away some time. Have a picnic, go for a stroll, take a cooling swim or keep watch for wild dolphins that play in the clean bay waters. The back beach on the Bass Strait side of the peninsula is close by, with its pounding waves and great surfing. Sorrento offers a long list of other recreational opportunities including golf, sea kayaking, bushwalking, sailing and boating. Head off from the pier for seal and dolphin swimming adventures, fishing trips and bay cruises, or explore the waters below on a scuba diving expedition. In the 1870s, entrepreneur and parliamentarian George Coppin, dubbed "the Father of Sorrento", realised the town's potential as a holiday haven. He encouraged Melburnians to seek respite from the city's scorching summer in an idyllic seaside setting and Sorrento's popularity blossomed. Most of Sorrento's attractions are within walking distance. The town features historic limestone buildings that contribute to its distinct character. Impressive hotels like the renowned Hotel Sorrento, excellent eateries, sidewalk cafés, boutiques, galleries and specialist shops add extra appeal to the Sorrento experience. The Sorrento-Portsea Artists Trail gives you the chance to see the views as they were captured by renowned local and international artists. Sorrento is located approximately 105 kilometres south of Melbourne, or around an hour-and-a-half by car along the M1 and Eastlink tollway. A year-round car and passenger ferry service connects Sorrento with Queenscliff on the Bellarine Peninsula, across the bay.

The surrounding region, the Barkly Tablelands, is characterised by wide plains and vast skies, and with a population of 3,000, Tennant Creek is the main service centre for the area. Located 507 kilometres north of Alice Springs and around 1,000 kilometres south of Darwin, the town has a diverse history, shaped by Aboriginal culture, pastoralism and gold mining. The site of Australia’s last major gold rush in the 1930s, Tennant Creek’s rich mining history can be explored in the Battery Hill Mining Centre. The Nyinkka Nyunyu Art and Culture Centre is an award-winning museum and gallery showcasing the culture of the traditional Aboriginal owners of the area, the Warumungu people. Travellers can stop at a character-filled outback pub or roadhouse for an insight into a unique lifestyle shaped by isolation. Enjoy a swim in Tingkkarli / Lake Mary Ann, explore the historic Overland Telegraph Line, built in 1872, and spend a couple of star-filled nights in Tennant Creek area for a truly unique Territory experience. The mysterious rock spheres of the nearby Karlu Karlu / Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve, located 100 kilometres south of Tennant Creek, are one of the Outback’s iconic attractions.