Explore the beautiful Murramarang National Park near Batemans Bay on the NSW south coast. There are great surfing, swimming, walking, camping and fishing opportunities. Spanning 44 kilometres of dramatic coastline, Murramarang National Park is the ultimate spot to soak up some sun and explore the cliffs, headlands and pristine beaches of the New South Wales South Coast. Be sure to pack your swimmers to hit the surf, your binoculars to spot peregrine falcons and sea eagles that soar high above the cliffs and your fishing rod to catch your dinner. This is one of the rare spots in Australia where the spotted gums grow right down to the ocean, offering plenty of shade in the warmer months and a stunning backdrop for a nature escape all year round. It’s a great place to spend the day. If you’d like to stay longer, there is a choice of campgrounds, including caravan and motor home sites and a range of facilities. If you don’t feel like camping, you can book yourself into park accommodation at the Depot Beach cabins or Pretty Beach cabins.

The Gladstone Region - Australia's best kept holiday secret - begins approximately 450 kilometres north of Brisbane. It's the gateway to the majestic Southern Great Barrier, fantastic fishing hotspots, amazing country adventures and pure national parks. Whatever you are after, you'll find it here. The region's hub is the city of Gladstone. Full of surprising and interesting experiences, this energetic regional city is known for being the 'engine room of Queensland' is also the access points for Southern Great Barrier Reef icons, Heron and Wilson Islands. Surrounding Gladstone are townships of Mount Larcom, Calliope, Benaraby, Boyne Island and Tannum Sands. This part of the region is home to one of Australia's premier freshwater fishing locations, Awoonga Dam. To the south, the natural surrounds of the Discovery Coast will beckon you to discover the burgeoning township Miriam Vale, the white secluded beaches of Agnes Water and the township of Seventeen Seventy will entice, as will the breathtaking reef adventures at Lady Musgrave Island and Fitzroy Reef Lagoon.

For a dose of style in Victoria's Gippsland Lakes, the destination must be Metung. A great base for water sports enthusiasts, this tiny picture-book village features fine food and wine and a handful of inspiring galleries. Metung's proximity to the Gippsland Lakes and sandy beaches mean there is over 400 square kilometres of water to explore. The village has a decidedly waterfront air and its compact size means you can enjoy sunset strolls along the water's edge to see docked yachts and cruisers, as well as the many quaint wooden boats. A leisurely cruise around the lakes is bound to include glimpses of pelicans and other birdlife and kangaroos grazing by the water. Small runabouts are also available for hire. Metung offers excellent fishing, particularly for bream, tailor, flathead, King George whiting and prawns in summer. Try your hand around Bancroft Bay, off Shaving Point and local jetties. Leave the cooking in the hands of the experts and make a booking at a harbourside restaurant for quality local seafood and wine. Pick an excellent restaurant for a fancy meal or find a sunny spot opposite the village green for a relaxed lunch and coffee. Metung's natural beauty attracts many artists who have set up farm studios, gardens and galleries to ply their crafts. The shores of Bancroft Bay feature a large rock known to the indigenous population as the Wallung. Part of the Batatuk Cultural Trail, the rock is the subject of a variety of stories told in detail at the Krowathunkooloong Keeping Place in Bairnsdale. Metung is about four hours' drive from Melbourne just near Lakes Entrance, off the Princes Highway from Swan Reach.

There are no crowds at this seductive and easy-going destination which is perfect for relaxation or discovering adrenalin pumping outdoor activities. This is the birthplace of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, so exploring the reef is a must. Reef boats leave from the Clump Point jetty, join a kayaking tour or hire a dinghy and take a picnic to a deserted Great Barrier Reef island. Mission Beach has 14 kilometres of sandy beaches, so it is easy to find a quiet place to relax with a book or indulge by checking into the couple's room at a day spa and relaxing with the fabulous beach views. Four villages are collectively known as Mission Beach: South Mission Beach, Wongaling Beach, North Mission Beach and Bingil Bay. Lush rainforest touches the shores of Mission Beach, hiding the elusive southern cassowary. Look for these majestic creatures on an easy rainforest walks and keep an eye out for the brilliant blue Ulysses butterfly, another local icon. Nearby is the spectacular Misty Mountains Trail, a series of long-distance walking tracks through the high-altitude rainforest. Several follow the ridgelines used by the area's traditional owners, the Jirrbal and Mamu Aboriginal people. The serene beauty of Mission Beach hides another side to this friendly beachside retreat - adrenalin-pumping adventure. Skydive from a plane on to the beach, head into the heart of the rainforest for white water rafting or explore the area on a jet ski or mountain bike. Luxurious resorts, elegant hill-top apartments and beach houses are favourites for those wanting to escape from their busy lives or choose from family-friendly motels, beach caravan parks and popular backpacker hostels. Mission Beach is about a two-hour drive south of Cairns.

The beach town of Kingscliff is located just south of Tweed Heads. A popular family holiday destination it provides beach and estuary access for swimming, surfing, fishing and water sports. From Kingscliff there is easy access to Mount Warning and the World Heritage National Parks. Cruise the Tweed River and enjoy dining on its main street. Live entertainment is available at the local sporting clubs and hotels.