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.

Once one of Australia's richest goldfields, Beechworth is an immaculately preserved gold rush town now known for its renowned culinary scene. Filled with quaint cafes, progressive restaurants and located in the High Country gourmet food and wine regions, the town has become a haven for gourmands and wine lovers across Victoria. Four million ounces of gold were officially mined in Beechworth in 1852 when thousands of hopefuls rushed to the goldfields in search of their fortunes. Discover the legacy of this prosperity around the Beechworth Historic and Cultural Precinct, boasting over 30 buildings listed by the National Trust, including the 1850s Telegraph Station and the Mayday Hills Lunatic Asylum. Take the time to explore the 19th-century streetscapes, stopping to discover the many fine antique stores, cafés and restaurants, craft shops and tea rooms, or roam the town after dark on a lantern-lit walking tour to learn about local history. Visit in autumn to see the town come alive with colour as the leaves turn to golden yellows, rich reds and vibrant oranges and stop by the Burke Museum to learn about local Aboriginal heritage, gold fever and to see Ned Kelly's death mask. Uncover wealth of a different kind, with Beechworth's abundance of city-quality eateries. Compete for a reservation at Provenance, enjoy pizza and beer at Bridge Road Brewers, or enjoy a family meal at the popular The Ox and Hound Bistro. Study restaurant wine lists for local cool-climate chardonnay and pinot noir. Call ahead to visit wineries for drinkable souvenirs. Relax after day exploring with a visit to the Beechworth Spa in the historic gardens at Mayday Hills Village. Popular local events include the High Country Harvest Festival, where the makers of some of Victoria's finest food, wine and craft beer showcase their wares, the Ned Kelly Weekend in August, as well as the Beechworth Celtic Festival in November. Beechworth is 267 kilometres or approximately three hours from Melbourne via the Hume Freeway, Great Alpine Road and Wangaratta-Beechworth Road.

The oldest country town in the state, Gawler is just 43 kilometres north of Adelaide and is on the main metropolitan train line. Planned by Colonel William Light at the junction of the North and South Para Rivers, the picturesque town is renowned for its magnificent architecture, wrought iron, Church Hill State Heritage Area, and its 10 historic hotels. Gawler is a regional service centre with modern shopping complexes, boutique retail outlets, commercial services and great dining. The beautiful and manicured parklands are perfect for family outings. Gawler has an established night life with many of the pubs hosting some of Adelaide’s finest live bands. Gawler has several markets as well as hosting a range of community through to major events throughout the year.

An oasis in the outback, filled with history and beauty. The Mataranka township, 100 kilometres south of Katherine on the Stuart Highway, was the setting of the famous Australian novel, 'We of the Never Never', by Jeannie Gunn. Jeannie Gunn, ‘The Little Missus’, lived at nearby Elsey Station and her affection for the area has been immortalised in her book. Within Elsey National Park, you will find the grave of her husband and a memorial to the author at the Elsey Cemetery and Reserve. Elsey Station is now administered by the local Aboriginal people. The ancient Dreamtime stories of the Mangarayi and Yungman tribes describe a wind sweeping in from the east that created the area. The famous Mataranka Thermal Pool is a great place to unwind. The warm, crystalline waters of the natural pools have the power to soothe aches and pains after a long day on the road. The water is spring-fed, bubbling up at a fairly constant temperature of 34 degrees Celsius. The surrounding paperbark and palm forest filters the sun and leaves soft, dappled light playing on the water's surface. The area around the pools is a natural breeding ground for the little red flying fox, whose breeding season is usually from November to May, but often extends into the drier months. During the breeding season, there are ranger-guided talks available. Bitter Springs, a short drive north-east of Mataranka, is a relaxing alternative to the main thermal pools. Take your goggles, because small turtles and fish can often be spotted below the surface. The Mataranka township has a roadhouse with lodgings, police station, petrol station, cafe, restaurant, pub and general store.

The tropical Top End is dramatic, vibrant and friendly, and offers a range of experiences. Darwin, the Northern Territory’s cosmopolitan capital, is a great place to begin exploring. The city offers a range of accommodation and facilities and is a popular holiday destination, thanks to its relaxed charm and proximity to the region’s iconic natural wonders. An hour south of Darwin is Berry Springs Nature Park, a swimming and recreational area and the popular Territory Wildlife Park is just next door. Operating on the nearby Adelaide River, regular jumping crocodile cruises provide the chance to see saltwater crocodiles propel themselves from the water. Further south along the Stuart Highway is Litchfield National Park, a great place to cool off beneath cascading waterfalls and view attractions such as unique magnetic termite mounds, monsoonal rainforests and tumbling rocky waterholes. World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park is 250 kilometres from Darwin on the Arnhem Highway. To the north of Darwin are the Tiwi Islands where visitors can share in the culture of the Tiwi people. Take an organised tour and purchase some local art and crafts, chat with some of the local Tiwi ladies over a pot of billy tea, or fish the clear waters surrounding the islands. Fishing is a popular Northern Territory pastime, with Darwin and Bynoe Harbours offering excellent fishing. The Daly River, the Mary River wetlands and the Victoria River are among the fishing hot spots while Dundee Beach and Mandorah Beach boast stretches of sandy coastline.