A continent made for adventure with heritage-listed wilderness areas just waiting to be explored.

Australia is perfect for holidays especially after the frenzy of our summer has faded. The choices are many on this great continent including World Heritage listed treasures such as the Great Ocean Road, Kangaroo Island, the edge-of the-world appeal of Tasmania and our soul-nourishing coastline, desserts, rainforests, beaches and islands.

From the craggy peaks of the Blue Mountains to the lush tropics of Queensland and the coral treasure land of the Great Barrier Reef, Australia has something unusual and something special to offer travellers. A continent made for adventure, with world-renowned wine valleys, stunning beaches, heritage-listed wilderness areas just waiting to be explored, this is Australia. Travel to Australia and one can relax on beaches all year round, ski during winter, camp on a tropical island, discover the rugged Outback, take in the wineries and enjoy the world-class restaurants, galleries and museums in exciting cities.

Sydney may have joined the ranks of the world’s top cities, but its architecture, stunning harbour and electric, manic personality keep it singular: You won’t mistake it for anywhere else.

No matter where you travel in Australia, tour over three time zones, you can see sleek tour buses idling in parking lots along with mud-caked camper vans, petrol cans and lawn chairs strapped to their roofs. This sight is nowhere more prevalent than in the ‘red centre’ at Uluru. Once called Ayers Rock, Uluru is one of Australia’s biggest tour drawcards, where you will witness of the country’s greatest shows: sunset at “The Rock”. Watching the scalloped monolith go from reddish-brown to a haunting burnt-orange against the desert sky is still a magical—some say spiritual—experience.

Concierge Traveller advisors can offer specialist knowledge and advise for travel to and within Australia and can arrange Australia Tours and travel to anywhere within this country including any specialist tours, outback adventures or relaxing stays in some of Australia’s top resorts.

Advisor tips for Queensland, Australia

Resorts

Sofitel Gold Coast – Broadbeach
This 5 star resort is luxurious and the facilities. The restaurant is modern Australian but the breakfast was a highlight with champagne available to make it a special start to the morning. The rooms are spacious with a pillow menu! They have a monorail attached that takes you to Jupiters Casino. Shopping is across the road for the Pacific Fair shopping centre. The location is close to Surfers Paradise but away from the hustle and bustle. – Kate B

Must do experiences

Port Douglas
This is a great winter destination – very relaxing. Port Douglas is never in a hurry – the scuba diving is amazing on theGreat Barrier Reef. - Maria

Motor Cruising around the Whitsundays
Stopping at so many beautiful littleIslandsto discover. - Maria

Orpheus Island
Picnic lunch on a secluded beach with no one for miles. You have to get there by your own boat, but the resort staff set up the picnic before you get there – champagne and seafood hamper to die for. – Maria

Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation
This is a unique place with flora and fauna from millions of years ago. Most of the places you will visit are like no other on earth. To see it at it best I recommend a 4WD tour – this enables you to visit more places that you would be able to otherwise. – Sarah

Advisor tips for New South Wales, Australia

Resorts

Peppers Resort Salt, Kingscliff
Right on the beach, lovely outlook, very peaceful and great for a relaxing holiday away. Has hotel and apartment style accommodation. Great for kids. Lovely local restaurants attached to the resort. Close to Gold Coast orByronBay.- Nadine

Hotels

Hydro Majestic Blue Mountains
Like an old palace suitable for royalty old warm feeling dinner in the ball room and drinks in the piano room overlooking the beautifulBlue Mountains. – Kate

Westin Hotel Sydney
A divine hotel focused on the comfort of the traveller. Very modern design with contemporary finishes. – Nadine

Spas

Golden Door anywhere (HunterValley, Salt..)
Always a great experience, ambience. Everything is always perfect!! - Nadine

Cypress Lakes – Golden Door –HunterValley
The whole ambience of this spa is amazing – there are many treatments to choose from – highlight was an aromatherapy massage followed by a facial – It was so relaxing. – Sarah

Bars

Opera Bar – Sydney
The view from this bar takes my breath away every time and I call Sydney home. Located on the walkway to the Opera House in Circular Quay – you could not ask for a better spot. The atmosphere is funky and there bar snacks are great – try the salt and pepper squid. Sunday afternoon they have a jazz band from 2pm – it is a great place to be on sunny winter days. – Trina

Advisor tips for Western Australia, Australia

Must do experiences

Walpole – Valley of the giants – treetops walk.
This is a forest of very large trees – the walk is very high and they have viewing platforms with extensive history about the trees. - Mei

Diamond Tree – is located approx ½ hours fromWalpole and has one of the largest trees in the area. You can climb at your own peril this is an experience not for the faint hearted. - Mei

Busselton Jetty – It will take you about ½ hour to walk to the end of the jetty and at the end of the jetty there is an underwater observation area where they conduct tours about the marine life.- Mei

Advisor tips for Victoria, Australia

Bars

New Gold Mountain – Melbourne
Melbourneis famous for its small and intimate bars – this one is no exception – Located on levelone 21 Liverpool Street Melbourne– there is no signage just the number above the door. It is intimate and decorated in the theme of a historic Hong Kongopium house – lots of red and gold. Very cool! - Trina

Restaurants

Vue Du Monde –Melbourne
Just making a reservation is an experience. A new concept of a restaurant with no menu can be daunting – but we found it a pleasant and amazing experience. You need to let them know your dislikes prior to arrival and they do the rest. A standard meal is five plates but you can add extras up to 14. You arrive and choose your wine and then the fun begins – I loved all the surprises with every course that arrived. The food was amazing and five savoury plates and two dessert plates are highly recommended. They now also have Bistro Vue and Café Vue so there is amazing food for all budgets. - Trina

UNSECO World Heritage sites in Australia

Great Barrier Reef
Kakadu National Park
Willandra Lakes Region
Lord Howe Island Group
Tasmanian Wilderness
Gondwana Rainforests of Australia
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
Wet Tropics of Queensland
Shark Bay, Western Australia
Fraser Island
Australian Fossil Mammal Sites (Riversleigh / Naracoorte)
Heard and McDonald Islands
Macquarie Island
Greater Blue Mountains Area
Purnululu National Park
Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens
Sydney Opera House
Australian Convict Sites
Ningaloo Coast