The beautiful beaches. The cuddly wildlife. The Sydney Opera House. You think you know Australia until you delve deeper into its hidden secrets. You'll find unique animals that live in one of the world's oldest rain forests and cities that are gateways to urban and natural adventures you will find nowhere else in the world.
But to find the true spirit of Australia, start with its world famous wonders and look beyond.
More Than Just The World’s Greatest Reef
When a destination has a reputation as one of the seven wonders of the natural world and is home to 400 types of coral and 1500 species of fish, it’ll end up on a few bucket lists.
What adventures will await you on the Great Barrier Reef?
•Swim with a sea turtle, or sail the steady breezes of the Whitsunday Islands. Here you can find secluded coves where you'll have the crystal blue waters to yourself.
• Add a night dive to your day of scuba.
• Relax at a world class resort. Hayman Island will indulge you with an ocean massage while you float on the Coral Sea.
The Vibrant Side Of Australian City Life: Melbourne
The art capital of Australia. Among the lanes filled with thought provoking street art you will find the newly opened Art Series Hotels: The Cullen, The Blackman and The Olsen. Each boutique hotel offers a taste of true Aussie hospitality within a showcase of local artists and designers.
Discover quaint cafes, restaurants, and designer shops hidden in Melbourne’s wandering laneways. Just a few feet off the city's grid system, Melbourne’s culture comes to life in its narrow laneways. Grab a map and get lost for awhile.
Walk with a sommelier. Melbourne’s multicultural heritage makes it a culinary mecca for the best in fusion cuisine. Take a Sommelier’s City Walk to sample some of Melbourne’s best known restaurants and Australia’s finest wines.
Journey To Australia’s Red Center
Towering above the Outback's red terrain, Uluru is often photographed because of its massive size. Go beyond the lens and you'll soon discover it’s the spiritual center of the country. The monolith’s traditional guardians, the Anangu people, will take you to sacred ravines and watering holes at the base of the sandstone cathedral. Watch the spirit of the land transform at dusk, when the setting sun puts on a natural light show and the orange of Uluru melts into vibrant reds and violets.
Near Longitude 131º, an exclusive tented eco resort, you'll find the Sounds of Silence dinner where you will revive yourself with a feast of bush tucker while an Aboriginal guide tells tales of the Dreamtime. Interested in art? Join a painting class led by Aboriginal women who explain their culture through their artwork.
The World’s Oldest Rainforest
Many head to Cairns for its access to the Great Barrier reef only to discover the nearby wonders of the Daintree Rainforest, a World Heritage site that is the oldest rainforest in the world.
To truly immerse yourself, visit the locally owned Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa and stay in one of the fifteen Bayans, or tree houses. Meet with one of the local Kuku Yalanji on a bush walk where they may show you their art or the "women's only" spa waterfall.