Escape: 25 hidden Aussie gems and must-see places
Australia's hottest new travel experiences prove you don't need a passport for adventure, with 25 fresh destinations from floating saunas to outback safaris.
You don’t have to splash thousands on an international airfare, there’s so much happening right here at home. Even in your own city.
As part of News Australia’s Back Australia campaign, here are 25 things to get you started.
GET OUT THERE
1 Australian Outback, Animal Night Safari
Where: Dryandra Woodlands, WA
Adventure Quokka Tours are heading out of Perth and into the wheatbelt to spot shy Aussie marsupials such as the endangered numbat and bilby. It’s an 11-hour experience that includes a daytime bushwalk, sunset picnic (with wine) and a sound healing session. quokka-tours.com.au
Why: Animal spotting and celestial gongs are a new idea.
2 Summer’s best swims
Australia’s coastal circumference spoils us with spots to cool off. If you’re nearby these beauties, pack your swimmers. This year Tourism Australia anointed Tassie’s Bay of Fires the best beach in the country. On the Sunshine Coast, skip the Noosa crowds and explore lesser-known Bokarina. And north of Coffs Harbour, Wooli has hideaway vibes, while Buley Rockhole in Litchfield National Park, NT is an under-the-radar gem.
3 Gunlom Falls
Where: Kakadu National Park, NT
After a six-year closure, the famous Gunlom Falls has reopened. Set on Waterfall Creek, a series of crystal-clear plunge pools step down to a natural infinity pool with attention snatching views over the UNESCO World Heritage-listed national park. This is peak pool.
Tip: The Gunlom Falls campground has also reopened, so stay to swim longer.
4 Monarto Safari Resort
Where: Monarto, SA
You needn’t go to South Africa to safari – just head to South Australia. At this new, savannah-luxe 78-room “safari resort” you can join special tours to observe wild-roaming animals at dawn and sunset. There’s also a spa and restaurant adjacent to the 1500ha Safari Park. monartosafariresort.com
Know this: If you’d rather camp out, 20 luxury safari tents are opening soon.
5 Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk
Where: Northern Rivers, NSW
Trailing through 48km of ancient Gondwana Rainforest from Unicorn Falls in Mount Jerusalem National Park to Minyon Falls in Nightcap National Park, this new four-day guided trek has you unfurling in glamping tents and enjoying chef-cooked meals at the end of the day. visionwalks.com.au
Tip: Pair your walk with a ride along the Northern Rivers Rail Trail.
NEW TO SEE, DO
6 MV Jasmine
Where: Byron Bay, NSW
Sunsets are a thing in Byron, but if sitting on a grassy knoll watching fire twirlers isn’t for you, step aboard the new MV Jasmine. This luxe floating bar drifts along the Brunswick River for a three-hour golden cruise or a long lunch. mvjasmine.com
Why: Byron’s first floating venue is kicking it off in style.
7 Mogo bike trails
Where: Eurobodalla, NSW
Get around the turns and berms at the newly opened Mogo mountain bike trails for a bit of summer grit. Ranging from easy/green trails to the intimidating Big Dog’s Bone black trail, there are curves for all levels. mogotrails.com.au
Good to know: Read up on trail safety and etiquette before heading out.
8 Indigenous guided walking tour
Where: Boat Harbour Beach, Tas
Translating to “understand Boat Harbour”, the new Indigenous-led tunapri Patuyala guided tour takes guests on a 90-minute walk on country at this spot on the northwest coast of Lutruwita (Tasmania). You’ll learn about the history of the area and even get crafty with a cultural activity. discovertasmania.com.au
Why: To understand this pristine landscape through a First Nations lens.
9 Cliffhanger
Where: Gold Coast, Qld
At 400m above the valley floor of the Gold Coast’s Lamington National Park, Happitat is the world’s first cliff-side adventure park. Thrill-seekers are invited to conquer ziplines and suspension bridges while immersing themselves in nature. Opens December 2025. happitat.com.au
10 Floating saunas
Take your wellness onto the water with plunge-ready floating saunas. When things get hot, step out and slip in. In Victoria’s Lakes Entrance, try Idle Lake House; plunge into Lake Burleigh Griffin in Canberra or Lake Derby in Tassie from the Scandi-style Floating Sauna; and in Sydney Harbour, go for The Ark by Wellness Afloat. floatingsauna.com.au;
idlelakehouse.com; wellnessafloat.com.au
11 Listening bars
Riffing on the Japanese idea of jazz kissatens (tea houses), where music appreciation is paired
with drinks, there’s been a blossoming of listening houses slipping records out of their sleeves for your auditory pleasure. Sip and nod along at Outro in Canberra’s Braddon, at Sydney’s Dead Wax in Enmore and Bar Selecta in Melbourne’s Hawthorne. baroutro.com.au;
barselecta.co; @deadwax.enmore
12 Pair’d Margaret River Region
Where: WA
WHEN: 20-23 November
This stunning coastal region just 45 minutes from Busselton Airport has long attracted food and wine lovers. Now in its second year, Pair’d Margaret River Region is popping corks and setting tables for a festival that celebrates it all over four days of tastings, chats and beachside dining. pairdmargaretriver.com
Know this: The Pair’d Beach Club at Meelup Beach is worth a Nullarbor crossing.
13 La Ronde
Where: Sydney, NSW
This cheeky little cabaret is a 90-minute romp of performance art, music and circus all stitched together with plenty of humour. The sequined spectacle is in Sydney for light and loose fun at The Grand Electric until December 21. larondetheshow.com
Tip: Opt in for VIP ringside seating with complimentary bubbles.
14 National Indigenous Art Triennial:After the Rain
Where: National Gallery of Australia, ACT
The fifth National Indigenous Art Triennial centres on renewal and rebirth following the cleansing power of rain and explores this theme through 10 large-scale works created by emerging and established First Nations artists. nga.gov.au
When: December 6 to April 26
STAYING IN
15 Garde Hotel
Where: Fremantle, WA
This hot opening is yet another reason to add the port city of Fremantle to your west coast to-do list. Set in the historic convict quarter, the 83 rooms and suites are styled with a modern maritime luxe, complete with spa and a “Japorean” restaurant, Anglesea. gardehotel.com.au
Tip: For extra space, book the Warder’s Cottages.
16 Rare Earth Retreats
Where: McLaren Vale, SA
Soothing aesthetics and minimal impact living unite at this off-grid wine country escape, where the luxury is so quiet it’s virtually inaudible. Three villas, Stone, Clay and Slate, are designed for downtime, preferably with wine from nearby cellar doors. rareearthretreats.com.au
Why: Disconnecting can be the best way to reconnect.
17 25hours Sydney
Where: Sydney, NSW
Doors are finally open at the hotly anticipated 25hours Hotel The Olympia in Sydney’s Paddington. The hip German hotel chain has festooned 109 rooms with local artworks and of-the-moment coolness, plus opened four dining spaces that turn the 1915-era building into a precinct for the community. 25hours-hotels.com
Also in NSW: If you’re going coastal, check out the new Sea Sea in Crescent Head and Marina Resort Port Stephens.
18 Pumphouse Point Retreats
Where: Lake St Clair, Tas
Jutting into Lake St Clair, Pumphouse Point has captivated with its distinctly Tasmanian beauty since 2015. Now joining the former hydro plant are two serene one-bedroom retreats tucked into the wilderness at the lake’s edge. pumphousepoint.com.au
Tip: End a hike of the Overland Track with a stay here.
19 Kar-Rama
Where: Mildura, Vic
This mod motel is giving off a Slim Aarons aura with sleek poolside style. Think voluptuous butterfly-shaped pool, crazy paving and sunken lounge all set in the Murray- adjacent city of Mildura. karrama.com.au
Tip: Don’t miss Bruce Munro’s incredible Trail of Lights.
Also: New to the Murray at Mildura is the Palm Springs- styled Trentham Waters Resort.
20 The Sundays
Where: Hamilton Island, Qld
You had us at boutique escape in the Great Barrier Reef. Set on the northern edge of Catseye Beach, where every room welcomes the day with sun-sparkled water views, this new hotel comes replete with a Pool Club helmed by acclaimed chef Josh Niland. hamiltonisland.com.au
Why: This is the first new-build stay on the island since Qualia opened in 2007.
Dining Out
21 Barragunda Dining
Where: Mornington Peninsula, Vic
At a restaurant where the chef is also a farmer, you know produce will play a big role. Simone Watts works her magic at this 40-seat fine-diner set in a glass pavilion. barragunda.com.au
Know this: Late lunchers should book for Saturday when the restaurant is open until 7pm.
22 Oirthir
Where: Bream Creek, Tas
Two Scottish-born, French-trained chefs distilled their passion for Tasmania’s vibrant produce into this destination diner. The views are wistful, the setting idyllic and the food exceptional from the husband-and-wife team who’ve worked at Michelin-starred restaurants in Scotland. oirthir.com
Know this: It’s one of the few restaurants in the region open on a Monday night.
23 Winnifred’s Champagne Bar and French Bistro
Where: Brisbane, Qld
Everything here is inspired by France’s Champagne region, from the 360-strong range of cuvées to the bistro fare and the suave soundtrack. Showcasing bubbles from 63 small-scale growers, the drops are chosen to ensure everyone finds something they enjoy. winnifreds.com.au
Why: It feels about time we had a dedicated Champagne bar.
24 Shaw Estate
Where: Murrumbateman, NSW Shaw Estate has long been circled on the maps of devout vine-hoppers, and with the opening of its much-awaited restaurant, gourmands are also highlighting this must-do winery. Just 30 clicks from Canberra, the finely tuned Southern Highlands Italian is locally focused and hyper-seasonal. shawestate.com.au
Why: A long lunch among the vines is what life is all about.
25 Pamkal family cook-ups
Where: Katherine, NT
Celebrated NT artist Manuel Pamkal leads Dalabon Cultural Tours in the Katherine region, where guests absorb his humour-laced cultural insights as they explore local places and customs. His latest three-hour tour is a bush cook-up of fam favourites from his mob, including kangaroo tails to barra cooked over the coals. dalabon.com.au
Why: To experience a picnic just as it’s been done for thousands of years.
This article is part of the Back Australia series, which was supported by Australian Made Campaign, Harvey Norman, Westpac, Bunnings, Coles, TechnologyOne, REA Group, Cadbury, R.M.Williams, Qantas, Vodafone and BHP.
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Originally published as Escape: 25 hidden Aussie gems and must-see places
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