Best places in Australia: Top tips from Steven Jacobs and Natalia Cooper
HE’S got more frequent flyer points than most of us could ever imagine and he reveals Australia’s best hidden gems.
AS AUSTRALIAN television’s longest running travelling weather presenter, Channel 9’s Steve Jacobs has seen more of his home country over the past 12 years than most would see in a lifetime.
Often traversing across five states in a week on the Today show, he has experienced the best locations and destinations Australia has to offer.
As Steve moved to Weekend Today, Natalia Cooper took over the weekday reins and in just eight months she has clocked up an impressive amount of frequent flyer miles.
Here, the travelling duo reveals a shortlist of their favourite Australian destinations.
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STEVE’S GEMS
On the far south coast of NSW about five hours from Sydney is the perfect coastal town of Narooma. Its name is derived from an Aboriginal word meaning “clear blue water”, which it has in abundance. In fact, the water is so clear and clean that a sea grass grows here that is unique to the region. With the ocean on one side and beautiful Wagonga Inlet on the other, Narooma is perfect. It is sleepy and relaxed but also features plenty of water sports, world-class fishing, seafood restaurants and a top 50-rated golf course with incredible views. This area is also home to some of the best oysters in the country and not far from the cheese-making town of Bodalla.
Top tips: My favourite oysters come from Narooma Bridge Oysters. Buy them and eat them fresh on the spot with a slice of local lemon. And you need to try the cheeses at the Bodalla Dairy Shed, an award-winning cafe and retro milk bar where the milk’s fresh from the cows out the back.
Maybe not so hidden anymore, but there is still something magical about Byron Bay. From the eclectic mix of hippies dancing down the street giving out flowers to the multimillion-dollar mansions at Wategos Beach, it really has something for everyone. The beaches are sublime and the locally sourced produce makes for a thriving paddock-to-plate food scene. Stunning sunrises, surf breaks, whale watching, vibrant music, yoga and more dreadlocks than a Bob Marley video; this is boho chic at its best. Don’t forget to head up to the hinterland and visit the breathtaking towns of Bangalow, Newrybar and Federal. Fire dancing and the local drumming circle are on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights on Belongil Beach.
Top tips: A trip to Byron isn’t complete without shopping at Island Luxe, staying at Rae’s on Wategos and dining out at Bayleaf Cafe for brekkie and Mez Club
for dinner.
It is three times the size of England and one of the world’s last great wilderness frontiers, but surprisingly, it is still somewhere Australians don’t seem to consider much in their travel itineraries. It is wild, remote and sparse, with red landscapes that seem to stretch into infinity. Visit an outback station and meet a true Crocodile Dundee character, swim in an incredible freshwater hole on the side of a mountain or walk through a labyrinth of canyons that seem to be carved by nature to take your breath away by their awe and beauty.
Top tip: Get yourself to the Zebedee Thermal Springs in the El Questro National Park.
My wife Rosie introduced me to this pocket of bliss as her home town where she was raised. It’s a
40-minute drive inland from Coffs Harbour on the Mid North Coast and is an authentic hippie town with a slow, relaxed vibe where locals still celebrate the good things in life such as growing organic food, reading, writing, smiling, connecting with other people and switching off from social media. This vibe has probably been created by the stunning lush landscapes that flow through and surround this relatively undiscovered town. With areas like The Promised Land, The Never Never, Darkwood Valley and Dorrigo Mountain, it sounds like a mystical place straight out of Middle Earth. With local markets, jazz festivals, rivers, mountains and valleys, it’s one of the best places in the country.
Top tip: Grab a lilo and float down one of the impossibly clear blue rivers. There’s a swimming hole right near the homes of Aussie legends George Negus and David Helfgott in Gleniffer that is just perfect on a summer’s day. Take a picnic lunch with some smoked fish from The Bellingen Smokehouse.
This is not only one of the most beautiful locations in Australia but in the entire world. Crystal-clear waters surrounded by pink granite rocks and lush green national parks create a stunning rainbow of colours that are blindingly beautiful. The beaches are pure perfection but if I had to choose one that shines above the rest, it would be the iconic Wineglass Bay. And while you are down south, just keep on exploring the rest of Tasmania because this entire state is one of the world’s most spectacular hidden gems.
Top tip: For a very special stay, you cannot beat Saffire Lodge where the degustation dinner will blow your mind and your tastebuds.
Lonely Planet has voted South Australia as one of the top five must-see destinations in the world for 2017, labelling it a “delicious feast suitable to anyone’s taste”. This state is incredibly diverse. A drive across SA will reveal some of the world’s most picturesque scenery with stunning coastlines, an abundance of fresh produce, amazing seafood and some of the best wine in the world. My bucket list features a dive in one of the ethereal underground sinkholes and caves dotted throughout the state.
Top tip: It’s hard to choose a favourite destination with so many beautiful seaside villages but Robe is the perfect mix of sleepy and sophisticated to ensure a gourmet stay with a totally chilled vibe.
Queensland is an area world famous for its breathtaking natural beauty. Every Australian should visit the Great Barrier Reef and take pride in one of the planet’s most precious natural wonders. The Whitsunday Islands are a dream for sailors and holiday- makers, the ancient rainforests and indigenous cultures make for a journey of discovery and understanding that will connect you to this land like nowhere else. From the vast Queensland Outback to the vibrant cool cafe culture of Port Douglas, this is a state you could easily spend a lifetime discovering.
Top tip: My hidden gem is Low Island, a sandy coral quay 15km off the coast of Port Douglas. Swimming with the turtles here always puts a smile on my face.
NATALIA’S GEMS
I’m a very proud WA girl, I love my home state and Rottnest Island is one of my absolute favourite spots in Australia. It’s just a short ferry ride from Fremantle and you’re in heaven. The water is a clear and vivid blue, the sand blindingly white and the reef teeming with fish.
Top tip: Everyone needs to put a “quokka selfie” on their bucket list!
There is nothing quite like the contrast between the red cliffs, the white sands and the turquoise water of the Kimberley. It’s such a special part of Australia and I’ve holidayed there many times. With its camels and epic sunsets, Cable Beach is a must-visit. But you should also trek north to Cape Leveque for the ultimate camping or glamping experience.
Top tips: Stay at Kooljaman, it’s so peaceful. Eat at Raugi’s Restaurant to taste bush ingredients prepared by a Michelin-trained chef.
Queensland is understandably famous for the Great Barrier Reef, magical islands like the Whitsundays and incredible beaches — hello, Whitehaven! But one of my favourite things about the Sunshine State is its wonderful festivals. My No.1 would be the Birdsville Races. Birdsville is an amazing outback town that is a 30-hour drive from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. It’s so remote and so awesome. When the festival is on the population swells from 120 to about 8000.
Top tip: As well as the main event of seeing horses race in the dusty desert, the Birdsville Pub is the place to be. Beer-can regattas, whip cracking, colourful characters — it’s guaranteed fun and good vibes.
My husband and I were married in this region at a beautiful property called Merribee House, and all our guests stayed in the town of Huskisson. It was the best week of our lives. The beaches here are phenomenal. Head to Booderee National Park where beautiful bushland meets the sea.
Top tip: Slip into your sneakers, slap on a hat, grab a water bottle and head off on one of my favourite walks to Whiting Beach. You’ll probably have it all to yourself. You won’t regret it.
Tasmania is so beautiful, it’s hard to choose a favourite spot. But visiting Wineglass Bay is a must. The walk through the Freycinet National Park is mind blowing, the views are out of this world. And the beach is one of Australia’s best, even though the water is mighty cold. The region’s seafood is amazing. While we are on the topic of Tasmania and food, I love Frogmore Creek Winery just out of Hobart. Delicious and creative cuisine washed down with top-notch wines, plus stunning views of rolling green hills.
Top tip: Don’t leave Tasmania without a visit to MONA in Hobart.
I love Walhalla. It was once a gold mining town with a population of 4000 but now it’s home to just 20 people and frozen in time. It’s like stepping back into the past. Walhalla’s heritage buildings have been lovingly restored. The history is fascinating as well. The town is nestled in a valley and surrounded by trees.
Top tip: In autumn, all the leaves turn the most vivid purples, reds, yellows and oranges. Unplug, unwind — this place has serenity in spades.
It’s one of Australia’s most-visited attractions and it stands at 860m above sea level, so it’s hardly a hidden gem but it is a must-see in my book. I went for the first time recently and was blown away by its beauty. It was fascinating learning about the Aboriginal history and culture of the area.
Top tip: I highly recommend exploring it on two wheels, either bicycle or Harley-Davidson. And don’t miss the sunset. As the light changes, Uluru appears to change colours. Magnificent.
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