It’s like Australia was made for roaming. The expanses of the sixth biggest country in the world call to the wanderers and the wild at heart with its diversity. Most tourists visit one of the big cities like Sydney or Melbourne. Some take the pilgrimage to Australia’s most iconic attraction – the ancient and sacred Uluru in the red center of the continent. However, there’s so much more to Australia than these tourist favorites. If you would love to get to know some of Australia’s different faces, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s break down where the road less traveled might lead you down under.
River Red Gum National Park in New South Wales
River Red Gum National Park can be a wonderful stop if you are on a road trip from Sydney to Adelaide. The park consists of some of the biggest river red gum areas in the world and is home to 150 species of birds. You will probably also encounter kangaroos, koalas, and other animals, as they tend to roam around freely.
The park covers the area near the border between Victoria and New South Wales, around the beautiful Murrumbidgee River. The trip can also be surprisingly cheap. The park doesn’t charge for tickets, and your stay in Sydney and Adelaide can be significantly less pricey if you decide to look for flatmates in Australia.
The Great Alpine Road in Victoria, Australia
Victoria is a favorite destination of road trippers thanks to another, more famous route – the Great Ocean Road. The Great Alpine Road doesn’t take you along the coast – instead, it winds 300 kilometers through the mountains of High Country. Along the way, you can enjoy the spectacular scenery, marvel at the lush flora (particularly in spring and autumn), go skiing (in the winter) and visit the picturesque towns of Wangaratta, Bright, and Omeo. In the summer, hikers can enjoy the many gorgeous trails. This is also a great starting point if you wish to continue onto the breathtakingly beautiful Gippsland Lakes area.
Keep River National Park in Northern Territory
If you’re up for a bit of desolate exploration in Australia’s deserts that make up the Northern Territory, don’t miss out on this oasis. The location is pretty remote, but all the more surreal once you reach it. This national park can be found off the highway that links Darwin to Broome.
Thousands of miles of scorched red earth in every direction, and in the middle of this flatland you will find strange cliffs jutting out of the ground, surrounded by tall palm trees. There is a campsite if you wish to stay for a few days and explore the nature and the aboriginal art on site.
Wineglass Bay in Tasmania
Wineglass Bay may be one of the most iconic images from Tasmania, with its dazzling white sand and iridescent water, but it’s far from the only one that’s worth seeing. In fact, this whole island off the southeastern coast of the continent is largely untouched. Incredible nature, lush forests, sprawling lonely beaches and amazing wildlife – that’s what makes Tasmania worth a place on every itinerary. Hiking trails in Tasmania will lead you through landscapes that literally look timeless, and you are sure to meet many endemic species of plants and animals. Australia is taking great pains to preserve Tasmania’s pristine beauty, and it’s definitely worth it.
Australia is a country that can take years to explore, and there’s so much more to do than just hang out at the beach. If you dare stray off the beaten path, you might just find yourself falling hopelessly in love with it.
Have you ventured out into Australia’s lesser known areas? Share your experience in the comments below!
Contributor: Marie Nieves
Contributor: Marie NievesMarie is a lifestyle blogger who loves unusual trips, gadgets and creative ideas. On her travels, she likes to read poetry and prose and to surf the Internet. Her favorite writer is Tracy Chevalier and she always carries one of her books in her bag. She is an avid lover of photography who loves to talk about her experiences. You can find Marie on Facebook or follow her on Twitter and Pinterest.
