Don’t just visit these Australian icons, experience them to the fullest with immersive stays that really make you feel a part of the incredible Aussie landscape. The adventure is real!
To get to the real heart of Australia and its truly original culture, people and natural treasures, you need to venture deep into its heart.
Find yourself in the midst of the Australian wilderness down south in Tasmania, or wake up with wildlife in the Northern Territory, or take a five star cruise through gorges of The Kimberley region in Western Australia.
And there’s no need to exchange creature comforts to immerse yourself in this rugged southern land. Off the beaten track has never looked so appealing!
Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, TAS Photo: Graham Freeman
Wilderness Stay — Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge (TAS)
One of Tasmania’s most iconic locales, the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is nestled in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. The northern entrance of the park is a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Launceston, while the southern entrance is a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Hobart.
Tucked away in this expanse of wilderness is the luxurious Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge. It offers decadent rooms that overlook the National Park with striking vistas of the mountains looming over the serene lake.
From here, you can explore the scenic beauty of the region with walks that take you in and around the Cradle Mountain and Dove Lake. For a taste of Australia’s famed hiking tracks, test your grit on the Overland Track. For a more serene experience, Pepper’s takes you on what they call an Enchanted Stroll. It not only takes you deep into the surrounding forests, it also offers you a chance to sight the elusive platypus!
The closest airport, Devonport, is a little over an hour’s drive away. The lodge is also accessible from Launceston via car in less than three hours.
Melaleuca Forest, Bamurru Plains, NT – photo Archie Sartracom
Wildlife Stay — Bamurru Plains (NT)
At almost 20,000 square kilometres, Kakadu National Park, located some 240 kilometres east of Darwin, is Australia’s largest terrestrial national park. On its very edge in the Mary River Region sits the sprawling Bamurru Plains across 300 square kilometres of private land. A world unto its own, Bamurru Plains tucks you away into Australia’s wild bushland as it spoils you with luxury. Whether you choose to make the two-and-a-half-hour drive here from Darwin or the 20-minute light plane flight, once here you won’t be thinking of much else.
With only 10 safari bungalows on the entire property, each offers a private experience of the wild that you can reach out and touch. Within the perimeters of the mesh fence that surrounds your luxuriously appointed bungalow, you will find an enchanting range of birds and native animals like buffalo, antilopine wallaroos and agile wallabies. Safaris, airboat tours and river cruises take you even closer into Kakadu and its surrounding bushland, while the untamed wild envelops you.
Taking exclusivity to new heights (quite literally) is The Hide. Standing nearly six metres off the ground, this treetop lookout unravels the panorama of the Mary River floodplain and the surrounding woodlands. For a truly special evening, book the overnight ‘sleep out’ to experience the sights and sounds of the bush in your deluxe private tree house.
Kimberley Quest
Luxury Cruise, Kimberley Quest (WA)
Getting to the Kimberley Coast, along the northern edge of Australia’s wild west, requires a bit of planning but its untouched landscape defined by majestic gorges and dramatic ranges has all the makings of an incredible holiday. The region’s closest major gateway is the beach town of Broome on the western edge of the Kimberley. There are direct two-and-a-half-hour flights to Broome from Perth year-round, and direct flights from Melbourne and Sydney during the high season between April and October.
Amid its large swathes of wilderness, you will find meandering streams, isolated beaches and impressive waterfalls that are often near impossible to explore by land. Which is why jumping on board the Kimberley Quest II takes you on an adventure that is both unique and refined.
The 25-metre-long vessel is custom-designed to navigate the secluded inlets and waterholes of the rugged coast. But they ensure you do all your exploring in opulent comfort. With gourmet cuisine, an indulgent spa, well appointed rooms and personalised service for a maximum of 18 guests on-board, you will be hard-pressed to find a better way to experience all that this must-visit region has to offer.
Whether you’re heading north for its massive gorges, famous river systems and extensive waterfalls, or south for its untouched islands, whirlpools, inlets and pockets of buzzing rainforests, the cruise gives you plenty of opportunity for rest, relaxation and adventure. While here, don’t miss the breathtaking helicopter ride over Mitchell Falls.
Grab yourself a great airfare and take your first step towards an incredible Australian adventure here.
Photos courtesy of Tourism Australia.
