Located on the Gold Coast, Lamington National Park is made up of two distinct sections, the Binna Burra area and the Green Mountains. Overall, the park encompasses more than 20,000 hectares of land, and is mainly made up of ancient rainforest. There are extensive walking tracks in the area suitable for all fitness levels, and the forests are filled with exotic birds. Lizards, snakes, and small mammals can also sometimes be seen. Visitors that make their way up to the mountainous lookouts, either by hiking or by road, will be rewarded with phenomenal views of Queensland and its neighboring state of New South Wales. The area is full of fast-flowing streams and waterfalls which create pools where it may even be possible to spot an elusive platypus.
There are two mountain lodges located inside the park, both offering excellent eco-tourism programs. O’Reilly’s offers guests excellent views, luxurious rooms, and even a spa. They offer a multitude of day trips, including guided walks and four wheel drive excursions, as well as nature presentations and tours as part of their Discovery Program. The Tree Top Walk is a 300 meter long walk along nine suspension bridges 180 meters from the ground. It offers an exceptional opportunity to view the forest and its inhabitants from a very unique perspective. The Binna Burra Lodge is located on the other side of the park, and offers both rustic cabins as well as hotel rooms for accommodation. A variety of day trips are available, including adventurous activities such as abseiling and zip lining through the tree tops, as well as guided day hikes and birdwatching. A health spa and evening entertainment round out a visitor’s stay.
The southern area of the park can be accessed through Christmas Creek or the Lost World Valley, both of which offer varied accommodation options including bed and breakfasts and farmstays.
As a way to get to know a new country, a road trip really can’t be beat. What other form of travel allows you to so intimately explore the little towns and get to know the people along your route? Among Australia’s many fantastic scenic drives is the Sydney to Melbourne coastal drive, a fourteen hour tour along Australia’s southern coast.
The first leg of the journey goes from Sydney to Jervis Bay. The road here follows high cliffs overlooking the ocean and provides stunning scenery. In Jervis Bay enjoy the pristine beaches and take advantage of the ample sea life by taking a dolphin-watching cruise. Next, travel to the town of Mallacoota. Along the way, you’ll want to stop in the village of Central Tilba to shop for wine, food, and local arts and crafts. In Narooma be sure to check out the Montague Island Nature Reserve, where fur seals, dolphins, turtles, and penguins are a common sight. If antique shops and art galleries are for you, then be sure to stop in Berry for some shopping. Eden was once Australia’s whaling capital, and killer whales can often still be seen here. Visit the Killer Whale Museum to discover more about these incredible creatures.
From Mallacoota, head to Wilson’s Promontory, the southernmost point of Australia’s mainland. On this part of the trip you’ll pass Ninety Mile Beach and the town of Lakes Entrance, where local restaurants serve up delicious seafood. Wilson’s Promontory is a beautiful national park that encompasses sandy beaches, eucalyptus forests, and granite mountains. The final portion of the trip will take you through the delightful Phillip Island where you can easily view fur seals, koalas, and the penguins that make a nightly trek up the beach. It is a short drive from Phillip Island to Melbourne, where the coastal drive ends and big city fun begins.
Aboriginal tourism has become very popular in Australia’s states, and New South Wales is no exception. To become even more intimately acquainted with Aboriginal life, you may wish to consider joining a guided tour.
To learn more about the original inhabitants of the Sydney area, consider boarding the Deerubin, an Aboringal-owned-and operated vessel, for a cruise around Circular Quay. While on board, you’ll learn about Aboriginal fishing techniques, view old settlements and rock carvings, and enjoy Aboriginal stories. One of the highlights of the tour is a stop at Clark Island where passengers can watch traditional Aboriginal dancing.
In the north west of the province lies the spectacular Warrumbungle National Park. A fantastic way to explore the park is on one of the two Aboriginal Discovery tours led by the local Gamilaroi people. The first tour involves an easy walk through the forests to Tara Cave, an Aboriginal settlement used for over 4,000 years. The second involves a drive out to the Sandstone Caves with the park ranger and a local Aboriginal elder. This tour requires participants to have their own vehicle.
For the more adventurous, how about trying a walkabout? A walkabout is a traditional journey of self-discovery, a holistic way to develop a strong spiritual connection with the land. Evan Yanna Muru of Blue Mountains Walkabout leads participants on an eight kilometer hike through the wilderness where they explore Aboriginal ceremonial sites, learn about Dreamtime, and even try their hand at body painting with traditional ochre paint.
In the far west of the province is Mungo National Park, where visitors can enjoy accommodations in the Aboriginal-owned lodge or cabins. Tours explore Lake Victoria, where the oldest remains in Australia have been found, and also the dried up Lake Mungo and the sand and clay formations that flank it. The evening can be spent enjoying Aboriginal songs and stories around a campfire back at the lodge.
