Experience 16 Off The Beaten Path Destinations In Australia

The Sydney Harbour Bridge, The Opera Home, The Nice Barrier Reef and Uluru – everybody has heard of those iconic locations to go to in Australia, and they need to be on everybody’s journey bucket checklist of Australia experiences.

However Australia’s range stretches throughout a rustic virtually as massive because the US and is full of adventures that aren’t on the principle vacationer observe.

When planning a visit to Aus, it’s necessary so as to add some off the overwhelmed path locations in Australia to the plan too.

These hidden gems are the place you get to see the actual Australia. They’re locations that few worldwide, and native, vacationers enterprise into – making a extra significant and genuine expertise for individuals who do go to.

After spending 18 months street tripping round Australia, we had been blessed to find many hidden gems in Australia which can be off the overwhelmed path, which gave us particular tales to remove and bear in mind our expertise from.

Whether or not you’re searching for secluded seashores that you just share with sun-baking crocodiles, or searching for nights spent sleeping in underground properties, or tenting the place koalas, kangaroos, and wallabies freely roamed round you – these beneath locations nice essentially the most distinctive Aussie journey experiences.

The Greatest Off-The-Overwhelmed Path Australia Experiences

Beneath you can find a few of our favorite hidden gems in Australia that take you off the principle vacationer path and into the wild…

1. River Crimson Gum Nationwide Park, New South Wales

I can not rave sufficient in regards to the River Crimson Gum Nationwide Park.

Kangaroos and koalas operating freely within the wild, a nationwide park all to your self, free tenting, kayaking the Murrumbidgee River, Australia’s second longest river, and mountain bike driving beneath the cover of giant river pink gums.

The River Crimson Gum is positioned close to Wagga Wagga, NSW and near the Victorian border and is a very distinctive wildlife Australia experiences.

2. Glenworth Valley, Central Coast, NSW

Glenworth Valley on the Central Coast is just a 20-minute drive from our hometown and solely an hour north of Sydney.

We visited for the primary time final month. and spent the weekend horse driving, quad biking, abseiling, kayaking, and tenting within the stunning valley.

Glenworth Vally is likely one of the Australian experiences the place journey meets the tranquility of nature.

Don’t miss the horse mustering early within the morning.

3. Gibb River Highway, The Kimberly, WA

That is the Australian 4WD street journey expertise you most wish to have.

The Gibb River Highway runs by the center of the Kimberley area in Western Australia, one in all Australia’s final wilderness frontiers.

You may free camp alongside waterholes the place one other soul can’t be discovered and spend your days exploring gorges and waterfalls, savannahs and bushlands, and in case your sport you possibly can even swim with freshwater crocs. Apparently, they don’t chew!

4. Tasmania

Very excessive on my Australia bucket checklist is Tasmania. I’ve by no means heard something, however excessive reward heaped upon it as a very distinctive and delightful Australian off-the-beaten-path expertise.

Tasmania is called a pure state with pristine wilderness areas to discover, overland tracks to hike and among the greatest recent produce in Australia to take pleasure in alongside the way in which.

It’s additionally identified for its wild and untamed nationwide parks, the place you can find a few of Australia’s most unusual and rarest wildlife, together with the Tasmanian Satan, Emus, Wombats, and Grey Kangaroos.

Hobart, Australia’s second oldest metropolis, retains a lot of its historic and heritage buildings and environment and has the gorgeous backdrop of Mt Wellington.

It’s a terrific base to discover a lot of Tasmania’s prime locations to go to and rural off-the-beaten-path places. You’ll want to take a look at Cradle Mountain and the superb mountaineering trails close by.

Launceston is one other metropolis in Tas that makes for a terrific base for exploration.

5. Newcastle and the Hunter Valley, NSW

Newcastle has every part Sydney has however on a smaller scale, and but it’s solely 2 hours north.

It made Lonely Planet’s should see vacation spot checklist of 2011, and is the seventh largest metropolis in Australia – though it doesn’t really feel prefer it because it has a relaxed, surfer vibe and thriving artwork scene.

Newcastle has superb eating experiences, nice browsing seashores, and a laid-back way of life.

It is usually the gateway to implausible locations reminiscent of The Hunter Valley wine area; Stockton Seaside for dune buggy enjoyable; and whale watching (between June and November) within the aquatic playground of Port Stephens.

6. Ningaloo Reef, Exmouth, Western Australia

Ningaloo Reef is The Nice Barrier Reef of the West Coast, besides this one is unspoiled and unpopulated.

You may swim from the shoreline at Exmouth and Coral Bay immediately onto the reef which is flourishing with sea life.

It is usually the place the place you possibly can expertise the as soon as in a lifetime swim with the mild giants of the ocean: the whale sharks.

It’s positioned midway between Perth and Broome.

7. Coober Pedy, South Australia

If you happen to prefer it scorching and quirky then head to Coober Pedy in the course of South Australia.

Coober Pedy is the opal capital of the world and it’s so scorching that a lot of the city is underground.

Sleep in an underground cave, discover underground museums, mines, and church buildings, and play a spherical of golf on the desert course – not a blade of grass to be seen.

Get pleasure from a beer in an underground bar and take heed to the tales that come from the three,500 individuals from 45 nations who stay in Coober Pedy – Vibrant!

8. Kakadu Nationwide Park, Northern Territory

If there’s one nationwide park you have to expertise in Australia, it’s Kakadu Nationwide Park. Though it’s fairly well-known, it’s nonetheless off the overwhelmed path because it’s fairly a trek to get to. You should first get to Darwin, after which take a drive for about 2.5 hours to the park.

Getting there by public transport goes to be extraordinarily troublesome, so you have to to rent a automobile.

Kakadu is likely one of the few locations on this planet that’s World Heritage Listed for each its cultural and pure values.

It’s additionally the most important nationwide park in Australia which implies there may be loads of room to get away from the crowds, nevertheless, we wouldn’t suggest you enterprise too distant from the trail as that is croc territory.

Kakadu is residence to one of many oldest residing societies on Earth, the native Bininj and Mugguy individuals, in addition to tons of of saltwater crocodiles different reptiles, birds, fish, mammals, and greater than 2,000 plant species.

Kakadu has six totally different landscapes and habitats and 6 totally different seasons.

If you happen to’re searching for some hidden gem experiences in Kakadu, then we suggest you benefit from the sundown at Ubirr, go to the gorgeous Gunlom waterfall, and go to the Nourlangie Aboriginal rock artwork web site. You can too take a Yellow Water Cruise (Cooinda) although that is fairly touristy.

For these desirous to expertise off-the-beaten-path locations in Australia’s Prime Finish, Kakadu shouldn’t be skipped.

9. The Central Coast, NSW

The Central Coast Area is simply 90 minute quick drive north of Sydney. So remember to come go to us whenever you arrive.

Considered one of our favorite spots is Terrigal Seaside, a small coastal city typically visited by celebs and well-known sports activities stars.

It’s quiet and surrounded by browsing seashores, a lagoon for get up paddle boarding and paddle boats, and The Haven for picnics, rolls down the Skillion and spectacular sundown views.

Take your wine and cheese and crackers and benefit from the magic.

Different highlights embrace:

10. Port Macquarie, NSW North Coast

Port Macquarie is the overall bundle for off the overwhelmed path Aussie experiences. Positioned on the East Coast, it’s in regards to the midway level between Sydney and Brisbane.

Uncrowded, miles of white sand seashores with wonderful surf, an 8km stroll alongside the shoreline, wild dolphin and whale encounters, vineyards, actions for households, and essentially the most magnificent sunsets.

Benefit from the sunsets on a Sunday with $20 cocktails on the Seaside Home on the waterfront. Magical…

11. Phillip Island, Victoria

Phillip Island, Victoria is a car-free out of doors journey land and is the right off the overwhelmed path retreat from Melbourne.

It has small sleepy cities, coastal surroundings, wild surf, and wetlands.

Most individuals head to Phillip Island for the penguin parade, which is a reputation given to a colony of penguins who march out from the ocean at nightfall every day to burrow down for the night within the sand dunes. Too cute.

Though the penguin parade has grow to be a little bit of a vacationer gimmick through the years, not many individuals enterprise round the remainder of the island, so you possibly can all the time discover a good, secluded spot to observe the waves.

12. The Grampians, Victoria

I first heard in regards to the Grampians, Victoria from my Swedish rock-climbing good friend.

He’s rock climbed world wide and mentioned the Grampians was his favorite, not only for the difficult rock climbs, however for the sweetness and the peace and tranquility that comes with it being an off the overwhelmed path Aussie expertise.

And it’s only some hours drive west of Melbourne.

You resolve – journey or relax within the mountains? Oh, heck why not have each? The Grampians are nonetheless an off-the-beaten-path journey in Australia ready to be explored.

13. Arnhem Land, Northern Territory

A very distinctive Aboriginal cultural expertise can be a go to to Arnhem Land within the Northern Territory.

It’s not a simple journey and positively not an everyday vacationer vacation spot, which is why it is best to 100% make it a part of your off-the-beaten-path itinerary.

Services for guests are restricted and also you want a allow to enter. However what you get again is a wealthy and various cultural expertise and a solution to be taught extra in regards to the authentic house owners of this magical land.

Arnhem Land is a extremely protected space and is ruled by the Aboriginal elders of every of the small coastal communities. It’s positively a rewarding off-the-beaten-path expertise for tradition and untouched magnificence.

14. Cape York Peninsula, Queensland

Leap in your 4WD and discover the slender peninsula of Cape York on the tip of Australia. Whereas many individuals take into account Fraser Island one of the best place for 4WDing – these individuals in all probability haven’t been to Cape York.

Cape York is just accessible by street within the dry season between Might and November. After that, it’s lower off by the ocean.

The Cape York Peninsula is a land of few individuals and prolific wildlife, superb fishing, gorgeous surroundings, and lots of historic aboriginal cultural websites.

Leap on a ferry over to Thursday Island to expertise the wealthy historical past and indigenous tradition.

The Coastal Route through Cape Tribulation close to the Daintree Rainforest, in addition to the Bloomfield Observe to Cooktown additionally requires a 4WD and is extremely scenic. You’ll get rainforest and reefs in a single place!

15. Kangaroo Island, South Australia

Often known as ‘Australia’s Galpagos‘ Kangaroo Island, off the coast of South Australia, is wealthy with wildlife and untouched by people.

A overwhelming majority of the island is a protected Nationwide Park and wilderness space. It’s a place to calm down and unwind and see native animals of their pure habitat.

Kangaroo Island is the place for 4WD exploration with a lot of the island solely accessible with this automobile.

It’s a brief 45-minute ferry journey from Adelaide to Kangaroo Island.

16. Outback

Whereas many individuals go to Alice Springs to discover the outback and don’t see greater than Uluru (Ayers Rock) and some different rock formations, it is best to word that the Australian outback is 6.5 million sq. kilometres, making it probably the greatest locations to get off the overwhelmed path in Australia.

Rent a campervan and drive to Boodjamulla Nationwide Park, which is within the Queensland Outback.

It’s just like Uluru in that it has the enduring pink rock formations, but it surely’s additionally an emerald, inexperienced oasis with many swimming holes, craggy gorges, arid landscapes, and lots of mountaineering trails, bush walks, and tenting websites.

It’s one in all our favorite nationwide parks in Australia and is iconic for its gorges. A few of our favorite issues to do within the park are canoeing on the Decrease and Higher Gorge, and strolling as much as the Higher Gorge lookout.

Ultimate Phrase on Off The Overwhelmed Observe Australia

There you may have it, these are one of the best hidden gems and off-the-beaten-track adventures in Australia from a locals perspective.

After all, there are a lot extra locations simply ready to be found, and a few that we felt are too good to share.

Among the best issues about visiting off the overwhelmed path locations is that you just get to expertise someplace nobody else has heard of, or only a few individuals often go to.

It will be counter productive of us to share each hidden gem we visited on this information, as they might now not be hidden, so we urge you to exit and probe for your self.

However do take nice care when exploring the again roads of Aus and preserve a watch out for native wildlife!

Extra Australia Journey Suggestions

After all, in addition to visiting the off-the-beaten-path locations in Australia, you also needs to be certain to go to some iconic locations too. Listed below are another sources that will help you plan your journey to Australia: