Holiday here this year: Australian travel destinations that really need you

You’ve read about in the newspapers and heard it on the news: Tourism Australia is calling for Aussies to #HolidayHereThisYear.

It’s your call to arms to swap a long-haul flight for shorter fly and drive holidays to visit the regions and towns that were hardest hit by the double whammy of the bushfire crisis earlier in the year followed by COVID-19.

If you’re making holiday plans, make sure you put these six towns on your to-travel list.

1. Kangaroo Island, SA

Looking for an island break? Head to the third largest one in Australia, Kangaroo Island.

Touchdown on Kangaroo Island with QantasLink or book a fly, drive and ferry combo from Adelaide. Board the 45-minute SeaLink ferry at Cape Jervis (100 kilometres south of Adelaide, via this wine country) and arrive in Penneshaw on Kangaroo Island’s east coast.

While the west side of the island was largely affected by the bushfires, there’s plenty to experience and explore on the east coast of the island, from Penneshaw to Cygnet River.

Follow the Cygnet River Artisan Trail and indulge in local produce from wine to gin. Look out for the food trucks along the way, serving local produce.
Given the island was declared a bee sanctuary in 1885, you can sweeten your journey with a visit to Clifford’s Honey Farm and Island Beehive. 

Don’t depart without having a close encounter with the island’s local inhabitants – kangaroos, koalas, emus and sea lions at the aptly named Seal Bay.

• Also read: 5 reasons to visit Kangaroo Island

2. Blue Mountains, NSW

Grab your hiking boots, tie up your laces and set your GPS 60 kilometres west of Sydney to the Blue Mountains.

While a large portion (80 percent) of the world-heritage listed Blue Mountains was affected by the bushfires, many sections of the Blue Mountains National Park including lookouts, picnic areas and the walking tracks between Katoomba and Wentworth Falls are open and welcome to visitors.

For accommodation served with a slice of history, book to stay at the heritage-listed Carrington Hotel. Sit by the log fire and marvel and soak up the old-world charm of the building.

Wrap up a day on the trails with a meal at a local café or bistro – with the paddock-to-plate ethos running through the veins of local establishments since the early 1900s.

You might be out of the big smoke, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy barista made coffees or hatted restaurant menus.

3. Stanthorpe, QLD

Supporting local communities by tasting wine and craft beers, where do you sign up?

Download your favourite Spotify playlist and head 230 kilometres south-west from Brisbane Airport. 

To swill and swirl with a difference, take the Strange Bird Wine Trail to sample local Viognier, Mourvèdre and Tempranillos or hopps on over to the microbreweries to taste locally brewed kolsch, pilsner, and a selection of pales, ales and porters.

Don’t forget Stanthorpe is Queensland’s very own fruit bowl, so fill your basket and boot with apples, pears, permissions and figs.

Looking for an itinerary? Here’s one coming right up!

4. Sapphire Coast, NSW

Enjoy ocean breezes and feeling the sand between your toes? Think Sapphire Coast.

Home to the award-winning Sydney Rock Oyster, follow the 129-kilometre Oyster Trail to sample these salty morsels straight from the farm. 
While there’s six local oyster farms to visit along the way, no two farms are alike. Experience the difference between organic farming techniques and oysters farmed on lakes that were created during the last ice age. 

Aside from oysters, fresh produce reigns supreme along this coastline – so time your visit for a weekend farmers market and stop by the local breweries and distilleries. 

Don’t forget to pack your walking shoes – surrounded by National Parks and lagoons, there’s no shortage of green space to head out for a bush walk to work up an appetite.

5. East Gippsland, VIC

Explore lakes, mountains or countryside with a visit to East Gippsland.

With three regions – Gippsland Lakes, Alpine High Country and Snowy River Country – East Gippsland is as diverse as it comes.

Hire a boat to explore Australia’s largest inland waterway or lace up your hiking boots and set off along the Australian Alps walking track – with all-year-round access to Australia’s highest sealed road, the Great Alpine Road.

If caves and labyrinths are more your style, the Snowy Country region dishes underground adventure up in spades. Follow the 285-kilometre Country Trail to explore the Buchan Caves Reserve and Snowy River and Alpine National Parks.

Don’t forget to make the most of the country hospitality and stop in for a pub lunch and coldie along the way.

6. Tamborine Mountain, QLD

Explore the green behind the gold with a visit to Tamborine Mountain.

While the Gold Coast draws crowds for its promise of sunshine and golden beaches, visitors to Tamborine Mountain, a short 40-kilometre drive from Surfers Paradise, are welcomed with canopies of trees making up the world-heritage listed Gondwana Rainforest.

Travel the winding road to the Tamborine Mountain Gallery Walk and stroll through the 70 specialty shops – from art galleries, cellar doors, distilleries and the famous fudge shop. 

For more scenic drives like this, point your bonnet over to this post.

PLAN YOUR TRAVEL

• Research and book accommodation with Booking.com.
• Car hire: Compare all car rental companies and get the best price.
• Book your airport parking online for the best price every time.

CREDITS

• Feature image by: Blue Mountains by Tourism Australia
• Create your Aussie travel bucket list and #HolidayHereThisYear