After having a reputation for being among the world's most prolific overseas travellers, there are suddenly signs that Australians are turning into a bunch of stay-at-homes.
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Our spending on domestic travel, after all, has reached $54.4 billion – a record high, say the most recent figures from Tourism Research Australia.
There are good reasons for this, of course. The declining Aussie dollar has seen us rethink our plans of travelling to expensive destinations such as the United States and western Europe. And, just as importantly, our increasing preference for quick breaks inevitably leads us to look to short-haul destinations.
One of the main reason we are spending more time in Australia, however, is simply that there is so much to see and do. Whatever your travel style, this vast continent of ours has you covered. You can stay in flashy hotels, indulgent resorts or rustic retreats – the quality of which has greatly improved in recent years – dive on coral reefs or explore alpine landscapes.
You can spend days trekking through the outback or through ancient forests. You can explore ancient Indigenous cultures or bustling modern cities; cruise the turquoise waters of the Kimberley or wake up in the silence of a desert morning, all the while dining on food that has come as long a way as Australian tourism itself.
So let us take a moment to rejoice in the pleasures available to us today: the cheap airfares and the luxury lodges, the cultural experiences and the great outdoors. There is a world of wonders to explore within Australia and our expert writers have made it easier for you with their choices of the great Australian holiday in 2016.
THE GREAT AUSTRALIAN URBAN HOLIDAY
By Julietta Jameson
THE TRIP A long weekend in Adelaide
WHY SHOULD I GO? Forget the city of churches or any of those other old-hat perceptions. Adelaide is glowing, thanks to passionate young local entrepreneurs handcrafting, purpose building and cleverly reimagining a stimulating urban culture out of what has always been a city of beautiful bones, even if it was a little sleepy.
Adelaide Festival Centre from the Torrens, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
TELL ME MORE Fly in and go straight to the pacesetter of Adelaide's social scene. That's 2KW (2kwbar.com.au), Adelaide hospitality superstar Martin Palmer's rooftop bar and restaurant, which offers stunning city views. Choose pizza, fine dining or a drink and nibbles – any way, the wine list is amazing. The coffee culture here is shamelessly obsessive. Each morning of your stay, try a local roast – Goat Candy at Ergo (goatcandy.com.au) and Boulangerie 113, for instance.
Adelaide hosts cultural celebrations year-round. The riverside Festival Centre (adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au) is the hub of all things arty. Be part of it; the arts are essential to the fabric of local life. Hit the galleries and museums, too. Adelaide's long association with the arts has created a legacy of terrific collections.
High-brow she may be, but Adelaide's a sporty wench as well. Catch a game of AFL or cricket at the brilliantly redeveloped Adelaide Oval (adelaideoval.com.au). Do a tour or the new RoofClimb, especially good at sunset.
You can rent a bike for free at Bicycle SA (bikesa.asn.au) – cycle the 10 kilometres out to Henley Beach. Not feeling so energetic? Catch public transport to the historic seaside suburb of Glenelg.
Take a bunch of long-forgotten laneways and historic spaces. Add a change of licensing laws, an entrepreneur or two with DIY know-how and a cocktail shaker, and hello, small bar scene. Adelaide's is growing in both scope and sophistication, seemingly by the day. Gilbert Place is a locale that's on trend – try Hains & Co (hainsco.com.au) there for premium spirits.
In the realm of dining, there is just so much choice. But if we had to pick a don't-miss? It's Africola (africola.com.au) Chef Duncan Welgemoed worked closely with Heston Blumenthal and brings his mentor's boundary-pushing playfulness plus his own African heritage to a wildly festive barbecue joint.
Before you head home, hire a car for, say, Sunday and drive to the Barossa, the Clare Valley or McLaren Vale. All wine regions are within striking distance of the city and all unmissable (you'll just have to come back to tick off the ones you don't do.)
MAKE IT HAPPEN Stay at the gorgeous Mayfair and don't miss the boutique hotel's cool rooftop bar. Rooms from $209. See mayfairhotel.com.au. All domestic airlines fly direct to Adelaide. See southaustralia.com
Part of the stands in the newly redeveloped Adelaide Oval.
THE GREAT AUSTRALIAN BEACH HOLIDAY
By Sheriden Rhodes
THE TRIP A beach holiday at Byron Bay, NSW
WHY SHOULD I DO IT? Byron needs little introduction these days, and indeed its enduring popularity is also its Achilles heel. Long a haunt for the hippie and tie-dye set, today it's a melting pot of celebrities, hipsters, sea-changers, writers, yogis and nomadic surfers in search of that perfect break. Certainly there are Australian beaches equally as beautiful as Byron's coastline stretching between the headlands of the northern NSW coast, but few can match the town's unconventional, carefree vibe.
TELL ME MORE Wake at dawn to catch the sunrise at Cape Byron Lighthouse (byronbaylighthouse.com), located high on a windswept headland which is the most easterly point in mainland Australia. Below you'll see surfers and dolphins cavorting in the rolling surf.
Cape Byron Lighthouse, in northern NSW, is the most easterly point of Australia.
Any surfer worth his salt has heard of The Pass (one of Australia's best surf spots), however Cosy Corner at the protected northern end of Tallow Beach is typically less crowded. Long boarders and families meanwhile love the stunning Wategos Beach. A wooden walkway takes you to Little Wategos, a lovely sheltered beach overlooked by the lighthouse walking track.
Any town that combines the beach, good coffee and yoga gets my vote. Head to Bayleaf Cafe for some of Byron's best coffee and fantastic healthy breakfasts, or alternatively mix it with locals at the Top Shop. Here surfie dudes and locals in trilby hats, boardshorts and thongs drink single origin soy lattes and tuck into acai bowls from biodegradable cups and containers.
From there take a mosey down Fletcher and Jonson Streets. Island Luxe at 1/11 Marvell Street (also in the charming hinterland town of Bangalow), sells beautiful French candles and fragrances, Buffalo Girl belts and bags, Bassike T-shirts, luxurious resort linens and more.
The Treehouse on Belongil (treehouseonbelongil.com) is my pick for a relaxed dinner of woodfire pizza and terrific cocktails, while the deck at Harvest, tucked behind Byron in the hinterland town of Newrybar (harvestcafe.com.au), is the quintessential leisurely lunch spot.
An ice-cold ale or two at the iconic Beach Hotel (beachhotel.com.au) is a must. Afterwards wander over to the beachfront where impromptu sunset performances can include fire jugglers, African drummers and sand sculptors. Ah, Byron, your barefoot, bohemian vibe never disappoints.
MAKE IT HAPPEN Virgin Blue and Jetstar fly from Sydney to Ballina Byron airport. See virginaustralia.com.au, jetstar.com. Villas at the new Elements of Byron start from $380 a night. See elementsofbyron.com.au. The Atlantic Byron Bay has rooms from $320 a night however check the website for specials. See visitbyronbay.com
Elements of Byron resort, Byron Bay, NSW.
Elements of Byron resort, Byron Bay, NSW.
THE GREAT AUSTRALIAN FAMILY HOLIDAY
By Tracey Spicer
THE TRIP Driving and camping along Australia's Nature Coast, Queensland
WHY SHOULD I GO? Queensland's Sunshine Coast is the only place in the world with two UNESCO Biospheres, side by side. What does that mean? Twice as many fish species as the Great Barrier Reef, more than 200 kilometres of pristine beaches and unspoiled subtropical rainforests. It's become a foodie destination too, with plenty of paddock-to-plate cafes and restaurants.
Spirit House at Ninderry Road, Yandina, Queensland.
TELL ME MORE Start in the hinterland at the triple-Ms – Montville, Maleny and Mapleton – for locavore dining and spectacular hiking. Do a cooking class in the famed Spirit House (spirithouse.com.au) at Yandina, before going "full hippy" – as my kids say – at the famed Eumundi Markets (eumundimarkets.com.au). You haven't lived until you've eaten a potato slinky there.
Stop at Cooloola Berries to pick some strawberries, and eat handcrafted ice-cream. Further north, take a four-wheel-drive tour to see the coloured sands at Rainbow Beach, and the moonscape of Carlo Sand Blow. Ride horses along the beach, and in the shallows.
Dive in the caves under Wolf Rock to watch the grey nurse sharks give birth to their pups. Get a kite surfing lesson with Epic Ocean Adventures (epicoceanadventures.com.au). You can paddleboard with turtles on the serene waters off Bullock Point, or surf with dolphins on the long sandy point break at Double Island. This is a nice, gentle wave for children and beginners. Perhaps you'll spot one of the more than 100 dugongs in these waters.
At Rainbow Beach, take the kids on an Eat-Drink-Walk tour (cooloolaecotours.com.au) of the town, to try Hawaiian-style shave ice and Tin Can Bay prawns. The Italian joint, Arcobaleno on the Beach, does handmade pasta to die for. Go glamping at Rainbow Beach Ultimate Camping, on the sand overlooking Fraser Island. Build a fire on the beach to toast marshmallows. It doesn't get much better than that.
MAKE IT HAPPEN Fly into Sunshine Coast airport on virginaustralia.com or drive from Brisbane. Stay on the Inskip Peninsula at Rainbow Beach Ultimate Camping rainbow-beach-hire-a-camp.com.au. See australiasnaturecoast.com
Sunshine Coast, QLD, Australia.
Main street of Eumundi in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, southern Queensland.
THE GREAT AUSTRALIAN COUNTRY HOLIDAY
By Brian Johnston
THE TRIP Central West, NSW
WHY SHOULD I GO? The Central West encapsulates rural Australia in its rolling wheat fields, eucalyptus-dotted hillsides, rust-roofed farmhouses and vineyards. Scenic roads wind under big skies. The region's rich colonial history is balanced by buzzing country towns that have shrugged off rural decline. Innovative restaurants, stylish boutique hotels and unusual attractions make this a most agreeable destination.
TELL ME MORE You can immerse yourself in welcome country staples in the Central West, whether it's Mudgee's vineyards – where the country's first chardonnay grapes were planted, and interesting varietals such as Tempranilloand Zinfandel now flourish – or gold-rush towns such as Gulgong, with its 150 evocative heritage buildings. Its surrounds are associated with poet Henry Lawson, while Forbes tells the story of bushranger Ben Hall.
However, the Central West provides dozens of unexpected attractions too. In Cowra, enjoy the magnificent Japanese Garden (cowragarden.com.au) or cooking lessons from a pair of Chinese-Greek foodies at Neila (neila.com.au). Hunt down a schnapps distillery in Mudgee (bakerwilliams.com.au) and a Bathurst gin distillery (stonepinedistillery.com.au).
Visit one of Australia's top horse studs (gooreepark.com), inhale the smell of burning rubber (v8supercars.com.au) or explore the far universe at the Parkes dish (parkes.atnf.csiro.au). You can also travel back in time at the fascinating Age of Fishes Museum in Canowindra (ageoffishes.org.au) or gem and fossil museum in Bathurst (somervillecollection.com.au), which demonstrate that even small regional museums pack punch. Dubbo's Western Plains Zoo (taronga.org.au) has you driving among giraffes and rhinos.
Even more satisfying is that the food scene has moved far beyond country basics. Restaurants such as Orange's Union Bank (unionbank.com.au) and Racine (racinerestaurant.com.au) or Bathurst's Cobblestone Lane (thecobblestonelane.com) match city dining. Eclectic food temptations are everywhere; in Bathurst alone you can indulge in the French treats of Legall's Patisserie, South American-influenced casual food at Hub Café or gourmet wood-fired pizzas at Church Bar (churchbar.com.au).
Racine, restaurant, Orange, NSW.
MAKE IT HAPPEN The nearest major Central West city by road from Sydney is Bathurst, a two hour 45-minute drive. Regional Express flies to Bathurst, Dubbo, Orange and Parkes from Sydney. See rex.com.au Bishops Court in Bathurst is an historic, six-bedroom mansion overseen by delightful B&B host Christine Le Fevre. See bishopscourtbathurst.com.au Borrodell estate offers self-contained cottages amongst vineyards and apple orchards outside Orange. See borrodell.com.au Self-catering accommodation is also available at the renovated Telegraph Station in Gulgong. See gulgongaccommodation.com.au. see visitcentralnsw.com.au
THE GREAT AUSTRALIAN CRUISE HOLIDAY
By Sally Macmillan
THE TRIP Cruising the Kimberley, Western Australia
WHY SHOULD I GO? Some of the most experienced world travellers rave about the Kimberley. You can do some of it by four-wheel-drive but to experience the rugged coastline and intricate waterways of this vast wilderness area at close quarters on a well-appointed expedition ship is a whole lot easier.
TELL ME MORE The sheer size of the Kimberley has to be seen to be believed – although naturally you will gain an impression rather than see it all on a 10-day cruise. Three times the size of England, the far northern region of Western Australia is blessed with more than 12,000 kilometres of coastline, some 2500 islands, dramatic rocky gorges, sweeping ochre plains, tumultuous waterfalls and a wealth of wildlife.
The population is tiny – about 40,000 people – with the majority living in Broome, the historic pearling town where most expedition cruises begin or end. It has been inhabited for more than 41,000 years and one of the many highlights of a Kimberley cruise is seeing Aboriginal rock art that is said to be among the oldest artworks in the world.
The enormous tidal range in the region – up to 11 metres – creates spectacular changes of scenery; at Montgomery Reef the low tide reveals up to four metres of semi-submerged reef that is home to thousands of seabirds, turtles, manta rays and dugongs. Horizontal Falls is another dramatic force of nature – David Attenborough described it as "one of the greatest natural wonders of the world". King George Falls is equally magnificent; the twin cascades drop some 80 metres down sheer cliff formations and you can get surprisingly close to the thunderous action. You might also see saltwater crocodiles, which you certainly don't want to get to close to – thankfully there are croc-free billabongs where you can swim safely while an expedition ship like Silversea's Silver Discoverer (silversea.com) has the added benefit of an on-board pool.
A helicopter flight over the World Heritage Bungle Bungle mountain range is another extreme Kimberley adventure. These strange, striped beehive-like formations were "discovered" by a documentary filmmaking team in 1983 but the Bungle Bungles have been around for 350 million years and known to their Aboriginal custodians for 40,000 years. Viewing the man-made Lake Argyle and Argyle diamond mine from the air adds another fascinating facet to this extraordinary, ancient Australian landscape.
MAKE IT HAPPEN Silversea Cruises' Silver Discoverer sails 10-day cruises between Broome and Kimberley until May (2016) and from April to May (2017). See silversea.com; kimberleycruises.com; westernaustralia.com
Montgomery Reef, Kimberley, Western Australia. Photo: laurenepbath
Sandstone and conglomerate domes of Bungle Bungle Range (Purnululu National Park), The Kimberley.
THE GREAT AUSTRALIAN DRIVING HOLIDAY
By Lee Atkinson
THE TRIP A driving tour around Tasmania
WHY SHOULD I GO? When it comes to driving holidays Tassie still ticks all of the boxes. Compared to the mainland there's not much traffic, distances are short, the food and wine are superb and there's a range of accommodation, from super luxe to family-friendly cheap and cheerful. The real reason to go though, aside from the history, art, wildlife and extraordinary wilderness, is the knockout scenery pretty much anywhere you go. All roads lead somewhere special in Tassie, even when you're lost.
TELL ME MORE Tassie might look small on the map, but it packs a lot into a compact space. If you have 10 days you can squeeze in a big lap. Setting off from the north coast ferry port of Devonport (or Launceston, if you've flown, or pick up the trail in Hobart) hit the Tamar Valley Wine Route before heading east to slowly work your way down the coast to Hobart.
From there, a sensational drive meanders beside deserted beaches and offers splendid coastal scenery, including the rocky pink peaks of the Freycinet Peninsula (home to that famous curve of white sand called Wineglass Bay), the dramatic rock formations and cliffs of the Tasman Peninsula and the atmospheric convict ruins of Port Arthur.
Spend a day or two in Hobart then head west through World Heritage-listed wilderness to Lake St Clair and Strahan – take a break from driving and explore the rainforest by steam train or river cruise (or both). Wind your way through the forests to Cradle Mountain and stretch the legs on a rainforest walk, an amble around Dove Lake or a muscle-busting climb up to Marions Lookout: even in bad weather this is a magnificently wild and wondrous place.
Back in the car keep heading north and if you still have a day or two to spare, turn left when you can see the sea and keep going until you reach the Edge of the World lookout at Arthur River on the wave-racked west coast before circling back to finish where you began. Don't have that long? You can see the best of the east coast in three or four days.
MAKE IT HAPPEN BYO set of wheels on the ferry between Melbourne and Devonport (spiritoftasmania.com.au) or fly into Launceston or Hobart (Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin) from Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane and pick up a hire car there. See discovertasmania.com.au
Hobart city as seen from Rosny Point, southern Tasmania. Photo: Getty Images
Cradle Mountain and Dove Lake, Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, Tasmania. Photo: Getty Images
THE GREAT AUSTRALIAN FOODIE HOLIDAY
By Ute Junker
THE TRIP A gourmet tour of South Australia
WHY SHOULD I GO? Even if the opportunity to scoop up as many big bold syrahs and delicate rieslings as you can carry doesn't make your heart beat faster, a driving holiday through the Barossa and Clare Valleys should still be on your must-visit list. Whether you are into long gourmet lunches, fossicking through antique shops or bushwalking, this itinerary has something for you. Throw in quirky country villages, indulgent accommodation and a compact area that makes driving a breeze, and you have one of the best road trips around.
TELL ME MORE Just 90 minutes from Adelaide, the Barossa Valley is much more than a day-trip destination. Start with a few winery visits. At Yalumba (yalumba.com), still going strong after 160-odd years, the Different Perspectives tour includes a wine tasting in an old underground tank; on Seppeltsfield's Centenary Tour (seppeltsfield.com.au), you can enjoy a barrel tasting of a tawny port made in your birth year. There is also a cutting-edge art and design studio, JamFactory (seppeltsfield.com.au/jamfactory), to explore.
There is more retail therapy on offer in the pretty township of Tanunda: check out Pioneer Antiques and Alabaster Homewares (alabasterstore.com.au). If you prefer to head outdoors, the area's best walks include a hike through Hale Conservation Park (environment.sa.gov.au), and a stretch of the magnificent Heysen Trail (environment.sa.gov.au)
Fine food options include the stellar Hentley Farm (hentleyfarm.com.au), Fino at Seppeltsfield (fino.net.au/seppeltsfield) and Harvest Kitchen (harvest-kitchen.com.au). Food fans will want to check into the area's signature property, The Louise (thelouise.com.au), and enjoy dinner at the acclaimed in-house restaurant, Appellation.
Sevenhill Church, Sevenhill, Clare Valley, South Australia.
A short drive away, the pretty Clare Valley is popular with history buffs, who love the village of Mintaro for its collection of gorgeous 18th century bluestone houses, and the old mining town of Burra. Beer lovers have no fewer than three breweries to choose from; wine fans will want to stop by the likes of Annie's Lane (annieslane.com.au) and the atmospheric Sevenhill (sevenhill.com.au), founded and still run by Jesuits. Or hire a bike and follow the Riesling Trail, a converted railway track that wends its way through leafy bush. A meal at Auburn's superb locavore restaurant, Terroir (terroirauburn.com.au), is a must, and the area's best accommodations include the imposing North Bundaleer Homestead and the cosy Thorn Park by the Vines.
MAKE IT HAPPEN Qantas and Virgin Airlines operate regular direct flights to Adelaide from all of the major capital cities. South Australia's summers can be scorching, so aim for an autumn visit, when harvest is under way, or spring, when the new vintages are released. See southaustralia.com, barossa.com, clarevalley.com.au
Petaluma Winery, Clare Valley, South Australia. Photo: Getty Images
Historic Martindale Hall, Mintaro, Clare Valley, South Australia.
THE GREAT AUSTRALIAN HOLIDAY: NOW AND THEN
THEN One family. One car. Vinyl seats. No airconditioning. No FM radio, let alone an iPad. The horror, the horror.
NOW Thanks to cheaper flights, destinations from Hobart to Broome are now within easy reach, while technology gives each family member a universe of entertainment options.
THEN Ah, the good old family tent. Guaranteed to fall down at least one night on the trip. Usually during a thunderstorm.
NOW No matter how far-flung the destination, you will find plenty of accommodation options, from hotels and motels to lodges and B&Bs. Thanks to the invention of glamping, even a night under canvas is a very different experience.
THEN No need for maps, planning or even walking shoes: when you're ready for some exercise, just slip on the thongs and follow the roughly marked trail. Keep going till you find yourself teetering on the edge of a cliff. Try to find your way back without losing any of the kids along the way.
NOW Do some stretches before you slip on your day pack and your walking shoes. Chances are, the well-marked trail will feature plenty of interpretive information. Failing that, there's bound to be an app you can download.
THEN Every parents' essential holiday accessory: a pack of Minties. Gluing the kids' teeth together for long stretches gives everyone a much-needed breather.
NOW A holiday without a decent flat white is no holiday at all. Which is why country cafes proudly proclaim their own in-house baristas, and even airlines are investing in Nespresso machines.
THEN Treat the family to fish and chips on the beach, and not only do you not have to cook; you don't have to wash up, either.
NOW Stop in at the local sushi outlet for a meal that keeps the entire family happy.
Ute Junker
HOLIDAYING AT HOME: FACTS AND FICTIONS
"AUSTRALIA IS TOO BORING" The scenery, the food, the language, the culture of a place that you don't call home has the pulse-quickening excitement of the exotic. Senses get dulled by the familiar, and nothing beats being out of your comfort zone to wake them up. Stay there long enough and Vienna or Valparaiso would suffer the same fate.
"AUSTRALIAN SERVICE IS SECOND-RATE" Compared to the US maybe but good service there generally hinges on the expectation of a generous tip. We might be a little casual but we're mostly friendly, we work hard and we try hard to please. Tried getting a waiter's attention in France or Italy?
"AUSTRALIA CAN WAIT UNTIL I'M RETIRED" Better late than never, but youth has more options. Climbing St Mary Peak in the Flinders Ranges, South Australia, and snorkelling with my young daughter while lemon sharks fed on schooling trevally metres away are just two special memories from my own Australian travels, and you probably won't be doing either in retirement.
"AUSTRALIA IS TOO EXPENSIVE COMPARED TO ASIA" Our minimum wage is high compared to the rest of the world, and designed so that every worker gets a decent day's pay. The downside is that eating out, a night in a hotel and travel all cost more than just about everywhere else.
"AUSTRALIA'S TRAINS ARE OUT OF THE DARK AGES COMPARED TO EUROPE" Australia's minuscule population and the sheer distance between our major cities means we'd far rather hop on a plane and travel fast and cheap. Low demand means a lack of investment in long-distance rail infrastructure, which equals snail-paced travel and high prices.
Michael Gebicki
