Concrete jungles may have their monumental sky-scraping beauty, their ever-changing culture, and as life bustles between the streets of a city, day and night, this cultivated environment can eventually feed up and bore its citizens, because what we truly feel connected to is nature and all her wilderness. So if you want to unwind, get yourself in tune with your senses and surroundings, an open road can get you anywhere, and Australia is full of places to visit, landscapes to behold. All you need is a good car, a spare tire and, let’s face it, a decent amount of fuel, because this continent is vast. Since travelling cleanses the soul, here are some of the most rewarding driving experiences Australia can offer…

The Great Ocean Road, Victoria

This coastal route lives up to the reputation as one of the greatest areas to drive by and relish the natural scene. The 12 Apostles stand like sculptured static giants, as they stick out from the coast to greet the passers-by. Alongside beautiful beaches, there are also countless historic shipwrecks, magnificent rainforests and places to grab some good food and relax.

Road from Sydney to Melbourne

Simply follow the ocean between these two populated urban zones and you will find yourself passing through a string of coastal towns, rich with turquoise colored lagoons on one side of the road and lush preserved national parks on the other. This region is full of fishing spots, birdlife, Aboriginal culture, camping spots and wild scenery, as kangaroos pose for photographing, especially at Pebbly Beach.

The Nullarbor Plain, Western Australia

You will definitely need a four-wheel-drive vehicle for this adventure if you plan on abandoning the highway, because the road to Perth, or should I say – all the way to the shores of the Indian Ocean, is an expanse that’s dry and harsh for newly-bred adventurers. Bear in mind, this is not entirely a desert, but series of plateaus covered with bluebush and wedge-tailed eagles that soar the skies.

The Heritage Highway, Tasmania

Way down south, on the island of Tasmania, between Hobart and Launceston are a series of stone villages, emitting an old atmosphere in the lovely green countryside. Excellent local food can be found here, even though, historically speaking, this region was established and built by convicted gangs and criminals who preyed and looted on these highways.

The Alpine Way, New South Wales

If you ever wanted to camp among wombats and wallabies near the Snowy River, this is the place! The hills of Corryong in Victoria are an alpine sight to behold, especially when the snow melts and spring awakens nature from its slumber. Then you can ride mountain bikes to hurtle through the scenery, or grab a good walking stick to explore the forest trails by foot.

Kangaroo Island, South Australia

You can board a ferry with your car from Adelaide to reach this island full of wild animals – kangaroos (obviously), fur seals, penguins, koalas, etc. Alongside remarkable flora and fauna in Flinders Chase National Park, you can also visit rock formations which have been sculpted by wind-erosion. This is where nature is kept in its most pristine state, so explore its beauty at your leisure.

Great Alpine Road, Victoria

From Wangaratta you can embark this trip on a previously used railway track, which is now a haven for bicyclists and reach valleys full of wineries and alpacas. Up on Mount Buffalo you can mount a horse to witness the specific rock formations and waterfalls, while at the bottom, along Ovens Rover you can find many local breweries.

Uluru to Kings Canyon, Northern Territory

Now this is a real treat, because if you want to cross this red earth with your car, you should supply yourself for a multi-day drive. Make sure to choose from wide variety of tyres if you ever wish to challenge yourself on the road. This journey starts off at Alice Springs, in the middle of the continent, and for five days you can stop at old towns and ancient sites where Aboriginal art is displayed on the rock walls. Also, watch out for wild camels, because they can pop out of nowhere along the route.

Grand Pacific Drive, New South Wales

Not far from Sydney, you can find the Royal National Park if you follow this route. Beautiful beaches, white sands, blooming blowholes at Kiama, cliffs and mesmerising lookouts. Nothing could be more perfect, since this raw nature is really close to an urban jungle and doesn’t require much strain and preparation to get there.

I’m sure you’re pretty much familiar with all of these locations, but words can never fully describe what eyes can witness. So prepare your car, or rent an appropriate one if terrain requires such conditions and go get your lifetime experience. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy the natural beauty Australia possesses, since it’s undisputedly, without much needed discussion, one of the leading continents in terms of biodiversity and uniqueness.

Where is Lençóis Maranhenses National Park?

The Lençóis Maranhenses National Park (Parque Nacional dos Lençóis Maranhenses) is located in Maranhão state, in north-eastern Brazil, just east of the Baía de São José. It is an area of low, flat, occasionally flooded land, overlaid with large, discrete sand dunes. It encompasses roughly 1,500 km2 (580 sq mi), and despite abundant rain, supports almost no vegetation.

The area became a National Park on June 2, 1981. The national park status serves only as a means of protecting the area’s ecology.

Lonely Planet South America on a shoestring (Travel Guide)

Map

TravelTipsPlus Google Map of Lençóis Maranhenses National Park

One Great Reason to Visit Lençóis Maranhenses National Park

One great reason to visit this travel destination is for the beautiful combination of stark sand dunes surrounded by unexpected lagoons and pools of water.

PLACES TO VISIT IN BRAZIL: Lençóis Maranhenses (Desert Beaches)

For More Information

• Wikipedia
• Photos by Marcio Machado

Where is Point Nepean?

Point Nepean marks the southern point of the beautiful Mornington Peninsula and the eastern entrance to Port Phillip Bay. It has a rich history and played an important role in shaping the early settlement, quarantine and defence of Victoria.

My family and I had a recent power-break weekend away where we stayed at the very comfortable Oceanic Apartments in Sorrento and spent the Sunday exploring Point Nepean. We were extremely fortunate with the weather given it is still winter but the sun did shine and only a gentle breeze meant it was very pleasant walking weather.

We parked the car near Gunners Cottage and walked from Point Nepean Cemetery, Observation Point, Cheviot Hill Stop to Fort Pearce where we boarded the bus to the Fort Nepean. (Our feet had had enough walking!). We passed pristine beaches (above) and reminders of the war history of the area (below). The sign on the gate is a warning for unexploded bombs beyond!

We spent a good hour at Fort Nepean exploring the military forts and tunnels and the photo below is showing the very tip of the peninsula, the heads (opening to Port Phillip Bay) out to Point Lonsdale in the distance.

Lonely Planet East Coast Australia (Travel Guide)

Map

TravelTipsPlus Google Map of Point Nepean

One Great Reason to Visit Point Nepean

One great reason to visit this travel destination is for the stunning views across the bay to Queenscliff, Point Lonsdale and the heads.

Point Nepean by Cycle Atlas

For More Information

• Wikipedia
• Official Point Nepean National Park

My background of working for many years as a holiday planner inevitably has an influence on my holidays these days. When someone was recently planning a trip to Queensland, it was only natural to suggest destinations such as the tropical rainforests near Cairns and the pristine waters of the Whitsundays’ coast. Having delved a little deeper into my research, I realised that the state’s capital demanded inclusion into the itinerary.

Brisbane may have earned a reputation as something of a Gen Y urban playground, but while there is a growing number of flagship boutiques and Melbourne-inspired laneways, there is more to it than inner city bravado. Basing the trip from CBD, close to the lush botanical gardens, the first morning of the plan takes you to Cleveland, gateway to North Stradbroke Island. ‘Minjerribah’ to its indigenous Quandamooka people and ‘Straddie’ to other locals, the island is a favourite getaway for many city dwellers wishing to explore the native wildlife.

Having arrived by ferry at the main port of Dunwich, one heads along Nazi Road to the Blue Lake area, in the Naree Budjong Djara (‘My Mother Earth’) National Park, the base for two walking tracks, Neembeeba and Karboora. Given the often-high temperatures, it’s usually best to opt for the easier 5km return trip through the banksias and eucalypts of the Karboora trail. The area is home to birds such as honeyeaters and lorikeets as well as many freshwater fish and the golden wallaby. Venturing north by car to the popular Point Lookout, you can cast your eye out towards the migrating humpbacks and playful dolphins, all the while soaking up the stunning coastal views.

Returning at dusk you can still catch a bus up to the renowned Caxton Street precinct for a well-earned cocktail at the kitsch Statler & Waldorf. Across the road is the newly-established Brewski, which specialises in craft beer and gourmet pizza. While the next day’s plans demand a sensible bedtime, you may find it hard to prise yourself away from the lively atmosphere of the strip.

Whilst the well-known and nearby Mt Cootha provides hikers and cyclists with rewarding city views for the physical challenges they present, you can also take an early morning drive north towards the volcanic peaks of the Glass House Mountains NP. If you feel guilty about taking the easy option, try taking a hike up Mt Tibrogargan’s summit route, at the end of which you will find yourself a satisfying 364m above sea level. For the less experienced, the Tibrogargan or Trachyte walking circuits would be a safer option. After that, there’s time for a quick lunch before setting off to Mt Beerwah, the highest of the four peaks in the range and home to many birds including peregrine falcons, kookaburras and cockatoos as well as koalas, goannas, echidnas and well-camouflaged kangaroos.

If you have an interest in such things, the rapidly growing alternative and vegan culture of the West End, one of Brisbane’s most multiciltural of suburbs should be your next stop. Enjoy the raucous live music of the Lock ‘N Load Bistro. Enter the narrow, bustling bar that possesses a lush beer garden, an unusual rarity in Brisbane. Among the vegan offerings on the menu are the spiced sweet potato falafels with quinoa salad, a wholesome and delicious choice. If you’re in the party mood, head on over to ‘the valley’, where locals go to party into the wee hours. More live music is usually on offer at the New Orleans-themed Papa Jacks, where the attentive staff will whip up a cocktail from scratch based on your tastes and budget (as long as it stretches over $15, that is).

After partying at the Family nightclub, it may be time to call it an evening (a rather late evening, all the same) and retire to reflect on the two extremes of this amazing and unique city. From its invigorating natural beauty to a hip and happening urban scene, Brisbane caters for many and disappoints few.

Author Bio
Mary Ann Keeling is a travel planner from Brisbane. She is still in love with her home town and always in the mood to talk about life in the city. In her free time she likes to drive her bike through the Brisbane suburbs.