Here’s What You Need to Know

To explore the hidden, remote regions of the Australian outback, to trek into the Never Never and cruise to the Kimberley wilderness coastlines, the solitude of intimate beaches and go off the beaten path to explore unique cultural sites – these are the domains of an Australian Adventure.

Are you thinking about an Australian Adventure with Accor Vacation Club Travel? It could be a cruise or a tour. Sailing around the coastlines of our great land, or venturing further inland to explore the outback and get a real in-depth experience. Getting up close and personal as you cruise the coastlines, docking in our iconic capital cities and exploring their highlights, joining onboard experts who share their knowledge and expertise about each destination, enjoying delectable foods from world-renowned chefs who take inspiration from the freshest of Australian seafood and unique local delicacies, and like-minded fellow passengers for forming fast friendships that will last a lifetime.

So, where to start?

Why not start right in our own backyard? Australia offers a wide range of incredible experiences as you take on Tasmania’s wilderness, the Great Barrier Reef, the Murray River or perhaps travel to the Kimberley for a sunset that you’ll never forget.

Let’s begin with a simple one…

Queensland Coastal Regions

White sand beaches, beautiful reefs, incredibly lush rainforests – it’s a tropical paradise just begging to be explored! Queensland is considered one of the best places in the world to discover pristine waterscapes. Cruise along her coast taking in the gorgeous Gold Coast, capital Brisbane and head to the far-north along the 2,000-kilometre-long Great Barrier Reef. Make sure you enjoy the incredible aquatic activities on offer, including swimming, sandcastles, snorkelling or scuba diving if you’re up for it – there’s even coral viewing onboard a semi-submersible (if you don’t want to get your hair wet!).

Further north?

Be sure to check out the World-Heritage listed Daintree Rainforest showcasing rare and spectacular plant and animal life only found here! This is undeniably one of Australia’s greatest tourist destinations where you can discover a magnificent eco-system as you jungle surf your way through giant trees and their leafy canopy that’s just waiting to be explored!

On the way north make sure to visit The Whitsundays, where secluded island beaches offer the perfect viewing spots for migrating whales. Many of the islands are designated National Parks, protecting diverse wildlife and wilderness regions for generations to come. The white sands of Whitsunday island, the boutique markets and cafes of Airlie Beach, Hamilton Islands little slice of luxury, sunset cocktails, fresh local seafood and a lush tropical vibe come together to offer something for everyone in the Whitsundays. What’s not to love?

Tasmanian Adventures

Arguably one of the most beautiful wilderness expanses in the world is found in Tasmania – the Apple Isle (known by its shape and her crisp apple exports). Today, it’s one of the most beautiful places on Earth where you can discover Heritage-listed National Parks, steep river gorges, rainforest expanses and untouched coastal regions. Cradle Mountain is a huge drawcard for Tasmanian visitors with its spectacular glacier-sculpted mountains, gorgeous pristine lakes, and wide expanses of alpine moorlands. It’s an adventurer’s haven in here! Second to none is Freycinet National Park, encompassing the white sandy beach and clear waters of Wineglass Bay (one of Tasmania’s most photographed views), dramatic pink granite peaks to scramble over, amazing birdlife and charming townships waiting to be explored.

Had your fill of all the beautiful scenery? Tasmania is known as season-long party, with festivals of flowers, colour, music, food, and art filling both local and tourists’ calendars. Everything from world-class museums, historic convict sites and inspiring, cutting edge art galleries like MONA, festivals and events, from MOFO to the symphony – it’s all here! Finally, have a little retail therapy every Saturday at Hobart’s Salamanca Market – hunt for some uniquely Tasmanian souvenirs, and we haven’t even mentioned the sensational restaurants on offer –we’ll leave that for you to discover!

Murray River Cruises

You really can’t say you’ve explored Australia to its fullest without setting sail on its longest river – the Murray. Cruises along Murray River on a majestic paddle-wheeler is an experience to behold. Stepping back in history as you glide along the Murray shores you will discover Aboriginal culture and share in outback bush-craft, spot diverse Australian flora and fauna as you share stories with the locals of age-old quaint river towns that dot the banks. And cruising from Adelaide you have the opportunity to visit the famous Barossa Valley for a drop of the good stuff, the wildlife sanctuary of Kangaroo Island or maybe take the kids to Adelaide Zoo! It’s an adventure for all of the family! 

The Kimberley

Ancient landscapes and balanced by ancient Aboriginal rock galleries and hidden treasures that taking us back to the mystical Dreamtime. The captivating Wandjina rock art among remote rich red mountains and sacred billabongs ensure that we know we are in Australia’s last frontier. Discover wetlands, desert-scapes, islands and more where uniquely Australian wildlife and abundant sea life can be witnessed in their untouched, natural habitats. Kangaroos and wallabies, koala, echidna, wombats, snakes, eagles, albatross, crocodiles, turtles, basking whale sharks – and there’s more!

Explore the Bungle Bungle range in World Heritage Listed Purnululu National Park is host to huge beehive-shaped towers, Devonian-age quartz sandstone, shaped over eons by erosion and a rugged climate. Ride a camel along Broome’s Cable Beach, BBQ on the beach as you watch the blood-red sun sink below purple hued waves, cruise along King George River’s stunning gorges to witness waterfalls over incredible sandstone cliffs that soar high to meet vibrant blue skies. It is a land of colour, a land of mystery, a land of discovery. You can cruise or tour – and they’re only a phone call away!

Australia Circumnavigation Cruises

We all want more, and an Australian Circumnavigation cruise gives you exactly that. Start your cruise from Sydney or many of the major capitals, or for those of us with less time, why not go up over the top or down under on a half-circumnavigation? Our most popular cruises include sailing north from Sydney past Brisbane and the Whitsunday, Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef, Cape York, Darwin, Broome and the Kimberley region, Perth and Rottnest Island, Esperance on WA’s south, across the Great Australian Bight to Adelaide and Kangaroo Island, Melbourne, Hobart in Tasmania, and head back up north to Sydney. Or vice versa!

Accor Vacation Club Travel also have a great Rail n’ Sail adventure, that combines an iconic rail journey onboard the Ghan (between Adelaide and Darwin or vice versa) or head across the Nullabor onboard the Indian Pacific (Sydney to Perth, vice versa). Team your rail journey up with a half circumnavigation for an epic adventure that must be experienced!

Ready for an Australian adventure? Pack your bags and let’s go! Call your Accor Vacation Club Travel specialists today on AU: 1800 70 80 90 or NZ: 0800 45 19 97

by Jacqueline Hamilton

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