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Inland from Sydney at Dubbo and set on over 300 ha, the Taronga Western Plains Zoo will capture your heart with its incredible displays of creatures in their natural habitat areas. With a myriad of native creatures; as well as creatures from Africa, Asia, and South America; this zoo will entrance you.

A wide variety of educational programs are offered by the Taronga Western Plains Zoo to enhance the experience of visitors and to encourage conservation. One of the best programs, in my view, is the Twilight Safari. For a very reasonable fee, they offer students a unique way to learn more about the creatures of the night. After an evening BBQ, there is a guided tour of the zoo.

Visitors can explore the zoo by foot, car or bicycle on the 7km of roadways and 6km of walking trails. Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy the areas set up to picnic in with their amazing views. Plan to visit anytime since the zoo is open all year from 9am to 5pm.

To add to the enchantment of this wilderness zoo, the Zoofari Lodge offers the opportunity to sleep over in luxurious safari tents near the African Savannah area. You get to fall asleep listening to the sound of animal nightlife. There is a main house that offers a relaxing bar, a veranda that offers a great view, delectable meals, and a saltwater pool to enjoy an early morning swim in. Everything is included in the price you are quoted except for alcoholic drinks. To top it off, you have an amazing private area from which to view the Savannah exhibit. An absolute must for those that may never get to Africa to be able to watch an incredible sunrise on the savannah. A sleepover in a setting that has a hint of romance and a touch of adventure all wrapped up in one amazing evening.

Like the Sydney Taronga Zoo, the Taronga Western Plains Zoo has a Roar and Snore program. Camp overnight in the zoo and get a guided night “safari”. This delightful program allows you to interact with some of the friendlier animals before you are fed a wonderful outback meal. An educator will take you on a trek through the zoo so that you can catch glimpses of the nocturnal creatures. In the morning, you are treated to another walk after breakfast but this time it is behind the scenes. Through this program you get a terrific adventure while staying perfectly safe.

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Just 110 km up the coast from Adelaide, the third largest island in Australia sits 16km off of the shore. Kangaroo Island is an incredible world away from the mainland and can’t be fully enjoyed in a day or two. Exploring this treasure with its 26 designated parks, reserves and protected areas will take an extended visit. Its few towns and small population leave a huge area untouched. If you only have a few days, decide your itinerary before you go so that no time is wasted.

With a temperate climate throughout it, stunning landscapes and miles of untouched wilderness; it is no wonder that Kangaroo Island holds a magical appeal to visitors. Accessible by plane or ferry, there is a wide range of accommodation options for visitors, from rough camping to luxury.

The largest of the parks on the island, Flinders Chase National Park occupies 17% of the island and surrounds Ravine de Casoars Wilderness Protection Area. On the western end of Kangaroo Island, the cliffs were long the cause of shipwrecks before two lighthouses were constructed in Cape Du Couedic, within Flinders National Park, & Cape Borda. Although these lighthouses are isolated, they are accessible and many visitors are drawn to the rugged, wild coast. Weir’s Cove, Admirals Arch and Remarkable Rocks are all contained within the park.

Set on Cape Bouguer, not only does Kelly Hill Conservation Park have terrific walking trails but also it is home to a magnificent network of limestone caves, the Kelly Hill Caves. Carved deep into the limestone, these caves hold a wealth of treasures. The spectacular stalagmites and stalactites; as well as the trove of fossils from animals that once lived, and currently live, on the island make the Kelly Hill Caves a wonderful place to explore.

The rare Australian Sea Lions live in a very large colony at Seal Bay. This colony is calculated to be about 10% of the world’s sea lion population. The accessibility of the sea lions allows visitors to get amazingly close to these creatures on guided tours. This amazing sanctuary was created in 1954 and the population of seals that breed here has exploded. Swimming and Fishing are strictly prohibited here so don’t be tempted.

Just off the treacherous coast of Kangaroo Island are a number of wrecks. Some of the wrecks took many lives and others took none. Three operating lighthouses make sure that dark chapter of the island’s mariner history does not repeat itself.

Agriculture, fishing, and tourism are the economic mainstays of Kangaroo Island. One restriction that visitors must adhere to is that they can bring no honey products or import bees. The island is home to the world’s only pure strain of Ligurian bees and they intend to keep it that way. It is also home to the only distillery of eucalyptus oil in South Australia.

Kangaroo Island is a multi-faceted island with delightful discoveries around every corner. It is a place you can immerse yourself in and you won’t ever want to leave.

When you are thinking about a ski vacation, Tasmania isn’t the usual destination that comes to mind. Whether you are a downhill or cross-country skier, skiing in Tasmania is a great experience so put it on your winter vacation list.

If you don’t mind that there are few ski resorts, that hills aren’t jammed with skiers, or that you may be skiing on pristine snow; Tasmania is the place to go. There are few areas for downhill skiing in this Australian state and the scenery is stunning. The combination makes for a very memorable vacation.

With most of Tasmania designated as national parks, it is no surprise that the skiing in within parks. Ben Lomond National Park, Mt Field National Park, and Cradle Mountain offer some of the best skiing opportunities. In Tasmania, the ski season is July to September so you can enjoy a great winter vacation in the middle of the summer if you are visiting from the west. So that the terminology doesn’t confuse you, locals refer to ski slopes as ski fields.

With its spectacular scenery, the major downhill skiing destination in this magnificent island state is located in Ben Lomond National Park. This is the only ski resort that offers the amenities that most of us are used to when we head out for a day of downhill skiing. In addition to 2 Poma lifts and 3 T-bar lifts, there are equipment rentals and sales, as well as Ski instruction available during ski season. There is a restaurant and a few rooms to rent at the Creek Inn and there are some amenities in Alpine Village at the bottom of the slopes.

The road known as Jacob’s Ladder is a steep winding road that has a strict 30km/hr speed limit. Although the road has been upgraded, it is still advisable to drive it with caution. Wheel chains will be needed during the winter. A booth at the bottom of Jacob’s Ladder is where you pay your park fees.

Although skiing is the park’s primary attraction, there is a lot to see if you want to cross country ski. The cross-country skiing trails are not formal trails and are marked with ski poles. The rugged beauty of this park will take your breath away and cross-country skiing is a leisurely way to see the sights.

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Just one of eleven reserves and national parks that preserve and conserve vast tracts of the Australian Alps and the largest of the Alps parks, Kosciuszko National Park has been designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Some three million visitors are drawn to this park for the year round recreation it offers.

Australia’s highest mountain, Mount Kosciuszko, and the renowned Snowy River are located inside of Kosciuszko National Park. There is so much to do and see in this spectacular park that you may never want to leave it.

Walking the Bicentennial Trail is just one way to be able to absorb the magnificent beauty of Australia. This trail is for cyclists, walkers and horse so motorized vehicles are not permitted. If you intend to tackle this trail for any distance, you must be prepared as there are no facilities along the way. You must be self-sufficient and pack in what you need.

The Australian Alps Walking Track is much shorter at 650km and will take you over some of the most fantastic terrain that the Australian Alps have to offer. If you were to walk the length of it, you would walk through four national parks and three states. For this walk you will want to take a GPS with you as parts of the trail are not marked and it would be easy to get off track. As with treks on the Bicentennial Trail, make sure that you are well prepared because town are few and far between.

Before you set off on your fishing vacation to Kosciuszko National Park, make sure that you know where you are allowed to fish so that you don’t run afoul of the law. There are some extraordinary fishing opportunities in the park but you must have a fishing licence. Lakes Eucumbene and Jindabyne are open for fishing all through the year but fishing is not permitted in some areas. Yet other areas are closed from June to October. Most of the recreational fishing is for trout and Atlantic salmon.

Exploring the Yarrangobilly Caves is an incredible experience. These limestone caves were created millions of years ago and are open to the public year round. If you are adventurous, the self-guided tours might appeal to you. If you have a thirst for information, guided tours are available. Swimming in the 27°C thermal pool is a unique experience and you can swim here no matter the season. There are change rooms, toilets, and picnic facilities available here.

If you are planning to go on a horseback vacation through the park, you must be aware that horses are not permitted in many areas of the park. The 5330km Bicentennial Trail stretches from Cooktown in the north to Healesville in the south and is very popular with riders. As well, Long, Cooleman, Kiandra, Currango, Tantangara, and Nungar Plains offer terrific recreational riding opportunities.

There are scads of different types cycling opportunities to experience. Mountain biking, extreme mountain biking, and cycling on steep paved and unpaved roads are among them. Cycling is a great way to see the park however there are some rules that apply. Walkers and horses have the right of way on trails and cyclists are not allowed on walking tracks. Walking tracks are usually covered with tarmac, boardwalks, or gravel.

During the winter, there is an abundance of skiing and snowboarding. If you are a cross country skier, you will be thrilled at the amount of country that you can see. There is a network of cross country trails to entice you. Charlotte Pass, Thredbo and Perisher Blue offer amazing snowboarding and downhill skiing.

The alpine environment is fragile so you, as on any exploration into nature, must be respectful and carry out your garbage. Try to leave nothing behind but your footprints. Make sure you have all the applicable permits and a list of the rules that will apply to you. Ending your vacation because of violations would make it memorable but not in the way you intended.

Hidden away a short 35km from Brisbane is one of Australia’s natural jewels, one of the world’s largest sand islands. The destination, spectacular Moreton Island, is an interesting 75-minute ferry ride from the Port of Brisbane but ultimately worth the journey. This is truly one of nature’s most stunning wonders.

Formed over approximately 6000 years ago, Moreton Island is a natural sand island located in the Moreton Bay Marine Park. Recognized as an ecologically sensitive area, The Moreton Island National Park was created in 1966 and encompasses 98% of the island.

A wide variety of vegetation, wildlife and marine life call the island, and its surrounding waters home. This diversity makes the virtually untouched island an extremely popular destination for those seeking to be close to nature. There are four “towns” or settlements on the island therefore there are accommodations and tours available.

One of the most delightful activities that you can participate in occurs in the evening at the Tangalooma Resort. Wild dolphins come in to a feeding area in order to get fish from hands of guests. The experts determine how many people can take part in the feeding and the others watch from the jetty. Although the time that you get to spend with the dolphins is short, it is an exhilarating interactive experience.

Whale watching tours are becoming increasingly popular in this area. Tour companies take you out to see the majestic humpback whales at play during “whale season”, May to October. During the tours, a knowledgeable commentator will inform you about these amazing mammals. If you are fortunate, the whales will be performing their aquatic aerobics near the boat. The sight of a monstrous creature rising out of the ocean with apparent ease leaves you in awe of their power and grace.

You will see 4WD vehicles on Moreton Island and there are some great opportunities to see the island that way. The vehicles must have a permit before they are allowed on the island and there are areas where they are not allowed. If you drive, do remember that this beautiful area should be treated with respect and refrain from traveling off-road with wild abandon.

Camping on Moreton Island and hiking through the wonderful terrain is an excellent vacation. Permits for camping are available only on the mainland so be sure to get the permit before heading off on your vacation.

This island has so much to do and see that a day trip just won’t allow you to see it all. It is home to Mt Tempest, which at 280m, is reputed to be the world’s highest sand dune; Cape Moreton lighthouse constructed in 1857; the Blue Lagoon, the most accessible perched lake on the island; and about 40km of incredible beaches that tantalize and beckon to those that see them.

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