Australia: reefs, hiking trails and rail journeys

Australia brings together very different travel ideas: coral reefs, hikes through striking landscapes, storytelling traditions and rail routes with different destinations. A first priority can help with planning: Would you like to focus on reef activities, a multi-day hike, or a particular landscape and route? This helps you match the shape of your trip to your schedule before looking for a hotel.

Coral reefs and experiences on the water

The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system. Visitors can snorkel, dive or fly over the reef. Ningaloo Reef is Australia’s largest fringing reef and can be accessed directly from the beach. It is home to sea turtles, tropical fish, manta rays, humpback whales and whale sharks.

Hikes with different time frames

The full Larapinta Trail is estimated to take 12 to 20 days. The trail follows the ridge of the West MacDonnell Ranges, passing red rock slopes, waterholes. The Overland Track passes through moss-covered forests and by high rock cliffs; it is described as a six-day hike.

Rock landscapes, stories and guided explorations

Wilpena Pound is a sunken natural amphitheatre and a desert basin surrounded by rugged mountains. At Wilpena Pound, you can take part in an exploration led by Aboriginal guides, discover rock art, see ancient fossils and observe wildlife.

The Three Sisters are a distinctive rock formation in the Blue Mountains. View the rocks from Echo Point Lookout and combine a stay with bushwalks in the surrounding area.

Rail routes and finding your way around the country

Two rail journeys differ in their endpoints and stops. The Ghan runs between Adelaide and Darwin, crossing Australia’s Red Centre and the tropical Top End. The Indian Pacific runs between Sydney and Perth, stopping in Broken Hill, Adelaide and Kalgoorlie. If you want to make the rail journey itself the focus, you can compare these details with your preferred starting point and destination.

Different forms of transport are also relevant for getting around between places: domestic airlines serve all of Australia’s state capital cities as well as many regional cities. For an overland trip, allow for distances, fuel stops and breaks in the day’s plan. Flights, rail and driving create different combinations of travel days and time at the destination.

Cuisine and accommodation planning

Australian cuisine combines global influences with native ingredients, including bush foods, Asian spices and European techniques. If you want to include food in your travel plans alongside landscapes and activities, this combination is a distinct aspect of the country to consider when choosing your destinations.

When choosing travel seasons and routes, consider time at the destination as well as the journey there. Several reef days favour a different base from a walking trip with successive stages. Compare the accommodation’s location with the boat departure point or trailhead and the driving needed each day. Breakfast times, a kitchen and laundry facilities may matter more to your choice than proximity to a city centre.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Victoria, Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia, Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Tasmania, South Australia.