From rainforests to deserts, mountains to coral reefs, all of which contain their own unique flora and fauna, Australia is one of the world's natural wonders.
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Australia
Arnhem Land, Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks in the Northern Territory’s ‘Top End’ are wetland landscapes filled with red escarpment cliffs, waterfalls, crocodile-filled billabongs and flood plains. The closest park to Darwin is Litchfield National Park, rife with natural swimming holes and waterfalls, while to the east is Kakadu National Park, one of the most important UNESCO World-Heritage areas. The area is best visited between April and November to avoid the rains and humidity.
Australia’s rainforests are amongst the oldest in the world and Northern Queensland is one of the last great untouched wilderness areas, covering an area the size of Britain. The Daintree Rainforest is home to half of Australia’s extravagant birdlife and around 30 percent of its marsupial species. This marvellous tree canopy can be experienced by cable car or through a range of day or night walks. The area is best visited from May to November, avoiding the rain and humidity. Visitors who wish to experience rainforest outside of these months can visit Lamington National Park, famous for its wonderful birdlife, or Fraser Island with its abundant wildlife.
Though they teem with a multitude of snakes and reptiles such as the thorny devil, the Outback’s ancient landscapes may not see rain for years on end, creating red rock monoliths, ochre plains and endless horizons. Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon lie in the Red Centre, while to the north is the red sandstone of Katherine Gorge in Nitmiluk National Park, the Nullarbor Plain extends to the west and to the south is the opal capital of Coober Pedy, all of which you may visit by The Ghan or Indian Pacific trains. Western Australia’s Outback is home to 8,000 species of wildflower blooming from July to November, and the cooler months from March to November are the best time to visit Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungle) and the Aboriginal rock art of the north west’s Kimberley region.
Vast swathes of wild temperate forests are perhaps not one of the first images that come to mind in Australia, but it is certainly one of the most stunning and rewarding for the visitor. Endless miles of eucalypt trees are found in Tasmania and the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, both World Heritage Sites. Kangaroo Island’s woodland is less dense, but here too you will find a plethora of wildlife, from wallabies and kangaroos to echidnas and platypus to cockatoos - the variety is overwhelming. With a rather north European climate, Tasmania is best visited in the warmer months from October to April. The Blue Mountains of New South Wales, however, can be comfortably visited at any time of year and the winter months are likely to give better visibility for extensive views.
The kaleidoscopic colours of the fish and corals that inhabit the world’s largest offshore reef, the Great Barrier Reef to the east, and the world’s largest fringing reef, Ningaloo Reef to the west are a must-see. Off most Australian shores you can meet dolphins face to face at Shark Bay and some of the best locations for whale watching include New South Wales, Victoria’s Shipwreck Coast and Western Australia’s Albany between May and November. The country’s southern coast looks from rugged cliffs and sweeping beaches over the crystal-clear waters of the Southern Ocean, playground to sealions and more. Diving is superb throughout Australia, with operators maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and safety.