Australia’s Undiscovered Treasures
Hannah Forder
With gap years, career breaks and retirement travel becoming more and more popular in recent years, it’s hardly surprising that Australia, the worlds top backpacker destination, has seen a significant rise in tourist numbers over the last couple of years. Unfortunately this can have its drawbacks. Hearing endless stories from home-comers about the same experiences may make an intrepid traveller wonder if there is anything left to tell and the mighty outback might lose its charm before you ever get to discover its wonders.
Don’t let it! Not only are Australia’s traditional attractions more than worth a visit but there’s a wealth of cultural gems left to discover, and when you take your new story home your break the monotony, so everyone else will want to explore this incredible continent.
New South Wales
Most travellers start their journey through Australia in Sydney. Here are a few ideas about how to make your visit to the area that little bit different.
Sydney’s Royal Botanical gardens are well known, but get out of the city and find the MT Tomah Botanical Gardens, on the road between Richmond, east of the city, and Bell, further east still. Nature lovers will be in paradise as they wonder through Australia’s native flora and fauna.
The coastal area north of Sydney is extremely popular with backpackers but the coastline south of Sydney much quiet and well worth a look. Try the coastal town of Kiama, about 100 km south of Sydney. It boasts a blowhole that spouts water 50 meters into the air! Just to the east of Kiama is the Budderoo National Park, another haven for nature lovers. At the far south of the New South Wales coast sits the seaside town of Eden, which houses a rather eccentric museum that’s completely devoted to killer whales.
Canberra, Australia’s capital city, is often totally ignored by travellers. Quite why this extraordinary city is deemed to be uninteresting I couldn’t say because it boasts a variety of unique attractions. Actually, it's not part of New South Wales, it’s part of a completely separate area called the Australian Capital Territory. Here, the National Gallery of Australia houses an impressive aboriginal art collection, as well as artwork by settlers and contemporary artists. For some early settler history you’ll want to visit the modest Blundells Cottage on the banks of Lake Burley Griffin. This unique museum gives travellers a rare insight into origins of the area around 250 years ago.
Queensland
Virtually every traveller legs it up the East Coast, stopping to sample Byron Bay’s bars, undertake a four-wheel drive trek across the sandy Fraser Island, and jump aboard a boat trip around the Whitsunday Islands. This experiences are undoubtedly incredible but it’s well worth staying a little longer and checking out some of Queensland’s lesser known attractions.
The Southbank Parklands in Brisbane are a must for all travellers. Indeed this manmade beach attracts hundreds daily. The area also boasts the South Bank Wildlife Sanctuary and various museums and art galleries that are extremely popular with travellers. But for a different perspective wander along to the ornate Nepalese Peace House on the river front. It’s a stark contrast to the modern designs of many of the museums!
For an alternative stop off point when travelling up the East Coast, try Noosa, situated at the base of the Noosa National Park about 200 km’s north of Brisbane. This unique town lies around the mouth of the aptly named Noosa River, and is actually made up of three separate areas Noosa Heads, Noosaville and Noosa Junction. For a stunning view and opportunity to spot some of the local wildlife, walk up through the National Park. When you look back down on Noosa, you’ll begin to fully appreciate how much better a town can look when the buildings aren’t allowed to be built taller than the trees!
From Noosa you can take a bus out to Eumundi, which holds a regular market selling local produce and crafts. This is a real treat for travellers (and for their friends back home when they bring back all those lovely goodies). Take your pick of aboriginal paintings, native jewellery and local delicacies!
On the other hand, you could opt for a completely different experience in Queensland by venturing away from the coast to the Great Dividing Ranges and into the Queensland outback. Towns here are few and far between, and any intrepid traveller will need to be fully stocked with supplies. One hidden treasure will be of particular interest to wildlife and conservation enthusiasts. The Porcupine Gorge National Park is an oasis in the otherwise desert like landscape and shelters an abundance of native creatures and plants. It’s situated north of Hughenden and can be found on the railway line between Townsville on the coast and Mt Isa, a mining town to the far west of the state.
South Australia
South Australia is famous for its wineries and the Barosssa Valley to the north of Adelaide is world famous. Before sampling this divine local produce, however, spend a little time searching out the states other treasures.
Directly south of Adelaide lies the Fleurieu Peninsula. From here, you can travel to Kangaroo Island, where several popular tours operate for those interested in wildlife and conservation. Those looking for a less conventional wildlife experience should venture to the east of the peninsula, where the tiny Granite Island can be found just off the coast of Victor Harbour. Most days at dusk a guided walk operates around the Island to spot the miniature penguins, aptly nicknamed fairy penguins, return from feeding. The small charge for this walk goes towards the cost of protecting the penguins and sustaining their habitat, making this a definite must for any keen eco-tourist.
At the south of the state, just before the border to Victoria, lies the town of Mt Gambier. The town sits on the slopes of an extinct volcano, and is surrounded by three volcanic craters, which are now huge lakes. The most visually impressive of these is the Blue Lake, which in calm weather displays a perfect mirror image of the trees and plants around it. The crater is about 5km all around and is well worth a look (especially on calm days)!
Victoria
Victoria is home to the stunning scenery of the Great Ocean Road and, is of course the home of “Ramsay Street” (which any true fan will have to take a trip to). Though this is what most travellers are interested in when they visit Queensland, it has so much more to offer if you delve a little deeper!
Melbourne, like all of Australia’s cities, boasts some stunning inner city gardens. One garden in particular, Fitzroy, houses a little treasure that will delight the young, or indeed, the young at heart! The Fairy Tree has been intricately carved with pictures of dancing fairies and children. Nearby is another oddity, a miniature Tudor village!
The Great Ocean Road runs along the south coast of Victoria, between Warrnambool and Torquay. The remarkable rock formations along this stretch of coast are a popular draw for travellers but for another incredible experience you’ll want to jump off the bus about halfway along this massive road. Here you’ll find the Otway National Park, an area of untouched forest and enormous redwood trees. Stopping off here you can wander around this secluded area, gaze wondrously at impressive waterfalls and try to spot local wildlife.
The Grampians National Park, to the west of Melbourne, is an impressive area enjoying far reaching views from the higher peaks. For those who want to learn more about local culture and how it is being conserved, a visit to the Brambuk Aboriginal Centre within the national park is essential. The centre holds an array of unique Aboriginal artefacts and interactive exhibits. It also holds learning workshops and talks about the local aboriginal culture, to help travellers understand this unique culture.
Discovering the intricacies of a new culture, getting off the beaten track and find the true spirit of your chosen destination is what travelling is all about, and a trip to Australia shouldn’t be any different. The country’s world-renowned attractions are a definite must, but don’t let them distract you from Australia’s undiscovered treasures!
