Nova – 20251018 – 18 days

Day itinerary:

Once known as the Steel City, today Newcastle is one of Australia’s hippest cities. It’s flanked by the Pacific Ocean and six beaches on its eastern side and a harbor on its west side. Gentrification began when the steel mills closed in 1999. Nowadays the old wharves and warehouses form part of the lively Honeysuckle precinct, which buzzes with hotels, cafés, and restaurants.

Founded in 1824 on the banks of the wide, meandering Brisbane River, the former penal colony of Brisbane was for many years regarded as just a big country town. Many beautiful timber Queenslander homes, built in the 1800s, still dot the riverbanks and inner suburbs, and in spring the city’s numerous parks erupt in a riot of colorful jacaranda, poinciana, and bougainvillea blossoms. Today the Queensland capital is one of Australia’s most up-and-coming cities: glittering high-rises mark its polished business center, slick fashion boutiques and restaurants abound, and numerous outdoor attractions beckon. In summer, temperatures here are broilingly hot and days are often humid, a reminder that this city is part of a subtropical region. Wear SPF 30-plus sunscreen and a broad-brimmed hat outdoors, even on overcast days.Brisbane’s inner suburbs, a 5- to 10-minute drive or 15- to 20-minute walk from the city center, have a mix of intriguing eateries and quiet accommodations. Fortitude Valley combines Chinatown with a cosmopolitan mix of clubs, cafés, and boutiques. Spring Hill has several high-quality hotels, and Paddington, New Farm, Petrie Terrace, West End, and Woolloongabba are full of an eclectic mix of restaurants and bars. Brisbane is also a convenient base for trips to the Sunshine and Gold coasts, the mountainous hinterlands, and the Moreton Bay islands.

Day itinerary:

The envied climate makes Brisbane a city of outdoor adventure activity and relaxation where days drift by surfing rollers or relaxing in the shade of swaying palms. While Brisbane may play second fiddle to Sydney and Melbourne at times it radiates a creative and contemporary energy offering visitors a refreshing combination of laidback waterfront luxury and urban sophistication. Sandy islands nearby provide scenic diving and oceanside relaxation opportunities while the city’s animal santuaries offer opportunities to meet unbearably cute koalas and kangaroos. Brisbane’s impressive skyline of metallic cylinders rises high above the broad Brisbane River below which curves lazily through downtown. The rolling waves of the Pacific are close by but there’s something special about relaxing on soft sand in the very heart of the city on the beautifully executed South Bank Parklands man-made beach. With golden sand and shallow lagoon waters to cool off in it’s a dreamy spot to lie back with a book amid the landscaped gardens. Nestled in a river meander of its own Brisbane Botanic Park glows with colour tropical plants and wading ibis birds and is easily walkable from the Parklands. The South Bank is the cultural hub of city and houses the celebrated Queensland Gallery of Modern Art – a surreal and vibrant jaunt through contemporary Australian art. The city’s award-winning restaurants also serve up elite food matched with generous splashes of wine direct from the nearby Granite Belt’s wine regions.

Day itinerary:

Once a humble fishing village, tourism has boomed in recent years and transformed Mooloolaba into one of the most coveted of Queensland’s popular holiday resorts. Located 97 km from Brisbane and set right in the heart of the Sunshine Coast, Mooloolaba is much more than an oceanfront playground. Certainly, surfers will find their nirvana here, with ideal spots for both the initiated and the beginner dotted along the coast, along with the famous surfing festival in March. But it’s not all about waxing your board and point breaks – Mooloolaba Beach has featured as one of the world’s top ten beaches for two years running and it looks set to stay that way. An early morning stroll will see you mingling with the locals, and with no beach goers around, be sure to take your cameras for some of the most instagrammable views you’re ever likely to see. Step away from the beach and guests will find some good shopping with everything from antiques and jewellery to beach towels and sarongs for sale. Local artists set up stalls on the pretty esplanade so art lovers will be sure to take home a souvenir that is really special. Epicureans meanwhile will already no doubt looking forward to tasting some of the famous Mooloolaba prawns, caught straight off a trawler. How’s that for freshness! Try the delicious local speciality either in one of the buzzing restaurants in town or straight from the Seafood Precinct and grab a spot in the shade for a picnic! If fun in the sun isn’t your cup of tea, then the Mooloolaba coastline is certainly worth seeing. Hire a motorboat, or relax on a mini-cruise and enjoy the opportunity of searching, and perhaps swimming, with whales, dolphins and turtles. Seaplanes offer another interesting way of seeing the coast with the more adventurous opting for the “doors off” experience.

Day itinerary:

Frazer Island is a World Heritage site listed for the diversity and beauty it holds. Despite being a sand island, Fraser has over 100 lakes and the landscape changes constantly as dunes are moved across the island by wind. With over 350 bird species recorded, Fraser Island is also part of an ‘Important Bird Area’ and on the ‘Australian National Heritage’ list. The island can be explored by 4WD coach and kayak. In addition to the natural history, there is a rich Butchulla Aboriginal culture here. The island’s most spectacular lake, Lake McKenzie is well suited for a cooling swim and at the historic central station in the heart of the island, it is possible to walk along the banks of the Wanggoolba Creek and become immersed in the peacefulness of the rainforest.

This coastal city has little in the way of sandy beaches or surf, but it does have shady parks, charming colonial buildings, and a boardwalk-flanked waterfront Esplanade with a terrific man-made beach and picnic facilities. The historic town center has thrived recently, with an influx of lively eateries and bars. There are also some excellent museum and a world-class aquarium.Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service has an office on Magnetic Island, but Townsville Enterprise’s information kiosks in Flinders Square and the Museum of Tropical Queensland (MTQ), on the mainland, are the best sources of visitor info about the island.

Day itinerary:

Venture to this remote city on the cusp of the tropics to meet adorable animals explore gorgeous coastal islands and soak up the reliable sun’s bronzing glow. Rise to the rosy rock of Castle Hill – the views down over the sparkling coastal setting and islands waiting beyond form an amazing welcome. Located on Queensland’s north-east coast the city’s bay arcs around Magnetic Island – which lies just a scenic 20-minute ferry ride away. An island sanctuary of beautiful dive sites – set amid vibrant reefs and secluded beach coves – it is one of Townsville’s most exquisite natural assets. The island’s national park is adorned with wildlife and you can meet more of Australia’s famous residents at the family-owned Billabong Sanctuary – which cares for kangaroos crocodiles wallabies and more. Townsville’s vast aquarium brings the magic of the region’s glittering reefs to land and the largest reef aquarium in the world ensures that even non-divers can enjoy an authentic insight into the colourful life that blossoms offshore. Visit the beaches of lush tropical islands or wander Townsville’s pretty seaside streets and The Strand’s waterfront – lined with charming 19th-century architecture and plenty of inviting cafes and alfresco eateries. Learn more of North Queensland’s indigenous Bindal and Wulgurukaba communities as you witness cultural performances or peruse Townsville’s galleries which showcase extraordinary indigenous arts.

Tourism is the lifeblood of Cairns (pronounced Caans). The city makes a good base for exploring the wild top half of Queensland, and tens of thousands of international travelers use it as a jumping-off point for activities such as scuba diving and snorkeling trips to the Barrier Reef, as well as boating, fishing, parasailing, scenic flights, and rain-forest treks.It’s a tough environment, with intense heat and fierce wildlife. Along with wallabies and grey kangaroos in the savannah and tree kangaroos in the rain forest, you’ll find stealthy saltwater crocodiles, venomous snakes, and jellyfish so deadly they put the region’s stunning beaches off- limits to swimmers for nearly half the year. Yet despite this formidable setting, Cairns and tropical North Queensland are far from intimidating places. The people are warm and friendly, the sights spectacular, and—at the right time of year—the beachside lounging is world-class.

Day itinerary:

Warmly welcoming you to the natural wonders of the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns is a treasure trove of rich tropical beauty and incredible sea life. Swathes of rainforest spread out to the north, where you can soar over the canopy in a cable car, before looking down over narrow channels of water plummeting down gorges and crocodile-filled waterways. The diverse lands of the Atherton Tableland lie to the west, but it’s the crystal-clear waters – and life-filled reefs – of Cairns’ remarkable underwater world that draws universal adulation. Priding itself as the Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, explore Cairns’ constellation of colour, as you dive into the world’s largest and most spectacular underwater universe. Cairns is huddled in amongst abundant swathes of rainforests, which give way to glorious crescents of golden beach. Kuranda – with its scenic railway and heritage market stalls – waits to be discovered, cloaked within the depths of the rainforest. Learn of the indigenous people of North Queensland during cultural performances, and hear the throaty reverberations of digeridoos, as you hear eternal stories handed down through time, from generation to generation. Back in Cairns, there’s always time for a coffee or a beer, or a feast on fresh oysters with glasses of Cairns’ white wines – boldly flavoured with mango and banana notes.

Tourism is the lifeblood of Cairns (pronounced Caans). The city makes a good base for exploring the wild top half of Queensland, and tens of thousands of international travelers use it as a jumping-off point for activities such as scuba diving and snorkeling trips to the Barrier Reef, as well as boating, fishing, parasailing, scenic flights, and rain-forest treks.It’s a tough environment, with intense heat and fierce wildlife. Along with wallabies and grey kangaroos in the savannah and tree kangaroos in the rain forest, you’ll find stealthy saltwater crocodiles, venomous snakes, and jellyfish so deadly they put the region’s stunning beaches off- limits to swimmers for nearly half the year. Yet despite this formidable setting, Cairns and tropical North Queensland are far from intimidating places. The people are warm and friendly, the sights spectacular, and—at the right time of year—the beachside lounging is world-class.

Day itinerary:

Warmly welcoming you to the natural wonders of the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns is a treasure trove of rich tropical beauty and incredible sea life. Swathes of rainforest spread out to the north, where you can soar over the canopy in a cable car, before looking down over narrow channels of water plummeting down gorges and crocodile-filled waterways. The diverse lands of the Atherton Tableland lie to the west, but it’s the crystal-clear waters – and life-filled reefs – of Cairns’ remarkable underwater world that draws universal adulation. Priding itself as the Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, explore Cairns’ constellation of colour, as you dive into the world’s largest and most spectacular underwater universe. Cairns is huddled in amongst abundant swathes of rainforests, which give way to glorious crescents of golden beach. Kuranda – with its scenic railway and heritage market stalls – waits to be discovered, cloaked within the depths of the rainforest. Learn of the indigenous people of North Queensland during cultural performances, and hear the throaty reverberations of digeridoos, as you hear eternal stories handed down through time, from generation to generation. Back in Cairns, there’s always time for a coffee or a beer, or a feast on fresh oysters with glasses of Cairns’ white wines – boldly flavoured with mango and banana notes.

Day itinerary:

To reach Port Douglas is to reach the seductive, stunning heart of tropical North Queensland and its unparalleled natural treasures. Spreading out leisurely along the sparkling coral sea, in-vogue Port Douglas is an in-demand escape, which casually balances indulgence with exhilaration. Enjoying a truly privileged position, the town is cushioned by thick rainforest flowing down to coral-covered seas. Adventures among the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest understandably take the headlines, but there is also culinary splendour to explore. Wander the shaded Macrossan Street beneath towering green palm trees and rich blue sky, while scouting out a bite to eat. The marina bustles with markets, crafty boutiques and sleek vessels, taking wide-eyed divers on the quick journey to the glittering underwater universe of the world’s most spectacular barrier reef. Nearby, the unspoiled Four Mile Beach is every bit as ample as its name suggests. Enjoy a glorious bend of golden sand, lapped by dreamy blue waters. The ancient Daintree rainforest is the oldest on the planet, and Sir David Attenborough’s ‘most extraordinary place on earth’. You’ll soon see why it receives such acclaim. Creeks bustle with saltwater crocodiles, gorges surge through thick canopy, and flightless birds like the Southern Cassowary add to an immense tapestry of unique animal life. There is human heritage to unravel too, and the Kuku Yalanji people share their culture and ancient knowledge of these most extraordinary lands.

Day itinerary:

Cooktown is located on the remote, unspoilt beauty of the Cape York Peninsula is nestled between the mouth of the Endeavour River and Grassy Hill – the location of the first recorded sighting of kangaroos by Europeans. With Mt Cook as a backdrop, Cooktown is a charming, historical town, unspoilt by the urgency of modern life. Cooktown is known for is its well documented history, Captain Cook’s arrival on the banks of the Endeavour River in 1770 after he ran aground on some reefs off the coast led to his first recorded meaningful contact and reconciliation with Aboriginal people. Cook climbed Grassy Hill to work out a safe passage for the Endeavour to sail through the surrounding reefs, after it was repaired. Later Cooktown became a bustling port, exporting gold from the Palmer River Goldfields. Discover this unique history and Cooktown’s colourful past on a stroll around town or use it as a gateway up the Peninsula to experience the raw beauty of one of Australia’s last true frontiers.

Darwin is Australia’s most colorful, and exotic, capital city. Surrounded on three sides by the turquoise waters of the Timor Sea, the streets are lined with tropical flowers and trees. Warm and dry in winter, hot and steamy in summer, it’s a relaxed and casual place, as well as a beguiling blend of tropical frontier outpost and Outback hardiness. Thanks to its close proximity to Southeast Asia and its multicultural population it also seems more like Asia than the rest of Australia. Darwin is a city that has always had to fight for its survival. The seductiveness of contemporary Darwin lifestyles belies a history of failed attempts that date from 1824 when Europeans attempted to establish an enclave in this harsh, unyielding climate. The original 1869 settlement, called Palmerston, was built on a parcel of mangrove wetlands and scrub forest that had changed little in 15 million years. It was not until 1911, after it had already weathered the disastrous cyclones of 1878, 1882, and 1897, that the town was named after the scientist who had visited Australia’s shores aboard the Beagle in 1839. During World War II it was bombed more than 60 times, as the harbor full of warships was a prime target for the Japanese war planes. Then, on the night of Christmas Eve 1974, the city was almost completely destroyed by Cyclone Tracy, Australia’s greatest natural disaster. It’s a tribute to those who stayed and to those who have come to live here after Tracy that the rebuilt city now thrives as an administrative and commercial center for northern Australia. Old Darwin has been replaced by something of an edifice complex—such buildings as Parliament House and the Supreme Court all seem very grand for such a small city, especially one that prides itself on its casual, outdoor-centric lifestyle. Today Darwin is the best place from which to explore Australia’s Top End, with its wonders of Kakadu and the Kimberley region.

Day itinerary:

Australia’s capital of the north is a uniquely tropical city and a historically isolated outpost of this vast diverse country. Reaching up towards the equator a full 2 000 miles from Sydney and Melbourne the city was named in honour of Charles Darwin by the British settlers who established a frontier outpost here. With a unique history beautiful islands nearby and a palette of sizzling Pacific flavours colourful Darwin is an enchanting and exotic Australian destination. Crocodiles patrol the jungled waterways and tropical rainforests around Australia’s gateway to the Top End. Explore via airboat to look down on the veiny waterways of the mist-laced Kakadu National Park. The sounds of chattering birdlife and the gentle splash of fountains and waterfalls will fill your ears in George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens. Soak it all in before kicking back and relaxing with a picnic and a crackling barbecue. The sunshine and famous tropical pink sunsets mean many visitors naturally gravitate to the city’s soft sands to relax at spots like pretty Mindil Beach as evening approaches. The adjoining market is filled with souvenirs and crafts stands and is the perfect great place to enjoy some fiery Asian flavours. Stroll the stalls grab some food and crack open an ice-frosted beer as the sunset show begins. It may be remote but Darwin found itself on the front line during the Pacific War as the Japanese air force unloaded their bombs onto the city in 1942.

Darwin is Australia’s most colorful, and exotic, capital city. Surrounded on three sides by the turquoise waters of the Timor Sea, the streets are lined with tropical flowers and trees. Warm and dry in winter, hot and steamy in summer, it’s a relaxed and casual place, as well as a beguiling blend of tropical frontier outpost and Outback hardiness. Thanks to its close proximity to Southeast Asia and its multicultural population it also seems more like Asia than the rest of Australia. Darwin is a city that has always had to fight for its survival. The seductiveness of contemporary Darwin lifestyles belies a history of failed attempts that date from 1824 when Europeans attempted to establish an enclave in this harsh, unyielding climate. The original 1869 settlement, called Palmerston, was built on a parcel of mangrove wetlands and scrub forest that had changed little in 15 million years. It was not until 1911, after it had already weathered the disastrous cyclones of 1878, 1882, and 1897, that the town was named after the scientist who had visited Australia’s shores aboard the Beagle in 1839. During World War II it was bombed more than 60 times, as the harbor full of warships was a prime target for the Japanese war planes. Then, on the night of Christmas Eve 1974, the city was almost completely destroyed by Cyclone Tracy, Australia’s greatest natural disaster. It’s a tribute to those who stayed and to those who have come to live here after Tracy that the rebuilt city now thrives as an administrative and commercial center for northern Australia. Old Darwin has been replaced by something of an edifice complex—such buildings as Parliament House and the Supreme Court all seem very grand for such a small city, especially one that prides itself on its casual, outdoor-centric lifestyle. Today Darwin is the best place from which to explore Australia’s Top End, with its wonders of Kakadu and the Kimberley region.

Day itinerary:

Australia’s capital of the north is a uniquely tropical city and a historically isolated outpost of this vast diverse country. Reaching up towards the equator a full 2 000 miles from Sydney and Melbourne the city was named in honour of Charles Darwin by the British settlers who established a frontier outpost here. With a unique history beautiful islands nearby and a palette of sizzling Pacific flavours colourful Darwin is an enchanting and exotic Australian destination. Crocodiles patrol the jungled waterways and tropical rainforests around Australia’s gateway to the Top End. Explore via airboat to look down on the veiny waterways of the mist-laced Kakadu National Park. The sounds of chattering birdlife and the gentle splash of fountains and waterfalls will fill your ears in George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens. Soak it all in before kicking back and relaxing with a picnic and a crackling barbecue. The sunshine and famous tropical pink sunsets mean many visitors naturally gravitate to the city’s soft sands to relax at spots like pretty Mindil Beach as evening approaches. The adjoining market is filled with souvenirs and crafts stands and is the perfect great place to enjoy some fiery Asian flavours. Stroll the stalls grab some food and crack open an ice-frosted beer as the sunset show begins. It may be remote but Darwin found itself on the front line during the Pacific War as the Japanese air force unloaded their bombs onto the city in 1942.