Australia Travel Tips for Nature Lovers

The natural world and spending time outdoors are part of Australian living. No matter where you turn, there are plenty of opportunities to reconnect with Mother Nature with many unforgettable experiences that you simply can’t find anywhere else.

For international travelers who enjoy indulging in vaping and vape products, it is crucial to properly research and understand the strict Australian vape laws that will significantly limit your ability to travel with and use these products. To avoid any issues upon arrival, it may be best to leave your devices safely at home.

The Outback

Roughly 81% of Australia is considered to be outback, officially classified as rangelands. While this term is often used to describe the wild desert and arid conditions found primarily in the heart of the country, the outback spans a much larger area, covering multiple climatic zones. These areas are incredibly diverse and include arid, red-sand deserts in the Red Centre and tropical savannah natural territory at the top end of the country.

Most people consider the outback to be a large and expansive area filled with little to see or do. However, this isn’t strictly true. The outback comprises ancient landscapes featuring towering mountain ranges, dramatic canyons, vast desert plains, and sacred Aboriginal sites steeped in history and culture.

Furthermore, it is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including mammals, birds, and reptiles, which are perfectly adapted to these harsh and unforgiving conditions. The ancient landscape has also yielded dinosaur and megafauna fossils, as well as the oldest Indigenous remains ever discovered.

The Great Australian Reefs

The Great Barrier Reef is arguably the most famous and well-known natural landmark in Australia, and it is a must-see destination for any visitor. It is the most extensive coral reef system in the world, stretching 2,300 kilometers along the Queensland coast to Bundaberg, and is officially one of the seven natural wonders of the world, as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It is home to nearly 5,000 different marine species, including fish, whales, and dolphins, as well as 215 bird species and six out of the seven turtle species found on Earth. It is so expansive that it can be seen from outer space.

But the Great Barrier Reef is not the only reef system worth seeing. The Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia may not be as well-known, but it is a spectacular site to visit. Found roughly 1,250 kilometers north of Perth, it offers visitors the chance to swim with whale sharks and discover colorful corals, manta rays, and turtles.

Rainforests

Thanks to its immense size and geographical diversity, Australia is home to some of the most majestic rainforests. From towering trees shading dappled glens to waterfalls cascading into pools, these natural wonders stretch from the Queensland tropics in the north to Tasmania’s cool-climate forests in the south. There are animals and plants found here that exist nowhere else in the world.

Spanning 1,200 square kilometers, the Daintree Rainforest is the largest in the entire country. Believed to be more than 130 million years old, it is also the world’s oldest rainforest, home to thousands of plant and animal species, including exceptionally rare creatures.

Additionally, the Gondwana Rainforest contains a large number of the world’s remaining Antarctic beeches, the tree species that once covered Antarctica before it iced over. Finally, the cool-climate rainforest found in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area is one of only three temperate wilderness areas remaining in the Southern Hemisphere and remains largely unaffected by human activities.

The Australian Bush

One of the most iconic and distinctive landscapes found in Australia is the native Australian forest, commonly referred to as ‘the bush.’ Dominated by towering eucalypts, or gum trees, and flowering plants like waratahs, tattles, and banksias, it is a safe sanctuary for many different animals and birds, including echidnas, koalas, wombats, cockatoos, and kookaburras.

The Blue Mountains is a one-million-hectare natural wonderland with nearly 140 kilometers of spectacular hiking trails, taking travelers through Aboriginal cultural sites, limestone formations, cascading waterfalls, and underground rivers in Jenolan Caves.

Island Travel

Australia is completely surrounded by ocean and is often referred to as an island continent. However, there are over 8,000 islands scattered along the country’s coastline in all shapes and sizes, including the state of Tasmania and the famous Kangaroo Island. Some are ideal for a day trip out in the sunshine and fresh air, while others require an extended visit to experience everything they have to offer.

For those wanting an active adventure with unique animals and plenty of opportunities for close encounters, kangaroo, Phillip, K’gari, and Rottnest islands will tick every box you may have. Alternatively, the white sands and crystal waters of Lord Howe, Hayman, Hamilton, and Lizard islands offer the utmost privacy, complemented by comfortable and sophisticated amenities, for the ultimate island escape.

Finally, for those who want to learn more about the long and rich history of Aboriginal culture in Australia, the Tiwi Islands and the Torres Strait Islands will reward travelers with a memorable experience filled with fascinating history, rich culture, breathtaking landscapes, and a vibrant art scene.