At over 7.5 million km² Australia is a vast and diverse country, and it’s often one of those destinations we forget about because it’s so close.
While it’s easy to get consumed with the delights of the Northern Hemisphere, it’s good to remember millions of adventurers travel across the world just to see the jaw-dropping attractions that are right on our doorstep.
While we all know about the Opera House, Melbourne’s foodie scene, the Gold Coast theme parks and beaches, the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru and other iconic destinations - there’s so much more to this enormous land mass, with literally hundreds of hidden gems many Kiwis aren’t even aware of.
From UNESCO world heritage sites to mind-blowing natural wonders to quaint and quirky ‘only-in-Australia’ attractions you could travel for months and months and never get bored. No one knows Australia like Qantas.
Uluru
Uluru
Melbourne is a foodie's paradise
Melbourne is a foodie's paradise
Spellbinding Sydney
Spellbinding Sydney
Mungo National Park
Mungo National Park
Bridport, Tasmania
Bridport, Tasmania
South Australia Pink Lakes
South Australia Pink Lakes
Hidden gems
You may think you know Australia but did you know there are pink lakes in South Australia? Lakes Bumbunga, MacDonnell and Hart all draw photographers from everywhere for their magenta shores which transition between hues of pink, white and blue depending on salinity levels. And what about all the otherworldly landscapes?
In the Kimberley you’ll find hundreds of beehive-like domes in the 360-million-year-old Bungle Bungle Range in Purnululu National Park - and even some fascinating ‘horizontal’ falls! And what about Willandra Lakes Region in NSW (including Mungo National Park) believed to be the world's oldest site of ritual ceremony where calcified plants, stone tools, ancient fireplaces and animal bones are preserved in a landscape that really looks like another planet.
Many are familiar with the Great Barrier Reef, of course, but what about Lord Howe Island, a two-hour flight from Sydney to the home to the world’s southernmost coral reef, the world’s tallest sea stack, 500 different types of fish and some of the world’s rarest birds. While some people only think of beaches when they imagine Queensland, it would be criminal not to explore its lush, green, tropical rainforests too - among the only places on the planet that remain relatively unchanged since the time of the dinosaurs.
Even the big cosmopolitan cities have secret attractions - hidden bars with disguised entrances that require a password, enclaves populated by groups of migrants and their delicious cuisine from all over the world.
And then there’s the uniquely Australian historical factor - 11 World heritage registered convict sites scattered across Tasmania, Fremantle in Western Australia, Sydney and Norfolk Island and more quirky museums right across the country than you could ever imagine. Australia truly has surprises around every corner.
Easier than ever
And the best thing about all of this? It’s so easy to include more than one of these amazing experiences in a trip across the Tasman - and without having to remortgage the house either. Australia can actually offer diverse attractions and locations very affordably these days - well if you use the clever Qantas Explorer tool, that is.
There are three Qantas Exporer zones. Zone 1 pictured here.
There are three Qantas Exporer zones. Zone 1 pictured here.
This nifty little online booking system helps Kiwis travelling to Aussie to pull together their dream adventure, offering discounts if you book your inbound and outbound flights with them too.
By plugging in the rough dates you’d like to fly in and out, as well as the destinations you'd like to visit within Australia, the tool will magic up some great whole-trip options for less than it would cost to book it all separately.
There are discounted fares to over 60 destinations across Australia, including 132 bidirectional routes, so you’ll definitely be able to include all your favourite stops.
Australia is truly full of surprising places to explore - from the outback to the beaches to the cities to the forests.
There are so many hidden spots that you’ll never believe you hadn’t heard of, and Qantas Explorer lets you bring them all together in one trip with its extensive Australian network, seamless booking and reasonably-priced fares. Let’s face it, we’re all looking to save a bit where we can, and even though major international travel may not be in your current budget, you don’t actually have to travel to Paris or the Croatian Coast to see sights that will remain in your memories forever.
Why fly Qantas
A familiar sight at airports across Australasia, the bouncy kangaroo logo and distinctive white and red livery of Qantas aircraft herald an airline with the world’s best safety record which carries Kiwis across the ditch and on to the rest of the world.
Flying Qantas starts with an attractive fare (and when you add Qantas Explorer, subsequent routes are at an even more attractive price point) which includes complimentary baggage, food and drinks on every flight, inflight entertainment, and of course an extensive network carrying you all over Australia and to over 1,300 destinations worldwide with their partners.
Boundless adventure
One of the best things about Australia as a destination is that there’s something for everyone. The concept of a perfect holiday means different things to different people and this country covers them all.
Families won’t believe they can get into a bus just an hour from Adelaide and drive through a Safari Park where they’ll be surrounded by giraffes, zebras and all kinds of African animals roaming free. Lovers are spoiled for choice with city breaks in lush five-star hotels with endless romantic walks, world-class restaurants and museums to visit.
The food and wine obsessed won’t even know where to start with the regions like Tasmania and South Australia and at any time of year there’s some exciting culinary festival to plug into your itinerary. Adventurers can hike through areas that are millions of years old, dive world-renowned reefs teeming with coloured sea-life, explore verdant rainforests or participate in hundreds of incredible guided experiences with local Aboriginal operators.
And if all of that sounds far too energetic, nowhere does white sand beaches and crystal clear waters like Australia. Lay down your towel, grab your book and make that soft sand your sanctuary for the day - or if you don’t even want to pack a day bag, just pull up with a cocktail on a lounger by a luxury hotel pool, or go to one of the thousands of spas, where you can have your every need attended to. All of this variety makes it particularly convenient if you’re travelling with a mixed or multi-generational group - one trip, a few different destinations and holiday joy for all.
There’s really so much to love about our neighbouring country and there’s never been a better time to explore it than now, with Qantas.
Whether you’re looking for romance, family fun, adventure, to chill out - or a little bit of everything, there’s something for you on a trip to Australia.
Get dreaming with some of the inspiring articles below.
Plug them all into the Qantas Explorer tool and watch those dreams become an actual realistic trip - for much less than you imagined.
One tool to book everything from your closest New Zealand airport and back again, with all the fun stops you can imagine in between.
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