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6 Offbeat Australian Destinations You Must Visit

by Holxo Travel Specialist

OFFBEAT
AUSTRALIA

How many people have heard of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Opera House, the Great Ocean Road or the Great Barrier Reef?

That’s right. Everybody from all over the world has heard of these Australian treasures. These are the remarkable sights that will be the first things that pop-up when you search for ‘things to do in Australia.’ They are inevitable. Every Australian or a non-Australian knows about them. And why not? They are truly magnificent and must-visits.

But that does not mean the Land Down Under has only these iconic sights to offer? There are also other offbeat holiday destinations in Australia that deserve every bit of the spotlight. And you will find these offbeat holiday destinations just as impressive as those that are well-known. These beautiful landmarks are often quieter and tranquil, which will make one wonder why has no one ever suggested a place like this before? If you want a memorable photo which will serve you well in the years to come, then come to these such unique destinations. You will be one less person posing for a selfie in front of the Opera House.

Now, you must be wondering what and where these offbeat holiday destinations are. Don’t you worry, you are certainly in the right place. Check out this guide for the 6 offbeat Australian destinations you must visit.

Uluru

Ayers Rock
Ayers Rock

Nestled within the area of Kata Tjuta National Park and also known as Ayers Rock, Uluru Rock is an attraction where visitors from all over the world enjoy witnessing the distinct red monolith sandstone formation.

Renowned to be one of the largest monoliths in the world, it is no surprise why Uluru Rock falls under the list of one of the offbeat holiday destinations in Australia. This formation stands tall at 348 meters (1141 feet) high and is also famously called as the shadowy place of Australia.

The main reason why travellers from far and wide stop by this rock is to witness the breathtaking sunrise and the sunset where the sunlight plays with the landscape and you will see a range of striking colours across the rock that seem to change colours.

While here, you can indulge in a tribal tour around this famous site, which is led mostly by Aboriginal guides and also the rangers of the country. The tour shines its knowledge on Ayers Rock Paintings that reflect the cultural understanding and Tjukurpa stories, which have been passed from one generation to another over the years.

The Freycinet Peninsula

Freycinet Peninsula
Freycinet Peninsula

Cosily settled on the eastern coast of Tasmania, a large peninsula Freycinet Peninsula, is a magical amalgamation of beautiful natural elements. Mountain peaks boasting a dramatic pink colour, whitest of white sand beaches, undisturbed bays and eucalyptus forests. The Freycinet Peninsula is perfect if you are looking to explore mountains, beaches, forests or all of the above.

Part of the Freycinet National Park is also the popular Wineglass Bay, one of the best beaches in the entire world and one of Tasmania’s iconic destinations. It’s popular among tourists for its red and pink granite formations. The turquoise crystal-clear water adds to the beauty. With more than 300 days of sunshine every year, it is certainly one of the best offbeat holiday destinations to spend a good week at. Beyond relaxing in luxury, there’s also birdwatching, mountain biking, scuba diving, rock climbing and deep-sea fishing.

If you are looking to capture great photographs, walk around magnificent trails, embark on an underwater adventure or just go birdwatching, this land has it all. You have access to all the trails, both short and long, including the paths leading up to Wineglass Bay, bird-filled lagoons, Cooks Beach and Bryans Beach, Great Oyster Bay, and the village of Swansea. So, make sure to pack in all your essentials before heading out for a memorable excursion.

Broome

Broome
Broome

With a reputation for being a haven for beach lover’s and a resort town, Broome, Australia is located in the Kimberly region of Western Australia. It is also known as the ‘pearl capital of the world’. So, if you want to shop for the infamous pearls, you know where to head to. Tucked away at a distance from most of the capital cities, Broome is easily accessible by flights. You can fly to Broome by catching a flight to Perth, where you will be offered transfers to this isolated land. And if you want to enjoy the scenic route, you can either hop on a bus or rent a car and drive yourself.

If you are planning to visit offbeat holiday destinations in the world, Broome has got to make it on your list. Not only because of the wonderful attractions this town has to offer such as the Cable Beach, Broome Historical Museum, Horizontal Waterpark or Broome Crocodile Park but also because of the magical phenomenon that is witnessed on the beaches called the Staircase to the Moon.

stairway-to-the-moon
Stairway to the Moon (Image credits: Gary Tindale)

It’s a natural phenomenon where the full moon ascends on Roebuck Bay’s exposed tidal flats. This creates an optical illusion of the steps leading up to the moon. If you want to witness this magic in action, make sure you visit between March and October. Other than this, you can also explore Mitchell Falls, the Gibb River Road, Purnululu and Cape Leveque.

Kangaroo Island

Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island

Are you planning a honeymoon vacation or just a romantic vacation in Australia? Kangaroo Island Australia is the perfect offbeat holiday destination for partners looking to spend quality time, away from all the hustle and the bustle of the great city. You can easily get lost with your significant other amid the peace and serenity of picturesque landscapes.

Over one-third of this island is covered with spectacular national parks where you will find koalas, wallabies and kangaroos living, roaming freely and being their wild selves. While you stroll around the park, you will also witness an abundance of other animals such as penguins, fur seals and sea lions. After exploring the park, you can go ahead and check out Sand Dunes of Little Sahara, caves and Flinders Chase National Park and rocky formations of the cliffs. This offbeat holiday destination right here is romantic, yet an adventurous option.

If you are wondering how to get this beautiful island? Fret not. You can reach the Kangaroo Island either by a ferry or a plane. Kangaroo Island Sealink operates ferries that will take you to and fro from the island. You can catch the ferry at Cape Jervis or Penneshaw and reach Kangaroo Island. There are a variety of timings to choose from and the cost varies on the type of ferry. If you are prone to getting seasick, you can catch a Regional Express flight to Kangaroo Island. Due to the lack of cabs and public transport, you can hire a car from one of the onsite agents from the airport or a private transfer through the hotel, resort, or the tour company.  

Hunter Valley

Hunter Valley
Hunter Valley

Located 130 km (80 miles) from southwest of Sydney, Hunter Valley is also one such attraction that swoops into being one of the best offbeat holiday destinations in Australia. So, why not take a road trip to the Hunter Valley wine region and spend a beautiful day exploring this notable attraction sipping on the finest range of Shiraz and Semillon? Known for producing fine wines in and around the country and the world, and having over 150 wineries in its pockets, this region is also one of the best places to visit as a weekend trip from Sydney. When you stay here, you will be blessed with the marvellous views of the garden and vineyards covering acres and acres of land.

You will find many amazing Hunter Valley packages that will help you explore the lush vineyards and nearby attractions such as Wollemi National Parks, Hunter Valley Gardens and Tomaree National Park, and all the finest restaurants, tasting events and more. 

If you have an extra day or two or a couple of weeks to spare, try enrolling yourself into the Hunter Valley Wine School. Here you will be able to learn all about your favourite wines.

Port Stephens

Port Stephens
Port Stephens

An idyllic destination north of Sydney, Port Stephens is blessed with many beautiful inlets, a vast blue bay and 26 sandy beaches. It’s famous for its towering sand dunes, crystal-clear waters and the resident 150 bottlenose dolphins.

With a little something for everyone, Port Stephens is the perfect weekend getaway from Sydney and takes about 2.5 hours to reach. You’ll find everything from spectacular beaches to watching to toboggan runs to the incredible food to dolphin watching.

Called the ‘blue water paradise’, Port Stephens presents plenty of reasons to visit. It’s a naturally beautiful area with great weather all year round. Apart from a lot of water activities like whale watching, dolphin watching, swimming, snorkelling, surfing, kayaking and sailing, other activities include quad biking, horse riding sandboarding at some of the largest moving coastal sand dunes.

When you’re tired, you can unwind at the plethora of cafes and restaurants, sip on cold beer and munch on fresh seafood.   

Offbeat your way through Australia

Here is your one chance to make your friends jealous of the all offbeat holiday destinations they never got to visit while exploring Australia. But most of all, you get to educate and help people be aware of all the offbeat destinations that are well-hidden in Australia. From exploring secluded bays, rocky formations, wildlife and marine life and more, there is something for everyone in these beautiful Australian offbeat holiday destinations. So, what are you waiting for? Are you ready to make new memories in the Land Down Under? Book your tickets with Holxo, now!

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