On this particular trip to Australia I wanted to be inspired by World Wonders – so the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest were on the list of places to visit. I wanted my fill of unique “Aussie” wildlife, so Adelaide and nearby Kangaroo Island were part of the plan. Finally, I was intrigued by all I’d heard about Melbourne’s eclectic laneways and sumptuous culinary offerings, so there’d be a stop there, too.

	Scuba Diving

To make the most of any visit to the Great Barrier Reef, we were advised to first find a base. We chose Port Douglas as it is closest to the reef and rainforest, however the city of Cairns is a great choice for short stays, and Palm Cove is an intimate option perfect for honeymoons. Then, we dove in! I didn’t realize how many ways there are to experience one of the world’s Seven Natural Wonders; tour the Reef in a semi-submersible, underwater with a guide, fly over in a helicopter or even charter a sailboat for a more personalized reef encounter.

Whether it’s diving the Great Barrier Reef, kayaking along the Mossman River or sleeping in a tree house above the Daintree Rainforest, I concluded that this ‘natural’ Australia is the perfect outpost of barefoot sophistication and adventure.

Kangaroo Island

Next we flew to the Festival State of South Australia, with Adelaide being our base to explore the furry friends and cuddly creatures found on Kangaroo Island. Australia’s second-largest island with a lush interior and stunning coastline, Kangaroo Island makes for a most excellent adventure. This isolated haven offers refuge to numerous, nearly extinct species such as wallabies and echidnas, and we went in search of them, as well as more iconic animals like kangaroos and koalas. We also discovered that the island is home to the worlds only known pure genus of Ligurian bees; visit the farm and taste some of the purest honey available!

	Latte

With our craving for wildlife spotting quenched, we journeyed to Victoria, ready to fully savor acclaimed cuisine and decadent wines, all in an atmosphere that is subtly chic, yet uncompromising. Melbourne is a food lover’s paradise and a stroll through the Queen Victoria Market was a feasting haven to me; we walked along and sampled some of the local gourmet fare and were entertained by the boisterous farmers and traders showcasing their products. We traipsed through some laneways, admiring the scent of espresso wafting from small but bustling coffee shops – a culture all its own.

That evening, we dined onboard the famous Colonial Tramcar Restaurant – these glossy, burgundy restaurants on wheels glide along Melbourne's leafy boulevards while a decadent meal occupied our ever-curious taste buds. The perfect way to end our stay.

With a combination of diverse landscapes, unique adventures, award-winning food and wine, and welcoming people, a vacation to Australia awakens all of your senses. Now it’s your turn to experience it.

Click to return to the SWAIN Experience Newsletter