The next chapter of Australian travel isn’t about more, bigger or better. It’s about choosing experiences with more care.
In an era when algorithms might be able to tell us where to go, but not why it matters, the idea of an anti-bucket list feels timely. For decades, travel has been framed around cramming in as many places as possible – a race around the world before our time runs out. Australian Traveller is upending that logic – not in a bid to abandon ambition, but to question it. To shift the focus from collecting destinations to engaging with them – travelling more slowly, more intentionally, and with a greater regard for place.
The Australian Traveller anti-bucket list isn’t about doing less; it’s about paying closer attention. The destinations that follow are not new; what’s new is how to approach them. From long-distance tracks in Western Australia to a landmark loo in Maryborough, each offers a way of travelling that values context over ticking off a checklist. Here’s where to go deeper and stay longer.
The South West region of WA
Hikers are dwarfed by the scale of the Great Southern coast. (Image: Rachel Claire & Jessica Wyld)
The tea-coloured water contrasts with the clear blue ocean. (Image: Rachel Claire & Jessica Wyld)
How to visit differently: Walk a 60-kilometre section of the Bibbulmun Track with Cape2Camp as an exercise in digital disconnection rather than endurance. With phones switched off, and logistics sorted, tiny details – like the land, the light, the weather and the people moving through the landscape – come into focus.
The Tweed, NSW
The power of Wollumbin viewed across the cane fields. (Image: Hannah Puechmarin)
Why you should visit: In addition to its coastal towns, quaint villages and green haze of the hinterland, the Tweed has emerged as one of Australia’s most compelling food regions. On Bundjalung Country, the scene is grounded in stewardship: of soil, of stories and of community. Visit the restaurants led by chefs, producers and educators redefining what sustainability looks like in practice.
Michele Stephens is the co-owner of Farm & Co. (Image: Hannah Puechmarin)
How to visit differently: The Tweed’s culinary scene is being carefully shaped by local women. Time a visit around the annual Savour the Tweed festival when many of the region’s female farmers, chefs and First Nations voices come together around shared tables. Use the festival as an entry point; in the Tweed, the richest experiences come from who is leading the conversation and why.
Kakadu National Park, NT
Witness more birdlife on the Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba) billabong. (Image: Tourism & Events NT/@cruising.cat)
Why you should visit: Kakadu is full of big-ticket sights. Wetlands spill into tropical savannahs, rocky escarpments rise from floodplains, caves swirl with ancient rock art and billabongs are alive with crocodiles. It is a place of dramatic seasonal change, where waterfalls thunder after the wet and contract into stone amphitheatres in the dry. Few national parks offer this scale of biodiversity alongside such deep, continuing Indigenous custodianship.
How to visit differently: Look to the skies. Kakadu is home to more than 280 bird species – around a third of Australia’s total – and birdwatching offers a more mindful way to move through the park. Time a visit with Kakadu Bird Week in September when wetlands and woodlands come alive with kingfishers, finches and raptors.
Coonabarabran & Broken Hill, Outback NSW
Spot the Milky Way in Broken Hill. (Image: Destination NSW/Damian Bennett)
Why you should visit: The vast arid landscape of Outback NSW is furnished with termite mounds, skeletal trees, car cemeteries and broken-down sheds collapsing into the dust. Broken Hill sits at its centre; a mining town long favoured by artists for cinematic skies captured so memorably in The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Coonabarabran, gateway to the Warrumbungles, has a very different identity with its volcanic peaks and mountainous landscape the main attraction. Geographically, it’s like slicing a layer cake of Australia’s existence.
How to visit differently: Visit at night. With minimal light pollution, this is one of Australia’s greatest noc-tourism regions. Stargaze in Warrumbungle National Park, the nation’s first Dark Sky Park, or time a visit to Coonabarabran with events like the OzSky Star Safari. In Broken Hill, guided shows under a blue-back sky add context. Plan travel around celestial moments such as meteor showers, equinoxes or lunar eclipses and let darkness, rather than daylight, inform the itinerary.
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The WA Coast: Fremantle to Broome
Discover the contrasting elements of Cape Peron. (Image: Imogen Eveson)
Why you should visit: Australia’s west coast is one of the most biodiverse shorelines on the planet. Between Fremantle and Broome lie whale migration routes, coral reefs, remote islands, shipwreck history and living Indigenous culture. What is most thrilling about this vast marine corridor is that it’s where nature, science and stories converge far from the crowds.
Enjoy evening entertainment back onboard Le Soléal. (Image: Imogen Eveson)
How to visit differently: Travel on an expedition cruise with PONANT Explorations, sailing from Fremantle to Broome. Naturalists lead Zodiac excursions to the islands and reefs rarely reached by travellers, while whale encounters, shore landings and lectures replace port hopping.
The Murray River
Cruising the Murray is one of the best ways to discover this stunning region. (Image: Krista Eppelstun)
Why you should visit: The towns that have sprung up along the banks of the Murray River offer everything from slow stays to incredible epicurean experiences. While the Murray is the main event, you’ll stay for everything it leads you to, from the otherworldly landscapes of Mungo National Park to candy-pink salt lakes and acclaimed wineries.
Weave through the scenic river red gum landscape. (Image: Krista Eppelstun)
How to visit differently: The Murray rewards travellers who slow to its pace. Travel with All Seasons Houseboats and let the mighty river set the rhythm. Wake at first light to watch the sun roll across the sky. Go swimming, birdwatching and fishing on the riverbanks. And cut yourself adrift from the binding timetable of the everyday along the river, which stretches across three states.
Enjoy a slice of the good life cruising the Murray River in Mildura! Where sun-kissed days meet tranquil waters, it's the perfect escape.
Maryborough, Queensland
Marvel at Maryborough’s military past. (Image: Joanne Karcz)
Why you should visit:Maryborough is a quietly substantial regional Queensland town, shaped by rail, river trade and civic ambition. It’s known for its heritage streetscapes, military history and as the birthplace of Mary Poppins author P.L. Travers.
Local artist Akos Juhasz painted the murals in the ladies’ and men’s restrooms. (Image: Joanne Karcz)
How to visit differently: Start with the public toilets. The art-filled Cistern Chapel turns a utilitarian stop into a cultural event, complete with murals, music and volunteer ‘flusher ushers’. It’s a reminder that civic pride can be playful and that sometimes the most revealing landmarks aren’t the ones signposted from the highway. The city centre attraction is part of the local mural trail.
Red Centre, NT
A quiet moment of stillness, looking up in awe at the walls of Kings Canyon. (Image: Tourism NT/@75vibes_)
Why you should visit: Travellers who visit the Red Centre in the low season (November to April) are rewarded with dramatic skies, shifting patterns of light, desert wildflowers and waterfalls that briefly transform iconic landscapes. With crowds thinned by the heat, and the Earth beaten by rain, wind and storms, the season offers up transformative moments in travel that very few experience.
Yalka Ratara Eco Camp sits softly on the earth. (Image: Sarbo Studio)
How to visit differently: Embark on a six-day Red Centre & Uluru Explorer tour with Intrepid Travel to meet Traditional Owners, linger at icons when the tour buses retreat, bed down at the gorgeous Yalka Eco Stays and embrace the beautiful unpredictability of the season. A wake-up call at dawn goes beyond beating the heat. Yes, it’s when the temperatures soften. But it’s also when mobs of kangaroos move through the spinifex and the rock faces shift from inky purple to rust and rose.
Enjoy dinner and a show under a dark desert sky at Earth Sanctuary. (Image: Tourism NT/Plenty of Dust)
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Clermont, Queensland
Take to the skies on a scenic flight with Bush Heli-services.
Why you should visit: Clermont is a reminder that the outback isn’t only found at the end of an epic road trip. Clermont is in the heart of Queensland’s historic gold country, just a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Mackay. It sits amid wide plains, quiet creeks and remnants of boom-and-bust ambition. The town is part of the Great Inland Way, a 16-day road trip from Sydney/Warrane to Cooktown/Gungardie.
How to visit differently: Do something hands-on. Fossick for gold with Golden Prospecting Tours, camp under the Milky Way or take a scenic flight with Bush Heli-Services to trace plains and waterways that follow the natural contours of the land. These are the modern-day riches you’ll discover in Clermont if you slow down, instead of passing through.
Bellarine Peninsula, Victoria
Score a taste of the quaint countryside surrounds. (Image: Unsplash/You Le)
Why you should visit: Victoria’s breathtaking Bellarine Peninsula will help you shrug off your big-city stresses. Here, the clang and clatter of crashing waves replaces traffic noise; vineyard roads taper into clifftop paths; and the unhurried way of life means meals always extend longer than planned. Visit the underrated peninsula for the well-preserved Victorian-era charm of Queenscliff to the coastal walks along Barwon Bluff and small producers pouring wine and spirits. The region is a prime place for a reset.
A retreat to reconnect and inspire slow living. (Image: Nikole Ramsay)
How to visit differently: Stay put. Discerning wellness warriors have long had Lon Retreat & Spa on their radar for its mineral pools and dreamy, adults-only suites. But the luxury hideaway, one of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, recently tapped into a rising interest in contrast therapy with its new immersive thermal environment. The sanctuary features a Finnish sauna, magnesium-rich pool, Swedish soak bucket and communal fire pit.
Hamilton Island, Queensland
Climb to the top of the popular Passage Peak Hamilton Island hike. (Image: Riley Williams)
Why you should visit: Spectacular Whitsunday blues, tropical island energy and endless activities under the sun – this tried-and-true destination is an Aussie family favourite for a reason. Whether you’re dining on freshly caught coral trout or kayaking at Catseye Beach, Hamilton Island invites travellers to reset for good.
Embark on an exhilarating new adventure on Hamilton Island. (Image: Harry Gruttner)
How to visit differently: Swap the typical flop-and-drop sun bed experience for an adrenaline-pumping adventure along Hamilton Island’s new e-mountain biking trails. You’ll get to connect with nature and challenge yourself while getting to see some of the island’s most stunning corners. It’s an invigorating new way to experience this popular destination anew.
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Carla Grossetti has written across print and digital for Australian Traveller and International Traveller for more than a decade and has spent more than two decades finding excuses to eat well and travel far. A prestigious News Corp cadetship launched her career at The Cairns Post, before a stint at The Canberra Times and The Sydney Morning Herald gave way to extended wanders through Canada, the US, Mexico, Central America, Asia and Europe. Carla was chief sub editor at delicious and has contributed to Good Food, Travel & Luxury, Explore Travel, Escape. While living in London, Carla was on staff at Condé Nast Traveller and The Sunday Times Travel desk and was part of the pioneering digital team at The Guardian UK.
Blend the addictive energy of dance, creative cinematic movies, captivating theatre, and energising music during Perth Festival.
Perth Festival has extraordinary roots. Born as a summer community experiment back in 1953, the brainchild of Professor Fred Alexander, it’s now Australia’s longest-running international art-based festival. From its first event at University of Western Australia, it now spans across Noongar Boodjar country (Perth City) bringing worldclass performances into the hearts of ardent festivalgoers. Hundreds of curtain calls, including numerous free events, are set to linger and leave a lasting impression on those who seek thrills that fill life’s in-between spaces. Featuring unmissable highlights from 6th February to 1st March, we’ve done the legwork for you – here’s what’s on, and where:
1. East Perth Power Station
See East Perth Power Station come alive. (Image: Jessica Wyld Photography)
Abandoned, run-down and shutdown in 1981, East Perth Power Station, located on the banks of the stunning Swan River, was reinvented in 2025 as an entertainment venue for the Perth Festival. Pack a picnic, bring the family and kick back under paperbark trees at Casa Musica – a free event featuring a melting pot of world-class musicians from Australian shores and around the globe. The diversity will have you bopping until the final encore.
A decade after David Bowie’s passing, his powerful music lives on in the electrifying show, Rebel Rebel. Powerhouse vocalists join Perth Symphony Orchestra for one incredible night showcasing the singer-songwriter’s iconic hits. Illuminate your world through the eyes of First Nation Noongar artist, Lance Chadd Tjyllyungoo in a free event. His distinctive paintings and Dreamtime stories decorate the Power Station’s walls depicting spiritual beliefs. Or settle in to watch British indie pop singer-songwriter, Nilüfer Yanya.
2. St Mary’s Cathedral
Take in Award-winning vocal group, Roomful of Teeth. (Image: Anja Schutz)
Step into the lofty ceilings of Perth’s grandest cathedral, St Mary’s, and soak up choral harmonies. Dating back to 1865, the stained-glass reproductions of Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper are a talking point, add talented maestros, and the stage is set to enthral.
The international line-up is impressive. Master Irish fiddler, Martin Hayes takes to the stage with exquisite lyrical compositions from his native land. Åkervinda, an award winning Swedish quartet, weave stories of love, loss, and resilience into harmonious Nordic folk songs. The USA Grammy Award-winning vocal group, Roomful of Teeth, break all the rules. Hear their voices echo through the arched vaulted ceilings.
3. Lotterywest Films
Discover the Lotterywest Films program. (Credit: Jessia Wyld Photograpghy)
One of the festivals longest-running favourites, Lotterywest Films run a rich tapestry of cinematic features showing until 29th of March. Pack a picnic, cushions, popcorn and pop a cork under a Somerville Pine Tree as the sun sets and screenings begin. Cinema lovers, choose your poison from thrillers, deep-dive documentaries, tearjerkers, raunchy rom-coms and side-splitting comedies. The program is fantastically full, the filmmakers the best in the business, and the outdoor setting, unequalled.
4. The Embassy
Step into the old world glitz of The Embassy. (Image: Franz Bato)
Modelled on Perth’s historic Embassy Ballroom, a devilish dance venue that operated in the 1900s, The Embassy in Perth Town Hall, serves sophistication in its A-list shows. Set your sequins a’sparkle at the, What’s TINA Got to Do With It extravaganza where guest artists play tribute as they belt out the glitzy star’s hits. The returning act, Ali Bodycoat & The Embassy Big Band, will have you jiving as you take to the dance floor reimagining a bygone era. Who doesn’t like chocolate? Black-bearded drag sensation, La Gateau Chocolat puts the raw in cacao. World-renowned for his feisty range of storied songs, he reveals the inner-man come artist through his deliciously sweet and intimate act.
5. Unusual locations
Watch a star-studded cast in The Trial. (Image: Cole Baxter)
We’ve all heard of the hit show, The Office, but a spinetingling operatic thriller acted out in disused office space? Philip Glass’ nail-biter, The Trial, has a star-studded line-up. Together they deliver a dramatic ordeal showcasing Oscar-winner Christopher Hampton’s libretto; the suspense lingers after the final bow.
Sit back under starry skies and soak up dynamic dance at Ballet at the Quarry: Incandescence. Four exclusive classical and contemporary acts illuminate the amphitheatre’s stage as Perth City twinkles at nightfall. Mystery excites the mind. West Australian Opera returns again with another ‘secret opera’. Be led from an undisclosed meeting point and let the music lead to the secret.
6. A View From A Bridge
Share your innermost thoughts at A View From A Bridge.
Free, connecting strangers, and inclusive to everyone, artist, Joe Bloom’s collaborative project, A View From A Bridge has one prop – an old red telephone. Talk into the receiver, share thoughts, innermost feelings, memories, hopes and dreams as Bloom captures you from afar. The freedom to speak through the telephone movement has a worldwide following. A range of clips will be shown online.
What else to do in Perth
Taste the best of Perth at eateries like Shadow Wine Bar.
Endless blue skies crown Perth during February, making it the perfect time to explore Australia’s most western capital city. The city might be compact, but it packs a punch when it comes to what’s on. Perth Cultural Centre houses the city’s art-scene venues: Western Australian Art Gallery, WA Museum Boola Bardip and Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA).
After exploring the city’s alleyways, hidden corners, and main hub, savour worldclass food in Perth’s vibrant eateries. Award-winning restaurants, rooftop bars, and cafes can be found throughout; the leisurely eat-and-drink scene is literally mouthwatering, so book extra nights.
