Australia

• New Here? No Worries Mate - Beginners Guide
• Daydreamer Believer - Daydream Island, Great Barrier Reef
• Wonders of Wilderness Island - Fraser Island, Great Barrier Reef
• The Lizard of Oz - Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef
• 700-mile hop on Kangeroo Highway - Melbourne to Sydney
• Bush Tucker... without the trial - Outback
• Primeval Pamering - Queensland
• Sydney is Supreme - Sydney
• It's simply the best, Mate! - Sydney
• Continent Please Carol - Top End
• Whirlybird Wine Tours - Victoria
• Home from home for me Down Under - Sydney
• I can’t get enough of Melbourne! - Melbourne
• Blazing a nature trail - Great Barrier Reef
• Follow our new Aussie rules - Australia

THE CLASSIC TRIANGLE

Sydney, the Rock and the Reef is by far the most popular firsttimer’s itinerary, blending the vitality of its most spectacular city, the sacred monolith of Uluru (Ayers Rock) and the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef in one neat trilogy of Aussie pleasures.

In Sydney an ideal roost would be the Amora Jamison Hotel, a stroll from Circular Quay, from where the armada of ferries can shuttle you across to the seaside of Manly or the mixed bag of attractions at Darling Harbour.

You’ll also be close to the Rocks, Sydney’s historic neighbourhood, with a meaty stock of shops and restaurants, and both the Harbour Bridge (be sure to book a bridge climb) and the iconic Opera House.

After five nights in Sydney you’ll fly to Uluru, going back millions of years geologically. You’ll stay for three nights at Sails in the Desert Hotel.

The last point in the triangle would be spent at Peppers Beach Club, a pebble’s throw from the Coral Sea and five minutes from the action at Port Douglas.

During your five-night stay there’ll be time to sail out to the Reef for snorkelling, diving and glass-bottom boating.

BEST TIME TO GO: Our summer, when weather on the Reef is ideal, the Outback cool and Sydney is enjoying warm winter days.

TOP TIP: Treat yourself to a Sounds Of Silence dinner at Uluru, under a desert sky.

FAMILY EXTRAVAGANZA

With less than three hours driving time between the four points of the compass, this itinerary, including Sydney, the Blue Mountains, the gorgeous beaches of Jervis Bay and the Hunter Valley, will make all the family smile.

Spend your first six nights in Sydney at Quay West Suites, with a million-dollar view. With its harbour, beaches, national park, boat trips, museums and scores of attractions, Australia’s biggest and most beautiful city feels more like a resort than a metropolis.

Then pick up a car and drive to the Blue Mountains for two nights of luxury at the Orient Expressowned Lilianfels, perched on the edge of the escarpment of this twomillion- acre World Heritage site.

Next, head cross-country to the Hunter Valley, Australia’s oldest wine-growing district, but with lots of family attractions, too, including hot air ballooning, cycling and horse riding.

The final fling – and the carrot to keep the kids happy while you’re sitting back, supping those fruity Chardonnays – is south to Kiama, within easy reach of the gorgeous beaches of Jervis Bay, for your last three nights.

BEST TIME TO GO: Any time in our winter.

TOP TIP: Leave room in your case to bring a few bottles back.

Next, head cross-country to the Hunter Valley, Australia’s oldest wine-growing district, but with lots of family attractions, too, including hot air ballooning, cycling and horse riding.

The final fling – and the carrot to keep the kids happy while you’re sitting back, supping those fruity Chardonnays – is south to Kiama, within easy reach of the gorgeous beaches of Jervis Bay, for your last three nights.

INTREPID OUTBACK

Although many think of Australia as somewhere to go in our winter, the top half enjoys its best weather in our summer. It’s also the best half for serious Outback adventures in the Kimberley region.

To make the most of this trip, we’ve extended your adventure to 19 nights, if you can stretch your holiday. Spend three nights in Perth, with time for a boat ride on the Swan to Fremantle, before flying north to the old pearling town of Broome.

After four nights on 14-mile Cable Beach you’ll head for the Kimberley, with its ancient Aboriginal rock art sites, dramatic escarpments and awesome waterfalls. You’ll then return back to Broome before flying home.

BEST TIME TO GO: Between April and October.

TOP TIP: Don’t swim in waterholes with ‘Beware of salties’ signs – they’re referring to king-size crocs.

HONEYMOON HEAVEN

Combine three very different but romantic destinations: Silky Oaks in the oldest rainforest on earth (with a blissful spa), Orpheus Island (one of the most intimate on the Great Barrier Reef) and Sydney.

Spend four nights at Sydney’s award-winning Observatory, part of the prestigious Orient Express group.

From here you fly to Port Douglas then hop by air to the Silky Oaks Lodge for four nights on the edge of the World Heritagelisted Daintree National Park. Your four night roost will be in a treehouse (or riverhouse), with pampering at the Healing Waters Spa.

Then to Cairns for a ride by seaplane to Orpheus Island resort for the last four nights on the Great Barrier Reef, where all 20 rooms have their own spa and are a few steps from the water’s edge, where you can enjoy a gourmet picnic.

BEST TIME TO GO: April to October.

TOP TIP: Take a seaplane jaunt to lunch at Cottage Point on the Hawkesbury River.

A GRAND TOUR

Want to leave the driving to someone else? Join an escorted tour that incorporates Australia’s most super-scenic drive, wonderful wildlife, a famous wine district and two great cities – Adelaide and Melbourne.

Your trip starts with a flight and a night in Melbourne before setting off by coach along the western shores of Port Philip Bay and the start of the Great Ocean Road, passing through the forests of the Otway Ranges before inspecting the eroded cliffs and stacks of the iconic Twelve Apostles.

You’ll then visit the Coonawarra wine district and also have the opportunity of taking the ferry to Kangaroo Island for two nights. After two nights in elegant Adelaide, pick up a car and head to the vineyards of the Barossa Valley.

BEST TIME TO GO: October to April.

TOP TIP: Don’t miss the Dog Fence. Built in the 1880s to keep out dingoes and protect sheep flocks, at 3,488 miles it’s the longest structure on earth.