Suppose you are sitting on the terrace of a cottage – sipping a glass of local wine – when suddenly a few kangaroos jump by. Sounds like a dream, doesn’t it? But in certain places in South Australia it is the most natural thing in the world. Are you planning to travel to Australia and are you looking for these pearls to come home with the most beautiful photos? Then read on quickly, because we have listed the 6 (least touristy) must-sees of Down Under.
#1. Discover the streets of Melbourne
If you travel through the south of Australia , a visit to the city of Melbourne should not be missed. The city is often the starting point of your journey through the south due to the nearby Melbourne Airport .
Melbourne is also called ‘Garden City’ and owes its nickname to the many parks that the city has. You will also find countless museums, beautiful architecture, cultural events and… very good restaurants! But you have to know where to find it.
For example, with the Hidden Secret Tours Melbourne – led by a professional guide – you can explore these culinary secrets. Far away from mass tourism and among the locals! You can enjoy wine tastings and tasty snacks, while listening to the historical stories of the chefs.
Don’t feel like walking? Then take the bike! Various cycling tours are also organised.
#2. Wine Tasting in Mornington Peninsula
Close to Melbourne – an hour’s drive away – is the Mornington Peninsula, a peninsula where the Melbournians like to go on holiday. And for good reason: the Mediterranean atmosphere, long beaches and endless vineyards invite you to forget everyday life for a while…
Mornington Peninsula is known for wine production. But do you really want to enjoy a glass of red, rosé or white? First, pay a visit to one of the island’s 170 vineyards before opening a bottle. The locals are happy to show you around their vineyard and introduce you to the winemaking process while you try a selection of their best drinks.
You don’t necessarily have to be in a restaurant for this fun. You can also buy a bottle at the winery, after which you continue to Cape Schanck. Here you take a short walk on a boardwalk to the lighthouse to enjoy the setting sun by the sea.
#3. Otway National Park met koala’s
At the town of Sorrento – on the Mornington Peninsula – you can take the ferry to Queenscliff, and then set course for Otway National Park. With a bit of luck you will see dolphins swimming along with the boat.
If you’ve always wanted to see a koala in the wild, you’ve come to the right place. In Otway National Park, koalas hang out high in eucalyptus trees. By the way, don’t expect to be able to hug them here; Despite their fluffy look , koalas are not cuddly bears and prefer to be left alone.
Don’t forget to bring your walking shoes. In this park you can follow numerous routes through the rainforest to explore waterfalls.
#4. Great Ocean Road
The Great Ocean Road winds no less than 150 miles along the coast of the Indian Ocean. Along the way you pass characteristic villages and drive through nature reserves full of cliffs, waterfalls and sea views. Also stop by the Twelve Apostles, limestone cliffs jutting out just before the sandy beach of Port Campbell National Park.
Contrary to the other tips, the Great Ocean Road is a tourist attraction. But if you view it in the right way, you shouldn’t be bothered by it. Take your time and allow several days to make the most of this route. For example, first explore the east, after which you continue to the west.
#5. From Kangaroos to Aborigines in Grampians National Park
Those kangaroos – which we wrote about in the intro of the article – can be found in the Grampians National Park. This nature reserve is located inland and is known as a habitat for many bird species and kangaroos. Stay overnight in a cottage to spend a few days in the park – then you can explore the area at your leisure and are most likely to spot the kangaroos jumping by.
You can also visit the Mackenzie Falls, a huge waterfall of about twenty-five meters high and twenty meters wide. And if you travel north of the park, you can visit Halls Gap to learn about Aboriginal culture. More in the mood for sporting activities? Even then you are in the right place here; this area is ideal for cycling, walking and kayaking trips.
#6. Wildlife op Kangaroo Island
Haven’t gotten enough of nature yet? Then travel on to Kangaroo Island, the third largest island off the coast of Australia. The island was split off from the mainland about 10,000 years ago. That is why few people live there and special animals were given the opportunity to develop there: fur seals, penguins, koalas, platypus and – of course – kangaroos live there.
You can also see some unique natural phenomena in Flinders Chase National Park, such as Admirals Arch at Cape du Couedic and the Remarkable Rocks at Kirkpatrick Point. Admirals Arch is an arched rock formation home to fur seals and the Remarkable Rocks are a group of rocks formed over 500 million years by wind, rain and waves from the Southern Ocean.
