Rent your own Island in Queensland
Immerse yourself in the Great Barrier Reef’s spectacular marine diversity from the secluded luxury of your own private island. Indulge in the tranquillity of barefoot luxury at Haggerstone Island across 42-hectares of lush jungle, white-sand beaches and blue lagoons set aside for just 12 guests at a time. Fishing enthusiasts can discover the myriad of waterholes perfect for capturing a variety of species such as Coral Trout, Spanish Mackerel, Bluefin Tuna, or guests can enjoy observing the local birdlife, snorkelling off the beach and exploring clear water lagoons teeming with colourful coral gardens.
For the ultimate in reef luxury, guests can experience 400 private acres of pristine, virgin habitat at Pelorus in the Great Palm archipelago. Surrounded by clear, shallow waters fringed by reefs, the sprawling island residence offers four luxury suites, fine dining and personalised service. Snorkel from the coastline or dive to witness the Museum of Underwater Art. Guests can also embark on a bespoke tour of the nearby Jurassic-like Hichinbrook Island.
Swim with Whale Sharks on Ningaloo Reef
The endangered whale shark is a majestic, elusive creature that few people on Earth have the rare privilege of seeing in its ocean home. However, visitors to Ningaloo Reef in Australia’s west are granted once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to swim alongside these gentle giants between March to July during the whale’s annual migration. Seeing the Whale Shark up close and personal amidst their underwater home is an unbelievably memorable experience perfect for nature enthusiasts.
For those eager for other marine life encounters, you can enjoy swimming with sealions in South Australia’s Baird Bay or with pods of bottlenose dolphins on Kangaroo Island. Those looking for an adrenalin fix can also cage dive with great white sharks on the Eyre Peninsula.
Cruise the Kimberley Coast
Spread across a vast stretch of north-western Australia, the Kimberley is a panorama of rugged cliff faces, coastal gorges, and majestic waterfalls and one of the last true frontiers of Australia. Three times the size of the state of New York with less than 0.5% of the population, visitors to this incredible region can explore its wonders aboard smaller, purpose-built vessels able to access what larger ships cannot, traversing through the myriad of waterways that litter the landscape. The region is covered in towering cliffs and waterways teeming with barramundi, crocodiles and other aquatic life, making it one of the best places for wildlife aficionados. Guests aboard these private cruises have the incredible opportunity to not only explore a labyrinth of 2,500+ coastal islands and get within metres of colossal waterfalls cascading down towering clifftops, but also discover the Gwion Gwion and Wandjina rock art, dated around 12,000 years old.
Guests can also indulge in a spectacular helicopter flight over the King George Waterfall, an experience that promises to take your breath away. Soar above this natural marvel, the land unfolding below in a panorama of ancient grandeur.
Visit Australia’s Galapagos – Kangaroo Island
For the nature aficionado and wildlife enthusiast, Kangaroo Island stands as a beacon of natural wonder, an essential destination on any Australian itinerary. Named Lonely Planet’s second must-visit region in 2024, this island haven is an immersive journey into the heart of unspoiled Australian wilderness. Offering some of the world’s most coveted wildlife experiences, from swimming with dolphins to searching for echidnas with world-renowned experts, discover what it is that makes Kangaroo Island one of the best nature sanctuaries in the country.
For those that seek a unique culinary exploration, guests to the island can indulge in the region’s delicacies and produce alongside private chefs, or the team at Fig Tree Gastronomo dining. World-renowned seafood and locally sourced lavender, honey and spirits make the island is a hub for those passionate about their palate. Visitors to the island can indulge in the newly reopened Southern Ocean Lodge, esteemed as perhaps Australia’s premier lodge, it offers an exquisite blend of sophistication and tranquillity along the rugged southern Kangaroo Island coastline.
Experience New Years Eve on the Sydney Harbour
There are few New Years Eve displays that rival that of the iconic Sydney Harbour. Lightshows, dance performances, firework displays, and musical scores all combine into one of the world’s most incredible displays over the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House. Set sail aboard a luxury yacht to watch the action unfold from the water – pop the champagne and dine on local delicacies while you ring in the New Year from the best seat in the house. Those wanting a more relaxed celebration away from the hustle and bustle can indulge in a lavish retreat at Crown Towers or Park Hyatt for a front row seat to the celebrations from the comfort of a top-floor suite as the sky is illuminated by a kaleidoscope of colour and light.
Discover the Real Australian Outback by Visiting a Working Station (Ranch)
The Australian Outback, a landscape steeped in raw beauty and rugged charm, is the heart and soul of the nation’s identity. For an experience that captures the true essence of this iconic region, consider a stay with Bullo River Station in the Northern Territory. This working cattle station is not just an operational marvel due to the sheer size of the 400,000 acre property; it’s a stunning testament to Australia’s natural splendour. Explore landscapes dotted with cascades and rivers, encounter an array of wildlife including water buffalo, crocodiles, and an abundance of birdlife, and experience some of the country’s best barramundi fishing.
Guests wishing to experience authentic Australian bushcraft will revel in the opportunity to get involved in the day-to-day activities of station life. Join the staff on four-wheel drives and all-terrain vehicles as they look after the herd of approximately 4,000 Brahman cattle.
Explore the Top End – Kakadu and Arnhem Land with a Private Guide
Containing the largest parcel of Aboriginal-owned land, with guides needing a permit to access and share the ancient wonders of the region with guests, Arnhem Land is a microcosm for Australia’s rich tapestry of Aboriginal Culture and history. Offering a profound sense of place, delve into millennia of history and tradition, where the wisdom of the land and its First People unfold in a symphony or stories and art. Discover the secrets of bush tucker and be captivated by incredible rock art galleries, while exploring the vast expanse of open floodplains, woodlands, wetlands, mangroves and monsoonal rainforests.
Esteemed guides offer exclusive opportunities to meet with Traditional Owners, allowing for an authentic and respectful exchange of knowledge and culture. It’s a chance to learn, to understand, and to connect with a civilisation that has thrived for tens of thousands of years. This experience offers access to a mesmerising and sacred part of Australia that remains a relatively unknown to most of the world.
Guests can also journey into Kakadu National Park, a World Heritage-listed national park brimming with pristine wilderness and incredible wildlife. Explore a portion of Kakadu’s near 7,800 square miles (20,000 square kilometres) of waterways and untouched habitat with a private guide for one of Australia’s most highly-regarded interpretive experiences. Witness cascading waterfalls, scan the endless horizon from rugged escarpments or take a river cruise and spot the world’s largest reptile, keeping an eye out for the famed jumping crocodiles.
Explore Tasmania
Tasmania, an island of rugged wilderness and pristine beauty, is a must-visit destination for any passionate traveller’s bucket list. Renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, Tasmania offers a rich variety of experiences – from exploring the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Tasmanian wilderness to savouring world-class local produce and wines. Seek comfort in a famed stay a Saffire Freycinet, a luxury lodge that is one with the surrounding environment, from the pink of the Hazard Mountains to the sapphire-blue waters and grey-green of the native bushland. The island’s unique wildlife, including the iconic Tasmanian devil makes for unforgettable encounters. Tasmania’s vibrant capital, Hobart, seamlessly blends heritage and modernity, with its captivating art scene epitomised by the famous MONA (Museum of Old and New Art). Whether it’s hiking through the untouched beauty of Cradle Mountain, indulging in the culinary delights at the Salamanca Market or sailing through the coastal seas with On Board, Tasmania offers an indulgence of experiences and encounters that belong on any bucket list.
