South Australia

South Australia is a bit of a hidden gem for Kiwis who have traditionally visited the eastern gateways on their holidays to Australia. In fact, a direct flight to Adelaide from Auckland is only 50 minutes longer than flying to Melbourne, and it’s well worth the extra time in the air. Known as the ‘20 minute city’, Adelaide is the gateway to all there is to see and do in South Australia. It is both cultural and cool, and its superb shopping, beaches, history and restaurants are not to be missed.

It seems like all roads lead to wine and food in South Australia. From Adelaide there are nine distinct wine regions within 90 minutes drive, none more famous than the Barossa wine region located less than an hour drive from the CBD.

Another popular region just 1 hour from Adelaide is the majestic Murray River. Take an escorted river cruise on an historic paddlewheeler or, if you feel like creating your own adventure, get a group of friends together and captain your own luxury houseboat as you cruise the Murray River.

Whatever you choose to do on your holiday, South Australia boasts an outstanding variety of places to see and experiences to enjoy. You’ll find vast landscapes, dazzling uncrowded beaches, varied wildlife and friendly locals who always have time for a chat. So what are you waiting for? Pick up a few bottles of local wine, stock up on local produce and pack your cossie because in South Australia you’ve got all the elements of a perfect holiday!

Tasmania

Australia’s island state of Tasmania is best known for its native wildlife, intriguing history and natural beauty, but the incredible local produce is another highlight. From wine to strawberries, cheese and seafood, you’ll find artisan producers around every corner and farmers’ markets in many towns.

Tasmania is easily accessible. Airports at Hobart and Launceston connect to the mainland, or you can take the overnight Spirit of Tasmania passenger and car ferry from Melbourne to Devonport.

At about half the size of the North Island of New Zealand, Tasmania is an ideal selfdrive destination. We recommend you allow at least one week to take in all those towering forests, deserted beaches, historic sites, beautiful mountains and meet the Tasmanian wildlife – perhaps even the iconic Tasmanian devil.

Kayaking, white water rafting and hiking are all popular ways to get out and experience the landscape up close, plus the cities are small enough that you can easily explore them on foot, and historic sites like Port Arthur are made for walking tours. There are plenty of other options for the less energetic too: take a ride on a scenic railway through a spectacular rainforest gorge, join a cruise on a mirror-calm river, soar over mountains and beaches in a helicopter or go off-road on a guided 4WD tour.

Tasmania has also made it onto the international art scene with the addition of Mona, the world-class art museum in Hobart which is a must-see.

Western Australia

If you’re looking to step into a world of awe-inspiring beauty and discover experiences found nowhere else on Earth, then Western Australia is for you. To give you some idea of the extraordinary experiences on offer here, we have listed just a few. In Perth you can enjoy the beach lifestyle, relax in Kings Park, explore historic Fremantle, sample local wines and watch an ocean sunset all within 30 minutes of the city. Australia’s South West offers picturesque vineyards, spectacular ocean vistas, world-class surfing and beautiful beaches. The Golden Outback has the vast clear skies and theatrical landscapes of a true Outback, with adventures, Aboriginal encounters and settlements built by goldrush pioneers. Australia’s Coral Coast is an unspoilt coastline with abundant marine life and the most turquoise ocean you’ll ever see. At World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef, you can enjoy great snorkelling, living and fishing with incredible national parks that offer great walks and scenery not found elsewhere in Australia.

This is also where you can swim with the world’s largest fish – the whale shark. You’ll also find the unique rock formations of the Pinnacles and inland is just as exciting, as carpets of wildflowers burst into colour across the state during the wildflower season from July onwards. The North West is home to the Kimberley. Broome is the gateway to this spectacular region and from here you’ll venture into red earth country and experience an authentic Aussie Outback adventure. Travel by 4WD, take a scenic flight or cruise through the remarkable billion year old wilderness that makes up the extraordinary coastline.