Every journey here keeps to three rules: three or four regions at most, each in its right season, and no more flights than the distances need.
15 to 18 nights · May to September
The long way down
From the Top End to the Southern Ocean, through the middle of the country.
- 4 nightsKakaduFly or drive from Darwin. Ubirr, Yellow Water at dawn, a flight over the escarpment.
- 2 nightsThe Ghan, Darwin to Alice SpringsOne night on board, stopping at Katherine for Nitmiluk Gorge.
- 3 nightsTjoritja, the West MacDonnellsGorges, waterholes and ghost gums west of Alice Springs.
- 3 nightsUluru-Kata TjutaVia Kings Canyon. The base walk at first light, Kata Tjuta at dawn.
- 2 nightsAdelaide and the BarossaFly south. A winemaker's table.
- 3 nightsKangaroo IslandTwo days with a naturalist and the south coast.
Check the Ghan's timetable for your dates: it doesn't run every day, and the season and stops change from year to year.
12 to 14 nights · May to October
Rock, reef, rainforest
The classic first journey, with time left in it.
- 3 nightsSydneyThe harbour, a Blue Mountains day, early nights.
- 3 nightsUluru-Kata TjutaFly direct. First light at the Rock, dawn at Kata Tjuta.
- 4 nightsPort Douglas and the DaintreeFly to Cairns. The ribbon reefs by private boat; Mossman Gorge with Kuku Yalanji guides.
- 3 nightsLizard IslandAn hour by light aircraft. Reef off the beach.
Three flights, every one under four hours. This is about the most we'd fit into two weeks.
10 to 12 nights · November to April
The southern edge
Food, cold water and long summer light.
- 2 nightsMelbourneLaneways, galleries, a long lunch.
- 2 nightsThe Great Ocean RoadLorne, the Otways, the Twelve Apostles at dusk.
- 3 nightsHobartFly from Melbourne. MONA by ferry, Bruny Island by boat.
- 2 nightsFreycinetKayak at dawn, Wineglass Bay from the saddle, oysters.
- 2 nightsCradle MountainDove Lake at first light, wombats on the lawn.
One flight. In Tasmania you drive; the distances are short.
12 to 16 nights · April to September
The west, unhurried
Wine country, the whale sharks and the Kimberley, all in Western Australia.
- 3 nightsMargaret RiverDrive from Perth. Karri forest, cellar doors, the cape.
- 4 nightsNingalooFly to Learmonth. Whale sharks in season, Turquoise Bay drift.
- 2 nightsBroomeCable Beach at dusk, a Yawuru-guided morning.
- 4 nightsThe KimberleyFly to a station. Purnululu from the air, then on foot.
Western Australia alone is three and a half times the size of Texas, give or take. Every leg here is a flight.
8 to 10 nights · September to May
Wine and wild
One state, properly.
- 2 nightsAdelaide and the BarossaThe market, then old vines.
- 3 nightsThe Flinders RangesIkara (Wilpena Pound) on Adnyamathanha Country.
- 3 nightsKangaroo IslandA naturalist, sea lions, the south coast.
Good for a second visit, or a shorter trip combined with Sydney.
