So, not an easy combination of things to find, especially if you want to get away from some of the major routes in Europe and the Americas.

However, as I discovered recently, the state of Queensland offers one of the best road trips in the world. In this article, I’ll share some of the things we learned on our trip, from major attractions to local insider tips, as well as practical advice, so you can plan your perfect Australian road trip, fomo-free (“fear of missing out”-free).

Cairns

Cairns is Queensland’s second-largest city but is still small enough to be charming and super laid-back. It’s a great place to pick up your campervan or rental car, but before you do, make sure to leave at least a few days to explore everything the city has to offer—believe me, you won’t be short of options.

There are a plethora of world-class dive operators offering to take you out for snorkeling and diving experiences on the Great Barrier Reef and they cater to all experience levels, so don’t be put off if you’re not the strongest swimmer.

The tourist information center in Cairns can help you find the best dive operator for you, but if you’d prefer to book ahead then my personal recommendation would be Cairns Dive Adventures.

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If you’re feeling adventurous then Cairns is a spectacular place to skydive, as it gives amazing views out over both the Great Barrier Reef and the rainforest known as the Wet Tropics of Queensland—one of the only places in the world where two UNESCO World Heritage sites meet.

If you’re looking for something more relaxing then head to the beachfront: Cairns doesn’t have a great natural beach, but it does have a cool artificial one with a swimming pool right on the esplanade. There are a host of restaurants and bars in this area in which to unwind, and if you’re lucky you might also catch a gig, or even a festival, in the adjacent park.

Port Douglas and Cape Tribulation

Once you’re done exploring Cairns, head North towards Cape Tribulation, arguably the most spectacular point in the Wet Tropics. You’ll need to take a ferry to cross the river south of Daintree, so you may need to allow a two-day round trip from Cairns if you’re going all the way and want to make stops.

If you only have a day to spare, then head to Daintree Forest National Park for a saltwater crocodile spotting tour on the river or zip-lining over the jungle canopy. The pretty town of Port Douglas, home to the stunning Four Mile Beach, is well worth a stop, too.

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Local tip #1: North of Port Douglas is a town called Mossman. Just south of Mossman there’s a small track called Shannonvale Road. If you follow this road a short way you’ll eventually come to a cool, secluded and safe swimming hole in the rainforest that only the locals know about!

Local tip #2: Palm Cove is a gorgeous beach north of Cairns, but if you’re looking for something more private then head a little farther to Ellis or Oak Beach, as they’re a lot bigger and less visited, so you’ll likely have the whole place to yourself.

Kuranda and Mareeba

Head South back to Cairns to pick up the winding mountain road towards Kuranda. This small village in the rainforest was originally an Aboriginal settlement, but the later influx of a small hippy community led to artisan craft markets popping up in the area.

As well as the markets and the mighty Barron Falls, the village offers the chance to cuddle a koala, visit a butterfly sanctuary or take a riverboat cruise.

Kuranda is also home to a world-famous scenic railway line that skirts the edges of a gorge and so close to enormous waterfalls that you can feel their spray. Book tickets here.

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Head West towards the pleasant town of Mareeba and you’ll pass by two wild swimming spots that will literally take your breath away (the water can get pretty cold).

The first is Davies Creek National Park. A long dirt track eventually takes you to the base of Davies Creek Falls, a beautiful spot that’s a perfect place to stop for a picnic. However, carry on up the dirt track and you’ll eventually come to the top of the falls. Here you’ll find a natural infinity pool protected by rocks, which allows you to swim right up to the edge of the 75-meter drop below!

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Carry on a little farther West—programme your GPS for “Cobra Road”—and eventually you’ll come to Emerald Creek Falls.

This is simply one of the most beautiful landscapes I’ve ever seen. The pool at the base of the falls is so accessible, calm and safe, it’s hard to believe it wasn’t man-made for the purpose. We spent two hours swimming beneath the falls and sunbathing on the rocks and didn’t see another soul the whole time we were there. Bliss.

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Local tip #3: Instead of staying in Mareeba, head a little way west to a place called Granite Gorge. There is a small, privately-owned campsite there, and while the amenities aren’t the best, the views over the other-worldly gorge are stupendous. Trust me, this volcanic landscape is so surreal you have to see it to believe it. Oh, and there’s also natural swimming pools, dinosaur footprints and hundreds of wild wallabies all over the place!

Yungaburra and Millaa Millaa

Leave Mareeba and head south towards Atherton and the charming heritage town of Yungaburra. Take time to explore the volcanically-formed Lakes Tinaroo and Barrine, collectively known as the Crater Lakes National Park, before continuing on to Millaa Millaa. On your way you’ll pass through gorgeous rolling hills and dairy farms that are more reminiscent of rural England than Australia.

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Once at Millaa Millaa you will pick up signs for the “Waterfall Circuit”. Essentially this is a small, looped tracked that takes you past three gorgeous natural falls.

The eponymous Millaa Milla waterfall is perhaps the most beautiful and has the best natural swimming pool of the three. It’s also the most photographed in all Australia. Zillie Falls are the grandest and give easy access right to the edge of the precipice, and while Ellinjaa Falls are perhaps the most modest they’re still well worth a visit.

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Local tip #4: Peterson Creek, just outside Yungaburra, is one of the best places in all Australia for viewing platypus in the wild. Visit at dawn or dusk and you’ll have a pretty good chance of seeing one of the country’s most elusive creatures.

Local tip #5: If you have time to spare, and are interested in understanding a bit more about life in the Outback, the head 140km west of Mareeba to explore the old mining town of Chillagoe. As well as local history—Chillagoe was essential in developing Queensland’s economy in the late 19^th and early 20^th Century—it’s also home to some natural wonders, such as water caves and towering limestone peaks.

Innisfail and South Queensland

Once you’ve exhausted everything Tropical North Queensland has to offer, head east to Innisfail and you’ll be in the perfect spot to head home to Cairns or continue your journey into South Queensland.

What surprised me about North Queensland was how diverse it is, and how spectacular; you can pick almost any place on the map and you’re almost certain to be rewarded.

What impressed me most, however, was how secluded everything feels. There are natural wonders here to rival anything the rest of the world has to offer, but in many places there are no entrance fees, no tacky gift shops and no crowds—you can simply pull your van or car over and wander about in truly unique landscapes.

I really can think of no better place to experience the joy, the freedom and the excitement of a road trip.

The questions I wanted to ask:

1. How much are campsite fees?

They vary from place-to-place. The most expensive was around $50 AUD and the cheapest was $25 AUD per night.

2. What kind of extras do I need in my campervan?

Very few. Most campsites come with barbecues, other cooking facilities, and have good to excellent showers and toilets. In my opinion, it’s not worth getting a toilet and shower in your van as the campsites are much better, and cleaning the toilets and wastewater is a job you’d want to avoid anyway.

3. When is the best time to visit?

We visited, quite by chance, in early September. The weather at this time was perfect: sunny but not too humid. Many of the locals said it was their favorite time of the year. It’s also the time of the year when most of the dangerous jellyfish are farther north, so you can swim in relative safety.

4. Is it safe to swim?

Yes and no. All of the natural swimming spots mentioned in the article above are perfectly safe from all nasties. However, crocs, jellyfish, stonefish and rip tides are all very real risks in some areas. Make sure you do proper research before going, ask locals for tips, and always swim between the flags. Never swim near river estuaries and never, ever cook or prepare meals near the edge of rivers, unless you want to be croc food.

If there’s anything you’d like to know about this Australian road trip then please leave a comment below. Happy travels.

Suggested next reading: Australia’s Must-See Art Installation In The Middle Of The Outback

The post The Great Australian Road Trip: North Queensland appeared first on Modern Trekker.

Welcome to the “Red Center” of Australia, the extraordinary desert smack in the middle of the country, the ancient heart of the continent. It is the home of the traditional indigenous landowners, boasting some of the most spectacular sunrises and sunsets you’ll ever see, and Uluru, the sandstone monolith rising from the middle of the Northern Territory and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

And just beyond Uluru itself is the incredible installation Field of Light, designed by internationally acclaimed artist Bruce Munro. As the light fades and Uluru’s silhouette is cast against the purple sky, the exhibition comes to life. In the local Pitjantjatjara language, it is called “Tili Wiru Tjuta Nyakutjaku,” or “looking at lots of beautiful lights.”

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The installation’s shuttle bus picks up visitors at three different departure times throughout the evening, rumbling quietly through the remote desert landscape to the site. Upon arrival, the vastness of the pitch dark surrounding you feels almost stifling, as if the inky black sky couldn’t possibly get any blacker. Event guides greet you as you disembark from the bus, their stark flashlights feeling harsh amidst the natural landscape.

The group walks quietly through the bush until you start to see dots of glowing light ahead, as you quicken your pace to see more. Slowly, an anomaly amidst the dusty desert unfolds before you, and you have to stop to make sure you’re not imagining it. 50,000 solar powered globes come to light in a “garden” spanning the size of seven football fields. Their stems bend slightly in the hot night air, frosted spheres glowing blue, purple, ochre, and soft white as the sky above them darkens. Visitors stop to take photos before entering, the more advanced photographers setting up tripods and getting stunning time-lapse shots. It feels almost wrong to enter the installation; as if stepping inside might ruin the beauty of it all, and swallow you up whole.

Pathways draw visitors into the “fantasy garden” to explore at their own pace, guiding you along the winding paths through fields of psychedelic blooms. Shuttle buses depart the exhibition every two hours, giving visitors plenty of time to get lost amidst the lights. And lose yourself you will, as you wander further and further from the entrance deeper into the desert. Punctuated by small trees and benches for the occasional rest, the fields of solar powered globes feel almost trippy to gaze into. Before you know it, you’ve made your way back to the start, and will probably want to wander through again.

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Field of Light is British artist Bruce Munro’s largest installation to date, and his first work that is entirely solar powered. “Field of Light was one idea that landed in my sketchbook and kept on nagging at me to be done,” he says. “I saw in my mind a landscape of illuminated stems that, like dormant seeds in a dry desert, quietly wait until darkness falls, under a blazing blanket of southern stars, to bloom with gentle rhythms of light”. He first conceived of the idea during a visit to Uluru in 1992, after living in Australia for eight years. His work uses light to evoke an emotional response, often in an outdoor setting and on a grand scale. Other “Field of Light” installations had taken place in England, the U.S.A., Scotland, and Mexico, before finally being created in Australia, the birthplace of its inspiration.

Once you’ve sufficiently wandered the exhibition and feel ready to drag yourself from its ethereal grip, make your way back to the shuttle bus location, taking in one last drink of the night sky sprinkled with stars—the kind you only see with the lack of light pollution that exists in the middle of a remote desert. Stepping into the cool air of the bus feels like a shock after the hot desert air, and the bus slowly fills with passengers similarly aglow in the aftermath of such an otherworldly experience.

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Ayers Rock Resort, the host organization for the installation, offers a number of other Field of Light experiences as well, for those who want more than just a wander. The “Field of Light Star Pass” includes a panoramic view of the lights from atop a nearby dune, with an introduction to the exhibition before sunset, Outback-style appetizers, and drinks. “A Night at Field of Light” features the award-winning “Sounds of Silence” dinner, a three-course meal set under the desert sky while a resident “star talker” explains the southern night sky. Prefer the sunrise to sunset? Choose “Sunrise Field of Light” to explore the installation in the pre-dawn silence. Additionally, almost all of these options include an upgrade to the “Pass by Camel,” first bringing you to the Uluru Camel Farm where you can get a ride from a friendly camel to the installation. (Camels were originally brought to Australia in the 19^th Century from Britain and Afghanistan to help with transportation and construction as western Australia was colonized, eventually being released into the wild after being replaced by motorized vehicles.) For those looking for a really mesmerizing Uluru experience, “A Night at Field of Light by Heli” offers the ultimate experience: installation entrance, “Sounds of Silence” dinner, and a half hour aerial helicopter tour.

No matter which ticket you choose, it’s important to note that Field of Light has been installed on indigenous land, and the Anangu people are the traditional owners and guardians of the National Park. (The land was handed back over to the Anangu people in 1985, and they then signed an agreement leasing the land to the Director of National Parks.) It is considered sacred to the traditional owners, and they invite visitors to hear stories of their ancient land—a visit to the Cultural Centre is free.

Field of Light has been extended until December 2020. Can’t make it to the middle of the desert in Australia? Well, this video is the next best thing:

Suggested next reading: Belgium’s Best Kept Secret Is Jaw-Droppingly Pretty

The post Australia’s Must-See Art Installation In The Middle Of The Outback appeared first on Modern Trekker.

Perth

Perth has a wealth of things that are free or cost very little. Once your flight has landed and you have picked a vehicle up from one of the cheapest car hire company in Perth, you can head into this wonderful city. It’s a city you should visit at least once in your lifetime.

You will find it difficult to find any other capital city in the world that has such a large and beautiful 1000-acre park right at its center. Kings Park provides amazing views of central Perth and the Swan River. Walking trails are throughout the park and there are ponds and play areas too. The Botanic Garden is also situated here, and this has many native plants as well as ones from other climates.

You can take a boat trip up the Swan River, or visit one of the many beaches that are in and around the city. Then there are attractions such as Perth Mint, which plots the history of gold in Western Australia, and you can even be weighed and told your value in gold at the price at that precise moment. Perth Zoo is also a very popular attraction that receives hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the globe.

Sydney

Sydney has some great places that are accessible by foot and are free of charge. Of course, most people want to see the famous Sydney Opera House, but there are also several parks, coastal walks, botanical gardens, and beaches.

There are City Ghost Tours that cost very little and if you fancy a trip to the cinema, most of the cinema chains offer cheap tickets on Tuesdays.

Sporting events tend to be inexpensive to watch and with all the games such as rugby and football played to AFL Aussie Rules, these can be a cheap and fun evening out.

Eating In Australia

Regardless of whether you are in Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide or anywhere else, you will find that generally, food is expensive in Australia. There are ways of keeping the cost down though. You can refill water bottles for free at a public bubbler, or water fountain as most people outside Australia call them. Most shopping malls have food courts and these tend to be some of the cheapest places to eat.

It is tempting to eat out every night when you are on vacation, but swap your main meal to midday, as lunch menus are usually cheaper than the evening ones.

If you are staying in a hostel, watch out for their cheap meal deals too, as they often offer very tasty food that costs very little.

Australia is a vast country and things will differ from state to state, but overall it is possible to see most of Australia on a budget, which is why it is one of the most popular countries in the world for backpacking.

Suggested next reading: Australia’s Must-See Art Installation In The Middle Of The Outback

The post Making The Most Of Australia On A Budget appeared first on Modern Trekker.

Need some ideas for your trip to Perth? Check out these ideas on where to stop along your Perth road trip.

Explore the city

Where better to start your Perth road trip than to explore the city itself? Perth has a lot going on, with fantastic culture, excellent dining and entertainment as well as beautiful beaches to visit. Spend at least three days in Perth getting to know the city, soaking up the sun in Kings Park and board the ferry to Rottnest Island—a must when you’re in Perth.

Take in the best of the Coral Coast

The Coral Coast is truly a sight to see, and if you’ve got several days to spare then you should hire a car from burswoodcarrentals.com.au and set off to explore the many wonders this drive has to offer.

To take in the best of the Coral Coast, you’ll want to visit the Pinnacles Desert, a fascinating spot where there are limestone rock spires as well as some incredible views. Then you can take the Wool Wagon Pathway and arrive at Ningaloo Reef, which is famous for being the world’s largest fringing reef. It’s home to an incredibly diverse marine life and is the perfect opportunity to spot dolphins, sharks and more.

Enjoy the views at Mount Augustus National Park

While Uluru is the most famous monolith in the world, it’s not the biggest. Mount Augustus is actually two and a half times larger than Uluru and is a spectacular sight to see during your Perth road trip. You’ll need to drive around 850 km from Perth to get to it, but it’s a drive that will be packed with incredible views along the way.

If you can get that far, it’ll be one road trip to remember!

Tour wine country at Margaret River

Is it a full trip to Australia without sampling some fine Australian wine? The Margaret River wine region is approximately three hours from Perth and gives you the opportunity to try a variety of wines at beautiful vineyards. For this trip, you’ll need a chauffeur or someone willing to be the designated driver, although you will also find some fantastic accommodation in the area too.  

Perth is often overlooked when people visit Australia, with many travel itineraries focusing on the east coast and the delights that Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane have to offer. However, if you do get the chance a visit to Perth will show you a completely different side to Australia and help you create some fantastic memories.

Take a look at some of our travel tips and set off on an incredible adventure down under.

Suggested next reading: The Great Australian Road Trip: North Queensland

The post Perth Road Trip Guide: Exploring West Australia appeared first on Modern Trekker.