Australia Bound
By Stacey Zable
Australia Bound
By Stacey Zable
Be immersed in the natural beauty and wildlife Down Under.
Australia’s stunning white sand coastlines, dense rainforests, rugged Outback and abundance of fascinating flora and fauna beckon visitors with an adventurous spirit. Take a guided walk, embark on a wildlife encounter, or travel by luxury train and experience the great outdoors of this incredible country.
Discover Australia on Foot
Explore Australia on foot with premium guided multi-day walks in different regions that get you up close to nature. Every state and territory have their own single or multi-day walks that will introduce you to the varied landscapes of the country. You can stay in comfortable lodgings and enjoy delicious food and wine while expert guides introduce you to Australia’s natural wonders. You’ll explore rainforest, clifftops, remote beaches, and can even experience an exciting helicopter ride.
“You can walk along 45 miles of the Northern Territory’s West McDonnell Ranges.”
“You can walk along 45 miles of the Northern Territory’s West McDonnell Ranges.”
Head to the Outback for more moderate to difficult-level walks. You can walk along 45 miles of Northern Territory’s West McDonnell Ranges with overnights in wilderness camps. Or an easy nature walk takes you along 25 miles of the Murray River in South Australia. For those drawn to dramatic coastlines, walk through Tasmania’s Bay of Fires, where white sand beaches and lichen-covered rocks set the scene for a moderate 20-mile journey.
Luxury Sleeper Trains
Long-distance sleeper trains can get you exploring Australia’s beauty in luxury, where the diverse landscapes sweep by, and you ride in style dining on fine food and wine. One choice is an epic, 2,700-mile journey on the all-inclusive Indian Pacific, which travels from between Perth, Adelaide, and Sydney. Along the way you’ll see the Blue Mountains in New South Wales and parts of Western Australia, South Australia, and the Nullarbor Plain.
Or discover the Australian Outback on The Ghan, where you travel 1,864 miles on routes that include Darwin to Adelaide, Adelaide to Alice Springs, or Darwin to Alice Springs or reverse. See four Australian states from Adelaide to Brisbane on the Great Southern on a once-a-year journey. Highlights along the way include the Adelaide Hills, the Grampians mountains in Victoria, and the north coast of New South Wales. A new three-day Brisbane to Melbourne route is also available.
“Or discover the Australian Outback on The Ghan, where you travel 1,864 miles.”
“Or discover the Australian Outback on The Ghan, where you travel 1,864 miles.”
Explore Australia’s Wild Side
For those with a real interest in Australia’s amazing wildlife, opt for an immersive tour that features remarkable encounters and conservation activities across different habitats while exploring with an expert guide. Australia is home to more than 800 species of birds and tours can include birdwatching in such places as Kakadu National Park, one of Australia’s largest national parks.
“Look for koalas along the Great Ocean Road and emus, wallabies, and kangaroos in the Southern Highlands.”
“Look for koalas along the Great Ocean Road and emus, wallabies, and kangaroos in the Southern Highlands.”
Or go whale watching in Hervey Bay and Margaret River. Get in the waters and snorkel with whale sharks in Ningaloo Marine Park or swim with turtles on the Great Barrier Reef, which at more than 1,400 miles long is the world’s largest coral reef ecosystem. Look for koalas along the Great Ocean Road and emus, wallabies, and kangaroos in the Southern Highlands. On Kangaroo Island, sitting eight miles off the coast of South Australia, you’ll spot plenty of its namesake, as well as seals and koalas.
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Jessika's enduring passion for travel began on Pine Island in South Florida, where the beauty of the Gulf of Mexico and later the majestic mountains of Wyoming instilled in her a love for exploring new horizons. Growing up near Yellowstone National Park fueled her adventurous spirit, embracing places others dream of visiting. Her journey commenced in 2001 with Cody Trolley Tours, sharing the charm of her hometown in Wyoming.
Her career took a transformative turn in 2010 with Holland America Line, where she thrived as a Librarian, Travel Guide, and Assistant Shore Excursion Manager, traveling across all seven continents, and visiting nearly seventy countries. Meeting her Dutch husband, Marcel, along the way, Jessika embraced life on land and at sea, driven by a shared passion for cultural immersion and exploration.
By 2024, Jessika embraced her role as a Travel Advisor, with a focus on world cruise travel. She revels in crafting seamless back-to-back itineraries for retirees and s ...