Off-The-Beaten-Path In Australia

Everything is just bigger in Australia, and I mean that in the most positive way! If you find your life is getting too small and routine, then a trip to Australia just might be the anecdote you are looking for. I guarantee you that nowhere else on this planet will awaken your senses and restore your joie de vivre like a visit to the land down under. I had the fortunate experience to travel almost the entire country by plane (the most expedient mode of travel), affording me the opportunity to see Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, Cairns, Uluru, the Great Barrier Reef, Kangaroo Island, and Tasmania.  

Kangaroo Island, you say? Yes, it’s a little-known gem of real estate just off the coast of southern Australia, and worth the effort to get there. Even though it suffered devastating wildfires in early 2020, the flora and fauna are all coming back to brilliant life. Koala, kangaroo, and wallaby populations are happily rebounding, as are the vineyards, orchards, and honeybees. The residents who call the island home are a resilient bunch and proud to show off their treasures. This includes a growing industry of farm-to-table restaurants and luxury resorts. But don’t worry, the island still has a rugged side, as it is home to more dirt roads than paved, and spiders so large I had to name one just to pretend we were friends.  

To claim Australia is only an adventure destination is to neglect its quiet sophistication. One of the best meals I have ever had was at an understated, elegant lodge on the coast of Tasmania. Who knew seared venison could taste so good (sorry Bambi)? And did I mention the views from Wineglass Mountain over the Tasman Sea? Unbeatable!

Written By: Kim Helland