5 hours ago
1
You could make a case that the world’s most underrated travel destination – at least among Australians – is Australia. We all hunger for overseas experiences, we idealise and even fetishise the act of travelling to other countries while conveniently forgetting the brilliance of our own.
If, however, there has ever been a time to change that, it’s now. The world is in a state of unrest, with major travel disruptions and dramatically higher airfares, and many travellers are turning their attention to attractions on their doorstep.
Australia is an incredibly diverse and large travel destination, with everything from ancient culture to modern cityscapes, natural wonders to man-made beauty, Outback charm to urban bustle.
For almost every attraction or destination around the world there is something in Australia that will be its rival – it may not exactly replicate the experience but will provide something comparable and memorable.
Here, we look at Australian alternatives to some of the world’s most popular destinations. These aren’t exact duplicates, but rather truly amazing local experiences with a similar theme or style to their foreign brethren.
Sign up for the Traveller Deals newsletter
Get exclusive travel deals delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up now.
If you prefer to spend holidays at home this year but hunger for the thrill of the world’s great attractions, this is where to turn your attention.
Instead of Hawaii, US … Lord Howe Island, NSW
So you’re looking for Pacific paradise? Somewhere like the Big Island in Hawaii, all laid-back charm, palm trees, dense forests, hiking trails, waterfalls, beaches, coastal villages? Then Lord Howe Island is your spot. Find all those things plus unique history, great snorkelling and scuba-diving, numerous bike paths and trails, and relaxed accommodation.
Make it happen Lord Howe is a two-hour flight from Sydney or Brisbane. With strict visitor limits, ensure you book accommodation first. See lordhoweisland.info
Instead of Burgundy, France … Tasmania
You could go to Burgundy if you wanted. It’s a beautiful region. The wine is great. But can you actually afford to buy any of it? If you love chardonnay and pinot noir, and you would like to purchase a few bottles without having to remortgage the house, we suggest Tasmania. There’s some incredible wine coming from the Apple Isle these days, produced by skilled winemakers running boutique operations where the welcome is warm and the tastings are generous.
Make it happen From Hobart, find wineries in the Derwent Valley and Coal River Valley nearby, or head further afield to the Huon Valley or north to the Tamar. Stay at The Tasman, Hobart. See marriott.com; discovertasmania.com.au
Instead of Sardinia, Italy … the Barrington Coast, NSW
Admittedly, the pasta on the Barrington Coast isn’t quite as good as it is in Sardinia. The cheese is lagging, too. But so many people travel to Sardinia for the beaches, for the impossibly clear waters, the white sands, the sense of calm and relaxation. But have you seen Blueys Beach, or Elizabeth Beach, or McBrides? Stunning. Flawless. You wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.
Make it happen The Barrington Coast is a three-hour drive north of Sydney. At Blueys Beach, stay at Blueys Motel. See blueysmotel.com.au; visitnsw.com
Instead of Piedmont, Italy … the Mornington Peninsula, Vic
Let’s not downplay the glories of Piedmont: rolling, vine-covered hills; villages filled with little trattoria; Alba truffles; Nebbiolo. It’s good stuff. But have you been to Mornington recently? There you will also find vine-covered hills. You will also eat spectacularly well (Tedesca Osteria, Barragunda). And you will drink glass after glass of beautiful wine until you can drink no more.
Make it happen Mornington Peninsula is a one-hour drive from Melbourne. Stay at Cassis. See cassisredhill.com.au; visitvictoria.com
Instead of the Red Sea, Egypt … Lady Elliot Island, Qld
It’s wild, as an Australian, to fly halfway around the world just to scuba-dive. The Red Sea is amazing, but the quality of the underwater world visible on either the east or west coast here is unbelievably high. Case in point: Lady Elliot Island, at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef, where whether diving or snorkelling you can see manta rays, turtles, reef sharks, and even humpback whales.
Make it happen Lady Elliot is a 40-minute flight from Hervey Bay, or a 1.5-hour flight from Brisbane. See ladyelliot.com.au
Instead of Cappadocia, Turkey … Coober Pedy, SA
There’s much you won’t get in Coober Pedy that you will find in Turkey’s Cappadocia: the Turkish culture, the clouds of hot air balloons, the influencers posing for dawn photos. But you will get the rock formations, and the underground habitats (including hotels), and the barren landscapes, and the feeling that there are few places like this on Earth.
Make it happen Coober Pedy is an 11-hour drive north of Adelaide. Stay at the Underground Motel. See theundergroundmotel.com.au; southaustralia.com
Instead of the Maldives … Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Warm, crystal-clear waters of the Indian Ocean. Palm-fringed, white-sand beaches. People out, kite-surfing in the windy months; lazing in calm lagoons during the doldrums. We could be talking about the Maldives, but in this case, it’s the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, 27 blissful outcrops far into the Indian Ocean, where the sun shines and nothing else matters.
Make it happen Stay at The Breakers. See thebreakerscocos.com.au; cocoskeelingislands.com.au
Instead of Phuket, Thailand … Darwin, NT
People travel to Phuket for the warmth, for the reliable sunshine, but also for the markets, the melting pot of South-East Asian cultures, the food, the tropical good times. You’ll find that in Darwin, too, a sultry city with no shortage of South-East Asian culture, not to mention those markets and some truly great food at reasonable prices. In the Top End, you also get Indigenous culture, and crocodiles (just don’t go to the beach).
Make it happen Darwin is a 4.5-hour flight from either Melbourne or Sydney. Stay at the Hilton Darwin. See hilton.com; northernterritory.com
Instead of Altamira, Spain … Kakadu, NT
Spain is renowned for its Palaeolithic cave paintings, found at sites such as Altamira and El Castillo in Cantabria, and Tito Bustillo in Asturias. These artworks date back as far as 35,000 years and are undoubtedly incredible. But Australia can do rock art. Head to Kakadu and you’ll see works by Bininj/Mungguy people dating back 20,000 years, a remarkable connection to the history of the nation.
Make it happen Kakadu is a three-hour drive from Darwin. Stay at Cooinda Lodge. See accor.com; northernterritory.com
Instead of Holbox, Mexico … Ningaloo, WA
Mexican islands Holbox and Isla Mujeres are known for their tropical beauty, but also their whale sharks, which can be seen from mid-May to mid-September. Only, please don’t tell me you’re travelling all the way to Mexico to see whale sharks because we’ve got the same thing at Ningaloo Reef, off Exmouth, with a longer season and fewer people. And you don’t have to leave Australia.
Make it happen Exmouth is a two-hour flight north of Perth. Stay at Sal Salis. See salsalis.com.au; westernaustralia.com
Instead of the Peak District, England … the Grampians, Vic
If it’s long, peaceful walks you’re after, meanders that take you up mountain and down dale, via rugged cliffs and grassy meadows, brooks or creeks babbling away – sure, you could travel to the UK’s Peak District. You’d have a lovely time. Or, you could just head up to Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park in Victoria and enjoy the distinct Australianness of this gorgeous landscape.
Make it happen Grampians National Park is a three-hour drive north-west of Melbourne. Stay at the YHA Grampians Eco. See yha.com.au; visitvictoria.com
Instead of Costa Rica ... Cape le Grand National Park, WA
Costa Rica’s attractions are many and varied, from dense jungles filled with waterfalls and rivers and unique wildlife, to laid-back coastal surf towns. You won’t get all that in Cape le Grand National Park. What you will get, however, is that same forest-meets-the-sea feel, the peace and tranquillity, the incredible natural beauty. And here, kangaroos.
Make it happen Cape le Grand is near Esperance, which is a 1.5-hour flight from Perth. Stay at the Esperance Chalet Village. See esperancechaletvillage.com.au; westernaustralia.com
Instead of Tanzania … Arkaba, SA
The Australian bush is unique. It’s not the same as the African savannah – it has its own energy, its own spirit. So you’re not recreating a Tanzanian safari out here in the South Australian wilderness at Arkaba. But you are doing something just as magical. This homestead combines luxury with a deep connection to nature, with bush camps and safari vehicles and a spirit of adventure.
Make it happen Arkaba is a five-hour drive north of Adelaide. See experiencearkaba.com; southaustralia.com
Instead of Bordeaux, France … Margaret River, WA
There’s a trade-off here. You won’t get the historic charm of Bordeaux, or the little bistros and boulangeries. But in Margaret River you will get the surfing (Bordeaux, too, is close to great surf beaches), you will get the excellent cabernet sauvignon, and you will get spectacular natural beauty the likes of which few places in the world could compete with.
Make it happen Busselton, near Margaret River, is a four-hour direct flight from Melbourne, or five hours from Sydney. Stay at Cape Lodge. See capelodge.com.au; westernaustralia.com
Instead of Utah, US … the Kimberley, WA
If the Kimberley was in the US, you would have seen it in about a thousand movies by now. It’s just so spectacular, with its red-rock gorges, its rivers and waterfalls, its rugged coastline. Tom Cruise would have turned up. Tom Hanks, too. But the Kimberley isn’t Utah, so it’s neither in movies nor as globally famous. It is amazing, though, and well worth your time and money to see.
Make it happen The Kimberley is accessible from Broome or Kununurra and is best explored on a cruise with a company such as True North. See seabourn.com; westernaustralia.com
Instead of Route 66, US … the Great Ocean Road, Vic
The Great Ocean Road won’t give you the cultural aspects of Route 66, but it will give you something to look at. This is the home of the Twelve Apostles (actually, only seven are left standing), but also great stretches of rugged southern coastline, not to mention towns such as Torquay, Lorne, Port Campbell and Port Fairy. Take your time on this drive to stop and wonder and take it all in.
Make it happen Torquay, at the start of the Great Ocean Road, is about an hour south of Melbourne. Stay at Bells Beach Cottages See bellsbeachcottages.com.au; visitvictoria.com
Instead of the Grand Canyon, US … Uluru, NT
If it’s iconic rock formations you’re chasing, you could fly all the way to the US and visit the Grand Canyon. Or, you could head into the Red Centre to visit what is surely the world’s most recognisable monolith, Uluru. This is not just Australia’s geographical heart, but it’s the spiritual one too, a place guaranteed to move you. While you’re there, check out more rock formations at Kata Tjuta.
Make it happen Uluru is about a 3.5-hour flight from Sydney or Melbourne. Stay at Ayers Rock Resort. See ayersrockresort.com.au; northernterritory.com
Instead of the New Zealand Alps … the Snowy Mountains, NSW
You’re never going to get the full Lord of the Rings-style scenery here in Australia. We just don’t do sheer, snowcapped peaks. Still, if you’re after mountain glory we have something to offer. For winter joy in the Snowys, head directly to Jindabyne, with its access to both Perisher and Thredbo ski resorts. In the warmer months, you can climb the nation’s highest peak (can’t do that in NZ without serious skill), go hiking, biking or trout fishing.
Make it happen Jindabyne is a two-hour drive south of Canberra. Stay at the Lake Jindabyne Hotel. See lakejindabynehotel.com.au; visitnsw.com
Instead of Madrid, Spain … Melbourne, Vic
Why would you visit Madrid? To eat. Maybe to check out a few art galleries between meals. Hang out at a park. But mostly it’s to eat. And you would visit Melbourne for the same reasons – and, we believe, have just as good a time. Melbourne’s food and wine scene is world-class, with a swag of excellent restaurants that run the full gamut of cuisines and price points. You can’t fail to have a good time.
Make it happen Melbourne is a 1.5-hour flight from Sydney. Stay at Le Meridien Melbourne. See marriott.com; visitvictoria.com
Instead of Cape Town, South Africa … Sydney, NSW
Think of the great harbour cities of the world: Cape Town, Singapore, Hong Kong, Hamburg, Busan … the list goes on. For so many people around the world, that list would be topped by Sydney. And why wouldn’t it? Sydney is almost unfairly beautiful, with its glittering harbour, its bridge and Opera House, the many walking paths and hiking trails alongside, the national parks, the world-renowned attractions. We should appreciate it more.
Make it happen Sydney is a 1.5-hour flight from Melbourne. Enjoy harbour views at the Four Seasons Sydney. See fourseasons.com; visitnsw.com
Instead of the Philippines … the Whitsundays, Qld
So it’s islands you want? A series connected by calm, warm waters, maybe some coral reef around, some beachy beauty and a few nice places to relax? If that’s the case, the Whitsundays has you covered. This area in tropical north Queensland features Hamilton Island, Hayman, Daydream, Hook Island and more, places you can go sailing, or swimming, or just relax.
Make it happen Hamilton Island is a 2.5-hour flight from Sydney, or three hours from Melbourne. Stay at the Sundays resort. See hamiltonisland.com.au; queensland.com
Instead of Botswana … the Top End, NT
It’s a wild experience, visiting Botswana. You feel like you’re really out there in the middle of nature, at its mercy in some ways, in its thrall. The Top End is the same. Kakadu, Litchfield, Nitmiluk – these are wild, elemental places, with vast wetlands, deep gorges, incredible birdlife, immersive cultural experiences and more.
Make it happen The Top End is accessible via Darwin, and doesn’t require a specialist vehicle. Stay at Bamurru Plains for the full Top End safari experience. See bamurruplains.com; northernterritory.com
Instead of Nha Trang, Vietnam … the Gold Coast
Nha Trang is great. It has high-rise hotels, a long stretch of lovely beach, plenty of watersports and other activities, and of course delicious food. And Australia’s version? The Gold Coast has all those things. It’s nowhere near as cheap, but it’s a lot easier and more affordable to get to, so things balance out. It’s also got the hinterland just nearby.
Make it happen The Gold Coast is a 1.5-hour flight from Sydney, two hours from Melbourne. Stay at the new Mondrian. See mondrianhotels.com; queensland.com
Instead of Budapest, Hungary … Brisbane, Qld
OK, this sounds nuts. I get it. Brisbane ain’t Budapest. It is, however, a riverside city with a lot to offer. That may be where the comparison ends, but it’s enough for us. Brisbane has excellent cultural offerings – the Gallery of Modern Art, Queensland Cultural Centre, the Performing Arts Centre – plus outdoor riverside attractions such as the Riverwalk and rock-climbing at Kangaroo Point cliffs.
Make it happen Brisbane is a 1.5-hour flight from Sydney, and a two-hour flight from Melbourne. Stay at the Crystalbrook Vincent. See crystalbrookcollection.com; queensland.com
Instead of Hong Kong … western Sydney, NSW
Western Sydney is criminally underrated as a dining destination. If you want to eat the food of the world – including the food of south-eastern China, which you will find so much of in Hong Kong – then Burwood, Ashfield, Harris Park, Cabramatta and Parramatta are your places. Dining in Sydney’s sprawling western suburbs is dynamic, exciting, inclusive and affordable, and you can’t ask much more than that.
Make it happen Sydney is a 1.5-hour flight from Melbourne. Stay in western Sydney at the Parkroyal Parramatta. See panpacific.com; visitnsw.com
Five overseas destinations Australia could never replicate
Rome, Italy I’m sorry, but you can’t expect any city in the world to give you what Rome gives you. Turn a corner and there’s the Pantheon. Wander a few minutes and you’re at Piazza Navona. Walk a little further and there’s the Colosseum. Stroll aimlessly in any direction, in fact, and you will bump into a world-famous, historic attraction. There’s no other place like it. See italia.it
Fes, Morocco That hoary cliche about a “step back in time” has never been more appropriate than in the medina of Fes, where it could easily be the year 1500, what with the donkey-pulled carts, the open-air produce stalls, the narrow, paved streets, the doors leading to ornate riads. About the only sign of the modern world is the odd souvenir shop. See visitmorocco.com
Cusco, Peru To begin with, Australia’s highest point is a mere 2228 metres; Cusco is 3399 metres above sea level. So already, we can’t compete. Cusco is also a city awash with history – of the Incas, of the Spanish – a scenically beautiful Andean stronghold of rich culture and access to some of the most spectacular mountains on the planet. See peru.travel
Cairo, Egypt Like Rome, Cairo is a time capsule, a historic wonder, a place where a short taxi ride will bring you to the Great Pyramid of Giza, a 4600-year-old masterpiece slowly being enveloped by a modern city. To walk through Cairo is to walk into another time, another world, where nothing is the way you know it or expect it. See experienceegypt.eg
Tokyo, Japan The sheer size of Tokyo is mind-boggling: the greater city area has a population almost double that of the whole of Australia. Anything you want to do here, anything you’re interested in, anything you want to try, you can do it. You can buy it. You can taste it. You can feel it. All this and the public transport works perfectly, which we also can’t replicate. See japan.travel
