1 Staircase to the Moon, Broome

When: March – October
In Broome, a special phenomenon occurs during each full moon. As the moon rises, its light reflects off the exposed tidal flats of Roebuck Bay, creating an optical illusion of a “staircase” leading up to the moon. This enchanting sight can be observed from the Mangrove Hotel’s open-air bar, where the lights are dimmed and locals play the didgeridoo, or you can lay out a rug at the nearby Town Beach night markets.

2 The Turning of the Fagus, Tasmania

When: Late April – May
While Australia is known for its sunny summers, autumn in Tasmania brings a unique beauty. The “turning of the fagus” refers to the transformation of a tree from lush green to vibrant reds and golds. The best places to witness this colorful display are Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park and Mt Field National Park.

3 Bioluminescent Plankton, Jervis Bay

When: September – February
Jervis Bay, a three-hour drive from Sydney, is famous for its pristine white sand and lush vegetation, but it also hides a spectacular wonder. Due to chemical reactions within plankton, the water sometimes displays swirls of glowing blue along the shore at night. This mesmerizing natural phenomenon is more common during the warmer months.

4 Lavender Fields, Tasmania

When: December – February
Tasmania hosts the largest lavender fields in the Southern Hemisphere, with rows of stunning purple blooms near Hobart and Launceston. Visit Bridestowe Lavender Estate, Tasmania’s most famous lavender farm, or Port Arthur Lavender Farm to enjoy the picturesque plants and a variety of lavender-based products, including soaps, stationery, ice cream, and honey.

1. Organic Farming

Embrace country life at the organic Jambaroo Valley Farm, south of  Sydney. At this working permaculture farm, guests are invited to pick produce from the kitchen garden, collect eggs from the free-range chickens and feed the cows, sheep and pigs. At night, hang around the fireplace or soak in the hot tub.

2. Reef Magic

It’s time to travel more conscientiously and for the Great Barrier Reef, that means heading to Reef Magic Pontoon, off Cairns. Spend your day swimming, snorkelling and diving in the knowledge the pontoon runs on sustainable power, with 18 solar panels and three wind turbines. There’s also a science lab.

3. Aboriginal Art

Create a masterpiece while learning  about Aboriginal culture and art  during a Ngala Tours Art on Country workshop at the National Arboretum Canberra. 

4. Tassie Penguins

Watch little penguins return to their sandy burrows from Bruny Island Neck.   The best time is from September to  February. 

5. Dog Sledding

If you’re a family of snow lovers    but can’t cope with first-to-last lifts every day, head to Mount Buller to try dog sledding this winter. The Victorian resort is easy to get to, and kids, young and old, will love meeting the Australian Sled Dog Tours team of Siberian huskies. Tours are from 30 minutes to three hours; bookings are a must. 

1. Croc Spotting

Home to the world’s biggest population of  wild crocodiles, there’s nowhere better than   the NT to take the family to spot a croc. See a  salty in its natural habitat on a boat tour of  Mary River Wetlands. 

2. Cradle Mountain

You don’t have to hike up Cradle Mountain to have an epic Tassie adventure. There are a tonne of family-friendly trails at the base, including the fairy-tale-like Enchanted Walk. You don’t need a guide and can pack a picnic lunch to make it easy on the budget. Don’t forget a raincoat. 

3. Mungo National Park

Mix history with an awe-inspiring landscape with a visit to Mungo National Park, NSW. Aboriginal people have been connected to this desert for 40,000 years and you can learn about its cultural significance on a tour with an Aboriginal ranger.

4. Little Blue Lake

For a magical experience of another kind, make your way to Little Blue Lake on South Australia’s Limestone Coast for a swim in the sapphire sinkhole at Mount Schank. 

5. Capilano Suspension Bridge

Every Aussie heading to Canada’s west coast has to visit Capilano Suspension Bridge Park at least once. It’s iconic, with seven suspended footbridges through a forest. A highlight is the environmentally sensitive and slightly unnerving Cliffwalk. It’s best suited to children from primary school age.