BEST OF THE REST
Moonlight bike rides, digging for black gold, underwater adventures... Travellers share more secret spots around Australia.
QLD
“Killarney Glen is a naturally heart-shaped pool underneath a waterfall in Queensland’s Gold Coast hinterland. Leaping from the rocks into the jade-coloured heart is an overwhelming experience. Once inside the heart, you can swim to the waterfall and climb up into the cove.” MATTHEW BROUGH
NT
“A little-known secret in Alice Springs is riding the Simpsons Gap bike trail at night, lit by the full moon. On clear nights, no bicycle lights are required as you wind your way among the whispering trees through the desert, with the moon lighting your way for kilometres.” MONICA QUAN
VIC
“Seeing penguins in their natural habitat on Phillip Island is an awesome experience but you can stroll along St Kilda Pier in Melbourne for a much closer view. It is amazing to see penguins right beneath you!” ERIN IRELAND
NSW
“After living in Sydney for years, I was recently taken to the most romantic place I’ve ever been. Across the Sydney Harbour Bridge lies Wendy Whiteley’s ‘secret garden’ – truly the most magical inner-city oasis. I wandered a web of trails filled with statues and seated areas flanked by jaw-dropping views of the bridge and city. It was built by Wendy [wife and muse of late artist Brett Whiteley] and covers many steep levels of disused rail yard, repurposed into a series of magical grottos and trails… It’s a place I’ll never forget.” CHRISTOPHER SCALZO
ACT
“The Truffle Farm in Canberra. Where else in Australia can you get out in the fresh air, dig for black gold with a charismatic owner, play with hunting dogs who love belly rubs, learn from a chef who cooked for a royal and have a scrumptious brunch?” DEANNE MITCHELL
SA
“Dive with giant cuttlefish off the Eyre Peninsula. The water is clear and, between May and August, thousands of cuttlefish migrate to this coastline. These amazing creatures can grow up to a metre in length and it is a sight to see them mating, fighting and flirting, constantly changing their appearance and electric with colours. It’s like swimming over a moving disco floor.” LISA PAGOTTO