WHY I LOVE AUSTRALIA

HAVE IT ALL

“My favourite hotel is Qualia resort, on

Hamilton

Island in

Australia, where I had my honeymoon. It has a cool, contemporary design and we stayed in an amazing suite with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out to sea.” When the length of the journey to Australia from the UK is considered, it makes sense to book a holiday that chalks up as much of the country as possible. The great Adelaide-Darwin train is inevitably part of Great Rail’s (01904 521936; greatrail.com) “Australia & The Ghan” tour. But as this particular break spreads to 23 days, so too are Uluru, Sydney, Melbourne, the Great Ocean Road, and the Great Barrier Reef. From £6,695 per person, including international flights.

INDIAN SUMMER

If the train is your dream mode of transport, the “Adventures Down Under” break offered by rail-holiday specialist Ffestiniog Travel (01766 512400; ffestiniogtravel.com) is sure to chime. This 20-day getaway spurns the “obvious” delights of The Ghan for an east-to-west odyssey through three states – riding the “Overland” train between Melbourne and Adelaide, then picking up the “Indian Pacific” line for the slow ride from the South Australia capital to Perth. From £4,600 a head, including flights, with three days in Singapore en route.

BOTTOMS UP

A journey across Australia does not have to feature planes, trains or automobiles. It can just as easily involve an ocean cruise. Perhaps on the Royal Caribbean (0844 493 4005; royalcaribbean.co.uk) grand dame Radiance of the Seas – scheduled to leave Perth on an “Australia Bottom End” voyage on Feb 25 2020. This 18-day sailing will head east to Adelaide and Melbourne, go south to Hobart and Tasmania – and take a lengthy detour to both islands of New Zealand before turning back to Sydney Harbour. Prices from £3,938 a head, not including international flights.