7 Best Places for a Dream Trip in Australia

Australia Dream Trip, Seafolly Photoshoot at Haggerstone Island

Do you ever dream about really seeing Australia?

I do so I’m super excited to tell you I’ve got a sensational sponsor for the big Problogger conference in Melbourne this October.

It’s The Tailor, a travel company that creates and organizes luxury Australian travel experiences for discerning travelers. I’m nothing if not discerning so it’s going to be a the start of a beautiful relationship.

The Tailor also organise luxury travel and tours in Africa which is perfect for when the Candy family visit Tanzania but I’ll try to calm down and focus on Australia for now.

Australia is such a huge place and, although I’ve lived here nearly three years, I’ve only seen a tiny fraction of ‘the lucky country’ as Aussies call it.

Since The Tailor kindly offered to sponsor me to go to Melbourne I’ve been spending a lot of time on their website. Not because I have to but because it’s the prefect way to procrastinate, dream and plan your dream trip round Australia.

The problem is there are too many amazing places to see in Australia and some incredible lodges and hotels to perfect the experience.

I admit I’m greedy – I want to see everything and go everywhere.

But in an exercise in self-control I decided to pare Australia back to the essential travel experiences and the very best places to stay.

First I picked the experiences everyone travels to Australia or dreams of visiting Australia for and the things that Australia is most famous for.

I honed it down to seven main experiences then choose one idyllic place to stay where we could enjoy each experience and indulge ourselves.

These places are the very best, the epitome of luxury, in fact because we deserve it, don’t we?

Have fun dreaming with me and who knows, maybe we will get to visit these places some time. I think so because if you believe in your dreams and chase them dreams do come true. I’ve experienced it.

7 Best Places to Stay When You Travel in Australia

1. City – The Lyall Hotel in Melbourne

Lyall Hotel Melbourne

I’ve seen the sights in Sydney but I really want to check out Melbourne. I went last year for a blogging conference but that was just a day trip so all I saw was 150 bloggers. Much as I love bloggers I really want to see the city too.

Melbourne sounds hip, edgy and arty so I can’t wait to spend four nights there in October for the Problogger Conference.

I’ll be staying in the sublime Lyall Hotel and Spa in trendy South Yarra. It might be tempting to never leave but I have to see the other areas with cafes and lanes for even more people watching and funky shopping.

There are so many hip and happening places to visit in Melbourne including Federation square, Southbank and St Kilda. I’d love to get out of town and visit the Yarra Valley wineries or the Mornington Peninsula too.

2. Beach – Faraway Bay in The Kimberley

Faraway Bay, Dream Trip, AustraliaAustralia is world famous for its gorgeous beaches, especially Bondi Beach in Sydney. When you think of Australia you think of surf, surfing and surf life savers. You think of bikinis and thongs (the flip-flops you wear on your feet not the g-string type that gives you a wedgie). You think of bright skies and hot sand that drives you to run down to the ocean and bask there.

I chose Faraway Bay in The Kimberley because it looks untamed and beautiful.

As well as hanging out on the beach we’ll visit The King George Falls (I love waterfalls), check out the Aboriginal rock art, walk to the rock pools and maybe even go fishing.

Faraway Bay is in the middle of nowhere. It’s true wilderness with no shops, people or stress. Total peace and tranquility will reign and the night sky will blow our minds.

3. Bush – Bullo River Station in the Northern Territory

Bullo River Station, Dream Trip, AustraliaThis is a chance to go and stay on a real cattle ranch where we can channel our inner cowgirl (or boy).

Just look at those amazing crocodile free cascades with rock pools and waterfalls. Doesn’t that look like one of the best places in the world? We can stay the night there in splendid isolation with just a swag to sleep in, the starry skies overhead and all the fixings for a gourmet barbeque. Even writing about this is relaxing me.

Bullo River Station is a huge place so we might need to get around in a helicopter as well as on horseback but that’s fine by me. I’ve never been in a chopper. They even offer a side trip to the best named place in Australia – Bungle Bungles (I’m not making this up) – so let’s go there too.

4. Reef – Haggerstone Island on the Great Barrier Reef

Dream Trip, Australia, Haggerstone IslandWhen you’re in Australia you have to go snorkeling or scuba-diving at the Great Barrier Reef.

Haggerstone Island sounds like a true island paradise, the best place for us to get back to nature and pretend we’ve been shipwrecked. Apparently the host Roy Turner is a real live Crocodile Dundee so we can leave our Melbourne finery at home and come dressed for real adventure.

We’ll swim with the tropical fish and turtles, catch fresh barramundi in the river and fresh lobster from the sea, then tuck into it on our own private beach. I can’t wait to fall asleep to the sound of water lapping on the beach.

5. Wildlife Stranraer on Kangaroo Island near Adelaide

Dream Trip, Australia, Stranraer HomesteadI’ve been wanting to go to Kangaroo Island for years and we’ll stay at Stranraer Homestead where we can enjoy the local wildlife and experience life on a farm.

The original homestead of Stranraer will be the best place for us to explore Kangaroo Island where we can spot everything from seals and goannas to echidnas and, of course, Skippy the kangaroo and all his adorable cousins. Did you know kangaroos can jump nine meters in one hop?

6. Outback – Longitude 131 in Uluru near Alice Springs

Dream Trip, Australia, Longitude 131 UluruUluru (sometimes called Ayer’s Rock) is the spiritual heart of Australia and highly sacred to the local Aboriginal people. I know seeing Uluru will be a spiritual experience for me. I’m a beach hugger and this will be as far from the sea as I’ve ever been but it will be worth it. Just looking at the photo gives me a delightful little frisson of excitement.

Hopefully we can experience the Aboriginal culture too and hear the amazing stories that surround Uluru.

Longitude 131 is the best place to stay in tented luxury. I plan to get up early for sunrise walks and make sure I’m back at the tent for sunset so I can soak up those outback skies and the feeling of endless space. I bet it gets hot so siestas will be de rigeur.

7. Holiday Resort – Makepeace Island, Noosa

Dream Trip, Australia, NoosaI have to mention Noosa where I live as one of the best places in Australia. It surely has some of the best beaches in Australia, probably the world. You can stay on Richard Branson’s island getaway, Makepeace Island in the Noosa River, or just come and crash with me at Casa Candy.

Either way, we’ll end our dream trip in Noosa so I can show you around. I’ll write more about Noosa and plan a perfect day for us next time.

For more dream trip in Australia travel drooling (I mean ideas!) check out The Tailor’s website or get in touch with the owner Drew who will organise your dream trip for you.

Which of these sounds like the best place in Australia? Or do you have somewhere else in mind? Did I miss any essential Aussie experiences? What would be the highlight of your dream trip to Australia?


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30 Comments

  1. Lina@MothersLoveLetters September 23, 2011 at 10:00 am - Reply

    OMG! Can I pleeeeease crash with you in your bathroom in Melbourne??? That is SOOO amazing!
    Congratulations to The Tailor for sponsoring an awesome blogger!

    • Annabel Candy September 23, 2011 at 2:44 pm - Reply

      Hi Lina, lol, maybe! I can’t wait to get there and meet you.

  2. Sonia Marsh/Gutsy Living September 23, 2011 at 1:50 pm - Reply

    Annabel,

    This is my first choice: Haggerstone Island, only because I love turquoise water. I met a nice lady from Melbourne when I visited Fiji, 4 years ago and I didn’t realize how cold it gets there in winter. You’ll be there in Spring, right?
    Anyway, Australia is a place I have to visit soon. I’m trying to get my oldest son, 23, to apply for a mechanical engineering job in Australia, so I can visit. Any job offers for him? He graduated from University of Michigan which has a wonderful engineering school.

    • Annabel Candy September 23, 2011 at 2:45 pm - Reply

      Hi Sonia,

      What is it with you and deserted tropical islands?! Haggerstone does look gorgeous. No idea how your son can get a job here but I’m sure there must be a way then you can come visit. Yay! Spring in Melbourne yes so hopefully not too chilly. It does get cold in winter, that’s why I can’t live there but visiting will be wonderful.

  3. Harleena Singh September 23, 2011 at 2:01 pm - Reply

    Awesome places!

    Wish I were living in Australia too- would surely have made it a point to visit them! The pictures are simple outstanding!

    Thanks for sharing :)

    • Annabel Candy September 23, 2011 at 2:48 pm - Reply

      Hi Harleena, often when we live somewhere we don’t even visit it properly. I don’t want to make that mistake with Australia and luckily I plan to spend decades here so plenty of time to visit all these fab places and more:)

  4. Dave Doolin September 24, 2011 at 6:40 am - Reply

    Hrm. My list would have included:
    1. Surfing somewhere on the southern coast.
    2. Caving in the Nullarbor
    3. Seeing a Taipan in the wild, preferably while
    4. Hunting native wild (genus) Hoya vines in the north
    5. Visiting one of the big mines up the banded iron belt

    What does that say about me?

    • Annabel Candy September 24, 2011 at 9:47 am - Reply

      Hi Dave,

      We can go surfing here in Noosa:) The water is warm! Lol, Your list says you are one of a kind;) I won’t be joining you on the Taipan hunt. Yikes but caving could be interesting. Why not go and work on one of the mines? Big money!

  5. Cate September 24, 2011 at 1:08 pm - Reply

    All those places look fabulous… I would like to add, maybe, some time in a rainforest – the Daintree is pretty special. And you haven’t included any of Australlia’s fabulous wine country – that’d be a definite on my list. Our next planned expedition is out to Wilpena Pound in SA (mmm – some wine country on the way…). We’ve got some nice skiing just south of where I am, too – which doubles for some fantastic alpine bush walking in the warmer months. Then there’s … oh, that’s right… you did say that Australia is a big place with lots to see… :)
    C xx

    • Annabel Candy September 29, 2011 at 9:24 am - Reply

      Hi Cate, I’ve visited the Daintree, it is gorgeous. I guess it would be bush. A wine and foodie place would be a brilliant travel essential addition though! Mmmm:) Thanks so much for telling me about Wilepena.

      I’d love to go ski-ing in Australia some time and it’s great to head for cooler climes during the summer, especially Jan and Feb when we’re boiling here in Noosa;)

      Lol, yep, that is the problem. Lucky we have plenty of time;)

  6. seana smith September 24, 2011 at 7:30 pm - Reply

    Ooooo, I don’t have fancy Bullo River Station, looks divine and after our recent trip to Kakadu, I’m in the mood for more NT. Australia certainly is a big country, and I’ve seen quite a bit of it as a much younger backpacker. I would love to visit many of these places in greater comfort! Off for a browse.

    • Annabel Candy September 29, 2011 at 9:26 am - Reply

      Hi Seana, yes, that waterfall is incredible. Kakadu has to be done at some point. My husband is very keen to get up to Darwin and the Northern Territories. I feel like I have a lot to explore round here first but hopefully we’ll get there some time:)

  7. seana smith September 24, 2011 at 7:31 pm - Reply

    I mean ‘half fancy’ of course. Teenager spilt Coke keyboard- the horror.

  8. Joyce September 25, 2011 at 10:19 am - Reply

    Hi Annabel,

    Australia is definitely on my bucket list. Such a brutal flight from Toronto … but I’ve heard it’s totally worth it. Sometime in the next five years I will get there with my husband and youngest son along for the ride. In the meantime, I’m enjoying your posts. What a beautiful place to live! Lucky you.

    • Annabel Candy September 29, 2011 at 9:27 am - Reply

      Hi Joyce, not as bad as Australia to UK but the journey is off-putting when you have to come a long way. Just turn it into an excused to stay longer;) Thanks so much for joining us here!

  9. Style Maniac September 26, 2011 at 7:38 am - Reply

    I’d love to go ANYWHERE in Australia!

    • Annabel Candy September 29, 2011 at 9:28 am - Reply

      Hi Style, lol, you’ll be welcomed with open arms wherever you go;)

  10. Wanderlust September 29, 2011 at 6:39 am - Reply

    Congrats on your sponsorship! I do nothing but dream of traveling to and around Australia. I loooove Kangaroo Island. The KI Wilderness Retreat is another beautiful place to stay there and they have a small but wonderful restaurant. Wallabies hop around outside your room. I want to go back!!

    • Annabel Candy September 29, 2011 at 9:29 am - Reply

      Hi Kristen, thank you:) I’m looking forward to Kangaroo Island. We were just in the Bunya Mountains with wallabies galore. You’d like it there too:)

  11. Beverly Claire September 29, 2011 at 10:35 am - Reply

    Hi Annabel, thanks so much for this list. It will be a source of reference to us. My husband and I would love to visit Australia one day. Since we live (relatively) nearby in Japan it’s definitely a shorter trip compared to other continents. :) Do you have a favorite travel guide for Australia?

    • Annabel Candy September 29, 2011 at 1:40 pm - Reply

      Thanks Beverly;) Got the comment, about to reply. I like the Rough Guide to Australia but you can’t beat the WWW for up to date info! I just got an email from JetStar with $199 from Australia to Japan so no excuses;) Think I’ll have to pay you a visit too;)

      • Beverly Claire October 2, 2011 at 11:38 pm

        Thanks for the suggestion, Annabel! I’ll look up the guide book. Yes, indeed, JetStar is always coming up with great offers–very tempting! :)

  12. Linda ~ Journey Jottings September 29, 2011 at 1:17 pm - Reply

    I have yet to see ‘the’ rock…
    Done the big lap, been to Alice… but that last ‘little’ bit has eluded me :(

    But when I do make it – Like you, I’ll be sure to show and tell the world on my blog :)

    • Annabel Candy September 29, 2011 at 1:41 pm - Reply

      Hi Linda, oooh, all the way to Alice Springs but couldn’t face the last – what – 500km to Uluru? I can see that happening if you were going overland;) Hope you make it sometime and look forward to reading all about it!

  13. marquita herald October 8, 2011 at 12:20 am - Reply

    Oh thanks for the memories! I traveled to and all around Australia many times working in the travel industry, but it’s been a few years since my last trip. I LOVE Melbourne, the parks and lights in the trees – I saw Phantom of the Opera there in a VIP box (gift from a client) and it was magical. My trip to the Kangaroo Island is definitely a highlight in my memory bank! Thanks again,

  14. ‘Round the World Ticket (October 2011) | Lape Soetan October 21, 2011 at 4:43 pm - Reply

    […] that one of the places I would love to visit is Australia.  Fortunately, Annabel has written a post on the best places for a dream trip in Australia.  Useful for when I go there.  […]

  15. Tram Tran November 1, 2011 at 11:33 am - Reply

    Omg, why do I live in Australia but have not been anywhere on that list???? Need to get myself a holiday soon;) btw you should include Gold Coast => well, the name said it all, it’s gold and Sydney=> because I live here;)
    Amazing blog, you will see me here often, fantasizing ;)

  16. Nicole January 17, 2012 at 8:11 am - Reply

    Definitely Paradise Bay Eco Resort at Long Island, Hamilton Is! A-mazing!!!

  17. Sonia Marsh/Gutsy Living July 2, 2012 at 6:58 am - Reply

    Please get me to Haggerstone Island. My kind of paradise. Have you been there?

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