The next chapter of Australian travel isn’t about more, bigger or better. It’s about choosing experiences with more care.
In an era when algorithms might be able to tell us where to go, but not why it matters, the idea of an anti-bucket list feels timely. For decades, travel has been framed around cramming in as many places as possible – a race around the world before our time runs out. Australian Traveller is upending that logic – not in a bid to abandon ambition, but to question it. To shift the focus from collecting destinations to engaging with them – travelling more slowly, more intentionally, and with a greater regard for place.
The Australian Traveller anti-bucket list isn’t about doing less; it’s about paying closer attention. The destinations that follow are not new; what’s new is how to approach them. From long-distance tracks in Western Australia to a landmark loo in Maryborough, each offers a way of travelling that values context over ticking off a checklist. Here’s where to go deeper and stay longer.
The South West region of WA
Hikers are dwarfed by the scale of the Great Southern coast. (Image: Rachel Claire & Jessica Wyld)
The tea-coloured water contrasts with the clear blue ocean. (Image: Rachel Claire & Jessica Wyld)
How to visit differently: Walk a 60-kilometre section of the Bibbulmun Track with Cape2Camp as an exercise in digital disconnection rather than endurance. With phones switched off, and logistics sorted, tiny details – like the land, the light, the weather and the people moving through the landscape – come into focus.
The Tweed, NSW
The power of Wollumbin viewed across the cane fields. (Image: Hannah Puechmarin)
Why you should visit: In addition to its coastal towns, quaint villages and green haze of the hinterland, the Tweed has emerged as one of Australia’s most compelling food regions. On Bundjalung Country, the scene is grounded in stewardship: of soil, of stories and of community. Visit the restaurants led by chefs, producers and educators redefining what sustainability looks like in practice.
Michele Stephens is the co-owner of Farm & Co. (Image: Hannah Puechmarin)
How to visit differently: The Tweed’s culinary scene is being carefully shaped by local women. Time a visit around the annual Savour the Tweed festival when many of the region’s female farmers, chefs and First Nations voices come together around shared tables. Use the festival as an entry point; in the Tweed, the richest experiences come from who is leading the conversation and why.
Kakadu National Park, NT
Witness more birdlife on the Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba) billabong. (Image: Tourism & Events NT/@cruising.cat)
Why you should visit: Kakadu is full of big-ticket sights. Wetlands spill into tropical savannahs, rocky escarpments rise from floodplains, caves swirl with ancient rock art and billabongs are alive with crocodiles. It is a place of dramatic seasonal change, where waterfalls thunder after the wet and contract into stone amphitheatres in the dry. Few national parks offer this scale of biodiversity alongside such deep, continuing Indigenous custodianship.
How to visit differently: Look to the skies. Kakadu is home to more than 280 bird species – around a third of Australia’s total – and birdwatching offers a more mindful way to move through the park. Time a visit with Kakadu Bird Week in September when wetlands and woodlands come alive with kingfishers, finches and raptors.
Coonabarabran & Broken Hill, Outback NSW
Spot the Milky Way in Broken Hill. (Image: Destination NSW/Damian Bennett)
Why you should visit: The vast arid landscape of Outback NSW is furnished with termite mounds, skeletal trees, car cemeteries and broken-down sheds collapsing into the dust. Broken Hill sits at its centre; a mining town long favoured by artists for cinematic skies captured so memorably in The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Coonabarabran, gateway to the Warrumbungles, has a very different identity with its volcanic peaks and mountainous landscape the main attraction. Geographically, it’s like slicing a layer cake of Australia’s existence.
How to visit differently: Visit at night. With minimal light pollution, this is one of Australia’s greatest noc-tourism regions. Stargaze in Warrumbungle National Park, the nation’s first Dark Sky Park, or time a visit to Coonabarabran with events like the OzSky Star Safari. In Broken Hill, guided shows under a blue-back sky add context. Plan travel around celestial moments such as meteor showers, equinoxes or lunar eclipses and let darkness, rather than daylight, inform the itinerary.
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The WA Coast: Fremantle to Broome
Discover the contrasting elements of Cape Peron. (Image: Imogen Eveson)
Why you should visit: Australia’s west coast is one of the most biodiverse shorelines on the planet. Between Fremantle and Broome lie whale migration routes, coral reefs, remote islands, shipwreck history and living Indigenous culture. What is most thrilling about this vast marine corridor is that it’s where nature, science and stories converge far from the crowds.
Enjoy evening entertainment back onboard Le Soléal. (Image: Imogen Eveson)
How to visit differently: Travel on an expedition cruise with PONANT Explorations, sailing from Fremantle to Broome. Naturalists lead Zodiac excursions to the islands and reefs rarely reached by travellers, while whale encounters, shore landings and lectures replace port hopping.
The Murray River
Cruising the Murray is one of the best ways to discover this stunning region. (Image: Krista Eppelstun)
Why you should visit: The towns that have sprung up along the banks of the Murray River offer everything from slow stays to incredible epicurean experiences. While the Murray is the main event, you’ll stay for everything it leads you to, from the otherworldly landscapes of Mungo National Park to candy-pink salt lakes and acclaimed wineries.
Weave through the scenic river red gum landscape. (Image: Krista Eppelstun)
How to visit differently: The Murray rewards travellers who slow to its pace. Travel with All Seasons Houseboats and let the mighty river set the rhythm. Wake at first light to watch the sun roll across the sky. Go swimming, birdwatching and fishing on the riverbanks. And cut yourself adrift from the binding timetable of the everyday along the river, which stretches across three states.
Enjoy a slice of the good life cruising the Murray River in Mildura! Where sun-kissed days meet tranquil waters, it's the perfect escape.
Maryborough, Queensland
Marvel at Maryborough’s military past. (Image: Joanne Karcz)
Why you should visit:Maryborough is a quietly substantial regional Queensland town, shaped by rail, river trade and civic ambition. It’s known for its heritage streetscapes, military history and as the birthplace of Mary Poppins author P.L. Travers.
Local artist Akos Juhasz painted the murals in the ladies’ and men’s restrooms. (Image: Joanne Karcz)
How to visit differently: Start with the public toilets. The art-filled Cistern Chapel turns a utilitarian stop into a cultural event, complete with murals, music and volunteer ‘flusher ushers’. It’s a reminder that civic pride can be playful and that sometimes the most revealing landmarks aren’t the ones signposted from the highway. The city centre attraction is part of the local mural trail.
Red Centre, NT
A quiet moment of stillness, looking up in awe at the walls of Kings Canyon. (Image: Tourism NT/@75vibes_)
Why you should visit: Travellers who visit the Red Centre in the low season (November to April) are rewarded with dramatic skies, shifting patterns of light, desert wildflowers and waterfalls that briefly transform iconic landscapes. With crowds thinned by the heat, and the Earth beaten by rain, wind and storms, the season offers up transformative moments in travel that very few experience.
Yalka Ratara Eco Camp sits softly on the earth. (Image: Sarbo Studio)
How to visit differently: Embark on a six-day Red Centre & Uluru Explorer tour with Intrepid Travel to meet Traditional Owners, linger at icons when the tour buses retreat, bed down at the gorgeous Yalka Eco Stays and embrace the beautiful unpredictability of the season. A wake-up call at dawn goes beyond beating the heat. Yes, it’s when the temperatures soften. But it’s also when mobs of kangaroos move through the spinifex and the rock faces shift from inky purple to rust and rose.
Enjoy dinner and a show under a dark desert sky at Earth Sanctuary. (Image: Tourism NT/Plenty of Dust)
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Clermont, Queensland
Take to the skies on a scenic flight with Bush Heli-services.
Why you should visit: Clermont is a reminder that the outback isn’t only found at the end of an epic road trip. Clermont is in the heart of Queensland’s historic gold country, just a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Mackay. It sits amid wide plains, quiet creeks and remnants of boom-and-bust ambition. The town is part of the Great Inland Way, a 16-day road trip from Sydney/Warrane to Cooktown/Gungardie.
How to visit differently: Do something hands-on. Fossick for gold with Golden Prospecting Tours, camp under the Milky Way or take a scenic flight with Bush Heli-Services to trace plains and waterways that follow the natural contours of the land. These are the modern-day riches you’ll discover in Clermont if you slow down, instead of passing through.
Bellarine Peninsula, Victoria
Score a taste of the quaint countryside surrounds. (Image: Unsplash/You Le)
Why you should visit: Victoria’s breathtaking Bellarine Peninsula will help you shrug off your big-city stresses. Here, the clang and clatter of crashing waves replaces traffic noise; vineyard roads taper into clifftop paths; and the unhurried way of life means meals always extend longer than planned. Visit the underrated peninsula for the well-preserved Victorian-era charm of Queenscliff to the coastal walks along Barwon Bluff and small producers pouring wine and spirits. The region is a prime place for a reset.
A retreat to reconnect and inspire slow living. (Image: Nikole Ramsay)
How to visit differently: Stay put. Discerning wellness warriors have long had Lon Retreat & Spa on their radar for its mineral pools and dreamy, adults-only suites. But the luxury hideaway, one of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, recently tapped into a rising interest in contrast therapy with its new immersive thermal environment. The sanctuary features a Finnish sauna, magnesium-rich pool, Swedish soak bucket and communal fire pit.
Hamilton Island, Queensland
Climb to the top of the popular Passage Peak Hamilton Island hike. (Image: Riley Williams)
Why you should visit: Spectacular Whitsunday blues, tropical island energy and endless activities under the sun – this tried-and-true destination is an Aussie family favourite for a reason. Whether you’re dining on freshly caught coral trout or kayaking at Catseye Beach, Hamilton Island invites travellers to reset for good.
Embark on an exhilarating new adventure on Hamilton Island. (Image: Harry Gruttner)
How to visit differently: Swap the typical flop-and-drop sun bed experience for an adrenaline-pumping adventure along Hamilton Island’s new e-mountain biking trails. You’ll get to connect with nature and challenge yourself while getting to see some of the island’s most stunning corners. It’s an invigorating new way to experience this popular destination anew.
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Carla Grossetti has written across print and digital for Australian Traveller and International Traveller for more than a decade and has spent more than two decades finding excuses to eat well and travel far. A prestigious News Corp cadetship launched her career at The Cairns Post, before a stint at The Canberra Times and The Sydney Morning Herald gave way to extended wanders through Canada, the US, Mexico, Central America, Asia and Europe. Carla was chief sub editor at delicious and has contributed to Good Food, Travel & Luxury, Explore Travel, Escape. While living in London, Carla was on staff at Condé Nast Traveller and The Sunday Times Travel desk and was part of the pioneering digital team at The Guardian UK.
There’s more to Australia’s Garden City than meets the eye.
With Victorian-era and traditional Queenslander buildings, an abundance of manicured gardens and the famous Carnival of Flowers painting the streets in vibrant colours each spring, Toowoomba is one of the most charming regional cities in Queensland Country.
While its beauty alone is reason enough to visit, there are lesser-known sides to Toowoomba that locals love most, from its burgeoning culinary scene to its artistic flair. Located just a 90-minute drive from Brisbane (or a direct flight from Sydney), it’s all too easy to discover on a long weekend away.
1. There’s an awesome local arts scene
Find incredible works of art around Toowoomba’s streets. (Credit: Nathan McNeil)
Australia’s second largest inland city is a flourishing arts and culture hub waiting to be discovered. Over 100 vibrant street art murals and graffiti works decorate the city, and they’re best viewed along Bank Lane and Searles Walk.
As a regional city, Toowoomba has direct access to incredibly fresh produce that’s shaping its culinary scene. At sunset, head to the verandah at Rosalie House Cellar Door Restaurant for a grazing-style dining experience and to discover Queensland’s underrated wine scene. Indulge in dishes such as Warilba lamb rump and roasted pumpkin with ginger-roasted potatoes and lime yoghurt, paired with their delicious cool-climate wines.
For a more relaxed affair, sweet tooths should make a beeline for award-winning The Baker’s Duck. Be sure to try their cult favourite strawberry cheesecake danish; you’ll learn why 35,000 of these treats are sold annually.
3. Small bars are doing big work
Pop into small bars like Uno Más.
Toowoomba doesn’t disappoint with fantastic pubs, but discerning drinkers can take happy hour to the next level at one of the city’s impressive small bars. Savour Spanish-style bites paired with a thoughtful line-up of wines at the newly opened Uno Más Tapas & Wine Bar. On Thursdays, head to Cork & Lever to tap your feet to live music over creative cocktails made with their all-Australian gin collection. And enjoy elevated toasties and premium drops at the cosy Press’d Coffee & Wine. Or try newly opened The Book Pour.
4. There’s no shortage of fabulous stays
Chill out in beautiful surrounds at Bunnyconnellen. (Credit: Salt Media)
Whether you prefer the buzz of the city centre or retreating to the hinterland, there are stylish stays aplenty to settle into in this idyllic corner of the world. Apartment-style living can be found at Quest Toowoomba; partly housed in a heritage church building in the city, it’s a comfortable and convenient base. And at The Arbour Boutique Apartments, spacious rooms are injected with old-world charm.
In the hinterland, enjoy bucolic bliss at the boutique Bunnyconnellen, where an 1880s farmhouse and self-contained cottage are backdropped by rolling hills. And at the secluded Ravensbourne Escape, one-bedroom studios, two-bedroom chalets and three-bedroom holiday homes overlook Ravensbourne National Park and the Brisbane and Lockyer Valleys.
5. It’s a nature-lovers paradise
Tackle Table Top Mountain. (Credit: Ariana Potamianakis)
Toowoomba is hugged by national parks, making it a haven for nature lovers. On its doorstep you’ll find the extinct volcanic peak Table Top Mountain, where keen hikers can tackle the challenging two-kilometre return trail which rewards them with 360° views of the Lockyer Valley and surrounds.
For a more gentle experience, Ravensbourne National Park offers peaceful walking trails within lush rainforest. It’s a top spot for bird watching as there are over 110 bird species that call the area home, including the paradise riflebird. Crows Nest National Park is home to platypus and koalas, and its refreshing natural swimming spots, like Kauyoo Pool, are a great place to beat the heat.
6. Wellness enthusiasts are well looked after
Toowoomba’s cool and calm energy lends itself to a wellness-focused getaway. Slated to open in August 2026, soak in the serenity at Vikasati Toowoomba, a bathhouse oasis with outdoor hot and cold magnesium pools, ice baths and Finnish saunas. Rest and recharge at City Cave Toowoomba, which offers float therapy, infrared sauna and massage services, or visit Kalm Springs for LED therapy, cryotherapy and float therapy.
7. It’s preserved its 19th-century charm
Learn all about the history of Cobb+Co.
History buffs can step back in time at Toowoomba’s fascinating cultural and historical museums.
Explore 50,000 years of Darling Downs and Toowoomba history at the Queensland Museum Cobb+Co; it’s known for its impressive National Carriage Collection of 47 restored horse-drawn vehicles, which were put to use for Queensland’s urban expansion. Visitors can also try their hand at blacksmithing or leadlighting in heritage workshops, refuelling with traditional scones at the onsite cafe.
Train enthusiasts can celebrate the golden era of rail travel on a heritage steam locomotive thanks to the volunteer-driven, community-led organisation DownsSteam Toowoomba. Vintage train rides range from a two-hour journey between Toowoomba Station and DownsSteam Railway Museum to an overnight adventure from Toowoomba to the Southern Downs and Granite Belt
8. There are vintage gems waiting to be found
Whether it’s to pick up a unique piece for your home or a one-of-a-kind accessory for a loved one, you’re guaranteed to find something special in one of Toowoomba’s antique and vintage stores. Range Antiques sells everything from furniture, rugs and lamps to fine porcelain, jewellery and art, while Toowoomba Antiques & Collectables is a treasure trove of Art Deco, farmhouse, retro and mid-century modern pieces.
