5 Extraordinary Places (You Probably Haven't Heard Of) to Visit in Australia

It's already that time of year.

Months have somehow already slipped by and your mind is wandering off from your home office in the direction of holidays.

Even your cat is looking decidedly restless.

But where can you go that's off the beaten track, yet within striking distance of home?

For 527 days I selflessly travelled Australia to bring you these travel recommendations.

(Don't worry, you can thank me with a coffee or good glass of Barossa red next time we catch up in person).

#5 Baird Bay - South Australia

Tucked on the Western coast of South Australia's Eyre Peninsula is Baird Bay.

Most people coming to this part of the world choose to stay in "town" over in Streaky Bay, but Baird Bay is a jewel for one reason: the Baird Bay Ocean Eco Tour.

You'll don an extra thick wetsuit and take a ride out across the bay to the wild sea lion colony.

And here you'll plunge into the mildly (translation: somewhat-completely-overwhelmingly-boneshaking) chilly water for one of the best experiences Australia has to offer.

Sea lions are wonderfully playful creatures. With little encouragement they'll come kiss you, play with you and just gaze into your eyes with their a soothing intelligence that's hard to explain. Oh! And you can swim with dolphins as a little bonus "thrown in".

#4 Winton - Queensland

Now I'm a real Aussie "bushman" at heart, but even I had no idea what we'd discover when we headed out into far Western Queensland.

The answer, some 900km inland from the coast. is the remarkable town of Winton.

Located on one corner of Australia's "Dinosaur Triangle", the region used to be under an inland sea and is awash (get it?) with dinosaur fossil sites.

None are better than the Australian Age of Dinosaurs museum.

It's perched on top of a jump-up with stunning views over the surrounding country and incredible behind-the-scenes tours of real palaeontology in action.

From there, you head into Winton itself where the Waltzing Matilda Centre will blow you away.

I know, I know, you're probably thinking "What? A WHOLE museum dedicated to Australia's most famous ballad?"

But it's so much more than that - truly one of the most inspiring museums and cultural centres in the whole country.

Finally, a short drive out of town takes you to the Long Waterhole - an epic little spot for camping.

But even if you're staying in town, a trip out to the Waterhole will reward you with a killer sunset and one of Australia's best display of stars.

Winton and the surrounding region, you see, are one of the world's only designated "Dark Sky Sanctuaries". The lack of light pollution, cloud cover and low humidity mean there is no better place in Australia to sit out under a blanket and watch the stars come out.

Karijini National Park - Western Australia

Well known by the inhabitants of the Republic of Western Australia, but almost unheard of elsewhere, is the jaw-dropping Karijini National Park.

That's probably because it's about 1,000km from any decent town.

(In saying "decent", I'm excluding Port Hedland, Karratha, Newman, Onslow and many others. Hate mail c/o my old school principal, please).

Like that heart-stopping boy or girl you see in your first class on your first day of uni, Karijini is so beautiful that it defies logic.

Red earth is broken by faded greens, contrast against a perfect azure sky.

Ancient gorges plunge into crystalline pools in a landscape that doesn't look like it's had a drink since the last time the Ice Queen visited these parts (some time ago, I'm reliably informed).

The contrasts will bend your mind and, happily, not your wallet. There's nothing to do out here than hike, swim and BBQ it up in the evening.

Does that make it perfect?

Some would argue it so.

Boodjamulla National Park - Queensland

Early in our trip, somebody at a campground told me "You've got to get to Boodjamulla - it's the best national park in Australia".

My response was "Boodja-where?".

Formerly known as "Lawn Hill National Park", Boodjamulla is located in the North West of Queensland, adjacent to the border with the Northern Territory.

And it definitely lived up to that lofty description from said-random-camper.

The emerald green waters of the main gorge are delightfully saltwater-crocodile-free making it completely safe to canoe, kayak and swim.

(Of course there are plenty of freshwater crocs, but they are only capable of inflicting a flesh wound, so nothing to worry about).

You'll find a part of Australia brimming with indigenous culture, more dinosaur bones than you can poke a stick at and sunrises and sunsets that will carry your heart away...

(granted, if the flies haven't carried it away already).

#1 Bitter Springs - Northern Territory

I say this half seriously - I've found the place I'd like to die.

On reflection, that's possibly a confusing thing to say about my #1 place in Australia you've got to visit. And I swear it's not because there's crocs or snakes or crazy grey nomads hitting the turps too early in the afternoon.

At Bitter Springs, thermal water wells up from underground having considerately travelled hundreds of kilometres, over hundreds of years, all the while getting heated to a bathwater perfect 33 degrees.

This little river runs for 250 metres and is a perfect, crystalline-clear aqua blue.

Grab a pool noodle and you are in for the most peaceful experience Australia has to offer: a gentle float down a perfect thermal river, staring up through the cycads and palm trees at an equally perfect blue sky.

It's like a Jurassic landscape meets a beauty spa.

There's not a whole lot to "do" here, but that's the point.

If it weren't for pesky things like eating, drinking and using the bathroom I could have literally spent all day floating down those 250 metres of river, then walking back around to do it again, and again and again.

Follow that up in the evening by a short drive over to the Mataranka Homestead to see Nathan "Whippy" Grigg's hilarious and extraordinary whip-cracking show and you've got a pretty epic day in the Outback under your belt.

In fact, visiting all 5 of these spots in one trip would make for an epic holiday.

Now if only they weren't separate by 5 weeks of driving....

In 2020 and 2021, Rob Malicki spent 527 days travelling around Australia with his family after Covid forced their 13 year old business, AIM Overseas, into hibernation.