Into the Outback

Start in Western Australia, the country’s largest yet least populous state, beside the sparkling waters of the Indian Ocean. A stay among the dunes at safari camp Sal Salis offers the rare opportunity to swim alongside whale sharks, which gather in huge numbers at Ningaloo Reef from mid-March to late July, along with turtles, dolphins, rays and other wildlife.

It’s not just the water that’s full of life either. The dunes and gorges of the Cape Range National Park are teeming with red kangaroo, emus and echidnas. Trekking through this wilderness with a safari guide is not to be missed.

Continuing clockwise around the north of Australia, you’ll next stop at Bamurru Plains, a working buffalo station in Australia’s answer to the Okavango Delta, where crocodiles, wallabies and great birding await.

Head out on the wetlands for some of the country’s best fishing (the barramundi grow to a metre long here) or get a bird’s eye view on a scenic helicopter ride over the region’s floodplains, forests and unusual rock formations.

Swap Australia’s red centre for the verdant greens of the world’s oldest rainforest, the Daintree, with a magical stay at Silky Oaks Lodge. Immerse yourself in rainforest life by kayaking on the Mossman River, which also has a number of excellent freshwater swimming spots. Follow rainforest hiking trails to hidden picnic spots, or join the indigenous Kuku Yalanji people offer tours of the forest at nearby Mossman Gorge.

For a grand finale, end your tour on the northernmost of Australia’s island resorts, Lizard Island, where 24 private, powder-white beaches slope down to the waters of the Great Barrier Reef. Snorkelling here means gliding alongside manta rays, barracudas and the huge potato cod. There’s also more than just underwater adventures. Start your day with morning yoga on the beach. Spend an afternoon paddleboarding or kayaking the calm waters of Anchor Bay. Or hike to the top of Cook’s Lookout, the island’s highest point, where you’ll be rewarded with panoramic ocean views.