1 THE EYRE PENINSULA
1 THE EYRE PENINSULA With its bountiful sea life, a leisurely road trip across the beautiful stretch of land connecting Western and South Australia is nothing if not spectacular. In Whyalla, snorkel alongside giant cuttlefish and its famously friendly dolphins, then head for Cowell to sup on fresherthan-fresh oysters, served whichever way. At the peninsula’s southernmost peak, Port Lincoln offers an amazing swimming experience with great white sharks. Then head in to town for whiting fillet or western king prawns, a speciality of the area. Wrap up the journey in the charming surrounds of Streaky Bay to get a look at the imposing pink granite boulders of Murphys Haystacks or to cast a line at a number of sublime angling spots. 2 3 THE SAVANNAH WAY* Adventurous travellers will relish the opportunity to hit this 3,700km route linking Cairns and the historic township of Broome. Along the way, stop at the rainforest-fringed village of Kuranda, home to a variety of wildlife sanctuaries brimming with colourful birds, butterflies and reptiles. In and around scenic Mareeba, indulge in a steaming cup of freshly roasted coffee, straight from the plantation, or get the ultimate bird’s-eye view of the aweinspiring Atherton Tablelands aboard a hot air balloon. Watch the dramatic waterfalls and glimpse Lumholtz’s tree kangaroos at Tully Falls National Park, then visit the Caranbirini Conservation Reserve for stunning panoramas of weathered sandstone pillars and a bucolic watering hole well-populated by kingfishers, brolgas and herons. RED CENTRE WAY Wind your way southwest from Alice Springs for a once-in-alifetime road trip across some of the country’s most iconic landscapes. Witness the peaceful quietude of the sheltered gorges and picturesque swimming holes at West MacDonnell Range National Park, and spot black-footed wallabies on its rocky slopes. Behold quintessential orange sunrise vistas of Uluru, Australia’s spiritual heart. Not far, visit the majestic Olgas, or Kata Tjuta, a colossal rock formation made up of 36 domes reaching heights of more than 1,000 metres. Make a pit stop at the Henbury Meteorites Conservation Reserve, the landing site of a massive meteorite some 4,700 years ago. 4 THE NULLARBOR A desolate, 1,700km stretch along the Eyre Highway, it’s a lonely dusty, journey from Norseman in Western Australia to Port August in South Australia. Latin for “no trees”, it may come as surprise that this barren brush landscape harbours within it a wealth of stunning attractions, from the stark beauty of the Murrawijinie Caves, with their crystal-clear pools and ancient aboriginal artwork, to the Koonalda Homestead, an eerie car graveyardcum-campsite in the middle of nowhere. Next to rare glimpses of wild camels, dingoes and emus, the Head of Bight offers a stellar perch from which to observe southern right whales calving each winter. * Hertz only allows four-wheel drives to be driven on these routes.
7. PROMOTION 6. 2. 3. 4. 5. 1. Adventurous ➼ Lush forests, rocky cliffs, windswept beaches and barren deserts – a road trip through Australia’s diverse, wildlife-rife landscapes could be the road trip of a lifetime. For competitive rates, world-class service and a diverse and modern fleet – book your next great escape with Hertz. 5 THE PACIFIC COAST Departing from the buzz of the city in Sydney, it’s an impressive odyssey up the sunny Pacific Coast to Queensland’s humming capital, Brisbane. Gourmands will want to make a delicious stopover in Hunter Valley, where you can pick up exquisite cheeses and handmade olive oils, or indulge in seasonal fare at world-class eateries peppered across the region’s rolling green hills. Meanwhile, animal lovers will welcome a sidestep to Port Stephens for a look at its 200-strong colony of bottlenose dolphins, or Port Macquarie for its world-renowned Koala Hospital; the actively inclined shouldn’t pass up a chance to surf the superlative waves at Scotts Head, or to kayak and snorkel at Byron Bay, Australia’s boho-chic backpacker’s hub. 6 7 GIBB RIVER ROAD* The one-time cattle route spans 660 kilometres through the abundant Kimberley countryside. Not far from the diminutive village of Derby, with its boab-treefringed streets and photogenic wharf, crocodile-spotting along Lennard River is the order of the day at Windjana Gorge National Park, whose freshwater pools are perfect for refreshing dips after drawn-out walks through its fossillined gorges. The warm waters of Zebedee Springs offer a similarly rejuvenating swimming opportunity in the shade of towering palm trees and oversized rock formations, while the striking waterfall at Emma Gorge is a postcard-worthy spectacle you won’t soon forget. THE TOP END The siren call of the Top End, at the crest of Northern Territory, is a loud one indeed. Kick off the adventure in the slow-moving town of Darwin, where an abundance of can’t-miss experiences – from cruising the harbour at dusk and crocodilewatching to carefree evenings in the lively suburb of Nightcliff – await. It’s a slower-paced scene at the Unescolisted Kakadu National Park, whose milleniums-old rock art galleries and wildlife-rife wetlands are a major draw. Further inland, Katherine’s traditional bush tucker dishes, hot springs and the formidable Nitmiluk gorge are on the menu, as is riverside angling for barramundi or strolling through a rarified labyrinth of fascinating flora at Jurassic Cycad Park, whose namesake plants are living remnants of the prehistoric era. TO MAKE A BOOKING WITH HERTZ PLEASE CONTACT YOUR PLATINUM TRAVEL SERVICE ON 2277 2233
