Just offshore from Warrnambool, guardian dogs quietly protect a colony of little penguins. The Middle Island Maremma Project is a thoughtful conservation success, best understood from the mainland, where learning matters more than access.

With just one day in Adelaide, we crammed in all our favourites! Art, museums, botanic gardens and a market dash. North Terrace delivered its usual magic, reminding us why this city always feels good to return to.

Adelaide’s best days are the slow ones. Museums, galleries, gardens and the Central Market make up our top five things to do in the city — an easy, walkable loop we return to every time.

We spent three days in Cloncurry, exploring its history, murals, aviation heritage, and dam. From the first Qantas hangar to the birthplace of the RFDS, this outback town surprised us with stories and charm.

Croydon, Normanton, and Karumba gave us history, character, and Gulf Coast charm. From welcoming the Gulflander to cold drinks at the Purple Pub and sunsets in Karumba, this stretch of the Savannah Way was unforgettable.

Cooktown charmed us with laid-back days, sunset cruises, museums, and even a cheeky paddle for Zoe. We wrapped it all up at the iconic Lions Den Hotel—live music, hearty meals, and full hearts.

We broke up the drive north with stops at coastal Cardwell, rainy Tully with its Golden Gumboot, and the atmospheric Paronella Park. Each stop offered its own charm before we pushed on towards Cairns.

Back in Rockhampton after two years, we camped at peaceful Kershaw Gardens, revisited favourite spots by the river, soaked up local art, stocked up on fresh produce, and enjoyed a slice of city life before heading north.

Barcaldine blends rich history with small-town charm. We stayed at a peaceful local park, visited the famous Tree of Knowledge, admired the mighty Comet windmill, and soaked up the stories that shaped this resilient outback town.

The Darwin Aviation Museum gave us a steady half-day indoors. A B-52 bomber, military aircraft, WWII history and curious stories from NT aviation. A cool, informative break just minutes from the city.

The Darwin Oil Storage Tunnels offered a calm step into the city’s wartime past. Cool underground chambers, simple displays and a quiet look at how Darwin prepared for air raids during WWII.

The NT Legislative Assembly gave us a calm, informative look at Territory politics: modern architecture, guided tours and stories like the 1996 Remonstrance. A thoughtful Darwin stop for anyone interested in how the Top End governs itself.

Adelaide River blends wartime history, weekly markets, and Top End quiet. We wandered the War Cemetery, chatted with locals at the dry-season market, and found a town that carries both stillness and life with ease.

Pine Creek gave us good pub food, a shed packed with classic cars, and a quick look at the old Enterprise Pit. A small Top End town with plenty of character, worth slowing down for.

Daly Waters blends quirky outback fun with deep NT history. From the iconic pub to Stuart’s Tree and the WWII airfield, it’s a stop packed with character. A classic place to slow down on the Stuart Highway.

Longreach delivered two bucket-list stops: the Qantas Founders Museum and the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame. From jumbo jets to saddle shows, this outback hub captures the spirit of Australia from every angle.

We spent a slow morning at the Great Stupa near Bendigo, wandering reflective gardens, exploring inside the stupa, and enjoying lunch at the café. A calm, thoughtful stop that left us feeling lighter and at ease.

We spent a few days in Bendigo visiting family and exploring its gold rush past. Going underground at Central Deborah Gold Mine revealed a larger, more industrial story than nearby gold towns, echoed above ground in Bendigo’s grand architecture.

Canberra gave us politics, culture, frozen motorhome pipes, and a proper taste of ACT crispness. From Old Parliament House to Lake Burley Griffin, it was one of the most surprising stops of our shakedown trip.