North of Townsville, two faces of the wet tropics: Big Crystal Creek, a clear rainforest swimming hole, and Wallaman Falls, Australia’s tallest single-drop waterfall, plunging 269 metres into a misty gorge.

A 2010 camping trip with my dad into the outback: Mungo’s Walls of China, the Birdsville Track cut by a flooded Cooper Creek, the government punt, and Lake Eyre holding water. The trip that started everything.

We drove to Fogg Dam near Darwin expecting a few ducks and found hundreds of birds, three crocodiles, and two tourists we probably saved from becoming breakfast on the closed, croc-lined dam wall.

We broke the curse the only way we could, by cheating and flying. A doorless chopper, sandstone towers older than almost anything on earth, and a walk through a Lost City with no one else in sight.

Travelling Australia with a dog means national parks require planning. Here’s how we responsibly visit parks while travelling full-time with Zoe, from splitting up visits to safe short stays and practical local dog-minding options.

We explored Cobbold Gorge after a rugged drive from Forsayth. Floating along the calm waters and hiking to the glass bridge, we were captivated by the towering cliffs, wildlife, and serene beauty of this Queensland outback gem.

Exploring the Undara Lava Tubes was like stepping into another world…towering underground tunnels carved by ancient lava flows, part history, part geology, and all awe. A side quest well worth the detour.

Lava tubes are formed when flowing lava cools on the surface while molten lava continues beneath, draining away to leave hollow tunnels. The Undara system in Queensland is one of the world’s best preserved examples

Soaked in Mareeba, charmed by Herberton’s historic village, waterfall-hopped around Ravenshoe, and finished with cheesecake and live guitar—our journey through the Tablelands mixed history, nature, and indulgence in perfect balance (with Zoe happily in tow).

Most people drive through Cardwell. We stayed and found a milky-blue swimming hole in the hills, a calm upgraded foreshore, and the quiet gateway to Hinchinbrook Island. Just time your Spa Pool visit for rain.

Camping behind the Pinnacle Family Hotel gave us the perfect base to explore Hatton Finch and Eungella. Great hikes, homemade pies, and sugarcane trains rolling by—this little stop had charm and adventure in spades.

Carnarvon Gorge had been on our bucket list for years, and it didn’t disappoint. Panoramic views, ancient rock art, dramatic cliffs, and lush pockets of green made this one of the most rewarding stops so far.

The Sandstone Caves in the Pilliga Forest offer a quiet, respectful walk to Aboriginal rock shelters. A short track that rewards slowing down and remembering that shared cultural places deserve the same care we give our own.

Baradine is a quiet country town on the edge of the Pilliga Forest. A practical base for slow travel, forest drives, and unhurried exploration, it’s the kind of place that rewards staying longer than planned.

We arrived dusty and travel-worn, but Alice Springs greeted us with warmth, colour and comfort. From quirky cafes to red desert sunsets — don’t believe everything you read about Alice.

We returned to Uluru with fresh eyes, riding out for sunrise, circling the base, and watching rain turn the rock to copper. Quiet, powerful, and unforgettable—the red heart of Australia.

Massive, mysterious and far less crowded than Uluru, Kata Tjuṯa blew us away. We wandered among towering domes, soaked in the silence, and left feeling tiny, dusty, and full of quiet awe.

We hiked the Rim Walk at sunrise, cooled off in the Garden of Eden, and took to the skies for a birthday flight. Kings Canyon is vast, ancient, and one of the Territory’s true wonders.

Often, when travelling together, it’s great to visit places individually so we can each have a different point of view. Neil’s quieter view of Ormiston Gorge. Red walls, soft light, and the sound of wind through the ranges.

Cameron’s take on Ormiston Gorge. A cool desert waterhole framed by red cliffs and silence. A refreshing swim, a perfect view, and a reminder of how still the Outback can be.