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).

This stunning natural landmark feels like a hidden sanctuary, where the arid landscape meets the cool refuge of a dry creek bed nestled between towering cliffs.

Territory Wildlife Park at Berry Springs offers a relaxed way to explore Top End wildlife. We wandered open trails, watched birds in free flight, and learned how wetlands, forests, and savannahs shape life in the Northern Territory.

The Darwin Botanic Gardens gave us a quiet break from the city. Rainforest paths, tropical plants, a shady waterfall area and easy walking. A simple, relaxing morning in one of the NT’s best green spaces.

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.

After weeks in the dry, dusty outback, arriving at Bitter Springs and Mataranka felt like stepping into paradise. We decided to spend a full week here, giving ourselves the time to relax, recharge, and soak in the natural beauty of the region.

Coffin Bay is a slow, coastal stop built around seafood, still water, and calm days. We stayed at the campground, wandered the foreshore, tackled the oysters (well, Neil did), and explored the town at an easy pace.

Spear Creek gave us rugged trails, ancient rock formations and wide, empty skies on the edge of the Southern Flinders. Sunrise walks, quiet evenings and raw outback beauty made this remote station stay one to remember.

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.

Castlemaine sits at the centre of Victoria’s quieter goldfields. We explored Maldon, Chewton and Malmsbury, wandered historic diggings, found forgotten machinery and spent time under the Malmsbury Viaduct. A grounded, slow-travel look at the region’s gold rush past.