The Getaway Expert: 10 amazing Aussie places you've - probably - never heard of
Disclaimer: Some people may know one place on the list. One person may know some places on the list, but no one will know all places on the list.
If you do, I'll send you my log in and you can take over from next week.
Noosa Everglades, QLD
You've probably seen the Florida Everglades in movies or documentaries with airboats zipping along the river with those giant fans on the back.
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There are no crocs or alligators to be found in the Noosa Everglades. Visit Noosa
Well, there's only one other everglade system in the world and it's only 20-minutes drive from Noosa's main drag Hastings Street.
This is a magical place. Forty percent of Australia's bird species are found here and unlike the Florida version there are no crocs or alligators so swimming is safe and encouraged.
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Kilsby Sinkhole, SA
Scuba diving in a sheep paddock. I'm not kidding. This one of the most bizarre places on the list.
The privately-owned farm run by the Kilsby family, about 15 minutes from Mt Gambier near the SA/VIC border, contains a 65-metre deep sinkhole. You can snorkel, free drive, scuba, or take a land tour. An extraordinary find in the most unlikely of places.
Kilsby Sinkhole in South Australia is one of the most bizarre places on the list. Kilsby Sinkhole
Under the surface is a 65-metre deep sinkhole. Kilsby Sinkhole
Esperance Sand Dunes, WA
These towering, dazzling white sand dunes are about 15-minutes drive from the popular tourist town of Esperance at Wylie Bay on the southeast coast of WA.
This is a stunning find. Although you can drive a regular car to the start of the bay you need a 4WD or join a 4WD tour to get the best out of it.
Once you've had some fun driving over the dunes you can have a crack at driving up Wylie Bay Rock. It's basically like driving up a sand dune made of solid stone but it's only recommended for very experienced 4WD enthusiasts. You'll see why when you get there.
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These dazzling white sand dunes are about 15-minutes drive from the popular tourist town of Esperance. Tourism Western Australia
Easeys, VIC
Easey's promotes itself as burgers in a train, on a roof and that's exactly what it is.
Three vintage suburban railway carriages perched on a rooftop five stories above the streets of Collingwood. It is literally on Easey Street. It makes quite a sight when you stand out the front and look up. Burgers and cocktails in a very quirky atmosphere.
The views are more urban than scenic but I've included this because not all hidden gems should be hours from a capital city.
Wendy Whitely's Secret Garden, NSW
Same goes with this one. Ten-minutes walk from the northern end of the Harbour Bridge at Lavender Bay. The garden has been a labour of love for Wendy Whitely who still lives in the house she shared here with artist husband Brett Whitely.
After Whitely's death in 1992 Wendy took on the challenge of cleaning up what had become a dumping ground on the public land in front of her home.
It's now the most charming oasis where I often ate my lunch when I worked in North Sydney. Enjoy walks, tiered gardens, sculptures, and picnic tables.
Wendy Whiteley's Secret Garden is where I often ate my lunch when I worked in North Sydney. Wendy's Secret Garden
Warburton Redwood Forest, VIC
You may not know there are a few California Redwood forests in Australia. Probably the best example of them is the forest just outside Warburton, in the Yarra Ranges about 90-minutes east of Melbourne.
Although these are only youngsters compared to the 2000-year-old giants in California they still make quite a sight. The best walk follows Cement Creek until it meets the Yarra River.
The Redwood Forest in Victoria might be young but is still a sight. Getty
Mungo National Park, NSW
If you've never been to the moon or are unlikely to go this is your next best option.
The "Walls of China" on the edge of Lake Mungo are an otherworldly sight - more moonscape than landscape.
Lake Mungo is one of 17 dry lakes in the World Heritage Willandra Lakes Region in far western NSW about six hours drive from Adelaide or 11 hours from Sydney. This is really something to see.
Lost City, NT
Litchfield National Park is a popular spot on the NT tourist trail. Watering holes and walks only 90 minutes from Darwin. However, something most visitors don't do is visit the "Lost City" about 10 kilometres down a dirt track off Litchfield Park Road.
Here you'll find sandstone rock formations that look like decaying skyscrapers in an abandoned city. It's an eerie experience. Free entry. No booking required.
The "Lost City" about 10 kilometres down a dirt track off Litchfield Park Road. Tripadvisor
Resolute Beach, NSW
There are lots of beaches in Sydney. Most of them very well known and well and truly not secrets. Resolute Beach is an exception and exceptional. Accessible only by foot or sea.
It's right at the end of West Head, opposite Palm Beach, on Sydney's northern beaches.
A two-kilometre (moderately difficult) walking track from the car park will get you here or you can access by boat to enjoy a picnic area and pristine swimming spot. This is a real find.
Resolute Beach is accessible only by foot or sea. Sydney.com
Mt Augustus, WA
Hang on to your hats and be prepared to wow your friends. The biggest rock in Australia is not Uluru. Not even close. Mt Augustus is taller, wider, older and just plain bigger. It's claimed to be around twice the size of Uluru making it the biggest rock in the world.
Trouble is it's so far from anything. A 1000-kilometre or two-day day drive from Perth. Once you get there there's one tourist park and a tavern and not much else.
There's not even any water at Mt Augustus itself. Unlike Uluru, climbing is not discouraged but the Summit Trail is a strenuous 12.5 kilometres and only for serious hikers. You might want to just drive around it - the whole 49 kilometres. That's one big boulder.
John Walsh was Executive Producer of the TV travel series Getaway from 1999-2024. You can follow John on Instagram @thegetawayexpert.
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