silverguide.site –

For nature enthusiasts keen to experience some of the more unique and unexpected treasures of Australia, there’s plenty to discover. Think: hiking though the hazy, Unesco-listed eucalyptus forests of the Blue Mountains. Watching pelicans bob along a bubblegum-hued lake. And seeing koalas in the wild, of course.

It sounds ambitious, but when it comes to exploring Australia, ambition is worth leaning into. And a carefully curated bucket list can make for an unforgettable trip.

The best way to experience the rich and expansive variety of Australian wildlife? A coast-to-coast adventure with Qantas, the Spirit of Australia. Organise your entire trip as one multi-city booking with Qantas Explorer to unlock discounted domestic fares across Economy and Business cabins, making it easier to jet between Perth, Adelaide and Sydney. A journey anchored by unique wildlife, diverse landscapes and iconic coastlines awaits.

Dolphin swims and pink lagoons in Perth and Western Australia

Board your direct Qantas flight at London Heathrow and land on the western side of Australia in Perth, where you’ll find a plethora of experiences to kickstart your expedition. The vast and sprawling Kings Park is home to the spectacular Western Australian Botanic Garden, which showcases more than 3,000 species of the state’s native flora. Rich in cultural heritage, Perth also served as a ceremonial meeting place for the First Nations Whadjuk Noongar community for more than 40,000 years.

Take the short ferry ride to Rottnest Island (Wadjemup), a serene, car-free, protected nature reserve known for its beautiful beaches and scenic cycling trails. There you can bike, swim, snorkel and wildlife watch to your heart’s content. One of its most popular inhabitants is the quokka: a charming marsupial native to the island. Without any natural predators, they’re unfazed by human presence and will often happily be in close enough proximity for you to see their beaming smiles – you’ll soon see why quokkas are known as the world’s happiest animals.

Next, book an excursion with Perth Wildlife Encounters to spend time out on the water with some endlessly intriguing aquatic animals. Whether you’re looking to snorkel with dolphins, kayak with sea lions or simply soak up the scenery while penguins pad along the shore, experiences come with a 20% discount for anyone with Qantas Passenger Perks.

Farther north, approximately a five-hour drive away, lies an extraordinary natural phenomenon: the Hutt lagoon. Located at Port Gregory, along the Coral Coast Highway, high salinity levels give the water a spectrum of candy-coloured hues including bubblegum pink, dreamy lilac and occasionally red. It’s also home to various migratory waterbirds, including plovers, shelducks and pelicans, whose blush-toned beaks match the colour of the water. Alternatively, take a trip down the coast to the Margaret River region, not only known for its world-class wineries but where you can swim with wild bottlenose dolphins, too. It’s an enchanting experience to watch them come frolicking towards you, spinning and doing loops as they play.

Kangaroo Island, Seal Bay and Adelaide’s natural surrounds

At less than three hours, the Qantas flight from Perth to Adelaide puts you in a great position to set off on the next phase of your Aussie adventure: Kangaroo Island. Located eight miles off the coast of South Australia, this incredible nature destination is renowned for kangaroos, koalas and endangered sea lions. Not to mention the Remarkable Rocks, a set of 500m-year-old, orange lichen-covered granite boulders sculpted by wind, rain and sea spray.

At Seal Bay you can explore the sea lion colony – watch the mothers rest, pups play, and males squabble as if you were starring in your own nature documentary. The Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary offers a great chance of seeing koalas in the wild, but for something a little more hands-on, at the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park staff can help you hold a koala or feed the kangaroos yourself.

Though Adelaide is known for its proximity to beaches, hills and vineyards, there are also a couple of dedicated nature reserves, including Cleland Wildlife Park in the Adelaide Hills, which is home to koalas, kangaroos, wallabies and more. Elsewhere, Morialta Conservation Park features some beautiful waterfalls and a range of scenic bushwalks.

A stroll through the Adelaide Botanic Garden is a worthy pitstop, and be sure to visit the Victorian Palm House to immerse yourself in a dazzling array of flora while you’re there. If birdwatching is more your pace, head to Belair National Park where you can see anything from laughing kookaburras to rainbow lorikeets.

Beaches, Blue Mountains and Sydney’s stunning harbour

Then it’s time to head east. You can’t fly to Sydney without ticking off the main sights; take your visit to Sydney Harbour Bridge several steps further and use your Qantas Passenger Perks to do the BridgeClimb experience with a 15% discount; the view is truly worth it. Bondi beach is, of course, one of Australia’s must-visit destinations, but Sydney is home to more than 100 other beautiful stretches of sand – from the surf beaches of its grand Pacific coastline, to the more gentle coves and bays facing the harbour. Heading inland, make sure to decamp to the Blue Mountains. Located about 90 minutes’ drive west of Sydney, this striking region is so-named thanks to the distinctive blue haze that shrouds the landscape, created by the dense eucalyptus forests which release their oil into the atmosphere.

Once there, make for the Three Sisters – one of the area’s most famous landmarks, a distinctive sandstone rock formation located at Echo Point in Katoomba. Wentworth Falls offers spectacular waterfalls and thrilling cliff-edge views, while the glass-bottomed Scenic Skyway is one for those undaunted by heights. If you’re after something gentler but no less spectacular, try the Scenic Railway – the world’s steepest passenger railway.

As for picturesque hiking trails you’re spoiled for choice – from the Grand Canyon Track, a lush, rainforest-style experience through narrow sandstone canyons, to the Prince Henry Cliff Walk, which links Echo Point to Leura and gives you breathtaking views of Jamison Valley. These unforgettable sights will live vividly in your memory long after your return flight home.

Book now at qantas.com or your preferred travel agent.