Be enchanted by the beauty, life and tranquillity of Earth’s oldest surviving tropical rainforests and enjoy a truly sustainable eco holiday experience in Cairns and Great Barrier Reef. Over 79 percent of land in Cairns and Great Barrier Reef is protected including areas in the Daintree and Cape Tribulation rainforests to the north, the tropical Atherton Tablelands to the west, and Mission Beach to the south.

There are many diverse way to experience the rainforest.
Swim, paddle and explore crystal-clear rivers, volcanic lakes, and spectacular waterfalls surrounded by Wet Tropics rainforests on the tropical Atherton Tablelands, a short drive west of Cairns. Or journey a little further south towards Mission Beach and you might come face-to-face with an endangered Southern Cassowary, whose numbers are fewer in the wild than the Giant Panda, but whose existence is vital to over 120 different species of plants and wildlife. Or head north and visit the Daintree and Cape Tribulation, home of the oldest tropical rainforest on earth and the only place on the planet where World Heritage-listed Daintree rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef.

Go wild in Cairns and Great Barrier Reef with may changes to get up close to over 6000 species of wild animals, endangered animals, rainforest animals and birds living around the region.
Wildlife…home to over 3000 species of animals and plants, wildlife spotting is one of the Daintree and Cape Tribulations biggest draw cards.

Bird watching… Daintree and Cape Tribulation is a true bird watching paradise. See Macleay’s Honeyeater, Pied Monarch, Victoria’s Riflebird, Great-billed Herons, Little Kingfishers, Lovely Fairy-wrens, Double-eyed Fig Parrots, the endangered Southern Cassowary and many more!

Ganmain is a small friendly community situated about 55 kilometres north-west of Wagga Wagga and 50 kilometres east of Narrandera. It’s reputed to be situated in one of the richest agricultural and pastoral districts in the Riverina.

Ganmain enjoys the best of both worlds – the friendly, relaxed atmosphere of rural living, with shopping, health, cultural, recreational and education facilities available that are normally found in much larger centres.

The Ganmain Agricultural Show, held annually in August, is the town’s key event of the year. In increasing numbers, visitors from near and far enjoy the relaxed ‘bush’ atmosphere of the show.

And you cannot visit Ganmain without tasting a famous Ganmain Pie!

The manually-operated lifts in the Nicholas Building are an attraction in themselves. Travel to floor after floor of studios, galleries and curiosities with commentary by the delightfully knowledgeable lift operators. Find craftspeople making the finest made-to-measure shoes, couture, hats and jewellery, or uncover collectable buttons, breathtaking kimonos and independent art at Blindside artist-run gallery.

The busy studios within the Nicholas Building are not always open for browsing, but regular Open Studio days offer an opportunity to peek in and see artists at work.

Further along Swanston Street is Curtin House, where taking the stairs is part of the adventure. The rooftop destination is worth the walk, with a bar, DJs, green “grass” and deck chairs, and a summertime program of movies illuminated by Melbourne’s skyscrapers.

Working down from the rooftop is a series of creative studios, a kung fu academy, fashion boutiques, specialty books,collectible vinyl, plus the perennially popular Cookie bar and the more refined Toff in Town.

Take any tram along Swanston Street to reach the Nicholas Building and Curtin House, both of which are just a short walk from Flinders Street Station.

The striking design of Federation Square looms over the Yarra River. More than just a public space, it’s the city’s creative hub, boasting Australian art par excellence at the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, and homages to film and TV at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI). Bars and restaurants pepper the square, where street performers entertain crowds on weekends. The Melbourne Visitor Centre is based at Federation Square.

More art can be found on the other side of the river from Federation Square, at NGV International and the Arts Centre and deeper into the city’s Arts Precinct.

The Southgate strip and Crown Entertainment Complex dominate the river’s south bank, just across from Flinders Street Station. Join the throngs dining al fresco under city lights, enjoying river views from the tantalising array of cafes and restaurants. Crown is home to high-end restaurant by famed chefs, international boutiques, luxury accommodation, hip bars and great views.

Back on the north bank of the Yarra River are the Aboriginal rock carvings in Birrarung Marr, where there is also a playground and children’s art space.

At any time of day or night the Yarra River and its banks are bustling with runners, rowers and cyclists, as well as picnickers and photographers capturing quintessentially Melbourne vistas.

The Arts Precinct takes in the vertiginous spire of the Arts Centre, the city’s home of performing arts including the Australian Ballet, NGV International with its blockbuster exhibitions and outstanding permanent collection, and the Victorian College of the Arts, where the artists of the future train.

Further south lies the astonishing architectural home of the Melbourne Recital Centre and the Melbourne Theatre Company, which acts as an artistic bridge over to the boundary-pushing Malthouse Theatre and Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA), where innovation is relentlessly pursued.

It’s what’s inside that counts, but in Melbourne’s arts precinct the exteriors share centre stage, from the iconic Arts Centre spire to the NGV’s famed waterwall, the honeycomb façade of the recital centre, the glowing tubes adorning the theatre company, and the rusty box that is ACCA.

There is an abundance of bars and restaurants around the arts precinct for dissecting performances and exhibitions. Explore the area on Sundays and take time to snap up a few handmade artworks of your own at the Arts Centre Market, along the footpaths at the eastern end of the riverbank.

To reach the Arts Precinct from the CBD, take any tram along Swanston Street and St Kilda Road to stops at Federation Square, the Arts Centre and NGV International and the Victorian College of the Arts; the free City Circle Tram to the corner of Flinders and Swanston streets; Number 1 (South Melbourne) for Melbourne Theatre Company, Melbourne Recital Centre, ACCA and the Malthouse Theatre. You can also take the free Melbourne City Tourist Shuttle (Stop 1).

One of the state’s best loved parks, The Prom’s 50,000 hectares feature a labyrinth of walking tracks that showcase all manner of magical realms sheltering abundant wildlife.

Whether camping or living it up in contemporary cabins you’ll be surrounded by a visual feast of tranquil rivers, intimate coves, granite mountaintops and lush, forested valleys. Secluded beaches, cool fern gullies and spectacular rock formations are all waiting to be discovered.

Wilsons Promontory is a refuge for an array of native wildlife including kangaroos, emus, wombats, echidnas and vividly plumed birds like rosellas. These gregarious creatures flock to anyone with a palm-full of seed, especially around the visitors area at Tidal River.

The drive from the entrance at Yanakie to Tidal River settlement is scenic and is well-signposted, with car parks, beaches and bushland accessible via side roads. However, the best way to enjoy the spectacular scenery is on one of the many walking trails throughout the peninsula.

Wilsons Promontory is approximately 210 kilometres from Melbourne, or two hours and 40 minutes by car along the M1 and the South Gippsland Highway.

Beautiful Queen Street is lined with nineteenth century architecture. Local banks, shops and hotels feature ornate facades and archways. Take a trip back in time at the heritage-listed Warragul Station and Shire Hall, built in 1893, and now housing the historical society.

Head out along the Old Sale Road to take in the beauty of the surrounding fields and hills. The Two Towns Trail is an easy ride between Drouin and Warragul with views of the Baw Baw Ranges, Mount Worth and the Strzelecki Ranges.

There is a large array of restaurants, wineries and bakeries in the area. Settle in for an evening of boutique local wine and fine cuisine. Lardner Park Market is held monthly – just enough time to eat through an overflowing basket of fresh local produce. March is a time of plenty, with many events being held to celebrate the Gippsland Food and Wine festival

Warragul has an artistic side, with numerous galleries and studios dotted around. From glass blowing to sculpture, live music to craft markets, there’s plenty to spark the imagination.

Warragul is approximately 105 kilometres from Melbourne, or around an hour and 15 minutes by car along the M1 and Princes Freeway.

Venus Bay has a population of around 500, but can surge into the thousands as anglers, surfers and families converge during holiday periods. Just outside the town are the five surf beaches patrolled by surf lifesavers in the summer months. The state’s longest sand spit at Anderson Inlet is where you can find safe, sheltered beaches ideal for swimming.

The coastline from Venus Bay to Cape Liptrap offers visitors the chance to see an old lighthouse and native Australian plants and wildlife. The Point Smythe Nature Trail traverses thick coastal vegetation, while the Tarwin Lower boardwalk follows the Tarwin River – a good spot for fishing. View abundant bird life and mangroves at Bald Hill wetlands, close to Tarwin Lower and heading towards Walkerville.

The Tarwin Lower to Venus Bay Pathway is a scenic and easy cycle between two towns that follows the banks of the Tarwin River on a gently undulating shared pathway.

Venus Bay is approximately 170 kilometres from Melbourne, or around two hours and 10 minutes by car along the M1 and South Gippsland Highway.

The tiny Orbost town centre offers opportunities to recharge over country fare at cafes and bakeries. The striking Orbost Exhibition Centre is the town’s artistic heart, showcasing local timbers through its construction and exhibitions, as well as the handiworks of local artists. Relocated from the upper Snowy River, the historical Slab Hut is an original 1872 pioneer hut that now houses the Orbost Visitor Information Centre.

Take a drive into the Snowy River National Park through tall forests to see the Little River Gorge – Victoria’s deepest gorge – and Little River Falls, a 600-metre high waterfall. Visitors can launch a canoe on the Snowy River or cycle around on a self-guided ride.

The dramatic coastlines, sheltered bays, and endless golden beaches of Cape Conran Coastal Park are accessible from Orbost. The nearby town of Marlo is a popular place for river and estuary fishing, water-based activities and relaxing on the beach. The Snowy River Estuary Walk commences in Marlo and links to the ocean beach opposite Frenches Narrows.

Orbost is around 370 kilometres from Melbourne, or just over four hours by car along the Princes Freeway.

Noojee is named after the aboriginal word for contentment or place to rest, though there are plenty of opportunities to get active around the town. Head into the rainforest to visit the spectacular Tooronga Falls and the Ada Tree, one of the largest surviving trees in Victoria.

A Noojee landmark, the historic timber trestle bridge is one of only a few of its kind remaining in Victoria. Walk or cycle alongside tall forest on the old railway line for a chance to cross over the bridge.

All that exercise and fresh air builds an appetite for the country-style fare and exquisite homemade cakes found in Noojee’s eateries. Catch fish for your dinner at the Alpine Trout Farm, or let someone else prepare a delicious lunch accompanied by fine wines at Piedmont Vineyard.

The Mount Baw Baw snowfields are accessible from Noojee, offering excellent skiing in winter and scenic alpine adventures during the rest of the year.

Noojee is around 130 kilometres from Melbourne, or an hour-and-a-half by car along the Princes Freeway (M1) and the Main Neerim Road (C426).