Discover South Australia
August 17, 2020
We reveal all the hidden gems for your next visit to South Australia.
Read More
With the latest travel alerts recommending Australians reconsider their need for overseas travel, and businesses in many regional towns impacted first by bushfires and then by event cancellations, there’s never been a better time for Aussies to explore our own spectacular (and often-overlooked) backyard.
The great news is you don’t have to spend your hard-earned holidays on the sofa at home watching Netflix. The diverse and stunning natural beauty, adorable native creatures, and unique, colourful and fun towns of our great southern land attract visitors from all over the world - almost ten million last year, in fact! We’re very lucky to have all this at our doorstep.
There’s an equally important reason not to scrap your holiday plans completely, where practical: the bushfire crisis took place during the height of Australia’s tourism season, costing billions of dollars to the economy. Visiting bushfire-affected towns and regions helps rebuild communities that need our support. And with so many gorgeous bushfire-affected places to explore, there’s never been a better time to explore regional Australia and #holidayherethisyear.
So here’s 6 bushfire-affected regional places across the country that are just perfect for your roadtrip itinerary, so you can help regional Australia rebuild and have an amazing time in the process. Get in touch with an ATAS accredited travel agent about your domestic adventure: they’ll have the tools, support and expertise to help you plan the perfect, unforgettable journey to suit your style and budget, and give you some great advice. Have fun exploring!
The gorgeous holiday and fishing town of Mallacoota captured the essence of the bushfire crisis, gaining attention across the world for the apocalyptic photos of its red skies as the bushfires “turned day to night” and thousands of locals and holidaymakers fled to the beach.
But this lovely spot in East Gippsland is already recovering. The bush is quickly regenerating, businesses are open, kids are surfing, and the many attractions of the town and its surrounds are bringing back visitors. A stone’s throw from the NSW border, Mallacoota is surrounded by dense forests, beaches and waterways, making for spectacular views.
Mallacoota is a convenient base for exploring places like Point Hicks Marine National Park, with its incredible diversity and abundance of marine life, and the remote Gabo Island with its unique cultural heritage and wildlife, and stunning landscapes.
Nestled between Mount Buffalo and Alpine National Parks and situted on the Ovens River, Bright is an amazing place to explore, and the way its scenery changes with the seasons makes it well worth coming back again and again. Truly a year-round destination, Bright is widely known as a perfect spot to see the autumn leaves.
With snow season just around the corner, its surrounding peaks will soon be blanketed in snow and buzzing with families enjoying some of Victoria’s best places for skiing, snowboarding and more. During the annual Spring Festival, you can visit mature gardens full of blooming dogwoods, daffodils, irises, roses, annuals and so much more.
Visitors can enjoy river swimming, bike riding, walking trails, camping, boutique shopping, wildlife spotting and horseriding, as well as fly fishing, golf, tennis, croquet, and bowls. Whether you’re planning a family adventure or a romantic escape, Bright has something for everyone.
Located in the picturesque Shoalhaven Region just under three hours south from Sydney and east from Canberra, Jervis Bay is a 102 km² oceanic bay and village said to have the world’s whitest sand. You’ll find coastal, marine and hinterland National Parks nearby with fantastic bushwalking, cycling, camping, Indigenous culture and stunning scenery. Dolphins frolic year-round in the bay, while the humpbacks and southern right whales migrating through these waters from June to November make it a treat for marine afficionados.
From its thriving arts and cultural scene, charming coastal atmosphere and excellent outdoor activities, Jervis Bay is a firm favourite that’s perfect for a weekend getaway; or stay longer and explore everything that Shoalhaven has to offer.
White sandy beach in Huskisson, Jervis Bay. Mark Fitzpatrick; Destination NSW
Another Shoalhaven favourite, Kangaroo Valley is known as one of Australia’s prettiest valleys, with lush wilderness and beautiful river views. The village itself is quaint, lovely and historical, known for its country charm & heritage architecture including its very Instagrammable bridge. It’s a great spot for a relaxing getaway, as well as getting active with kayaking and canoeing down the Kangaroo River.
Only 30 mins drive from Adelaide, the Adelaide Hills will make you feel like you’ve stepped into a fairy tale, with its leafy canopies, adorable animals, quaint towns, farmers markets, wineries and more. The Hills are a great place to sample world-class fare, produce and wine, and the scenery is a feast for the eyes.
Some highlights include the Hahndorf Academy complex (housed in a charming 150 year old building), the Adelaide Hills Farmers Market, Adaminca Alpacas and The Labyrinth.
Kangaroo Island is an exceptional SA treasure, boasting unspoiled rugged coastline, native bushland, abundant wildlife, local wines and stunning beaches. Just under 4 hours from Adelaide, the island has over 500km of coastline to explore, as well as walking trails and water sports galore.
You’ll also find some of Australia’s most delicious produce; the island is a natural microclimate, and famed for its honey, seafood, eggs, olives, wines and spirits. From farm gates to cellar doors, restaurants to food trucks, there’s plenty for the gourmet traveller to enjoy here.
Check out our articles on Australia’s Most Romantic Places, 9 Tourist Places that Even Locals Miss, and Reasons to Holiday in Australia.
Don't miss our information for travellers, for tips and advice on what to do before you depart on your holiday.
Shop 2042 Westfield Marion
297 Diagonal Road
OAKLANDS PARK , SA
Suite 18, Plaza Chambers
3-15 Dennis Road
SPRINGWOOD , QLD
Level 24, 307 Queen Street
BRISBANE , QLD
Shop 31, Westfield Shopping Centre
WEST LAKES , SA
Shop 42A Kingsway City Shopping Centre
168 Wanneroo Road
MADELEY , WA
Level 13/255 Elizabeth St
SYDNEY , NSW
6 Short Street
Southport
SOUTHPORT , QLD
PO Box 7303
Karingal Centre
Frankston-Cranbourne Road
KARINGAL , VIC
82-86 Bourke Road
ALEXANDRIA , NSW
Suite 808, Level 8
343 LIttle Collins Street
Melbourne , VIC
6 Middlemiss Street
LAVENDER BAY , NSW
Shop 7 Range Shopping Centre
11 James St
TOOWOOMBA , QLD
Level 2, 271 Collins Street
MELBOURNE , VIC
24 Bougainville St
Manuka
CANBERRA , ACT
Level 1
50-56 York St
SOUTH MELBOURNE , VIC
P.O.Box 7220
GARDENVALE , VIC
26A Kingsway
GLEN WAVERLEY , VIC
1/61 Salamanca Place
HOBART , TAS
Shop 58, Strathpine Shopping Centre
295 Gympie Road
STRATHPINE , QLD
10B 24-28 Corporation Circuit,
TWEED HEADS SOUTH , NSW
Unit 12 Level 1
647-649 George Street
Sydney , NSW
Level 24, 307 Queen Street
BRISBANE , QLD
60 Kuran Street
CHERMSIDE , QLD
2615/101 Bathurst Street
Sydney , NSW
25 MARARA ST
ALGESTER , QLD
182 Barker Street
CASTLEMAINE , VIC
Waldorf Building
Suite 6, 155 Fitzroy Street
ST KILDA , VIC
Suite 11.11, 401 Docklands Drive
DOCKLANDS , VIC
T301, Level 3
506 Miller Street
CAMMERAY , NSW
29 King William Street
29 King William Street
ADELAIDE , SA
19 Alderley Street
RANGEVILLE , QLD
Level 2, 521 Toorak Road
TOORAK , VIC
616 - 622 Smith Street
CLIFTON HILL , VIC
Online Agent Only
55 William Street
PERTH , WA
Level 4, 80 Market Street
SOUTH MELBOURNE , VIC
Level 21
233 Castlereagh Street
SYDNEY , NSW
Suite 4
66 Commercial Drive
SHAILER PARK , QLD
Shop 2
No 20 Scarborough Street
SOUTHPORT , QLD
358 Rocky Point Road
RAMSGATE , NSW
Centro Colonnades
Beach Road
NOARLUNGA CENTRE , SA
unit 502 1D greenbank street
HURSTVILLE , NSW
Shop 6
2 Burwood Highway
EAST BURWOOD , VIC
Level 19, 197 St Georges Terrace
PERTH , WA
Shop 41a, 341 Mains Rd
(Market Square Shopping Centre)
SUNNYBANK , QLD
Shop 147
Elizabeth Shopping Centre
ELIZABETH , SA
70 Pasadena Street
MONTEREY , NSW
1/25 Little Oxford Street
Collingwood
MELBOURNE , VIC
Shop 2, Garrison Building
26 Clarence Street
PORT MACQUARIE , NSW
Shop 20, Westfield Tea Tree Plaza
976 North East Road
MODBURY , SA
Rivers of Yarrambat Health Center Room 4
28 Kurrak Road
YARRAMBAT , VIC
3/784 Heidelberg-Kinglake Road
HURSTBRIDGE , VIC
Suite 5 West Wing Level 2
Fortune Place
2 Fortune Street
COOMERA , QLD
Level 1, 780 Hunter Street
Newcastle West , NSW
3 Green Ridge
WARRANDYTE SOUTH , VIC
Click on the map to search by state
Looking for tips and advice on what to do before you depart on your holiday?
Read MoreRegister your travel plans with Smartraveller before you depart Australia
READ MOREJoin our newsletter to receive the latest travel tips from our ATAS travel experts.