Australia: the land down under is well known for its poisonous snakes, bird-eating spiders, boxing Kangaroos and enormous salt water crocodiles, but also for its sun-drenched beaches, pristine mountains, breathtaking landscapes and bronzed surf life-savers.

If the wildlife doesn’t scare you away its beauty and uniqueness will certainly make up for it, offering something special for everyone.  There’s no place on earth quite like it!

Check out our top seven ways to spend this Australian summer exploring its seven states!

Queensland: The Great Barrier Reef

Crystal clear, warm turquoise waters are the backdrop to a hyper-coloured spectrum of exotic fish and corals. The tropical fish flash in and out of rock formations while starfish rest amongst the rocks. It’s all just a short boat ride away from the comfortable shores off the coast of Queensland. This is the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s biggest coral reef system.

Spanning 2,600 kilometres, the Great Barrier Reef encompasses 900 islands. It is a World Heritage listed site and one of CNN’s Seven Wonders of the World. Thirty species of whales, six species of turtles, salt water crocodiles, 215 species of birds, sea horses, sea snakes and over 1,500 species of fish live or migrate to and from the Great Barrier Reef. Oh, and did we mention the 400 species of corals?

Check out Great-Barrier-Reef.com for the ultimate GBF travel guide and booking portals. Day trips are available from Cairns and Cape Tribulation or there is always the option of a longer stay on a chartered sailboat.

We personally recommend Reef Magic offering a comfy ride to the reef, a floating platform out there with all the amenities including a seafood buffet lunch.  And, one friendly fish (Maori Wrass) named Wally who loves a good pat. One of the best days sure to never forget!

Victoria: The Great Ocean Road

The Great Ocean Road is a playground of crashing blue waves, rugged cliff faces, rolling green hills and forests full of hikes to scenic waterfalls. Don’t miss the town of Torquay (home of ExplorerGirls.com) and the famous Bells Beach Surfing Recreation Reserve at the very start of the road. It's home to the WQT Rip Curl Pro every Easter and where the surf brand Rip Curl was born. Surfworld Museum is also a big attraction in Torquay hosting Australia's surfing hall of fame and other great surfing memorabilia.

Whether you want to surf, sea kayak, hike, abseil, or learn how to fly, the Great Ocean Road has a lot to offer! The Otway Fly takes you on a bushwalk with a difference: hovering above tree-tops like a bird or if your really in the mood to fly check out the Sky Diving Association to soar over the mountainous cliffs and beaches of the Great Ocean Road.

Helicopter rides also offer a birds-eye view of the shipwreck coast and most famous rock formations of the Great Ocean Road, the Twelve Apostles.  About 3 hours drive from Torquay, but not to be missed, especially at sunset with the orange glow accenting the rocks.

Northern Territory: Uluru

The blazing red rock of Uluru is an overwhelming sight set against an azure backdrop of blue sky in an ancient national park. Uluru (also known as Ayres Rock) is a sand-stone rock formation that was originally part of a chain of mountains.

It is sacred to the Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara Aboriginal people of the region. Uluru carries thousands of years of Australia’s history, featuring cave drawings, springs, rock caves and waterholes. As well as being a World Heritage Listed area, Uluru is now a major tourist attraction.

The Anangu people, who are the traditional land-owners of Uluru, take walks around the area to show tourists bush tucker, peculiar flora and fauna and Aboriginal dream-time stories. It is possible to climb Uluru using the paths and rope guides, but Anungu people do not offer climbs, as Uluru has spiritual significance and traditionally should only be climbed by ancestral Mala men.

Walking around the circumference of Uluru is 9.4 kilometres, so allow about 3-4 hours in doing so. It is an amazing experience offering so many angles from every point of the rock.  A guided tour is highly recommended.

For an overview of self-guided walks around Uluru check out the Anangu website, where you can also download a Visitor’s Guide giving a history of the area. Adventure Tours offers 2-3 day small group camping trips from Alice Springs taking you to other near by hot spots including Kings Canyon and the Olgas (Kata Tjuta).

New South Wales: Bondi Beach

The sand is white, the waves are blue and the bodies are bronzed! Sydney’s Bondi beach is home to some of Australia’s most beautiful people soaking up the sun. It’s perfect place to sit back and people watch recovering from a long surf session out in Bondi’s waves. And once you’re all rested you can party the night away at one of Bondi’s many bars, pubs and clubs.

‘Learn to surf’ offers lessons for first-timers to advanced, from children to corporations and even for parties. These guys and gals know their stuff, with a team of roughly 40 instructors and customer service peeps ready and raring to introduce you to the Bondi lifestyle!

Check out Bondi Rescue for a sneak peek of the waves, the surf life-savers (yes, you will want to fake a drowning!) and the general Bondi scene.

Tasmania: Cradle Mountain

Hikers have long been coming to Cradle Mountain to experience the alpine wilderness and work up a sweat over climbing the mountain. Australia’s island state is home to some of the most untouched land in the country, and Cradle Mountain is a perfect example. Its dolerite columns rise out of the forest like snow-capped granite matchsticks, while the glacially-formed Dove Lake reflects a cool, calm stillness into the atmosphere.

Don’t let the name deceive you: Cradle Mountain is not a cushy, casual walk. Rising to 1,545 metres above sea level, this trek is no mean feat! It is a difficult 6.5 hour walk, and many people stay overnight.

Cradle Mountain.com offers accommodation and details.

South Australia: Kangaroo Island

Kangaroo Island is a haven of pristine wilderness, exotic wildlife and some of the best regional produce in the country. Kangaroo Island recently won National Geographic Traveller Magazine’s ‘Best Island in the Asia Pacific region’ and Vogue Traveller Magazine and Audi Produce Awards ‘Best Regional Food Destination’. But aside from a foodies’ paradise, Kangaroo Island has loads to offer the most extreme adventure girl!

Try surfing the island’s uncrowded Pennington or Stokes Bay breaks, go diving to uncover one of the 50 ship-wrecks that line the coast, or sail through the clear blue water, isolated coves viewing pristine scenery. Wildlife lovers will LOVE spotting Koalas, Kangaroos, Penguins, Fur Seals, Sea Lions, Wallabies, Goannas, Echidnas and Possums. If you’re looking to see Australia’s indigenous creatures in their natural habitat this is one great place to find them.

Whatever your passion, indulge at Kangaroo Island!

Tom’s Tours offers group tours leaving from Adelaide weekly. You can join a group or book your own.

Western Australia: Monkey Mia

Nope, there are no monkeys, but there are lots of Dolphins! Swim with dolphins in two foot of water on Monkey Mia beach. With stunning blue skies, crystal-clear water and year-round sunshine, Monkey Mia is one of the most reliable dolphin-meeting places in the world. As well as swimming with dolphins, you can take a camel ride, go 4WDing, sailing, swimming and snorkelling.

Monkey Mia Resort offer holiday packages to cater for all tastes and budgets including resort, lodge and camping accommodation. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

Read About It:

Well known American travel writer Bill Bryson, wrote a funny and poignant account of his travels across the wide sun-burned land. Check out Down Under on Amazon.com for a great read to learn more about the country before you travel or take along the journey.

The book gives great insight to many of the quirky things about Australia as well as a more in depth view of the land and all its uniqueness.

Watch It:

Australia, the newest feature film to hit the big screen from director Baz Luhrmann (since Moulin Rouge, 2001) will arrive in theatres across the world this November and December.

Starring fellow Aussies Nicole Kidman and Hue Jackman, the scene is set against many of Australia’s most beautiful landscapes while telling a love story amidst a bit of history from World War II. Visit here to find international release dates.

www.ExplorerGirls.com / Gemma Considine, Courtney Crow