<P>The Atherton Tablelands in far North Queensland are unique for being Australia’s only true tropical highland. Just over an hour’s drive from Cairns you find World Heritage listed rainforests, national parks, mountains, rivers, lakes and waterfalls and some of Australia's richest agricultural lands, cattle country and charming small townships. <P>There is also a diversity of exotic flora and fauna including tree kangaroos, wallabies, possums and gliders and the Tablelands are one of the best places in Australia to see the reclusive platypus from the vantage point of a cool riverbank.</P>

<P> Located on the northernmost tip of Australia, Cape York Peninsula in Tropical North Queensland is a wild and sparsely populated wilderness area that is only accessible during the dry months from April to December. <P> This is a vast area of unexplored wilderness, magnificent national parks, sacred Aboriginal sites, unexplored rainforest, rugged mountains and swampy marshlands. <P> If you love bushwalking, four-wheel driving, wildlife, fishing, birdwatching or camping then Cape York is the place for you.</P>

<P>The top end of Australia offers a huge array of wildlife, colourful outback characters and landscapes for outdoor adventure. <P>See pre-historic art, cruise past crocodiles, fish for barramundi and see vast flocks of migratory birds in the wetlands of World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park. <P>You can lose and find yourself in the Northern Territory, a place rich in Aboriginal history and rugged, natural beauty.</P>

<P>Hidden in the heart of the Kimberley region are spectacular gorges and thundering waterfalls and on its coast lie golden beaches, untouched coral atolls and rugged islands with an amazing variety of marine life. <P>Take a cruise up the mighty Ord River home to an incredibly diverse eco system, including freshwater crocodiles and hundreds of species of migratory and native birds scenic flight over the towering orange-and-black striped rocks of the Bungle Bungle Range in World Heritage-listed Purnululu National Park. <P>Or on the north-west corner of the Australian continent, discover a place so remote, so far away from anywhere, they named it Faraway Bay.</P>

<P> South Australia’s Lake Eyre which is usually a dazzling white saltpan became an inland oasis this year following the arrival of flood waters from Queensland. <P> While the lake has only filled three times to capacity in the past 150 years, it partially fills on average every eight years, turning the lake into a birdwatchers’ paradise. <P> When Lake Eyre does fill, it becomes the biggest lake in Australia, our "inland sea" teeming with wildlife and the spectacle is breathtaking. </P>

Discover Australia’s destinations, starting with icons such as the Red Centre, Kakadu National Park and the Great Barrier Reef. These natural treasures cover a breathtaking diversity of landscapes, from the mountainous Australian Alps to Fraser Islands sand dunes, rainforest and lakes. <P>Just as distinct are Australia’s cities, where our laidback lifestyle and cosmopolitan culture meet. From beach-fringed Sydney to elegant Adelaide, you’ll find a melting pot of cultures and a medley of theatre, restaurants, nightlife and events. Come, stay and celebrate, then spring into the rest of your Australian holiday. <P>Australia has so much for you to explore, whether you want nature, wildlife, outback adventure, islands, rainforest or reef. <P></P>

<strong>Indulge your tastebuds</strong><p> Food, wine and lifestyle are the articulation of Australian culture, the way we live, work and play.<p> Our chefs and winemakers have learnt from the best, then bent the rules for a food and wine style all of their own.<p>Watch the food and wine travel feature to get a taste of the culinary experiences on offer.</p>

<strong>Take the plunge</strong><p> Whoever said “Life’s a beach” must have been referring to Australia. We gravitate to the coast any chance we get. It’s part of our love of the great outdoors and our laid back lifestyle. <p> We spend a large part of our time on or near the beach, whether its surfing, walking, picnics, sailing, eating or just sitting on the sand. <p>Watch the coastal lifestyle travel feature to get a glimpse of the unique experiences to be had on Australia’s coastline.</p>