Australia

Australia is the sixth largest country in the world and one of the most diverse. Home to hundreds of National Parks, tens of thousands of miles of coastline and 14 UNESCO World Heritage wonders, a holiday to Australia promises reef, rainforest, beach and cityscape in equal measure.

Sydney is Australia’s oldest state but the city has become known as the country’s coolest too. The city is renowned for its art and culture, but it is a bustling waterfront that takes centre stage. The Sydney Opera House is a masterpiece of modern architecture and Harbour Bridge is one of the most iconic sights in the world. The beaches and parks that hug the coastline are always buzzing, true testament to Australia’s love of life in the great outdoors.

It’s impossible to talk about Australia without mentioning the beaches. Bondi may be its most famous and an enclave for the body-beautiful, but it is the Whitsunday Islands that take the crown in terms of most amazing. Situated at the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, and appearing at the top of many a bucket list, the 74 individual islands that make up the archipelago are the epitome of paradise. Some are little more than a slither of sand reached only by boat, others such as Airlie Beach serve as the heart of the region, complete with exclusive resorts and reef diving galore.

Surf on the Gold Coast, indulge inland with wine tastings in Barossa Valley and get to know the locals on Kangaroo Island. Be sure to pencil in a visit to Ayers Rock in the Northern Territory too, where the sun illuminates the massive sandstone monolith of Uluru with a blood-red glow.