Sure, Noosa was the only place in which the MyPOWER cyclists had their support Prius broken into on their big lap around Australia (they’re still sore about a missing guitar and some polaroids), but the town remains a perfect holiday escape. Fascinating exhibitions of the past, present and future of mining, a historic precinct and the opportunity for a bit of gold panning also make this museum a must. You should be fluent in a specific language and you should have guts enough to interact with people in a better way. Constructed between 1882 and 1891, with hundreds of men employed and many lives lost, this working monument runs up the side of the mountain and through the ancient rainforest. Some say it’s an iron ore, others believe it’s lichen. The Ross Bakery has been operating for more than a century and offers visitors a taste of that wonderful Tasmanian speciality: the scallop pie. // 1159km west of Sydney, 422km northeast of Adelaide. sunsets simply don’t get any better.” – MyPOWER Team. Where? It’s a nature and gourmet lover’s paradise. And that Italian heritage, with its passion for food, lives on today. From the tranquil bays of Great Keppel Island to the stunning Great Barrier Reef, tour Queensland’s tropical islands with Cosmos. // On the NSW mid-north coast, about 455km north of Sydney (5hrs 45mins drive). // Considered the “Birthplace of Qld”, the little town was named after the year in which Captain Cook first stepped ashore in the Endeavour. Where? // Tasmania has the highest per capita level of boat ownership of any state in Australia. However, this number takes into account both the new radio personality and the long-time jocks. Once a seat of fine learning, with students from all over Australia sent here to study, the gorgeous old stone Hahndorf Academy is now an impressive regional centre for the arts. With rolling hills, Georgian-style buildings and cobblestone streets, Richmond, in southern Tasmania, looks like a quaint English village from the 1800s. No cigarette butts and leftover picnics will be found on these beautiful sandy shores. Exmouth is also on the doorstep of the Cape Range National Park, which is full of rocky limestone ranges, deep canyons, lagoons and unspoiled beaches perfect for exploring. Established as Broughton Creek in 1825, the town took on the name of pioneer Alexander Berry in 1889. A few blackened trees and just a few buildings remained. Access, however, is restricted to Aboriginal and educational groups. It has a number of excellent restaurants (AT’s pick is Harrisons), bars and nightlife for the young at heart, as well as activities for the kids. The scenic town, population just 190, lies on the riverbanks and has a rich and fascinating history. But kids, both of the outer and inner variety, tend to love Leura the most. One in a long line of unaffected and modest towns along the Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay has everything, plus a few extras. // In far northern NSW, around 60km shy of the Qld border, 760km (9.5hrs) northwest of Sydney and roughly the same time and distance southwest of Brisbane. In the heart of South Australia’s Clare Valley wine region, rolling hills, twisted green vines, dusty ground and all, the pretty town of Clare looks as though it was plucked straight from the Tuscan countryside. Mildura has its own brewery. He highlighted that the chasers’ reputation is on the line: “The chasers are genuinely miffed if they don’t win.” FIND OUT: Where was Beat the … All rights reserved. Where? For seniors, it’s one with retirement homes and assisted living communities just like chelseaseniorliving.com/locations/new-york/plainview/. Aboriginal communities, desert-hardened white Australians, lesbian communities (this is Australia’s lesbian capital after all), a large US contingent (employed at nearby Pine Gap) and migrants from all over – many of whom run great restaurants – are worth seeking out. Denmark, where the forest meets the sea in southwest WA, is quietly establishing a quality wine region to challenge Margaret River. Which is right about the time arch white-collar criminal Christopher Skase stumbled upon it and decided to build a world-class resort. Did you know? // The native Gymea Lily flowers twice a year, coinciding with whale migration to the area. Interiors burst with delectable smells and tastes; delicacies like cheeses, chutneys, sauces, cured meats and wines overwhelm. There’s a Butterfly Sanctuary, Koala Gardens, Bat World sanctuary and even a Venom Zoo, just to name a few. “Natural beauty frames this picture-perfect Australian town,” says AT Reader Kim Hutchinson. “It’s impossible to take a bad photograph in Broome; the amazing colours, the scenery and the magical light simply won’t allow it. One David Hamilton declared to bar owner John Wallace that he’d shout a round if he was able to name the town after his hometown in Scotland. Deep in the WA desert, gold rich Kalgoorlie mixes harsh beauty with the spectacle of nightmares endured and dreams realised. // It’s thought that the name Mollymook is a variation on “mollymawk”, the slang name sailors use for a type of albatross (from the Dutch mallemugge, meaning “foolish gull”). Resident Chef James Viles welcomes three of Australia’s finest chefs for an exciting culinary collaboration, surrounded by the wild beauty of nature in the Greater Blue Mountains. Carved out of solid rock by convicts between 1826-1836, the Great Northern Road can still be travelled on today and has a distinctive 19th Century feel to it. Where? Book with confidence – FREE* date changes! That would keep the research experts happy. The Fort shot its last gun in WWII and now houses an outstanding war memorabilia collection. Parts of the legendary Bibbulmun Track pass through, and there’s the wonder of The Valley of the Giants, with its Tree-Top Walk 40m above the forest floor, through a canopy of 400-year-old trees. Mt Tamborine is usually known for its Devonshire teas and doilies, however it’s also blossoming as a gastronomic destination. And the cultural mishmash in town means only one thing: great food. Stay seaside on the beautiful Central Coast of New South Wales, Play on immaculate 18 hole par 72 championship golf course ranked in Top 100 Resort Courses in Australia, Explore the beautiful surrounds including beaches, national park and hinterland, Unwind on the deck of your own private rustic cottage and take in the stunning views, Ideal location to hideaway or use as a base to explore the surrounding area, Explore Maitland Gaol on a self guided tour, where the kids can meet Snitch the Rat, Eco-friendly 1.5L and 750ml stand up pouches with a tap, Locally grown fresh-pressed fruit, premium alcohol brands, and locally roasted cold brew coffee. // Despite the religious-sounding name, the original Mission Beach was not sanctified in any way but more akin to a penal settlement. // In 2007, a wedding was held on the foundation steps of the old town Catholic Church. There’s a laidback vibe in the air that can only be attributed to the beach lifestyle and the many artists, musicians and creative types that flock here. Where? // 253kms (3hrs) west of Melbourne. The gateway to the Otways and Great Ocean Road hinterland is a destination in its own right, as Lorne offers a pace of life set by fishing, swimming and bushwalking. Streaky Bay’s big role in Eyre Peninsula’s Seafood & Aquaculture Trail that runs from Whyalla to Ceduna is providing fresh oysters. Lameroo coming up. Fourteen years on, would I want to live anywhere else? Beguiling Byron. The spelling mistake was never corrected and in 1839 the Colonel began selling large tracts of land, 28,000 acres of which were sold to early settler George Fife Angas – which became known as Angaston. Did you know? // The Qantas Founders Outback Museum houses Australia’s first jet passenger aircraft and the ticket from the airline’s first paying passenger, the then 84 year-old Alexander Kennedy. // The official census says Lightning Ridge has a population of 3000. // Explorer Matthew Flinders was up to his old naming tricks again here. Includes daily breakfast for 2 guests. Where? . Fans flock to the popular fishing town for three days to hear international and local acts play with the backdrop of classic architecture and striking scenery. Where? The Centenary of Federation Pavillion near the wharf details the history and geography of the area and features a brilliant 28m2 mosaic tile floor depicting facets of life in the district, as well as the creation stories of the Kimberley. Once isolated and with harsh conditions, Derby is a small town that originally served the local pastoralists who settled in the area. Save up to $600* on selected NT guided holidays with AAT Kings. Dorrigo itself is the gateway to the parks, the beach and, of course, the rainforest. If Heritage is booked, there’s a variety of other offerings, from camping to luxury serviced villas. 0 comments. Spooky. The English actress, 47, shared several videos to Instagram over the Easter long weekend of herself with a kangaroo, wallaby and sugar glider // Echuca – an Aboriginal word meaning meeting of the waters (symbolising the junction of the Murray, Goulburn and Campaspe) – was nominated in 1891 as a potential capital for Australia. Enjoy 4 nights for the price of 3 at any Kiama Coast Holiday Parks, located just steps from the ocean. It won’t fit on any pendant or ring; chiming in at upwards of two tons, it’s protected from would-be robbers by its weight alone. Did you know? A don’t forget the local sheep station and guesthouse with beautiful heritage-listed buildings that once held the District Council Chambers. These four corners of Ross are just a small portion of the many 19th Century buildings scattered around town. Parachilna would be a blink-and-miss-it town, were it not for the iconic Prairie Hotel offering up some unusual pub grub. In town, fabulous examples of colonial architecture abound, many of which – at least 25 and counting – are historic, rambling old hotels in which colourful locals and refreshing cold bevvies will give you a golden smile. He’d been despathed from Sydney to find a new Eden, but from his vantage point atop a craggy promontory, now Pilot Head, he blithely dismissed the shoaling, turbulent estuary as dangerous and unworthy of further examination, before sailing away. It’s also the home of the annual Portsea Swim Classic, run by the local SLSC, a 1.2km slog that attracts 2000 hopefuls each year and is one of the largest open-water swims in the country. Is there a version of your toolkit for Mac/Linux yet? And the beauty of Byron is that there’s so much to do after a long day lounging on the beach. Did you know? Importantly, all of these jobs are paid between $77,241 (226.1%) and $80,532 (235.7%) more than the average Radio Host salary of $34,160. While they can be up to 18m long, they come with their own scuba diver bodyguards for their protection, not yours. Often referred to as the crossroads of the north, and lying on the banks of the Katherine River encircled by stunning natural wonders, Katherine also has numerous thermal pools and relaxing picnic areas to make the most of its iconic outback surrounds. Did you know? // There’s a monument in Exmouth looking over the ocean that commemorates Operation Potshot, during which US Submarines used the area as a refuelling base from 1942, until the base was destroyed in 1945 by a cyclone. Plus the seas are swarming with salmon. Where? A ceremonial meeting place overshadowed by Mt Yengo, it played a central role in the Dreamtime creation story. Winter brings snow lovers, who use Bright as a base for neighbouring Mt Buffalo, Falls Creek or Hotham. Howard Stern. Its cemetery, a must-see for any Australian, holds many of those killed during the WWII bombing of Darwin, and the old railway bridge and station – which is now a museum – is also worth a visit. A break in the tranquil coastal village of Bundeena is full of amazing experiences from waterfalls and walks to markets and an art trail – do as little or as much as you like…. Interspersed among these rusted hulks are working mines, surreal underground art galleries (do not miss the fabulous works inside the Chambers of the Black Hand, right), houses made from beer cans, houses made from beer bottles, a partially built observatory and even an enormous Tuscan compound. // The Fremantle Markets were first held in 1897 in a Victorian building now classified by the National Trust. South Augusta is also the southernmost tip of WA, called Cape Leeuwin, and is the point at which the Indian meets the Southern – and the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse stands to mark the spot. If the Adelaide Hills is fairytale country, Hahndorf is its fabled gingerbread cottage. // On the shores of Jervis Bay, 185km (2hrs 15mins) southeast of Sydney. // The fictional “Mission Island” in Australia the Movie is actually Bathurst Island, and Nguiu was the first place in Australia to experience a foreign invasion when it was bombed in February 1942, moments before Darwin was attacked. The imposing stone monolith of Cook’s Pillar (left) marks the spot on the banks of the river where the Endeavour limped ashore to affect repairs in 1770. Many people will … Drive straight through the Kimberley in WA’s rugged northwest, all the way from Wyndham along the legendary Gibb River Road, and the first town you’ll come to is Derby. Every day visitors share the jetty space with the birds while locals carry out the feeding and an informal info session. Where? I took the phone to Samsung and they said it needed a new mainboard and this would set me back $200.00 Australian. While Tumut, in the foothills of the NSW Snowy Mountains, is the same whichever way it’s spelled, its seasons are vastly different: summer brings cool, clean and fast-moving waters perfect for trout fishing; green Kosciuszko National Park melts into the autumn colours Tumut is famous for; winter brings skiing enthusiasts as the Snowys are covered in a blanket of snow; and wildflowers jump into life on the edges of the Tumut River as spring emerges. The area is an assault on the senses, with a purity and clarity that isn’t replicated anywhere else in Australia. // 140km (2hrs 10mins) south of Cairns. // It takes a 45min trek to reach Walhalla’s cricket ground, on a plateau overlooking town. A lot of trees are still there, and within a short space of time, once the buildings are redone, Marysville is going to look much the same as it has in the past. The pick of the wineries is debatable, however for pure aesthetic and cellar door experience, the Oatley family-run Craigmoor and the incredibly picturesque and contemporary Logan Wines are AT’s choice. Where? The average salary of a radio disc jockey or talk show host is about $40,000 per year. The town retires early, sleeps soundly and wakes early with the kids. A cool escape from the hot and frenetic Gold Coast, Tamborine Mountain is a set of three towns, Mt Tamborine, North Tamborine and Eagle Heights. Where? The halt of progression in this unique town offers a chance to time travel to a perfectly preserved heritage village. Did you know? Mildura was founded in 1886 by the Chaffey brothers, pioneering Californian irrigators. For the first timer, the town itself can be underwhelming and, within an hour of arriving, many wonder what the fuss is about. // 236km (3hrs) north of Melbourne. Its celebrated thermal springs make it an oasis in the middle of the desert. Any town that’s home to both The National Holden Motor Museum and The Great Aussie Beer Shed has to make our Top 100. “Standing knee deep in the Indian Ocean, surrounded by metre-long fish, turtles and coral, watching the sun dip below the window sill of the Earth . // Eumundi is one of two owns in Queensland to have fig trees planted as “Memorial Trees” by the Women’s Patriotic Committee after WWI. Experience a romantic rendezvous for two, featuring a little bit of luxury and a whole lot of love, with the Midnight Hotel Australian Love Stories Package. // Derby is home to the 14.7m-wide Boab Prison Tree, believed to be about 1500 years old. Where? Bendigo Hat Shop has a range of swinging accessories to top off your Mary Quant look, including hats, scarves and gloves. Bright is a home away from home for outdoor types of both the normal and extreme variety. Where? Source: New Zealand Broadcasting School, 2021. Hosts of last year’s Tony Awards, Alan Cumming and Kristin Chenoweth, revealed how much they bagged for the gig. It’s going to be a beautiful little town.”   AT would like to thank all the readers who sent in their heartfelt messages of support for the town and its residents. One of the few places in the world where you can watch the sun rise in one ocean and disappear into another, without having to travel an inch. Snorkel, dive and experience the Great Barrier Reef departing Port Douglas with Calypso Reef Cruises. Save $200 per couple* on your Tassie Winter Warmer getaway! But it’s not. It’s a place where everybody is accepted and welcomed,” says local AT Reader Sue Tucker. There are many historic walks going past buildings and museums that tell of life in Albany in the 1800s. In the 19th Century, Pokolbin once had the grand idea of being the major hub of the wine valley. // The HMAS Deloraine was named after the Tasmanian town and was part of a joint attack credited with sinking the first enemy sub in Australian waters during WWII. Experience a getaway loaded with luxury, featuring exceptional food and premium inner-city accommodation, with the Midnight Hotel Drink and Dine Package. But it’s the Bright Autumn Festival (April 25 to May 6) that attracts the most visitors. Package is for up to four people and includes one night accommodation in a self-contained Savannah Cabin. Did you know? “Galloped onto the tourist map on the back of Melbourne cup winner Makybe Diva, and thank God for the victory. I might yet.”, And from Perth-based Fleur Bainger, who more than any other on AT’s panel can be considered an expert local: “A weekend in Margaret River never seems long enough. Close by is the NT’s original settled residence, the historic 1879 Springvale Homestead, and panellist Fleur Bainger also suggests a visit to the nearby community of Beswick for its “fantastic Aboriginal art gallery, the Ghunmarn Culture Centre, which sometimes has local artists on the verandah who are happy to talk. And if you still want more, don’t miss Australia’s friendliest towns and the best under-the-radar towns to visit this year. News Analysts In 2019, radio and television news analysts received a mean $53,410 per year. Each year in September, people stream from all over for the famous Birdsville Races, where horses (and once, thanks to equine flu, wheelie bins) are raced around a clay track, dust exploding all around in an outback version of the Melbourne Cup. Keeping up with these changes is time-consuming, as essential media coverage is scattered across numerous web sites at any given moment. A short boat trip away – or for the less adventurous an even shorter flight – Gabo is home to one of the oldest and tallest pink granite lighthouses in Australia (built from the island’s own rock), as well as colonies of seabirds and Little Penguins. For free and without any advertising. // Around 275km (4.5hrs) south of Perth along the coast. // Convict William Buckley (thought to be the origin of the phrase “Buckley’s chance”) escaped from the Sullivan Bay penal colony near Portsea in 1803. Silverton peaked as a town in 1885 when the discovery of silver lit the beacon for speculators and miners to follow; once the bigger deposits around Broken Hill were discovered, the population ebbed thataway. // 1140km (15hrs) west of Sydney, 530km (6hrs 45mins) northeast of Adelaide. AT likes the incredibly good yet overlooked Rajarani’s, where the traditional Tandoor ovens have been installed via India, as well as the very child-friendly Elton’s Brasserie and the “must do” Roth’s wine bar. // 29km (30min) northwest of Cairns. A replica of the brig now stands in the Princess Royal Harbour to acknowledge the town as being one of the oldest in WA. Where? Stars of the weekend will include The Austins, Company Of Two, Craig Giles (pictured), Heartland, Graeme Hugo, Kerran Keats, Kinta, Grant Luhrs, Jamie Nielson, John.