With a distinctively diverse terrain ranging from mountain slopes lined with eucalyptus to the austere Outback teeming with kangaroos, thereâ??s nowhere else on earth like Australia. Go heli-fishing on the Kimberley Coast, learn about the rare Ligurian bees on Kangaroo Island and trek in Tasmaniaâ??s pristine Cradle Mountain National Park. No matter where you venture, unique experiences are hidden within the folds of unspoiled terrain. This preservation of purity can also be witnessed in the countryâ??s farm-to-table dining â?? a global trend that began in Australia â?? further exemplifying its natural bounty.

Tasmania: An Island of Indulgence Tasmania is Australiaâ??s southernmost island state, boasting wilderness, mountains and waterways that host unforgettable opportunities for exploration and reveal luxurious eco-resorts. One such resort, Saffire Freycinet, is located on Freycinet Peninsula, just minutes from the iconic Wineglass Bay. Stay in one of the four Private Pavilions, soaking in the Hazards Range scenery from your own plunge pool. Enjoy superb, contemporary cuisine by Chef Hugh Whitehouse or join him on a quest to seek out local mushrooms. To get a close look at the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, head to Cradle Mountain, rising 5,068 feet amid moorlands and glacial lakes, for a stay at Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge. Enjoy breathtaking views from the luxurious King Billy Suite as you sip port and sample local cheeses by the double-sided wood fireplace. It was the glow of flames from Aboriginal fires that led explorer Captain Tobias Furneaux to his discovery of Bay of Fires in 1773. Explore soft sandy beaches and coves, then kayak the Ansons River before returning to the award-winning Bay of Fires Lodge, featuring a brand new eco-spa. Or, immerse yourself with a Tasmanian Seafood Seduction cruise around Bruny Island on a custom-built 12-person boat, helping your guide gather oysters, mussels, sea urchin, crayfish and abalone, which he will use to prepare an unforgettable gourmet meal.

South Australia: Sanctuaries of Sophistication The varied region of South Australia boasts some of the driest land in the country, with desert caves, arid mountain ranges with dramatic gorges, fertile agricultural fields and spectacular ocean coastlines. Embrace the natural bounty of everything from wine and honey to lavender and marrons â?? Australian crayfish â?? produced here. Then, pair these foods with impeccable wine during a visit to the Barossa Valley, a region that dates back to the 1840s. Enjoy views of sun-drenched vineyards as you choose from visiting over 60 wineries producing some of the worldâ??s best Shiraz and Rieslings. A must for the gourmand nature lover is scenic Kangaroo Island. The dense forest, imposing cliffs, windswept sand dunes and grassy wetlands serve as a utopian sanctuary for a dynamic range of wildlife. Set off with a naturalist to learn all about the sea lions, koalas, birdlife and, of course, kangaroos roaming freely here. Southern Ocean Lodge serves as the ideal base, boasting 21 luxurious suites cantilevered on a cliffside and encased in contemporary glass. With Kangaroo Island producing some of Australiaâ??s most gourmet foods, the culinary adventures are just as prolific as the wildlife. Set out on the Farm Gate & Cellar Door trail, a self-guided tour through the areaâ??s most noted producers, with farms for everything from pure Ligurian honey to 80 varieties of lavender.

Victoria: Delicious Paths to Nature Home to Australiaâ??s second largest city of Melbourne, diverse and compact Victoria makes it easy to mix up a few days of cosmopolitan cityscape â?? chic shopping, fine restaurants and vibrant nightlife â?? with amazing natural escapes within easy reach. Just an hourâ??s drive from the city is gorgeous Mornington Peninsula, where white sandy beaches lie adjacent to verdant vineyards. Or, head inland to the spectacular Yarra Valleyâ??s rolling hills, strung with rows of grapevines, towering trees and pristine rivers. Donâ??t miss Yering Station, the origin of Victorian winegrowing, where you can sample wines in the heritage-listed cellar built in 1859 followed by dinner in the modern Robert Conti-designed winery. Head to the nearby world-renowned Healesville Sanctuary to see Australian wildlife in their natural habitat. Or, make the short pilgrimage to the Penguin Parade at Phillip Island Nature Park and observe the little Penguins as they emerge from the sea and waddle across the beach to their sand dune burrows. Great Ocean Road leads you to more natural splendor. Considered one of the worldâ??s most scenic drives, this 151-mile stretch along Apollo Bay takes you past the magnificent 12 Apostles and weaves through beautiful parks, deserted beaches and breathtaking coastline. Set out on the Otway Harvest Trail to sample local craft beer or sip famed Pinot Noir and other cool climate varietals in the Henty wine region.

Western Australia: The Refined Wild West With its immense dimensions, small population, variety of waters and ancient landscapes, Western Australia provides an exciting frontier for discovery. A stellar example of pure and pristine environs is the untouched Kimberley Coast, stretching for 8,000 miles and fringed by more than 2,500 islands. Blue skies stretch above red earth, Aboriginal rock paintings await discovery near cascading waterfalls and sandy beaches fringe the Kimberleyâ??s winding Berkeley River. Perched atop a sand dune at the mouth of the Berkeley is the luxurious 20-room Berkeley River Lodge, reachable only by boat or seaplane. From here, chase an impressive array of species, from queenfish to threadfin salmon to mulloway. The star attraction, however, is flying by helicopter to fish Barramundi next to jaw-dropping 350-million-year-old gorges, spectacular waterfalls, wildlife and ancient rock art by one of the worldâ??s oldest Aboriginal cultures. Donâ??t miss feasting on a picnic lunch prepared by the lodgeâ??s renowned chef beside secluded palm-fringed waterholes or, in the evening, enjoying the guided star-gazing over cocktails on the beach before dinner. (Photo credit, Berkeley River Lodge.)

Ningaloo Reef serves as another spectacular coastal playground. Only steps from white sandy beaches, Ningaloo Reef is an ideal spot for snorkeling amongst manta rays, giant sea turtles, dugongs and the worldâ??s largest fish, the friendly whale shark. Then, just stroll from Ningaloo Reef and retreat to the barefoot luxury at Sal Salis beachside safari camp nestled in the dunes of the Cape Range National Park and featuring nine exclusive platform wilderness tents, refined dining resplendent under a million stars and endless excursions designed to unearth the beauty of the wild west.