Located within Windjana Gorge National Park, these ruins built from local limestone in 1884 are all that is left of the Lillimooloora homestead and police station—the site of the historic clash between the region’s Aboriginal residents and settlers. Today, only the ruined sandstone walls of the police station remain—sitting on a plane with cliffs rising behind them, they seem out of place in the wild surroundings.
On the northeastern coast of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Fraser Island, the largest sand island in the world, Waddy Point offers seclusion away from the crowds along with opportunities for such outdoor pursuits as fishing, surfing, swimming, kayking, and hiking. Offering campgrounds and a hotel, it’s also possible to spend the night.
With more than 300 varieties of palms on display over 42 acres (17 hectares, Townsville’s The Palmetum represents almost every species of palm that exists throughout the world. Visitors can meander along walking paths through the trees and admire the tropical birds that thrive in this lush tropical environment.
Climbing gently from Mount Cook Village past native bush, subalpine grasslands, and scenic viewpoints, the 3.7-mile (6-kilometer) round-trip Kea Point Track is among the most popular day hikes in the area. Reaching the top means vistas that stretch from Mount Sefton to Hooker Valley, the Mueller Glacier moraine wall, as well as the main attraction—the 12,218-foot (3,724-meter) Mount Cook (Aoraki).
Geelong’s 1850s Cunningham Pier has had many uses throughout the years, including as a railway line, a naval depot, an event center, and a dancefloor. Nowadays, it contains cafés, restaurants, and bars, and plays a role in many of Geelong’s large public events. Offering great views across Corio Bay and the foreshore, Cunningham Pier is a must-visit destination in Geelong.
