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The classic Royal National Park spot is probably Wattamolla Beach, where a boardwalk leads past a waterfall to a small lagoon and an outrageously pretty stretch of sand. The sand on Jervis Bay's sheltered beach is delightfully white, but it's the setting, surrounded by national parks, that makes it feel truly impressive. See parks.vic.gov.au Lakes Entrance has the crashing waves and rolling dunes of 90 Mile Beach to fall back on, but most visitors are going to be content with the seafood restaurants and boating around the inland waterways. The 10 best stops: Driving Sydney to Melbourne on the inland route See also: Australia's 10 best shortcut flights that save hellishly long drives

Fleet Helicopters runs scenic flights from Armidale airport that take in the rumpled landscape and show off gorges that would otherwise require painstaking hikes to get to. Sydney Seaplanes offers joy flights from Rose Bay, which take in both Sydney Harbour and the dramatic coastal cliffs on the way down to Bondi Beach. Kings Canyon is one of many spread across the rumpled George Gill Range, and flying above Watarrka National Park gives the grand overview, as the mountains rise from the plains. That's what's on offer in the Hunter Valley, as an hour long hot air balloon ride floats above the peaceful vineyards and not-so-peaceful bounding kangaroos below.

For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser. There's 35 per cent saving on pre-pandemic prices mid-week, and 25 per cent off at weekends on stays at Sydney's glamorous 5-star Shangri-La Hotel, in the historic Rocks, with dress circle views of the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. An autumn package from the new price of $350 a night includes a room with a view, a $100 food and beverage credit per night for the hotel's Altitude restaurant, Blu Bar on 36, or in-room dining, free Wi-Fi, and early 11am check-in and late 2pm check-out weekdays.

Others had tried, but it was Western Australian hospitality giants, The Prendiville Group that finally triumphed in opening a luxury resort overlooking the turquoise waters and bobbing boats at Rottnest Island/Wadjemup. With this much anticipation, and the fact international travel is on hold, Samphire Rottnest has been the fully booked out overseas destination for cashed up Perthites since opening late last year. There's a large protected internal terrace sheltered from wind and sand, and in the centre are two pools shaped to emulate the island's salt lakes. When not lounging poolside, guests can expect to sip cocktails overlooking Thomson Bay, with the sand between their toes at the Beach Club or retreat to one of the 80 breezy rooms, the best being the Beachfront Signature Suites with a freestanding bath, a private courtyard with rainshower, and front-row views of the Indian Ocean.