Australia Beach Houses & Holiday Accommodation

Probably one of the oddest delicacies to foreigners, the Vegemite is a salty brown paste made of vegetables, yeast and spices. Spread a bit of the smelly paste on a buttered toast and top it with avocado, melted cheese and tomato for a true Aussie experience!

Meat pies can be eaten on-the-go or as a full meal. This is one of locals' favourite specialities for midnight snack and after-party. The pies are usually stuffed with mushrooms, onions, cheese, gravy and meat. The Australian national emblem is a coat of arm surrounded by a kangaroo and emu, two animals that Australians are fond of and usually eat barbecued accompanied with a few stubbies (small beers).

What about dessert? New Zealand and Australia are both claiming the origins of the traditional meringue cake, the Pavlova, named after Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova. The treat is topped with fruits and whipped cream. Despite its peculiar food, Australia is known as one of the main wine producers of the New World. The country is the fifth largest global wine exporter and home to over 100 different varieties of delicious wines.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Sydney Opera House and its distinctive shell shape are a prominent symbol of the country. Several operas, theatre plays, concerts and exhibitions are being held here throughout the year. The building is also home to a recording studio and various dining outlets. Visit the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne which exhibits more than 70,000 artefacts. The gallery is eclectic and includes history collections with traditional Aboriginal works as well as contemporary art exhibitions.

The Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) in Brisbane is an institution for contemporary art lovers. The museum is home to more than 17,000 modern and contemporary works and aims to spread Asian Pacific modern art worldwide. Do you want to learn more about biodiversity and the Aboriginal culture? Head to the South Australian Museum in Adelaide and its vibrant calendar of temporary exhibitions.

You'll have plenty of options for great accommodation in Australia. A beach house in a coastal town makes for a holiday to remember, with great views and charming settings. One top region to consider is the Gold Coast, with numerous theme parks like Movie World, Dreamworld, and Sea World that the whole family will enjoy. The beaches along the Gold Coast are perfect for swimming, or explore the surrounding rainforests for a change of scenery.

Self-catering accommodation is a great option for families, with plenty of space and features like a kitchen for meals and entertaining. Another great destination option is a cottage in Alice Springs. You'll explore the best of the outback, including the majestic Uluru sandstone rock and various cultural and artistic experiences centred on Indigenous Australian culture.

Australia is home to 550 national parks and 19 World Heritage sites. This is a beautiful and mostly untouched country to explore. Discover the Tasmanian World Heritage Wilderness, home to the famous Tasmanian Devil, but also beautiful rainforest, waterfalls and mountains. This protected national park is a stunning way to learn more about biodiversity and geology.

For an authentic Aussie experience, explore Australia’s Red Centre, a vast desert with very bright red sand. The area is home to some of the most sacred Aboriginal sites such as Uluru and Kata Tjuṯa, two iconic rock formations that change colour throughout the day. Due to the lack of light pollution, this is an ideal place for stargazing.

More than its lands, Australia is also known for its unique underwater scenes, including the Great Barrier Reef. The 2,300 kilometre reef is the largest coral system in the world. The vivid colours and rich marine life of this fragile eco-system is an unforgettable snorkelling or diving experience.

Experience stunning Uluru come to life with 50,000 solar-powered frosted lights illuminate the darkness. Bruce Munro’s Field of Light art project (also known as the “looking at lots of beautiful lights” installation) was assembled in 2016 and is an experience not to be missed. Keeping in a similar vein, Canberra showcases its giant art scene every Autumn as the whole city gets dressed in colourful lightings. This light festival is accompanied by street performances, delicious food pop-ups, installations and various activities through the city.

Foodies will absolutely adore the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival. This 25 days-long festival is a celebration of gastronomic and vinous goodness. Make sure to go for the World’s Longest Lunch and share your love for food! Continue your foodie journey at the Noosa Food & Wine festival in the paradisical Queensland Sunshine Coast. The festival features various live music, food events, brewery tours and more.

The choices for exploring Australia are endless. Travel along the iconic Great Ocean Road in Victoria. This coastal road trip delivers incredible views of the sea at every turn. Take your time to admire famed landmarks like the 12 Apostles and London Bridge rock formations.

Sydney is Australia's largest city, with plenty of attractions to suit everyone. Climb to the top of the Harbour Bridge to experience one of the city's best views of the city, attend a show at the Sydney Opera House, or spend a relaxing day sunbathing on the famous Bondi Beach.

The Great Barrier Reef, off the Queensland coast, is the world's largest coral reef, attracting thousands of visitors each year. This reef is a bucket list destination for most scuba divers, and is home to a vast array of sea life. Visit some of the islands along the reef for a day of leisure on the sand, or go beneath the waves in a glass-bottomed submarine.