Australia

Australia, the sixth-largest country in the world, has just about everything. Well-maintained roads, affordable car-hire, and regular caravan/camper van sites, give visitors the choice of mountains, desserts, forests, or beaches with water sports, and lively, multicultural cities that boast beautiful parks. There's plenty of culture on offer, too. Seek out art galleries, concert halls and local events. Take in some Aboriginal art, and delve into the ancient world of the indigenous population, or discover more recent history from colonial times onwards.

Things to do and see in Australia

Venture into the outback to the Red Centre, or Kimberley in Western Australia, and trek through rainforests and the Blue Mountains on Queensland's Gold Coast. Take a tour by boat or helicopter along the 2,000 km of coral on the Great Barrier Reef, or explore it by diving and snorkelling. Cosmopolitan Melbourne matches its Gold Rush period architecture with street art, museums, music venues, and a China Town that was established by Chinese miners in the heady days of the 1850s. Wander through the fine Royal Botanic Gardens, or the extensive Queen Victoria Market. Sample Perth's eclectic cafés, bars and shops, or investigate maritime history at nearby Fremantle Bay. Drive further out of the city to Western Australia's oldest wine district at Swan Valley, or experience democracy at work in the Parliament Building of the capital, Canberra. Take a road trip, such as the Pacific Coast Touring Route through New South Wales.

Travelling in Australia with a car rental

Reserve transport through a car rental broker such as Rent.it, for collection at Sydney Airport. Drive over the famous bridge to marvel at the iconic Opera House, but save time for Bondi Beach. Then head for the Central Coast, and indulge in a spot of bushwalking in Bouddai National Park. Sample the wines of the Hunter Valley, and sleep it off in the historic town of Wollombi. Revive with coffee and stunning views at the Nelson Head Lighthouse, and then kayak or cruise among bottle-necked dolphins in the bay. Detour inland to the World Heritage Site of Barrington Tops, with its extinct volcanic peaks and sub-tropical rainforest. Rest at the attractive resort of Coffs Harbour, before boarding a heritage steam train from Grafton to the Glenreagh mountains. Spend the night in iconic Byron Bay, and watch migrating whales between May and November, before reaching the lush Gold Coast. Relax on the sands of Surfers' Paradise, if you don't fancy braving those giants waves, before finishing your journey at sophisticated Brisbane.