De Down Onder back-up

22 Apr 2028 – 22 Apr 2030 · by korlaar

Destinations

Melbourne, Australia

=== PHASE 1: THE LOOP (May-Oct 2026) === Arrive Australia. Quick stop - save deep exploration for Phase 2. Dim Sims! Visit Eastwood contact. Rico says: "Could easily spend a week, explore beyond CBD." TRAIN: XPT to Sydney (daily, ~11hrs, book sleeper: 13 22 32). ANTHONY TIPS: Queen Victoria Market night market (every Wed in summer, @thenightmarket on Instagram). Formula 1 and AFL season events. Melbourne Cup long weekend. Anthony says cafe culture is amazing, do a nice civilised brunch. MOBILE: Get TELSTRA for coverage - best network for remote areas. Consider STARLINK for northern Australia where it's very isolated. WEATHER: May = late autumn, 10-17C. Cool but fine for settling in and meeting client. TRAINS TO BOOK (priority order): 1. Spirit of QLD RailBed (Brisbane→Cairns) — queenslandrailtravel.com.au or 1300 131 722 2. XPT Sleeper (Melbourne→Sydney) — phone only 13 22 32, single ~$220 3. XPT Sleeper (Sydney→Casino overnight) — phone 13 22 32 4. Spirit of Outback Sleeper (Rockhampton→Longreach) — Tue/Sat only 5. Westlander 1st Class (Brisbane→Charleville) — Tue/Thu only 6. Inlander 1st Class (Townsville→Mt Isa) — Wed/Sat only 7. Mike Ball minke whale liveaboard (Cairns, Jun-Jul) — mikeball.com 8. Kuranda Scenic Railway — ksr.com.au Preference: Private sleeper > Shared with bed > Daytime train
Wagga Wagga City Council, Australia

TRAIN STOP on XPT. Regional NSW town.
Sydney, Australia

Quick Phase 1 visit - save deep exploration for Phase 2 NYE! Bondi-Coogee walk. Visit family (farm, beach house). Meet Ramzi. Rico says: "Could easily spend a week, explore beyond CBD."
Casino, Australia

TRAIN STOP on Sydney-Brisbane XPT. Northern Rivers region.
Byron Bay, Australia

Cape Byron Lighthouse walk, the Pass surf break, Tallow Beach, Main Beach sunrise. Lighthouse Rd headland hike with whale-watching potential even in June. Walks to Wategos Beach.
Gold Coast, Australia

Surfers Paradise beach, Burleigh Heads National Park walk, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. Q1 Skypoint if the weather is clear.
Brisbane, Australia

TRAIN HUB. Buy QLD Explorer Pass ($299/$389, 1 month unlimited)! South Bank, GOMA. Rico found Brisbane "a bit lame" - don't over-allocate nights. Use as transit hub for QLD trains.
Cooroy, Australia
Noosa Shire, Australia
Hervey Bay, Australia
Bundaberg, Australia
Longreach, Australia
Bundaberg, Australia
Proserpine, Australia
Whitsunday Islands National Park, Australia

TRAIN: Spirit of QLD, alight Proserpine. Whitehaven Beach. Hill Inlet. Sailing trips. DRY SEASON! Rico says MUST DO - one of his highlights.
Proserpine, Australia
Townsville, Australia

SCUBA: SS Yongala wreck - #1 wreck dive! Jun peak vis. TRAIN: Inlander to Mt Isa (2x/week). OUTBOUND leg of Loop 3.
Cairns, Australia

SCUBA: GBR peak season! DWARF MINKE WHALES: Mike Ball or Spirit of Freedom liveaboard to Ribbon Reefs, Jun-Jul ONLY, book months ahead! SAVANNAHLANDER railway: heritage rail Cairns hinterland→Forsayth, 4 days. GULFLANDER: Normanton→Croydon, pairs with Savannahlander. Consider before buying car. BUY CAR HERE. WEATHER: Jun = peak dry season, 18-26C, low humidity. Perfect conditions.
Kuranda, Australia

Scenic Railway (daily, 2hrs). Skyrail Cableway return. Village markets. Rico says MUST DO - one of his highlights.
Port Douglas, Australia

SCUBA: Agincourt Reef. DAINTREE RAINFOREST day trip - oldest rainforest on Earth! Cape Tribulation where reef meets rainforest. Rico says explore beyond tourist areas. Great remote work.
Atherton, Australia

Atherton Tablelands. Waterfalls circuit (Millaa Millaa, Zillie, Ellinjaa). Curtain Fig Tree. Platypus viewing at Yungaburra.
Cairns, Australia
Undara, Australia

Undara Lava Tubes. Break up drive west. Atherton Tablelands.
Georgetown, Australia

Savannah Way stop. Gold mining history. GULFLANDER railway: Normanton→Croydon, historic rail. Could pair with SAVANNAHLANDER from Cairns for full Gulf rail experience.
Normanton, Australia

Gulflander railway (historic rail to Croydon). Giant croc statue (Krys). Gateway to Gulf of Carpentaria. Purple Mangoes.
Burketown, Australia

Morning Glory cloud phenomenon (Sep-Nov). Remote Gulf country. Albert River barramundi fishing. Escott Station.
Borroloola, Australia

Remote outback fishing town. McArthur River barramundi. Caranbirini Conservation Reserve (sandstone pillars). Very remote - fuel up!
Mataranka, Australia

Mataranka thermal hot springs (Rainbow & Bitter Springs, 34°C crystal clear). Elsey National Park. 'We of the Never Never' country.
Katherine, Australia

Nitmiluk Gorge - 13 gorges by boat/canoe. Hot Springs. Edith Falls. DRY SEASON perfect.
Litchfield National Park, Australia

Magnetic Termite Mounds. Florence Falls, Wangi Falls swimming.
Darwin, Australia

Mindil Beach Market (Thu & Sun). Day trip Kakadu NP. LITCHFIELD NP - swimming holes, waterfalls, less crowded than Kakadu, great day/overnight trip. WWII sites. DRY SEASON peak. WEATHER: Jul = dry season, 19-31C, no rain. Best time to visit Top End.
Kakadu National Park, Australia
Timber Creek, Australia

Gregory National Park. Victoria River gorge. Remote Top End. Fuel stop between Darwin and Kununurra.
Kununurra, Australia

Gateway to East Kimberley. Lake Argyle. Ord River cruise.
Gibb River Road, Australia

Gibb River Road highlights. El Questro. Manning Gorge. 4WD essential. NO INTERNET.
Halls Creek, Australia

Wolfe Creek Crater (meteorite impact crater, 2nd largest). China Wall natural quartz formation. Gateway to Bungle Bungles from south.
Fitzroy Crossing, Australia

1-night stop; Geikie boat tours closed since 2023 flood, walking trail still open. Windjana + Tunnel Creek day trips happen on the preceding Halls Creek leg.
Derby, Australia

Boab Prison Tree (1500yr old). Windjana Gorge & Tunnel Creek day trips. King Sound tides (11m range). Gateway to Gibb River Road.
Broome, Australia

Cable Beach camel rides. Staircase to the Moon. Pearl luggers. Dinosaur footprints! GIBB RIVER ROAD notes: epic but needs 4WD - check if car is capable before committing. Anthony says good, but northern WA in winter is packed - "you'll be battling half of Australia". WEATHER: Jul = dry season peak, 14-30C. Popular time - book ahead!
Eighty Mile Beach, Australia

Birdwatching paradise (migratory shorebirds). Shell-covered beach stretching 220km. Caravan park campground. Stunning sunsets.
Port Hedland, Australia

World's largest iron ore export port. Watch massive ships load at night (lit up). Staircase to the Moon (full moon Mar-Oct). Pretty Pool.
Karratha, Australia
Karijini National Park, Australia

Gorges: Hancock, Weano, Joffre, Knox. Eco Retreat. NO INTERNET.
Exmouth, Australia

SCUBA: Ningaloo Reef! NAVY PIER - one of Australia's best shore dives, NEED PERMIT (book ahead). Whale sharks end Jul 31. Humpback swims Aug-Oct! Mantas peak Aug-Sep. Cape Range NP - Turquoise Bay. Anthony recommends for diving/snorkeling. WEATHER: Late Jul/Aug = dry, 12-25C. Whale sharks end Jul 31 - arrive before!
Coral Bay, Australia

Ningaloo snorkeling off beach. Manta rays! SCUBA available.
Carnarvon, Australia

Space & Tech Museum. Fruit plantations. Break up drive.
Monkey Mia, Australia

Wild dolphins every morning! Stromatolites. Shell Beach. Shark Bay World Heritage.
Kalbarri, Australia

Kalbarri NP - Nature's Window, Z-Bend. Coastal cliffs. Wildflowers starting!
Geraldton, Australia

Coastal city. HMAS Sydney II Memorial. Supplies stop.
Cervantes, Australia

Nambung NP - The Pinnacles. Lobster Shack.
Perth, Australia

WORK CATCH-UP WEEK. Kings Park wildflowers. Fremantle. Rottnest (quokkas!). Car maintenance. Spring!
Sydney, Australia

MOM VISITING: Mother visits Australia, arrives Cairns Oct 9, Sydney Nov 1-3 (own hotel), Nov 3-16 staying with Susan. These dates LOCKED. Family reunion expected. Visit farm + beach house. She departs Nov 16. Possible activities together: Bondi to Coogee walk, family farm visit, beach house, Manly ferry, anything coastal that needs warm weather (peak spring temperatures 22-25°C) (Previous note: NYE in Sydney! Rico says: "Could easily spend a week, explore beyond CBD." Family revisit (farm, beach house). Deep exploration. Summer 22-28C.)
Perth, Australia
Bunbury, Australia
Margaret River, Australia

Wine region! Cabernet capital. Caves. SPRING much better than winter. Anthony recommends. WEATHER: Aug/Sep = late winter, 8-17C. Rainy but wildflowers starting. Spring (Sep+) much better.
Pemberton, Australia

Gloucester Tree - climb 60m karri! Treetop Walk nearby.
Walpole, Australia

Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk. 400-year-old tingle trees.
Albany, Australia

Whaling museum. Natural Bridge. ANZAC history. Spring wildflowers.
Stirling Range National Park, Australia

Bluff Knoll hike. Wildflower hotspot in Sep!
Esperance, Australia

Lucky Bay - kangaroos on white sand! Cape Le Grand NP. WAVE ROCK detour: ~400km round trip from Hyden, between Esperance and Perth - consider if time allows. Good remote work. Anthony calls this "the hot spot" - everyone's going there. Watch for sharks, don't swim at feeding time.
Norseman, Australia

Gateway to Nullarbor. Last major town. Fill up!
Balladonia, Australia

90 Mile Straight - longest straight road in Australia (146km!). NULLARBOR LOOKOUT POINTS: Head of Bight (whale watching Jun-Oct), Bunda Cliffs viewpoints along the way.
Eucla, Australia

WA/SA border. Old telegraph station ruins in sand dunes. Bunda Cliffs. NULLARBOR LOOKOUTS: stop at signed viewpoints along the cliffs - dramatic ocean views.
Ceduna, Australia

First SA town. Oyster capital!
Streaky Bay, Australia

Murphy's Haystacks (ancient granite inselbergs). Fresh oysters from local farms. Point Labatt sea lion colony. Eyre Peninsula coastal scenery.
Port Augusta, Australia

Hub of SA. Crossroads of outback highways.
Adelaide, Australia

Central Market. Barossa Valley wine day trip. Hahndorf village.
Flinders Ranges, Australia

PHASE 2. Spring is beautiful (wildflowers). Wilpena Pound. Brachina Gorge. Aboriginal rock art. Good hiking weather in spring/autumn.
Barossa Valley District, Australia
Clare, Australia
Cape Jervis, Australia
Kangaroo Island, Australia

PHASE 2. Best in warm months (Nov-Mar). Wildlife: sea lions, koalas, penguins. Remarkable Rocks. Flinders Chase NP. Ferry from Cape Jervis (SA).
Cape Jervis, Australia
McLaren Vale, Australia
Mount Gambier, Australia

Blue Lake crater. Umpherston Sinkhole. Break up drive to Melbourne. PHASE 1 ENDS.
Port Fairy, Australia
Great Ocean Road, Australia

PHASE 2 MUST DO - Rico says highlight of his trip! Book on good weather day. Twelve Apostles. Loch Ard Gorge. Kennett River koalas. Summer = best weather.
Melbourne, Australia

=== PHASE 2: SOUTHERN SUMMER (Nov 2026 - May 2027) === Base for VIC/NSW exploration. Rico says: "Could easily spend a week, explore beyond CBD." Coworking, social life. Summer 20-30C. ANTHONY TIPS: Queen Victoria Market night market (every Wed in summer, @thenightmarket on Instagram). Formula 1 and AFL season events. Melbourne Cup long weekend. Anthony says cafe culture is amazing, do a nice civilised brunch. MOBILE: Get TELSTRA for coverage - best network for remote areas. Consider STARLINK for northern Australia where it's very isolated. WEATHER: Late Sep = spring, 10-18C warming up. Oct-Nov ideal 15-22C.
Mornington Peninsula, Australia

Rico's route: Stony Point train line + ferry to Queenscliff. Peninsula wineries, hot springs, coastal walks.
Phillip Island, Australia
Wilsons Promontory, Australia
Ballarat, Australia

Rico rec: Gold rush history, surprisingly nice. V/Line train (~1.5hrs).
Bendigo, Australia

Rico rec: Historic tram, Victorian architecture. V/Line train from Melbourne (~2hrs).
Grampians National Park, Australia
Belgrave, Australia

Rico rec: Puffing Billy railway! Dandenong Ranges. Train from Melbourne.
Devonport, Australia
Cradle Mountain, Australia
Launceston, Australia
Freycinet National Park, Australia
Hobart, Australia
Strahan, Australia
Devonport, Australia
Melbourne, Australia
Alice Springs, Australia
Kings Canyon Resort, Australia
Uluru, Australia
Sydney, Australia
Melbourne, Australia
Lakes Entrance, Australia
Jervis Bay Territory, Australia

Anthony Harrison recommendation: Amazing beaches, bushland, easy hikes, great food and coffee. Southern NSW coastal gem. Perfect for Phase 2 summer visit.
Bombo, Australia

Basalt columns. Kiama blowhole. South coast day trip from Sydney.
Narooma, Australia
Sydney, Australia
Lord Howe Island, Australia

PHASE 2. Rico recommended! UNESCO World Heritage island. Flights from Sydney (~2hrs). Limited to 400 visitors - very pristine. Amazing snorkeling/diving. Mt Gower hike is legendary. Incredibly peaceful. Best Nov-Mar for warm water swimming/diving. Book flights + accommodation well ahead due to visitor cap.
Sydney, Australia
Merimbula, Australia
Eden, Australia
Katoomba, Australia

PHASE 2. Blue Mountains! Three Sisters. "The Fish en The Chips." Weeping Rock. Scenic Railway. Rico says MUST DO - one of his highlights. Summer 18-28C much nicer.
Dubbo, Australia
Lightning Ridge, Australia
Bourke, Australia
Charleville, Australia

End of Westlander line. Cosmos Centre stargazing! Optional: Quilpie/Cunnamulla. Returns Wed & Fri.
Winton, Australia
Carnarvon National Park, Australia
Canberra, Australia
Melbourne, Australia