Can’t get to Africa? Australia has an alternative

Australians may not be able to travel overseas at present but that doesn’t mean missing out on some exceptional travel experiences here in Australia. Travellers can RoamAtHome and still feel like they are having an overseas adventure.

Africa and a safari may not be something you can do now, but here is where you can swap it out and discover the same, if not better, in Australia’s back yard.

Chase waterfalls and embark on a wild safari without stepping foot outside of Australia 

Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Kakadu National Park (NT)

Get up close with some of Northern Territory’s most beautiful wildlife in Kakadu National Park, where a number of tours can take you throughout this vast wilderness. About one third of Australia’s bird species are represented in Kakadu, with at least 60 species found in the wetlands. Whistling Ducks and Magpie Geese are the most abundant. Eagles can be seen hovering searching for prey, and at times you will see distinctive Jabirus and may even get to see Brolgas dancing.Yellow Water Cruises operates year round, with sunrise and sunset cruises where you can see the beautiful sky light up and illuminate the birdlife, as well as crocodiles along the billabong and buffaloes grazing on the floodplains.

Meet a giraffe at Jamala Wildlife Lodge (ACT)

If you’re interested in booking into unique accommodation, be sure to check into the Jamala Wildlife Lodge. Sleep in a luxurious African-inspired timber-clad room with nothing but a glass wall separating you from the lion’s den. Or take up a bed in a Giraffe Treehouse and wake up to five metre tall neighbours. Jamala is a conservation first and foremostly, providing a sanctuary to some of the world’s most endangered and dangerous animals.

Weave from fall to fall on Queensland’s Waterfall Circuit (QLD)

From reef to Outback, through rainforest and grasslands, driving through North Queensland is an unforgettable travel experience. Take a journey on the Waterfall Circuit from Cairns to the Atherton Tablelands to see some incredible lookouts and waterfalls that will continue to amaze at every turn.

Swim under waterfalls in the Territory’s Litchfield National Park (NT)

When it comes to swimming in the wild, it doesn’t get much better than the pools of Litchfield National Park, around a three-hour drive north of Katherine. Home to several sublime waterfalls, it’s one of the Northern Territory’s best swimming spots. The most popular place to get wet is Wangi Falls, where there is an accessible ramp into the large natural swimming pool surrounded by rainforest, a kiosk and large grassy picnic area. The twin waterfalls that feed into a deep plunge pool beneath Florence Falls are just as special, and families love Buley Rockhole, a chain of spa-like shallow pools linked by small cascades. You can camp at both Wangi and Florence Falls, or stay in one of the cabins at nearby Litchfield Tourist Park.

Experience the truly unique Horizontal Falls (WA)

Described by David Attenborough as “Australia’s most unusual natural wonder”, Horizontal Falls in the Kimberley region of Western Australia is a natural phenomenon that is as intriguing as it is beautiful. There are two horizontal waterfalls in Western Australia and both can be found in Talbot Bay in the Buccaneer Archipelago. These incredible natural wonders are the work of some of the largest tidal movements in the world, which flow in two different ways each day, creating a unique waterfall effect. You can view the falls from sea tours which depart from Broome.