“There’s always an adventure to be had.”

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Source Condé Nast Traveler.

If the thought of the waves crashing at Bondi Beach isn’t enough to convince you to venture down under, then maybe the wine is: Australia, our 2016 Destination of the Year, is awash in wineries, from the idyllic Longview Vineyard in Adelaide Hills, where they grow a silky shiraz, to the Leeuwin Estate in Margaret River, where the quality of the meals—and that of the artwork in the vineyard-adjacent galleries—is as important as the quality of the grapes. Once you’ve quenched your thirst, you can test your stamina at the El Questro Wilderness Park.

Cascade between rugged sandstone ranges, trek through rainforests, and gallop past waterfalls, before retreating to the stylish lodges, homesteads, and camping spots dotted across the nature reserve. That’s the thing about this great, big country: There’s always an adventure to be had.

Where to stay: Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley, hidden between Australia’s Blue Mountains, is a study in eco-conscious luxury. The 40-suite resort touts a massive tree-planting initiative, plus a native-fauna-breeding program aimed at returning the land to its condition before ranchers moved in, along with extensive efforts to reuse recycled materials. In other words, it’s a vacation you can feel good about.

Margarete River

Blue Mountains, National Park

Bondi Beach

El Questo Wilderness Park

Australia can be your #1 Destination of the Year 2017 – Contact Ocean Alliance for your ultimate summer charter experience on the water.