This Australian beach has been named among the world's greatest of all time
You can probably guess the beach from its swirling white sands and crystal-clear turquoise waters. Yep, Whitehaven Beach, tucked away in the heart of the Whitsunday Islands, just earned a spot on Nat Geo 's list of the 14 best beaches of all time.
Located off the coast of Queensland, this slice of paradise is surrounded by one of the country's most revered national parks and the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef. The publication said: 'Within this internationally recognised archipelago of coral cays, mangrove forests, lush mountains and barrier reefs of uncommon biodiversity, Whitehaven Beach is the islands' most celebrated destination.'
Time Out Australia's Travel & News Editor, Melissa Woodley, had the chance to visit Whitehaven Beach last year and agrees it's a must-see at least once in your life. She recommends hiking to the top of Hill Inlet to admire the ever-changing tidal patterns from above, then following the trail down to the beach to sink your toes into that famously soft silica sand and cool off with a swim (stinger suits are recommended from November to April).
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Time Out
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Metro
2 days ago
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I swam with whale sharks at Australia's hidden gem reef
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And, if you listen carefully as you fall asleep, you can hear humpback whales whistling in the distance. It's a remarkable place to stay. 'No wukkas?' I asked Justin, during our whale shark swim. 'What does that mean?' 'No f*cking worries,' came the reply, with a smirk. 'When you're out in the Ningaloo, what have you got to worry about?' More Trending He had a point. From the gorges that seem to slice through the Earth, to the gentle giant whale sharks, the sheer scale of this part of the country certainly puts life into perspective. Both exhilarating and impossibly laid-back, a trip to Ningaloo Reef is one you'll never forget. A king wilderness tent at Sal Salis costs from £1261 per night based on two sharing (two night minimum stay).This includes all food and beverages along with daily tours and activities. costs from £1261 per night based on two sharing (two night minimum stay).This includes all food and beverages along with daily tours and activities. The Life on Ningaloo tour with Live Ningaloo runs from August to October and costs £380 per person for a swimmer spot (allowing you to get in the water). This includes lunch, complimentary tour photographer and snorkelling equipment. runs from August to October and costs £380 per person for a swimmer spot (allowing you to get in the water). This includes lunch, complimentary tour photographer and snorkelling equipment. For more information about Journey Beyond and the experiences and attractions they operate in Australia visit their website. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: I took my family on a digital detox holiday and something extraordinary happened MORE: Europe's highest capital city has no airport or trains and could fit into London 121 times MORE: My unconventional Notes app hack is a lifesaver for holiday packing
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
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Route through Hampshire named as UK's best road trip
It earned this honour on the Alternative Road Trip Index, which was created by Camplify. This provided an extensive study of routes around the country that offer quieter alternatives to popular routes affected by overtourism. Camplify adds: "Highlighting routes less-travelled, the Index considers both fun and functional factors that make a road trip one to remember: from the number of petrol stations and public toilets on route, to the scenery and opportunities for sightseeing along the way." A route labelled 'The Historic South' was ranked as the best one, which travels through Hampshire as part of it. The full list of the UK's best alternative road trips can be found on the Camplify website here. Route that stops off in Winchester among UK's best alternative road trips The Historic South route is said to offer "road trippers the best opportunity for a quieter road trip this summer." In total, it is 720km long, with it taking between seven and 10 days to complete. The route takes road trippers "from the historic city of Canterbury and its World Heritage-listed cathedral to the historic docks of Portsmouth, with stops at the fascinating sites of Stonehenge and Avebury also included." Camplify adds: "Perfect for longer adventures, The Historic South road trip route in England has it all: historical locations, scenic stretches, and some of Britain's best and most-loved landmarks. "At 450 miles, you'll need between seven and ten days to see it all, but it's well worth it: start the engine and get ready to soak up history and culture, breaking the drive up with stops at Rye, Brighton, Salisbury and Bath." One of the stops on the route is Winchester, where people can explore the Cathedral, great pubs and historical points of interest. A route map for the Historic South can be found on the Google Maps page here. Recommended reading: Tom Quayle at Camplify UK said: 'Whether you're new to Van Life or have lost count of how many road trips you've been on, everyone can agree that taking to the open road and seeing the beautiful countryside around the UK is an incredibly fulfilling experience. 'Routes like Scotland's North Coast 500 are popular for a reason – they offer beautiful, bucket-list experiences that understandably appeal to lots of us – but the UK is home to countless others that have the same characteristics but with fewer visitors. "With this study of the best alternative road trips, we hope more holidaymakers feel inspired to get closer to nature along the wealth of routes our country has to offer.'
