With Bicheno local Shane Gould recently taking out the title of Australian Survivor, the coastal hamlet has been enjoying some time in the national spotlight.

The evening before we’re due to take a day trip on the new Spirit of the Wild vessel in Strahan, we take a slow wander along the waterfront to check it out as the sun sets. An imposing charcoal grey and reflective glass structure, the boat was purpose-built to take passengers across vast Macquarie Harbour and down the glassy Gordon River. It’s an impressive sight and we’re now excited to board in the morning.

Imagine hiking to view a volcanic archipelago; plunging into the chilly waters of a limestone cave; and dining with locals in remote island villages. That’s a nirvana found in Fiji.

As the crow flies, the Mornington Peninsula is practically part of Tasmania. But with wineries, chic restaurants, boutique hotels, shopping and beaches galore on offer, it suddenly becomes a hot destination for a weekend getaway.

Women-only adventure tours are taking off in Tassie with more women opting for women-only hiking and camping holidays in some of the state’s most remote locations.

Once you’ve experienced your first Aurora Australis sighting, you’ll be forever chasing the next one. That’s the promise from devoted ‘Aurora Chaser’ and Hobart photographer Luke Tscharke.

I’ll confess that I had anxiety about snorkelling for the first time. It certainly didn’t expect it to be quite so life changing I’ll explain.

Pet the animals, walk in the wilderness, pick your own berries and enjoy colonial accommodation… Farmstays and day tours are popping up across the state, providing a fun weekend away for visitors and Hobartians keen to get their gumboots dirty. Here are four farms to visit this Spring.

On a private headland between Cairns and Port Douglas, a small collection of deluxe stilted bungalows sit amongst the treetops, protected by native forest, as far as the eye can see.

As far as city weekenders go, Launceston ticks a lot of boxes. It’s only two hours away (including lots of great options for stops – usually a vanilla slice in Ross or park time in Campbell Town for us) and it’s a bit like a choose your own adventure depending on your interests. We recently went north for a mountain bike race and made a fun weekend of it.

Most Australians have heard of Florida’s Everglades but most don’t know there’s a version here in Australia. Well-known for its beaches and laid back lifestyle, Queensland’s Sunshine Coast is also home to one of only two ecosystems of this kind in the world.

Despite the recent fires, Victoria’s Gippsland region, just a threehour coastal drive from Melbourne, is welcoming visitors – especially if you’re after swathes of space, beautiful nature, and plenty of things to do, as active or as relaxed as you choose.

The Blue Mountains and surrounding areas suffered greatly during recent bushfires but slowly the National Parks in New South Wales are reopening, with some ready to welcome visitors back.