204 ELLE AUSTRALIA
Western Australia
YALLINGUP: There’s about 12,000km worth of
coastline in WA – and with so much sand and sea, it’s
an understatement to say the competition is fierce for
best place to spend your annual leave. We like Yallingup
because it’s near the Margaret River region (which
means amazing wineries close by and lots of ’em!) and
because there are excellent surf breaks, snorkelling spots
and coastal walks. If you fancy being fancy, swing by
one of the area’s art galleries before you check into
Injidup Spa Retreat. The ocean-view villas overlook the
beach so closely you can almost taste the salt.
injidupsparetreat.com.auLUCKY BAY: Camping is your only option at this
super-remote spot inside Cape Le Grand National
Park, about an hour’s drive from Esperance, but there
are toilets and a barbecue on site. Pitch a tent and spend
long, blissful days playing beach cricket, swimming and
learning to surf. It’s also the place where you can see
kangaroos lazing about on the white sand. Yep, even
marsupials have the right idea here. qQueensland
AGNES WATER: Heading up the Queensland coast
you’ll find this pleasant little town with all the holiday
trappings and a few hipster-inclined additions including
a brewery, organic cafe and stand-up
paddleboard hire. Because it’s
located at the southern end of the
Great Barrier Reef, the local beaches
are idyllic, but if they’re too busy for
you, drive 15 minutes up the road
to the town of 1770 and you’ll find
the seclusion you seek at one of the
hidden coves. For a place to rest
your head, check out Sunrise At 1770, an eco-conscious
residential community where you can rent a place (we
like The Loft) and watch the waves crash into the sand.
sunriseat1770.com.auRAINBOW BEACH: Billed as a gateway to scenic
Fraser Island, it’s worth your while to do more than
just cruise through this town, located near the tip of
the Inskip Peninsula. The beach is backed by
spectacular multicoloured cliffs, or trek a little further
south to Carlo Sand Blow – a natural sand dune that’s
much more impressive than it sounds – and you’ll be
rewarded come sunset. Make Rainbow Sea Resort
your home base: there’s a panoramic ocean view from
each suite’s balcony, which goes down real nicely with
that Aperol spritz you just whipped up.
rainbowsea.com.auINJIDUP SPA RETREATLUCKY BAYCARLO SAND BLOWSUNRISE AT 1770LUCKY BAYWords: Laura Collins. Photography: Andrew Brown/Destination NSW; Brett Gregory/Destination NSW; Graham Scheer; Robert Blackburn/Great Ocean Road; Rob Burnett/Tourism Tasmania; Dan Fellow/Tourism Tasmania; Graham Freeman/Tourism Australia; Tourism Tasmania/Wineglass Bay Cruises; Alan Jensen/Tourism and Events Queensland; Tourism Western AustraliaTRAVEL