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    31 Holiday Locations Around Australia That Will Fill The Travel Void In Your Heart

    If I could decide where to isolate, I'd still choose Down Under.

    Mariela Summerhays
    by Mariela Summerhays

    BuzzFeed Staff

    Right now, in some Australian states, it’s important to stay home and avoid non-essential trips. We hope you’ll find our content entertaining, inspiring or useful for a future trip. For all other states, we still encourage you to practise social distancing and, if you feel sick, stay home and help to keep yourself and others safe.

    It's about that time of year when Aussies are packing their suitcases and flying to far-flung corners of the world.

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    Or, let's be honest, Bali.

    However, this year, we've all been grounded, thanks to the coronavirus. Fortunately, here in Oz we're blessed with endless local destinations to satisfy our wanderlust.

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    You beauty.

    Here are 31 spectacular local spots to visit, right here in Australia, under the similar international destinations you were hoping to visit this year:

    Getty Images / Mariela Summerhays

    If you're dreaming of a getaway to Mexico, with its cenote cities, pink lakes, marine life and cacti-dotted deserts, you'll find all this and more, right here in Australia.

    1. Take a drive alongside Australia's iconic pink lakes in South Australia.

    2. And stand in awe-inspiring sinkholes and cenotes while you're there.

    3. Swim with whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia.

    4. Transport yourself to another world in Cactus Country, Victoria.

    Getty Images / Mariela Summerhays

    Perhaps you've had to delay your vacation to the Galapagos Islands, one of the world's foremost destinations for rich vegetation and wildlife sightings. Fortunately, there is an abundance of beautiful islands and animals to be seen here, if you know where to look.

    5. Journey to another world at Lord Howe Island, New South Wales.

    6. Spot nesting sea turtles in the Sunshine State, Queensland.

    Getty Images / Mariela Summerhays

    If your idea of a holiday are the open spaces of Western California, with its sprawling architecture and state-jumping roads, get an eyeful of these local destinations.

    7. Hit the road and cross the famous Nullarbor Plain in South Australia and Western Australia.

    8. Check into this Palm Springs-inspired urban hotel in Brisbane, Queensland.

    9. Tick the spiritually-significant Uluru and Kings Canyon off your bucket list in the Northern Territory.

    Getty Images / Mariela Summerhays

    Should you be pining for home-brewed whiskey, green villages and scraggly cliffsides, you needn't fly to the other side of the world — take it all in here, in your own backyard.

    10. Enjoy a tour of Australia's southernmost whiskey distilleries in Tasmania.

    11. Hit the golf course in some of Australia's most scenic settings across Tasmania.

    12. Stay at the Ship Inn in the quaint town of Stanley in Tasmania.

    13. Escape to the mountains with a stay on the cliffside in Katoomba, New South Wales.

    14. Journey down the Wild Western coastline in Tasmania.

    15. Take a car down the iconic Great Ocean Road in Victoria.

    Getty Images / Mariela Summerhays

    Warm weather, lush rainforests, beach parties and fishing in open water are just a few reasons why Asia is a favourite destination for people all over the world. However, we here in Australia have year long tropical weather and activities, thanks to our very own sunny state of Queensland.

    16. Let your hair down and experience a vibrant nightlife at Airlie Beach in Queensland

    17. Immerse yourself in the natural and cultural beauty of Tropical North Queensland.

    18. Cast a line on the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland.

    Getty Images / Mariela Summerhays

    Whether it be sailing the Greek Islands, treating your tastebuds on a wine and food tour or hoping to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights, Europe has much to offer — but Aussies are of the lucky lot that needn't country hop to do all of the above and more.

    19. Experience luxury by sailing through the Whitsunday Islands in Queensland.

    20. Eat and drink your way through the Epicurean Way in South Australia.

    21. Kick back on the Margaret River in Western Australia.

    22. Escape the city to the Hunter Valley in New South Wales.

    23. Head inland to the Yarra Valley in Victoria.

    24. Head south for the magnificent Aurora Australis in Tasmania.

    Getty Images / Mariela Summerhays

    Recreate the experience of wild safaris and swimming in majestic waterfalls, without stepping a foot outside of Australia.

    25. Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory.

    26. Meet a giraffe at Jamala Wildlife Lodge in the Australian Capitol Territory.

    27. Skip from fall to fall on the Waterfall Circuit in Queensland.

    28. Swim under waterfalls in the Litchfield National Park in the Northern Territory.

    29. Experience the truly unique Horizontal Falls, Western Australia.

    Getty Images / Mariela Summerhays

    If an annual trip to the slopes of Queenstown has been cancelled this year, get amongst the snow action and hot springs on the Eastern coast of Australia.

    30. Indulge yourself by visiting some of Australia's best hot springs in New South Wales and Victoria.

    31. And lastly, head south and hit the slopes this ski season in New South Wales and Victoria.