The Corridors: Queensland and Sydney - Forests, beaches e K’gari (Fraser Island)

Sydney spreads around one of the world's most spectacular natural harbours, where the white sails of the Sydney Opera House and the steel arch of the Harbour Bridge form one of the planet's most recognisable skylines. Capital of New South Wales and Australia's largest city, Sydney blends the energy of a cosmopolitan metropolis with the relaxed rhythm of coastal living, in a mild climate that invites outdoor life all year round. The historic heart beats around The Rocks, the city's oldest colonial quarter, with its cobbled lanes, vintage pubs and weekend markets, just steps from Circular Quay, where ferries set off across Sydney Harbour. The Sydney Opera House, Jørn Utzon's UNESCO-listed masterpiece, crowns Bennelong Point and hosts concerts, opera and performances; for thrill-seekers, the guided BridgeClimb up the Harbour Bridge offers 360-degree views over the bay. Nearby, the Royal Botanic Garden provides a green oasis overlooking the water, while Darling Harbour gathers an aquarium, museums and waterfront restaurants. Yet Sydney is above all a city of beaches: famous Bondi Beach, a surfers' paradise, is linked to Coogee by a coastal walk past cliffs and coves, while Manly, reachable by ferry, mixes golden sand with a seaside-village feel. The dining scene reflects the city's multicultural soul, from the fish stalls of the Sydney Fish Market to the Asian kitchens of Chinatown and the café brunches of Surry Hills and Newtown. Nearby, the Blue Mountains — a UNESCO reserve an hour from the centre — offer eucalyptus forests, waterfalls and the iconic Three Sisters, while to the north the Hunter Valley wine region invites tastings among the vines. Between sea, culture and nature, Sydney is a city to savour slowly, with your feet in the sand and your eyes on the ocean.

Spread along the bends of the Brisbane River in the subtropical heart of Queensland, Brisbane is a sunny, fast-growing capital with a young and laid-back character. On the south bank of the river lies South Bank, an urban park with the swimmable Streets Beach, art galleries and the Wheel of Brisbane; across the water rise the city’s towers and the Botanic Gardens. The hills of Mount Coot-tha offer views over the city and bushland trails, while neighbourhoods such as Fortitude Valley and West End pulse with bars, markets and multicultural cuisine. A mild climate year-round favours outdoor living, from river cruises to day trips. Brisbane is also the gateway to the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast and to koala sanctuaries like Lone Pine. A city with a tropical flavour and infectious energy, it invites you to live outdoors under the Queensland sun. Departure towards the north along the Bruce Highway, following an itinerary that allows access to deserted beaches, virgin forests, tropical islands, and fishing villages. Along the way, stop in Maryborough, known for some rare examples of typical architecture from the past centuries. Arrival in Hervey Bay, a base for excursions to Fraser Island, the largest sand island in the world. (Approximately 290km / 4.5 hours). Hervey Bay stretches along a sheltered stretch of the Queensland coast, protected by the calm waters of its namesake bay and renowned as one of the world's great whale-watching capitals. From July to November, humpback whales pass through these tranquil waters on their migration, offering close encounters that draw travellers from across the globe. Above all, the town is the gateway to Fraser Island (K'gari), the largest sand island on Earth and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where rainforests grow on sand, wild dingoes roam the beaches and crystal-clear lakes such as Lake McKenzie invite a swim. Between long walks along the pier, fresh seafood and sunsets over the ocean, Hervey Bay is the perfect base from which to explore one of the most extraordinary corners of Australian nature. K’Gari, known as Fraser Island, is the largest sand island in the world, a UNESCO World Heritage site lying off the Queensland coast. Its dunes cloaked in rainforest, crystal-clear freshwater lakes such as Lake McKenzie, and long beaches driveable by 4x4 make it an extraordinary place. Dingoes live here in the wild and whales can be spotted during their migration. It is explored by 4x4 along the Seventy-Five Mile Beach. An adventure into Australia’s purest and most spectacular nature.

Car retrieval and route along State Road 57 and the Bruce Highway to Pomona. From there, State Road 6 leads to the elegant Noosa (159km/2h). An elegant seaside resort on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Noosa combines golden beaches, rainforest and a refined, laid-back lifestyle. The heart of the town is Hastings Street, a lively avenue of boutiques, cafés and restaurants overlooking Main Beach, a gathering place for surfers and families alike. A short walk away stretches Noosa National Park, where coastal trails cross eucalypt woodland to reach hidden bays such as Tea Tree Bay, home to koalas and dolphins. Inland, the Noosa River Everglades invite kayak explorations through mirror-still channels. With its chic atmosphere and pristine nature, Noosa is a perfect destination for those seeking relaxation, sea and wellbeing.

(255km / about 3.5 hours). The legendary Bruce Highway is followed all the way to Brisbane. From here, continue along State Route 13 to the heart of Lamington National Park, part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area. Lamington National Park spreads across the green highlands of the Queensland hinterland, south of Brisbane, guarding at the heart of Australia's Gondwana rainforests a precious corner of nature recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Ancient subtropical rainforest, hidden waterfalls and a wealth of walking trails make it a paradise for hikers and birdwatchers. Among tree ferns, Antarctic beech and brilliantly coloured birds, the park offers views suspended among the clouds. An ideal destination to lose yourself in the continent's most ancient nature, far from the bustle of the coast.

Lamington National Park > Brisbane (155km / approximately 2.5 hours).

A jewel of the Whitsundays archipelago, in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, Hamilton Island is the best known of the islands in this tropical corner of Queensland. Surrounded by turquoise waters and UNESCO World Heritage reefs, it is the ideal launch point for snorkelling and diving trips among corals and brightly coloured fish. From here you can reach the famous Whitehaven Beach, with its pure silica sand ranked among the finest in the world, and admire from above the striking Heart Reef, a heart-shaped coral formation. The island offers secluded beaches, scenic trails and a lively marina, along with a relaxed resort atmosphere. Hamilton Island is the tropical dream for those seeking sea, nature and total relaxation.