Eden

Boarding a whale-watching cruise from Eden Bay feels a little like stepping aboard Noah's Ark, if Noah wore sunscreen and had a salty sense of humor. Eden, nestled snugly (pun intended) along Australia's criminally underrated Sapphire Coast, is like a rest stop cafe for migrating humpbacks-they barrel past twice a year, swapping Antarctic chill for tropical flirtations and back again. Sure, you could opt for a dawn departure, watching the first blush of sunlight spill dramatically over Snug Cove, but honestly-go mid-morning. Give the whales a chance to caffeinate (or whale-equivalent thereof). Book ahead a week or two during peak migration (May-November), and budget around $80-$120 AUD per person, a steal considering you're basically guaranteeing yourself bragging rights at happy hours for months. Pack binoculars, sunscreen (Australian sun is notoriously ruthless), ginger chews to combat sea legs, and maybe a flask for courage and camaraderie. Will you get splashed by salt spray? Probably. Might you encounter seasick tourists and the occasional overly enthusiastic crew member shouting "There she blows!" with abandon? Absolutely. But trust me-locking eyes, however briefly, with a creature the size of a bus as it flips a leisurely tail-fin goodbye is worth far more than admission price alone. And if not for the spiritual epiphany, at least embrace it for a timeless story to exaggerate shamelessly at dinner parties.

At Pinnacles cliff formations in Ben Boyd National Park, you'll encounter a geological spectacle that looks suspiciously like nature let Salvador Dali loose with the earth's paintbrush and some questionable psychedelics. These vibrant, candy-striped cliffs, sculpted patiently over thousands of years, stand defiantly colorful amid the bushland, unapologetically defying Australia's usually strict palette of browns, greens, and more browns. To fully appreciate their surreal charm-without melting in midday heat or bumping into selfie-stick-wielding tourists-hit the trail early morning or late afternoon when sunlight hits the cliffs just right, creating a kaleidoscopic wonderland (and Instagram gold). Plan a few days ahead, bring sturdy shoes, sunscreen, water, and at least $10 or so for park entry fees. The Pinnacles may not rival the epic grandeur of the Grand Canyon, but trust me-standing before these psychedelic sand sculptures in quiet bewilderment is guaranteed to enliven your travel tales and provoke raised eyebrows at dinner parties for years to come.