DEFENDER UNCOVERS AUSTRALIA’S BEST DESTINATIONS
Crafted through analysis of quintessential five-star hotels, innovative restaurants, untouched beaches, nature experiences and active wellness expeditions, these are the highest-rated locations and their overall ranking across the country.
Choose your Defender model and get ready to explore the sceneries of Down Under, where our guide serves as your roadmap to the best of Australia.
EXPERIENCE ARKABA
Arkaba is a private wildlife conservancy and homestead. Focused on sustainability, guests are invited to learn about the diverse wildlife, geology and geography of the Flinders Ranges through numerous expert-led experiences. Perched on the edge of the Ikara-Flinders Ranges, the homestead is surrounded by 65,000 acres of natural bush-land and boasts some of the most beautiful views in the region.
EXPERIENCE ARKABA
Situated approximately five hours way from Adelaide, Arkaba provides guests with an exclusive chance to immerse themselves in the stunning scenery of the majestic Flinders Ranges. Throughout their stay, visitors engage in a variety of distinctive activities. Guided bush walks focusing on local flora and fauna offer educational insights into the region’s diverse biodiversity, while also allowing guests to contribute to conservation efforts through tree planting initiatives.
AUSTRALIA’S DEFENDER DESTINATIONS
Whilst Byron Bay’s population is modest compared to other top locations, the experiences on offer are hard to beat. Nestled on the far north coast of New South Wales, this paradise has vibrant surfing communities with holistic and bohemian shops to seek solace. Arriving here, park up your Defender and walk to Cape Byron lighthouse, the most easterly point in the country.
Second to discover is Hobart, the capital city of Tasmania. As the island’s most occupied city, it has both a rich history and sublime panoramas to steer through. Load up your gear to hike to the summit of Mount Wellington or drive to the nearby city of Battery Point, a historic time capsule. Adrenaline-seekers may find themselves unpacking their cars with equipment for white water rafting, paragliding or skydiving too.
Following closely is the expansive Queensland Sunshine Coast, aptly named, with over 100km of coastline. Beyond the inviting beaches, the Coast boasts natural inland beauty, with the volcanic foothills of Glass House Mountains. Declared a UNESCO Biosphere corridor, the Sunshine Coast is rich in biodiversity, making it a hub for exploratory hiking trails and over a hundred active retreats to escape to.
Positioned in far North Queensland and ranking fourth in our list, Cairns, has a tropical climate, lush rainforests (including the Wet Tropics World Heritage Rainforest), and world-class snorkelling and diving adventures. Holding the most five-star hotels amongst the top ten, you’ll be able to rest easy in one of Cairns’ luxury stays.
Now, to the untapped outback. For travellers seeking the striking solitude of Australia's landscape, explore the Flinders Ranges in a Defender. With territories up to 600 years old, this is an unparalleled expedition. Seek out Australia’s best wildlife, adventure and natural bushland on the iconic red dirt.
Defender Destinations Rankings
| New rank | Destinations | Adm. | Population | 5-star Hotels | Australian Good Food Guide Restaurants | Highly-rated beaches (Within proximity) | Nature Experiences (5+ stars) | Active Wellness Activities | Overall Index Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Byron Bay | NSW | 10,942 | 6 | 8 | 2 | 11 | 39 | 1 |
| 2 | Hobart | TAS | 230,353 | 7 | 13 | 2 | 19 | 20 | 21.6 |
| 3 | Sunshine Coast | QLD | 387,486 | 9 | 19 | 3 | 10 | 117 | 22.9 |
| 4 | Cairns | QLD | 155,638 | 11 | 1 | 2 | 24 | 50 | 31.9 |
| 5 | Launceston | TAS | 93,332 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 7 | 39.6 |
| 6 | Darwin | NT | 135,305 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 26 | 18 | 40.9 |
| 7 | Ballina | NSW | 46,073 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 48.6 |
| 8 | Gold Coast | QLD | 702,038 | 3 | 21 | 4 | 9 | 114 | 52.4 |
| 9 | Canberra | ACT | 490,264 | 5 | 22 | 0 | 4 | 36 | 55 |
| 10 | Ballarat | VIC | 111,702 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 61.4 |
Footnote: Population data for each area was collated from citypopulation.de. The number of amenities for each area was calculated using data from TripAdvisor, the Australian Good Food Guide and beachesinaustralia.com. These numbers were ranked by 'population per amenity' and combined to measure the index score.
GREAT FOR GOURMANDS
Byron Bay is a food destination for those who like to try something new, with smaller cafés and daily markets focused on healthy lifestyles and wellness. For experimentative palettes, seek out Karkalla, located along Main Beach. You’ll find this restaurant delivering home-grown, seasonal ingredients with a native indigenous influence. Led by chef Mindy Woods, Bundjalung woman of the Widjabul Wia-bul clan, fine dining thrives here.
Elsewhere, Tasmania makes its mark twice with two Defender Destinations for food, both Launceston and Hobart showing noteworthy farm-to-table influence. Expect to see fresh seafood, including local salmon, oysters and crayfish, taking centre stage. Add Hobart’s Salamanca Market to your list, a must-visit for foodies who like to browse local delicacies, or indulge in the intimate taverns of Launceston, where Australian and Tasmanian cool-climate wines and craft beers await.
Variety is vast in Sydney’s food scene too, with a plethora of over 130 restaurants designated a Chef Hat award by the Australian Good Food Guide. For an impressive dining experience, choose Quay, a restaurant that’s apprehended a three-hat status for 22 consecutive years. Run by renowned chef Peter Gilmore against the backdrop of Sydney Harbour, the menu showcases produce exclusively curated from Australian farmers and producers.
Defender Food Destinations
| Rank | Destinations | Adm. | Population 2021 | AGFG Restaurants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Byron Bay | NSW | 10,942 | 8 |
| 2 | Launceston | TAS | 93,332 | 6 |
| 3 | Hobart | TAS | 230,353 | 13 |
| 4 | Sunshine Coast | QLD | 387,486 | 19 |
| 5 | Canberra | ACT | 490,264 | 22 |
| 6 | Ballarat | VIC | 111702 | 4 |
| 7 | Gold Coast | QLD | 702,038 | 21 |
| 8 | Bendigo | VIC | 102,899 | 3 |
| 9 | Sydney | NSW | 4,856,693 | 133 |
| 10 | Darwin | NT | 135305 | 3 |
Footnote: Population data for each area was collated from citypopulation.de. The number of AGFG Restaurants for each area was calculated using data from the Australian Good Food Guide. These numbers were ranked by 'population per amenity'.
BREATHTAKING BEACHES
Evidence of a rich surfing history in Australia needs no debate. Among first-rate surf breaks, take to the Gold Coast, which stretches over 57 kilometres of surfing beaches suited for every experience level. You may even want to venture here in the Defender Pacific Blue Edition, with its exclusive blue matte finish and complementary Defender surfboard to play with.
Cairn’s proximity to the Great Barrier Reef serves as a gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Embark in the wonders here on reef tours, snorkelling and diving expeditions. Otherwise, stay close to the mainland where balmy weather and a tropical warm climate shine. Relax along this shore, with its man-made lagoon and Cairn’s Esplanade to discover.
Renowned as a surfing mecca, Byron Bay is celebrated for its consistent ocean swell, diverse wave types and natural beauty. Surfers should flock to Byron's shores, but pioneers can also indulge in whale watching, beachcombing, and swimming along the Byron coast.
Pack your bags, buckle up your Defender, and get ready to cross the country for a gateway to the extraordinary. Unveiling our guide to the ultimate Defender Destinations, these are unmissable locations found in Australia’s unparalleled landscape.
Defender Beach Rankings
| Rank | Destinations | Adm. | Population 2021 | Highly-rated beaches (Within proximity) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Byron Bay | NSW | 10,942 | 2 |
| 2 | Ballina | NSW | 46,073 | 2 |
| 3 | Cairns | QLD | 155,638 | 2 |
| 4 | Hobart | TAS | 230,353 | 2 |
| 5 | Sunshine Coast | QLD | 387,486 | 3 |
| 6 | Newcastle | NSW | 509,894 | 3 |
| 7 | Central Coast | NSW | 344951 | 2 |
| 8 | Gold Coast | QLD | 702,038 | 4 |
| 9 | Townsville | QLD | 181,665 | 1 |
| 10 | Adelaide | SA | 1,383,209 | 4 |
Footnote: Population data for each area was collated from citypopulation.de. The number of beaches for each area was calculated using data from beachesinaustralia.com. These numbers were ranked by 'population per amenity'.
METHODOLOGY
The Defender Destination Index analysed all Australian Agglomerations with local population data to create a rank of the best destinations in Australia for those seeking a remote wilderness adventure as well as luxurious comfort. Population data for each area was collated from the City Population Index.
The number of specific types of amenities in the areas of each local district was calculated using data from TripAdvisor, the Australian Good Food Guide and beachesinaustralia.com.
Each amenity was ranked individually by 'population per amenity' and then combined to measure the overall index score, to find the most remote locations which contain the highest number of high-rated amenities.
Amenities considered included five-star hotels, AGFG-rated restaurants, nature experiences, active wellness activities and the number of highly rated beaches which are within 50km of each location. Only locations with 1 or more 5-star hotels and AGFG restaurants were included in the final analysis.
Data is accurate as of January 2024.