The Big Five. Binoculars. Blankets of stars. A safari is truly one of those inimitable, one-of-a-kind experiences that any keen and curious traveller should take part in. The classic safari routes trace South-Eastern Africa, with Kenya, South Africa, Botswana and Tanzania leading visitors through some of the world’s most powerful predatory animals, while Namibia, Zambia and Botswana offer more off-the-beaten track alternatives. You don’t have to travel to Africa to have your own safari, however — the Northern Territory’s very own Arnhem Land has buffalo, barramundi and birdlife aplenty (as well as a sizable selection of saltwater crocodiles). When a day exploring the country of the Yolnu people is done, you can retire to Seven Spirit Bay on the Cobourg Peninsula, where dolphins and dugong regularly commune.

The construction of the epic Great Wall of China spans two millenia, with some portions dating back as far as the 4th century BC. The fact that travellers can still traverse parts of the wall makes this one of the world’s most captivating ancient wonders to explore. While the majority of visitors primarily visit the Ming Dynasty portion — around 80 kilometres from Beijing — between the peak months of May to October when the weather is at its most mild, there’s still around 3450 kilometres of connected wall to visit. Hikers could opt for the well-preserved area near Jinshanling, around two hours northeast of Beijing by car, where crowds start to dissipate… and a kid-friendly, four hour walk delivers views back over the snaking spine of the wall over pillows of mountains.

During the month of September, Munich’s beer halls teem with on-theme visitors (some seven million, in fact) charging steins in dirndl for Oktoberfest. It’s a classic choice for festival first-timers, with a history stretching back to 1810 and a raucous, convivial atmosphere. You could instead opt for a more colourful celebration, such as India’s riotous Holi Festival in March, where puffs of coloured dye are hurled in hilarity at each other in the street as a reminder of the reward of devotion of belief, according to Hindu tradition. China’s dazzling Shangyuan Festival, where thousands of flickering lanterns are released into the night sky, takes place on the 15th day of the first month in the country’s lunar calendar.

Record-breaking feats of athleticism, surges of nationalistic pride and camaraderie makes the Olympic and Paralympic Games one of the world’s most exciting and exhilarating events to experience as a traveller. The former will take place over 16 days, with the 2024 host city of Paris will sparkle anew, with some 329 events electrifying the city over the summer. If you don’t manage tickets to a stadium-hosted event, never fear: there will be 80 enormous viewing screens stationed across the city for visitors to view the Opening Ceremony, with other free events such as champion celebrations planned on the banks of the Seine for all to enjoy. From July 2024, Qantas will offer direct flights between Perth and Paris, with the option to return from either London or Rome, for those travellers who plan to see even more of Europe on their trip.

Although the peak of Japan’s sakura season typically falls between March and May, the delicate blush-pink petals actually begin to bloom as early as January in the southern archipelago of Okinawa in the country’s south. Japan isn’t the only place to see these dainty, ephemeral blooms. South Korea and America’s Washington DC have their own season for cherry blossom flowers — the former’s is known as beot-kkot, with parties and blossom-flavoured treats celebrating the season of the king cherry, while DC’s counterpart coincides with a city-wide festival also between March and April.

Mount Everest is the proverbial peak but the satisfaction of conquering a great height doesn’t have to be won at the world’s tallest summit. Nepal’s Island Peak, in Sagarmatha National Park, which is known locally as Imja Tse, is, at 20,000 feet, still a notable challenge but within the more accessible territory of advanced beginners and up. Everest enthusiasts will enjoy the additional challenges — the necessity of having an ice pick in one’s arsenal, for example, as well as a trek that delivers extraordinary views of the world’s tallest mountain.

Nature lovers should add Iceland’s famous Ring Road, which loops the island’s craggy cliffs along with its lush green heart into one epic 1,328 kilometre-long trail, to their list. Twisting past waterfalls, fjords and glacial lagoons, the trail can be tackled in any season; a winter journey brings the possibility of spotting the northern lights. Summer travellers can head instead to Hawaii, where the road to Hana on the island of Maui leads drivers through some of the richest and most biodiverse scenery in the world. Although the straight A-B drive is only about three hours in total, pit stops at places such as the Eden Arboretum (or, ‘Jurassic Park’ to most) is a must.

The wild and remote continent of Antarctica, which covers a staggering 40% of the Southern Hemisphere, is a bucket list classic — its wildlife, its landscape and its isolation make it perfect once-in-a-lifetime fodder. There is more than one way to see this frozen fantasyland, however. While multi-day cruises to the ice sheet and surrounds are the most immersive way to see Antarctica, you can also see the craggy ice plains from above on a 10-hour flyover flight, with four hours dedicated to circling above it to ensure incredible sightseeing. An overnight stay in the world’s southernmost resort. A six-night south pole experience is also an option but with temperatures of -25C on a ‘warm’ day, this is one trip you won’t want to pack lightly for.

Agatha Christie immortalised the luxurious (and, in the case of her famous novel, Murder on the Orient Express, mysterious) Orient Express back in 1934. In the years since its popularisation, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express has continued to trundle several scenic routes through Europe, pulling into stations from Budapest to Verona and beyond. (The Paris to Istanbul route is the ‘classic’). But that isn’t the only iconic route a luxury train treads: the Inca Rail delivers visitors to the ceiling of the Sacred Valley where the ancient kingdom of Machu Picchu rests, all to the soundtrack of live Peruvian music and a steady stream of pisco sours.

For the uninitiated, a hike seems like the long way to do things. For those who know the glory of setting out into nature on foot, there’s little that can rival the freedom and fun that a great walk can yield. Switzerland’s snow-sprinkled peaks are a hiking enthusiast's dream — the Ratikon High Trail Hut-to-Hut Circuit is a classic trail that’s von Trapp family territory, best taken over a (somewhat leisurely) six days. If you’re after something a little less taxing, a shinrin-yoku-style wander through the waterfalls of Okunikko in Japan’s World Heritage Nikko National Park, sets a more leisurely pace, with a full-day, eight kilometre trail that leads past misty falls, grassy marshlands and lake-bordered hot springs towns.

The Northern Lights top the list of many a traveller for a must-see phenomena. In the north, the aurora zone reaches from Norway, to Sweden and beyond, with the upper reaches of Canada delivering on one of the skies most spectacular shows. But did you know that you can see its southern counterpart, aurora australis, here in Australia? Tasmania is impressively placed for viewing, as are parts of New Zealand and Antarctica, with the months of March to September being the optimum time for catching a glimpse of these elusive illuminations.

14 Fabulous Weekend Getaways From Melbourne