Travel

Swimming with minke whales proved to be a spiritual experience for our writer as she took to the waters of the Great Barrier Reef off Cairns.

Thailand offers unique experiences for the traveller seeking a healing spa or health retreat holiday. Recently two Australian therapists have been swapping ideas and treatments with a Thai health resort.

Luminously colourful and wildly exotic, Rajasthan is India at its most vivid; a rugged, rarefied moonscape embellished with dazzling people, sumptuous palaces and imposing fortresses.

Whether called dreaming tracks, ley lines or dragon lines, there are areas throughout the planet that are regarded as places of great healing. So what is it that gives these places such strong spiritual energy?

Carbon offsets claim to make flying a more environmentally friendly way of travelling, but is it all a load of hot air?

Slow it down a little and take the tedium and stress out of your regular holiday for the ultimately rewarding and uplifting travel experience.

Think of southeast Queensland and you picture sundrenched beaches and the glitzy Gold Coast. For a refreshing alternative, head west for one of Australia’s best-kept secrets.

It’s not all massages and monkeys in Bali, as one traveller discovered when she delved a little deeper to discover the healing heart of this incredibly spiritual island.

Once you’ve discovered the hidden wonders of the Solomon Islands — the vibrant coral reefs, warm, clear lagoons and active volcanoes — keeping it to yourself will be the hardest part of your journey.

Not only are dolphins amazing to watch, but these pacific pin-ups have incredible brains and social skills to match their beauty. Discover the healing influence these doctor dolphins are having on people worldwide

The Calder Highway is a road into Australia’s interior. It travels through the mother country desert and the remarkable orange groves of Mildura and surrounds.

Maleny is situated in between Brisbane and Noosa. It has cast its spell over the hinterland with its mix of eco-tourism, arts, crafts and co-op approach to living.