Come walkabout in Australia...

Say the word "Australia" and the mind conjures up images of a distant paradise with vibrant cities, vast gleaming coastlines and the rich red earth of the mythical outback. You won’t find any run-of-the-mill holidays here. We’ve picked out some of our favourite responsible holidays to show you what we mean...

Australia offers every kind of landscape, from breathtaking undulating deserts to the natural, living wonder of the Great Barrier Reef. Its cities and outposts boast a melting pot of cultures and cuisines - from Michelin-starred asian fusion to earthy aussie tucker round a bush campfire.

Adrenaline junkies won't know what to choose from a dizzying array of wild adventure options: surf some of the world's most famous waves, swim with whale sharks, ride a camel into an outback sunset or throw yourself down the rapids rafting the Australian Alps.

Whisper the magical names of ancient aboriginal landmarks as your feet weave their way across timeless trails: Uluru-Kata Tjuta, Gwion Gwion, Arkaroo... Coming face to face with fur seals, koalas, manta rays, platypus and bandicoots is all in a day's play in a country which many of the world's rarest and most unusual animals call home. With exotic flora and fauna, geological peculiarities and natural wonders bursting around every corner of this sprawling, mystical country, Australia will defy the wildest imaginations.

With such natural, cultural and environment heritage it’s good to know that Australia is a nation passionate about preservation through sustainable tourism practices. Tourism Australia, for example, take their membership of the Green Globe program very seriously, which promotes environmentally sustainable tourism projects.

They also support Ecotourism Australia which is a national movement accrediting accommodations, tour operators, attractions, parks and nature trails, encouraging cultural and environmental conservation.

There are over 80 Australian holidays to choose from on responsibletravel.com, each run by members who are passionate about what they do and who work hard to ensure they are benefiting the local people and the environment. So not only can you make a difference by choosing a ‘responsible’ holiday, you’re also bound to have a much better experience as a result. Hit the ski slopes or cycle, raft, horse ride and hike in the Australian Alps. Four wheel drive to ancient gorges, sprawling cattle stations and the Fitzroy River on Western Australia’s Gibb River Road. Sail around the Whitsundays and dive the Great Barrier Reef...it’s hard to know where to start!

If you fancy a taste of everything, this adventure holiday will have you sailing, diving, snorkelling then manning horses and cattle on a ranch - driving, trekking and camping along the way.

Getting up close and personal with sharks on a cage dive is some people’s idea of madness, but remember that you’re more likely to die from a lightning strike than a shark attack, and more importantly you’ll be under the watchful eye of experts who are passionate about what they do and about the conservation of a threatened species.

You can even combine a city break with some outdoor activities - the Sydney to Brisbane tour allows you to see the sights and bright lights of chic Sydney and laid-back "Brissie" with a few days spent mucking out on an aussie sheep-farm and canoeing over the Myall Lakes.

If all that has left you gasping for more, don't forget the windswept beaches and mighty wilderness of Tasmania, skiing and snowboarding in the Australian Alps and white-water rafting down the wild Franklin River. For a life-changing trip, one that you'll recant to your children's children, hop onto the Ghan train from Adelaide to Darwin, 1850 miles of achingly beautiful sunsets and a real sense of perspective as you gaze over swathes of rugged, empty desert. The train takes 48 hours, but take your time and explore each step of the way with a 22-day Australian voyage beginning in the Northern Territory, winding through the great plains, forests, mountains and canyons of central Australia until you reach Sydney - encountering many of the country's rare animals, hearing the tales of aboriginal clans and visiting remote natural beauty spots along the way. Or try a 9 day journey from Perth to Adelaide taking in the sights and learning to surf and sandboard along the way. The Aboriginals are the indigeous people of Australia and they still play an important part in the country’s culture. The mythology tells us that they appeared out of the "Dreamtime", the time-before-time in which the Earth was created and when the mountains, rocks, seas and rivers were shaped by totemic ancestors.

You can discover their story through thousand year old art captured on mountains and in caves, through their music and their captivating stories.

Tour Kakadu, with a Bolmo Dedjrungi guide who will show you firsthand the skills and artisanship of the clans of the region, try your hand at spear-throwing and night-trekking.

Conservationists will relish the chance to help out in the rainforest, protecting the endangered cassowary and visiting caves teeming with aboriginal rock art. Come and hear creation tales from a local guide as you drive across the famous Flinders Ranges, dining heartily and spotting some rare animals along the way. The outback can claim to be the spiritual backbone to Australia. It is the birthplace of the aboriginal ‘Dreamtime’, and also the land of gold-rushers, ranch-settlers, intrepid explorers and ancestral figures. Retrace ancient walkways across the scorched red desert through lunar landscapes and mountains as old as the earth itself.

A classic Aboriginal tour of Uluru or Uluru and the King Canyon will have you singing songs round a bush camp fire in the most remote parts of the Valley of the Winds. Those with a love of hiking and rugged terrain will be in their element on an outback grand tour, - ten days of treks through unique, breathtaking surroundings, a visit to the Opal mines of Coober Pedy and a good soak in the hot springs. Rub shoulders with 'roos on a night safari, or head into the rainforest to witness spectacular waterfalls on a Grampian tour in Victoria's Mildura oasis. Visit gold mines or share a steak and beers with the locals at outback pubs in the middle of nowhere, literally. The warmth of the land and it's hardy inhabitants will leave you with the mark of the true adventurer. With dramatic backdrops, movie-worthy sunsets and landscapes of dusky pink hills, diamond seas and honey gold sands Australia is a perfect lover's destination.

You could scoop up your own private slice of island heaven on Fraser Island, the world’s largest sand island with its ancient rainforests and beautiful dune lakes, and safe in the knowledge that the holiday is run by an operator who won a a prestigious Responsible Tourism Award only last year.

Or choose to stay at this luxurious lodge on Kangaroo Island and you might well be tempted to make a rather grand proposal to match the setting. The island is just 15km off the South coast and is widely regarded as Australia’s Galapagos, being home to abundant wildlife and spectacular natural beauty.

You can explore on foot, by kayak or mountain bike, then kick back and relax at the lodge with panoramic views, first class food and wine, and perhaps a visit to the spa for a little pampering.

Back on the mainland, this treetop retreat, right in the heart of the Daintree rainforest is just perfect for a honeymoon or romantic escape, and this romantic retreat high in the Blue Mountains is especially popular with those wanting a seclusion, fresh air and a hearty feed.

Find all our Australia holidays here