WHY TRAVEL WITH US?
ACCESS
Travelling with Australian Geographic inspires people to care about the planet by providing meaningful opportunities to explore it. Our experiences are rich in nature and adventure, and our travel partners specialise in small-group experiences.
EXPERTISE
Australian Geographic’s adventurers, scientists, historians and photographers have brought the world to you for almost 40 years. Now you’re invited to join them in the country’s most intriguing places, from the Great Barrier Reef to the red heart.
SUSTAINABILITY
Australian Geographic is committed to sustaining the environment, culture and heritage of each place we visit, from addressing climate change to promoting awareness of the world’s oldest continuing cultures and revealing the country’s countless treasures.
GIVING BACK
All the travel experiences offered raise funds for our Society. As our not-for-profit arm, it supports scientists and conservationists who work tirelessly to preserve and protect the planet, its species and ecosystems. We also support explorers and adventurers.
THE TOWN WITH A GOLDEN GLOW
Time seems to stand still at Walhalla, the Victorian goldmining site that was the last town in Australia to be connected to mains power.
DUSK IS FALLING Over the 19th-century goldrush-era town of Walhalla, nestled inside a lush valley in Victoria’s Gippsland. I’m waiting for the lights to come on and illuminate the landmark band rotunda that’s across the street from my hotel – a nightly miracle of sorts, considering this historic town was connected to mains power only 25 years ago.
Walhalla is part of a group of Victorian goldrush-era towns seeking UNESCO World Heritage status in recognition of their important place in Australia’s modern history. Once one of the world’s richest goldmining towns, Walhalla’s fortunes have been boom-and-bust since gold was first discovered here in 1862 (see Aussie Towns, page 126). By the end of the century, Walhalla and its surrounding “satellite suburbs” had a population of about 4000, as well as 10 hotels, three breweries and seven churches. More than 70 tonnes of gold were extracted from the valley during a 52-year period, with most of the wealth destined for Melbourne where the mine shareholders lived.
“If you want to
