Why this remote Australian desert is set for its most spectacular season yet

Plus, three other things Explore is loving this week.

The Munga-Thirri Simpson Desert National Park.

August 9, 2026

In this article

On your marks, grey nomads and 4WD adventurers - after months of exceptional rainfall and widespread flooding across the region, the Munga-Thirri Simpson Desert National Park, the route connecting the famous red dunes around Birdsville (and its equally famous pub) to Diamantina, has reopened. With a profusion of birdlife, carpets of wildflowers and the "inland sea" of Kati Thanda (Lake Eyre) at its highest water level since 1974, the Simpson Desert is gearing up for an extraordinary spring season. thediamantina.com.au

Hot tickets for art lovers

Sydney's turning it on for lovers of modern art with Carriageworks hosting the Australian premiere of David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away), in October, a production that includes large-scale projected images, animation and a specially commissioned score. The Art Gallery of NSW, meanwhile, has reopened the studio of Australian artist Brett Whiteley following a refurbishment. The former warehouse in Surry Hills, Whiteley's home from 1987 until his death in 1992, gives visitors an insight into the creative process, with complete and unfinished works, painting materials and memorabilia. lightroomatcarriageworks.au; artgallery.nsw.gov.au

New Sabi Sabi safari

Sabi Sabi Collection in South Africa - a favourite with Australians, who are its second-biggest market after the US - has opened another property. Over six years, they've rehabilitated a 5000-hectare former hunting reserve in the Kruger into a protected wilderness. Sandringham Private Game Reserve sits at the confluence of four rivers, with two luxury safari camps and a four-bedroom villa. As well as game drives, there are guided walking and birding safaris. sabisabicollection.com

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Luxe and less on the Goldie

The Gold Coast is nothing but democratic, welcoming families and funseeking flashpackers alike. Two of it newest accommodation options cover both - Amaya at Broadbeach offers luxury one-, two- or three-bedroom sea- or hinterland-view apartments, with pool, steam room and magnesium spa, while a bar, rooftop pool and in-house DJ feature at Bounce at Surfers Paradise. Touted as a "social resort", the hotel hybrid has shared rooms starting at $65 a night. amayabroadbeach.au; staybounce.com

Words byNatascha Mirosch

Natascha has been writing about travel and food for more than 25 years. When she’s not travelling, writing about her travels or planning her next trip, she can usually be found in the kitchen, procrastibaking.

My all-time favourite destination is … Argentina. One of my favourite moments was horse riding with a gaucho, the snow-tipped Andes ahead of us and a condor wheeling above us in the bluest sky. Elvio didn’t speak any English, so we didn’t talk at all and the only sound was the ring of our horse’s hooves on shale as we ascended the foothills.

Next on my bucket list is … Georgia (the European country rather than the US State) has been on my hit list for ages and I’ve yet to get to Canada, so either (or both).

My top travel tip is … Always include a destination on your itinerary that doesn’t have “big things” to tick off, a place where you can slow down and interact with locals going about their day. It really gives you a deeper understanding of the destination and people that you won’t get if you just stick to the big tourist spots.