By dictionary definition, Paradise is any place of complete bliss and delight and peace. There are two places in Australia which have the word "paradise" in their name - Surfers Paradise in Qld and Paradise, a suburb of Adelaide. The latter was named by German Lutherans escaping religious persecution in their homeland, who settled there in the 1840s. The peace and tranquillity they found on what was then Adelaide's outskirts would have been a paradise to them.
Those of us who love surfing would no doubt think that Surfers Paradise is well named. As for the rest of us ... well we all have our own picture of what paradise is and the places we've selected here are some Australian destinations that fit the definition for us.
In the main, they are what you might also describe as being "picture perfect", as they are all places where one can see nature at its absolute best. It's interesting to note that our selections are nearly all beachside, no doubt because a large majority of Australians are sun-loving beach-goers who equate the beach with holidays, relaxing and having fun. Few equate ancient sun-burnt mountains and rolling plains with paradise, and those who do often wonder why the rest can't see the beauty they see in the Australian outback.
Australians also tend to link the word 'tropical' with paradise - it's a combination that conjures up images of gently rolling surf breaking on ribbons of golden sand, lined with palm trees waving in the breeze. A couple of our destinations fit that picture but the majority don't.
We've deliberately included every state and territory to assist those who want to experience a touch of paradise, no matter where in Australia they might find themselves.
No doubt some readers will disagree with our choices, and have other places they have visited that in their mind better fit the description of "a touch of paradise". If that is you, we invite you to submit your suggestions for inclusion here via the "Submit" box in the far right column. |
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