At Atelier, "color, pattern, and culture" isn't just a tagline—it's how we travel. This fall, Kelly spent three weeks exploring Australia, from vibrant cities and coral reefs to remote islands filled with wombats. Here are her can't-miss highlights.

Brisbane: Work Trip, But Make It Fun

Thanks to a work trip for her partner Josh, Brisbane became the perfect introduction to Australia. This subtropical river city strikes an enviable balance between laid-back and cosmopolitan, with lush gardens, incredible coffee culture, and year-round outdoor living.

Here is Kelly’s ideal Brisbane work-play day.

Morning run through the Botanic gardens along the Brisbane River Walk. The views are STUNNING.

Work and cafe hop. Coffee is life for Kelly and Australian coffee culture is unmatched.The constantly pleasant weather means restaurants and coffee shops are indoor-outdoor heaven.

Take a wee lunch break to walk through the downtown popping into local boutiques and larger chain stores. The Aussies know how to do COLOR & PATTERN. Kelly couldn’t resist snagging a few items from Gorman.

Spend the rest of the afternoon working at the hotel pool. All the hotels in the CBD (Central Business District) have pools with breathtaking views.

Happy hour al fresco in the Fish Lane part of Southbank

Lady Elliot Island: A Tiny Slice of Paradise

If you only visit one part of the Great Barrier Reef, make it Lady Elliot Island.

Accessible only by small prop plane, this tiny coral cay feels like stepping into another world. Crystal-clear water surrounds the island, and within minutes of arriving you can be snorkeling alongside sea turtles, reef sharks, manta rays, and enormous schools of fish.

The eco-resort keeps things intentionally simple—limited Wi-Fi, casual meals, and plenty of opportunities to disconnect. Days are spent snorkeling, joining marine biologist talks, spotting nesting seabirds, and watching sea turtles come ashore. It's equal parts adventure and blissful escape.

View of the island from the plane, nesting seabirds, view from our Casita & Manta ray swimming off the island (image from Lady Elliot website, not Kelly’s)

Tasmania: Australia's Best-Kept Secret

Want to go off the beaten path? Head to Tasmania.

The island packs alpine mountains, ancient rainforest, white-sand beaches, rugged coastlines, wineries, wildlife, and world-class culture into one surprisingly compact destination. Kelly and Josh rented a campervan and spent two weeks circling the island.

Hobart & MONA

Hobart immediately won them over. Historic sandstone buildings, colorful cottages, a lively waterfront, and a thriving creative scene make it one of Australia's most charming cities.

Just outside town sits MONA (Museum of Old and New Art), a wildly unconventional museum carved into the cliffs above the Derwent River. Whether you love contemporary art or not, the ferry ride and immersive galleries make it worth the visit.

Mona Museum (picture from the MONA museum - not Kelly’s)

Through the Wild West

Driving northwest via Lake St. Clair and Queenstown, the landscape shifted dramatically from ancient rainforest to rugged mining country. Moss-covered forests, misty mountain views, and rust-colored rivers made every turn feel cinematic.

Hiking Frenchman’s cape in the Cradle Mountain region & watching out for echidnas & wombats on the drive

Boat Harbour, Burnie & Penguin

Tasmania's northwest coast feels wonderfully remote. Empty roads, dramatic coastlines, and tiny seaside towns eventually lead to Boat Harbour Beach, where turquoise water and powder-soft sand rival any tropical destination.

Nearby Burnie and the delightfully named town of Penguin offer a glimpse into small-town Tasmanian life, complete with little penguins, coastal walks, and ocean views in every direction.

View from their campsite in Boat Harbour

Campbell Town & Tasmania's Wool Country

Heading inland, rolling farmland and historic villages replace the coastline. Campbell Town's sandstone buildings and convict history provide a fascinating glimpse into Tasmania's past.

As a devoted knitter, Kelly couldn't resist visiting the Wool Centre, making this stretch of the trip especially memorable

Both sides of the main street are lined with bricks with names of convicts, their ‘crimes’ and sentences. A shocking look at the island and countries convict history

Wineglass Bay

Tasmania's east coast delivers some of the most spectacular scenery in Australia. The hike to Wineglass Bay rewards visitors with sweeping views of the iconic crescent-shaped beach, brilliant turquoise water, and granite peaks rising from the sea.

It somehow lives up to every photo you've ever seen.

Maria Island: Don't Miss This

If Kelly could recommend just one place in Tasmania, it would be Maria Island.

Accessible only by ferry from Triabunna, this wildlife-filled island feels completely untouched. You can cycle or hike between historic convict ruins, pristine beaches, and open grasslands populated by wombats, wallabies, paddymelons, kangaroos, and Cape Barren geese.

Camping only adds to the adventure. Bandicoots proved to be particularly menacing, trying to steal into their tent at dusk. Tasmanian devils occasionally wander through, and waking up surrounded by grazing wombats is an experience unlike anything else.

Grazing wombat, Paddymelon & her joey, views on the island

Port Arthur & Cape Raoul

The final stop combined history and wilderness in classic Tasmanian fashion.

Port Arthur's remarkably preserved convict settlement tells the story of Australia's colonial beginnings, while nearby Cape Raoul delivers dramatic sea cliffs and sweeping Southern Ocean views. It was the perfect ending to an unforgettable road trip.

Sydney in 48 Hours

Only have a couple days in Sydney? Kelly recommends keeping it simple.

Day 1:

Start with coffee overlooking Sydney Harbour before taking the ferry to Manly for some of the city's most iconic views. Round out the night eating yourself happy in Spice alley in Chinatown. The vibrant laneway lined with tiny hawker-style food stalls serving dishes from across Southeast Asia.

Day 2:

Tackle the stunning Coogee-to-Bondi coastal walk. Share the ricotta pancakes & poached eggs with crumpets at The Little Kitchen in Coogee Beach for breakfast. End the day reading and swimming in the famous Bondi beach ocean pools

In the evening, grab Japanese fare with expertly paired Sake at Ante, their favorite meal on the trip. Absolutely order the tagliatelle with fermented shiitake mushrooms.

Finish things off at the Sydney Opera House seeing Shiralee - a distinctly Australian play brought to life in one of the world's most iconic venues.

It's a quick introduction to one of the world's great cities and the perfect way to round out an Australian adventure.