7 digital detox holidays in Australia that are worth giving up your phone for

What: You can pack a slice of peace and greenery into a daytrip. Take the scenic Black Spur Drive between Healesville and Narbethong, north-west of Melbourne, to watch sunlight peek through immense mountain ash trees in the lush Yarra Ranges National Park. Keep driving to Lady Talbot Drive to do short walks to the tiered Keppel or Phantom Falls.

Where: The Yarra Ranges National Park is a 90-minute drive from Melbourne.

When: Beautiful year-round, but visit in spring to see wildflowers throughout the Yarra Ranges.

Try: Pack a picnic for the Fernshaw picnic area or treat yourself to a fine feed at one of the excellent restaurants in nearby Healesville.

What: You can’t get much more remote than Australia’s red centre. Visit the stunning Simpsons Gap at dawn or dusk to spy black-footed rock-wallabies hopping among the towering red cliffs. Look for birds, including the painted finch, peregrine falcon and grey-headed honeyeater.

Where: Simpsons Gap is in Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park, a 20-minute drive from Alice Springs.

When: In the cooler months, from April to September.

Try: Take the easy Ghost Gum Walk from Simpsons Gap or train to try a section of the epic 223km Larapinta Trail along the spine of the West MacDonnell Ranges.

What: White sands, turquoise water and more tropical fish than people – it’s not the Maldives or Thailand, this paradise is in our very own backyard. The Whitsundays are a collection of 74 islands amid the Great Barrier Reef. You can flop and drop at a resort but it’s better to get active here: snorkel, kayak or dive to spot turtles, manta rays or migrating whales.

Where: Off the Queensland coast from Airlie Beach.

When: Visit in spring for sunshine and perfect snorkelling conditions.

Try: Go cruising with Princess Cruises and experience the Whitsundays, the Great Barrier Reef and the rest of tropical Queensland over a 7-night cruise.

What: Take a trip back in time, cruising down the Gordon River. You’ll be surrounded by Indigenous and convict history, as well as dense rainforest that includes some of the oldest trees in the world. Mobile phone reception can be limited in some areas, giving you the perfect excuse to switch off and disconnect.

Where: Strahan, on Tasmania’s remote west coast – about four hours’ drive south-west of Launceston.

When: You can cruise year-round, but visit in summer for warmer weather.

Try: Book a daytrip with World Heritage Cruises to visit the former convict prison, Sarah Island and Heritage Landing to see the impressive Huon pines, which can grow for more than 2000 years.

What: Feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere, even if you only have a weekend spare. If you’re Sydney-based, Kangaroo Valley is only a two-hour drive to escape to a truly relaxed vibe. This charming small town is surrounded by farmland, rainforests and mountains.

Where: In the Shoalhaven region south of Sydney.

When: Visit year-round to stroll the country town or hike in the nearby Morton National Park.

Try: For a healthy dose of nature and quiet, stay at an Unyoked off-grid cabin in the Kangaroo Valley (above). The tiny home sits snugly in a natural amphitheatre on the edge of a temperate rainforest. Keep an eye out for wombats, lyrebirds and wallabies.

What: Standing among 100,000- year-old natural wonders does tend to give you a bit of perspective on life. Murphy’s Haystacks on the Eyre Peninsula are unusual rock formations that look particularly striking when touched by the glow of sunset.

Where: West of Adelaide. Get a flight to Port Lincoln, Whyalla or Ceduna.

When: Visit in summer for sunshine.

Try: Pitch a tent at the Murphy’s Haystacks campground. You’ll be so far from a big city that the night sky lights up with a stunning star show just for you. And come to the area hungry – the Eyre Peninsula is one of Australia’s top seafood hubs. Explore an oyster farm or get your fill at The Fresh Fish Place in Port Lincoln.

What: If you’re a city dweller, it’s easy to forget how big Australia is. Ningaloo Reef is 300km of sparkling water and incredible ocean creatures. On shore, head to the adjoining 50,000ha Cape Range National Park to spot kangaroos, emus and echidnas.

Where: A two-hour flight north of Perth, near the town of Exmouth.

When: Visit May and October to spot migrating humpback whales and mid-March to August to spot whale sharks, the world’s biggest fish.

Try: No TVs, no phone coverage – at Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef, you’ll really get away from it all. And while you’ll stay in off-grid tents, you won’t exactly be roughing it. You’ll still have hot water, an ensuite, delicious meals and drinks with uninterrupted views.