Unknown to most travellers Yulara, home to Uluru, has more than just one monolith.  Photo Credit: Georgie Sharp

Australian’s love to travel. Sometimes we travel over an hour just to get to work or school. On weekends we may travel a little further to visit a beach or take a walk in the bush. Other times we’ll fly all the way to Bali to visit the beach or do some yoga.

Earlier this year in February, a tourism ad starring Chris Hemsworth invited Americans (and the rest of the world) to come explore ’37 miles of pristine beautiful beaches’ and drink some of the ‘finest wines in the world’. Where else in the world can you find 60 kilometres of beach? More recently, Luke Hemsworth, the original Hemsworth, starred in his own version.

Statistically speaking, the videos worked. International visitor numbers’ were up 8% in the last report. Federal Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham said the reaction was ‘huge’, with video views over 100 million. One exceptionally lucky backpacker even got Chris Hemsworth himself to guide him from the airport to Byron Bay.

It’s great that international visitors are experiencing the beauty of our country except, I know more Australians who have been to Bali than the Great Barrier Reef. More Queenslanders who’ve been to the Grand Canyon but not Kings Canyon. Even Prince Harry and Meghan Markle went to Dubbo. Have you ever been to Dubbo? I have, it’s fantastic. Where else would I have hand feed a Giraffe a carrot?

I think it’s time we swapped the exy cattle class seats to ride shotgun through our own country. Just imagine no jet lag, and you can stop anytime you like. Which means no lengthy hangs in airports, just spectacular views.

Would you consider leaving your passport at home? Where’s your next holiday?