Maria Island is a natural wildlife sanctuary and off-shore retreat with historic ruins, sweeping bays, dramatic cliffs and plenty of stories to tell. Located off Tasmania's east coast and accessible only by ferry, Maria Island contains the most intact example of a convict probation station in Australia. Spend the night and piece together Tasmania’s intriguing convict history, encounter very cute wildlife and explore Maria Island’s pristine beaches and ancient forests. The island offers excellent walking and cycling journeys and a limestone quarry at the Fossil Cliffs provides a fascinating close-up look at the many ancient creatures immortalised as fossils in the rocks. The Painted Cliffs at Hopground Beach are beautifully patterned sandstone shaped by the mineral-rich water and wind.

Set in a beautifully restored 19th-century sawmill, the Naval Heritage Museum is a small but fascinating dive into Tivat’s maritime past. The collection features over 300 artefacts, including rare Austro-Hungarian naval equipment, old photographs, and even a pair of authentic Yugoslav submarines.

Just above Tivat, Gornja Lastva is a tiny mountain village that seems to have slipped through the cracks of time. With its old stone houses, narrow cobblestone streets, and stunning views of the Bay of Kotor, it’s one of those places that’s perfect for getting away from the crowds. There’s not much happening here, just a few visitors wandering around the churches, grabbing a coffee at a local café, or chatting with the locals.