Twice a year during winter and spring, on one of the most important migratory flyways in the world, tens of thousands of birds touch down on this small island to rest their weary bodies. Plovers, red shanks, egrets and sandpipers are just some of the winged visitors that can be seen here.

Burleigh Head is a small national park, located on the Gold Coast in South East Queensland. Here you can climb the park’s highest point, an ancient volcano, to see the 20 kilometres of unbroken white beach stretching far into the distance — what a sight. Have a picnic on your way and try spotting at least a few lizards.

At Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary you will find a rainforest, lakes and native animals in their natural habitat. Observe tree kangaroos, koalas and birds from the elevated walkways and feel closer to nature. A trip to the sanctuary will be an adventure for the entire family.

Tucked into the bohemian Grottes district, Les Schtroumpfs — or the Smurfs buildings — are some of the quirkiest architecture in Geneva. Built in the early ’80s by three architects with a clear nod to Gaudí and comic book weirdness, the buildings look like something out of a fairytale: rounded shapes, bright colours, and almost no straight lines. Locals named them after the Smurfs because they genuinely look like something those little blue guys would live in. The complex houses around 750 families and includes a kindergarten, a dental clinic, and a few cafés, all surrounded by trees and playgrounds. It’s not a tourist hotspot, but definitely worth a quick wander if you’re nearby.