Located just outside Kuala Lumpur's city centre, this six-tiered Chinese temple honours Mazu, the revered sea goddess. Since its opening in 1989, the active worship site has drawn visitors with its striking architectural features, from the grand prayer hall altars to the tiered roofs adorned with intricate carvings. The temple is open to tourists, but expect devotees filling the temple, burning incense offerings and praying. You can explore independently or join organised tours to appreciate this lesser-known gem's cultural and artistic significance.

The divine white-sand beach was once believed to be washed over by waters with strong curative properties. Today, over a century later, the possible medicinal effect has been eclipsed by its popularity with leisure vacationers, either idling in the sun or engaging in water sports (equipment available for hire).

Snowy Mountains is the premier trout fishing region in New South Wales, and it takes over as the most popular sporting activity come the spring melt. Brown, rainbow and brook trout, as well as Atlantic salmon, breed and prosper here. It's possible to go fishing in winter, but only on lakes and reservoirs, as most streams are closed from late June until the first weekend of October. You can also fish at Lake Eucumbene, Lake Jindabyne and Khancoban Pondage to enjoy the best fishing in the region. A licence is require, so obtain it online or at one of the many fishing retailers in the area.

Gudmundstjärn, located 30 km west of Sundsvall, is one of Sweden's last preserved self-sufficient settlements. Between 1779 and 1944 the fields here were farmed by five generations. No roads connected the homestead to the outside world. The 22 preserved buildings have been declared historical monuments, and the area is now a nature reserve.