The two states of South Australia and Victoria in the south of Australia have everything to offer that characterises the Fifth Continent and makes it unique - an incredibly fascinating fauna and an impressive variety of landscapes. There's something to suit every taste: koalas and kangaroos, trendy cities and great surfing, wineries and the outback.

Start your journey in Adelaide - a well-arranged and cosy city. And yet full of vibes and creativity. Everything is close together. The deep outback of the Flinders Ranges, that rugged wilderness with mountains, gorges and bush land bordered by flat deserts, sand dunes and huge salt lakes, can be reached in just a few hours by car. With a rental car you are independent and experience this side trip as well as the 1000km long south coast on the way to Melbourne from its most beautiful side.  After just a few kilometres you'll reach the Fleurieu Peninsula, where you can visit first-class wineries on the Shiraz Trail of McLaren Vale or snorkel the Rapid Bay for leafy shred fish among shipwrecks.

Make sure you take the short detour to the realm of the kangaroos. "Kangaroo Island" is located in the south of the Peninsula, just an hour's ferry ride from the mainland. Australia's third largest island is also known as a "zoo without fences" and you'll soon find out why. Wallabies, ant-hedgehogs and koalas cross your path everywhere. Be sure to drive carefully and avoid night drives. I was there for three days, it should have been good and should have been a week. Here dense bushland alternates with steppe-like landscapes. It is teeming with koalas and kangaroos everywhere and the rugged cliffs and boulders where the waves break are simply fantastic.

Back on the mainland, we head east and if you're in a hurry, you could make it to Melbourne in a day. But you would miss some highlights. Above all the Great Ocean Road, the counterpart to America's Highway No.1. On the south coast of the state Victoria runs this dreamlike, more than 250 kilometres long coastal stretch. Enjoy the views or relax on powdered sugar fine sandy beaches. Of course, the obligatory photo stop at the 12 Apostles is also a must.

Further east, just outside Melbourne, is Torquay, where boards are part of the business outfit and the surfer scene is at home. The crushers are up to seven meters high and thunder on the Bells Beach. Every year in March, the best of them choose their champion at a mega party on the beach: the Rip Curl Pro is a folk festival on the breaks as well as on the beach.

Melbourne is definitely worth a visit. Victoria's capital city attracts visitors from all over the world with its charm and vibrant trendy neighbourhoods. Stroll the Queen Victoria Market, shop in the numerous vintage shops or discover exotic fruit stands. The many walls decorated with graffiti also radiate the young and hip flair of the city.

And if you have two days left, don't miss a trip to Wilsons Promontory National Park. The spectacular national park south of Melbourne boasts an 80km network of hiking trails, great wildlife and pristine flora. If you've never seen a wombat in the wild before, you'll find it here. The cuddly marsupials have become so accustomed to humans that if you treat them with respect, they can even be stroked.