WILDLIFE photographer Alex Cearns takes us on a tour of her favourite spots.

SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK, TANZANIA

One of nature's greatest spectacles - the migration of 1.5 million wildebeest across the plains - occurs in June-July. The park's Ngorongoro Crater is considered one of Africa's seven natural wonders and a UNESCO World Heritage site; serengeti.org.

SOUTH GEORGIA, ANTARCTICA

Often the first stop for visitors to the Antarctic Peninsula and home to vast numbers of birds and marine life. Four penguin species exist here, including the quirky king penguin. To see the most marine animals go in February; penguin and seabird laying season is October to December; sgisland.gs.

FERNANDINA, GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

A remarkable place to view flightless cormorants, pelicans, sea lions, sally lightfoot crabs and marine iguanas, the world's only sea-going lizard. Though the youngest of the Galapagos Islands, Fernandina is the most pristine, with no introduced mammals. The Galapagos is among the few remaining spots where you can dive with hammerhead sharks; galapagosislands.com.

CHRISTMAS ISLAND NATIONAL PARK

Christmas Island's enchanting flora and fauna earned it the nickname the "Galapagos of the Indian Ocean". It's home to more than 14 species of red crabs and 80,000 seabirds. The migration of millions of red crabs down to the oceanfront occurs every November and December; parksaustralia.gov.au.

MONTEVERDE CLOUD FOREST RESERVE, COSTA RICA

This elevated forest reserve has incredible biodiversity, with 2500 species of plants, 120 species of amphibians and 100 species of mammals. There are 400 bird types in the rainforest, including the extremely rare resplendent quetzal, ancient holy bird of the Mayans. Visit between November and April; reservamonteverde.com.

RANOMAFANA NATIONAL PARK, MADAGASCAR

Lemur lovers will not be disappointed - 12 species exist here. The park is one of the only places you can see the critically endangered golden bamboo lemur, the world's rarest primate, often found grazing in the bamboo thickets. Reptiles and lemurs are active from April to June; travelmadagascar.org.

Alex Cearns is the owner of Houndstooth Studio and a World Expeditions photographic tour escort. More: worldexpeditions.com/au.

HOME AND AWAY

FRESH from a $26 million refurb, Sheraton Mirage Resort & Spa Gold Coast is looking light, bright and resoundingly contemporary, full of quality designer items and with a real sense of pizazz. Terraces Restaurant has been transformed with polished marble and stone finishes, groovy Scandi-style white furniture and an extra seating area that extends across the lower-lobby lagoon. It feels chic and tropical, with water features and picture windows, and just the right venue to hoe into the nightly buffet, which includes a generous cargo of seafood. There are huge platters of oysters (au naturel, mornay and kilpatrick) and cracked crabs; piles of smoked salmon, scallops and mussels; salads of all colourful kinds and an extensive hot selection featuring the likes of pasta marinara. I doubt I've seen such a spread on dry land - this is the bounty of a cruise ship (minus the nautical-themed ice carvings and mermaid-shaped butter centrepieces). Nightly, 6pm-10pm ($79, Sunday to Thursday; or $82 Friday and Saturday). Check in with T&I for a full review of the hotel after we return from our annual holiday break on January 18-19. More: sheratonmiragegoldcoast.com.

Susan Kurosawa

T&I LOVES

WE'VE all heard of T-Rex but the Tyrannosaurs exhibition, on show until July 27 at the Australian Museum in Sydney, is designed to dispel ingrained dino myths, including the notion that T-Rex was the only one of his kind. Subtitled "Meet the Family", the exhibition showcases a dynasty that first appeared 165 million years ago and whose long line included Gorgosauras ("George" according to my four-year-old son), Albertosaurus (that would be "Albert") and the biggest and brashest of the Tyrannosaurs, Rex. The small collection of dinosaur fossils includes never-before displayed Chinese specimens and a locally discovered bone that some believe is evidence of an Antipodean relative. While there's enough to keep adults intrigued, the exhibition is a treat for young ones, with room-sized projections of dinosaurs running through Circular Quay, interactive exhibits and an extensive program of kid-friendly events including dino hunts and museum sleepovers (fees apply). Entry from $14 (free for under-fives). More: tyrannosaurs.com.au.

Sharon Fowler

ACCESSORY

Honeybees Sandals, $29.95

MADE from a lightweight, eco-friendly rubber, these sandals, in 10 colours, are a great option for summer. Two dollars from every sale will be donated to Bees Down Under Research, a program led by bee pathologist Denis Anderson that aims to keep Australia free from the Varroa destructor mite, a parasite attacking bee communities in Britain and the United States. More: myhoneybees.com.au.

Sharon Fowler

ON THE BENCH

Anna Gare beverage dispenser, $69.99, and set of four tumblers, $29.99

THIS cute drinks set by Junior MasterChef Australia judge Anna Gare would make a cool addition to a summer barbecue or drinks party. Pour icy cold homemade lemonade or pre-mixed cocktails from the dispenser into the glass tumblers, which resemble old-style jam jars, to bring a retro feel to any soiree. More: (03) 9474 1300; albi.com.au.

Michelle Rowe

ON THE ROAD

Demeter cologne spray, 30ml, $29

SINGLE-NOTE colognes from US-based Demeter Fragrance Library are perfect for a summer splash or good-value gift. Ninety-five per cent of ingredients are derived from natural or renewable resources and there are no artificial colours. What you get here is the essence of the source, be it Coconut, Hawaiian Vanilla, Fig Leaf or, T&I's favourite, Violet. Other options include fun foodie colognes (a hit with teens, perhaps), such as Sugar Cookie or Vanilla Cake Batter. Demeter also does "everyday smells" of the ilk of Rain or Thunderstorm. More: moltenstore.com.

Susan Kurosawa

BEST DEALS

EIGHT nights at Centara Kata Resort Phuket for the price of four is the lure from TravelOnline; from $329 a person twin-share, book by March 31 for stays April 1 to October 31, including breakfasts, transfers and extras. More: travelonline.com.

GREEN PIECES

IT'S turtle time in the Queensland coastal town of Bundaberg where thousands of visitors are flocking for the breeding season; there are ranger-led tours at the Mon Repos Conservation Park until the end of March. More: queensland.com.

APT APP

PLAN Australian driving trips with Hema Explorer, a GPS navigation app that combines maps with info on campsites and caravan parks, lookouts, weather forecasts and even where to find fuel. $49.99, for iOS and Android devices.

WEB WISE

PROMOTING "cool things to do in developing countries", AdventureHoney covers a swath of Southeast Asia, recommends local operators and donates 25 per cent of proceeds to help start small businesses. More: adventurehoney.com.

WHAT IN THE WORLD

STAY five nights for the price of three in an oceanfront bure at Fiji's Toberua Island Resort with a Travelonline.com deal, for sale until December 31 with stays until March 31

Explore the Illawarra beaches and hinterland of NSW by Segway; eco adventure tours for individuals and groups have just been launched by Segway Tours South Coast, with a 10 per cent discount on stays at Sebel Harbourside Kiama included

Tour the Kremlin, visit the Hermitage Museum and share a traditional lunch with a local family as part of 10-day Highlights of Russia tours in 2014 from Beyond Travel, with bonus travel credits of $300 a couple if booked and paid for by February 28

A rainforest exhibition, Sculptures at Scenic World, in the NSW Blue Mountains, will feature dramatic works from 35 artists from April 24 to May 18.

OPEN BOOK

'LAST night I was in Talaimannar again. With the ancient lighthouse casting yellow stripes across the water and the rock rising steeply against the sky. The sea was calm and Adam's Bridge was clearly visible in the dusk. In my dream, Good triumphed over the demon Ravana and I saw once again the rutted lane that led, through a thicket of trees, to the old beloved place. Through the unlatched gate I went ... with the scent of lotus flowers all around me. Towards the lighted house I walked with steady gaze and saw again the rattan roof on which the rain had tattooed out a sweet, sad song of childhood memory.'

ROMA TEARNE THE ROAD TO URBINO (2012)