The Aborigines regard Australia’s unique, beautiful geological formations as sacred and mystical. But geologists can also take pleasure in the geological mysteries of the Land Down Under, each of which has its own story to tell.

The spectacular New River Gorge offers some of the East Coast’s best rock climbing and world-class whitewater rafting. It might be the most thrilling geology field trip on earth.

Touristy mai tais and luaus aside, Hawaii's geologic hallmarks are a low-cost, splendor-filled safari.