Australia has some of the strangest wildlife on the planet. In addition, Australia is a land of breathtaking contrasts and breathtaking natural beauty. The Great Barrier Reef is one of the world’s most impressive natural wonders, and it can be found just off the coast of Australia’s east coast. Outback Australia’s rugged national parks and red-earth deserts are the ultimate adventure travel destinations.
Add to that a laid-back atmosphere and welcoming people, and it’s easy to see why Australia is at the top of many people’s travel wish lists. With our list of the best attractions in Australia, you can plan your own vacation.
Table of Contents
Sydney Opera House
When someone mentions “Sydney, Australia,” the first thing that comes to mind is the Sydney Opera House. The Bennelong Point building in Sydney is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s greatest architectural masterpieces, shaped like enormous shells or billowing sails.
The setting is spectacular. The Royal Botanic Gardens border the south of the structure, which is surrounded by water on all three sides. It’s possible to take in a show, dine in one of the restaurants, or take a tour of the Sydney Opera House to see the best parts of it all! A concert hall, exhibition halls, and a movie theatre are all part of the complex.
The Sydney Opera House’s striking architecture is best appreciated from a distance, rather than from the inside. The Royal Botanic Gardens’ Mrs Macquarie’s Chair is a great place to photograph this popular Sydney tourist attraction, but you can also take a harbour cruise or ferry and snap photos as you pass by.
Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is a must-see for anyone visiting Australia. This natural wonder, which has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, is the world’s largest surviving structure. You can see it from outer space because it’s so large. Scuba divers, snorkelers, island enthusiasts, and nature lovers will all find something to love about this tropical paradise.
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park was established in 1975 to safeguard the reef’s delicate ecosystems. More than 3,000 coral reefs, 600 islands, 300 coral cays, and inshore mangrove islands make up the vast array.
Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef is one of the seven natural wonders of the world, stretching 2,300 kilometres along the east coast of Australia.
It’s no surprise that the Great Barrier Reef is a top destination for scuba and snorkelling enthusiasts in Australia. There are soft and hard corals, over 1,600 species of tropical fish, sharks, dugongs, dolphina and turtles, rays, and giant clams in this awe-inspiring marine ecosystem. Want to avoid the rain? Underwater observatories and glass-bottom boats provide excellent views of the reef.
The Great Barrier Reef can be reached in a variety of ways. To get a taste of the island’s natural beauty, you can go snorkelling or scuba diving in the reefs. Cairns, Port Douglas, and Airlie Beach are the most popular starting points for tours on the mainland of Queensland.
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
Uluru (also known as Ayers Rock) is one of the most photographed natural wonders in Australia’s Red Centre. As a World Heritage Site managed by Parks Australia and Aangu people, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park has a striking red monolith as its centrepiece.
At 348 metres above sea level, Uluru, which the local Aboriginals call “the shadowy place,” is the highest point in the Ayers Rock region. The majority of its mass is subterranean. Kata Tjuta, the red dome-shaped rocks, are also found in the park (the Olgas).
Spectators gather to watch Uluru and Kata Tjuta’s colours change as the sun sets over the horizon. Take a tour with an Aboriginal guide or ranger to really get a sense of the significance of the sites.
Sydney Harbour Bridge
The Sydney Harbour Bridge, along with the Sydney Opera House, is one of the most recognisable structures in Australia. The world’s largest steel arch bridge was built in an impressive feat of engineering. Sydney’s Opera House opened 40 years later, in 1932.
It is one of the most popular things to do in Sydney, Australia, and offers stunning views of the harbour and the city. Sydney’s North Shore and the city’s central business district are connected by a bridge that rises 134 metres above the harbour. Eight lanes of traffic can be switched from one direction to another to accommodate traffic flow, in addition to the pedestrian path that spans the bridge.
The museum on the southeastern pier provides an overview of the bridge’s history and construction.
Blue Mountains National Park
Beautiful Blue Mountains National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a popular day trip from Sydney and a haven for hikers. It’s just 81 kilometres from the city centre.
More than 664,000 acres of wilderness are protected by this stunning park, which is named for its eucalyptus haze. There are 140 kilometres of hiking trails in this area, as well as spectacular gorges and waterfalls, as well as Aboriginal rock art.
The Three Sisters, a trio of towering sandstone rock formations, are the most well-known sights in Blue Mountains National Park. It’s also worth mentioning the Katoomba Scenic Railway and the Skyway, Scenic Cableway, and Scenic Walkway, all of which offer stunning views of dense rainforests from atop the cliffs of the Jamison Valley.
These activities include mountain biking, abseiling and horseback riding in the park.
Melbourne
It’s no surprise that Melbourne, the country’s second largest city, is a popular pit stop for tourists, especially those with a penchant for culture. This affluent city on the Yarra River is known for its museums, galleries, theatres, restaurants, and shops, all of which have a distinct European flavour. Almost a third of the city’s area is occupied by parks, gardens, and open spaces.
Melbourne is home to a plethora of cultural attractions. Visit the National Gallery of Victoria to take in the works of art, the Arts Centre Melbourne to catch a show, or Federation Square to people watch. The Ian Potter Gallery displays Australian art, while the Australian Centre for the Moving Image educates visitors about the country’s screen culture.
Do you feel like spending some time in the great outdoors? The Royal Botanic Gardens’ Aboriginal Heritage Walk is a worthwhile excursion. Attend a match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground if you’re a sports fanatic. Cricket is the sport of choice in the summer, while Australian Rules football is the sport of choice in the winter.
Melbourne has a long and colourful history as well. Shopping in Melbourne’s elegant arcades and the Queen Victoria Market, which has served the city’s residents for more than a century, is a sensory experience enhanced by the grand Victorian structures financed by the Gold Rush.
Bondi Beach
Combine tanned bodies with white sand and backpackers for one of the world’s most well-known beaches. Bondi Beach is a great place to get a taste of Sydney’s beach culture, just 15 minutes from the city centre. On a scorching summer day, laze on the golden sands, catch some waves, or cool off in the water.
It’s rare to find a beach so close to the city in any other city in the world. One of Sydney’s most popular beaches, it’s no wonder. As an added bonus, Bondi is home to one of the world’s oldest surf life saving clubs.
Bondi is a great place to visit if you’re looking for something to do away from the beach. Enjoy the Bondi to Bronte coastal walk. Six beautiful kilometres of sandstone cliffs line this path, which begins at the southern end of the beach and winds its way north. A variety of nearby cafés and restaurants await those who have worked up an appetite. Visit the Sunday markets for bargains, and then cool off with a swim in the ocean pool afterward.
He has a wild side, Bondi admits. Christmas and New Year’s Eve draw large crowds of visitors and residents alike. It’s a popular location for tourists.
Remember to keep your distance from the red and yellow flags if you’re swimming in Bondi. Swimmers are frequently swept out to sea by strong rip tides, particularly at the southern end of this kilometer-long sandbar. The Australians named their reality show Bondi Rescue for a reason.
Daintree National Park
Daintree National Park, a Wet Tropics World Heritage Site, is one of the oldest ecosystems on the planet. In this part of the world, many of the land’s natural features hold great spiritual significance for the Eastern Kuku Yalanji Aboriginal people.
Cape Tribulation and Mossman Gorge make up the majority of the park’s two main sections, which are characterised by crystal-clear waters cascading over granite rocks. The Coral Sea’s white sand beaches are surrounded by lush rainforest. Just a few places on the planet have two of our planet’s most diverse ecosystems coming together in such a spectacular way.
Park’s incredible biodiversity includes over 18,000 plant species and a wide range of animal species, including the crocodile and Bennett’s tree kangaroo, which are both secretive but well-known to the park visitors.
The town of Port Douglas, located just south of the park, is an ideal location from which to plan a wildlife safari.
Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island is a naturalist’s dream come true. Kangaroos frolic in the powdery sands, sea lions and penguins play in the clear waters, and koalas cling to the fragrant eucalyptus trees on this untouched island off the Fleurieu Peninsula in South Australia.
Also, scuba diving is a wonderful experience. Dive shipwrecks off the island’s coast to see sea dragons and other marine life.
The best things to do on Kangaroo Island come from Mother Nature. Located in Flinders Chase National Park, the impressive Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch are examples of wind-sculpted rock art. Explore the depths of the earth’s caverns. Hike along sea cliffs and through pristine forests to see wildlife and surf the high dunescapes.
There will be no shortage of delights for gourmets, as well. Fresh seafood, creamy cheeses, and Ligurian honey are all on the menu at local restaurants. Direct flights from Adelaide or ferries from Cape Jervis on the Fleurieu Peninsula will take you to the island.
Kakadu National Park
Kakadu National Park is one of the best examples of Australia’s wilderness areas. Among the many natural wonders that can be found within its borders are tropical rain forests and mangrove swamps as well as ancient rock art, wetlands, and waterfalls.
Kakadu is also a haven for a bewildering array of fauna. So many different bird species live here, as do freshwater and saltwater crocodiles, in addition to the numerous mammals, reptiles, and fish. Take a boat tour along the waterways or a hike through the park’s extensive trail system to learn about the park’s many ecosystems. Another option is to fly over the landscape in a private plane.
During the dry season, it is simple to travel to Kakadu National Park from Darwin. The drive from Darwin, the capital of the Northern Territory, takes about three hours. Wet season (Nov-April) is the best time to see the waterfalls and wetlands because of heavy flooding.
City of Broome
It was once known as the pearl capital of the world, located in Western Australia’s north, Broome. Today, it’s a bustling tourist destination and the starting point for exploring the breathtaking Kimberley region.
Cable Beach is Broome’s most popular tourist attraction. It’s one of Australia’s best beaches, and sunset camel rides on the sand are a must-do activity here.
The Staircase to the Moon attracts visitors to Town Beach. Between March and October, when the moonlight creates an optical illusion of steps leading to the moon, this phenomenon takes place.
Broome’s other attractions include Gantheaume Point’s red cliffs, as well as the Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Park, where visitors can get up close and personal with crocodiles and other reptiles. At the Broome Historical Museum, you can learn about the area’s history, or you can relax on a deck chair and watch a movie under the stars at Sun Pictures.
Also high on the list of activities in Broome are pearl farm tours, whale-watching excursions, and Kimberley explorations.
Great Ocean Road
The Great Ocean Road is one of the most beautiful drives in the world. Constructed as a means of creating jobs along Australia’s rugged southeast coast, the road stretches 300 kilometres and winds its way along sheer sea cliffs. This area includes the coastal towns of Torquay and Allansford, as well as the city of Warrnambool.
Located along the Great Ocean Road, Port Campbell National Park is a must-see stop. Wind and wave-sculpted rock formations like the Twelve Apostles, the London Bridge, the Arch, and Loch Ard Gorge can be found here. The Southern Ocean’s pounding surf lashes these rock formations like giant puzzle pieces adrift along the coast.
Along the Great Ocean Road, you’ll find a wealth of worthwhile activities. If you’re in the area, don’t miss the Australian National Surfing Museum in Torquay, Bells Beach, Lorne, or Warrnambool. You can also go whale-watching in Warrnambool. Visitors to Otway National Park will delight in the eucalyptus and fern-filled rain forests, as well as the hiking trails and waterfalls.