Australia – the only country in the world that is also a continent – sparkles like a rare jewel between the South Pacific and Indian Oceans. This wild and beautiful country bursts with surprises that will mesmerize travelers, beginning with the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Cairns. A kaleidoscope of color, Australia’s endangered iconic seascape begs to be seen. The pristine tropical rainforest of Queensland’s Gold Coast Hinterland; the hip coastal cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth; and the arid mountains and savannahs of Australia’s red sand outback all vie for the traveler’s attention. Here are 25 places that demand to be seen at the wonder down under.
Sydney
Sydney is Australia’s premier city and serves as the gateway to Asia, an ideal destination for international travelers from all walks of life. This vibrant and energetic city has a multitude of attractions, including world-class dining opportunities, award-winning shows and entertainment, idyllic beaches, and a bustling nightlife.
Gold Coast
Among the numerous attractions on the Gold Coast are three must-sees, Broadbeach, Burleigh Heads, and Surfers Paradise.
Melbourne
Melbourne is a bustling metropolitan city that serves as the gateway to Victoria’s natural springs, world-class wineries, alpine villages, peninsulas, and magnificent coastline. The city acts as a culture and arts epicenter with lively bars, covert boutiques, hidden cafes, and world-class restaurants lining their laneways.
Cairns
Sometimes referred to as Queensland’s gateway to the tropical north, Cairns is a relaxed city where visitors will appreciate the great outdoors. A must-see is the Great Barrier Reef – the largest coral reef system in the world.
Adelaide
Travelers looking for a cosmopolitan Australian experience should start their adventure in Adelaide. A celebrated food and wine destination, the city also provides a fun foodie experience in the Adelaide Laneways, a former warehouse district repurposed into trendy bars and shops.
Mudgee
Mudgee is a lovely town located just northwest of Sydney, Australia, known for its lovely preserved colonial-era architecture.
Broome
If experiencing other cultures is high on the must-do list, Broome and the Kimberley are the places to discover and learn about Aboriginal culture.
Byron Bay
Byron Bay is situated on the northernmost coast of New South Wales. A popular tourist destination, it’s characterized by its many beaches and hinterland. The temperate climate is perfect for outdoor activities, of which there are plenty.
Canberra
If visitors want to get to the heart of the best things to see and do in Canberra, they only need find Lake Burley Griffen. The lake is at the city’s center and most of the top attractions ring its shoreline, including the boomerang-shaped New Parliament House that sits on its shore, forming one side of the Parliamentary Triangle.
Darwin
Darwin is the laidback capital of the Northern Territory with Asian and Aboriginal influences. Visitors will find Aboriginal art in prominent museums and galleries here.
Fraser Island
Fraser Island has the distinction of being the world’s largest sand island. The World Heritage-listed island features over 100 freshwater lakes, towering rainforests, sand dunes, a shipwreck, and spectacular sandstone cliffs.
Brisbane
Brisbane is a green city in the making, offering travelers diverse experiences like the outdoor urban fun of Riverlife Adventure Center, the serene gardens of Mount Coot-tha and the City Botanic Gardens, the subtropical rainforests of D’Aguilar National Park, and the Australia Zoo.
Great Otway National Park
Great Otway National Park spans from Torquay to Princeton and continues up towards Colac after passing through the Otways hinterland.
Hobart
Hobart is the small, charming, capital city of Tasmania boasting big city sights, a dynamic food scene, bold art, and an abundance of natural attractions.
Kakadu National Park
Kakadu National Park is one of the greatest nature reserves in the world and is on the World Heritage Area list for both its natural and cultural heritage.
Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island is located in South Australia boasting over 300 miles of picturesque coastline featuring several pristine beaches. It’s the ideal setting to view wildlife in the bushland while enjoying various adventures.
Kuranda
Kuranda is a beautiful and picturesque mountain village 15 miles northwest of Cairns in Far North Queensland. It is encircled by a World Heritage-listed tropical rainforest and is known for having an energetic arts and craft culture due to its artisan inhabitants.
Margaret River
Margaret River is located in Western Australia about a 3-hour drive from Perth; it’s known for its beaches, wine, and sense of adventure.
Perth
Located on Australia’s west coast, the vibrant city of Perth seamlessly blends together scenic parks and soft-sand beaches with a small, thriving metropolis filled with dynamic restaurants, quaint bars, and curated street art.
Phillip Island
Phillip Island is the ideal family destination for those traveling to Australia. Just 90 minutes from Melbourne, it features pristine white beaches, amazing wildlife, and hi-octane motorsports. Wildlife viewing is one of the best treats on the island, where visitors can watch koalas and penguins in their natural habitats.
Port Douglas
The beautiful Port Douglas takes just an hour to get to heading north from Cairns. Traveling along Great Barrier Reef Drive affords visitors a scenic drive with the forest on one side and the Coral Sea on the other.
Royal National Park
The Royal National Park is a Sydney Heritage-listed park established in 1879 and the second largest national park in the world. It’s an excellent day-trip excursion that provides a wide array of things to do, including bushwalking, fishing, bird watching, and whale watching.
Townsville
Townsville is a primary gateway to the Wet Tropics, Queensland outback, and Great Barrier Reef, offering visitors over 320 days of sunny skies each year, lush tropical gardens, and several national parks that are on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Uluru-Kata National Park
Uluru-Kata National Park is a World Heritage-listed destination and one of Australia’s most iconic symbols located within the country’s Red Centre.
Whitsunday Islands
Just off the Queensland Coast in the center of the Great Barrier Reef are 74 magnificent and beautiful island wonders, the Whitsunday Islands.
