tourist attractions in australia top 10

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The 20 top tourist attractions in Australia

These are the places actually worth visiting in the land Down Under

Australia is pretty hard to beat when it comes to natural landmarks and epic experiences . However, it’s hard knowing which ones live up to the hype. We’ve done the hard yards and compiled a list of the top tourist attractions in Australia, spanning from the east coast to the west. 

While the Big Banana didn’t make the cut this time around, you’re sure to be amazed by these spectacular sights, including the world’s largest coral reef, the oldest continually surviving rainforest, and the best sunset-watching location on Earth.  Start compiling your great Australian bucket list. And if you’re looking for a bit more travel inspiration, check out the best places to visit in A ustralia  right now.

RECOMMENDED:  The most exciting events happening in Australia in 2024 .

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Top tourist attractions in Australia

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, NT

Escape the hustle and bustle of Australia’s capital cities and journey to the country's red centre, where the skies are clear, the stars are out and the landscapes are spectacular. Uluru recently took out gold for being the best sunset-watching location on Earth and we suggest experiencing the magic for yourself.

Daintree Rainforest, QLD

Tropical, lush and leafy, the Daintree lives its life in all shades of green. This World Heritage-listed wonder is the oldest continually surviving rainforest in the world, with more tree species in one hectare than in the entirety of the United Kingdom. Explore the emerald canopy via a river cruise, rainforest boardwalk, crocodile tour or treetop zipline.

Rottnest Island, WA

Not to be dramatic, but Rottnest Island may be one of the most beautiful places on Earth. This tiny island an hour off Perth is host to a bunch of fluffy, legitimately smiling marsupials called quokkas (who aren't found anywhere else in the world), pure white sand and numerous tiny, perfect beaches that you can bike ride between in one day.

Blue Mountains National Park, NSW

There’s a very good reason why the epic vistas of the Blue Mountains are World Heritage listed. Several in fact. Firstly, it has some of the most breathtaking geological formations, gorges and waterfalls anywhere in the country. Secondly, it’s one of the largest national parks of its type (the top spot goes to Kosciuszko National Park, also in NSW), covering more than a million hectares. Just imagine all the hikes that await you.

Great Barrier Reef, QLD

You can live your best Little Mermaid fantasy at the Great Barrier Reef – the largest coral reef in the entire world. Made up of more than 100 islands and 3,000 individual reef systems, this is easily one of Australia’s most sought-after tourist hot spots. You can experience the technicolour marvels of the reef on and off the water, with experiences like snorkelling, scuba diving, glass-bottomed boat viewing , helicopter tours, whale watching and swimming with dolphins. 

Sydney Opera House, NSW

You can’t visit Sydney without snapping a picture at one of the world’s most photographed and famous performing arts venues. Along with its spectacular roster of classical and contemporary music, opera, theatre and dance shows, Sydney Opera House offers different tours that allow you to get intimate with the building. If you don't feel like shelling out, it's still free to sit on the steps for a quick lunch by the water and gaze in marvel at those 1,056,000 pearly, self-cleaning Swedish tiles.

Great Ocean Road, VIC

Justifiably one of Victoria’s most popular tourist destinations, the Great Ocean Road snakes all along the southwest coast of Victoria, starting in Torquay (1.5 hours from Melbourne’s CBD) and finishing up just before Warrnambool. There are jaw-dropping vistas at every turn on this winding stretch of road, including the 12 Apostles, Loch And Gorge, London Arch, Bells Beach and Erskine Falls. Make sure to stop for a scallop pie at the Apollo Bay Bakery en route. 

K’gari (Fraser Island), QLD

K’gari is not only the largest sand island on Earth, but boasts the fourth most crystal-clear waters in Oceania. You would have to run three marathons to get from one end to the other, leaving room for lots of dips in the sparkling waters and a long sun bake on the soft white sands.

Wineglass Bay, TAS

This crescent-shaped bay is easily one of Tasmania’s most photographed views, and deservedly so. It’s less than an hour's hike up to Wineglass Bay lookout, where you’ll be rewarded with unparalleled views of the breathtaking blue waters and sparkly white beach (shaped in a wine glass, of course). If you’re lucky, you may even spot whales or dolphins swimming in the bay. 

Lake Hillier, WA

Just like a strawberry milkshake, this protected pink lake is a delight for the senses. You’ll find Lake Hillier on Middle Island in the pristine wilderness of Western Australia’s Recherche Archipelago. The natural wonder, shaped like a footprint and 600 metres in length, gets its bubblegum colour from a mix of salt-loving bacteria and algae. You can truly appreciate the magical contrast between the pink waters and the dark blue Indian Ocean from the sky.

Australian War Memorial, ACT

Canberra gets a bad rap compared to other Australian capital cities, so you might be surprised that it’s home to one of the top ten free tourist attractions in the world. At the Australian War Memorial, you can discover the Australian experiences of war and connect with the stories of people and events that shaped our nation. Place a poppy on the Roll of Honour to remember the sacrifice made by our servicemen and women, and stay for the moving Last Post closing ceremony. 

BridgeClimb, NSW

Take a walk over the most iconic bridge in the world and get a bird's eye view of Sydney that's worth every penny. Yes, it’s expensive. Yes, you have to wear an unflattering grey jumpsuit. But, the feeling as you summit the fourth-longest single-span steel arch bridge is one to last a lifetime. 

Cradle Mountain, TAS

Standing 1,545 metres above sea level in the heart of Tasmania’s World Heritage Area, Cradle Mountain is easily one of Australia’s most famous peaks. The bushwalkers' paradise comes alive in every season, with snow-covered mountains to hike, crystal-clear lakes to swim in and ancient rainforests to explore. Keep a lookout for hungry echidnas and waddling wombats in the grass.

Kakadu National Park, NT

Covering an incredible 20,000 square kilometres of the Northern Territory, this is Australia's biggest national park and also one of its only UNESCO World Heritage-listed. Along with its tiny yellow butterflies, ancient rock art galleries, immense red gorges and deep blue pools, Kakadu boasts a powerful history, having been a sacred place of living and ceremony for Indigenous people for 65,000 years. This really is the place for an adventure of a lifetime. 

Byron Bay Lighthouse Walk, NSW

Trust us: there’s more to this hippie beach town than what you saw on Byron Baes. Wake up with the sun and walk along the headland to the old-fashioned Cape Byron Lighthouse (which happens to be Australia’s most easterly point). Keep your eyes out for wallabies, dolphins and even whales, and pack your swimmers for a post-climb dip in the sparkly blue shores at Wategos Beach.

Cable Beach, WA

It’s quite likely that you’ll let out an audible gasp after catching your first glimpse of Cable Beach in Broome. This sparkly 22km white sand beach earned bragging rights as the third best in the world, according to TripAdvisor’s 2023 Travellers’ Choice Awards. Rise early and hike the 7.7 kilometres from Cable Beach up to Gantheaume Point , where you can take in the most spectacular vistas in Broome. However, a camel ride or cocktail on the beach does the trick too.

No trip to Tasmania is truly complete without a day trip to the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA). This transcendent palace of big, bad and mad ideas doesn’t discriminate when it comes to art, so you could see everything from a classical wall of ceramic vaginas to an intricate glass machine that produces legitimate faeces, or a wax head of an Italian man from the 17th century. MONA only opens from Thursday to Monday, so plan your trip wisely.

Paronella Park, QLD

There are few (if any other) tourist attractions in the world that are heritage-listed, eco-certified and completely carbon neutral. This five-hectare fairytale wonderland ticks all the boxes. Within Paronella Park, you’ll find a Spanish-style castle, a waterfall (with a fully operational 1930s hydroelectric generator), and more than 7,500 tropical plants and trees. 

Adelaide Central Market, SA

One of the largest undercover markets in the Southern Hemisphere, this fresh food mecca buzzes with more than 80 traders from over 40 nationalities under the one roof. Eat your way through the stalls, sampling everything from seafood paella and spicy coconut laksa to canelés and chocolate torte. Then fill your tote bags with locally-made brie, green ant gin and pastel-pink macarons for the way home. 

The Ghan, SA

Perhaps the most renowned (and Instagrammable) overnight train journey in Australia, the Ghan is one experience worth splurging on. You can take in the wonders of Australia’s vast outback, with four different routes travelling between Adelaide, Darwin and Alice Springs. The best part? You get all-inclusive dining, beverages and off-train experiences to the likes of Kakadu National Park, Cooper Pedy and Katherine Gorge. 

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Australia’s 20 best travel experiences, ranked by Lonely Planet

Choosing Australia’s top travel experiences is not easy, and while many usual suspects appear in Lonely Planet’s list, some may even surprise locals

At 7.6m sq km, spanning eight climate and three time zones, Australia is a big country. So where do you start?

In making their new book, Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Australia Travel List, the travel guide publisher began by compiling every highlight in their existing books. “We then asked our writers, editors, designers and cartographers in Australia to reveal their favourite spots and experiences,” they say. From there, they solicited votes from a panel of travel experts and members of their community.

The result, “with hundreds of votes cast and a bit of mathematical alchemy, as well as a keen eye on sustainability practices”, is a new book of 500 experiences. They also ended up with “one very clear winner”.

Here is that winner, along with the rest of the book’s Top 20 experiences.

1. Fall silent before the majesty and gravitas of Uluru

Northern Territory/ Anangu Country

The landscape of Uluru changes dramatically with the shifting light and seasons. In the afternoon, Uluru appears as an ochre-brown colour, scored and pitted by dark shadows.

As the sun sets, it illuminates the rock in burnished orange, then a series of deeper and darker reds before it fades into charcoal. A performance in reverse, with marginally fewer spectators, is given at dawn.

Uluru is a beautiful, charismatic place. Its dimensions are one thing: it is 3.6km long and rises 348m from the surrounding sands (867m above sea level). If that’s not sufficiently impressive, remember this: two-thirds of the rock lies beneath the sand.

Uluru is a monolith textured with layers of profound spirituality and timeless beauty, the epitome of desert stillness and, in the plays of light and shadow that dance across its surface, one of the richest shows in nature. The sunset viewing areas are once-in-a-lifetime experiences understanding its singular beauty when surrounded by the vast desert around it.

You can also get up close by taking one of the walks that encircle the base. There are many options, but most fold into the Uluru Base walk, a 10.6km circumnavigation of the rock. Along the way, it passes caves, paintings, sandstone folds and geological abrasions and generally initiates you into the scope and detail of this remarkable place.

Sacred sites are everywhere; entry to and knowledge of the particular significance of these areas is restricted by local law, and knowing this only adds to Uluru’s mystery.

The walk takes you away from the crowds – very few visitors spend long enough here to get to know Uluru this well. There is no better way to experience the rock.

Around 1km from the rock itself, the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre adds depth and perspective to your Uluru experience. Displays and exhibits focus on Tjukurpa (Aboriginal law, religion and custom) and on the natural and human history of the park. Park rangers can supply the informative visitor guide, leaflets and walking notes, as well as other park information.

2. Be confronted and inspired by art at the extraordinary Mona

Tasmania/ Palawa Country

Undeniably eccentric, the Museum of Old and New Art (almost universally known as Mona) has ushered Hobart on to the world’s cultural stage.

Opened in 2011, and housed in a Nonda Katsalidis-designed three-storey bunker burrowed into the Triassic sandstone of a peninsula jutting into the Derwent River, Mona is a showcase for founder and owner David Walsh’s remarkable collection of ancient, modern and contemporary art, which is loosely curated under the themes of sex and death.

All cultural roads lead to Mona in January (for Mona Fofa, or Mofo for short) and June (for Dark Mofo) for Tasmania’s largest contemporary music festival.

SEE IT! Mona is 12km north of Hobart’s city centre. The best way to get here is on the museum’s ferry, which departs from Brooke St Pier.

3. Be mesmerised by the Great Barrier Reef

Queensland/Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sea country

The Great Barrier Reef isn’t just the world’s largest living organism. Visible from outer space, it’s also one of the planet’s most precious ecosystems – and a gobsmackingly beautiful one to boot.

Home to more than 600 hard and soft coral species and a colourful array of other marine creatures, from tiny nudibranchs (sea slugs) to huge manta rays, this World Heritage-listed area also has cultural significance to more than 70 local Indigenous groups, their connections to the reef dating back some 60,000 years.

It’s no secret, of course, that the Great Barrier Reef faces a number of threats. Yet from coral planting dive trips to Indigenous-led reef tours, there are more opportunities than ever to experience this fragile ecosystem sustainably, helping to ensure that this incredible slice of nature can be enjoyed for generations of visitors to come.

4. Find freedom on the Great Ocean Road

Victoria/ Gadubanud and Girai wurrung Country

As its name rightfully declares, the Great Ocean Road is no ordinary stretch of bitumen. This is one of the world’s bucket-list drives, a 243km blockbuster of breathtaking coastal vistas, koala-speckled gums, nostalgic holiday towns and rolling dairy farms. Officially bookended by Torquay and Allansford, the route takes in the arresting beauty of Port Campbell national park.

The entire drive can be tackled as a long day trip from Melbourne, though it pays to stay longer. Spend at least a few days riding waves and horses on Fairhaven Beach, chomping on fresh crayfish at Apollo Bay Fishermen’s Co-op and snooping around time-warped sites like Cape Otway Lightstation.

The Great Ocean Road weaves through Great Otway national park, where walking trails lead through temperate rainforest splashed by waterfalls. If you fancy a multi-day trek, ditch the wheels altogether and hit the 104km Great Ocean walk, the most intimate way to experience this fabled stretch of surf.

5. Walk alongside Australia’s highest sea cliffs on the Three Capes track

Tasmania/Palawa Country

Any list of epic Australian bushwalks is bound to contain the Three Capes track. Traversing a well-maintained path alongside the lofty sea cliffs in Tasman national park, this four-day, 48km trek kicks off after walkers are dropped by boat at the Denmans Cove trailhead.

The route links the cove with Cape Raoul, Cape Pillar and Cape Hauy before finishing on the sandy shores of Fortescue Bay. Scenery includes eucalypt forests, coastal heathland and ocean views for as far as the eye can see.

Accommodation is in ranger-supervised camps with architect-designed huts that are almost as good looking as the eye-popping coastal scenery.

You’ll walk up the slopes of Crescent Mountain and Mt Fortescue and down to Ellarwey Valley, seeing native flora and fauna aplenty. Daredevils can scale the well-named Blade Rock formation at Cape Pillar and plunge into the icy surf at Fortescue Bay. The track is described as being achievable for most ages and abilities, but some bushwalking experience is recommended.

WALK IT! Tasman national park is 100km south-east of Hobart. Boats collect walkers at Port Arthur. Daily walker numbers are capped, so book well ahead .

6. Explore the weird and wonderful rock formations of Bungle Bungles

Western Australia/ Jaru And Gidja Country The bizarre, ancient, beehive domes of the World Heritage-listed Purnululu national park will take your breath away. Known colloquially as the Bungle Bungles, these remote rocky ranges are the finest example of cone karst sandstone anywhere in the world.

The distinctive rounded rock towers are made of sandstone and conglomerates moulded by rainfall over millions of years. To the local Gidja people, “purnululu” means sandstone, with Bungle Bungle possibly a corruption of “bundle bundle”, a common grass. The park is rich in fauna and flora, the walks take you through shady palm-fringed gorges, and the sunsets here are sublime. There’s refreshingly little infrastructure and it’s never crowded.

SEE IT! Access is via a rough, unsealed, flood-prone 4WD-only track from the Great Northern Hwy north of Halls Creek, or by air on a package tour from Kununurra or Warmun. For more information, visit www.parkstay.dpaw.wa.gov.au .

7. Enjoy the ultimate rainforest experience in Daintree national park

Queensland/Kuku Yalanji Country

The oldest tropical rainforest on the planet, the World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest is like a real life Jurassic Park, complete with living dinosaurs, from cassowaries to crocs.

South of the Daintree River, the Indigenous-run Mossman Gorge is the most accessible of the park’s two sections. Here an elevated boardwalk tracing the crystal-clear Mossman River connects to a scenic 2.4km rainforest circuit. Learn more about the Kuku Yalanji connections to this verdant oasis on a tour with Ngadiku Dreamtime Walks.

Some say you haven’t been to the Daintree until you’ve visited the Cape Tribulation section of the park north of the Daintree River, where rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef. Allow several days to soak up this lush wilderness, dotted with rainforest boardwalks and idyllic croc-free swimming holes.

SEE IT! From Port Douglas it’s a 20-minute drive west to Mossman Gorge, and a 40-minute drive to the Daintree River Ferry.

8. Set sail for Kangaroo Island’s wilderness and wildlife

South Australia/Kartan Country

Kangaroo Island (KI) was scorched by bushfires in Australia’s “Black Summer” of 2019–20, but remains a veritable zoo of seals, birds, dolphins, echidnas and (of course) kangaroos. Island produce (wine, seafood, gin, beer), surf beaches and the kooky rock formations of Flinders Chase national park are also highlights.

These days, KI is rurally paced with a scattering of laid-back towns – the kind of place where kids ride bikes to school and farmers advertise for wives on noticeboards. The excellent five-day, 64km coastal Kangaroo Island Wilderness trail was ravaged by the fires, but trail reconstruction is under way: watch this space.

SEE IT! KI is big! You can’t see it all in a day. Bring your car on the ferry and explore over a weekend.

9. Marvel at the Milky Way in the Warrumbungle Dark Sky Park

New South Wales/Kamilaroi Country The night sky unrolls around you each night in the Warrumbungle national park, Australia’s first and only Dark Sky Park. The 233 sq km park has been internationally recognised for its stunning views of the stars due to its high altitude, low humidity and carefully monitored light pollution.

With four observatories to choose from, you can stargaze well into the night. Siding Springs Observatory is home to the largest optical telescope in Australia – with a mirror measuring 3.9m, the Anglo Australia telescope is capable of viewing quasars up to 12bn light years away.

The Warrumbungles still have plenty to offer once the sun rises. Avid bushwalkers are sure to enjoy the rugged volcanic landscape. The Breadknife and Grand High Tops walk will bring you close to the park’s most impressive formations. With over 190 bird species recorded within the park, birdwatchers should be sure to look out for emus, wedge-tailed eagles and the southern boobook owl.

For a more relaxing option, take a trip along the world’s largest Virtual Solar System Drive. The dome of the Siding Springs Observatory represents the sun, with scaled model planets stretching the whole 200km to Dubbo.

10. Light up your time in Sydney at the Vivid festival

New South Wales/Gadigal Country

During Vivid Sydney, video art and massive images are projected on to Sydney’s iconic architecture, with the sails of the Opera House, the arches of the Harbour Bridge and the sandstone buildings of the Rocks all transformed into leviathan canvases for a shimmering collage of spotlights, laser beams and electrified sky-high street art.

Journey on the harbour at night on the Manly Ferry for brilliant views, or join a chartered boat trip to take in the best of the glowing spectacle. Beyond the illuminations, music is also a stunning part of the Vivid experience, from big international artists to more intimate performances from the best of Australia’s emerging talent.

SEE IT ! The festival is held annually for three weeks. The 2022 festival will take place from 27 May to 18 June.

11. Go wild on mainland Australia’s southernmost point, Wilsons Prom

Victoria/Brataualung Country

Hitting rock bottom is a good thing when it involves Wilsons Promontory. Occupying the southernmost point of mainland Australia, the 305 sq km national park claims some of Victoria’s most varied, magnificent natural landscapes: salt-white Squeaky Beach, the Saharan dunes of the Big Drift, the lushness of Lilly Pilly Gully.

Walking tracks lead over ridges, across heathland and through headily scented bush alive with kangaroos, wombats, echidnas and iridescent birdlife. The Telegraph Saddle to Sealers Cove route (10.3km) is especially memorable, weaving through fern gullies and swampland to a forest-backed beach. It’s the first section of the challenging, multi-day Southern Circuit (59km), whose stops also include the monumental Oberon Bay.

A much quicker way to admire the bay’s sweep is from panoramic Mt Oberon, an easy 6.8km return hike from the Telegraph Saddle car park. Head up at sunset and pinch yourself. SEE IT! Tidal River is the park’s hub, with visitor information, a general store and accommodation. Avoid school holiday periods and book accommodation in advance at www.parks.vic.gov.au .

12. Experience wildlife and Indigenous history in Kakadu

Northern Territory/ Bininj/Mungguy Country

Kakadu ranks among the world’s great national parks. Its wetlands and escarpments shelter abundant wildlife and rock art that dates back 20,000 years. This is the land of the Bininj/Mungguy, whose presence brings soul and spirituality to any visit here.

In just a few days you can cruise on billabongs bursting with wildlife, examine millennia-old rock paintings under the care of an Indigenous guide, swim in pools at the foot of tumbling waterfalls and hike through ancient sandstone escarpment country. Ubirr and Nourlangie are the main rock-art sites, Jim Jim has the best falls, Cahill’s Crossing is terrific for crocs, and Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba) is great for birds and other wildlife. Kakadu is very popular and can become crowded – in the Dry at least. But this is a vast park, and with a little adventurous spirit you can easily get off the beaten track and be alone with nature.

13. Be wowed by white sands and crystalline water at Wineglass Bay

The show-stealing centrepiece of Freycinet national park, curvaceous Wineglass Bay is Tasmania’s most famous beach for good reason. Its blindingly white sand and pink granite headlands splashed with flaming orange lichen are almost ludicrously photogenic, and a walk along its length to Hazards Beach is almost as rewarding as a swim in its gin-clear water.

Views of the bay are best appreciated from the Wineglass Bay Lookout, a 90 minute walk from the national park’s walking track car park. From here, 1,000 steps lead down to the beach. Those who choose to stay longer and walk further can set off on the Freycinet Peninsula Circuit, a three-day, 30km trek around the peninsula from Hazards Beach south to Cooks Beach, then across the peninsula over a heathland plateau before descending to Wineglass Bay.

SEE IT! Wineglass Bay is 200km north-east of Hobart, via the Tasman Hwy (A3) and C302.

14. Hit the Grampians for an epic hike in Victoria’s Garden of Eden

Victoria/ Jardwadjali and Djab wurrung Country

Hitchcock couldn’t have directed it better himself. A long, eerie crevasse; a sharp left turn, then – BAM! – Pinnacles Lookout and its knockout vista over ranges and plains.

Gotcha moments are thick on the ground when hiking Grampians national park, its sandstone peaks rising like petrified gods. While there are plenty of short strolls – the 4km Mt William (Duwul) Summit walk is breathtaking – the Grampians Peaks trail is the ultimate lace-up adventure.

A 160km long, 13-day odyssey, it spans the entire length of the Grampians (Gariwerd), from Mt Zero (Mura Mura) in the north to the culinary hamlet of Dunkeld in the south. Along it, precious landscapes unfurl, from woodlands and waterfalls to cooling fern valleys. Harboured within: red-tailed black cockatoos, endangered pincushion lilies and the haunting handprints and figures of Aboriginal rock art shelters like Ngamadjidj and Gulgurn Manja.

HIKE IT! See www.grampianspeakstrail.com.au for trail information. Foodies should book a night at Dunkeld’s Royal Mail Hotel.

15. Elevate your Sydney experience on the Bondi to Coogee clifftop walk

Say good morning to the perfect way to take in the best of Sydney’s coastal scenery. The simply sensational 6km Bondi to Coogee walk leads south from Bondi Beach along the clifftops via Tamarama, Bronte and Clovelly, interweaving panoramic views, patrolled beaches, sea baths, waterside parks and plaques recounting local Aboriginal stories. Pack your swimmers if the weather’s warm.

WALK IT! The trail begins at the southern end of Notts Ave near Bondi’s Hunter Park, and completes its view-friendly route near Dunningham Reserve at the northern end of Coogee.

16. Immerse yourself in the remarkable desert rocks of Kata Tjuta

There’s nowhere on earth quite like Kata Tjuta (formerly the Olgas), a striking group of domed rocks huddled together about 35km west of Uluru. The deep valleys and steep-sided gorges contain sites which are sacred to the local Anangu people.

The tallest rock, Mt Olga (546m; 1,066m above sea level) is higher than Uluru. The Valley of the Winds loop, one of the most rewarding bushwalks in Australia’s Red Centre, winds through the gorges and past surreal domes in hues of the deepest red offset by the blue of the desert sky. Elsewhere, Walpa Gorge is especially beautiful in the afternoon, when sunlight floods the gorge. The views from the Sand Dune Lookout, off the road to Uluru, put everything in perspective.

17. Revere Port Campbell national park’s Apostles

Victoria/Girai wurrung Country

You couldn’t ask for a grander finale to the Great Ocean Road. As it shakes off the tortuousness of the Otway Ranges, forest turns to weather-beaten scrub, the sky bursts open and the route shoots west along a flat, narrow escarpment dropping away to terrifying ocean-pounded cliffs. This is Port Campbell national park, home to Victoria’s geological superstars, the Twelve Apostles.

Out of cold, savage waters they rise – monumental limestone stacks, abandoned by the retreating coastline. In truth, there are fewer than 12, but this fails to diminish their impact.

Less famous but no less spectacular are the Bay of Islands and London Bridge rock stacks, just west of sleepy Port Campbell township. Once a double-arched rock platform, London Bridge indeed fell down in 1990, leaving two terrified tourists marooned on the world’s newest island – they were eventually rescued by helicopter.

To the east of the Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge is where the Shipwreck Coast’s most famous and haunting tale unfolded, when two young survivors of the wrecked iron clipper Loch Ard made it to shore. From the clifftop, a path leads down to the cave where the pair took shelter.

The best time to visit is at sunset, not only for the optimal Instagram opportunities (and to beat the tour buses), but also to catch a glimpse of little penguins returning. Sightings vary, but generally the penguins arrive 30 minutes after sunset; don’t forget your binoculars!

18. Reconcile the laid-back splendour of Rottnest Island with its gruesome past

Western Australia/ Noongar Country

With warm water, sunken wrecks, diverse marine life and 63 beaches, it’s little wonder people flock to “Rotto” to swim, fish, laze, dive, snorkel, surf and sea-kayak their cares away. And of course, no trip to Rottnest is complete without the obligatory selfie with the incredibly cute, furry and all-too-trusting quokka.

Highlights include “The Basin”, a family- friendly seawater pool, and the 20m Wadjemup Lighthouse on the island’s highpoint. Wadjemup is a Noongar word meaning “place across the water where the spirits are” – rather apt, given at least 373 unmarked graves hold the victims of a harsh and cruel prison for Aboriginal people operating during the 1800s.

19. Catch the Manly Ferry across one of the world’s greatest harbours

New South Wales/Guringai Country

The Manly Ferry is one of Sydney’s best bargains for visitors to the city. Take in Opera House and Harbour Bridge views before sliding past the ritzy suburbs of Point Piper and Rose Bay and exiting the rocky promontories of the Sydney Heads.

Opposite Manly Wharf, refresh with a beer at the 4 Pines brewpub before strolling along the Corso to the surf, sand and Norfolk pine-lined esplanade of Sydney’s second-most famous beach. Pretty good for around $10.

CRUISE IT! The Manly Ferry departs from Wharf 3 at Circular Quay and takes around 20 minutes.

20. Dive into Queensland’s Museum of Underwater Art

Queensland/Bindal and Wulgurukaba Sea Country

As if the Great Barrier Reef wasn’t epic enough, you can now explore an underwater sculpture garden. The second instalment of the Townsville region’s Museum of Underwater Art, the Coral Greenhouse features 20 human figures performing conservation work in and around a submerged conservatory.

Designed by the renowned sculptor, Jason deCaires Taylor, in collaboration with Indigenous groups, the installation complements the Ocean SirTen sculpture.

DIVE IT! Dive tours to the Coral Greenhouse run from Townsville and Magnetic Island.

This is an edited extract from Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Australia Travel List , $39.99. Available now.

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25 Amazing Things to Do in Australia (2024 Edition)

• Last Updated: January 13, 2024

If you’re planning a trip Down Under you’re going to want to put as many of these things to do in Australia as you can fit on your bucket list!

Australia’s landscape encompasses everything from hot, dry desert, to white-sand beaches; from snowy mountains to tropical rainforest; from rolling green hills to vineyards and more. 

Because the country is so physically diverse, you can have lots of different adventures during your time in Australia. 

And as there are so many unique things to see and do in Australia, it can be overwhelming to try and plan your trip. 

Even if you have no idea where to start, the good thing about Australia is you can’t go wrong! Culture and natural beauty thrive in all corners of the country. 

This list includes some of the best things to do in Australia, so have a read through and maybe plan your trip around the activities that sound the most appealing. 

Table of Contents

1) Snorkel or Dive the Great Barrier Reef

2) watch the sunrise or sunset at uluru, 3) road trip along the great ocean road , 4) visit wineglass bay , 5) search for pearls in the sea , 6) museum-hop in brisbane, 7) explore kakadu national park, 8) see a pink lake , 9) swim with whale sharks in exmouth, 10) go off the grid in the daintree rainforest, 11) shop at victoria market in melbourne, 12) hike in the blue mountains national park, 13) take a vineyard tour, 14) climb mount kosciuszko, 15) play with quokkas on rottnest island , 16) sail around the whitsunday islands, 17) go skydiving , 18) whale watch in hervey bay, 19) go sand boarding, 20) marvel at the iconic sydney opera house, 21) hike the larapinta trail, 22) visit kangaroo island, 23) learn to surf, 24) visit byron bay, 25) take the train across the country, the best things to do in australia.

Australia’s wide variety of attractions supply adventures for every type of person. 

Sport-enthusiasts and active travellers can go surfing, hiking, snorkelling, scuba diving, or even jumping out of a plane. 

City lovers can visit museums, markets, cafes, and monuments in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth or Brisbane. 

Adventure lovers looking to get off-the-beaten-path can visit the remote Daintree Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef or tour the Outback. 

Those who just want a relaxing vacation can enjoy wine-tastings at world-class vineyards and sail through the picturesque islands of Queensland. 

So for anyone wondering what to do when visiting Australia, here are a few of the country’s top activities. 

READ MORE: Plan your trip to Australia with our comprehensive travel guide !

The Great Barrier Reef is arguably the most famous of all the Australia attractions. 

It is the largest coral reef system on the planet, reaching along almost the entire length of the Queensland coastline in northeast Australia. 

In recent years, more attention has been drawn to the degradation of the reef due to things like climate change, pollution and other problems created by humans. 

But because Great Barrier Reef is so huge, parts of it are still beautiful and you can still find all the exotic fish, colourful coral and other marine life that you’ve dreamed of. 

Just be sure to book your tour with an eco-friendly company that promotes preservation and respect for the Great Barrier Reef. 

Most people visit the reef from Cairns , but Port Douglas and Cape Tribulation are two other great places to base yourself for a Great Barrier Reef trip. 

Depending on your preference, experience, and skill level, you can book either a snorkelling or scuba diving tour . Either would be unforgettable. 

Uluru, also called Ayer’s Rock, is the world’s largest monolith, meaning it is the biggest chunk of stone known to man. 

Located near the town of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory, Uluru is basically in the middle of the Outback and it is no walk in the park to reach. 

But for anyone travelling across the Northern Territory, Uluru is an amazing stop to fit into your Australia travel itinerary. 

The massive red sandstone rock looks dreamy in the glow of sunrise or sunset, and the fact that it is sacred to indigenous Australians gives it an extra sense of mystery and magic. 

See what else made the cut on our ultimate list of things to do in Uluru .

Another one of the best things to do in Australia is to head down to Victoria’s south coast and road trip along the Great Ocean Road . 

Whether you have your own car, or you’ve rented one from Melbourne , driving yourself along the Great Ocean Road gives you more freedom and flexibility than a guided tour (though tours are also available for those who want one!). 

This strip of the Australian coastline is rugged and weathered, yet absolutely beautiful. 

Years of erosion have created unique rock formations and caves in the cliffs next to the sea, with the Twelve Apostles being the most famous one. 

In addition to the ocean scenery, the Great Ocean Road is full of charming towns, national parks, campsites, and Port Campbell National Park.

This is also one of the best places in Australia to see a koala in the wild, as many inhabit the Eucalyptus trees down here. 

Tasmania is one of those places that some people may think is fictional, like Transylvania or Madagascar. 

But Tasmania is real. It is that little island off the southeast coast of the Australian mainland, and it is known for its diverse landscape and wild natural beauty. 

Wineglass Bay is one of the most scenic spots on the island. 

The bright white sand of the coastline makes the shape of a wine glass, and the sapphire sea appears to be the wine that fills the glass. 

Mountains tower around the bay, making it an incredible hiking spot and photo opportunity. Definitely do the Wineglass Bay Walk while you’re here, located in Freycinet National Park.

Or if you’re feeling extra adventurous, the Mt Amos Hike at sunrise is next level!

Broome is a beautiful beach town in Western Australia, located on a peninsula that juts out into the Indian Ocean. 

Set in the northern Kimberly region of the state, Broome is quite remote and therefore not many tourists venture out there. 

But those who do make the journey will get to enjoy uncrowded beaches and vibrant sunsets over the ocean. 

A highlight of Broome is the Willie Creek Pearl Farm , where you can learn about the pearling industry during a boat trip out to sea. Another highlight is riding camels across Cable Beach, a 22km long stretch of stunning white sand.

Brisbane is one of Australia’s oldest cities, making it an essential stop during an Australian sightseeing tour for history-lovers. 

There are so many different museums, galleries, and exhibitions around the city. So even if museums aren’t normally your thing, you just might find something that intrigues you. 

On the South Bank lies the Queensland Science Centre and Museum , and in the Brisbane Botanic Gardens , you can find the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium . These are great options for science lovers. 

Those interested in art can head to the GOMA, the Gallery of Modern Art . 

Other art museums in Brisbane include the Queensland Art Gallery and the QUT Art Museums . 

The UQ Anthropology Museum, Queensland Maritime Museum, The Workshops Rail Museum, and the Museum of Brisbane to name a few, are also great options to learn and entertain yourself in the city. 

One of the most incredible sights in the Northern Territory is Kakadu National Park. 

This massive nature reserve is one of the best Australia attractions and it is full of gorgeous sights and fun activities. 

You can go swimming in waterfalls, hiking through the bush, bird-watching in the wetlands, or canoeing along the rivers in this Northern Territory national park. 

There are massive canyons, deep gorges, walking trails, Aboriginal ancient rock art, cultural centres, and more within this national park. 

Kakadu National Park is Australia’s largest national park, and it is located only three hours away from Darwin, the capital of the Northern Territory. 

READ MORE: Make the most of your time Down Under with our comprehensive guide to 1, 2 and 3 week Australian itineraries !

One of the most fascinating Australia attractions is the Pink Lake, also known as Lake Hillier . 

The name is 100% accurate. Lake Hillier is home to some unique forms of bacteria and algae that secrete red pigments which make the saltwater appear bright pink. 

Lake Hillier is located on a small island in the Esperance Region of Western Australia. 

This lake is the most famous and the most photographed. But Australia has a few other pink lakes that aren’t as well known, such as Lake Kenyon, Lake Crosbie and Lake Becking in Victoria. 

All the lakes are located in quite remote areas, but if you’re planning a cross country road trip in Western Australia, try to fit them into your route!

READ MORE: Check out these great adventure activities in Australia !

One of the most mind-blowing things to do in Western Australia is swimming with whale sharks!

The best way to accomplish this is to head to the town of Exmouth in Western Australia and then book a guided tour with locals out to Ningaloo Reef. 

Whale sharks are massive but completely harmless, and between March and August every year, they congregate near Ningaloo Reef to feed. 

So if you book a tour here during that time you are pretty much guaranteed to swim with these gentle giants!

While you’re in the area check out all these other epic things to do in Exmouth .

For nature and adventure lovers wondering what to see in Australia, the Daintree Rainforest has to be at the top of your list. 

This dense jungle is roughly 180 million years old , making it the oldest tropical rainforest on the planet. 

Here you can find trees the size of skyscrapers, palm forests, mangroves, and an abundance of unique wildlife. 

One of the strangest and most fascinating creatures in the Daintree Rainforest is the cassowary, a giant, ostrich-like bird with vibrant colours on its neck and a huge horn on its head. You won’t believe they’re real until you see one!

The best way to reach the Daintree Rainforest is to fly into Cairns and then take the local bus up to Cape Tribulation. 

The rainforest is very remote and it is recommended you have a 4WD if you are driving yourself. 

Cell phone reception is extremely limited as well, so use this time to switch off and immerse yourself in the jungle. 

Melbourne is a massive metropolis packed with culture, entertainment and cuisine.

Though there are tons of fun things to do in the city, one of the best ones is to visit the Victoria Market.  

If you only have a short time in Melbourne, this is the place to go.

This sprawling indoor and outdoor market hall is filled with local crafts, tacky souvenirs, fresh produce, delicious hot meals, graffiti art, street performers and much more. 

There is a lot of cheap, amazing food and cool handicrafts all packed together in one area, so this is the perfect introduction to Melbourne.

Head to one of the nearby cafes afterwards and order a trendy coffee to really dive in to the Melbourne lifestyle.

Located just west of Sydney is a gorgeous mountain range known as the Blue Mountains . 

Here you can find towering forests of gum trees, rivers, waterfalls, canyons, and immense valleys that look like they have never been infiltrated by a human. 

If you’re yearning to immerse yourself in nature without venturing too far from civilization, the Blue Mountains National Park is ideal. 

It only takes about an hour by local train to travel as a day trip from Sydney to Katoomba, one of the main towns in the Blue Mountains National Park. 

From here you can go on hikes, visit waterfalls, or camp in the wilderness. 

Dare-devils can also try more extreme activities like waterfall rappelling or rock-climbing. 

Australia’s wine doesn’t get as much attention as the wine of other countries like France, Italy, South Africa, Argentina, or even its neighbour, New Zealand. 

But Australia’s wine is becoming even more well-known around the world, and for good reason!

The landscape of Australia is so rich and diverse that it is able to grow delicious grapes of many different varieties and turn them into amazing wine. 

As a traveller, taking a vineyard tour and tasting the local wine is a very fun and enlightening experience. 

Two of the most successful wine regions in Australia are Margaret River in Western Australia and Adelaide in South Australia. 

So if you like wine, definitely book a guided vineyard tour in one of these locations to learn about the wine and taste it right from the source. 

Mount Kosciuszko is the highest mountain in mainland Australia, making it a popular destination among hikers. 

Located in Kosciuszko National Park in southern New South Wales, the mountain boasts lovely natural scenery, few other tourists, and well-marked hiking trails. 

The hike is 13 km round-trip and generally takes about 4-6 hours depending on your fitness level.

December through March is the best time to hike in Kosciuszko National Park because there won’t be any snow (Yes, there is snow in this region of Australia!)

READ MORE: Before you go be sure to read this guide to climbing Mount Kosciuszko

When visiting Perth , the capital of Western Australia, take a day trip to the nearby Rottnest Island for a fun-filled experience. 

Rottnest Island is a nature reserve filled with gorgeous beaches and interesting local wildlife. 

The ocean here is great for swimming, snorkelling, and surfing, though it’s the Australian animals on land that tend to attract the most visitors. 

Rottnest Island is home to the quokkas , which are small and adorable marsupials that look a little bit like wallabies. 

They are native to Australia, and Rottnest Island is one of the few places in the country to find them. 

The island is also home to seals and sea lions that you might be able to spot while exploring, as well as some of the nicest Perth beaches around.

If the white sand and vibrant turquoise waters of the tropics have always caught your eye, head to the Whitsunday Islands and the nearby town of Airlie Beach!

These islands off the coast of Queensland have jaw-dropping natural scenery rivalling that of the Maldives, Fiji, or Tahiti. 

One of the best things to do in Australia is sailing through the Whitsundays and soaking in all the picturesque views. 

Exploring the islands by boat allows you to cover more ground and see more of the area, though simply lounging on the beach is pretty enjoyable too.

You can also go swimming and snorkelling, or fly in a helicopter or seaplane over the islands to get an aerial view. 

Read next: Top Things To Do In Airlie Beach

For thrill-seekers wondering what to do in Australia, why not go sky diving?

Sky diving is available in lots of countries around the world, but if it has been on your bucket list for a while now, try it out while travelling in Australia!

In all major tourist destinations around the country, there are tour companies offering sky diving. 

The thrill of launching yourself out of a plane and free-falling through the air is probably incredible regardless of where you do it. 

But many travellers choose more scenic areas of Australia to try their first skydive. 

Some of the best places to skydive in Australia include Rottnest Island in Western Australia, Wollongong or Byron Bay in New South Wales, Mission Beach in Queensland, or Lee Point Beach in the Northern Territory.

Located next to the world’s largest sand island, K’gari (Fraser Island), is a hidden gem of Queensland: Hervey Bay . 

If you like wildlife photography, marine life, or anything animal or ocean-related, visit Hervey Bay and prepare to have your mind blown. 

Known as one of the best places in the world for whale-watching, Hervey Bay is an amazing place to see humpback whales up close. 

You can probably spot some whales from the shore in between late July and early November , as the bay becomes filled with whales during peak season. 

But it is definitely worth taking a whale watching tour so you can see the majestic giants up close on the water!

In the coastal town of Port Stephens , New South Wales, you’ll find some of the largest sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere. 

The best way to experience these dunes is sandboarding; leave it to the Aussies to find a way to surf, even on the sand!

If you book a sandboarding tour from Port Stephens, you can ride in a 4WD out to Stockton Beach and be provided with the right gear to enjoy a day of boarding down the sand dunes.

No trip to Sydney is complete without seeing its most famous landmark: the Sydney Opera House. 

This modern and unique building took 14 years to build and was designed by Danish architect, Jørn Utzon. 

The Sydney Opera House is now a staple of the Sydney skyline. 

You can take a tour of the inside, attend a performance, or simply stroll through Sydney Harbour and admire the view from the outside. 

After admiring the Opera House, stroll around Sydney Harbour and walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, another iconic landmark in the city.

A great way to get outdoors and explore more remote areas of Australia is hiking the Larapinta Trail. 

This is one of the best activities in Australia for those who want to experience real bushwalking, and it is located in the Northern Territory. 

The whole trail is about 223 kilometres long, but you can choose to just hike sections of it if you prefer. 

At the western end of the trail lies Mount Sonder , one of the state’s largest mountains, and at the eastern end of the trail lies Alice Springs, the town in which most travellers base a trip to Uluru. 

READ MORE: Be sure to read this hiking guide before trekking the Larapinta Trail!

Located off the coast of South Australia, Kangaroo Island is definitely one of the best Australia attractions. 

It is Australia’s third-largest island and is packed with nature reserves, diverse landscapes, and plenty of wildlife. 

There are, of course, kangaroos on the island, and they are actually a specific species of kangaroo that cannot be found on the mainland. 

Other animals you can find on Kangaroo Island include koalas, wallabies, platypuses, lizards, sea lions, echidnas, seals, and native birds.

In addition to the wildlife of Kangaroo Island, South Australia, you can also see caves, unique rock formations and arches, national parks, beaches, and charming tourist towns.

Many people probably assume Aussies are all laid-back surfers with long hair and bare feet. 

Of course, not every Australian is a surfer, but many of them are. 

Australia is home to some of the best waves in the world, and the surf culture is very strong along the country’s coast. 

If you’ve always been intrigued by surfing and wanted to give it a try, Australia is the perfect place to learn. 

The temperature is favourable, the beginner-sized waves are plentiful, and the local instructors are always friendly and knowledgable. 

Some of the best places to learn to surf in Australia are the Sydney beaches such as Bondi and Manly, the Gold Coast, Surfer’s Paradise, and Noosa , all located on the coast of southern Queensland.

So book yourself a surf lesson and learn to ride the waves like the Aussies!

Byron Bay is a laid-back coastal town in northern New South Wales that is famous for its backpacker scene. 

There are countless hostels, cafes, and cheap restaurants, as well as surf shops, vintage clothing shops, and organic health food shops. 

You’ll find interesting street art plastered all over the town walls and lots of classic hippie vans parked everywhere. 

Byron Bay has fun nightlife and lots of amazing beaches. Try hiking the coastal walk up to the Byron Bay Lighthouse for a great view of the area.  

For a once-in-a-lifetime journey that not many others get to do, embark on a train journey across Australia . 

The country is so huge and long-distance train travel isn’t very common, so few people even know about the cross-country Australian train routes available. 

The Ghan is the train journey that runs from Darwin in the north to Adelaide in the South. 

The Indian Pacific is the train journey that runs from Sydney in the east to Perth in the west. 

These train journeys are expensive and long, so they’re not ideal for budget travellers or backpackers with limited time. 

But for those who want to splurge on a cool adventure and travel slowly through the countryside and admire the scenery, the train is a cool idea.

DISCLAIMER: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, which means if you book accommodation, tours or buy a product, we will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These commissions help us keep creating more free travel content to help people plan their holidays and adventures. We only recommend the best accommodations, tours and products that ourselves or our fantastic editorial team have personally experienced, and regularly review these. Thanks for your support, kind friend!

Gabby Boucher

Hi, We’re Alesha and Jarryd!

We’ve been traveling the world together since 2008, searching for the planet’s best destinations and adventures.

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Excellent article!

Hey, awesome post! I am planning to travel to Australia this September. And one of the things in my bucket list is to go cruising in Whitsundays. Hoping to catch a glimpse of the Humpback whales too. Fingers crossed!

Awesome post!

Thank you so much 🙂

Hi! Always wanted to learn how to surf, I’m going to Australia in September and wanted to get at it but feel a bit scared about all the dangerous animals that are supposed to be in the water?? Haha Do you know if they have some kind of prevention/caution system or something?

Most of the animals you are likely to be worried about are not a problem in the shallower water. There are normally signs at the beaches but just ask the locals, and try to stay at beaches with lifeguards working there. The also you can google local beaches and there is normally pretty accurate info on the current weather conditions and if there is a lot of Jellyfish in the water ect. September is a good time to come actually. Just be nice and ask one of us who live there. We are more than happy to help and pretty good at managing the local wildlife. We have been doing so for a while. Honestly the bigger problem tends for tourists tend to be strong currents and rips. But same solution as before, ask the life Don’t swim out beyond your depth, talk to the locals / life guards and pay attention to the signs! Don’t read them then ignore them. That is how accidents happen. But really don’t worry you will be fine and have a good time I’m sure. Australia is beautiful. from the coast to the mountains and rainforests. I’ve lived here all my life and I’m still blown away by the Australian landscapes and I’m lucky to call this country my home. I hope you see something beautiful and enjoy yourself in the land down under 🙂

Wow, after seeing this, it made me want to go to Australia as well! Before that I am travelling to Italy, so I am adding that one on my bucket list! Stay safe,

So glad this article inspired you. Australia really is a stunning country. There is so much more to the country than beautiful beaches. Have a great trip when you get here.

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10 Great Attractions To Visit That Are Unique To Australia

• Uluru/Ayers Rock: Famous remote attraction in Australia, known for its changing colors throughout the day. It is the largest rock in the world.
• Great Barrier Reef: The largest coral reef system in the world, visible from space. A top attraction in Australia for scuba diving and marine life.
• Sydney Opera House: Iconic building with guided tours and 40 shows per week. Distinctive and UNESCO-listed just 35 years after construction.

Australia is a unique country that has existed in isolation for many millions of years. Australia is the world's sixth-largest country with unique attractions, from the famous massive Uluru red rock of the famous Australian Outback to the Katoomba Scenic Railway - the steepest passenger railway in the world .

Here are several great attractions unique to Australia to visit that tourists should include on their bucket list Australian itinerary.

Related: This Is How Many Days You'll Need To Explore The Best Of Sydney (And What To See)

Uluru / Ayers Rock

Uluru or Ayers Rock, is one of the most iconic destinations in Australia, and it is one of the most remote attractions in the world. The massive monolithic rock is set in the center of Australia, far away from any major city.

It is famous for changing colors through the day - so get there to see it at dawn and stick around for its glow at sunset.

• Unique For: Largest Rock In The World

Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is, by a massive margin, the largest coral reef system in the world and is easily visible from space.

The reef is one of the top attractions in Australia; people come from all around the world to go scuba diving in the brilliantly colored corals teeming with tropical fish and many other kinds of marine life.

• Unique For: Largest Reef In The World

Sydney Opera House

The Sydney Opera House is perhaps the most iconic building in Australia. The Sydney Opera House has around 40 shows every week and is one of the top attractions in Sydney. Explore the massive building with a guided tour and learn about the history of the building. Remarkably, the Sydney Opera House was UNESCO-listed only 35 years after it was constructed.

• Unique For: Distinctive Opera House

Katoomba Scenic Railway

The Katoomba Scenic Railway is a tourist attraction in the Blue Mountains, not too far away from Sydney. The Katoomba Scenic Railway is famous as the steepest train in the world, which was originally built in the 19th century to serve the coal mine.

The railway is located near the Three Sisters and is set in some of the most stunning backdrops of the Blue Mountains.

• Unique For: Steepest Railway

Unique Wildlife

Australia carved off the prehistoric mega-continent Gondwana many millions of years ago, leaving it cut off from the rest of the world. Life in Australia evolved on its own path and became the home to marsupials and monotremes.

Iconic Australian wildlife includes kangaroos, koalas, echidnas, platypuses, wombats, and more. Kangaroos can be seen all around the country, while koalas are typically difficult to see.

• Unique For: Wildlife

Related: How To Actually See New Zealand's Most Iconic, But Elusive Kiwi Bird

Herds Of Camels

Camels were introduced into Australia in the 1800s to help with working and accessing the Outback. A number of camels escaped or were turned loose and they established a large population.

Today, there are large populations of feral camels in the Australian Outback (the large populations pose ecological problems). Drive through the Outback and see large herds of wild camels.

• Unique For: Largest Feral Camel Population

Daintree Rainforest

Not all of Australia is desert and Outback; Australia is also home to some of the most remarkable rainforests in the world. The Daintree Rainforest in coastal Queensland is said to be the oldest tropical lowland rainforest in the world - thought to be at least 135 million years old (and by some estimates, as much as 180 million years old).

Hike through these pre-historic forests that existed during the times of the dinosaurs.

• Unique For: Oldest Tropical Lowland Rainforest

Arnhem Land

Arnhem Land occupies the northeastern corner of the Northern Territory, covering around 37,000 sq miles. The area is mostly inhabited by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, many of whom continue to live in their traditional way of life.

It is possible to visit parts of Arnhem Land, visit some traditional villages, and learn about the original inhabitants of Australia.

• Unique For: Traditional Aboriginal Way Of Life

Related: Visit Arnhem Land: Australia's Vast Tropical Unspoiled Lands Home To Traditional Aboriginal Peoples

Wolfe Creek Meteor Crater

The Wolfe Creek Meteor Crater is the second-largest meteorite crater in the world, located deep in the Aussie Outback. The crater is well-preserved and is located in northeastern Western Australia.

The crater is around 60 meters or 200 feet deep from the current rim to the crater floor and is around 875 meters or 2,871 feet in diameter. The impact is believed to be around 120,000 years old.

• Unique For: Second-Largest Meteorite Crater

The World's Largest Plant

The world's largest plant has recently been discovered in Western Australia. It is a seagrass in Shark Bay, and according to a paper published by The Royal Society Publishing on 1 June 2022, it is around 4,500 years old.

The massive marine plant covers an area of around 200 sq km (77 sq miles).

• Unique For: Largest Plant Known

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25 Best Places to Visit in Australia

Located between the Pacific and Indian Oceans, Australia is the world’s largest island and its smallest continent. There’s room to move in the Land Down Under, and with so many sights to discover and enjoy, there’s a great incentive to go on a walkabout adventure. Whether exploring the traditional lifestyle of the nation’s Aboriginal people, relaxing on a sun-kissed beach or reveling the night away in a city hot spot, Australia has something special to offer every visitor.

With amazing national parks dotted around the country and some fantastic islands, visitors to Australia can be off exploring the delights of Tasmania one minute and Kakadu and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Parks the next.

Map of Places to Visit in Australia

On top of this, the beautiful beaches and turquoise waters that line its shores are home to the jaw-dropping Great Barrier Reef; one of the miracles of the natural world and one of Australia’s most popular tourist destinations. With loads of great things to see and do, you’ll have your job cut out trying to fit everything into your trip!

25. Canberra [SEE MAP]

Having started life as a planned city back in 1913, Australia’s capital Canberra is slowly but surely growing into a lively and lovely place. Affectionately (and at times derisively) nicknamed the ‘bush capital’, the city lies amidst stunning nature reserves and low-lying mountain ranges in the north of the Australian Capital Territory.

Once the home solely of politicians and civil servants, the now thriving metropolis is home to world-class museums, art galleries, and national monuments. All kinds of shops, restaurants and bars abound, and its large student body means there’s a pounding nightlife scene. Despite its youth, the city has lots of interesting historical sights; many of these relate to its parliament and governmental institutions.

Due to its remote and rural setting, the city is also a fantastic place for exploring the great outdoors. Its nearby nature reserves are wonderful to hike and cycle around, as are Canberra’s numerous parks, gardens, and human-made lakes.

24. The Pinnacles [SEE MAP]

Located within Nambung National Park, The Pinnacles can be found not far from the small town of Cervantes in Western Australia. Due to their remote setting, the spectacular limestone formations largely remained unknown until 1967, when a reserve was formed to protect the prominent pillars.

Rising dramatically out of the desert floor, The Pinnacles resemble weathered tombstones and number in the thousands. Together, they make for an incredible sight as sand from the coastal dunes constantly blows through the otherworldly looking landscape.

While debates are ongoing as to how their distinctive shapes formed, it is generally agreed that they are made out of the limestone from seashells as the region used to be submerged millennia ago. Now, The Pinnacles make for a popular tourist attraction. Western grey kangaroos can often be spotted between them, as well as the occasional emu, dingo, and honey possum.

23. Gold Coast [SEE MAP]

Blessed with year-round warm weather and sunny skies, Australia’s glimmering Gold Coast lies just to the south of Brisbane on Queensland’s southeastern coastline. The coastal city is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the country thanks to its lively yet laid-back vibe and alluring sun, sea, and surf.

Surfers Paradise is the area most people flock to. ‘The capital of the Gold Coast’ is home to large shopping malls and pounding nightclubs as well as countless restaurants, bars, and accommodation options. Glittering high rises tower above its expansive beach, which is great for sunbathing, swimming and watersports.

While it is often called a tacky tourist-trap, the Gold Coast has loads going for it, with beautiful beaches and stunning sunsets a given. In addition, it also boasts exhilarating amusement parks, water parks, and nature reserves, while its surf breaks are out of this world.

22. Alice Springs [SEE MAP]

Located almost slap bang in the center of Australia, Alice Springs lies in the Northern Territory’s endless outback, more than 1,500 kilometers from the nearest city. While it certainly takes some getting to, the remote rural town is perfectly placed for exploring the Red Centre.

Although there is not much going on in the town itself, Alice Springs is a great place to visit if you want to delve into the Aborigines’ rich history, heritage, and culture. It is home to a number of superb museums and indigenous Australian art galleries, as well as a large Aboriginal population. In addition, it has plenty of restaurants, bars, and hotels for visitors to choose from.

Its main draw, however, are the awe-inspiring desert landscapes, rock formations, and gorges that lie all around it. While the iconic Uluru attracts the most visitors with its distinctive ruddy hue and hulking great landmass, the Kata Tjuta rock formations also make for a spectacular sight, as do the gaping chasms of Kings Canyon.

21. Karijini National Park [SEE MAP]

The second-largest national park in Western Australia, Karijini lies about a thousand kilometers to the north of the state’s capital, Perth. Centered around the Hamersley Ranges, it is very mountainous and known for the gorgeous gorges, slot canyons, and waterfalls that dot its confines.

Rising above the dark red hues of its rugged landscapes are the three highest peaks in the west of Australia. These make for some fantastic hiking, as do the narrow gorges and precipitous chasms snaking beneath them. Punctuating its semi-arid terrain are a series of hidden water holes and glittering waterfalls, which are amazingly refreshing to swim or bathe in after a dusty walk.

Besides the stunning scenery, Karijini National Park is home to more than 800 different plant species, as well as lots of incredible wildlife. While exploring the nature reserve, visitors may catch a glimpse of wallabies, echidnas, and red kangaroos.

20. Darwin [SEE MAP]

Hugging the coastline of Australia’s Top End, the region encompassing the Northern Territory, Darwin has long been the most international of the country’s major cities. Its close proximity to other countries in the Indian Ocean has made the city a transportation hub since its earliest days. Devastated during World War II and again in 1974 when struck by Cyclone Tracy, Darwin is a resilient town with a spirit that can’t be defeated. Today, the city of around 75,000 people is a popular holiday destination.

Darwin’s main natural attraction is its wide sandy beach lined with open-air beer bars, seafood restaurants and multinational shops. Twice the size of Sydney Harbor, Darwin Harbor attracts visitors too.

Cruises lasting two to 12 hours are available for explorations of the region’s mangrove forest. In the evening, locals and visitors stroll down the city’s esplanade to enjoy films at the Deckchair Cinema, a large open-air theater located on the banks of harbor.

Darwin is also the hub for tours to famous Kakadu National Park as well as Litchfield National Park and Katherine Gorge. Whether watching crocodiles cavort in Crocodylus Park, cruising to the Aboriginal-owned Tiwi Islands or relaxing on the beach, there’s always something new to experience in tropical Darwin.

19. Daintree Rainforest [SEE MAP]

Lying on the northeast coast of Australia in a national park of the same name, Daintree is one of the world’s oldest and most diverse tropical rainforests. Located in the state of Queensland, its fantastic fauna and flora and ancient ecosystems are incredible to explore, and home to lots of wildlife.

Daintree doesn’t consist solely of lush and verdant rainforest, but also includes rugged mountains, teeming rivers, rich coral reef systems, and beautiful beaches. Of these, Cape Tribulation is considered to boast some of the best white sandy beaches in Australia.

Best accessed from Cairns, around a three-hour drive away, Daintree Rainforest is a nature lover’s delight and has lots of fun outdoor activities for visitors to try. Besides hiking amid the dense undergrowth and going bird or wildlife watching, popular pastimes include paddleboarding, ziplining through the canopy, and cruising along one of its rivers.

18. Byron Bay [SEE MAP]

The easternmost point of Australia’s mainland, Byron Bay lies in the state of New South Wales, just off the Pacific Highway that connects Brisbane to Sydney. Famed for its idyllic beaches, fantastic surf spots, and lovely laid-back lifestyle, the beautiful beachside town is one of the nation’s most popular tourist destinations.

While the town itself hosts a number of arts and culture festivals throughout the year, as well as weekly farmers’ markets, most people visit for its scenic setting and wealth of outdoor activities. Besides lounging on any one of its wonderful beaches, visitors can enjoy scuba diving, surfing, and whale-watching offshore, with skydiving and yoga also popular.

Due to Byron Bay’s alternative vibe and rugged beauty, everyone from ageing hippies and artists to surfers, business people, and families have migrated to the town. As such, lots of trendy bars and restaurants have sprung up, as well as little art galleries and all types of accommodation options.

17. Fraser Island [SEE MAP]

Separated from the mainland of Australia by the Great Sandy Strait, Fraser Island lies just off the Queensland’s southeast coast. Stretching for over a hundred kilometers, the world’s largest sand island is a popular place to visit due to its beautiful scenery and outstanding natural sights.

While idyllic white sandy beaches and crumbling sand cliffs line its shores, lush rainforests, dense mangroves, and epic coastal dune systems can be found dotted here and there. In addition, more than a hundred glittering freshwater lakes punctuate its picture-perfect landscapes, with Lake Wabby and Lake MacKenzie two of the most popular.

Much of the stunning scenery lies within Great Sandy National Park, which is home to all kinds of birds and mammals, such as dingoes, dolphins, wallabies, and whales. Besides wildlife watching, Fraser Island also has lots of great hiking, swimming, and watersports for visitors to enjoy, and camping beneath the stars is always a memorable experience.

16. Broome [SEE MAP]

Perched on a small peninsula that juts into the Indian Ocean, the small, scenic and secluded town of Broome is located on the northern coast of Western Australia. Lying more than 2,000 kilometers from both Darwin and Perth, the two nearest cities, the remote beach resort and pearling town acts as a gateway to the region’s riches.

The most popular place to relax and unwind in Broome is Cable Beach, which is widely thought to be one of the most beautiful beaches in Australia. Besides sunbathing on its white sands and bathing in its turquoise waters, visitors can enjoy cocktails and spa packages at its luxury resorts, as well as sunset camel rides along the beach.

More active holidaymakers can visit the fantastic rock formations at Entrance Point and the red cliffs and dinosaur footprints at Gantheaume Point; both of which lie nearby. Further afield are the breathtaking Horizontal Falls, with other wonderfully wild and untouched landscapes dotted about the Dampier Peninsula and the Kimberley Region.

15. Cairns [SEE MAP]

For its tropical climate, easy-going ambiance and close proximity to the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns is one of Australia’s most popular vacation destinations. Located on the northwest corner of Australia, Cairns is a provincial but stylish city with a population of around 150,000 people.

The city is bordered by mountains and the Coral Sea and is surrounded by sugar cane plantations and rainforest. There are enough good bars, restaurants and shopping options to keep visitors entertained before they head off into the stunning nature nearby.

Instead of a beach, Cairns features a saltwater lagoon in the center of the city. The Cairns Esplanade along the shore is lined with trendy cafés, bars and boutiques. Numerous beaches are located just to the north of the city and are easily accessible by bus or car. The City Botanic Gardens features plants used by Aboriginal people. Opposite the gardens, a boardwalk leads visitors through the rainforest to the Centenary Lakes, a habitat for crocodiles.

Opportunities for adventure sports abound in Cairns and range from snorkeling and scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef to skydiving and whitewater rafting. The Daintree Rainforest to the north of Cairns is considered the world’s oldest tropical rainforest, and a hike along an aerial walkway over the forest is an experience that many visitors won’t want to miss.

14. Kings Canyon [SEE MAP]

Lying in Watarrka National Park in Australia’s Northern Territory, Kings Canyon is sure to impress with its staggering size, scale, and stunning scenery. One of the region’s main attractions, the gaping gorge was formed more than 400 million years ago as the ruddy-colored sandstone eroded.

Cutting through the desolate desert landscapes, the colossal canyon’s walls tower over a hundred meters in height, with a small creek and sparse vegetation down below. There are jagged cliffs, interesting rock formations, and beautiful scenery to spy, whether you’re strolling in the shade or hiking along its rim.

For the Luritja people, Kings Canyon has long been a source of water and a place of refuge and respite from the searing sun. It is still a sacred site to this day. Due to the infernal heat and cruel climate, it is well advised to bring lots of water with you when hiking or climbing around the canyon.

13. Adelaide [SEE MAP]

Situated on the eastern shores of Gulf St Vincent, Adelaide is the capital of South Australia. Adelaide is Australia’s fifth largest city, with a population of over 1.2 million. More than three quarters of South Australians live in the Adelaide metropolitan area.

The city is located on a plain between the rolling Adelaide Hills and the Gulf and is bordered by many of Australia’s famous wine regions. The Barossa Valley and Clare Valley regions lie to the north, the McLaren Vale and Langhorne Creek regions to the south and the cooler Adelaide Hills region to the east.

Nicknamed ‘the city of churches’, the lofty spires dotted about here and there add to the picturesque nature of Adelaide and there are lots of nice parks and green spaces for locals and visitors alike to enjoy.

Proximity to premium wine and food growing regions, as well as waves of immigration from Europe and Asia have created a unique multicultural gourmet food and café culture in the city. This culture is supported by Adelaide’s arts festivals held in March including the Adelaide Festival and the Adelaide Fringe Festival.

12. Blue Mountains [SEE MAP]

One of the most accessible and awe-inspiring of Australia’s natural wonders, the Blue Mountains lie just to the west of Sydney in New South Wales. Sprawling over a vast area, its majestic mountains, plateaus, and escarpments are lovely to explore and make for a popular day trip or weekend away.

Named after the misty haze that the oil from its endless eucalyptus trees give off, the mountains are home to lots of unspoiled nature and spectacular scenery. A myriad of well-maintained hiking trails and mountain bike paths weave their way here and there, with stunning views to be enjoyed from Echo Point and Govett’s Leap.

As the mountains have long been the home of the Gundungurra and Darug peoples, they are also a great place to learn more about Aboriginal history and culture. In addition, lots of charming towns and villages dot the land. Springwood, for example, is known for its art galleries, while Leura boasts cosy craft shops and sophisticated restaurants.

11. Great Ocean Road [SEE MAP]

Winding along the south coast of the state of Victoria, the 243 kilometer-long Great Ocean Road is one of the world’s most scenic drives. Completed in 1932, the highway was built by soldiers returning from WWI and is dedicated to those who lost their lives.

Running from the seaside resort town of Torquay near Melbourne to the small and quiet Allansford, the road passes epic limestone sea stacks, secluded coves, and spectacular surf spots. At times, it meanders through pockets of rainforest, fertile winelands, and endless eucalyptus forests, with sleepy seaside towns dotted here and there.

Renowned for its incredible surfing, Bell’s Beach is one of the most popular attractions, along with Great Otway National Park, which is home to lots of spectacular natural beauty. The Twelve Apostles make for a stunning sight: the crumbling sea stacks are constantly pummeled by the rough and treacherous waters of the mighty Southern Ocean.

10. Perth [SEE MAP]

The capital of Western Australia, Perth is very isolated from the rest of the country, yet is routinely considered one of the most livable cities in the world thanks to its laidback vibe, fantastic cultural sites, and a wide range of things to do.

Many of Perth’s attractions are located near the water, whether it’s the beaches stretching along the Sunset Coast to the north or the parks, walks and picnic spots edging the Swan River. Fremantle, known as “Freo” by the locals, is the city’s port, a bustling marina that has recently gained a reputation as a haven for artists and students. Cottesloe Beach, just a few miles north of Fremantle, is Perth’s most popular beach.

One of the largest city parks in the world, the thousand-acre Kings Park encompasses Mount Eliza, a hill overlooking the city, and boasts a botanical garden with aerial walkways as well as the State War Memorial park. The Perth Zoo offers visitors up-close encounters with kangaroos and other animals native to Australia. Ferry service in Perth takes visitors to car-free Rottnest Island or the closer Penguin Island to watch daily feedings of the flightless birds.

Whether swimming with dolphins, firing up a barbie on the river’s shoreline or exploring the Aquarium of Western Australia, the country’s largest aquarium, aquatic adventures abound in sun-and-sea-loving Perth.

9. Kangaroo Island [SEE MAP]

The third-largest island in the country, Kangaroo Island lies just off the coast of South Australia, around a 45-minute ferry ride from Cape Jarvis. One of the most popular tourist destinations in the state, its delightfully untouched landscapes are home to incredible scenery and an abundance of wildlife.

Everything from huge dunes and towering cliffs to large caves and remarkable rock formations can be found in its numerous nature reserves. These are home to echidnas, koalas, and kangaroos, while penguins, sea lions and dolphins can be spotted offshore. Its diverse landscapes lend themselves perfectly to all kinds of outdoor activities, with hiking, sandboarding and scuba diving popular.

Besides its ample natural riches, wildlife, and recreation opportunities, Kangaroo Island also boasts lots of delicious local produce and fine wines for visitors to try. These can be sampled at any one of its four main towns or at the small farms and wineries that dot the island.

8. Brisbane [SEE MAP]

A popular tourist destination, Brisbane is a lively, dynamic place that is bathed in beautiful sunshine year-round. It has a population of about 2 million people, making it the third-largest city in Australia, after Sydney and Melbourne. Located in the Sunshine State, many visitors stop by on their way to the fantastic resorts and beaches that lie to its north and south.

Set alongside the Brisbane River, the city’s fantastic climate means that outdoor activities are very popular here; you can take your pick from a huge catalog, with biking, climbing, and hiking featuring prominently. A fun and friendly city, Brisbane’s vibrant music scene has made it one of the music capitals of the world and there are lots of venues in town where you can enjoy a great show. With loads of brilliant restaurants and bars for you to choose from, Brisbane is not to be missed.

7. Tasmania [SEE MAP]

The island state of Tasmania may be isolated from the rest of the country but it still remains one of the best places to visit in Australia; almost half of its area is protected as the government looks to preserve the natural riches.

With desolate wilderness and alpine plateaus interspersed with stunning white beaches, waterfalls, and forests, exploring its terrain is simply mesmerizing. Taking a boat trip along its craggy coast is equally rewarding and you can even see dolphins, penguins, and seals along the way.

With lots of great local produce, eating and drinking in the capital city of Hobart is an absolute pleasure and the restaurants and bars are divine. The island also hosts an eclectic range of great festivals throughout the year, where you can enjoy local beer and wine or arts and music events.

6. Whitsunday Islands [SEE MAP]

One of Australia’s most popular tourist destinations, the Whitsunday Islands lie scattered off Queensland’s northeastern coast, surrounded by warm and inviting aquamarine waters. As it is part of the Great Barrier Reef, most of the archipelago lies within national parks, so stunning scenery and picture-perfect beaches abound.

Due to the abundance of underwater riches and colorful coral reefs, the Whitsundays are a great place to go snorkeling and scuba diving. Sailing around its 74 islands and islets is also very popular, as is lounging on its sun-kissed sands. In Whitehaven Beach, the archipelago boasts one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

While the Whitsunday Islands are primarily known for their outstanding natural beauty, they are also remarkably home to some of the oldest Aboriginal archaeological sites in the country. As the idyllic islands are now mainly uninhabited and undeveloped with only a few resorts and campsites to be found here and there, it is best to arrange tours and activities in Airlie Beach on the mainland.

5. Melbourne [SEE MAP]

The capital of the state of Victoria, Melbourne is Australia’s second most populated city. Located near the southeastern tip of Australia on the large natural bay of Port Phillip, Melbourne is considered the nation’s cultural capital as well as an important port. Due to its high quality of life, citizens from around the world have flocked to the streets. Its multicultural population is reflected in the delicious cuisine and the unique neighborhoods that make it such a fascinating place to explore.

Melbourne’s City Center district boasts the most attractions , including the city’s most recognizable landmark, the Flinders Street Railway Station. The multiple clocks hanging over the Edwardian Era station’s entrance is a popular meeting spot. The skyscraper Eureka Tower features an 88th-floor observation platform, the highest in the southern hemisphere. Visitors can step out onto a glass-enclosed compartment for panoramic views of the bay and the green Dandenong mountain range beyond.

In the Carlton district, visitors can explore the southern hemisphere’s largest museum. The Melbourne Museum showcases the nation’s rich social history, from its indigenous cultures to its fascination with football and horse racing, and has extensive exhibits illustrating Australia’s natural history as well.

Visitors looking for outdoor activities can enjoy the city’s parklands, many of which are shaded by large, mature trees. For swimming and sunbathing, Melbourne’s bayside beaches are ideal. For a retro feel, Brighton Beach features colorful bathing huts. St. Kilda Beach is one of the most popular beaches, both for its swimming and for the clubs and restaurants that line the shore. From dawn to dusk, visitors to Melbourne will never run out of exciting things to see and do.

4. Kakadu National Park [SEE MAP]

Occupied by Aboriginal people for over 40,000 years, Kakadu National Park has over five thousand ancient rock art sites which are fascinating to visit. It is a place of immense cultural and natural significance. The park is huge and contains some stunning natural sights which make it well worth a visit; the Kakadu Escarpment is particularly breathtaking.

With diverse ecosystems contained within the park’s boundaries, you can be hiking through deserted sandstone escarpments one minute and bathing in waterfalls and pools the next, before later on learning about some of the ancient rock paintings. While it can get very popular, Kakadu’s huge area means that you can easily enjoy all the park has to offer in peace and quiet if you step off the beaten path a little.

3. Great Barrier Reef [SEE MAP]

The largest coral reef system on the face of the earth, the Great Barrier Reef is simply colossal. Located in the Coral Sea off the coast of Australia’s state of Queensland, the Great Barrier Reef encompasses a huge area of more than 2,900 coral reefs and hundreds of islands and cays. Formed by millions of living organisms over a period of millions of years, the Reef is now one of the world’s most diverse and complex ecosystems.

While always known and used by the Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal Australian peoples, the Reef today is protected by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. It is home to a remarkable array of marine life including 1500 fish species and 360 corals in addition to various species of whales, dolphins, marine turtles, sea snakes and birds, which breed among the small islands.

The best way to explore the Reef is by one of the numerous boat cruises that run along the northern coast of Queensland. The town of Cairns is regarded as the main gateway to the Reef, but other towns such as Townsville, Port Douglas, Yeppoon, Mission Beach and Cooktown also offer cruise operations.

Ranging from single day trips to multiple day voyages, these boat cruises usually anchor at certain stops to allow for snorkeling and diving. Other options for experiencing the Reef include underwater observatories, glass-bottomed boat tours and helicopter flights.

2. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park [SEE MAP]

World famous, spectacular Uluru is instantly recognizable due to its ruddy red hue; it is one of Australia’s most prominent landmarks. The immense rock is incredible to visit and the main reason the national park is such a popular destination. Its grandeur and uniqueness live long in the memory of those who gaze upon it. While Uluru is the main draw, the equally mesmerizing rock formations of Kata Tijuta are fantastic to wander around, and there are lots of activities for visitors to enjoy.

Owned by the Anangu Aboriginal people, the site is of great cultural and spiritual significance to them; you can learn more about their way of life at the brilliant cultural center. With lots of great walks, bike rides and tours, the astounding beauty of this national park really is awe-inspiring.

1. Sydney [SEE MAP]

Almost picture perfect, Sydney is a fantastic city with a lot going for it. A modern city with a long history, Sydney is defined by its scenic harbor. The region’s first inhabitants lived along the harbor’s bank for thousands of years. The harbor was also the landing site for convicts sent to Australia during the 1780s. Today, ferries take visitors for cruises under the famed Sydney Harbor Bridge and past the iconic Sydney Opera House.

Adventurous travelers can take a ferry to Manly Wharf where they can rent kayaks to paddle the inlets of Sydney Harbor National Park or sign up for surf classes at Manly Beach. The Federation Cliff Walk is a 5-km (3-mile) long walkway that starts at the Raleigh Reserve Park, providing spectacular views of the sea, harbor and the Macquarie Lighthouse, Australia’s first and longest operating lighthouse.

Sydney’s beaches are the perfect place to spend a warm summer day, to swim or just relax on the sands. The most popular are Bondi Beach, Manly and Coogee, although many others have their own charms.

See also: Where to Stay in Sydney

No visit to Sydney is complete without a tour of the Sydney Opera House. Designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon and completed in 1973, the sailing ship-inspired performing arts complex is considered one of the world’s most distinctive architectural structures.

For adventurous visitors to Sydney, a heart-thumping climb on the harbor bridge is a must-do activity. For others, shopping at the historic Queen Victoria Building, hitting the clubs and restaurants the in Rocks district and visiting the world-class Taronga Zoo are can’t-miss activities. Visitors can count on cosmopolitan Sydney to accommodate every taste.

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15 Best Cities to Visit in Australia

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Reader interactions.

December 22, 2019 at 11:08 am

I had the opportunity to visit Australia in November 2019 and I will say Brisbane tops them all

July 27, 2017 at 10:36 am

Loved Steve Irwin and his daughter Bindi so we are going to Brisbane to specifically see their zoo. So hope it is worth the trip.

July 21, 2017 at 4:30 am

I really love Sydney its a very nice place and I really love the island over there

January 12, 2017 at 11:24 pm

Hopefully everyone will get their act straight and help keep the Great Barrier Reef from getting destroyed. I’m still hoping that I can get to experience this beautiful gift of nature before climate change and pollution destroys it!

September 29, 2016 at 11:05 pm

I highly recommend the Great Barrier Reef. Fly to Cairns and split time between Port Douglas and Cairns. You also have direct access to the Rain Forest. This is an amazing part of the world and a must see location.

January 16, 2016 at 6:21 pm

@Pete75 What area would you suggest for our first trip to Australia? We love to sight see and have outdoor adventures like snorkeling, rock jumping, zip lining and are up for new fun adventures too. We are planning our trip possibly late June. Any advice is appreciated

January 10, 2016 at 10:05 am

@deepak The Gold Coast? Are you kidding? The Gold Coast is the worst place in Australia by a country mile! It is a plastic and concrete abomination to be avoided at all costs.

August 12, 2015 at 5:41 am

I am surprised Goldcoast is not on the list and places like Alice Spring and Brisbane are within top 10. I think number 1 should be Gold Coast followed by Sydney and Melbourne.

August 1, 2015 at 4:45 pm

In 2013 I had the oportunity to visit Australia for the first time. What a good surprise I had! Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Heron Island. So many beautiful places! In march 2016 I’m going again and Hobart is in my list!

May 7, 2015 at 8:35 am

Tassie definitely needs to have more recognition. It is a part of Australia that is very different from the rest, especially other parts of Tassie, not just it’s capital, Hobart. Poor tassie always gets cut out from all those Australian souvenirs where it is in the shape of Australia, as it is an island state and often they just don’t include it inside!

August 4, 2014 at 9:33 pm

YAYAYYAYYA!!! Adelaide made the list and its al the top!! South australia is a beautiful state, most people disregard it and dont bother with it but it is a really nice city and the “outback” like the FLinders Ranges are beautiful!

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Eyre Peninsula

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Great Barrier Reef

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Daintree Rainforest

Great Ocean Road

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Uluru Astro Tours, Uluru, Northern Territory © Tourism NT/Tourism Australia

Australia’s most famous natural landmarks

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Towering waterfalls, bubble-gum pink lakes and the Great Barrier Reef are just some of Australia’s famous natural landmarks waiting to be explored.

By Allie Metz

The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system and home to amazingly diverse marine life . Above the water, the reef is dotted with picturesque tropical islands and some of the world’s most beautiful sun-soaked beaches. You can visit them all on an island escape or from exciting coastal gateways like Cairns and the Whitsundays .

Guide to the Great Barrier Reef

Take a dip in The Great Barrier Reef and see why most of the world has added this Australian destination to their bucket list.

Read time • 4min

Ulu r u-Kata Tju t a National Park, in the heart of the Red Centre , is home to two of the country’s most astounding rock formations – Kata Tju t a and Ulu r u. The sheer size of these monoliths will impress, as they emerge from an otherwise flat landscape. But it’s the spirituality and rich Aboriginal history connected to these sacred places that will leave a lasting impression.

Guide to Uluru and Kata Tjuta

The ancient rock formations of Uluru and Kata Tjuta rise from the land to make an incredible sight.

Almost too baffling (and beautiful) to believe, Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre in South Australia is known for its beautiful pink hue, stretching across an incredible 144 km (89 mi). Most of the time, the lake is comprised of a dry, sparkling pink salt bed, but once every few years, a downpour of rain floods the region in a dazzling display. The best way to experience the pastel pink spectacle is aboard a scenic flight from the underground opal mining town of Coober Pedy during a half-day adventure with Wrightsair .

Australia's pink lakes

Australia is home to many beguiling natural attractions, but its extraordinary pink lakes have got to be seen to be believed.

One of the highlights of the spectacular Great Ocean Road, the 12 Apostles rise defiantly from the wild Southern Ocean, creating spectacular vistas both from above and below. Soar above the remaining spires (there are just eight still standing) in a helicopter, or take the Gibson Steps down to the sand to appreciate the vertical coastal cliffs from another angle.

Guide to the Great Ocean Road

Experience the rugged beauty along the south-west coast of Victoria by setting off along one of the world’s most scenic coastal drives.

The crystal clear waters of Ningaloo Reef are home to the world’s largest fringing reef, a 260km (162mi) long coral reef you can access right from the beach. It’s a wildlife wonderland, famous for its abundance of turtles, tropical fish, manta rays and humpback whales. But perhaps the most famous locals are the giant-yet-gentle whale sharks, which congregate here in large numbers each winter.

Guide to Ningaloo Reef

Beside the red soils of the Cape Range lies the turquoise lagoons of Ningaloo Reef, home to some of the world’s most incredible marine creatures.

Located in Blue Mountains National Park, the Three Sisters is a strikingly unusual rock formation that, according to Aboriginal legend, represents three sisters who were turned to stone. The tallest of the sisters stands at over 920m (3,000ft) above sea level, towering over the blue haze of the Jamison Valley. View them from Echo Point Lookout, or embark on one of the many bushwalks in the area for a unique perspective.

Guide to the Blue Mountains

For a holiday centred around the outdoors, head to the Blue Mountains to marvel at impressive rock formations, potter around in quaint villages or explore epic wilderness.

Winter in Tasmania is filled with incredible experiences, and if you’re ready to leave urban life for a wilderness escape, you may just be rewarded with the most spectacular natural light show. The Southern Lights, or Aurora Australis, is a colourful natural phenomenon that paints the night sky with flickers of blue, purple, green and red.

Where to see The Southern Lights

Travelling in Tasmania? Keep your eyes peeled for one of nature’s most magnificent shows.

Read time • 3min

The four-tiered Mitchell Falls is a spectacular site, set amidst the red rocks of the Kimberley . This oasis is set in an ever-changing landscape of tropical rainforest and dramatic cliffs. While it’s perhaps best viewed from the air, consider hiking the 8.6km (5.3mi) return track to see galleries of ancient rock art paintings, wildlife and panoramic views.

Wilpena Pound, in the Flinders Ranges, is a huge, sunken natural amphitheatre – a vast crater carved out of the desert, surrounded by jagged mountains. Covering eight times the area of Ulu r u, this region is renowned for its geological history. Join an Aboriginal guide to explore rock art, find ancient fossils and spot wildlife throughout this spectacular landscape.

Guide to the Flinders Ranges

Explore a landscape more than 600 million years old.

Chasms, gorges and the signature yellow and black striped domes of the Bungle Bungle Range are some of the iconic natural attractions that make the Kimberley region so geologically astounding. The Bungle Bungles themselves, caused by twenty million years of erosion, are a spectacular sight from the ground or from a scenic flight. The fact that so few people have visited this remote region makes it all the more special.

Guide to Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungles)

The orange and black striped domes of the Bungle Bungle Range in Purnululu National Park are as beautiful as they are bizarre – an unmissable icon of Western Australia’s Kimberley region.

Giant boulders perched precariously on the cliffs of Flinders Chase National Park, the Remarkable Rocks are one of Kangaroo Island’s most unique natural attractions. Covered with bright orange lichen and carved away by wind erosion, the granite boulders have been shaped into sculptural masterpieces that come to life at sunrise and sunset.

Guide to Kangaroo Island

Kangaroo Island is a nature lover's paradise, with prolific native wildlife, dramatic coastal sightseeing and bountiful farmlands.

Head underground at Jenolan Caves to wander the stalactite-lined maze of caverns shaped by subterranean rivers. There are 10 caves to explore, each with its own mix of chambers and formations. Don’t miss Orient Cave, often regarded as one of the world's most beautiful. While you’re here, spend some time above ground as well, exploring nearby scenic walking tracks through wildlife-rich bushland.

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We acknowledge the Traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Owners of the land, sea and waters of the Australian continent, and recognise their custodianship of culture and Country for over 60,000 years.

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19 Top-Rated Attractions & Places to Visit in Western Australia

Written by Karen Hastings Updated Mar 22, 2022 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Western Australia is a land of extremes. Occupying a third of the continent's total area, it's the largest of the Australian states, with less than 10 percent of the country's total population (about 2.21 million people), but you'll be spoiled for choice when it comes to things to do here.

The state's capital, Perth, exudes a vibrant, sophisticated feel. Thanks to a mining boom, it's now the fourth largest city in Australia, flaunting its wealth with shiny skyscrapers, gourmet restaurants, and buzzing entertainment venues. But the beating hot heart of the vast desert and a wild and rugged coastline beckon just beyond.

Endless stretches of white-sand beach, rugged red gorges, sweeping fields of wildflowers, and bizarre rock formations are just some of Western Australia's stunning natural attractions, and the state is also famous for its distinctive flora and fauna. Separated from Australia's east coast by the vast Nullarbor Plain, Western Australia ("WA") seems, in many ways, like a land unto itself. Its capital, Perth, is one of the planet's most isolated cities.

Wilderness adventures are a top draw. You can four-wheel-drive along the Kimberley's Gibb River Road , surf big-wave breaks at the Margaret River , bask on the beach with a kangaroo, hand-feed wild dolphins, and swim with whale sharks at the planet's largest fringing coral reef. Learn more about the best places to visit in this diverse state with our list of the top tourist attractions in Western Australia.

1. Cable Beach, Broome

2. kings park & the western australian botanic garden, perth, 3. jet boat tours to the horizontal falls, 4. fremantle, 5. swan river cruises, perth, 6. ningaloo reef marine park & turquoise bay, 7. rottnest island, 8. margaret river beaches, 9. esperance bay, lucky bay, and cape le grand national park, 10. karijini national park, 11. cape leveque, the kimberley, 12. purnululu (bungle bungle) national park, the kimberley, 13. perth's beaches, 14. cape to cape track, 15. gibb river road in the kimberley, 16. the pinnacles, nambung national park, 17. staircase to the moon, broome, 18. wave rock, 19. monkey mia & the dolphins, map of attractions & places to visit in western australia.

Cable Beach is Broome's crown jewel and one of the most famous places in Western Australia. Backed by striking red cliffs, this iconic shoreline stretches for 22 kilometers, with sweeping white sands and turquoise waters. It's named after the communications cable laid between Broome and Java in 1889.

You can enjoy this beach both on the shore and in the water. Park your 4WD along the shore at dusk and watch as the sun sinks slowly in the sky – it's one of the top things to do in Broome . If you're visiting during the day, make sure you pack a beach umbrella for shelter from the scorching sun.

From November to May, dangerous irukandji jellyfish are found in the waters here, but you can swim at other times of year.

You can also tour this beach by camel . In fact, Cable Beach camel rides are one of the top things to do in WA. Sign up for this signature experience, and plod along the shore silhouetted by the setting sun as a blaze of colors ignites the sky.

Broome is also a popular base for Kimberley adventures , including the Horizontal Waterfall, Cape Leveque, the Gibb River Road, Purnululu (Bungle Bungle) National Park, and Mitchell Falls. These picture-worthy sights are some of the best places to photograph in Australia .

Kings Park is the pride and joy of Perth. When you need a break from the buzz of the city, head here to hike the trails, enjoy a picnic, and admire beautiful views of the Darling Range and Swan River.

You'll find plenty of space to spread out. Kings Park is one of the largest inner-city parks in the world , and almost two-thirds of its 1,000 acres is natural bushland, home to countless species of birds and insects. Tranquil ponds punctuate the gardens, and kids can clamber and swing on the imaginative playgrounds.

One of the best things to do in Kings Park is visit the Western Australian Botanic Garden and hike the Lottery Federation Walkway . Stretching for 620 meters through a canopy of eucalyptus trees, this walking trail offers a panoramic viewpoint over the city. Linger in the gardens to admire the collections of Mediterranean plants from around the world and a spectacular display of wildflowers in the spring.

Other Kings Park highlights include the city views from Fraser Avenue Lookout and Mount Eliza, and the poignant Kings Park State War Memorial, which honors Western Australian service men and women.

Address: Fraser Avenue, West Perth, Western Australia

Official site: http://www.bgpa.wa.gov.au/

Read More: Top-Rated Attractions in Perth, Australia

Rugged and remote, the Kimberley Region is ripe with adventures. One of the most popular is a jet boat ride through the spectacular Horizontal Falls. Powerful tides of up to 11 meters squeeze through two narrow gorges to form this curious natural phenomenon. It's also one of the top outdoor adventures in Australia .

The only way to experience this remote attraction is on an organized tour by seaplane and/or jet boat. Tours usually depart from Broome or Derby, and include a scenic flight over the jaw-droppingly beautiful Buccaneer peninsula, a wild stretch of red, cliff-fringed coast washed by turquoise water, and dotted with hundreds of tiny uninhabited islands.

Tours usually involve a water landing on Talbot Bay; a lunch of fresh-caught seafood; an exhilarating jet boat ride through the falls; and, for the more adventurous, an optional shark swim .

When it comes to things to do in Western Australian that really get your heart pumping, this adventure tops the list.

Oozing a hip, boho vibe, Fremantle ("Freo") is Perth's port town. This was the first site of settlement for the Swan River colonists in 1829. Learn all about its rich convict and maritime history and admire some of its elegant Edwardian and Victorian buildings on a guided tram tour or heritage walking tour.

Fremantle also attracts many artists and creative types. Come here for brunch, then linger to browse the art galleries, listen to live music, or shop in the funky boutiques and bookshops. You can also pick up some arts and crafts, street food, or fresh produce at the popular Fremantle Markets .

Interested in maritime history? Head to the Western Australian Museum's Shipwreck Galleries to see the sobering remains of vessels that met their match along the coast, and browse the exhibits at the Western Australian Maritime Museum , which hosts the winning America's Cup yacht, Australia II . Popular whale-watching cruises also depart from Fremantle.

A fun way to access the city from Perth is on a Swan River Cruise .

A great way to get a feel for Perth's layout is aboard a Swan River sightseeing cruise. One of the most popular is a cruise between Perth and the historic port of Fremantle . Along the way, you'll cruise past some of Perth's top tourist attractions, including the impressive Bell Tower at Elizabeth Key, Kings Park, and the palatial homes on the riverbank.

Another popular day trip is a cruise upriver to the Swan Valley . This fertile valley is Western Australia's oldest grape-growing region and a hot spot for foodies. Here, you can sample fresh local produce and scrumptious artisan foods, and dine at fabulous restaurants. Most ferries and river cruises depart from Barrack Square Jetty .

The Swan River is also a picturesque setting for outdoor sports. Cast a fishing line, sail, swim, or paddle the calm waters. And if you prefer to enjoy the river on land, you can bike or hike along the many trails, or picnic in riverside parks.

When it comes to places to visit in WA for tropical aquatic adventures, it's hard to beat Ningaloo Reef. A UNESCO World Heritage site , Ningaloo Reef is the world's largest fringing reef. The Ningaloo Reef Marine Park extends for about 260 kilometers and harbors an astounding diversity of marine life. But unlike the Great Barrier Reef , it's easily accessible from shore.

Ningaloo Reef is also one of the few places in the world where you can swim with whale sharks. Visit from March through August to tick this off your Western Australia bucket list. Other Ningaloo marine life includes more than 300 species of coral and 500 species of fish, including manta rays, whale sharks, and turtles, as well as marine mammals like humpback whales and dugongs.

One of the top beaches for snorkeling is beautiful Turquoise Bay . Coral gardens lace this sublime stretch of blinding white sand and crystal-clear water, and you can admire a diversity of fish life in the shallows. Diving is another top thing to do in Ningaloo Reef, and divers can explore numerous wrecks around Point Cloates .

The town of Exmouth on the Coral Coast is the main gateway to Ningaloo Reef and a popular launching point for reef trips. It's also one of the top fishing destinations in Australia . Coral Bay is also a great base, with long, white-sand beaches and ideal conditions for swimming, snorkeling, fishing, and boating.

Ningaloo Reef Marine Park also includes the coastal area of spectacular Cape Range National Park . Here, you can explore rugged limestone cliffs, dunes, and canyons.

A ferry ride from Perth or Fremantle, Rottnest Island is a car-free nature reserve and one of the most popular day trips from Perth . The Dutch navigator Willem de Vlamingh landed on the island in 1696 and pronounced it an earthly paradise. Mistaking the small marsupials, called quokkas, for rats, he named the island Rottnest ("rats' nest"). Today, the adorable quokkas still inhabit the island and are one of the top things to see in Western Australia.

Sparkling bays, white-sand beaches, and coral reefs fringe the island's shores, providing excellent opportunities for snorkeling and swimming.

Attractions on the island include the Rottnest Museum , housed in an 1857-era barn and threshing mill. Here, you can delve back into the island's history through the collections of historical material and relics of shipwrecks. History buffs, take note: Most of the little limestone houses around the harbor were built by convict labor and are among the oldest buildings in Western Australia.

Explore the underwater world on the Parker Point Snorkel Trail, and soak up beautiful island views from Vlamingh Lookout . Other things to do include hiking the trails, tennis, golf, cycling, and boating.

About a 3.5-hour drive south of Perth , Margaret River is a favorite weekend getaway, and its bombshell beaches are one of the top draws. World-class surf breaks, curving rocky coves, and seemingly endless sweeps of dazzling white sand and clear water are among the many coastal beauties here, and with more than 130 beaches to choose from, you'll find the perfect patch of sand for your chosen activity.

Surfers flock here for the consistent big-wave breaks , as well as more than 40 surf spots sprinkled along the coast. Families love the calm bays (Hamelin Bay is a favorite), and wildlife lovers can snorkel and get up close with marine life – stingrays frequently swim in the shallows. From Yallingup Beach to Meelup and the natural spa at Injidup Beach, you'll find the perfect playground for all your aquatic adventures.

When you're looking for a break from the sun, sand, and sea, you'll find plenty of other things to do in the Margaret River region. Hike through towering forests (the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk is a favorite thing to do here), delve deep into limestone caves , rock climb, mountain bike, fish, kayak, or book a whale watching tour.

Craving more of a culture fix? Margaret River is also home to vibrant art galleries and gourmet restaurants.

Ravishing beaches, turquoise lagoons, wildflowers, wildlife, and easy accessibility to spectacular national parks make Esperance Bay a haven for nature lovers.

One of the region's top attractions is Lucky Bay in spectacular Cape le Grand National Park. Set against the islands of the Recherche Archipelago , this dazzling stretch of sand is one of Australia's best beaches, and lounging along its sublime shores with wild kangaroos is one of the top free things to do in Western Australia.

Other popular activities along this unspoiled coast include snorkeling, surfing, fishing, and beach safaris. If you're looking for one of the best views in Western Australia, head to Observatory Point and Lookout, which perches above Cape Le Grand National Park's spectacular coastline.

Hikers and bikers love the 40-kilometer Great Ocean Drive , which runs from Esperance to beautiful Twilight Beach. Strangely, the region even offers its own mini replica of Stonehenge. Also in the area, Cape Arid, Fitzgerald River, and Stokes National Parks are popular excursions, famed for their stunning coastal scenery, diverse flora and fauna, and fantastic hiking trails.

Karijini National Park is one of the largest and most rewarding national parks in Western Australia. Over many millions of years, erosion created steep gorges, up to 100 meters deep, with waterfalls and rock pools bordered by lush foliage.

A track running through the Yampire Gorge leads to most of the scenic highlights of the park. The Fortescue Falls , fed by a groundwater river, do not dry up, even in the heat of summer. You can explore the Kalamina Gorge and its deep waterholes on foot, and it's possible to drive through the Wittenoom Gorge for about 30 kilometers, with shady picnic spots beside natural swimming pools.

The park is home to the second highest peak in Western Australia, Mount Bruce, but the best views are from Oxer Lookout , perched over four red-walled gorges. Four-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended.

If you're wondering about adventurous things to do in north Western Australia, add Cape Leveque to your sightseeing itinerary. This isolated stretch of coast is an achingly gorgeous area of wild beaches, blue sea, and vermilion-hued cliffs. If you look at a Western Australia attractions map, you'll find this remote area teetering on the tip of the Dampier Peninsula north of Broome .

Getting here is an adventure in itself. You can drive the 200-plus kilometers on a newly sealed road from Broome (the last four kilometers are 4WD only), or take a scenic flight. However you choose to arrive, you'll be gobsmacked by the striking scenery of bright red cliffs, golden sand, and turquoise sea.

Top things to do in Cape Leveque revolve mainly around the water. You can swim and snorkel in the clear waters, book a fishing charter, or look for humpback whales from July to October . Prefer to stay on land? Hike along the cliffs, or sign up for an Aboriginal bush tucker tour with the traditional owners of this rugged coast.

With all this wild beauty, it's no surprise that this is one of the best places to visit in The Kimberley.

One of Western Australia's hidden gems, the remote and spectacular rock formations of Purnululu (Bungle Bungle) National Park remained unknown to the outside world until 1983. Today, the park in The Kimberley graces both the National and UNESCO World Heritage lists .

Despite its relatively recent discovery, the Bungle Bungle hills and surrounding area were home to Aboriginal tribes for thousands of years. They hold remains of their culture, including ceremonial sites, rock paintings, and a burial ground. Violent summer monsoon rains carved the park's deep gorges and chasms, and the bee-hived shaped rock domes of the Bungle Bungle are made of soft sandstone.

You can explore the main sites on walking trails of varying difficulty. Cathedral Gorge, Piccaninny Gorge, and Echidna Chasm are some of the most popular sites. But perhaps the best way to appreciate the massive scope of these magnificent structures in on a sightseeing flight. Departing from Halls Creek and Kununurra, the flights usually include a visit to the Argyle diamond mine. Longer tours in all-terrain vehicles are also available.

If you're looking for unique places to go in Western Australia, this is a must-see attraction.

Official site: https://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/park/purnululu

Is basking on a golden beach in between city sightseeing your idea of paradise? You're in luck. Perth is famous for its sun-soaked slices of sand and sea.

One of Perth's most popular beaches, pine-fringed Cottesloe is perfect for people-watching and paddling in the clear waters. You'll also find a hip café culture here. City Beach has a children's playground and plenty of places to enjoy a picnic. Conveniently, both these beaches are less than a 15-minute drive from the city center.

Looking for waves? Head to Trigg Point or Scarborough for some of the most reliable surf breaks. Families love the sheltered inlets on the Swan River – Como, Crawley, and Point Walter are standouts, and Rockingham Beach and Hillarys Boat Harbour are other kid-friendly spots. Port Beach is another favorite. It's about a five-minute drive from Fremantle.

Stretching for 135 kilometers from Cape Naturaliste south to Cape Leeuwin through the Margaret River , the Cape to Cape Track is one of the top hikes in Australia. Stunning beaches, secluded bays, steep sea cliffs, deep caves, rugged headlands, and fields of wildflowers are some of the highlights. You'll also see plenty of wildlife along the way. In areas, the track loops inland, weaving through woodland and dense forests.

Walking through these diverse ecosystems is a rewarding way to explore some of the top natural attractions in southwest Western Australia. Highlights include the beautiful Boranup karri forest, Quininup Falls, and the Wilyabrup sea cliffs . You can also break up the hike into smaller sections depending on your interests, skill level, and time constraints. Tackling the entire walk typically takes between five and seven days.

Guided tours are also available, with camping along the way. Don't want to rough it? You can stay in nearby hotels and lodges, and rest your weary limbs in a plush bed.

Slicing through the heart of the Kimberley, Gibb River Road is legendary among outback adventures. "The Gibb," as it's called, is an old cattle-droving route running northeast for 600 kilometers from Derby to just short of Wyndham. Recommended for 4WD vehicles, the road threads past rugged red-rock gorges, outback cattle stations, Aboriginal communities, croc-filled rivers, savannah, and magnificent mountain ranges.

Travelers along this route can camp or stay at one of the remote stations in the region. El Questro is one of the most famous. During the rainy season, from November through March, the road is usually closed due to flooding.

In Nambung National Park, about a two-hour drive from Perth, the Pinnacles are thousands of limestone pillars rising from a lunar-like landscape of yellow sand. These bizarre rock formations range in height from between a few centimeters to four meters.

Controversy persists over their origin, but it seems that a process of chemical change caused by wind and water erosion led to the softer sandstones being washed away, leaving the harder limestone exposed.

You can explore these strange-looking rock spires via a scenic drive or walking trail. The Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre displays exhibits on the park.

Besides Cable Beach and its rich pearling history, Broome is famous for an unusual natural phenomenon. Called the Staircase to the Moon , this unique event occurs when the full moon rises over Roebuck Bay, about two or three days a month between March and October . Rays of light gleaming on the water create an optical illusion of steps leading to the moon.

If you happen to be in town for this anticipated event, grab your camera and head to the shore of Town Beach. Locals and tourists flock here to watch this spectacle and capture a souvenir image.

If you're looking for unusual WA tourist attractions, the famous Wave Rock is a must-see. This extraordinary rock formation consists of banded granite, towering 15 meters high, in the form of a wave about to break. Rainwater reacting with different chemical substances in the rock has created a series of vertical stripes in shades of gray, red, and ochre.

In the spring, look for wildflowers growing around its base. From Wave Rock, you can also walk the one-kilometer loop to see Hippo's Yawn , another distinctive rock feature shaped just like a gaping hippo's mouth.

Other curious granite outcrops lie in the surrounding area, including the Humps , the King Rocks , and the Gnamma Hole , and you can explore them on an 80-kilometer driving circuit from Hyden .

Bates Cave , to the north of Hyden, has Aboriginal rock paintings and handprints.

Shark Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site , shelters some of the world's largest and richest seagrass beds. But the most famous tourist attractions in Shark Bay are the dolphins of Monkey Mia . Every morning, rangers select a few visitors to hand-feed these friendly dolphins in their natural habitat. The dolphins became accustomed to human beings in the 1960s, when fishermen began throwing the remains of their catch into the sea.

Each year, the number of dolphins at Monkey Mia dwindles, but for the lucky few who get to feed these wild animals, it is an unforgettable experience.

Apart from dolphin watching, you can also enjoy swimming in the beautiful bays, fishing, kayaking, four-wheel-drive adventures, Aboriginal cultural tours, and camel rides here. Shark Bay is also known for its population of dugongs and stromatolites, mats of algae, which are among the oldest life forms on earth.

Monkey Mia lies about 25 kilometers from Denham.

Official site: http://www.sharkbay.org.au/

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Seven Aussie tourist attractions make world’s ‘most boring’ list

Australia appears to be home to seven of the world’s ‘most boring’ attractions and not everyone is happy about it.

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Australia appears to be home to seven of the world’s “most boring” attractions, according to a contentious new global study.

The research — conducted by Solitaired in March — has listed the Top 100 Most Boring Attractions Worldwide and it’s already got some Aussies fired up after iconic hotspots across Perth, Melbourne, Sydney and Tasmania made the cut.

“We analysed 66.7 million Google reviews of 3,290 popular tourist attractions worldwide, spanning 384 cities across 71 countries, focusing on 11 keywords indicative of tiresome, lifeless, and downright boring impressions,” Solitaired wrote on its site.

As such, researchers ranked the attractions by the frequency with which tourists mentioned boredom-related keywords, comparing the mentions to the total reviews for each spot.

The study did not focus on the star-rating of Google reviews, but rather identified the number of times words such as “tiresome”, “lifeless,” and “boring”, were written by reviewers.

American attractions took up the top seven spots, while Shrek’s Adventure London snagged eighth place.

Four Legoland Discovery Centres made the top 25, with Melbourne’s coming in at 24th alongside a ‘boredom score’ of 2.30.

The other Melbourne attraction to make the list was Luna Park at 80. It had a ‘boredom score’ of 1.90, i.e the number of times the boredom-related keywords were mentioned in its 7996 reviews.

Some West Aussies were shocked to learn the WA Museum Boola Bardip ranked 16th on the global list, with the unique Bell Tower scraping in at 92.

“Naw I thought the museum was good. Maybe it needs a better name that makes it sound more exciting,” one person wrote on Facebook.

“Fantastic museum, got something for everyone in here. Lots about the history of Perth/ Western Australia as well as some really interesting geology exhibits,” another wrote in their Google review.

“I love the museum!!” a third proclaimed, while others also defended Bell Tower.

“Bell tower times is an absolute belter though,” one said.

However, not everyone was of the same view with many agreeing the only four-year-old $400 million WA museum is “underwhelming”.

“Yup I’d agree. Spent so much money on it and now there’s nothing left in it to see. Such a shame,” one local wrote.

“It was a great museum when my kids were little. There was a great kids area with lots of activities and some very interesting collections. Now you need a torch to go round,” wrote another, while others blamed the location.

“It’s not only the museum but where it is,” one person added.

It’s also worth noting that out of the 3515 Google reviews, it has a 4.5 star-rating.

But the Northbridge-based attraction wasn’t the only “boring” Aussie museum on the list with Melbourne’s Immigration Museum raking at 52 and the Museum of Sydney at 32.

They had a 4.4 star-rating based on 2,659 Google reviews and 41 star-rating based on 2345 reviews, respectively.

Meanwhile, WA Museum CEO Alec Coles argued the findings were at odds with other “credible” sources, insisting feedback on the Perth-based museum has been largely complimentary.

“The results of this supposed ‘survey’ contradict all credible data sources, all of which suggest that visitors are overwhelmingly positive about Boola Bardip,” Mr Coles told Perth Now .

He considered the museum’s dynamic calendar of events as key to attracting both new and repeat visitors.

“Each year WA Museum Boola Bardip develops and presents a range of captivating local and international exhibitions, interactive displays, diverse programs, and events.

“Last year’s Discovering Ancient Egypt exhibition attracted over 135,000 visitors and people have come over the last two weeks in their droves to visit the To the Moon exhibition.”

Another well-known attraction that also made the list was MONA in Berriedale, Tasmania.

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It ranked 76th out of 100 with a ‘boredom score’ of 1.90 based on 11,067 reviews.

However, it has a Google star-rating of 4.4 with those giving it top marks describing it as ‘fantastic’ and ‘amazing’, while others branded the popular museum ‘strange’ and ‘tasteless’.

Meanwhile, the world’s most boring mantle went to Branson Scenic Railway in the US state of Missouri with 3341 total reviews and a maximum boredom score of 5 out of 5.

On the coast of the Black Sea sits an eerie ghost town full of Disney-inspired mansions that were never finished.

The Moulin Rouge is one of Paris’ most famous attractions but the venue’s iconic windmill lay in tatters after its sails fell off.

A flight attendant can be seen bolting down the aisle of a plane after her pilot boyfriend made a surprising announcement on the PA system.