Australia is full of so many beautiful attractions it is very hard to narrow down to only a list of the best. Australia is a massive remote island located south of the equator with the Indian Ocean on the West Coast and the Pacific ocean on the East, surrounded by 1000’s of kilometers of beautiful beaches including some of the best anywhere in the world. Almost 4 out of 5 Aussies live within 50km of the ocean.
Once you head away from the coast, you have the rugged mountains (yes it snows in the winter) stretching up the east coast, rain-forests in the north and vast inland deserts in the middle. Australia is also home to an amazing selection of wildlife found nowhere else on the planet including Koalas, Emus, Kangaroos, Echidnas and Platypus.
The Australian cities are very multi cultural showcasing Australia’s proud immigration history and a melting pot of cultures meaning it is home to some of the best restaurants and cuisine in the world, including beautiful fresh seafood. Australia also has a proud sporting history and hosted the 1956 and 2000 Olympics in Melbourne and Sydney as well as other major sporting events yearly.
These attractions some of best places to visit in Australia, and this selection will definitely give you a great overview and reason to pack up your bags and travel to Australia.
#1 Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory, Australia
Location: Northern Territory, Australia
Accommodation: Best Kakadu Hotels
Tours: Best tours to Kakadu
Kakadu is a world Heritage site located in the Top End of Australia about 170 km southeast of Darwin in the Australian state of Northern Territory. Kakadu is the largest national park in Australia and second largest in the world. The park is home to over 300 species of birds, marsupials and 2 types of crocodiles. The saltwater crocodile can grow over 6 meters and is extremely dangerous and best viewed from a distance. Visit wild rivers, ancient gorges, Aboriginal rock painting and beautiful waterfalls.
#2 Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia
Location: Queensland, Australia
Accommodation: Best Great Barrier Reef Accommodation
Tours: Best Barrier Reef Tours
The Great barrier Reef, located in North Queensland is home to over 300 reefs, 600 islands and is one of the worlds largest structures. This World Heritage Listed site stretches for over 2300 kilometres down the east coast of Australia. Filled with tropical fish, dolphins, turtles and smaller reef sharks, the reef is fantastic for scuba diving or snorkelling. Most people base themselves on the mainland in towns like Port Douglas, Cairns or Airlie Beach and take boat tours out to the reef.
#3 Loch Ard Gorge, Victoria, Australia
Location: Great Ocean Road, Victoria
Tours: Great Ocean Road Tour including Loch Ard Gorge.
The Loch Ard Gorge is a spectacular inlet and cove located just off the coast of Port Campbell on Australia’s Great Ocean Road. About a 5 minute drive from the mighty Twelve Apostles, the Gorge is just as spectacular and often less crowded than its famous neighbour.
The gorge was named after the English clipper Loch Ard, which ran aground in June 1878 killing 52 passengers and crew. Only 2 people survived the wreck including 19 year old Tom Pearce and Eva Carmichael. In June 2009, a nearby archway collapsed leaving 2 pillars of limestone that have been named after Tom and Eva. Loch Ard Gorge is approximately 230 km (140 miles) drive west of Melbourne.
#4 Uluru – Kata Tjuta, Northern Territory, Australia
Location: Northern Territory
Accommodation: Check Hotels Near Uluru
Tours:
It doesn’t get more Australian that the red sands of Uluru in the heart of Australia. Formally known as Ayers Rock, Uluru is a massive monolith (rock) that is 3.6 kilometres long, 1.9 kilometres wide 9.4 kilometres around the base. It is one of the most photographed locations in Australia and the world.
Lots of people visit Uluru for sunrise or sunset when the colours change in the different light and offers amazing photo opportunities. It is also worth visiting the Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) which are approx 50km away from Uluru and are amazing in their own right.
#5 Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia
Location: Victoria - 1 hour from Melbourne
Accommodation: Hotels Combined
Tours:
The Great Ocean Road is a 244 kilometer road travelling along the coast in the southern Australian state of Victoria. The road starts in Torquay which is home to Australian surfing and birthplace of surfing brands Rip Curl and Quiksilver.
The road winds its way westward finishing in the small town of Allansford near Warrnambool. Along the way you can visit some amazing rock formations cultured by the waves of the wild southern ocean including Twelve Apostles, London Bridge and Loch Ard Gorge.
View Australian wildlife including kangaroos and koalas or stop for fish and chips in the popular holiday towns of Lorne or Apollo Bay.
Book Amazing accommodation on the Great Ocean Road.
#6 Bondi Beach, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Location: Sydney, NSW
Accommodation: Bondi Beach Hotels
Bondi Beach is one of the worlds most famous beaches and located only 15 minutes from the center of Sydney. It can be extremely crowded especially during any public holidays or around Christmas.
Its a great place to have fish and chips on the beach or a picnic with friends. Home to one of the oldest surf lifesaving clubs in the world the beach can be dangerous with strong rips with can catch out unsuspecting tourists.
#7 Cable Beach, Broome, Western Australia, Australia
Location: Western Australia
Accommodation: Beast Cable Beach Accommodation
Tours: Best Cable Beach Tours
Cable Beach is located in Broome in the northwest of Western Australia and is one of the most popular destinations in the state. The 22 kilometer beach is famous for its camel rides, white sand and the crystal clear waters of the Indian ocean.
Broome is also famous for its pearl farming and is a perfect spot for whale watching with the worlds largest pod of humpbacks living in the surrounding water. Enjoy a beautiful sunset looking out over the water.
#8 Sydney Harbour, New South Wales, Australia
Location: Sydney, New South Wales
Accommodation: Best Hotels with Sydney Harbour Views.
Tours: Best Sydney Harbour Tours
If your first thought when imagining Australia isn’t Uluru then it is definitely Sydney Harbour. Sydney comes alive with the beauty of its harbour and the beautiful Harbour Bridge and Opera House.
Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of Australia’s most famous icons and the largest steel arch bridge in the world, while the opera house shaped like huge sails is a breathtaking site. The home of the Australian prime minister, Kirribilli house is built right on the harbour next to the bridge and opposite the Opera House.
Sail around the harbour, get a ferry over to Manly, or just enjoy lunch in one of the many spots with amazing views.
#9 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Location: Victoria, Australia
Accommodation: Best Melbourne Hotels
Tours: Best Melbourne Tours
Melbourne, located in the southern state of Victoria is Australia’s second largest city and home to 4.5 million people. Melbourne is home to vast park-lands and gardens and is centered on the Yarra river flowing through the middle of the city. Known locally as the sporting capital of the world, the city is home to a Formula 1 race, Tennis Grand Slam tournament as well as many other sporting events including the 1956 Olympics and Commonwealth Games.
The iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground can hold 100,000 people and is home to Australian Rules Football in the Winter and Cricket in the summer. Melbourne is also home to teams from all of Australian sporting codes including Soccer, Rugby League and Rugby Union.
Melbourne is a very cosmopolitan city with a large overseas populations of migrants from Britain, Greece, Italy, Vietnam and China among others. This mixing pot of nationalities makes Melbourne a perfect place to visit and try different cuisines, great shopping and a vibrant cafe scene with some of the world's best coffee..
#10 Blue Mountains, New South Wales, Australia
Location: New South Wales, Australia
Accommodation: Best Blue Mountain Hotels
Tours: Blue Mountain Day Trips
The Blue Mountains National Park is about 80 km west of Sydney in the Australian state of New South Wales. They get their name from the blueish haze appearance caused by the eucalyptus oil from trees and how it affects the light.
It is a very popular day trip from Sydney and is well known for the 3 rock formations known as the 3 sisters. The parks are perfect for a bushwalk or hike.
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