Visitors to Australia, the world’s sixth-largest country, are faced with the enormous task of picking and choosing which of its spectacular offerings they want to make time to see. It’s not an easy feat by any means. The following 15 can’t-miss places in Australia represent some of the most beautiful, impressive and unique spots, and should be on your list the next time you travel down under.
Sources: AustralianGeographic.com, DownUndr.com, News.com.au, HuffingtonPost.com, Buzzfeed.com, JenolanCaves.org.au, WorldofWaterfalls.com, TourismWhitsundays.com.au, Australia.com, ThePaintedDesert.com.au
Besides being home to the Three Sisters rock formation, the Blue Mountains National Park is breathtaking in its rolling valleys, incredible lookouts, and glorious colors year round. You may even spot some of the area’s local residents which include kangaroos, parrots, and kookaburras.
The 243-kilmeter (150-mile) Great Ocean Road stretches along the southeastern coast of Australia between Torquay and Allansford. It’s considered one of the most scenic drives in the world, and visitors are treated to constantly breathtaking panoramas of cliffs, rain forests, and endless stretches of blue ocean. Be sure to stop off at Loch Ard Gorge at the Twelve Apostles along the route.
Daintree is the largest rainforest in Australia, occupying more than 12,000 square kilometers (4,633 square miles). It’s home to an incredible variety of reptiles, birds, marsupials, and amphibians. Visitors can enjoy crocodile boat tours, mangrove adventure tours, breathtaking hikes (though watch out for the crocodiles…), and more. Nature lovers should be sure not to miss out!
Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, is comprised of magnificent red rock sand domes that rise out of the desert in Central Australia. Also known as Ayers Rock, it is a considered sacred, and many visitors attest to the power and haunting beauty of Uluru. It is also considered one of the best places in the world to view the Milky Way galaxy in the night sky, so astronomy-lovers should be sure to check it out as well.
Covering more than 3 million acres, Kakadu National Park is home to breathtaking landscapes, cultural remnants of indigenous tribes, thousands of rock painting sites, and stunning biodiversity. It is the country’s largest terrestrial national park, and has all manner of billabongs, waterfalls, gorges and more to explore.
Located in the Blue Mountains, the Jenolan Caves among the oldest and most awe-inspiring cave systems in the world. Several tour companies lead visitors on various cave tours, offering the option to add abseiling or spelunking cave experiences for the more adventurous.
The tallest single-drop waterfall in Australia, Wallaman Falls (268 meters or 879 feet) is an incredible sight. The falls cascade into Stony Creek and are part of the Wet Tropics UNESCO World Heritage site of northern Queensland. Visitors can view the falls from across the gorge as well as at their base, where you’ll stand in some of the most ancient rainforests left in the world.
The pristine white sand beaches of Whitehaven Beach are considered some of the most beautiful in the world. Stretching seven kilometers (4.35 miles) along Whitsunday Island, the sand consists of 98-percent pure silica, giving it the bright white color. The pure aqua waters are the perfect temperature for swimmers. Be sure to check out the Hill Inlet at the northern end of the beach, where the shifting tides make for an incredible fusion of colors in the cove.
Not surprisingly, the Great Barrier Reef is widely considered Australia’s most-prized national treasure, and with good reason. The 2,300-kilometer-long reef is home to thousands of plant and animal species, many of which are endangered or unique to the region. There are dozens of amazing ways to see the reef, either via boat, snorkel, scuba or sea plane. Many recommend accessing the reef via the Whitsunday Islands or Cairns.
Freycinet National Park, located on the unspoiled eastern coast of Tasmania, offers up pristine rock pools, secluded beaches, snorkeling and kayaking areas, and a multitude of breathtaking hikes. Wineglass Bay is particularly popular, as is Coles Bay, and they both provide some of the most spectacular places in the world to watch sunset.
Australia is no stranger to wine, and its warm temperatures and fertile grounds make for spectacular wines. Barossa Valley is one of the best, located in South Australia, and is especially known for its unique Barossa shiraz, a full-bodied red with chocolate and spice flavors. With more than 150 wineries, visitors have ample opportunity to sample the region’s offerings, and in beautiful surroundings.
Kangaroo Island does has the marsupials it is named for, but that’s only the beginning. The island off the coast of Adelaide is packed with pristine beaches, unique wildlife, glorious native bush, and plenty of options for adventure. It is the country’s third-largest island (after Tasmania and Melville Island), and allows visitors to swim, snorkel, dive, fish, hike, or just relax in gorgeous surroundings.
The meandering, beautiful waterway of Sydney Harbor is the perfect place for city-lovers who also like to get out and explore nature from time to time. Visitors are welcome to swim, sail, and dive in the harbor itself, or take the chance to climb the famous Sydney Harbor Bridge for spectacular views of the city. Sydney Opera House, which is amazing, looks out over the harbor.
The multi-hued terrain of the Painted Desert in South Australia was formed largely from the effects of erosion from an ancient inland sea over the course of approximately 80 million years. The colors and shades of the hills change throughout the day but are stunning at all times. It is especially recommended to travel there and watch sunrises and sunsets.
Along with Kakadu, Karijini is one of the national parks to visit in Australia. Natural freshwater pools are commonplace throughout the park, and sparkling waterfalls, rugged gorges, and fun opportunities for off-roading draw thousands of visitors each year. Tracks of varying difficulty wind through Australia’s second largest national park, providing suitable hikes for people of all levels.