Australia Attractions

Stretching around 2,300 kilometers along the northeastern coast of Australia, the Great Barrier Reef is the Earth’s largest living organism. It’s home to more than 600 types of hard and soft corals, together with a staggering array of tropical fish, mollusks, turtles, and sharks.

Responsible travel issues

To go or not to go, that is the question

One of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World, the Great Barrier Reef is Queensland’s most visited destination, with everything from boat excursions to scuba diving trips and helicopter tours available. But with increasing stresses on its ecosystems and organisms, responsible tourism in the region has become a pressing issue...

Australia’s most iconic building is the Sydney Opera House which nestles on the shores of Sydney Harbour at Bennelong Point. This multi-venue performing arts center was designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon and completed in 1973, before being added as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.

The Sydney Opera House is home to the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Theatre Company, The Australian Ballet and Opera Australia, with shows scheduled throughout the year for visitors to experience its interior. Alternatively, you can join one of the daily guided tours to get a behind-the-scenes look at this famous venue and learn about its fascinating history...

Located partway between Alice Springs and Uluru in Watarrka National Park is magnificent Kings Canyon, which boasts the Red Center's deepest gorge. Sandstone walls tower more than 100 meters above Kings Creek that meanders below, with sections of the gorge forming part of a sacred Aboriginal site to the Luritja people.

Perennial waterholes lie at the canyon's bottom, while lush ferns and palm forests comprise the Garden of Eden in the upper part of the gorge. Above the canyon lies the Lost City plateau, where red sandstone rocks have been weathered into what appears like ruined houses and streets. More than 600 different species of native plants and animals live within and around Kings Canyon, including zebra finch, peregrine falcon, and black-breasted buzzard...

Situated in the heart of the Red Centre is the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. It includes one of Australia’s most iconic landmarks, Uluru (formerly known as Ayers Rock), and the dome-shaped rock formations of Kata Tjuta, or the Olgas, which lie around 40 kilometers away.

Uluru is a massive sandstone monolith that rises 348 meters in the middle of the surrounding desert. It’s of sacred importance to the traditional custodians of the land, the Anangu people, who believe their ancestors created the landscape at the very beginning of time. Head to the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre to learn more about the traditional law that guides the indigenous people here or take a dot painting workshop to discover how Aboriginal culture is expressed through art...

The Museum of Sydney explores the people and events that have shaped the city, built on the ruins of the house of New South Wales' first Governor, Arthur Phillip. Remnants of the original 1788 building, such as drains and privies, can still be glimpsed today through glass openings in the museum’s forecourt and foyer, retaining what is a significant and symbolic site for the city.

Australia’s first Government House served as the social, ceremonial and political heart of the New South Wales colony during its initial years and the focal point of the first contact between the indigenous Gadigal people and the colonizing British...

Located around 45 minutes’ drive west of Sydney’s city center is the Featherdale Wildlife Park, set across seven acres of land in the suburb of Doonside. It was established in 1972, primarily as a nursery for Australian native trees and plants, while also providing a refuge for native animals.

Today the Featherdale Wildlife Park is dedicated to educating the public about conservation and is home to Australia’s largest native animal collection. There are over 1,700 animals from more than 260 different species, including the largest captive population of koalas in Australia, with more than 200 individual bred here since they opened...

Home to more than 700 different marine species, the Sea Life Sydney Aquarium is one of Australia’s largest and most impressive aquariums. It’s set across 14 themed zones, including Jurassic Seas, the Shark Walk, Dugong Island, the Southern Ocean and the Discovery Rockpool, as well as the world’s largest display on the Great Barrier Reef.

The exhibits cover both fresh and saltwater environments, including Australia’s riverine species and the fragile nature of these ecosystems. You can walk through the underwater tunnel of Shark Valley (within what is one of the world’s largest oceanariums) to witness lemon sharks, gray nurse sharks, zebra sharks and eagle rays...

With a magnificent setting at Circular Quay near the ferry wharf, the Customs House Library is set within one of Sydney’s finest historical landmarks. It was constructed from 1844 to 1845 to serve as the headquarters of the Customs Service before becoming a venue for exhibitions and functions in 1990. Since 2003, it has been home to the City of Sydney Library, which is set across three levels in the heritage-listed building.

Step inside the entrance to see a 4.2m x 9.5m scale model of Sydney's city center on the ground floor, which is viewed through a glass floor and can be literally walked over. You can also view photographs of the building throughout its history as one of Sydney’s undisputed icons...

Just a short ferry ride from Circular Quay across beautiful Sydney Harbour will take you to the world-famous Taronga Zoo. It boasts magnificent water views across its 69 acres (“Taronga” is an indigenous Aboriginal word meaning “beautiful view”) and is home to more than 4,000 animals from 350 different species. Not only is there native Australian wildlife, but animals from across the globe, with the grounds divided into eight zoogeographic regions.

Download their iPhone app to take advantage of the self-guided walking routes around the zoo, with plenty of information about each animal species...

Just to the south of Sydney lies the magnificent coastal cliffs, untouched beaches and native bushland of the Royal National Park. It stretches across 151 square kilometers and was the second national park to be established in the world, after Yellowstone in the United States.

Tall limestone cliffs back idyllic and secluded beaches, while hardy, salt-tolerant species dominate the coastal heathland that stretches inland. There are also small remaining areas of littoral rainforest in the “Palm Jungle” along the Coast Walk, together with large tracts of both “wet” and “dry” sclerophyll forest...

On the doorstep of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and immediately adjacent to Circular Quay lies The Rocks, a historic neighborhood of charismatic sandstone architecture and cobblestone streets. It was established as Australia's first European settlement in 1788 and is today packed with fascinating museums, boutique shops and iconic pubs, making it worthy of an entire day’s exploration.

Admire one of the colony’s original buildings at Cadman’s Cottage that dates to 1816 or tour the terrace houses of the Susannah Place Museum that were built in 1844 by Irish immigrants. You can peer inside the restored 19th-century cells and charge room of the Justice and Police Museum or visit the heritage-listed Sydney Observatory to experience the southern night sky and learn more about the history of space flight in their 3D theater...

Australia’s oldest scientific institution, the Royal Botanic Gardens sprawl across 30 acres on the edge of Sydney Harbour. It was opened in 1816 and remains one of the most important botanical institutions in the world, home to an impressive collection of plants from Australia and around the globe.

A historic hand-hewn sandstone seawall wraps around Farm Cove all the way to the Sydney Opera House, with the gardens gradually sloping up from here. It’s divided into four main areas - the Lower Gardens, the Middle Gardens, the Palace Gardens and the Bennelong precinct - together with grassy lawns where you can have a picnic and numerous other smaller gardens...

Sydney’s hub for entertainment is Darling Harbour, which lies a ten-minute walk from the CBD or a short ferry ride from Circular Quay. It’s home to the SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium and WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo for up-close animal encounters, as well as great cafes and restaurants overlooking the water. Soak up the comings and goings at its historic wharf area, watch live street performers and musicians or get some retail therapy at its numerous shopping destinations.

Darling Harbour is home to the National Maritime Museum that details the city’s rich maritime history dating all the way back to the first settlers, with full-size ships and a submarine to explore...

Soaring above the city skyline as Sydney’s tallest structure, the Sydney Tower Eye measures in at 309 meters. It features a 360-degree observation deck that offers unparalleled panoramas across the city, making it one of Sydney’s most popular tourist attractions.

Look out across the iconic beaches of Sydney through high powered binoculars, with views stretching all the way to the Blue Mountains in the distance. The Observation Deck also features multilingual touch screens to help you learn more about the landmarks being viewed across the city, such as the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge...

Located in the heart of Darling Harbour, adjacent to the SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium and Madame Tussauds, is WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo. This award-winning, native wildlife park is designed like a rainbow serpent from the Aboriginal Dreamtime stories, with open-air exhibits enclosed by a stainless steel mesh roof that resembles the serpent’s ribs. The exhibits feature native trees and plants in their landscaping to provide a natural home for koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, platypus and even Tasmanian devils.

WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo is divided into ten different zones, including the Kakadu Gorge where crocodiles roam and the Daintree Rainforest that is home to the unique cassowary bird...

Entertaining Sydneysiders since the early 19th century, the beautiful Capitol Theatre is located in Haymarket. It hosts world class musicals, theatrical plays, ballets and concerts within its magnificent historic setting.

The site was used by Sydney’s early settlers as a market for produce and hay (hence the name “Haymarket”), with the building designed by architect George McRae and structural engineer Norman Selfe. It originally housed a fruit and vegetable market, however, its distance from Darling Harbour meant it lacked commercial viability and its lease was transferred to the Wirth Bros in 1912...

Home of the Sydney Theatre Company, who perform both here and at the nearby Roslyn Packer Theatre. The company was formed in 1978 and initially worked out of numerous rented premises throughout the city, with actors such as Geoffrey Rush, Hugo Weaving and Cate Blanchett having developed their careers here.

Walsh Bay’s Wharf 4/5 was at the time a derelict space, with its ironbark timber warehouse having been built to load cargo onto ships. Its size and location made it attractive as a modern theater space, with it designed specifically to retain its historic integrity...

The Powerhouse Museum is situated in the old Ultimo Power Station building, just a short walk from Darling Harbour. It’s the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences’ main venue (aside from the historic Sydney Observatory), with outstanding collections that span science, technology, communication, transport, furniture, media, fashion and contemporary culture.

While the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences has been in existence for more than 125 years, its Powerhouse Museum opened its doors in 1988. It’s set within what was an early 20th-century electric tram power station and has given this Sydney landmark a new lease on life...

Located in the beachside suburb of Manly on Sydney’s northern shores, the Manly Sea Life Sanctuary is a much-loved aquarium, dedicated to the conservation of marine species. It first opened its doors in 1965 as Marineland and has undergone numerous name changes and revamps since, eventually being launched as Manly Sea Life Sanctuary in 2012.

The aquarium is divided into three sections - Penguin Cove, Shark Harbour and Underwater Sydney - with everything from octopuses to lion fish, seahorses and baby sharks on display. Penguin Cove is home to a colony of Manly’s famous little penguins and is the aquarium’s newest attraction, while Underwater Sydney features many of the species found in the surrounding waters...

The Sydney Harbor Bridge is an iconic image, along with the Opera House, of the city of Sydney in Australia.

Climb the Harbour Bridge

Experience the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the most thrilling way possible with BridgeClimb, an adrenalin sports company that will take you up and over the southern half of the bridge. You can opt to climb at dawn, during the day, at twilight or at night, with the full experience taking just over three hours. If you’re short on time, you can opt for the Express Climb that takes you to the middle of the bridge and up to the top in a little over two hours or the BridgeClimb Sampler, which ascends to the inner arch in an hour and a half...

Set across five levels on the edge of the Domain Parklands, the Art Gallery of New South Wales is one of Australia’s most popular art galleries. It boasts an impressive collection of Australian art, including one of the country’s largest galleries of indigenous art, as well as an extensive Asian gallery and the works of European masters.

The Australian art collection includes celebrated works by John Glover and Arthur Streeton, as well as 20th-century icons Sidney Nolan, Russell Drysdale and Arthur Boyd. Admire the desert paintings by indigenous artists living on remote Western Desert outstations and bark paintings from the saltwater coastal communities, then peruse the ceramics and bronze work from across Japan, China and Southeast Asia...

Australia’s largest national park and one of the county’s most magnificent wilderness areas is Kakadu National Park. This UNESCO World Heritage-listed landscape includes soaring sandstone escarpments, tall monsoon rain forests and wildlife rich river estuaries and mangrove swamps, together with expansive floodplains that transform with the seasons.

Kakadu boasts beautiful gorges and waterfalls, including Jim Jim Falls, Gunlom Falls and Twin Falls, as well as spectacular wetlands such as the Yellow Water Billabong and the Mamukala Wetlands...

Boasting an outstanding collection of aircraft that have played a role in the history of Australia is the Darwin Aviation Heritage Centre. It was established in 1976 when a group of aviation enthusiasts wanted to preserve relics following the destruction of Cyclone Tracy, with the current museum opening its doors to the public in 1990.

The Australian Aviation Heritage Centre is one of the most important aviation museums in Australia. It was built on the site where a fierce air combat took place during World War II when the Top End experienced more than 60 Japanese attacks. It is managed by members of the Aviation Historical Society and is today one of Darwin’s most popular attractions...

Located at East Point, the Defence of Darwin Experience provides an immersive look at the role the city played in World War II. Visual and multimedia displays offer first-hand accounts of the Bombing of Darwin, together with artifacts and objects that reflect the city’s tumultuous past.

The Defence of Darwin Experience is divided into numerous chronological sections, beginning with a look at Darwin as a “frontier town”. It then explains the build-up to war in the Northern Territory and the events that occurred following the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The museum then launches into the “Bombing of Darwin” itself and the counter offensive that took place...

Set within Nitmiluk National Park, around 250 kilometers southeast of Darwin, Katherine Gorge is an undisputed highlight of visiting the Northern Territory. It borders Kakadu National Park and is of particular importance to the Jawoyn people who are the custodians of the land here. In their language, the name Nitmiluk translates as “place of the cicada dreaming”.

Katherine Gorge comprises thirteen different gorges (some up to 100 meters in depth) that have been carved by the Katherine River through the ancient sandstone of the southern Arnhem Land plateau. During the dry season, the river carries little water and the gorges become a series of pools separated by rocks and boulders...

Named after Frederick Henry Litchfield who was an early pioneer and explorer in the Northern Territory, Litchfield National Park is one of the most popular day trips from Darwin. It features waterfalls and springs along the Table Top Range escarpment, with tropical monsoon forests, giant termite mounds and natural swimming holes.

Litchfield National Park is easily explored with your own vehicle, with most attractions linked by a sealed road that is accessible by two-wheel drive cars. Florence Falls is a double-plunge waterhole with an idyllic swimming hole at the base, while Buley Rockhole includes a long series of cascading plunge pools. Wangi Falls is one of Litchfield’s most popular destinations, with swimming available here depending on water levels, while Tolmer Falls plunges dramatically over two high escarpments...

Located just inland from Sydney and forming part of the Great Dividing Range, the Blue Mountains National Park is one of New South Wales’ most popular natural attractions. It’s home to the towering Three Sisters sandstone rock formations and sacred Aboriginal sites, with plenty of walking trails to discover its waterfalls, magnificent gorges and scenic lookout points.

The Three Sisters Walk boasts incredible views of these weather-eroded sandstone turrets, which rise spectacularly above the blue-tinged Jamison Valley. Take in the panoramas from Oreades Lookout and get a closer glimpse at Lady Game Lookout, with Honeymoon Bridge connecting to the first “sister”...

Fronted by its famous nine-meter-wide smiling face, Luna Park Sydney is an amusement park situated at Milsons Point on the northern shores of Sydney Harbour. While it originally opened back in 1935, it’s undergone numerous name changes and revamps since then, reopening in 2004 after an extensive redevelopment. A number of its buildings are heritage-listed and it has been a popular filming location for movies and television shows.

The Midway is the main thoroughfare in Luna Park, providing access to Coney Island, Crystal Palace and the Big Top. Sideshow games like “Laughing Clowns” and “Goin’ Fishin’” line the way, together with thrill-seeking rides such as the “Hair Raiser” and the historic “Wild Mouse”...

Set within the former Marine Services Board Building on the edge of Circular Quay, Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art is one of Australia’s most impressive modern art galleries. It features more than 4,000 works by both Australian and international artists, spanning media that includes painting, sculpture, photography and moving image.

Depending on when you visit, the museum might be showcasing major thematic exhibitions or collections of particular artists, as well as new works by emerging artists and solo exhibitions. The art deco-style building is worthy of attention in its own right and stands as one of Sydney’s most iconic landmarks.

The Museum of Contemporary Art also features a significant number of contemporary pieces by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists...

Located in Haymarket, in the southern part of Sydney’s CBD, Chinatown is the heart of Asian culture in the city. It was originally established in The Rocks area of Sydney in the late 19th century, before moving to near Market Street in Darling Harbour. It gradually moved to its current location in the 1920s, centered around bustling Dixon Street.

Sydney’s Chinatown is packed full of restaurants serving authentic dishes, as well as bakeries and sweet shops where you can grab a snack on-the-go. There’s also a range of herbal stores and market shops selling Chinese goods and souvenirs, including brightly colored kites and green teas...

Opened in 2002 to commemorate 100 years of federation in Australia, Federation Square lies in the very heart of Melbourne, adjacent to the Flinders Street railway station and St. Paul’s Cathedral. Its ultra-modern design stands juxtaposed against the surrounding Victorian architecture and is comprised of open spaces, museums and cultural institutions. Regular events and concerts are held here throughout the year, with a giant screen that broadcasts major sporting events and public announcements. Federation Square is also the largest site of free Wi-Fi anywhere in Australia.

Federation Square is home to the Ian Pottery Gallery that houses the Australian art collection of the National Gallery of Victoria...

Established in 1846, the Royal Botanic Gardens sprawl across 40 hectares to the south of the Yarra River and are considered one of the finest of their kind in the world. The gardens include more than 10,000 different species, including many rare varieties of both native and exotic species.

The Royal Botanic Gardens is divided into numerous themed sections, including a Herb Garden, Arid Garden, Fern Gully and Rose Garden, as well as numerous different lawned areas. There are impressive collections of New Zealand plant species and those from New Caledonia, as well as a Southern China collection and a California Garden.

The Water Conservation Garden promotes the efficient use of water resources, while the Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden has been designed to encourage a love of gardening from an early age...

Known to locals simply as “The G”, the Melbourne Cricket Ground is considered Australia’s most legendary sports stadium and the country’s largest. It was here that the 1956 Olympic Games and 2006 Commonwealth Games were showcased and it is considered the spiritual home of Test Cricket and Australian Rules Football.

The MCG was built in 1853 and hosted the first cricket Test match to be played between Australia and England in 1877. It was also here that the first One Day International was played between the two countries in 1971. Today its biggest event of the year is the annual Australian Rules Football grand final that takes place each September and sees the stadium filled to capacity...

Stretching along the Yarra River just a short stroll from the city center, Southbank is a vibrant area of restaurants, cafes, cultural institutions and shops. It is a major hub of live entertainment, with venues such as Hamer Hall, the State Theatre and the Playhouse situated within the Arts Centre, as well as being home to the famous Crown Casino.

Southbank was once a largely dilapidated industrial area that was reinvigorated to become one of Melbourne’s cultural hot spots. It’s dotted with outdoor art sculptures and is always frequented by street performers and live musicians. By day there are beautiful views across the Yarra River towards the city skyscrapers, while at night the promenade is illuminated by twinkling lights...

Australia’s oldest public art museum is the National Gallery of Victoria, which is set across two locations in Melbourne. It was founded in 1861 and has grown to become one of Australia’s largest institutions dedicated to art, with the NGV International collection on St. Kilda Road and its Australian works in Federation Square’s Ian Pottery Centre.

The NGV International first opened in 1968 and was later redeveloped by Mario Bellini, now being listed on the Victorian Heritage Register. It is renowned for its Great Hall where visitors are encouraged to lay on the floor and admire the colorful stained-glass ceiling...

Named after the 1854 Eureka Stockade rebellion of Victorian goldfield prospectors, the Eureka Tower has become one of Melbourne’s most recognizable landmarks. Its gold-plated windows and crown glisten in the sun’s light as it soars 297 meters over the Southbank entertainment precinct. The Eureka Tower’s 88th floor Skydeck is the highest public viewing area in the Southern Hemisphere, with a glass cube known as The Edge sliding out from the building for a vertigo-inducing experience.

The Eureka Tower was designed by Melbourne architectural firm Fender Katsalidis and was the tallest residential tower in the world when it was completed in 2006...

If you want to gain a more comprehensive insight into the history of Melbourne, make the short tram ride from the CBD to the Melbourne Museum and Royal Exhibition Building. It follows the development of society and cultures in the city from its indigenous Aboriginal communities to modern-day settlements and has recently been awarded the title of “Best Tourist Attraction”.

Don’t miss a visit to the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Centre and the dedicated children’s museum, with plenty of hands-on activities to keep young visitors entertained. The Melbourne Museum also features a free Discovery Centre and an IMAX theatre that shows movies and documentary films in 3D...

Officially known as the Royal Melbourne Zoological Gardens, the Melbourne Zoo is located a short tram ride north of the city center and survives as Australia’s oldest zoo. It was modeled on the London Zoo and first opened to the public on 6 October 1862 on a 55-acre parcel of land at Royal Park. While its initial function was to help animals acclimatize after being transported to Australia, it developed into a zoo in its own right with animals acquired for public display.

The Melbourne zoo is set across numerous themed bioclimatic zones, including the African rainforest section where gorillas and pygmy hippos can be seen and the Asian rainforest which features tigers...

Brought all the way from Yorkshire, England to Melbourne’s Fitzroy Gardens, Captain Cook’s Cottage is the former home of one of the most influential explorers to enter Australian waters. It provides a unique insight into the life and times of this British captain who made the first European contact with Australia’s east coast, as well as being the first recorded as having circumnavigated New Zealand.

The cottage was originally constructed in the village of Great Ayton in 1755 by the parents of Captain James Cook and there remains disagreement as to whether he actually lived for any extensive period in the house. When the owner of the cottage decided to sell it in 1933, she requested that it remain in England, although she was persuaded to change this request to “Empire” and accepted a substantial bid from Australian Russell Grimwade...

If you want to pick up fresh produce and artisan goods in Melbourne, there’s no better place than at the historic Queen Victoria Market. It’s the only surviving 19th-century market left in Melbourne’s CBD and is the largest open-air market in the Southern Hemisphere. It has been serving consumers since 1878 and is now listed on the Victorian Heritage Register. The market isn’t actually named after Queen Victoria, but rather due to its location at the corner of Queen and Victoria streets.

The Queen Victoria Market has had a storied history, with the site on which it now stands once part of the Old Melbourne Cemetery...

Set within the West MacDonnell Ranges, just a short drive from Alice Springs, Simpsons Gap is one of the most prominent gaps in the region and a permanent waterhole site. Its rugged cliffs stand in striking contrast to the desert plains and dunes surrounding the gap, with white-barked ghost gums and eucalyptus dotting the landscape.

Simpsons Gap is of spiritual importance to the Arrernte people who have inhabited the region for centuries. It is known to them as “Rungutjirpa” and is home to their giant goanna ancestors, as well as being a setting for numerous Dreamtime stories.

Simpsons Gap is home to large stands of Mulga vegetation and several rare species from Outback Australia...

Situated to the north of Darwin’s city center on the edge of Fannie Bay is the ever-popular Mindil Beach Markets. It takes place every Thursday and Sunday evening during the dry months of April through to October and is particularly famed for its magnificent sunsets over the Indian Ocean.

The name “Mindil” is from the Larrakia indigenous Aboriginal word meaning “sweet nut grass” and was originally the name given to a swamp located behind Darwin’s CBD. The market was established in the late-1980s when some local entrepreneurs wanted to bring an Asian-style night market to Darwin and it was originally set up in the Darwin Mall, before being moved to the Mindil Beach Reserve...

Set within North Queensland’s Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, Daintree National Park is renowned for its exceptional biodiversity, home to a prolific birdlife and a number of endemic species found nowhere else on earth. It is also home to the oldest rainforest on the planet and the closest living example of the rainforests that once covered the ancient supercontinent of Gondwanaland.

The area that is now occupied by the Daintree National Park belongs to the Eastern Kuku Yalanji Aboriginal people, with many sites of spiritual significance. More than 18,000 plant species have been recorded within the park, together with an impressive wildlife that includes flightless cassowaries, musky rat kangaroos, Boyd’s rainforest dragons and crocodiles...

The largest sand island in the world, UNESCO World Heritage-listed Fraser Island is situated just off the Queensland coast between Bundaberg and Brisbane. It is protected within the Great Sandy National Park and boasts spectacular landscapes that include untouched beaches, crystal clear lakes and sacred Aboriginal sites to explore.

Fraser Island is one of the only places in the world where ancient rainforests are found growing on sand dunes, with the rainforest of Central Station particularly impressive. “Wallum” heaths ignite with wildflowers during the spring months, while eucalyptus woodlands and mangrove forests provide a habitat for the island’s wildlife...

Famed for its endless stretches of beach, legendary surf and family-friendly theme parks, the Gold Coast is one of Australia’s favorite holiday destinations. It centers around the high-rise hub of Surfers Paradise, stretching north from here to Southport and south to Coolangatta. An elaborate system of canals and waterways extends inland, lined with upmarket residential housing and private jetties.

Take in the views from the top of Surfers Paradise’s Q1, the tallest building in Australia, which boasts a 230-meter-high observation deck that offers panoramas north to Brisbane and south to Byron Bay. “Surfers” is renowned for both its shopping and an enviable stretch of sand, as well as it’s scantily dressed Meter Maids who were instituted to prevent parking fines...

Scattered between the northeast coast of Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef, the Whitsundays include 74 idyllic islands that are ringed by picture-perfect beaches and colorful coral reefs. These continental islands are part of a subsurface coastal range, with all but five declared national parks, and the Great Barrier Reef provides them with naturally protected waters.

Eight of the islands are home to luxury resorts that provide the perfect base for exploring the turquoise waters, dense rainforests and hiking trails of the Whitsundays. Select from the family-friendly Hamilton Island and Daydream Island resorts, the luxurious One&Only on Hayman Island or one of the boutique eco-resorts on Long Island...

Nestled within the Atherton Tableland to the northwest of Cairns, Kuranda is a charming rainforest village on the edge of beautiful Barron Gorge National Park. It’s famed for its rainforest markets that take place every day and feature a range of locally-crafted produce, handicrafts and clothing.

Getting to Kuranda is all part of the experience. You have the option to travel along the Kuranda Scenic Railway that takes you past rugged peaks and waterfalls within the World Heritage-listed rainforest or fly above on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Gondolas transport visitors along the 7.5 kilometer-long cableway, with stops at the Red Peak Station and at Barron Falls Station where you can soak up the views...

Stretching from Caloundra in the south to Noosa Heads in the north, the Sunshine Coast is one of Queensland’s premier beachside getaway. It’s renowned for its charismatic beach towns and great surf, as well as a lush hinterland that provides a worthy diversion from the coast. The Sunshine Coast is less commercialized than the Gold Coast to the south and particularly popular with Australian holiday makers during the school breaks.

Noosa Heads is one of the most popular areas along the coast, clustered with upmarket boutiques and trend-setting restaurants. It boasts a magnificent stretch of sand, as well as being on the doorstep of Noosa National Park, with its walking trails and koala sightings...

Situated within the McPherson Range on the Queensland/New South Wales border, Lamington National Park features magnificent tracts of subtropical and tropical rainforest, steep gorges and more than 500 waterfalls. This World Heritage Area is deservedly one of Queensland’s most popular national parks and within easy access of both Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

Lamington National Park is home to more than 190 species of birds, including colorful parrots, bowerbirds, Coxen's fig parrot and Albert’s lyrebird. It also provides a habitat for red-necked pademelons that are often spotted near the edges of the rainforest and shy platypus that like to swim in the river rock pools. Numerous skink and frog species also find refuge in the park, including giant barred frog, cascade tree frogs and Fleay’s barred frog...

Home to Mount Kosciusko, the highest mountain in Australia, the Snowy Mountains form part of the Great Dividing Range in New South Wales. It’s a hub for winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding, with glacial lakes and magnificent snow gum forests that attract bushwalkers, anglers and mountain bikers throughout the year.

Much of the region is protected within Kosciusko National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve that is a popular destination for trout fly fishing, white water rafting and horse riding. The historic town of Cooma serves as its southern gateway and is home to the Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre...

Scattered with vineyards and cellar doors, the Hunter Valley is Australia’s oldest wine-growing region and situated around two hours’ drive from Sydney. It’s renowned for its Semillon, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignons, with boutique restaurants serving locally-sourced produce overlooking the rolling landscapes.

Visit the well-known wineries at Lindemans and Tyrrells and discover the boutique cellar doors at Tullavera Grove and Brokenwood. You can opt to join an organized wine tour or self-drive through the Hunter Valley, with bicycles also available for rent in the charming town of Cessnock.

Barrington Tops National Park serves as a magnificent backdrop to the Hunter Valley, with this UNESCO World Heritage-listed landscape including ancient Gondwana rainforest and picturesque waterfalls...

Stretching from the southern edge of Sydney’s suburbs to the border with Victoria, the South Coast of New South Wales is one of the state’s most attractive regions. It’s blessed with beautiful beaches backed by the dramatic peaks of the Great Dividing Range and a picturesque landscape of rolling green hills. The mild year-round climate lures holiday makers to fish, surf and swim, while there are plenty of scenic drives to discover the charismatic towns and villages.

Follow the Grand Pacific Drive south from Sydney past the beaches of Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama, which is home to the largest blowhole in the world. Relax on the powdery sands of Jervis Bay and photograph what are claimed to be the world’s whitest sands at Hyams Beach...

A tiny speck in the South Pacific Ocean, Norfolk Island lies a 2.5-hour flight from the East Coast of Australia. It once served as a convict penal settlement under British rule, with a permanent civilian populated established in 1856. It is renowned for its iconic Norfolk Island pines and jagged cliffs, with sheltered swimming waters protected by an outer reef.

The capital, Kingston, is home to the Norfolk Island Museum, which offers a fascinating glimpse into the island’s past. Learn about the East Polynesians who first settled the island and the harsh conditions for convicts following British colonization...

Just a short flight from Australia’s East Coast, Lord Howe Island is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed destination of outstanding natural beauty. This crescent-shaped volcanic remnant forms part of a larger archipelago of islands and islets in the Tasman Sea, surrounded by coral reefs teeming with life. Lord Howe Island maintains a strict quota of only 400 visitors at any one time, giving it an exclusive feel and ensuring its breathtaking landscapes are preserved for years to come.

The towering peak of Mount Gower dominates Lord Howe Island, with magnificent views on offer from its 875-meter summit that is reached along an eight-hour trek...

Enclosed by two volcanic headlands, Port Stephens is both the name of a bay and a town to the north of Newcastle. The area is renowned for its white sandy beaches and protected bushland that makes it a popular holiday destination for locals.

Be sure to make the one-kilometer-long hike to the summit of Mount Tomaree for magnificent views along the coast and the Port Stephens entrance. Pods of dolphins can often be seen frolicking in the offshore waters, as well as migrating whales between the months of June and November.

Gun emplacements and an observation post from World War II are still visible at historic Fort Tomaree, with the opportunity to join a guided walking tour along original patrol paths...

While the coast of New South Wales is heavily populated with beach resorts and big cities, the outback of the far west is a different world altogether. Classic country towns offer a warm welcome, while rugged national parks boast magnificent desert landscapes and sacred Aboriginal sites.

Discover the mining legacy of Broken Hill while admiring its grand Federation-era architecture and learn about remote living in Australia at the Royal Flying Doctor’s Service and Broken Hill School of the Air. Head to Dubbo to visit the open-range Taronga Western Plains Zoo where you can join a safari to glimpse big game African wildlife and endangered species like black rhinoceros and Sumatran tigers...

Situated at the base of the Fleurieu Peninsula, Kangaroo Island is the third largest in Australia, with much of the island protected within spectacular nature reserves. It’s home to not only kangaroos but also koalas, sea lions, penguins and a diverse array of native bird species.

Be sure to visit Flinders Chase National Park in the west of the island, which is renowned for its penguin colonies and the wind-sculpted boulders known as the Remarkable Rocks. Admire the stalactites within Admiral’s Arch, an eroded rock bridge that is constantly weathered by waves, and photograph the New Zealand fur seals that are often seen basking on the surrounding rocks...

One of Australia's most iconic wine-growing regions, the Barossa Valley lies an hour’s drive to the northeast of Adelaide. It includes the towns of Tanunda, Angaston and Nuriootpa where historic stone cottages and Lutheran cottages are a lasting legacy of the German settlers who arrived here in the 19th century. More than 150 wineries and 80 cellar doors scatter in the surrounding area, with Shiraz grapes being the local specialty.

Spend a day (or three) touring the cellar doors of the Barossa Valley that include some of the biggest names in Australian wine (Penfolds, Wolf Blass and Jacob’s Creek to name a few)...

Renowned for its riesling, the Clare Valley is a picturesque wine-growing region around two hours’ drive north of Adelaide. It’s set within stunning pastoral landscapes that were settled by Polish, English and Irish immigrants during the 19th century, with their legacy still visible in the charismatic heritage towns and bluestone buildings.

Follow the Clare Valley Riesling Trail that winds between Auburn and the main town of Clare, stopping in at the cellar doors and artisan food producers. Don’t miss a visit to Annie’s Lane and the Jesuit winery at Sevenhill Cellars, which was established in 1851...

Boasting some of the most breathtaking landscapes in Outback South Australia, the Flinders Range combines rugged gorges and weathered peaks with stunning spring wildflower displays and a rich Aboriginal history. They are named after the explorer Matthew Flinders and located around five hours’ drive from Adelaide, running north to south in the eastern part of South Australia.

Explore the magnificent Wilpena Pound, a crater-like landscape that comprises the eroded stumps of what were once huge, Himalayan-like mountains. Drive through the dramatic gorges or take a scenic flight above, with Aboriginal cultural walks and treks taking you up and over the rim.

Journey along one of Australia’s best-loved steam trains on the Pichi Richi Railway, which runs along the last remaining section of the narrow-gauge Ghan line...

One of the least crowded coastal areas in Australia (but also one of its most beautiful), the Eyre Peninsula is a triangular-shaped landmass to the east of the Great Australian Bight. It’s home to magnificent coastal cliffs and pristine beaches, as well as stunning national parks to explore.

Don’t miss a visit to Coffin Bay that is renowned for its superb oysters and a national park of the same name, with hiking and kayaking both popular activities. Or head to Lincoln National Park that occupies the southern tip of the Eyre Peninsula, with secluded beaches that are ideal for swimming and fishing, as well as vast sand dunes.

Port Lincoln is the main hub of the Eyre Peninsula and nicknamed the “Tuna Capital of the World”...

Flowing from the New South Wales Alps to its mouth at the Coorong in South Australia, the Murray River is one of the world’s longest navigable rivers. It extends around 2,700 kilometers and is dotted with historic settlements and stunning national parks where soaring sandstone cliffs and tall eucalypts line the riverbanks. It was once home to the Ngarrindjeri and Nganguraku people, while today it supports a myriad of water birds in its wetlands, as well as vast citrus-growing and agricultural regions.

The town of Renmark lies where South Australia meets New South Wales and Victoria and is a major hub along the Murray River...

One of Tasmania’s most popular national parks, the Freycinet Peninsula juts into the Tasman Sea on the East Coast of the state. It’s famed for its jagged granite peaks and friendly wildlife, as well as boasting one of the most beautiful beaches in Australia Wineglass Bay.

Follow the short, steep trail that leads up and over the Hazards mountain range to the Wineglass Bay lookout, offering sweeping panoramas of this idyllic crescent of sand. You can then continue down to the bay itself for a swim in the refreshing waters.

Continue on the circuit trail that leads to Hazards Beach, an equally magnificent swimming spot, then back along the boulder-strewn coast to the car park...

A favorite weekend escape for locals, Bruny Island lies a short ferry ride from the picturesque town of Kettering, just 35 minutes’ drive south of Hobart. It boasts some of Tasmania’s most magnificent natural landscapes that provide a haven for rare and endangered wildlife species, as well as plenty of gourmet offerings.

Be sure to take in the sweeping views from the lookout at “The Neck” where little penguins can be seen scuttling to shore in the evenings at the rookery below. “The Neck” is an isthmus connecting the north and south sections of the island and provides an important habitat for native wildlife and birdlife...

Located on the Tasman Peninsula overlooking Carnarvon Bay, Port Arthur was established as a penal settlement in the 19th century and now functions as an open-air museum and historic site. Its hauntingly beautiful sandstone buildings were constructed using convict hard labor and include an immense penitentiary and the remains of the Convict Church.

Port Arthur is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is today one of Tasmania’s most popular tourist attractions. Join one of their Introductory Guided Walking Tours to gain an insight into the more than 30 buildings, ruins and restored period homes that dot the site and be sure to spend time visiting the museum...

A short drive from Tasmania’s northern hub of Launceston takes you to the Tamar Valley, one of Australia’s most beautiful wine routes. It sprawls between the Tamar River and the mighty Bass Strait, with conditions that are ideal for growing cool-climate grapes and rolling landscapes that offer a picturesque backdrop.

There are more than 30 wineries to discover on a self-driving tour, as well as charismatic country towns and beautiful beaches. Stop in at the gorgeous cellar door of Josef Chromy Wines to sample their famed sparkling while dining on modern Australian cuisine in the lakeside restaurant. Or sip on Tasmania’s renowned Pinot Noir at Ninth Island overlooking the waters of the Tamar River...

A short walk from central Launceston takes you to the beautiful Cataract Gorge, a natural formation that rises from the banks of the Tamar River. This public park offers hiking trails, a scenic chairlift and plenty of wildlife spotting, as well as historical landmarks to discover.

The First Basin lies on the southern side of the gorge and features a swimming pool surrounded by bushland and a cafe. Cross to the shaded northern side and the Cliff Grounds where a Victorian garden is planted with lush ferns and exotic species. There’s a shaded rotunda where you can enjoy a picnic, together with resident peacocks strutting around...

Surrounded by stunning glacial lakes, ancient rainforests and unique alpine vegetation, Cradle Mountain is the iconic centerpiece of the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. It forms part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area and is the starting point for the famous six-day Overland Track, one of Australia’s most famous multi-day walks.

Cradle Mountain lies at the northern entrance of the national park near the town of Sheffield, with a visitor’s center and plenty of accommodation options. There are numerous short walks to discover in the immediate area, as well as horseback trail rides and helicopter flights available. Keep an eye out for quolls, echidnas, wombats and Tasmanian devils along the way, as well as rare sightings of platypus...

Situated in the far southwest corner of Australia, Margaret River is a land of sweeping vineyards and legendary surf. It’s blessed with an alluring maritime climate that buffers the extremes of hot and cold that affect other areas of Western Australia, with fertile soils that have proved ideal for growing grapes.

Spend a day cycling or driving between Margaret River’s cellar doors, with Sauvignon Blancs, Semillon blends, Chardonnays and Cabernets among the most popular varieties produced in the more than 150 wineries found here. Gourmet restaurants also dot the region where you can dine on locally-sourced, seasonal fare, accompanied by your favorite drop...

Situated a short ferry ride from Fremantle, Rottnest Island is a national reserve and one of the most popular getaway destinations near Perth. It is famed for its native quokkas (a wallaby-like marsupial that is found in only a few other places in Western Australia), as well as being home to boisterous colonies of sea lions and southern fur seals. Rottnest Island boasts white sandy beaches and secluded coves to discover, as well as plenty of picturesque walking trails.

Rottnest Island was named by the Dutch navigator Willem de Vlamingh in 1696 who mistook the native quokkas for rats (hence the name “rats nest”)...

The world’s largest fringing reef, Ningaloo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the few places in the world where you can swim alongside whale sharks. The Ningaloo Reef Marine Park stretches more than 250 kilometers along the coast, from Amherst Point in the south to Bundegi in the north.

The town of Exmouth and the fishing port at Coral Bay are both popular places to depart on Ningaloo Reef trips. You can go snorkeling with sea turtles, manta rays, dugongs and more than 500 species of tropical fish or if you’re visiting between April and June, swim with immense whale sharks that grow to between four and 12 meters in length...

Sprawling across more than 600,000 hectares in the Hamersley Range, Karijini National Park is the second largest in Western Australia. This vast wilderness area features deep gorges, cascading falls and picturesque rock pools, surrounded by lush tropical foliage and semi-desert landscapes.

Karijini National Park is the traditional homeland of the Banyjima, Kurrama and Innawonga Aboriginal people who have lived here for more than 20,000 years. The park is named after the Banyjima name for the Hamersley Range - Karijini. Traditional land management practices used by the indigenous population (such as fire-stick farming) have heavily influenced the diversity of plant and animal species found in the park today...

The first Australian site to be UNESCO World Heritage listed, Shark Bay protects some of the world’s largest seagrass beds, as well as ancient stromatolites that are one of the oldest of earth’s life forms. It includes the Shark Bay Marine Park, Francois Peron National Park, Hamelin Pool Marine Nature Reserve and Zuytdorp Nature Reserve, as well as a scattering of offshore islands.

Denham is the main gateway to Shark Bay and the most western town on the Australian mainland, with Monkey Mia situated a short drive south. It’s here that wild dolphins are hand fed every morning under the watch of local rangers, with the animals having become accustomed to humans since fishermen began feeding them the remains of their catch in the 1960s...

Nestled in the southwest corner of Esperance Bay, Cape Le Grand National Park is a magnificent protected area of pristine beaches, dramatic granite and gneiss peaks and rolling heathlands ignited in wildflowers. This ancient landscape has remained unglaciated for more than 200 million years, resulting in the survival of numerous primitive relict species.

The national park is named after an officer on L’Esperance, which was one of the ships in the 1792 expedition of Bruni d’Entrecasteaux. It stretches across more than 30,000 hectares and protects populations of pygmy honey possums, western grey kangaroos and bandicoots. Relic species include legless lizards such as the common scaly-foot and the ancient blind snake, Ramphotyphlops australis...

Located in Western Australia’s spectacular Kimberley region, Purnululu National Park is home to the famous rock formations known as the Bungle Bungles. These striking orange and black sandstone domes rise dramatically from the grass-covered plains, which have long been inhabited by Australia’s indigenous people. Their ancient ceremonial sites, rock paintings and burial grounds still dot the national park today. The word “purnululu” actually means “sandstone” in the local Aboriginal language and this region wasn’t known to the outside world until the 1980s.

There are a number of walking trails that allow you to explore Purnululu National Park and the Bungle Bungles with a local guide...

Stretching for more than 240 kilometers between Torquay and Allansford, the Great Ocean Road is one of Australia’s most scenic drives. It takes in spectacular beaches, charismatic surf towns and the iconic rock formations of the Twelve Apostles.

The Great Ocean Road was built by returned World War I soldiers and stands as the world’s largest war memorial. Today it is a recreational paradise, with legendary surf, beautiful coastal walking trails and snorkeling in the offshore reefs.

Be sure to explore the Surf Coast Walk that extends 44 kilometers along the coast from Point Impossible to Fairhaven...

Jutting into Bass Strait to the southeast of Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula is a popular getaway destination for locals. It features idyllic stretches of beach and an enticing gastronomy scene, as well as picturesque walking trails within the Mornington Peninsula National Park.

Wander around the seaside town of Mornington that overlooks the waters of Port Phillip Bay. It has a charming village atmosphere and beautiful beaches for swimming and surfing while being surrounded by a scattering of award-winning cellar doors where you can taste the region’s cool-climate wines.

There are magnificent views of the Mornington Peninsula from the state-of-the-art gondolas at Arthurs Seat Eagle, taking you to the highest point on the peninsula...

Featuring rugged sandstone mountains that rise spectacularly from the Western Plains, the Grampians National Park is one of Victoria’s most popular wilderness destinations. It’s traversed by bushwalking trails and scenic drives that explore its cascading waterfalls and panoramic lookouts while being dotted with campsites and climbing routes.

Stop in at the Brambuk Aboriginal Cultural Centre near Halls Gap to discover the local indigenous history and rock art sites within the national park. It’s also here that you can grab a map of the Grampians and find out about the recreational opportunities available, including bush tucker walks and traditional Aboriginal painting workshops...

Sprawling between Torquay, Princetown and up into the Otways hinterland, the Great Otway National Park protects rugged coastlines and pristine beaches, as well as tall forests and cascading waterfalls. Windswept tracts of heathland support magnificent spring wildflowers while lush fern gullies provide a habitat for a diverse array of species.

Follow the boardwalks that lead through the temperate rainforest of Maits Rest where giant tree ferns grow and witness thousands of glowing worms at Melba Gully. There are numerous waterfalls to visit, including the three picturesque cascades at Triplet Falls and the 30-meter-high Erskine Falls that plunge into a tree fern gully below...

Traversing the magnificent Dandenong Ranges, the Puffing Billy Railway is a heritage, narrow gauge railway that stretches between Belgrave and Gembrook Stations. It was built at the turn of the 20th century in a bid to develop the rural areas on the outskirts of Melbourne, with the Victorian capital situated just 40 kilometers away.

The Puffing Billy Railway takes passengers through lush fern gullies and towering Mountain Ash trees, as well as over the historic Monbulk Creek Trestle Bridge. Soak up the vistas of rolling green hills towards the Dandenong Ranges, with views all the way to Port Phillip Bay.

Most passengers opt to board in Belgrave and disembark at Lakeside where there’s a playground and picnic tables on the banks of Emerald Lake...

Jutting into Bass Strait to the southeast of Melbourne, Wilsons Promontory National Park is Victoria’s largest coastal wilderness area. It’s a land of rugged granite mountains and white sandy beaches and renowned for its abundant wildlife that can be spotted along the extensive walking trails. The national park was designated back in 1898 and today covers more than 50,000 hectares that includes a cluster of offshore islands.

The entrance to Wilsons Promontory National Park is at Yanakie, with the road winding south to the settlement at Tidal River. It’s from here that many of the walking trails depart, including to the white quartz sand of aptly-named Squeaky Beach...

Nestled in the Victorian Alps of the Great Dividing Range, Mount Hotham is home to Victoria’s highest ski resort and a favorite winter getaway for locals. The summit of Mount Hotham rises to more than 1,800 meters, with Hotham Alpine Resort offering 320 hectares of skiable terrain.

Thirteen lifts access the trails of Hotham Alpine Resort, with around 20% of the terrain dedicated to beginners and 40% each to intermediate and advanced snow hounds. There are also cross-country skiing and snowboarding trails to explore and four terrain parks, as well as night skiing available on Wednesdays and Saturdays during the season.

Hotham Alpine Resort has a Ski and Ride School that is one of the best places in Victoria to take your first steps on the snow...

Wander through the Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens that have been created atop an extinct volcano or enjoy the scenic drive around the edge of the garden. Seasonal floral displays illuminate the grounds, with incredible views over Daylesford from the walking trails. Also nearby is the Wombat State Forest where rare wildlife species such as the spot-tailed quoll can be seen.

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Lake Daylesford sprawls to the south of the town, with the “peace mile” walking trail hugging its perimeter. The elegant Lake House nestles on its eastern shore, with its fine-dining restaurant and country house accommodation one of Victoria’s most exclusive. Also of note is the Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa that has been in operation since 1895 and is today one of Daylesford’s most state-of-the-art spa facilities.

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Art enthusiasts should make a point of visiting the Convent Gallery that includes works by local and international artists within what was once the Gold Commissioner’s residence.

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Take a ride on the Daylesford Spa Country Railway that travels from the 1882 heritage-listed railway station in Daylesford to the town of Bullarto. It travels through thick forest and the scenic countryside of the Central Highlands to what is the highest operating railway station in Victoria.

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Located at Knuckey Lagoon, around 15 minutes’ drive from Darwin’s city center, Crocodylus Park was set up by renowned crocodile biologist Professor Grahame Webb. There are both saltwater and freshwater crocodiles of all ages on display, from 30 centimeter-long hatchlings to giant 5-meter specimens, as well as a number of American alligators.

It’s not only a great place to see crocodiles up close or even hold a baby crocodile but also learn about their behavior and biology. You can see daily crocodile feedings to witness their power and stealth, as well as witness a range of big cats (tigers, ocelots and white lions), monkeys, birds, turtles and snakes that also call the park home...