BEST Places to Visit in Australia

Introduction : 60 BEST Places to Visit in Australia

G’day, fellow wanderers! Ready to explore the stunning land down under? I’ve compiled the 60 absolute best places to visit across Australia, with the key highlights for each destination. From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, this guide will help you plan the ultimate Aussie adventure!

1. Sydney, New South Wales

The iconic Opera House and Harbour Bridge, stunning Bondi Beach, and the historic Rocks district. Don’t miss the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk for breathtaking ocean views.

2. Melbourne, Victoria

Famous for its vibrant laneway culture, world-class coffee scene, and street art. The free City Circle tram is perfect for exploring, and Queen Victoria Market offers amazing food and local crafts.

3. Great Barrier Reef, Queensland

The world’s largest coral reef system spanning over 2,300km. Best accessed from Cairns or Port Douglas, offering unparalleled snorkeling and diving among thousands of marine species.

4. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory

Home to the sacred 348m-high sandstone monolith that changes colors throughout the day. The nearby Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) formation is equally impressive with the Valley of the Winds walk.

5. Great Ocean Road, Victoria

One of the world’s most spectacular coastal drives featuring the Twelve Apostles limestone stacks. Wildlife spotting includes koalas at Kennett River and kangaroos throughout the region.

6. Hobart, Tasmania

Charming harbor city with colonial architecture and the provocative MONA museum. The Saturday Salamanca Market showcases local produce, crafts, and live entertainment.

7. Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, Tasmania

World Heritage wilderness area featuring ancient rainforest and alpine heathlands. The Overland Track is Australia’s premier multi-day hike, and wildlife sightings include wombats and Tasmanian devils.

8. Freycinet National Park, Tasmania

Home to perfect white-sand Wineglass Bay, consistently rated among the world’s best beaches. The pink granite peaks of The Hazards create a stunning backdrop for hikers and photographers.

9. Byron Bay, New South Wales

Australia’s easternmost point offering spectacular coastal scenery and a laid-back bohemian vibe. Famous for stunning beaches, alternative lifestyle culture, and regular dolphin and whale sightings.

10. Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory

Australia’s largest national park featuring ancient rock art galleries dating back 20,000+ years. The Yellow Water billabong cruise offers premier wildlife viewing, especially for crocodiles and birds.

11. Daintree Rainforest, Queensland

The world’s oldest rainforest (135 million years) where rainforest meets reef at Cape Tribulation. Mossman Gorge offers crystal-clear swimming holes and indigenous Dreamtime Walks.

12. Margaret River, Western Australia

Premium wine region with over 100 cellar doors and world-class surf breaks. Spectacular limestone caves and the Cape to Cape Track offer natural adventures between vineyard visits.

13. Whitsunday Islands, Queensland

Archipelago of 74 tropical islands with Whitehaven Beach’s pure silica sand. Heart Reef is best viewed from above, and sailing between islands offers a quintessential Queensland experience.

14. Blue Mountains, New South Wales

World Heritage region featuring dramatic sandstone plateaus and eucalyptus forests just 90 minutes from Sydney. The Three Sisters formation and Scenic World’s steep railway are must-visit attractions.

15. Kangaroo Island, South Australia

Wildlife sanctuary with sea lions at Seal Bay and unique formations like Remarkable Rocks. Famous for local produce including honey from pure Ligurian bees found nowhere else on earth.

16. Broome, Western Australia

Remote pearling town where red desert meets turquoise ocean at Cable Beach. Sunset camel rides and 130-million-year-old dinosaur footprints at Gantheaume Point at low tide.

17. The Kimberley, Western Australia

Vast wilderness area featuring the beehive-shaped Bungle Bungle Range and tiered Mitchell Falls. The horizontal waterfalls at Talbot Bay showcase the region’s extreme tidal movements.

18. Barossa Valley, South Australia

Australia’s most famous wine region, specializing in world-class Shiraz. Historic stone villages, farmers markets, and over 80 cellar doors within easy driving distance.

19. Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia

World’s largest fringing reef where you can swim with whale sharks (March-July) and humpbacks (July-October). Unlike the Great Barrier Reef, it’s accessible directly from the shore at spots like Turquoise Bay.

20. Jervis Bay, New South Wales

Home to the whitest sand in the world according to the Guinness Book of Records. Crystal-clear waters perfect for dolphin spotting and bioluminescence displays at night during summer.

21. Flinders Ranges, South Australia

Ancient landscape featuring the natural amphitheater of Wilpena Pound formed 800 million years ago. Aboriginal rock art and abundant wildlife including red kangaroos and wedge-tailed eagles.

22. Rottnest Island, Western Australia

Car-free island paradise famous for quokkas – the world’s happiest animal. Beautiful beaches, cycle-friendly terrain, and crystal-clear bays perfect for snorkeling.

23. Noosa, Queensland

Sophisticated beach town with stunning national park coastal walks and world-class dining. Main Beach is one of few north-facing beaches on Australia’s east coast, providing sheltered swimming.

24. Port Douglas, Queensland

Tropical gateway to both the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest. Four Mile Beach offers palm-fringed paradise, and Macrossan Street features resort-style dining and shopping.

25. Alice Springs, Northern Territory

Outback hub surrounded by the MacDonnell Ranges with rich indigenous culture and art. The Royal Flying Doctor Service Base and School of the Air showcase unique outback innovation.

26. Gold Coast, Queensland

Famous for surf beaches and theme parks along 57km of coastline. Surfers Paradise offers high-rise glamour while the hinterland’s rainforest provides natural contrast.

27. Darwin, Northern Territory

Tropical capital with waterfront dining, war history, and multicultural Mindil Beach Sunset Market. Perfect base for exploring Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks.

28. Hunter Valley, New South Wales

Australia’s oldest wine region specializing in Semillon and offering hot air balloon rides at dawn. Over 150 wineries plus gourmet restaurants, golf courses, and day spas.

29. Fraser Island (K’gari), Queensland

World’s largest sand island and the only place where rainforest grows on sand. 75 Mile Beach serves as a highway and runway, with highlights including crystal-clear Lake McKenzie.

30. Arnhem Land, Northern Territory

Remote indigenous-owned wilderness offering authentic cultural experiences and pristine nature. Fishing enthusiasts target barramundi while rock art sites date back thousands of years.

31. Esperance, Western Australia

Home to Lucky Bay where kangaroos lounge on beaches of sugar-white sand. The Great Ocean Drive features breathtaking coastal scenery and the pink Lake Hillier nearby.

32. Adelaide, South Australia

Elegant city surrounded by parklands with a booming small-bar scene and world-class festivals. The central market offers gourmet foods, and the city serves as a gateway to wine regions.

33. Litchfield National Park, Northern Territory

Accessible wilderness featuring swimming holes and waterfalls just 90 minutes from Darwin. Magnetic termite mounds stand like ancient tombstones aligned north-south.

34. Perth, Western Australia

Sunny capital offering Kings Park (larger than Central Park), beautiful beaches, and Swan Valley wineries. The port city of Fremantle nearby features well-preserved colonial architecture.

35. Bruny Island, Tasmania

Gourmet paradise offering cheese, oysters, and whisky with spectacular coastal scenery. The Neck lookout provides views across the narrow isthmus connecting north and south islands.

36. Phillip Island, Victoria

Famous for the nightly penguin parade where little penguins waddle ashore at sunset. Also home to Australia’s largest fur seal colony and the Grand Prix Circuit.

37. Lord Howe Island, New South Wales

UNESCO World Heritage-listed paradise limited to 400 visitors at any time. Mount Gower hike offers one of Australia’s best day walks, and coral reefs are accessible from the shore.

38. Coober Pedy, South Australia

Unique opal mining town where 80% of residents live underground to escape extreme heat. Underground churches, homes, and hotels offer a surreal visitor experience.

39. Magnetic Island, Queensland

Granite island with 23 beaches and bays just offshore from Townsville. Walking trails offer koala spotting, and WWII forts provide historical perspective with panoramic views.

40. Karijini National Park, Western Australia

Ancient gorges with emerald pools and towering waterfalls in the heart of the Pilbara. Hancock Gorge’s “Journey to the Center of the Earth” experience is unforgettable.

41. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory

Purpose-built capital with impressive national institutions including Parliament House and the War Memorial. Lake Burley Griffin offers outdoor recreation amid carefully planned gardens.

42. Norfolk Island, External Territory

Former penal colony with fascinating history and Polynesian-influenced culture. Pristine environment offers stargazing, snorkeling, and historic buildings from the convict era.

43. Grampians National Park, Victoria

Ancient mountain range featuring Aboriginal rock art sites and dramatic sandstone formations. The Pinnacle lookout and MacKenzie Falls are highlights along with abundant wildlife.

44. Sunshine Coast Hinterland, Queensland

Charming mountain villages like Maleny and Montville with boutique shops and galleries. The Glass House Mountains provide distinctive volcanic peaks visible throughout the region.

45. Coral Bay, Western Australia

Tiny settlement providing direct access to Ningaloo Reef just meters from shore. Swimming with manta rays is possible year-round in this remote coastal paradise.

46. Wollongong, New South Wales

Coastal city offering skydiving onto beaches and the scenic Sea Cliff Bridge. The largest Buddhist temple in the southern hemisphere is a surprising cultural highlight.

47. Launceston, Tasmania

Tasmania’s second city featuring the stunning Cataract Gorge just minutes from downtown. The Tamar Valley Wine Route offers cool-climate wines among rolling countryside.

48. Clare Valley, South Australia

Boutique wine region famous for world-class Riesling and the 35km Riesling Trail cycling path. Historic stone cottages and churches dot the picturesque landscape.

49. Mungo National Park, New South Wales

Ancient dried lake bed where 42,000-year-old human remains changed understanding of Aboriginal history. The lunar-like Walls of China formation is especially stunning at sunset.

50. Eyre Peninsula, South Australia

Adventure destination offering cage diving with great white sharks and swimming with sea lions. Spectacular seafood includes freshly shucked oysters at Coffin Bay.

51. Strahan, Tasmania

Gateway to the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park and historic Sarah Island penal colony. The Gordon River cruise showcases pristine temperate rainforest reflected in dark waters.

52. Hamilton Island, Queensland

Most developed of the Whitsunday Islands offering resort facilities without cars. The Hamilton Island Golf Club on nearby Dent Island offers one of Australia’s most scenic courses.

53. Coffs Harbour, New South Wales

Coastal city known for the Big Banana and excellent surf beaches. The Solitary Islands Marine Park offers diverse diving, and hinterland rainforests provide scenic drives.

54. Wilsons Promontory, Victoria

Victoria’s largest coastal wilderness area with granite mountains and secluded beaches. Squeaky Beach features quartz sand that literally squeaks underfoot.

55. Katherine Gorge (Nitmiluk), Northern Territory

Series of 13 gorges carved through ancient sandstone by the Katherine River. Canoeing between towering cliffs and taking helicopter flights over the entire system are unforgettable experiences.

56. Broken Hill, New South Wales

Historic mining city with vibrant arts scene inspired by spectacular outback light. The Living Desert sculpture installation and nearby Mundi Mundi Plains offer iconic outback experiences.

57. Cape Tribulation, Queensland

The only place on Earth where two World Heritage sites meet – Daintree Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef. Primitive flowering plants unchanged since the age of dinosaurs grow alongside pristine beaches.

58. Winton, Queensland

Dinosaur capital of Australia where the first evidence of an Australian dinosaur stampede was discovered. The town is also famous as the birthplace of Waltzing Matilda and Qantas.

59. Kalgoorlie, Western Australia

Historic gold mining town featuring the massive Super Pit mine – large enough to be seen from space. Beautiful Victorian architecture reflects the wealth generated during gold rush days.

60. Christmas Island, External Territory

Remote tropical island famous for the annual red crab migration involving millions of crabs. World-class diving with 88m underwater visibility and unique wildlife found nowhere else on Earth.

From tropical beaches to ancient deserts, cosmopolitan cities to wilderness frontiers, Australia offers incredible diversity for every type of traveler. Which of these amazing destinations will make it onto your bucket list? The hardest part isn’t finding incredible places to visit – it’s deciding which ones to see first!