Australia is one of the most beautiful destinations in the world. What to see and to do? These are the most beautiful places in Australia.
About Australia
Ever since I was young, I dreamed of traveling to Australia. The pictures of swaying palm trees, azure waters, the red rocks and the many unique species of animals stimulated my imagination. A trip to Australia had been on my bucket list since my and I continued to cherish that dream. Years later, when I finally had the chance to make my dream come true, I decided to take the plunge and make a solo trip to this wonderful country.
Australia is not just another vacation destination. It is a country of unparalleled diversity, where you will be amazed by the beauty of nature, the friendliness of the people and the unique experiences to be had. From the rugged Outback to vibrant cities, from idyllic beaches to the spectacular Great Barrier Reef, Australia has an awful lot to offer.
In this article, I will take you on a journey through Australia. I share my experiences, tips, and the most beautiful places I visited during my solo trip and that I hope to visit again someday. Be inspired by the wonders of this country and discover why Australia is the perfect destination for an unforgettable vacation.
The most beautiful places in Australia
Are you ready? These are the best things to do and the most beautiful places in Australia.
The Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef, located off the coast of Queensland, is one of the most beautiful places in Australia. This immense coral reef is the largest in the world and consists of thousands of individual reefs and hundreds of islands. The underwater world is incredibly beautiful, with hundreds of types of coral, thousands of species of fish and countless other sea creatures. The Great Barrier Reef is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and can even be seen from space!
From the coast, you can book various tours to see the Great Barrier Reef, from short day trips where you go snorkeling in different places to multi-day trips where you learn to dive.
I myself went for a snorkeling day trip from Cairns, and from Airlie Beach, I sailed for three days at the Whitsunday Islands. During both trips, I saw an incredible amount of unusual fish and coral while snorkeling. An unforgettable experience!
Did you know that Cairns is a great base for a lot of fun adventures in Australia? Read more about Cairns in this post: What to do in Cairns Australia? 14 tips & fun day trips
Uluru (Ayers Rock)
One of the places I still regret not visiting is Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock. This majestic monolith is a sacred site for the Aborigines and this is another iconic symbol of Australia. It is located in the middle of the country, in the Red Center.
The rock formation is 346 meters high and has a circumference of 9.4 kilometers, so many people take a walk around the rock. In addition, you can also view it from the air on a short helicopter flight. The only thing you are not allowed to do is climb the rock, as that is considered sacrilege.
Sydney Opera House
Tears sprang to my eyes when I first saw the Sydney Opera House. At that moment I realized I was really in Australia. This building is so iconic! The Sydney Opera House is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon. It has now been around for more than 50 years, having opened in 1973.
Thanks to its white shell roofs, it is now one of the most recognizable buildings in the world. It is the home of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, so concerts are held regularly. I myself visited the legendary building during a concert and it was truly a special experience. You can also take a guided tour there, which will teach you more about the architecture.
You can get great views of the Sydney Opera House at several places in Sydney, for example from the Royal Botanic Gardens (especially the point near Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair) and from the ferry.
Kakadu National Park
Kakadu National Park is located in the Northern Territories of Australia, not far from Darwin. It is a vast and varied landscape with waterfalls, savannas, sandstone plateaus, and stretches of monsoon rainforest.
The area has been home to Aborigines for more than 50,000 years, who left one of the world’s richest collections of petroglyphs here. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to an extraordinary variety of wildlife, from saltwater crocodiles slumbering in pools of water (billabongs) to leaping wallabies on the plains. This makes Kakadu a paradise for both nature lovers and culture buffs.
Tip: Join a day tour from Darwin to learn more about the history of this special place. The tour includes lunch and you are sure to see wildlife.
The Great Ocean Road
The Great Ocean Road is a 243-kilometer winding road along the south coast of Australia in the state of Victoria, not far from Melbourne. The road is known for its spectacular ocean views, rugged rock formations, and beautiful beaches.
The Great Ocean Road was built between 1919 and 1932 by returning soldiers from World War I. It was a huge project that put thousands of people to work.
One of the most famous sights along the Great Ocean Road is the 12 Apostles, a series of eight limestone rock formations rising from the ocean. The rock formations are millions of years old and were formed by erosion. There are also many other beautiful rock formations to see such as Loch Ard Gorge and Cape Otway with its iconic lighthouse.
I myself did a day tour of the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne and it was an amazing experience. Not only were the views beautiful, but it was great to see so many animals along the way, such as kookaburras and koalas. I would opt for a multi-day tour next time, though, so you have a little more time to see everything at your leisure.
The Pinnacles
Although the west side of Australia is not nearly as well known as the east side, there are several special places to be found here as well. In Nambung National Park, for example, you will find the Pinnacles. These are limestone pillars in the desert, some as high as five meters!
Pinnacles come in different shapes and sizes, with some resembling giant teeth, tombstones or even a petrified forest. It is a bizarre and enchanting landscape to explore.
Photo by Tobias Keller via Unsplash.
The Whitsundays
One of the main reasons I wanted to go to Australia was that I wanted to do a multi-day sailing trip at the Whitsundays. This enchanting archipelago in Queensland is a paradise full of white sandy beaches. They are surrounded by clear turquoise water and here you will also find the Great Barrier Reef. It is a true paradise!
The sailing trip was even cooler than I expected. For three days we snorkeled in the most beautiful places, saw sharks and turtles swimming in the sea from the beach, and fell asleep in the powder-white soft sand. While sailing, we occasionally saw dolphins and on the return trip even whales! An experience never to be forgotten. This tour is similar to the one I did.
Sailing trips to the Whitsundays depart from Airlie Beach, a cozy seaside town. There are several options, from day tours to multi-day sailing trips on luxury boats. Check this page for all the options.
Fraser Island
Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world and here you will find beautiful rainforests, crystal clear lakes, and vast beaches. Most people discover the island with a tour, then you go out in a 4WD.
Keep your eyes open for dingoes, whales that can be seen from the sea, colorful birds and unique reptiles that inhabit this diverse landscape.
Tours depart from Hervey Bay and Rainbow Beach, among others. You can also opt for a multi-day tour for an extra special experience.
Blue Mountains National Park Australia
Just outside Sydney, you’ll find the magical Blue Mountains National Park. It is famous for its spectacular sandstone rock formations, which gave its name to the park, particularly the Three Sisters. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the park is home to a diverse mix of eucalyptus trees, rainforest, waterfalls, and valleys.
This is where I did one of the first longer hikes of my life and I was an instant fan. What a great way to explore nature! I greatly enjoyed the surprising waterfalls and the colorful birds around me. A great place as a getaway from Sydney for a few days, just something different from the city.
Kimberley Region
Are you in the mood for a real adventure? Then you must visit the Kimberley Region in the rugged northwest corner of Western Australia. The Kimberley region is a wilderness paradise with dramatic cliffs, red sandstone plateaus, turquoise waters, impressive waterfalls, and thousands of offshore islands. A pristine piece of earth.
You’ll find unique flora and fauna, including ancient forests with rare bird species, impressive boreholes, and native Aboriginal rock art that dates back thousands of years. An adventurous region to explore!
Daintree Rainforest
One of the most unique places to visit in Australia is the Daintree Forest. This is not only the oldest rainforest in the world, but also the largest in Australia. It is a treasure trove of biodiversity. The Daintree is home to unique plant and animal species found nowhere else on earth, from primitive flowers to colorful birds and rare mammals.
I visited Daintree Rainforest on a day trip from Cairns and it really comes highly recommended. Among other things, I saw exotic animals such as cassowaries and huge crocodiles. If I go to Australia again, I definitely want to spend a night in this special rainforest. Then you seem to see even more (special) animals.
Kangaroo Island
We have come a long way in this list of beautiful Australia sights, but the most famous Australian animal has not yet been mentioned: the kangaroo! All the while, you can encounter them almost anywhere in the country.
One of the places you’re absolutely going to see them is on Kangaroo Island. This island is Australia’s third largest and is located off the country’s south coast, not far from Adelaide. In addition to many animal species such as kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, sea lions, and penguins, the island offers a unique mix of landscapes. A great place for nature lovers!
Book a tour to Kangaroo Island here.
Melbourne
Melbourne is one of the most fun cities in Australia and this vibrant city is best known for its arts, culture, and culinary scene. It is a city of contrasts with colorful alleys full of street art and trendy cafes on one side and Victorian buildings and classic theaters on the other.
Melbourne is a foodie’s paradise with markets full of fresh produce and restaurants drawing inspiration from all the world’s cuisines. Sports fans can indulge in a cricket match or the Australian Open, while art lovers can lose themselves in the National Gallery of Victoria. And all with a good dose of “Melbourne weather” – sunshine can turn into rain within minutes, but the city is always buzzing.
The Ningaloo Reef
The Ningaloo Reef is a coral reef off the west coast of Australia. Unlike the Great Barrier Reef, the Ningaloo Reef is much more accessible from land. In some places, you can even snorkel from the beach and come face-to-face with the wonders of the underwater world.
The Ningaloo Reef stretches some 260 kilometers and is home to an incredible diversity of marine life. You not only have colorful coral reefs and tropical fish of all shapes and sizes here, but also manta rays, dolphins, and even whale sharks, the largest fish in the world.
Tours to the Nigaloo Reef depart from Coral Bay.
Brisbane
Many people felt I could skip Brisbane during my tour of Australia, but I decided to visit the city anyway. It turned out to be a pleasant surprise! In fact, I found Brisbane to be one of the nicest cities in the country. Brisbane is a lively city with a relaxed atmosphere.
A river runs straight through the town and there are many hiking and biking trails in the area. In the city, one moment you are walking down a busy shopping street among modern buildings and the next in a large green park. For example, visiting the Botanic Gardens or taking a refreshing dip in the fresh waters of the laguna at Streets Beach (a free-to-visit city beach with a pool) is highly recommended.
Just outside the city, you’ll also find some cool sights, such as Mount Coot-Tha (for great views) and the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary (here you can see all of Australia’s animal species up close.
The Red Centre
The Red Centre is the reddish-brown heart of Australia and is also known as the Outback. It consists of arid desert landscapes, with characteristic red sand dunes and rock formations such as Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (the Olgas).
Here you will find sacred sites for the Aborigines, Australia’s original inhabitants, who have had a spiritual connection with this area for thousands of years. The Red Centre is dotted with gorges, canyons, and waterholes that come alive after rainfall. At night, the clear sky shines with an unprecedented array of stars, making you feel void under the Milky Way. A unique place to visit.
The animals
I knew I might see a few kangaroos in Australia, but that I would see special animals almost every day I really didn’t expect. I feasted my eyes on the first day, already seeing hundreds of kangaroos, cockatoos, and flying foxes (huge bats). And those were by no means the only animals I saw during my tour of Australia.
Although the country is also known for its “scary animals,” fortunately I didn’t see any scary spiders or anything like that, and most animals at an appropriate distance. Seeing a cassowary in the wild (a dinosaur-like bird that doesn’t show its face much) was truly a gift, as were the many koalas hanging out in the eucalyptus trees near the Great Ocean Road. For the animals alone, I would want to travel back to Australia again. So cool!
Barossa Valley
You would almost forget, but Australia also makes excellent wines. One of the best places for wine tasting is Barossa Valley. This wine region in southern Australia (near Adelaide) is known for its excellent Shiraz wines. You can visit one of the many vineyards here, enjoy wine tastings and delicious food.
Grampians National Park
Hikers pay attention! Between Adelaide and Melbourne lies the beautiful Grampians National Park. This slice is known for its rugged sandstone mountains, waterfalls and ancient Aboriginal petroglyphs.
High sandstone peaks offer panoramic views and there are also stunning waterfalls to explore, such as MacKenzie Falls. In spring, wildflowers make the landscape even more beautiful. What makes the national park extra special is that it has a rich indigenous history. This is easy to see in hidden caves decorated with ancient petroglyphs.
It is best to visit the Grampians with a tour from Melbourne.
Photo by Richard Lin via Unsplash.
Sydney
Sydney is undoubtedly the most famous city in Australia and attracts millions of tourists every year. As far as I’m concerned, completely justified because Sydney really is a great city. Not only because of the iconic Sydney Opera House but also because of its many quaint neighborhoods full of special attractions.
For example, visit Bondi Beach to watch surfers and walk along the beautiful coastline from Bondi to Coogee for the best views. In The Rocks neighborhood in the city center, you will find many great restaurants and beautiful museums. In addition, you can also admire the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge from here. And especially take the ferry to Manly for a gorgeous beach with a vibrant atmosphere. You can really have fun in Sydney for weeks!
So, that’s it! Whether you love nature, adventure, culture or just want to relax on beautiful beaches, as you can see, Australia has something for everyone. These 20 sights are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the beauty and diversity of this amazing country; there is much more beauty to discover. What are you waiting for?
Book a trip to Australia
Would you like to visit these beautiful places in Australia? Then book your trip now!
✈️ Plane tickets – Australia has multiple international airports. For example, you can fly to Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns and Perth. Check WayAway to find the best deals and get cashback on plane tickets.
🚘 Rental car – Australia is a great country for a road trip and with a rental car you will see the most! Check Rental Cars to find the best deals. Please note that in Australia they drive on the left side of the road.
🚍 Travel by bus – You can also travel long distances in Australia by bus. Buses run to almost all popular tourist attractions. You can book tickets via Busbud.
💊 Travel insurance – Having good travel insurance will give you peace of mind. Check Insubuy to find the best travel insurance that fits your needs.
🎡 Tours and activities – Are you interested in guided tours and interesting activities? Make sure to check out Get Your Guide.
Read more about Australia
Besides the Australian attractions in this list, there are many other beautiful places to visit in the country. Order one of the travel guides below for more tips and inspiration.
Whether you want to snap photos of Sydney’s Harbour Bridge, snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, or explore the rugged Outback, the local Fodor’s travel experts in Australia are here to help!
Lonely Planet’s Australia is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you.
I myself traveled along the east coast of Australia for a month, which is why you can find more information about a vacation in Australia on this website. Check out one of these articles:
- 3 week Australia itinerary: highlights of the East Coast
- Australia Packing List: Things to bring on your trip
- Costs of backpacking in Australia | Budget for a 3,5 week trip
Make sure to subscribe to my newsletter for great travel stories and tips on the most beautiful destinations.
Hi, and how nice of you to read this disclaimer! As you may understand, maintaining a website costs money. Therefore, I would love it if you use the links in this article for booking or buying something you like. This way I get a small commission which I can use to maintain this website. At no additional cost to you. Thank You! Support this website.
Leave a reply