Our research is editorially independent but we may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Australia is a huge country, offering extraordinary landscapes, magnificent beaches, laid-back cities, and unique wildlife. With so much to do, it’s impossible to see and do it all in just one trip, but these top attractions will give you a great start in determining what exactly are the best things to do on your Australian vacation.
Sydney Opera House
Australia is often represented by its iconic symbol, the Sydney Opera House, with its white-tiled sails along the harbor at Bennelong Point. It’s not only a stunning location, with the water surrounding three sides, but the nation’s pre-eminent cultural center is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site that offers a lot more than opera performances. One of the top attractions in Sydney, it hosts frequent concerts and all types of plays, and, visitors can explore it by taking a guided backstage tour as well as dining at one of its restaurants. One of the best spots to photograph the Opera House is from Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair in the Royal Botanic Gardens, easily accessible via a walkway at the building’s southern end, offering spectacular views along the way.
Sydney Harbour Bridge
Sydney Harbour Bridge is another one of the city’s iconic landmarks, framing what’s considered to be one of the most beautiful harbors on earth, with its secluded beaches and tranquil coves. A great way to experience it, and take in one of the most incredible panoramic views in the country, is by climbing the steps and catwalks of the bridge. BridgeClimb Sydney provides a variety of climb experiences that can be taken at sunrise, during the day, twilight or in the dark, guiding climbers to its peak.
Great Ocean Road
It seems that almost all of the world’s most popular vacation destinations have their own stunning drives, but the Great Ocean Road in Victoria is certainly one of the best road trips in Australia. The road stretches for more than 150 miles along the southeastern coast from the surfing town of Torquay to Allansford, offering breathtaking views of the cliffs and the endless expanse of the glistening ocean, winding its way through cool climate rain forests. The stretch between Lorne and Apollo Bay is one of the most picturesque, with the highway carved into the sheer cliffs along with commanding views of the Bass Strait and the waves crashing into the beaches below. Port Campbell National Park is also a highlight, home to the wind and wave-sculpted rock formations like London Bridge, the Arch and the Twelve Apostles.
Daintree Rainforest
Daintree Rainforest in northern Queensland is Australia’s largest rainforest, one of the most ancient ecosystems on earth, home to 65 percent of its bat and butterfly species, including the giant blue Ulysses butterfly; nearly 30 percent of its reptile, marsupial and frog species, including crocs and the secretive Bennett’s tree kangaroo; and 20 percent of the nation’s native bird species, like the rare cassowary. Cape Tribulation is a magnificent stretch of coast, and one of the few places on the planet where two of its richest ecosystems converge, with rainforest meeting reef along the beautiful white sandy beaches of the Coral Sea.
Mitchell Falls and the Kimberley Region
The Kimberley offers one of Western Australia’s most unique wilderness destinations, covering nearly 167,000 square miles. Along the coast, you’ll find some of the most idyllic beaches in the world, with untouched coral atolls, rugged islands and an incredible variety of marine life. In the popular tourist town of Broome, at the southern end of the region, visitors can enjoy practically endless white sands, turquoise seas and the chance to ride camels into the sunset. In the heart of the Kimberley are vast wildlife sanctuaries, stunning gorges and thundering waterfalls, like Mitchell Falls. The sheer magnitude of this four-tiered waterfall as it plunges down from the Mitchell Plateau is a sight to behold, offering Mother Nature at its finest.
Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory
Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory is the largest national park in the country at 3.2 million-acres, which includes the traditional lands of several indigenous tribes. Explore prolific rock art sites that represent some of the longest historical records of any group of people on the planet, view rare and endangered plants and animals, including saltwater crocodiles, as well as billabongs, waterfalls and gorges. Around 1,000 plant species, a quarter of all Australian freshwater fish species and over one-third of Australian bird species can be found in this vast region.
The Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the largest living structures on the planet – it can even be seen from outer space. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park protects this fragile ecosystem with over 3,000 coral reefs, 600 continental islands, including the magnificent Whitsunday group; 300 coral cays and inshore mangrove islands. While the area is world-renowned for diving and snorkeling, with the astounding variety of marine life including over 1,600 species of tropical fish, turtles, sharks, dolphins, rays and giant clams, taking a flight over or sailing through the waters is also a great way to see this amazing work of nature’s art. Those who prefer staying dry can also view the reef from underwater viewing stations and glass-bottom boats.
Ningaloo Reef Marine Park, Western Australia
Ningaloo Reef is a virtually untouched barrier reef that protects a shallow, white sandy lagoon with incredibly clear, warm waters. It’s one of the world’s largest fringing reefs, and one of the few places on earth where you can walk right from the beach onto a coral reef. Ningaloo is home to over 500 species of tropical fish and 220 species of coral. But the highlight is the opportunity for a once-in-a-lifetime experience: swimming with whale sharks, the ocean’s largest fish. Three Islands Whale Shark Dive specializes in whale shark snorkel adventures here on the reef, available between mid-March and mid-August. You’ll also have the chance to spot manta rays, turtles, dolphins and dugongs.
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
Deep in the heart of red rock country in the Central Australian desert of the Northern Territory, Uluru-Kata Tjuṯa National Park is home to the world-famous Uluru Rock, one of the most photographed natural wonders in the country. The striking red monolith towers over the landscape at 1,141 feet, forming the centerpiece of the park, and bears various inscriptions made by ancestral indigenous peoples. The park also features fiery hued dome-shaped rocks known as Kata Tjuta. Just before sunset, visitors gather to watch the legendary rock and Kata Tjuta as they’re transformed in the changing light. Tours led by aboriginal guides and rangers are available, providing an inside look at these sacred structures.
Fraser Island
Located just a 40-minute ferry ride off Queensland’s coast, Fraser Island is the world’s largest sand island. It offers nearly 75 miles of pristine beaches and is a mecca for four-wheel enthusiasts. Visitors can hire a four-wheel-drive vehicle and explore its freshwater lakes, like Lake McKenzie, perched high in the sand dunes, as well as ancient rainforests, colored sands and massive sand blows. The island is also home to dingoes, reputed to be some of the last remaining pure dingoes in Eastern Australia.
Tasmania and Freycinet National Park
Tasmania, or Tassie as the locals call it, is fast becoming one of Australia’s top destinations for tourists with its large and relatively unspoiled natural environment. Nearly 37 percent of Tasmania is made up of national parks, reserves and World Heritage Sites. On the rugged, breathtaking Freycinet Peninsula, which juts out into the sea along the east coast, Freycinet National Park is a gem, surrounded by azure bays and white sand beaches with a backdrop of granite mountains. The dramatic peaks of the Hazards welcome visitors into the park – by taking a trek across them, you’ll enjoy spectacular views over Wineglass Bay, where dusky rose-colored mountains, the cerulean sea and white sand meet. While you’re walking, you might see a white-bellied sea eagle glide overhead, or an Australasian gannet diving for his dinner in the ocean.
Barossa Valley
The Barossa Valley is a must-visit for wine lovers. This is Australia’s wine country, once named as one of the top wine travel destinations by Wine Spectator Magazine. Located in South Australia about 40 miles northeast of Adelaide’s city center, it’s often referred to as a region of indulgence with its award-winning local wines as well as outstanding local cuisine. With some 180 wineries, it’s hard to know where to start – you’ll find everything from boutique wineries to big-name bestsellers, each with its own specialties. Fortunately, the valley has a lot of winery clusters, like Seppeltsfield Road with 18 wineries as well as a small but distinguished group on Krondorf Road, including Grant Burge, Charles Melton, Rockford and St. Hallet. Henschke’s tiny cellar door in the Eden Valley often has some gems open for tasting too. Visitors can enjoy mingling with the locals at Barossa Farmers’ Market, held in the Vintners’ Sheds near Angaston.
Blue Mountains National Park
A popular day trip from Sydney, Blue Mountains National Park is a spectacularly scenic park that is just 50 miles west, making it an easy and popular day trip from the city. It was named for the blue haze that emanates from its numerous eucalyptus trees, protecting 664,000 acres of bushland that includes aboriginal rock paintings, miles and miles of hiking trails, waterfalls and awe-inspiring scenery. Its most famous attraction is the Three Sisters, an unusual rock formation representing three sisters who, according to Aboriginal legend, were turned to stone. The character of the Three Sisters changes throughout the day, and throughout the seasons, with sunlight bringing out its most stunning colors. After dark, the formation is floodlit, creating an absolutely breathtaking sight against the night sky. Other attractions include Katoomba Scenic Railway, the world’s steepest, whisking passengers through a cliffside tunnel into an ancient rainforest.
Melbourne
If you want to sample some of Australia’s big-city delights, Melbourne, the nation’s second-largest city, often referred to as its cultural capital, is a mecca for fine food and shopping. Its theaters, galleries, shops and restaurants offer a distinctly European feel, with shoppers flocking to the elegant Royal Arcade on Bourke Street, as well as Chapel Street and the Melbourne Central Shopping Center. Melbourne is home to many thriving marketplaces, including Queen Victoria Market, which has been selling produce, clothes and crafts for over 100 years. Foodies will be in heaven with the culinary mash-up of Eurasian street food along with an abundance of fancy food trucks. While you can still find basic fast food, they also offer gourmet fare like burgers made from prime Wagyu beef.
Bondi Beach
Bondi Beach is Australia’s, and one of the world’s, most famous beaches, located just a 15-minute drive from Sydney. It attracts beach bunnies, surfer dudes and just about anyone and everyone who loves the beach. It’s also home to one of the oldest surf life-saving clubs – a good thing as strong rip tides are known to sweep unsuspecting swimmers out to sea, particularly along the southern end of the strand. If you don’t want to get wet, stroll the scenic Bondi to Bronte coastal walk which follows the coastline for nearly four miles along sandstone cliffs. You’ll also find plenty of eateries and shops right across the street.
Margaret River Caves
The Margaret River Region in Western Australia is known for its many wineries, breweries and gourmet restaurants, but it offers a lot more than that, particularly some rather magnificent caves. This is one of the best places in the country for a unique cave experience, including three that are easily accessible and known for their dazzling formations: Lake, Mammoth and Jewel. At Lake Cave, you’ll descend a staircase to gaze at a primeval lost world before entering one of the most spectacular limestone caves in the region. The mirrored reflections make it especially stunning, while a light show highlights its many different features. Jewel Cave has one of the longest straw stalactites found in any tourist cave in the world, measuring over 19 feet. Mammoth Cave features an array of formations that angle off in all directions, with the natural light that seeps through the entrance giving it a more “livable” feel.
Shark Bay
Shark Bay is one of the planet’s most important wilderness regions. It covers 2.2 million hectares on the coast of Western Australia, with its diverse, colorful landscape home to a wealth of animal and plant life, including some found nowhere else on earth. This is also where you’ll find the oldest living marine fossil, and have a chance to glimpse life from more than 3,500 million years ago. The world’s largest population of dugongs, and the famous dolphins of Monkey Mia, known to be one of the most reliable places for a wild dolphin encounter across the globe.
The Pinnacles
Thousands of limestone spires rise up from the golden sands of the Pinnacles Desert in Nambung National Park, creating one of Australia’s most unique landscapes. Seeing these eerie figures is a popular day trip from Perth, rising up out of the desert-like something you’d see on another planet. They were formed by zillions of seashells, blown in by the sea thousands of years ago. Emus, cockatoos and gray kangaroos can also be seen in the park, while at nearby Hangover Bay, bottlenose dolphins are often spotted.
