Great Barrier Reef

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this is the world’s largest coral reef system on our planet. There are about 900 islands spanning over 2,500 kilometers and nearly 3,000 individual reefs. It’s the most famous coral reef in the world and it’s nothing short of awe-inspiring.

The obvious activity here is diving and you can be sure to find many reputable places to take you exploring in the depths of these lively blue waters. Most people will set off from the nearby Cairns and Port Douglas. You may choose to go on a day trip or a liveaboard trip which you can stay for multiple days swimming with the fish. There is a nearby shipwreck called the Yongala to check out on one of your diving excursions as well.

Blue Mountains

Recently named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000 these pristine mountains are only just outside the metropolitan Sydney area. The Scenic Railway is the steepest railway car in the world. It’s only a short trip but the scenery it passes on the way is spectacular including a visit to the canyon floor. There are plenty of hiking and walking trails of all fitness levels in these mountains just like the Giant Stairway which is near Scenic World. These stairs descend to Jamieson Valley where you can see the famous and beautiful Three Sisters rock formations.

The National Pass is a wonderful trail to see the majestic Wentworth Falls, a beautiful plunging waterfall that is worth the 3 hour roundtrip walk. There are plenty of other lookout points, waterfalls, caves and valleys to gawk over in this beautiful part of New South Wales.

Outback Road Trip

How are you going to visit Australia and not experience the Outback? The Outback is the dry and arid regions which consume most of the centre of the country. These remote tracks in the middle of the country provide probably the best and most unique road trip of your life. Riding through open roads through untouched areas. On the way there are plenty of spectacular activities to keep you entertained like the famous Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. The massive Uluru rock can be seen here along with other exciting and beautiful vistas and valleys.

The Great Ocean Road

The 243 kilometer long road runs along side the gorgeous Southern coastal regions of Australia. It runs from Ballarine Peninsula to Portland. Along this road you will find yourself at some of Australia’s most impressive points. Bells Beach is the world’s longest running surf competition holder, Aireys Inlet, Warnambool, and Apollo Bay are popular spots for some excellent sand and surf.

Besides the great cities and towns you will be passing, you might just want to enjoy the ride. You will be looping around majestic mountains and crashing waters. Keep your eyes open and don’t be afraid to randomly turn off the road and visit that random town on your way.

Tasmania

The only island state as well as the smallest of the bunch is the state of Tasmania. Teeming with wildlife and boasting many beautiful beaches, this island packs a lot for it’s small size. Coming here to see the famous Tasmanian Devils might be the first thing on your list, but after an experience with them along with their friends the wombats, kangaroos, wallabies, platypus and any other bush wildlife, it might be time for some relaxing on the beach.

Wineglass Bay is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world so paying a visit here will be a lifetime opportunity. Bay of Fires provides an excellent spot for more beach bumming with fiery red rocks and white sand beaches to entertain the eyes.

Hastings Cave will make for a fun caving adventure, there’s The Nut for some spectacular views of the Bass Straight, and many other nature loving activities to experience.

Surf

Australia has some world-class surf, so if you’re up for grabbing a board and riding a few waves, novice or pro, then this is the place to do it. There is no place around Australia’s coastlines that doesn’t have a surf spot nearby. There are surf camps for those who have never been before, and for all the pros out there, enjoy your surfer haven.

Newcastle

This is the sixth largest city in the country and is located in the New South Wales Region. To take in the views of this marvelous harbour city visit Nobbys Head, great views can be had at the Queen’s Wharf Tower, and take a wander down the streets and admire the wonderful architecture.

There are galleries and museum of interest such as Fort Scratchley where this historic fort sits as a reminder of the 1942 Japanese submarine that surfaced here. There are interesting and beautiful nature gardens and parks in the area as well like The Foreshore and King Edward Park.

Kakadu National Park

This spot boasts over 110,000 square kilometers of sprawling beautiful landscape that is full of Aboriginal culture and nature adventures. This spot holds the highest amount of aboriginal rock art sites in the world. Visit Yellow Water to see some excellent native flora and fauna, Twin Falls and Jim Jim Falls. Natural swimming pools, hikes, and cultural festivals can all be found here as well.

Darwin

Known as perhaps one of the friendliest cities around is Darwin. Located in the north part of the continent, this small yet worldly city is sure to entertain. There are 50 different cultures that call this place home and this fusion of cultures makes for an interesting landscape and lifestyle.

There are historical monuments like the Darwin Wharf Precinct and Lyons Cottage, reminders of the Japanese bombings. Then there are natural activities of interest such as the Bicentennial Park which overlooks Darwin Harbour or Lake Alexander for a nice picnic and a dip in the lake. Wildlife parks, crocodile cruises, Berry Springs Nature Park, the East Point reserve are even more places to get in touch with nature.

Barossa Valley

You must make a visit to any of the wine regions that Australia offers, but if you want one of the best, then Barossa is it. This spot is getting world recognized very quickly and is just outside of the main city of Adelaide. There are magnificent vineyards and wineries in the area, all special in their own way.

Photos by FarbenfroheWunderwelt, Samuel Collins, edwin.11, Graeme Churchard and Pierre Roudier

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Whitsunday Islands

This breathtaking archipelago of 75 islands is part of the magnificent Great Barrier Reef. It’s a popular tourist spot for it’s obvious beauty and access to the blue waters below. Whitsunday Island is the largest island of them all and is the most popular destination when visiting this group of gems in the sea. On Whitsunday Island is Whitehaven Beach, the most popular beach in the area stretching over 4 km. The views are astounding to say the least and the water is so clear and cool you are bound to go swimming every day. Feel free to grab your snorkel as well as there is plenty of coral reefs to explore in these warm waters. If you want to get a better look, just take a diving course and plunge to the depths of the most spectacular waters on our planet.

Fraser Island

The well known Fraser Island is the largest sand island on Earth. It’s over 120 km long and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This unique island holds many beautiful site such as Indian Head. Here you can view the marine life like turtles, dolphins, sharks, and rays from up top a rocky outlook. North of this area is Champagne Pools, a rock pool haven where you can swim safely in the sea water.

There’s Lake Mackenzie where you can join many others in it’s spectacularly clear blue waters and white sand beaches. If you want to drive around and see all that there is to do on this beauty of an island then rent a 4WD and roam around at your leisure.

Wineglass Bay

The amazing Hazard Mountains greet you as you enter Freycinet National Park. Located on the East Coast of Tasmania, the granite mountains provide a dramatic view with blue water encompassing them. Wineglass Bay, nestled between these spectacular rock formations has been on several top 10 best beaches of the world lists and continues to awe people everyday.

To get a birds eye view of this gorgeous beach be sure to visit Wineglass Bay Lookout. The journey is beautiful and then the views are the cherry on top. There are other beaches in the area along with other paths to walk, all with excellent views of Freycinet National Park.

Hyams

Holding the title for the whitest sand in the world are the pristine beaches of Hyams. These beaches are great for families and they have excellent places to dine and shop nearby. The Booderee National Park covers some of the gorgeous beaches while also providing botanical gardens and nature walks.

Bondi

It’s not surprising Bondi Beach is on this list, after all it’s one of the most popular beaches in the country. Don’t think this is the only beach to go to in Sydney though. This is where the infamous Bondi to Coogee Beach walk starts and there are plenty more beaches along the way. Take yourself to this iconic beach and move your way from here to the next slice of awesome Aussie beach. Grab your sunscreen, towel, and surf board and spend all day under the sun, in the water, and walking Australia’s famous coastline.

Photos by Alex, Kevin Gibbons, Gopal Vijayaraghavan, miak and Hector Garcia

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Sydney

What else would be first on the list? It should go without mentioning, but this Harbour City has a lot to offer. Sydney is a wondrous city full of excitement, beauty, culture, history, cuisine, fashion, and some of the most iconic structures on Earth, just to name a few things. Sydney is a spectacular city that is not doubt on your list. Located on prime coastal property the Sydney Harbour is a bustling and stunning site to see. The Sydney Opera House and The Sydney Harbour Bridge are two world famous landmarks that must be seen.

Darling Harbour provides plenty of activities, history and culture and there are tons of famous beaches to walk and relax on such as Manly, Bondi, and Coogee beaches just to name the popular ones. There are multiple nature activities like beach walking, water sports like surfing, kayaking and canoeing, cycling, and more.

Sydney is a very worldly city and has a wealth of history, and beauty to share with it’s visitors. The list of things to do and see is almost endless.

Melbourne

Melbourne is the second largest city in Australia and provides a world of activities and sites to see. It’s considered the cultural capital of the country with it’s abundance of art galleries, film festivals, and musical productions along with it’s Victorian era architecture for starters. The historical district of Carlton provides the largest museum in the Southern hemisphere, Melbourne Museum, and Lygon and Rathdowne Streets which exudes an intense Italian atmosphere with coffee shops and excellent Italian restaurants.

St. Kilda is the place to be seen on the beaches during the day and at night. There are places to have fun, grab a bite to eat and have a few drinks without leaving the beautiful beaches behind. The Esplanade holds a Sunday market and is the spot for a nice walk along the beach.

There is an exceptional live music scene, the shopping hub of Prahran, the vineyards of Yarra Vally less than 100 miles away, the beautiful Yarra River, museums galore, Federation Square to just hang out and enjoy the magnificent architecture, cafes and so much more.

Gold Coastlines

Boasting over 30 beaches this well known tourist spot is a surfers paradise. The beaches stretch over 40 kilometres, however not all the waters are swimmable. Make sure to pay attention to the flags set out. Cafes, restaurants, and bars stud the coast and most of the activities involve water and a board. If you are in need of a break of the water then head to Hinterland where you can find three national parks with heaps of nature exploring opportunities. Keep an eye out for wildlife and enjoy the pure raw nature all around you.

Brisbane

The third largest city in the country is a new-world city that has an abundance of excellent sites and entertainment. Fortitude Valley is the country’s hub for up coming music and world-class DJ’s rolling through the clubs. Charming boutiques and cafes can be found around Paddington and Rosalie, and Sunnbank provides a break from the regular and takes you to Asia. Mount Coot-tha is a mountain in the area with a suburb around it. There are bush walks and scenic summits as well.

Perth

This is the largest city in the Western part of the country. Visitors frequent the close by Rottnest Island to lay on the secluded beaches and wine and dine themselves in the vineyards of Swan Valley. The beaches are beautiful and are ideal for swimming, some of these beaches are the best in the country, so enjoy safely so you get to see all of them. Put sunscreen on as the sun here is fiery hot!

Photo by MickiTakesPictures, Steve Davidson, llee_wu, bertknot and Daniel Lee

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