The Best Places to Visit in Australia
Australia is one of the most incredible and appealing countries on planet earth to everyone. It’s a giant island mainly covered in desert, yet has some of the worlds most beautiful golden beaches, plus immaculate vibes all over the nation. You’ll always feel the laid back and friendly atmosphere amongst the people, and the history stretches back tens of thousands of years with Indigenous cultures and colonial British heritage. In the summer, Australia gets very very very hot, so just plan your visit accordingly. In my opinion, it is a top 3 country in the world to a road trip, with endless scenic spots and awesome cities the whole way. Even if you’re just living in one city for a bit, it’s all great.
Capital: Canberra
Currency: Australian Dollar
Language: English
When to visit: October to May
1) Sydney
Sydney is Australia’s largest and most famous city, located in New South Wales, with a population of over 5 million people. It’s the liveliest city in the country, filled with tourists and locals alike who love to spend time among the world famous harbor where the inlets and coves define the beauty. In my opinion this amazing, cosmopolitan city is one everyone deserves to visit once in their lifetime.
Things to do:
The actual city of Sydney is a giant metropolis, so lets focus on the areas around Port Jackson / The Sydney Harbor. The obvious must-see is the Sydney Opera House, Sydney’s most iconic landmark, located on Bennelong Point. It’s amazing whether you’re seeing it from close up, or across the harbor after you crossed Sydney Harbor Bridge. Adjacent to it is also the Royal Botanic Garden, which is beautiful. Definitely just walk Circular Quay, which is the neighborhood/marina area across the waterfront, serving as transport hub for ferries, trains, etc. You’ll walk past a load of things like the Customs House, the Wharf, and the Harbor Lookout. Basically right next to part of it is a neighborhood called The Rocks, which is the part of the city where you see the cobblestone streets, boutique shops, markets, pubs, and all the kind of stuff that make a vibrant district. If you want to see the harbor from the water, consider taking a Boat Cruise to get this perfect perspective. And of course, I can’t leave out Bondi Beach, arguably the worlds most famous beach. It’s not close to the harbor, but it’s worth taking the trip over as the coastal walks are amazing. The culture and nightlife is unreal in Sydney, and it’s an awesome city to live in, let alone visit.
How to get there:
Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD) is a major international airport with a lot of flights from global and domestic hubs.
If in Australia, there are options for long distance trains and buses from other major cities.
2) Whitsundays (Great Barrier Reef)
The Whitsundays are a group of 74 absolutely stunning islands in the middle of the Great Barrier Reef, off the coast of Queensland. It really is tropical paradise here, as the beaches are covered in serene white sand, clear water, and perfect weather. It’s a top spot in Australia for anything related to the blue waters of the country, and definitely the most beautiful set of islands in the region.
Things to do:
Most people stay on Hamilton Island or in Airlie Beach which is on the mainland. Both these spots are lovely in their own ways, but Whitsunday Island is the place which is home to Whitehaven Beach, probably the most famous beautiful in Australia. The sand is ridiculously soft and the water is a bright, clear blue. Hill Inlet is right at the northern end of the beach, and from above, you can see the sand swirling in the water, which is one of the most iconic views in the country. The best way to see the islands is either through a Sail Experience or Helicopter Ride. It depends if you want the best views, or want to be close to the water and participate in snorkeling and diving. Hook Island and Hardy Reef are also great if you do want to dive.
How to get there:
Either fly into Hamilton Island Airport (HTI), or Proserpine Airport (PPP) which is on the mainland.
From Airlie Beach, take a ferry / boat to the islands.
3) Gold Coast
One of the best and most buzzing getaway destinations is The Gold Coast in Queensland. Although it’s one of Australia’s most populous cities, it doesn’t feel like one of those ‘living cities’ when you stay near the coast. It’s always filled with tourists and events in the summer, and the long stretch of beach which goes on forever is why everybody loves it so much.
Things to do:
The obvious place to stay and hang around every single day is Surfer’s Paradise, the most lively and fun area in the entire city. Surfers Paradise Beach is iconic, and the skyscrapers in the backdrop make it very cool. Walk down both Cavill Ave and the Esplanade, take your photo with the Surfers Paradise Sign, and stay until night when it especially comes alive. You can find the Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, too. If you want to get away from most of the action, head south to the coast of Burleigh Heads, and enjoy the quieter Burleigh Beach. Plus, Burleigh Head National Park has a headland walk with incredible views of the coastline and Surfers Paradise out in the distance. The Gold Coast is also Australia’s theme park capital, with the iconic squad of Dreamworld, Movie World, Sea World and Wet’N’Wild all in its proximity. You have so much shops and restaurants to explore in the Gold Coast, plus opportunity for activities like JetSki adventures or heading up to the SkyPoint Observation Deck, so you won’t get bored.
How to get there:
Gold Coast Airport (OOL) has regular flights from most Oceanic cities, and Brisbane Airport (BNE) is also an international option.
There are also options for long distance trains and buses from other major cities in Australia.
4) Sunshine Coast
Also in Queensland is the amazing vacation and relaxing destination of The Sunshine Coast. It’s a region stretching far along the shores with a bunch of beachy style towns all offering something different. Everything here is just beautiful, and it is one of the top getaway destinations for Aussies and Kiwis (for good reason).
Things to do:
It seems like Noosa, more specifically Noosa Heads has been growing as the most popular base for exploring the Sunshine Coast. The beach is perfect for swimming or learning to surf, and the town itself has great cafes. Plus, Noosa National Park is the place to complete the Noosa Coastal Walk which offers some of the most gorgeous coastal views in all of Australia. Mooloolaba is another popular spot, a bit further south of Noosa, where you can swim at Mooloolaba Beach, and walk up to the Point Cartwright Lighthouse too. There are some other beautiful towns like Caloundra and Marcoola, but Noosa is by far the most popular. Inland you can find one of Australia’s most iconic zoos, Australia Zoo, which is owned by Steve Irwin’s family and was founded by the man himself. The zoo is great and definitely worth checking out. Plus, just south of that is the Glass House Mountains Region, which contains around a dozen mountain peaks rising up creating panoramic views. The Mt Ngungun Summit Track is the best for time to reward ratio.
How to get there:
Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY) has many flights from around Oceania, otherwise Brisbane Airport (BNE) is the next option.
You can take a bus from Brisbane, and some other cities occasionally too.
5) Uluru
Uluru / Ayers Rock is found smack bang in the middle of Australia, deep into the Outback desert. It’s a massive sandstone monolith sitting right in the middle of the red desert, and has been sacred to Indigenous communities for years and years. The circumfernece is 9.4 kilometers, and it reaches 348 meters in height. You can’t comprehend the size until you see it in person.
Things to do:
Once you’ve made it to Uluru and admired the size, you should really complete the Uluru Base Walk, taking you around the whole base of Uluru past a bunch of caves and Indigenous artwork. You can do it in about 4 hours, being just over 10km long. If you check google maps, there are some main spots for sunset and sunrise, making for iconic photos especially as the monolith begins to change colors over the course of the day. North of the rock, artist Bruce Munro installed a bunch of illuminating, colorful lights on the ground which look amazing at night when you stand in front of them and the ground lights up with Uluru in the distance. It’s called The Field of Lights, and I would definitely recommend booking this experience, as the photos which you can take are so cool.
How to get there:
Ayers Rock Airport (AYQ) was built for this site, and has domestic flights within Australia coming in daily.
6) Tasmania
Tasmania is Australia’s only island state, sitting south of Victoria making it pretty isolated in a lot of ways. Compared to the mainland, Tasmania doesn’t look that big, but it is actually bigger than Switzerland and has some incredible landscapes too. Around 575,000 people live on the island which does make it the smallest state population-wise.
Things to do:
You’ll probably start in Tasmania’s capital, which is Hobart. It’s a nice city, with some good attractions like the Royal Botanical Gardens, the Tasmanian Museum, and the cool Constitution Dock. Plus it’s a good city for weekend markets, with the Salamanca Market being held on Saturday and the Farm Gate Market on Sunday. Overlooking Hobart is the towering Mount Wellington, which has a peak of 1,271 meters. If you want to hike it, take the bus to Fern Tree and continue up from there. Outside Hobart is where the real beauty is, and you have to visit Cradle Mountain if you want to experience the Tasmanian wilderness. The real challenge is to do the Overland Track, which is a 6 day trek through the heart of Lake St Clair National Park (where Cradle Mountain is). Otherwise, just try some of the shorter walks to viewpoints of the mountain. Definitely also visit Port Arthur which is on the Tasman Peninsula south of Hobart. It’s a pretty historic site, as it used to be a convict settlement which you can see through the incredible ruins of The Penitentiary. My last location is Freycinet National Park, and it probably contains Tasmania’s most iconic view, which is Wineglass Bay. The Wineglass Bay Lookout Hike is pretty easy to complete, and so worth it. Tasmania has beaches all over, plus more epic places like Bruny Island and Richmond Village, but many come for the incredible hikes.
How to get there:
Hobart Airport (HBA) is the main gateway, but Launceston Airport (LST) also serves the north. Most flights are from mainland Aus.
You can also take a ~10hr ferry from Melbourne to Devonport.
7) Perth
The city of Perth in Western Australia is literally one of the most isolated major cities in the world. It sits facing the Indian Ocean on the coast, with a large population of ~2 million. Despite this, it still has a lovely sunny vibe as well as some impressive modern development. Perth has a lot of cultural sites like museums and monuments, and is a welcomed stop on road trips after seeing nothing for ages.
Things to do:
Inside the Perth CBD, there are some pretty cool and relaxing spots. Let’s start with Kings Park and Botanic Garden. It’s a massive area with some super cool lookouts towards the skyline, like Mount Eliza Lookout, and some important monuments such as the State War Memorial. Then, walk into the impressive Elizabeth Quay. It’s a developed waterfront area which is quite vibrant with some great open spaces and shops. It’s the best example of modern, future development inside Perth. After you’ve explored, go over to the Perth Cultural Center, which is the place to find all things arts. You’ll be able to enter the Art Gallery of Western Australia, Western Australian Museum, and State Library. And for those who want to swim, Cottesloe Beach is the most popular.
How to get there:
Perth Airport (PER) will likely be your gateway if you aren’t driving, it has both international and domestic flight connections.
8) Byron Bay
Over in New South Wales is the laid back coastal town of Byron Bay. It’s another extremely popular destination for holidays, and just anyone who loves getting in the water. The beaches are of course the main attraction, much like all the beachside towns in Australia. However, the positive atmosphere is why people fall in love.
Things to do:
Before I get to the beaches, it’s worth mentioning that Byron Bay is home to the Easternmost Point of Continental Australia, which is down on the beach north of Cape Byron Lighthouse. You can walk the Cape Byron Walking Track, which is scenic and not long at all. Plus, on that same peninsula is also Wategos Beach, a good swimming spot. The two beaches of Byron Bay are called Main Beach and Byron Beach, which is basically the same strip of sand anyway which goes on for ages. Both are beautiful in the summer, and amazing for sunbathing, surfing, just whatever you want. The Byron Bay Markets also occur regularly during the week in the town, so worth checking those out too during your relaxing time in the area.
How to get there:
Ballina Byron Gateway Airport (BNK) is small, and mainly only has domestic flight options.
Otherwise there are sometimes options for long buses from Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Sydney.
9) Melbourne
Locals will tell you that Melbourne is the best city in Australia to live in, and while that may be true, it doesn’t have as much to offer tourism-wise like Sydney. However I have to include it on the list because the atmosphere is unreal, and it truly is a great city. Located in the south of Victoria, the city is often celebrated as Australia’s cultural and sporting capital.
Things to do:
The heart of Melbourne CBD is Federation Square, which sits next to St. Pauls Cathedral and Flinders St Station, two iconic Melbourne buildings. Walk down past the National Gallery of Victoria to Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens, which are stunning and immaculate and contain the Shrine of Remembrance for Australian war service. The city center is just a cool area to walk around, especially in the streets surrounding the State Library Victoria which have a bunch of shopping areas and restaurants. I also like heading down to St. Kilda Pier and St Kilda Beach, which is an area with awesome views of Melbourne’s impressive skyline. Some other good neighborhoods offering either vibrancy or trendiness are Port Melbourne, Collingwood, and Fitzroy. You can also take a multi day trip to Phillip Island, a known place to see penguins!
How to get there:
Melbourne Airport (MEL) has great regional connection for flights, plus it’s a major long haul international hub.
You can also take long distance trains and buses from other major cities in Australia.
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