Share this article:
Australia’s vastness is staggering. At around 32 times the size of the UK and stretching almost 2,500 miles from east to west, it covers three standard time zones and has more than 10,000 beaches. So where do you even begin?
To help you decide where to go in Australia, we’ve pulled together 15 of our favourite must-see places from the ‘land down under’ including the magnificent Great Barrier Reef, the awe-inspiring Uluru, the tropical paradise of the Whitsunday Islands and the untamed wilderness of Tasmania in our latest Australia travel guide.
Don’t forget, we can help you tailor your own Australian itinerary or for inspiration why not check out some of our suggested Australian multi-centre holidays.
The 15 Best Places to Visit in Australia
- Sydney: Iconic harbour views, beaches and city life.
- Great Barrier Reef: Snorkelling, diving and marine life.
- The Whitsundays: White-sand beaches, sailing and island resorts.
- Uluru & Kata Tjuta: Red desert landscapes and Aboriginal culture.
- Sunshine Coast & Noosa: Relaxed beaches, towns and national parks.
- Blue Mountains: Scenic lookouts, bushwalking and dramatic valleys.
- Melbourne: Food, culture, sport and laneway neighbourhoods.
- Tasmania: Wilderness, wildlife and historic towns.
- Gold Coast & Brisbane: Beaches, theme parks and lively resorts.
- Perth & Rottnest Island: City beaches, quokkas and laid-back life.
- Great Ocean Road: Coastal drives, cliffs and the Twelve Apostles.
- Adelaide & Kangaroo Island: Wine, wildlife and dramatic coastlines.
- The Kimberley: Remote landscapes, waterfalls and outback adventure.
- Kakadu & the Top End: Wetlands, rock art and tropical wilderness.
- K’gari: Sand tracks, freshwater lakes and wild coastline.
Explore the Best Places to Visit in Australia
Sydney: Opera House & Coastal City Life
Sydney is one of the best cities in Australia for a first-time visit, combining famous landmarks with a laid-back beachside lifestyle. Its spectacular harbour is the star, with the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge creating one of the world’s most recognisable city skylines. For some of the best views, take the Manly Ferry from Circular Quay, or tackle the famous BridgeClimb if you’re feeling adventurous.
For a glimpse of the city’s history, wander the cobbled lanes of The Rocks, while Bondi Beach shows off Sydney’s more relaxed side, with golden sand, surf and a lively coastal atmosphere.
Great Barrier Reef: Underwater Wonderland
The Great Barrier Reef stretches for more than 1,400 miles along Australia’s north-eastern coast and is home to colourful coral, turtles, rays, reef sharks and thousands of marine species. You can explore it on snorkelling or diving trips, liveaboard cruises, glass-bottom boats and semi-submersibles.
Cairns is the main gateway to the reef, with the widest choice of tours, while Port Douglas offers a smaller, more relaxed base. Both work well for exploring beyond the reef too, including the ancient Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation, while from Cairns you can also take the scenic railway through the rainforest to Kuranda. Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island are better placed for combining the reef with the Whitsundays.
Whitsunday Islands: Tropical Paradise
The Whitsundays are the Australia of postcards, 74 islands scattered between Queensland’s coast and the Great Barrier Reef, with white-sand beaches, turquoise water and laid-back island resorts. Whitehaven Beach is the standout, with seven kilometres of fine silica sand and the famous swirling sands of Hill Inlet at its northern end.
For an island stay, Hamilton Island offers the widest choice of hotels, restaurants and activities, while Hayman Island is the more luxurious option. Sailing and snorkelling trips are also a great way to explore the quieter islands and bays.
Uluru & Kata Tjuta: Red Desert Giants & Cultural Heritage
Uluru sits high on many an Australia bucket list, and it’s easy to see why. It’s one of Australia’s most recognisable landmarks, a vast sandstone monolith rising from the red desert of the Northern Territory. It holds deep cultural significance for the local Aṉangu people, and at sunrise and sunset the changing light transforms the rock through shades of red, orange and ochre.
Around 30 miles away, Kata Tjuta is just as impressive, with 36 huge domed rock formations rising from the surrounding desert. Both are part of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, and guided walks are one of the best ways to understand the landscapes, geology and cultural significance of the area.
Sunshine Coast & Noosa: Beachside Bliss & Natural Wonders
The Sunshine Coast stretches north from Caloundra to Noosa, combining beautiful beaches, laid-back coastal towns and a lush hinterland. Noosa is one of the highlights, with its sandy Main Beach, restaurants and boutiques, plus easy access to national park walks and the waterways of the Noosa Everglades.
Elsewhere along the coast you’ll find lively Mooloolaba and relaxed Coolum, while inland the landscape changes to rainforest, waterfalls and the distinctive peaks of the Glass House Mountains. The Sunshine Coast Hinterland is also dotted with small towns, walking trails and scenic viewpoints.
Blue Mountains: Outdoor Adventures & Eucalyptus Forests
Just 1½ hours from Sydney, the Blue Mountains offer a complete change of pace, with dramatic sandstone cliffs, deep valleys, waterfalls and vast eucalyptus forests. The best-known landmark is the Three Sisters at Echo Point, while walking trails around Katoomba and Wentworth Falls offer spectacular views across the surrounding landscape.
For something more relaxed, spend some time exploring Katoomba and Leura, with their cafés, boutiques and pretty gardens, or simply stop at the many scenic lookouts dotted through the mountains.
Melbourne: Food, Culture & Sporting Icons
Melbourne is known for its food, coffee and creative culture, with lively laneways, rooftop bars, galleries and some of Australia’s best restaurants. Its neighbourhoods each have their own character, while St Kilda adds a relaxed coastal side with its beach, cafés, historic pier and famous Luna Park.
The city is also one of Australia’s great sporting destinations. The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is the country’s largest stadium and hosts major cricket and AFL matches, while nearby Melbourne Park is home to the Australian Open. Even outside event days, you can take a behind-the-scenes tour of the MCG.
Tasmania: Wilderness, Wildlife & Wild Coastlines
Tasmania is a paradise for nature lovers, with rugged mountains, pristine beaches, unique wildlife and some of Australia’s most spectacular wilderness. Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is one of the highlights, while Freycinet National Park is home to the sweeping white sands of Wineglass Bay.
The island also has a rich history and excellent local food. Port Arthur offers a fascinating insight into Australia’s convict past, while Bruny Island combines dramatic coastal scenery with oysters, cheese, whisky and other local produce.
Gold Coast & Brisbane: Beaches, Theme Parks & Adventure
The Gold Coast lies just south of Brisbane and is one of Australia’s best-known beach destinations, with Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach and Burleigh Heads offering a mix of surf, restaurants, nightlife and laid-back coastal living. Away from the beaches, the region is also home to major theme parks including Dreamworld, Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World and Wet’n’Wild, while the rainforest and waterfalls of the Gold Coast Hinterland provide a completely different side to the area.
Brisbane, around an hour north, is the main gateway for many international visitors and is worth spending a night or two in, with its riverside setting, South Bank, galleries and relaxed outdoor feel. It also makes an easy starting point for a stay on the Gold Coast or a longer Queensland road trip.
Perth & Rottnest Island: Urban Beaches & Quokkas
Perth combines a relaxed city feel with beautiful beaches and the wide Swan River. Kings Park and Botanic Garden is one of its highlights, with walking trails and great views over the city, while nearby Fremantle is worth exploring for its historic streets, markets and waterfront.
Just offshore is Rottnest Island (Wadjemup), where the beaches are beautiful but the quokkas tend to steal the show. The largely car-free island is ideal for exploring by bike, on foot or by bus, with ferries running from Fremantle, Perth and Hillarys.
Great Ocean Road: Scenic Route & Iconic Wonders
One of Australia’s great road trips, the Great Ocean Road winds along Victoria’s coast past surf beaches, rainforest and dramatic limestone cliffs. Its most famous sight is the Twelve Apostles, towering rock stacks just offshore, but nearby Loch Ard Gorge and the Gibson Steps are also well worth stopping for.
The route is best enjoyed slowly, with coastal towns such as Lorne and Apollo Bay making good overnight stops and giving you time to explore the surrounding Great Otway National Park.
Adelaide & Kangaroo Island: Wine, Wildlife & Coastlines
Adelaide makes a great base for exploring South Australia, with a relaxed city centre, excellent food and easy access to the Barossa Valley, one of the country’s best-known wine regions. Just off the coast, Kangaroo Island is one of Australia’s best places for wildlife and dramatic coastal scenery. At Seal Bay, you can see Australian sea lions resting on the beach, while Flinders Chase National Park is home to Remarkable Rocks, Admirals Arch and long-nosed fur seals.
The island is also known for secluded beaches, bushland and local produce, and is best explored by car over a few days. It’s reached by ferry from Cape Jervis or by flight from Adelaide, making the two easy to combine in one South Australia itinerary.
The Kimberley: Remote Wilderness & The Bungle Bungle Range
The Kimberley is one of Australia’s wildest and most remote regions, known for huge landscapes, ancient gorges and dramatic rock formations. One of its standout sights is Purnululu National Park, home to the UNESCO-listed Bungle Bungle Range, where distinctive orange-and-black striped domes rise from the surrounding wilderness.
Another highlight is Garaan-ngaddim (Horizontal Falls), where powerful tides surge through narrow gaps in the cliffs to create the appearance of a horizontal waterfall. Broome is one of the main gateways to the Kimberley and a popular starting point for exploring the region by 4WD, scenic flight or organised tour.
Kakadu & The Top End: Wetlands, Rock Art & Tropical Wilderness
Kakadu National Park is one of Australia’s great wilderness areas, combining vast wetlands, sandstone escarpments, wildlife and thousands of years of Aboriginal culture. Highlights include the ancient rock art galleries at Ubirr and Burrungkuy (Nourlangie), plus cruises through the wetlands around Yellow Water, where you can spot crocodiles and prolific birdlife.
Darwin is the main gateway to the Top End, and makes a good base for combining Kakadu with the wider region. The tropical north is best explored at a relaxed pace, with access to some waterfalls, walks and remote areas changing seasonally between the wet and dry seasons.
K’gari (Fraser Island): Freshwater Lakes & Wild Island Landscapes
Formerly known as Fraser Island, K’gari is the world’s largest sand island and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with rainforest growing from sand dunes, more than 100 freshwater lakes and a wild east coast used as a 4WD beach highway.
Lake McKenzie is one of the island’s real showstoppers, with startlingly clear freshwater edged by brilliant white sand, while elsewhere you can explore rainforest, sand blows, coloured cliffs and the Maheno shipwreck. K’gari is best explored by 4WD, either independently or on a guided tour from Hervey Bay or the Fraser Coast.
See More of Australia on a Multi-Centre Holiday
Australia’s huge distances mean it’s often best enjoyed as a multi-centre holiday, combining a few contrasting places rather than trying to see everything at once. Our popular Taste of Australia itinerary combines Sydney with Brisbane and the coast, plus Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef, with the option to add the Whitsundays. For a more iconic first-time route, Singapore, Sydney, Rock & Reef combines a Singapore stopover with Sydney, Uluru and Cairns for the Great Barrier Reef, giving you city, Outback and reef in one trip.
We can tailor either Australia itinerary around the time you have, adding or removing stops to create the right Australia multi centre holiday for you.
