Are you planning your first trip to Australia? Then you need to know about these top 10 beautiful places in Australia that you need to see. Check out this ultimate Aussie bucket list and create your perfect travel itinerary!
With 7 million square kilometers to explore, it’s so hard just to pick 10 beautiful places in Australia! There is ample space, hundreds of natural and untouched attractions, and plenty of stunning locations to choose from.
However, we have picked the top 10 beautiful places in Australia that should be undisputedly put on your bucket list.
The country is broken up into six states and three territories. It’s the smallest continent and the largest island. The nation’s capital is Canberra. There’s a population of 25 million; surprisingly, 90 percent of these people live within 100 kilometers of the coast.
The climate varies from north to south and is opposite of the northern hemisphere. The northern and outback areas of Australia will be more comfortable to visit during the winter to avoid the extreme summer heat. The southern states will be cooler during winter, and it can snow in some areas. Summertime in the south is very pleasant, but it’s always advisable to wear layers for random temperature drops.
Welcome to the Land Down Under – let’s explore the ten beautiful places in Australia you need to see on your next visit!
Top 10 Beautiful Places In Australia You Need To See
These top 10 beautiful places in Australia are the bucket list destinations for travelers from all over the world, and they should be included in your itinerary. Let’s jump into it!
K’Gari (Fraser Island)
The exquisite K’Gari (indigenous name) or Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world and is included in a network of four sand islands along the Queensland coast. It can be accessed by barge and is one of the most popular activities in Rainbow Beach and Hervey Bay. There are two different resort options (Kingfisher Bay Resort or the K’Gari Beach Resort), along with camping and holiday homes located right near the beach.
Over 300 thousand tourists visit K’Gari each year for its natural beauty, swimming spots, beach camping, and four-wheel driving. The entire island can only be accessed by four-wheel drive. Therefore, you will need to hire one or book an organized tour from the mainland.
Expect to see one of the most beautiful beaches in Australia, Lake McKenzie. This freshwater lake is nestled in the rainforest with stunning white sandy beaches and crystal blue waters. Alternatively, you can find other swimming spots like Eli Creek, Lake Wabby, or Champagne Pools.
The National Park area is unique and contains the only rainforest growing in sand. Otherwise, there are walking tracks, the SS Maheno Shipwreck, and The Pinnacles rock formation to explore. Whatever you’re into, you’re sure to find something on K’Gari.
Carnarvon Gorge National Park
About 9 hours west of Brisbane, you can experience hiking the Carnarvon Gorge National Park. It’s generally explored over a few days, contains several different hiking trails, and includes a 20-kilometer hike down the gorge. There is no public transport into the area, and you’ll need to either fly into Brisbane or closer to the small town of Roma. From here, you can access a hire car and either camp or book the fixed accommodations.
The main gorge hike will take a whole day to complete. This includes walking several different alternate tracks off the main route, like The Moss Garden, The Cathedral, The Amphitheatre, Wards Canyon & Boowinda Gorge. You will admire how erosion has created these sites over millions of years while also being used as indigenous, protected sites and housing.
Apart from that, you have a few other amazing areas like Warrumbah Gorge, Mickeys Creek, and the Rock Pools. These are still located in the National Park but separate from the main gorge hike. Witness the carved slot canyons or swim in the crisp, cool waters. Consequently, all the hikes can be completed by a moderate hiker and very little elevation.
Sydney Harbour
Sydney is often mistaken for the capital of Australia but has the highest population, with 5.5 million people.
One of the biggest highlights would be visiting the Sydney Opera House, which is one of the most photographed buildings in Australia. It cost 102 million dollars and took 14 years to build. In 2007, it was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. You will be amazed to view the Opera House up close or from one of the surrounding harbor suburbs. For even a better view, you can check it out alongside the Sydney Harbour Bridge or climb the bridge and see the Opera house below.
Apart from the Sydney Opera House, there are other attractions, such as Luna Park, Taronga Zoo, or Fort Denison, that will get your adrenaline pumping, appreciate Australian wildlife, or learn Australian history. The Rocks and Circular Quay run ferries throughout these areas, servicing Sydney’s waterways and providing an enjoyable experience.
Gold Coast
When you think of the most beautiful places in Australia, you can’t go past one of the most popular tourist hubs, The Gold Coast. It’s visited by more than 10 million people each year and is the biggest non-capital city in Australia. This is where you’ll find over 50 kilometers of golden sand beaches, lined with resorts and holiday accommodations to suit everyone’s style and budget.
The Gold Coast is located about an hour south of Brisbane. It has its own airport and the biggest theme parks in the country. People visit the Gold Coast for water activities, beachside fun, adrenaline activities, or rainforest hiking. There is something for everyone, and you’ll be overwhelmed with choices.
Take a jet ski ride up the canals or admire the views on top of the tallest building. Explore islands like North Stradbroke on a day trip and swim in refreshing waterfalls in the UNESCO-listed Gondwana Rainforest. Research the best options, whether you’re traveling with your family, a group of friends, or on a romantic weekend away.
Ayers Rock (Uluru)
Uluru (indigenous name) or Ayers Rock is one of the most famous landmarks in all of Australia. This large sandstone formation is located in central outback Australia, and the closest towns are Alice Springs or the inbuilt tourist town of Yulara.
Ayers Rock is made of red sandstone rock and stands 348 meters (1142 feet) above the ground. It’s over 10 kilometers around the base and will take 3-4 hours to walk around, exploring the waterholes and sacred sites. It’s often explored together with Kata Tjuta (The Olgas).
The tourists enjoy the different hiking opportunities, helicopter rides, balloon flights, witnessing sunsets and sunrises in the perfect location, learning about the aboriginal culture, and admiring the 30,000 solar light display.
Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef stretches over 2300 kilometers from Bundaberg to Port Douglas and is one of the seven natural wonders of the world. It’s made up of 3000 individual reef systems, 600 continental islands, 150 mangroves, and 300 coral cays. It’s one of the largest reef systems in the world and can actually be viewed from space.
Most tourists explore the Great Barrier Reef from either Cairns, Airlie Beach or Port Douglas. The southern end’s most popular spots can be reached from Bundaberg, Agnes Water, or even by flights from Brisbane. Day tours can be purchased to visit several islands, including the 74 available on the popular Whitsunday Network.
Throughout the area, you can admire the stunning Queensland beaches, stay in resort accommodation, snorkel, or dive into the coral reefs and enjoy the many facilities on offer. Whitehaven Beach has a large stretch of silica-white sand to laze around on, and Hamilton Island has its own inbuilt community. Enjoy the water activities in this amazing, pristine location.
The Pinnacles
The Pinnacles rock formation is part of the Nambung National Park and is located along the Australian coral coast in Western Australia. These unique pointed structures were created over 25 million years ago and are made from limestone.
Coastal winds exposed these pillars over time after the ocean waters receded and left deposits of seashells behind. There is a 4-kilometer loop track to explore the Pinnacles, which varies in height across the terrain, reaching up to 5 meters.
Visiting at night brings to life a whole different atmosphere with low-light pollution and the night sky. The avid photographer will walk around and compose the ultimate shot to capture what the Australian nightlife can provide.
The Great Ocean Road
The Great Ocean Road is one of Australia’s most stunning road trips. It stretches over 244 kilometers from Torquay to Allansford, just outside of Melbourne in Victoria. It’s best explored by hiring your own car and driving the entire route, although tours can also be purchased to see the more popular areas.
One of the highlights would be the 12 Apostles, a perfect example of how the rough seas and erosion have carved out what is now called the Limestone Coast. Enjoy other sites like Loch Ard Gorge, The Grotto, the Blowhole, and London Bridge.
These locations are accessible by driving tracks, short walks around the coastline, or staircases down to the beaches. The sheer beauty will have you delighted by Mother Nature’s gifts to the world.
If you are a fan of road trips, you should check out these best Australian road trips.
Big Red Sand Dune
The Big Red sand dune is located in Outback Queensland, just outside the small remote town of Birdsville and very close to the Northern Territory and South Australian Borders. It’s the first and largest of 1100 sand dunes running parallel to the Munga-Thirri National Park.
It’s definitely a bucket list opportunity to visit the Big Red Sand Dune and, even more so, to be able to drive up to it. Although it is only 40 meters high, the sand is very soft, and it will require some advanced four-wheel driving knowledge to complete. Alternatively, you could take one of the local tour buses and just enjoy the local knowledge and outback hospitality.
Once you’re at the top, it is one of the best places to sit back and watch the sun crossing the horizon. The peaceful nature and sublime beauty will have you in awe of your surroundings. This is where the dreams of the outback start!
The Bungle Bungles And Purnululu National Park
The Purnululu National Park is located in northern Western Australia and is part of the Kimberley region. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site and contains the amazing Bungle Bungles. These have been a part of Aboriginal history for thousands of years but were only discovered by tourists in the 1980s.
The Bungle Bungle Range is a natural beehive rock formation stretching over 450 square kilometers. For 300 million years, it took active faults and erosion depositing materials to create this marvel and create what you see today. You can admire the beehives up close, but they are best viewed by air to see them in their entirety.
There are basic accommodations at the Purnululu National Park with glamping, camping, and general supplies. However, due to the outback summer heat, the tourist season only runs from March to October.
About The Author Of “10 Beautiful Places In Australia You Need To See”
Chris Fry is the writer and photographer behind Aquarius Traveller, where she shares her journeys and provides valuable information and inspiration for your land and underwater travels. She lives in Australia and has traveled to 36 countries and across Australia.
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