Australia is the smallest continent in the world and one of the largest islands on Earth and is unbelievably diverse. Its natural wonders, deserts, beaches, botanic gardens and national parks are perfect for a holiday. In this article we look at the 10 best places to visit in Australia.

From the blue waters of the Great Barrier Reef to the red sands of Uluru, Australia is blessed with some breathtaking landscapes. It is home to kangaroos and a plethora of marine activities for tourists.

Also see which is the best place in the world to travel

How to reach Australia

By air: Australia has 15 international airports and is connected to all parts of the world through regular flights. The two of the busiest airports are Sydney and Melbourne. India has over 15 flights a week flying to Australia with the only direct flight to Australia being flown by Air India from New Delhi to Sydney, lasting 12 hours and 25 minutes.

By sea: Being an island nation, there are no road entry points into the country, However, Australia has good connectivity to neighbouring countries via waterways. Numerous cruises connect Australia to countries across the Pacific.

Best time to visit Australia

The best months to travel to Australia are from September to November and March to May. From March to May, the average temperature is 10°C to 15°C while from September to November it is 11°C to 23°C. Winter is the tourist season in Australia (June to August) when the temperature ranges between 15°C to 26°C.

Top 10 places to visit in Australia

1. Sydney

Sydney, the vibrant city, is one of the most well-known tourist places to visit in Australia. A dynamic cultural hub, Sydney is a melting pot of European and Aboriginal heritage. Sydney’s huge natural harbour is considered the best in the world. The150-mile harbour has impressive natural beauty and is famous for the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Opera House’s large, shell-shaped sails are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and are one of the world’s great architectural icons. The Sydney Opera House is 600 ft long and 400 ft wide. It is an internationally recognised Australian icon and one of the most popular attractions in Sydney. It took 14 years to construct the Sydney Opera House, which now stands as an impressive feat of engineering. It has a theatre, studios, a concert hall, exhibition rooms and a cinema. The entry fee is AU$ 37 for adults and AU$ 20 for children. The regular ferry services is a great way to experience the actual beauty of the Sydney Harbour. Opened to the public in 1932, the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge is also an incredible piece of engineering marvel. The 134-m high Sydney Harbour Bridge connects the Sydney CBD with the city’s North Shore. The Sydney Harbour Bridge is probably most famous as the location of one of the world’s first New Year’s eve firework displays every year. This arch-shaped bridge has a pedestrian walkway, from the Bridge Stairs at the Rocks to Milsons Point, which provides lovely views of the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour. Worth visiting is the Sydney Tower with an observation deck at 820 ft. Do not miss Bondi Beach, Australia’s most popular beach with a golden shoreline that is a haven for surfers. Darling Harbour has several attractions for the whole family, including waterfront dining, Sydney Aquarium, the Australian National Maritime Museum, Madame Tussauds, the Wild Life Sydney Zoo, the Chinese Garden of Friendship and the Darling Quarter Kids Playground.

How to reach Sydney

Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport or Sydney Airport, is well connected with all the major cities of the world. Hail a cab, train or bus to get to your destination in Sydney.

Buses link Sydney, New South Wales to other parts of the country. Sydney is extensively well connected by rail to Canberra, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide.

2. Melbourne

 

Melbourne is a famous place to visit in Australia for its art galleries and lively arts and culture scene. The city has parks, gardens, theatres, live music venues, street art murals and graffiti. Melbourne, the cultural capital of Australia, is a popular destination for tourists from all over the world. Also hailed as the sports capital of Australia, the city has stadiums, pools, tracks and fields. It is acknowledged as the world’s best liveable city. Eureka Skydeck 88 offers an amazing view of the city and its vicinity from the vantage point of the 88th floor of the Eureka Tower. The Melbourne Museum is the country’s natural and cultural history museum. It showcases Australian social history, aboriginal cultures, science and environment. Visit the Melbourne Zoo, the oldest Australian zoo, which has around 320 species, including giraffes and zebras in open-air enclosures. See Victoria’s marine life at the Wild Sea exhibit, featuring penguins, fur seals, sharks and seahorses. Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens, the expansive 36 hectares, has over 50,000 plants. The garden is divided into different zones, including Herb Garden, Fern Gully, a Glasshouse and a Water Conservation Garden. No art lover can miss The National Gallery of Victoria with over 70,000 works of art on display, from European paintings and sculptures to aboriginal artworks and contemporary pieces of textiles, ceramics and metalwork. Phillip Island has a colony of little penguins. St Kilda is a must-visit for tourist attractions like Luna Park, St Kilda’s beach and Esplanade Market.

How to reach Melbourne

Melbourne has two airports that are well connected with all major cities across the world.

Highways connect Melbourne to other major Australian cities. Adelaide is the closest by road at nine hours. The Southern Cross Railway Station is well connected with Sydney and Adelaide by train.

See also: Top 10 places to visit in Italy

3. Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is a renowned World Heritage-listed natural wonder and is one of the largest living structures on the planet. It can also be seen from outer space. One of Australia’s most loved attractions it has over 100 beautiful islands, 600 continental islands, 300 small coral cays and about 150 inshore mangrove islands. The snorkelling and diving opportunities here are the best in the world with rainbow-coloured corals and fascinating marine life. The Great Barrier Reef comprises many individual reef systems and coral cays and hundreds of picturesque tropical islands with sun-soaked, golden beaches. A tourist can enjoy whale watching, swimming with dolphins, snorkelling, scuba diving, a helicopter tour, glass-bottomed boat viewing and cruise ship tours. The Whitsunday Group has 74 tropical islands which are beautifully strung along the Great Barrier Reef, and are great for exploring the wonders of the reef. Six national parks shield the fragile ecosystems. One of the most popular beaches of Australia is the Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday. This seven-kilometre shining white sand and soothing blue sea are the top places to visit at the Great Barrier Reef.

How to reach the Great Barrier Reef

Cairns International Airport in the northern part of Queensland is the closest to the Great Barrier Reef. You can either take a direct international flight into Cairns or a domestic flight from Sydney, Perth or Melbourne.

Daydream Island and the Whitsundays can be reached via Hamilton Island, a one-and-a-half-hour flight from Brisbane.

You can also take reef boat day trips to sail to different islands on the reef from Cairns. Boat service is available from Townsville and Mission Island.

4. Brisbane

Brisbane, the third-largest city in Australia, is located on the east coast of Queensland. This Sunshine State is one of the oldest cities in Australia and is famous for scenic islands, beautiful beaches and riverfront promenades. Visit the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, which is the world’s oldest and largest Koala sanctuary, sheltering about 100 species of native Australian wildlife. It has kangaroos, Tasmanian devils, wombats, echidnas and a large number of koalas. Another attraction here is the Glass House Mountains, a picturesque landscape with 13 volcanic hills rising on the coastal plains of Queensland, housing several native flora and fauna. The City Botanic Gardens sprawls across 49 acres and is a heritage tourist attraction in Brisbane. It is home to various species of cycads, palms, figs, bamboo groves, weeping fig avenue, the river stage and ornamental ponds. Enjoy the panoramic views in a transportable Bussink Ferris wheel, a 60-metre-tall wheel. Each capsule is air-conditioned and the ride lasts for 12 minutes. Story Bridge, the iconic structure of Brisbane, frames the stunning city skyline. Explore it by walking, cycling, driving across, cruising or climbing. The Roma Street Parkland, a 16-hectare downtown park, is one of the world’s largest subtropical urban gardens. It has native vegetation, a rainforest waterfall, skyline lookouts and a playground. South Bank is Brisbane’s luxurious lifestyle and cultural destination and is situated on the southern banks of the Brisbane River. It has 17 hectares of lush parklands, world-class eateries, markets, a swimming lagoon and a city beach.

How to reach Brisbane

Brisbane Airport is located 20 minutes away from the city centre via train. Brisbane is well connected to other major cities via regular flights.

The cruise terminal at Portside Wharf houses several cruise liners. Brisbane is connected by train and buses with various Australian cities.

5. Gold Coast

The Gold Coast is Australia’s favourite vacation place with charming beaches, national parks, rainforest retreats and plenty of dining options. The Gold Coast’s main attraction is the renowned stretch of sand at Surfer’s Paradise. Gold Coast entices beach lovers for its water-based activities, especially surfing, scuba diving and snorkelling with Australia’s beautiful marine life. There are four theme parks – Sea World, Dream World, Warner Bros Movie World and Wet’n’Wild – that are ideal for family outings. The Gold Coast’s waterways add to its beauty with a stretch of a few hundred kilometres of canals and rivers. The Nerang River is the main aquatic artery. The Gold Coast has more than 70 km of beaches. The Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is a haven for wildlife and nature lovers. Kids can cuddle with the adorable koalas and feed kangaroos. Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk has beautiful and lush canopies of trees. The walkway is almost 200 metres in length and 15 metres above the ground. The flowering trees and plants and the lush orchids enhance the scenic appeal. There are observation decks, one of which is 30 metres high.

How to reach the Gold coast

Gold Coast Airport spans the states of New South Wales and Queensland and is the only Australian airport shared by two states. Many international and domestic flights operate from this airport and it is just 29 km from the centre of the Gold Coast. The only train that runs directly to the Gold Coast is from Brisbane.

6. Canberra

Australia’s capital city lies between Melbourne and Sydney. It has prominent monuments, buildings, structures and fantastic cultural extravaganzas. Canberra has Australia’s only combined zoo and aquarium facility. A tourist can feed a bear or a giraffe. The Parliament House is a beautiful building sitting atop Capitol Hill. It is crossed by two axes, north-south and east-west, representing the historical and legislative progression of Australian democracy. Do not miss The National Museum of Australia, the Museum of Australian Democracy and the National Dinosaur Museum. Art lovers must visit the National Gallery of Australia, which houses 1,66,000 artworks, including the world’s largest collection of indigenous Australian artwork. Australia is a sports-passionate country. Explore the Australian Institute of Sports to learn about Australian contribution to sports with a 90-minute tour of Australia’s sporting past, present and future. Lake Burley Griffin, Canberra’s man-made lake, is an ideal place to bike, canoe, kayak or paddle boat and explore the west basin at your leisure. You can also enjoy Canberra from the water by booking one of the many available cruises.

How to reach Canberra

Canberra International Airport is well connected with all Australian cities. Canberra is also be reached by train and road.

There are taxis and regular bus services to Canberra from Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and beyond.

See also: Places in UK to visit

7. Adelaide

 

The capital city of South Australia, Adelaide attracts a large number of tourists. River Torrens runs through the inner city and the city is situated on the Adelaide Plains between beautiful beaches to the west and the Mount Lofty Ranges to the east. It has a lot of local vineyards to explore. Famous wine regions like the Barossa Valley and McLaren Valley are present here, with each offering a different fine wine tasting experience. The National Wine Centre imparts great knowledge about about wine and tasting. You can also witness the wine-making process. Opened in 1857, Adelaide Botanic Garden is one of the scientific gardens in Australia and is the epicentre of the city. It has a vast spread of 130-acres of greenery teeming with native and foreign plants besides rare specimens of Wollemi Pine Tree and Bottle Tree. Cherished for its art scene and Bohemian vibe, Adelaide has several museums, including the Art Gallery of South Australia with an impressive collection of national art. Another must-visit is the Adelaide Zoo, Australia’s second oldest zoo. It is home to Australia’s only giant pandas. Spread over 20 acres of protected area, the zoo is home to over 300 native and exotic species of over 3,000 animals. Here you can have a unique experience of walking through a tropical jungle with orangutans. Night walks are also organised here. Adelaide has several beaches. Some of the most-frequented swimming beaches include Brighton, Glenelg, Grange, Henley, Seacliff, Semaphore and West beaches. Kangaroo Island is a must-visit for its wildlife and the best place to spot wallabies, sea lions, kangaroos, koalas, echidnas, platypuses and seals. Admirals Arch is a gorgeous sight on the southwestern tip of Kangaroo Island and is framed by the jagged arch of an ancient cave, carved out of the sea cliffs by centuries of pummelling surf. The vast blue ocean is simply magical at sunset.

How to reach Adelaide

Adelaide International Airport is located four miles from the heart of the city. There are regular domestic flights from Sydney, Perth and Melbourne.

Long-distance trains run between Adelaide and other parts of Australia. You can drive to Adelaide from Melbourne, Brisbane or Sydney. The drive to Adelaide from most major cities takes at least a day to complete but the gorgeous sights make it worth the effort.

8. Perth

Perth, the sunniest capital in Western Australia, is a modern, friendly and scenic tourist destination. It has plenty of restaurants and bars, emerald-green parks and sandy beaches ideal for outdoor activities. Perth’s biggest park, the Kings Park is also one of the largest inner-city parks in the world. It has a huge area of 990 acress of greenery. Other than a large variety of native Australian flora and birds, it also houses the State War Memorial and other important landmarks in Perth, making it Western Australia’s most visited tourist destination. Swan Bell Tower, a musical instrument, resembling a rocket, is home to 14th-century bells that make it one of the world’s biggest musical instruments. It overlooks the serene Swan River and is known for its attractive design and historic legacy. Perth Mint offers an interesting glimpse into the history of gold in Western Australia. The Gold Exhibition displays the world’s largest coin, weighing one tonne, as well as gold nuggets and bullion. Swan Valley is a paradise for wine lovers. It is the oldest winery land in Western Australia and has more than 40 wineries. Fremantle Jail is a prison spread over 15 acres, converted into a tourist attraction and world heritage site. Lovers of sunshine can choose any one of the beautiful beaches in and around Perth. Kayak or paddleboard on the beautiful Swan River or around Rottnest Island. Having five themed areas that reveal distinctive features of the Australian coastline, the Aquarium of Western Australia is amongst the many popular places to visit in Perth. Enjoy a snorkelling session, take a plunge at the Shipwreck Coast and do not miss the journey through the underwater tunnel and the colourful coral reefs. Penguin Island is one of the best places to visit in Perth. Along with the largest colony of penguins, it is also home to other animal species, plants and lovely landscapes.

How to reach Perth

Perth Airport is connected with domestic and international cities. Take a flight to any major Australian city and take a ferry to Fremantle, Perth.

The railway runs from Perth to Sydney. Perth is well connected with all major Australian cities. So, you can hire a cab from Sydney or Melbourne to Perth.

9. Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park

Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park is one of Australia’s main tourist attractions. It is in the heart of the Central Australian desert, about 450 km from Alice Springs. Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park, formerly called Uluru (Ayers Rock – Mount Olga) National Park, is a spectacular geological formation of the vast red sandy plain of central Australia. The sandstone rock of Uluru has been sacred to the Anangu people for thousands of years. A magnificent sandstone monolith, it is more than 340 metres high and bright red. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has a deep connection with Australia’s indigenous culture. 16 kms away is the Kata Tjuta, made up of 36 conglomerate rock domes that are 500 million years old. Uluru Kata-Tjuta National Park stretches across 1,300 sq kilometres of arid land ecosystems. Both, Uluru and Kata Tjuta, are spectacular when the first and last sun rays of the day touch their surface and this real-time colour transformation is one of the main reasons for a visit. Depending on your interest you can explore the Uluru on a camel or in a helicopter. You must visit the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre near Ayers Rock premises. Locals would guide you through an interactive walk as they explain how indigenous people use natural resources for food and medicine. For the last few years, tourists (and locals) have been prohibited from climbing Uluru. Besides being sacred, locals fear for the safety of the visitors. Visit British artist, Bruce Munro’s ‘Field of Spectacular Light’ installation at night. The 50,000 solar-powered lights in front of Uluru shimmer enchantingly at sunset.

How to reach Uluru

Fly directly to Uluru from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Darwin, Adelaide and Alice Springs. Opt for car hire from Alice Springs airport to reach Uluru. Bus shuttle services are offered by the resorts at specific intervals.

10. Fraser Island

Fraser Island is a world heritage-listed large sand island that is home to rainforests with diverse ecosystems and freshwater lakes. Technically a sand island off the coast of Queensland, Fraser Island (known as K’Gari, meaning paradise) stretches over 123 kilometres. It is the world’s largest sand island and also the only place where rainforests grow on dunes at elevations above 200 metres (656 ft). It also has over 100 lakes; in fact, it is known for hosting half of the perched lakes on Earth. It is a viewing point for humpback whales. Opt for a four-wheel drive to explore the 75 Mile Beach, the most popular beach on Fraser. It has serene ocean views and is an awe-inspiring beach road. One of the lovely Fraser Island destinations is the stunning Eli Creek. It is a popular swimming spot located on the eastern side of Fraser Island. With crystal-clear water, soft sand and shady spots to relax under pandanus trees, it is perfect for swimming and picnics. Stop for the sunset at Indian Head and enjoy the panoramic views and spot whales. Lake Mackenzie is a freshwater lake with crystal clear waters and an important tourist attraction of the island. Fraser Island has approximately 28 shipwrecks most of which are from the 1800s and early 1900s. One of the most well-known wrecks is the Maheno, located near Happy Valley. The sandstone pinnacles span over a kilometre and different coloured sands add to its beauty. The Champagne Pools, a series of shallow, sandy swimming holes on Fraser Island, are filled with fresh seawater that bubbles and fizzes over the lava rocks, creating a unique natural phenomenon. A short boat ride from Hervey Bay to the island presents an abundance of opportunities to enjoy the exotic marine life of the South Pacific Ocean, from dolphins to dugongs to manta rays.

How to reach Fraser Island

As Fraser Island has no bridges from the mainland, it can be accessed either by boat or by air. Light aircraft services are run by chartered operators. You can fly down to Sydney or Brisbane, drive to the River Heads and take a ferry to reach the Island.

Ferries are the only way to get into the city. There are ferries from Rainbow Beach and Riverheads to Wanggoolba creek. The ferries also transport your vehicles across the coasts.

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FAQs

What is the most well-known place in Australia?

Sydney Opera House is the most well-known place in Australia. This famous building on Sydney’s Bennelong Point, resembling the shape of huge shells or billowing sails, is one of the world’s great architectural icons and one of the most-photographed buildings in the world. The Sydney Opera House is a favourite tourist place, which attracts more than 10.9 million people annually.

What is the must-have food in Australia?

A trip to Australia is simply incomplete without the local food. Try vegemite (on top of bread) – dark brown vegetable paste, yeast extract and spices. Another popular dish is chicken parmigiana, a class chicken dish. The ‘National Cake of Australia’, the lamington, is a square-shaped sponge cake coated in a layer of chocolate icing and flaked coconut. Fairy bread is another must-have. This slice of white bread has margarine and is topped with rainbow-coloured sprinkles. Do try Australia’s favourite biscuit, The Tim Tam, which has a thin layer of chocolatey cream sandwiched between two wafer cookies. Pavlova is a light and sugary meringue-based dessert, topped with fresh fruit and cream and must not be missed.

How long do you need to visit Australia?

A tourist needs 10 to 12 days to truly experience Australia at a relaxed pace. A 10-day Australia vacation could include a couple of cities and the interior or the coast. Wildlife lovers could choose between Adelaide and Perth. You could cover a stretch of coastline like the Gold Coast or explore the iconic cities of Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.