Whether you want to relax on gorgeous beaches, go fishing in the pristine ocean, or attend a wine, brewery, culinary, and art festival, Australia is the place for you. You can also discover awe-inspiring natural and cultural treasures in forward-thinking Sydney and Melbourne.
The Blue Mountains National Park is a popular day trip destination. It offers stunning views, exotic wildlife species, and hiking opportunities.
1. Sydney
Sydney is one of the best places to visit in Australia thanks to its glistening harbor, cosmopolitan culture, and secluded beaches. Take in the Sydney Opera House’s distinctive sail-like design, climb the Harbour Bridge’s outdoor platform, and tour a local art gallery.
Stroll along Bondi Beach’s golden sand, or head to Coogee or Tamarama to swim and sunbathe in the warm waters of these popular shorelines. Then, stroll through the upscale shopping centers and trendy restaurants in Darling Harbour and Circular Quay.
Melbourne is also a must-visit for its renowned food scene, markets, and internationally popular festivals. You’ll find a thriving modern art scene in the city, too, as well as top-notch wineries on its surrounding southeastern coast. You can see penguins at the Phillip Island wildlife sanctuary or indulge in a tasting session at the famous Yarra Valley Vineyards.
2. Melbourne
Australia is a massive country with a lot to see and do. From thriving cities like Sydney to enormous sandy beaches and historic rainforests, there are plenty of natural wonders to experience.
Melbourne is a cultural hub with an impressive array of art galleries, theaters, and music venues. Its modern Federation Square development and Yarra River-front restaurants and bars are the center of the city. Older landmarks and structures are also interesting to see including the Flinders Street Station, Royal Exhibition Building, and Eureka Tower.
The Great Ocean Road is just a quick drive away from Melbourne. Whether you rent a car and explore it on your own or take a day tour, the breathtaking vistas of this coastal highway will impress you. The best time to visit is during the shoulder season of March-May or September-November.
3. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
Australia is a huge country with lots of stunning natural landmarks spread across its vast sand beaches, deserts, and rainforests. The best way to experience the highlights of this amazing country is on a 3 week Australia Itinerary which gives you enough time to visit the big cities and tourist places along with more remote and rugged natural attractions.
Starting from Sydney and Byron Bay, this 3 week Australia itinerary travels up to The Gold Coast and Tropical North Queensland before heading to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Located in Central Australia, the national park is home to the sandstone monolith of Uluru (Ayers Rock) and its companion sandstone formation Kata Tjuta or Olgas. The park is served by the town of Yulara and attracts millions of visitors every year. The park is also famous for watching the spectacular sunrise and sunset over Uluru.
4. Blue Mountains National Park
The rugged Blue Mountains of New South Wales are known for dramatic scenery: sandstone cliffs and eucalyptus forests surround villages with guesthouses, art galleries, and gardens. The highlight is the UNESCO-protected Blue Mountains National Park, where you can hike to tumbling waterfalls and explore Aboriginal history.
There are a variety of bushwalking trails ranging from paved routes to multiday treks. Do the Three Sisters Walk, explore the cliffs and dizzying stairs of the Overcliff Undercliff track, or try the National Pass walk.
Several guided tours leave from Sydney to the national park for about $100; allow a full day. Alternatively, drive to the park from Sydney for a 90-minute journey or take a train that stops at Blackheath and Katoomba. Make sure to check out the Jenolan Caves, one of the most spectacular underground caverns in the world.
5. Great Ocean Road
The Great Ocean Road is an unforgettable experience that hugs the incredibly spectacular coastline of Victoria. It’s hard to imagine another stretch of coastline that is so stunning and so close to the sea.
The 12 Apostles are a must-see stop along the way, but be sure to brave an early morning to see them before they get too busy. Also visit the more remote Bay of Martyrs, which is named after a violent encounter between European settlers and local Aboriginal tribes in 1840.
Take a walk on the Koorie Cultural Trail to learn more about how the Indigenous Wathaurong people lived in this area. Also check out London Bridge (also called the London Arch) in Port Campbell National Park, which collapsed in 1990. It’s a great example of the erosive power of the ocean. And make time to see Cape Otway Lighthouse, the oldest surviving lighthouse on mainland Australia.
6. Sea World
With thrilling rides and animal shows, Sea World is a great marine theme park that promotes wildlife conservation. It has oceanariums and many reservation-only animal encounters such as penguins, walruses, and dolphins.
Enjoy a deluxe aquatic experience at Discovery Cove where you can swim with the dolphins or snorkel with sharks. You can also go to the Shark Reef tunnels to see sharks and other underwater creatures up close.
The Yarra Valley is home to hilly hills, valleys, meadows, and vineyards. Visitors can experience sunrise from a hot air balloon, and take a tour of the local vineyards. They can even savor wines from the area. It is a wonderful way to spend your time in Australia.
7. Kakadu National Park
Kakadu is the largest national park in Australia and a World Heritage-listed wilderness of jaw-dropping proportions. It’s a place where you can swim in waterfalls, see ancient Aboriginal rock art and explore vast swathes of floodplains that teem with wildlife.
To fully experience Kakadu, it’s best to go with a tour that takes you through the highlights. This specific tour picks you up and drops you off at your accommodation in Darwin and includes a billabong boat cruise!
A tour that visits Ubirr, where the Aboriginal rock art is some of the oldest on Earth, is also a must. Here you can witness ‘X-ray’ paintings that reveal Aboriginal folklore and history.
8. Royal National Park
The lush Royal National Park is home to secluded beaches, hiking trails through palm jungles, and dramatic coastlines with rugged cliffs. It’s also full of fun outdoor activities that will leave you feeling relaxed and refreshed.
This is an iconic coastal destination that’s perfect for a day trip from Sydney. It’s easy to get there, with several road entry points and a scenic ferry from Cronulla to Bundeena.
A popular attraction in the park is the Figure Eight Pools, a series of natural rock pools that have become Insta-famous in recent years. But make sure to visit at low tide, as the pools can be dangerous at high tide. Also check out the gorgeous Curracurrang Falls, a hidden waterfall with a stunning swimming hole. Visiting the Royal National Park can be done year-round, but summer is the best time to take in all its natural beauty.
9. Adelaide
The cosmopolitan city of Adelaide is an excellent choice for students. There are plenty of places to enjoy a meal or a drink with friends, and you can always find something new to see and do. Its many parks and gardens offer a welcome respite from the cosmopolitan vibe.
The city is home to Australia’s largest museum, the South Australian Museum, which offers an amazing range of Aboriginal artefacts. You can also visit Town Beach, where moonlight produces an optical illusion of steps leading to the moon during certain conditions.
The famous Sea World is a great amusement park that allows visitors to interact with dolphins and other marine animals. It also promotes animal conservation. There are many beaches in the area, including some that offer a quieter experience than Sydney’s Bondi Beach. A number of local festivals are held each year.
10. Perth
One of the best places to visit in Australia is Perth. A city of thriving suburbia, it’s nicknamed “the City of Light” because astronaut John Glenn was able to see the city’s lights during his Friendship 7 space flight in 1962.
You can explore ancient rainforests and untamed national parks in this western state, but you also have access to a world-class beach and a spectacular coral reef. The Great Barrier Reef is a natural wonder that’s a must-see destination for scuba divers and snorkelers.
Byron Bay is one of the long-lasting symbols of Australian culture, right up there with kangaroos and Akubra hats. Visitors gather here to enjoy the area’s outstanding dining options, relaxing beaches, and array of exciting activities. Byron is also home to the surfing Mecca of the Pacific, Bells Beach. Take a stroll along its beautiful kilometer-long shoreline.
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