Australia Bucket List: Top 10 Best Places to Visit in Australia

Kangaroos by Australian beach

Being almost as large as the whole of Europe, Australia has more to offer than probably any other country in the world. But with such vast distances to cover, you’ll need to narrow down your list to just the must see places if you only have a short amount of time to visit Australia.

With buzzing cosmopolitan cities, hundreds of national parks, 20 world heritage sites, and some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, there’s a lot to see in the Land Down Under so it’s easy for your Australia bucket list to become too long.

So how do you narrow down where you should go when visiting Australia? well, I spent two years living and traveling around Australia, so here I’ll share my pick of the top ten very best places to visit in Australia to make it easier for you to decide.

10 Best Places To Visit in Australia

Here are the ten most popular tourist destinations in Australia (which also happen to be my personal favorites too!) They all offer something unique so the destinations you choose will depend on what you want to experience on your Aussie adventure.

Whether you are planning a quick trip to explore one region, taking an organised tour, embarking on an epic east coast Australia road trip, or backpacking Australia on a working holiday, there’s no shortage of beautiful and unique places to visit in Australia.

1. Melbourne and the Great Ocean Road, Victoria

The 12 Apostles on the Great Ocean Road, Australia
The 12 Apostles on the Great Ocean Road, Australia

Melbourne is the starting or finishing point for many people heading to Australia for an East Coast adventure. However, make sure you schedule at least a week in this hip city because there is so much to do and see, including the laneways, coffee shops and art galleries. If you’re like me, you won’t want to leave!

The number one thing to do in Melbourne is the 664 km Great Ocean Road trip, rated one of the most scenic drives in the world. There are various places to visit along the way, including the famous Twelve Apostles, many beautiful beaches, and blissful nature reserves like Great Otway National Park and Port Campbell national park.

If you’re a wine lover then don’t miss the chance to take a winery tour in the Yarra Valley. Another trip you should make from Melbourne is Phillip Island where you can see kangaroos, koalas and the famous sunset penguin parade and Australian fur seals in their natural habitat.

2. Sydney, New South Wales

Sydney Harbour, Australia
Sydney Harbour, Australia

Sydney is the most famous city in Australia, known for its iconic sights like the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Sydney is definitely one of the must see places in Australia, so you will want to spend at least a few days exploring this beautiful city and the nearby natural wonders.

As well as seeing the famous sights, make time to relax or surf at Bondi Beach, take the ferry to Manly and experience the Coogee beach coastal walk to soak up the views.

If you’ve got a head for heights you can even climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge, if not you can soak up the iconic views on a cruise around the Harbour or from The Opera Bar beside the Sydney Opera House.

My favorite destination in New South Wales was the Blue Mountains, a short train ride or day trip from Sydney. You will find endless stunning scenery here, including the Three Sisters rock formation, thought-provoking Aboriginal rock art, eucalyptus forests, pristine waterfalls, and cute villages.

3. Byron Bay, New South Wales

Byron Bay, Australia
Byron Bay, Australia

Less than 2 hours drive South from Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, is another of my favourite places in Australia. Byron Bay may be a small town, but it is full of character.

This coastal town is famed for its gorgeous beaches and great surfing, and a hippy, bohemian, spiritual community feel. Browse the farmers markets and boutiques, join a yoga class, and visit the unique crystal castle and you’ll known what I mean.

Byron Bay is one of the best places to learn to surf in Australia so its a great place to take surf lessons. You can also go skydiving if you’re after more of an adrenaline rush.

Another things not to miss is the scenic walk to Cape Byron Lighthouse, which marks the most easterly point of Australia – keep your eyes peeled for humpback whales during migration season (May to November.)

If you have time, head 92 km north to the Gold Coast, home to the famous party town Surfers Paradise, and some of Australia’s best amusement parks like Dreamworld and Whitewater World.

Or, if the vibe on the Gold Coast is a bit too crazy for you, I recommend heading inland to visit the spectacular Minyon Falls, Lamington National Park, an ancient rainforest full of serene walking and hiking trails, and the hippie village of Nimbin.

4. The Sunshine Coast and Fraser Island, Queensland

Fraser Island Shipwreck, Australia
Fraser Island Shipwreck, Australia

As you travel  you’re flying into Brisbane or traveling north along the East Coast of Australia then, after Brisbane, one of the first places you’ll want to stop in the state of Queensland and spend some time is the Sunshine Coast.

The Sunshine Coast is beautiful, laid back, sunny, and welcoming, with a diverse natural world to explore. One place you should not miss is Fraser Island, also known as K’Gari, the world’s largest sand island.

There are no roads on Fraser island, so you’ll need a 4×4 to drive across the sand and explore hidden lakes like the “Instaworthy” Lake McKenzie, see the famous shipwreck, and many more stunning natural spots. You can take a day tour to Fraser Island from Rainbow Beach or join a multi day camping trip to really immerse yourself in the unique nature.

On the mainland, spend a day at Great Sandy National Park, enjoying the sand dunes, mangroves, and rainforests. You will also spot tons of wildlife here, including koalas and wallabies.

For whale watching, Hervey Bay is one of the best places in the world to witness these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.

5. The Whitsunday Islands, Queensland

Whitsunday Islands, Australia
Whitsunday Islands, Australia

Continuing north, you’ll soon reach Airlie Beach, the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands. These picture-perfect islands are often at the top of most people’s Australia bucket list, and for a good reason, they really are paradise.

The cluster of 74 Whitsunday Islands boasts white sandy beaches surrounded by the crystal-clear coral sea, the most famous destination here is Whitehaven Beach – regularly voted one of the best beaches in the whole world. The amazing views from Hill Inlet are some of the most mesmerizing I’ve ever seen!

The  best way to experience this tropical paradise is to take on a sailing trip from Airlie Beach. You can also take to the skies on a scenic flight over the famous heart reef island or stay a few nights in a resort on Hamilton Island for the ideal island escape.

6. Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland

Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Another attraction on every traveler’s Australia bucket list is the UNESCO World Heritage site Great Barrier Reef. As the world’s largest coral reef and one of the best snorkeling and scuba diving spots, you cannot visit Australia without joining a boat trip to the Great Barrier Reef.

Once you’ve been mesmerized by the underwater world, Cairns has plenty of nightlife to enjoy and there’s so much more to explore nearby. Head north and you’ll find the beautiful small beach resort town of Port Douglas, full of trendy eateries and luxury resorts, this is the perfect place to relax after a busy day of diving.

Most travelers don’t go further than Cairns or Port Douglas, but in my opinion, this is a massive mistake. Just slightly further north is Cape Tribulation, home to the 135 million years old Daintree rainforest, the oldest tropical rainforest in the world.

I took a day trip to Cape Tribulation from Cairns, It was one of the highlights of my Australia trip and we also visited Mossman Gorge, a sacred Aboriginal site, on the way.

7. Darwin and the Northern Territory

Litchfield National Park, Darwin, Australia
Litchfield National Park, Darwin

While the northern territory is one of the less visited Australian states, it’s still one I would highly recommend, particularly if you love nature and wildlife and getting off the beaten track.

The Top End is full of natural beauty, including Kakadu National Park, Australia’s largest national park located just outside the state’s major city Darwin.

The popular camping spot Litchfield National Park is also a short drive from Darwin and is full of idyllic waterfalls and pristine swimming spots.

It’s easy to visit Kakadu or Litchfield on a day trip from Darwin or head into the wilderness for a couple of days on a camping adventure.

8. The Outback and Uluru (Ayers Rock)

Uluru (Ayers Rock) is one of the best places to visit in Australia
Uluru (Ayers Rock), Australia

Australia’s Outback is a vast and remote desert area. Because of its distance from all major Australian cities and towns, many travelers give it a miss. However, exploring the Outback was one of my favorite and most authentic memories from my time down under.

Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park, is home to Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, a famous massive red sandstone formation located pretty much in the middle of the country, and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) 36 domed rock formations.

Uluru is a UNESCO world heritage site and a protected and spiritual place for the Aboriginals, make sure you visit the cultural centre to learn why. Tourists are no longer allowed to climb the rock but can still walk around the base and witness its changing colors at sunrise and sunset. It’s also worth exploring Kings Canyon in Watarrka National Park if your in the red center.

The easiest and quickest way to get to Uluru by flying into Alice Springs, the gateway to the red center, a small outback town that seems stuck in the past and is a whole experience in itself.

If you want a room with a view of the famous rock, head to Yulara and stay at the Ayers Rock Resort. If you want to be immersed in the outback and see not only Uluru but all the highlights of the red center I recommend joining this 3 day camping trip where you can experience sleeping under the stars in a swag.

9. Western Australia

Perth, Australia
Perth, Australia

With most tourists traveling the east coast route, the country’s west coast is much quieter and less developed. So if you want to escape the crowds and get off the beaten path, I recommend flying into the city of Perth and exploring Western Australia’s natural wonders.

Not far from Perth you can visit the historic port city of Fremantle, take a short ferry ride to Rottnest Island, home to the cute tiny marsupials called quokkas, and see the Pinnacles Desert in Nambung National Park for surreal landscapes.

Other highlights of Western Australia include Shark Bay, Monkey Mia, Cape Range National Park and Ningaloo Reef where you can swim with whale sharks.

If you have the time to go further north visit Karijini National Park, for incredible hiking and waterfalls, and the rugged and remote Kimberly Region, where you’ll find unique places like Broome and Cable Beach.

10. South Australia

Kangaroo Island. An Australia bucket list destination
Kangaroo Island, Southern Australia

Like Western Australia, the Southern State offers a much less touristy and more rural experience. The state’s largest city is Adelaide, a cool, cultured laid back city, surrounded by natural beauty.

One of the most visited spots in this part of the country is the renowned wine regions of the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale so a winery tour from Adelaide is a must for any wine lover.

I also recommend a day trip to Kangaroo Island, nicknamed ‘Australia’s Galapagos, but just a short ferry ride from Adelaide. Kangaroo Island is home to Flinders Chase National Park, a large rural protected area on the island full of fantastic geological formations. Wildlife sightings, including penguins, sea lions, and koalas, are common here too.

Now you know where to go in Australia

As you can see there’s no shortage of unique must see places in Australia, and with such huge distances to cover I recommend spending at least a few weeks in this epic part of the world.

The best places to travel in Australia will depend on what you’re looking for. For picturesque beaches, go to the Whitsundays; for unforgettable diving, explore the Great Barrier Reef; or for a unique wildness experience, head to the Outback.

If you fancy a road trip one of the most popular routes for those traveling in Australia is the East Coast from Melbourne to Cairns which takes in most of Australia’s top attractions in one epic trip. Or, if you have limited time, you might want to focus on one state or region, or take domestic flights between the major cities to cover more ground. Wherever you go in Australia, you’re sure to have an amazing adventure.

I hope this post inspires you to visit Australia. For more travel inspiration check out:

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