I asked some travel bloggers their very favourite spots in Australia, read on for our ultimate guide to Australia so you can hit up the best of the best places in this immense country. Although you may find many guides out there on the web about Australia, just know one thing. Australia doesn’t get old, and do you know why it never gets old? It’s because there is no place else like it in the world.
Royal National Park
By Priya – Glorious Sunrise
When I visited Australia for work, I never expected that I would so fall head over heels for this gorgeous country! Sydney has so many places to explore. Bondi to Coogi beach walk was so mesmerizing. And I heard so much about Bronte beach stretch, but I did not get a chance to enjoy that.
Just a few minutes out of Sydney, you have absolutely breathtaking natural wonders like the Blue Mountains, Katoomba, Kiama and of course the Royal National Park.
You need to take a train from Circular Quay to Cronulla and then catch a ferry to Bundeena to reach this out-of-the-world gorgeous National Park. There are many trails that are of varying difficulty levels. I loved the trail that hugs the coast the best.
Royal National Park features majestic sea cliffs against the backdrop of the deep blue Tasmanian Sea and an equally mesmerizing clean blue sky. This park also has gorgeous beaches and rare wildlife. This off-the-beaten-path destination is a heaven for hiking nature lovers!
My next best-loved place in Australia is the tantalizing Great Ocean Road in Victoria.
Canberra
By Helena – Through an Aussie’s Eyes
Canberra isn’t usually a place that people set out to explore but they are definitely missing out. Canberra is a planned metropolis that is designed to be a garden city. Along with its bushland beauty, it is also the capital of Australia.
One of the most beautiful attractions is Floriade. It is on every spring and has more than a million blooms that classify it as a world-class floral exhibition. One of the most popular attractions in Australia is the Australian War Memorial. This is where you can be immersed in the personal stories of war and memorabilia from conflicts and peacekeeping missions that Australia has been involved with.
Canberra also has a lot of top-class restaurants with all different types of cuisine. It really is a paradise for any foodie!
South West Coast
By Bert Luxing – Survive Travel
My favorite place in Australia is without a doubt, the South-West corner. The biggest city in this area and the state’s capital is Perth. I was born and raised in Perth, but that’s not the reason I love this area. In fact, if I didn’t have friends and family there, I would never go.
The true gem of the South West coast of Australia is a stretch of land south and east of the city. I fell in love with this little corner of the country in 2008 during an 8-week hike along the Bibbulmun Track. The Bib Track is close to 1000km and goes from the East of Perth (Kalamunda) through to Albany. Along the way, you experience a lot of different terrains. If you are patient you will also get to see some of the shy native wildlife.
Hiking the Bibbulmun Track was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. No wonder it is my favorite place in Australia.
Read more about the South West Coast here!
Blue Mountains
By Megan – Half This World Away
When you think of Sydney, instantly images of the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge will come to mind. A cosmopolitan city, full of swanky bars and incredible restaurants, it’s one of best cities in the world in terms of shopping, eating and drinking.
But I bet what you don’t think of is mountains, waterfalls and dense forests.
Welcome to The Blue Mountains.
The Blue Mountains is a UNESCO world heritage site only a 90-minute drive from the heart of Sydney; and one of my favourite places in all of Australia. Given its name by the blue hue which sits over the area due to the eucalyptus trees. This stunning part of Australia is a welcomed break from the hustle and bustle of the city, with various walking tracks you can trek through this area, past dramatic waterfalls and jagged cliffs. I love the peacefulness of The Blue Mountains, it’s quite easy to forget how close you are to the city centre and instead you end up feeling like you have stumbled across another world.
Tasmania
By Kristy – Travel Devil Abroad
Ok, so maybe I’m biased because I grew up there; but I really feel that no trip to Australia is complete without also exploring Tasmania. The island at the bottom of Australia is filled with stunning natural scenery and lots of cute animals like wallabies, possums, wombats and, of course, Tassie Devils! Not only can you hike, kayak and rock-climb in beautiful surroundings but the cities and towns are also filled with gorgeous historical buildings, great restaurants, breweries, distilleries and museums. Don’t forget the world-class MONA (Museum of Old and New Art) in the capital of Hobart, as well as the very popular Salamanca Markets, a thriving arts scene, and one of the most picturesque harbors complete with an often snow-topped mountain in the background. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can see all the best bits of Tasmania in a few days, you’ll want at least a week or two to really experience everything the island state has to offer! Outside of Hobart, my favourite spots include the East Coast for the pristine beaches, Bruny Island for the natural landscape and foodie scene, and the pretty village of Richmond for its history and traditional lolly shoppe!
Jervis Bay
By Viktor Vincej – Traveling Lifestyle
When in Sydney, a place you should definitely visit around is Jervis Bay. Its less than three hours drive from Sydney or Canberra so it’s the perfect getaway from the busy city life. Here you can find Hyams beach which is famous for having the whitest sand in the world. Accommodation options range from luxury to budget and you can find a lot of authentic seaside cottages and beachside campgrounds that suit your taste. Activities are plentiful ranging from dolphin and whale watching, kayaking, fishing, horseriding, paddleboarding and sailing tours. You can spot kangaroos, bottlenose dolphins, wombats, fur seals, little penguins, wallabies, sea dragons, migrating whales, echidnas, and many other rare bird and animal species in the wild. Charming seaside towns and villages have local produce markets, art galleries, and boutique shops. There is an emerging music scene surrounded by world-class cafes, restaurants, pubs and wine bars. Reasons to visit Jarvis Bay are plentiful so be sure not to miss out.
Great Barrier Reef
By Linda and David – Retired and Travelling
No trip to Australia is complete without a visit to the Great Barrier Reef. There are many options to get a day trip from Cairns. Most of the boats provide shorter trips to portions of the reef that are much closer to shore. We chose a high-speed boat that took us out to further parts of the reef and let us see more at the 3 stops the boat made. If you are a scuba diver, consider a live-aboard boat and go out for a few days. We tried both snorkelling and scuba diving. All of the gear we needed was provided on the boat. We found colourful coral and active sea life – turtles, anemones teeming with “Nemo” fish, sponges and coral in all shades. The Great Barrier Reef is one of the spots where you get a great experience whether you snorkel or scuba. Some parts of the reef are starting to bleach but there is still much that is alive and beautiful to see.
Australia Zoo
By Kaylie Lewell – Happiness Travels Here
Australia Zoo started as a reptile and animal conservation park. Through the passion and dedication of wildlife celebrity Steve Irwin and his family, the park has grown into the world’s best zoo.
Conservation is at the forefront here. Programmes run by the zoo have had significant positive impact on animal and reptile conservation around the world.
African animals roam in the natural savannah, kangaroos and koalas are in open areas to interact with visitors.
Shows and interactive experiences are staged throughout the day. The highlight of which is the Wildlife Warriors show. Held in the aptly named Crocoseum, saltwater crocodiles show their fierce strength and speed, followed by a swooping display of skill in flight by the birds of prey.
Of course, it is also a great place to experience the unique and fascinating wildlife found only in Australia. From the cute to the downright dangerous, wombats, emus, dingoes, possums, Tasmanian devils, snakes and crocodiles are just some of the animals found here.
You’ll find Australia Zoo on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. An hour north of Brisbane the must-see attraction can be easily accessed by public transport.
Tropical North Queensland
By Toni Broome – 2 Aussie Travellers
Tropical North Queensland is where the wet tropics rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef, it’s one of Australias most picturesque spots. These two stunning UNESCO world heritage sites define the area but it’s a wonderful place to experience marine life, relax on stunning white sand beaches, take a hike to some of the spectacular waterfalls and swimming holes and a soak up that relaxed tropical lifestyle.
Whether you’re soaring above the rainforest with a bird’s eye view from the Skyrail or diving deep on the reef with the clownfish and turtles there is so much to do and enjoy. A few of our top picks are kayaking and snorkelling your way around the stunning Fitzroy Island, a day of snorkelling and diving on the Great Barrier Reef, spotting a huge saltwater crocodile on the lower Daintree river on your way to Cape Tribulation and finding that perfect crystal clear swimming hole in the Mossman Gorge.
Uluru
By Raksha Prasad – Solo Passport
Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, is a large sandstone rock formation in the middle of Australia. It is in the Northern Territory. The rock is sacred to the aboriginal people of the area and it is advisable to not climb the rock. The rock formation stands 348 meters high and has a total circumference of 9.4 kilometres.
Uluru is definitely “the” place to experience the outback of Australia. And one of the exquisite things to do in Uluru is to camp under the Milky Way. For visitors who do not want to camp, there are various options of staying at the resorts, which is about 15 kilometres from the monolith.
It is surprising to see the number of things Uluru offers. The national park has various walks and activities to enjoy the outback. It caters for all kinds of travellers and interests.
The best months to visit Uluru are around June or July as it is more pleasant than the remaining months. As it is a desert, other months can get quite hot or cold.
Phillip Island
Bec – Wyld Family Travel
Phillip Island is a beautiful place to visit in any season. There are conservation centres where you can see the cute little Fairy Penguins and get up and close to the beautiful Koala. In these places, you can learn about their lives and how they survive while also providing vital funds to make sure they are preserved for the future. You can visit Churchill Island to go back in time to see how life was back in the 1800’s and if you are lucky you can even have a go at milking a cow! There are so many beautiful beaches to wander and in the warmer weather even have a swim, don’t forget to grab some amazing fish ‘n’ chips on the way home too. There are also coastal walks like Pyramid Rock where you can watch the waves crash against the cliffs or head out to The Nobbies centre to look at seal rock. The Chocolate Factory is another great place to visit, just make sure your sweet tooth is ready then you can go to Amaze ‘n’ things and try your luck at getting through the maze or a round of mini golf. There are other parks you can visit to feed kangaroos and watch emu’s strut, there really is something for everyone at Phillip Island!
Did we miss your favourite spot?! Write it in the comments below!
