Learn about Tasmania’s convict history at Brickendon Estate, one of 11 penal sites in Australia where those condemned by the British justice system were sent to work in the 18th and 19th centuries. Built in 1824 by a man named William Archer, the 1,150-acre (465-hectare) farm is still owned and operated by his descendants, who provide a tangible link to this part of Australian history.
The 1.5-mile (2.5-kilometer Esplanade Boardwalk is the heartbeat of Cairns. Running along the scenic coast in the Cairns CBD, the promenade features picturesque lawns and landscaped parklands along the palm-fringed waterfront. It’s the perfect place for joggers, cyclists, and travelers to stretch their legs and take in the sights.
A short hop from Melbourne, Adventure Park Geelong is Victoria’s biggest water park and a popular spot to cool off from the summer sun. The park’s 24 attractions offer something to suit all ages, from thrilling waterslides and carnival rides to a lazy river and splash pools.
The first vines were planted at Fergusson Winery more than half a century ago, and it’s since made a name for itself producing fine Yarra Valley wines. Today, the family-run winery sits amid 20 acres (8 hectares) of rolling vineyards, where you can enjoy wine tastings and dine on seasonal Italian cuisine at the winery restaurant.
Just north of Surfers Paradise, Southport is a bustling business, entertainment, and luxury residential hub overlooking the Broadwater and the Pacific Ocean. A fashionable seaside resort destination with plenty of activities for the whole family, Southport also offers easy access to popular theme parks like Sea World and Dreamworld.
From the Sydney Opera House to the Melbourne Arts Centre, the Australian Ballet puts on shows all around the country, performing everything from contemporary ballets to classics such as The Nutcracker and Swan Lake. Founded in 1962, it’s Australia’s leading ballet company, based along Melbourne’s Southbank.
The entire town of Evandale is a National Trust site—a collection of late-Georgian and early-Victorian architecture that offers a glimpse into what Tasmania was like in centuries past. It’s one of the best-preserved historic towns in all of Australia, with some of the oldest structures dating back to 1809.
Erupting from Lake Burley Griffin just off Commonwealth Park, the Captain Cook Memorial jet commemorates the bicentenary of Captain James Cook's first sighting of Australia and landing at Botany Bay in 1770. The jet reaches a maximum height of 499 feet (152 meters), and its design is based on the Jet D'Eau in Geneva, Switzerland.
A remote natural wonderland in Northwestern Australia, Karijini National Park is home to red cliffs, dramatic gorges, and waterfalls that cascade into fern-fringed swimming holes. While reaching Karijini can be an adventure in itself, the epic views, 2.5 billion-year-old landscapes, and majestic night skies are well worth the effort.
Set inside a white brick heritage building that was once the local jail, George Town Watch House is a small museum focused on the colonial history of George Town. While some rooms feature temporary exhibitions and a preserved jail cell, the main attraction is its model village which shows what the town was like in the early 1800s.
With vast swathes of natural bushland and Banksia woodland stretching over an area larger than New York’s Central Park—some 9,000 acres (3,700 hectares)—Whiteman Park is worth leaving the city for. About a half-hour drive from Perth, the public park provides scenic bushwalks and fun family attractions on the cusp of the Swan Valley.
No trip to Australia’s capital is complete without a visit to the National Carillon. The 164-foot (50 meter) architectural landmark originally gifted to Australia by the British government is touted for its’ unique design. In addition to its’ towering height, the structure is also a musical instrument! Have a picnic beneath the striking tower and listen to chimining of its’ 55 bronze bells each week at free concerts. The sheer height of the tower allows the musical melodies to drift across Lake Burley Griffin all the way to Kings and Commonwealth Parks. Visit at night when the structure is illuminated for an unforgettable view.
One of only four 19th-century barques that can still sail the open ocean, the Tall Ship James Craig dates back to 1874 and boasts an impressive 21 sails. The iron ship is Sydney’s only 19th-century square rigger and took almost 40 years and A$30 million to restore. It can hold up to 80 passengers when it goes to sea.
Northern Queensland’s Billabong Sanctuary replicates a natural Australian billabong, or watering hole, where a range of native Australian animals live. Visitors see koalas, wombats, crocodiles, snakes, parrots, and more on a tour of the park and also enjoy wildlife talks and animal feedings.
One of the vineyards and cellar door wineries of Perth’s Swan Valley, Maalinup Aboriginal Gallery is both an art gallery and cultural center. Aboriginal-owned and operated, Maalinup pays tribute to the region’s native Wadjuck people and is packed with art and handicrafts designed by local artists and craftsmen, plus Australian herbs, spices, and other specialties.
Just south of the popular coastal town of Batemans Bay, the Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Garden displays plants that grow naturally in this region of southeastern New South Wales. Along with admiring the flora, visitors can explore walking paths, relax at the café, and spot a range of Australian birds and animals, including kangaroos, bandicoots, and echidnas.
The Kangaroo Sanctuary near Alice Springs shot to fame in 2013 when the Kangaroo Dundee BBC/National Geographic TV documentary series aired in the UK and US. Showing the daily life of sanctuary owner Chris “Brolga” Barnes, the series depicts the ins and outs of running this wildlife sanctuary and rescue center for baby kangaroos.
In addition to being one of Australia’s most luxurious hotels, the Barossa Chateau sits on the country’s most well-known (and well-kept) rose garden, too. With some 25 acres (10 hectares) of estate land, including 22 acres (9 hectares) of gardens and 3 miles (5 kilometers) of scenic pathways, the Barossa Chateau offers travelers the perfect country escape.
Whether you’re surfing, boogie boarding, stand-up paddleboarding, or kitesurfing, Trigg Beach is the place to catch some waves. Less than a half-hour from Perth, this local favorite is a beach of two halves separated by the rocky headland of Trigg Island, with miles of white sands and access to the reefs and lagoons of Marmion Marine Park.
Mount Whitfield Conservation Park is a rainforest surrounded by the urban development of Cairns. Covering 741 acres (300 hectares), it’s a popular place for locals and visitors alike to escape the bustling city. As a forested range completely isolated from other natural vegetation, it’s incredibly delicate, consisting primarily of rainforest, with patches of both eucalyptus forests and grasslands with cycads.
Beneath the woodlands and bushland trails of the Kelly Hill Conservation Park lies one of the most impressive natural wonders on Kangaroo Island, formed from millions of years of erosion, sea level change, and weather patterns. Venture underground and discover an expanse of ancient limestone caves, where you'll see dramatic rock columns, multicolored shawl formations, and towering stalagmites and stalactites.
Cockington Green Gardens offers visitors a trip around the world without leaving Canberra. The outdoor exhibit features meticulously crafted miniature buildings representing numerous landmarks, from Scotland’s Braemer Castle to Peru’s Machu Picchu. It’s a great option for traveling families who will be captivated by the enchanting world.
Located outside the town of Longford, Tasmania’s Woolmers Estate is an early 19th-century pioneer farm passed down through six generations of the Archer family. The 32-acre (13-hectare) estate was designated an Australian Convict Site in 2010; today, it offers visitors insight into the convict consignment system through its preserved buildings, which include a blacksmith's shop, stable, and bakehouse.
Tallavera Grove is a winery in the town of Cessnock, within the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales. Vines flourish across the 70 acres (28 hectares) of terra rossa clay loam, providing lovely views across the grove. Visitors can sample wines of the Carillion Wines brand at the cellar door tasting room or enjoy a meal at Molines Bistro.
Set on the banks of Tasmania’s South Esk River, Clarendon House is a stately 3-story Georgian house considered one of Australia’s finest heritage estates. It lies on over 17 acres (7 hectares) of parkland and has a walled garden, servants’ quarters, farm buildings, and the Australian Fly Fishing Museum.
On the site of the shop that launched the R.M. Williams leather goods brand in 1934, the R.M. Williams Outback Heritage Museum is both museum and retail outlet. More than simply a tribute to one of South Australia’s most successful sons, the museum tells the story of bush culture and a defining Outback brand through displays, panels, and machinery.
With a mission statement to sustain, inspire, and create, Design Tasmania (formerly the Design Centre) was established to support high-quality Tasmanian craft and design. Today, only Tasmanian-created items are exhibited and sold here, including the work of emerging craftspeople and designers.
Known for its marine life, reefs, and diverse kelp forests, Tinderbox Marine Reserve in southern Tasmania is an off-shore area of protected waters across the D'Entrecasteaux Channel from Bruny Island. The reserve’s diverse marine ecosystem and proximity to shore make it an inviting destination for recreational diving.
From whale-watching cruises and spectacular coastal walks to colonial heritage sites and ANZAC war history, Albany has plenty to tempt travelers to the south coast. Albany Visitor Centre is the first port of call for visitors, offering up-to-date advice and information on the region’s many attractions.
The Barrington Tops National Park is part of Australia’s UNESCO-listed Gondwana Rainforest area, the largest expanse of subtropical rainforest in the world. Come to hike, camp, fish, or simply enjoy a relaxed picnic in the forested mountains. Covering 205,000 acres (83,000 hectares) of wilderness, Barrington Tops is home to many Australian wildlife species.
