Part of the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Gondwana Rainforests, the startling landscapes of Springbrook National Park are among the many highlights of Queensland’s Gold Coast Hinterlands. Carved out by an ancient volcano, the rugged plateau is now a natural wonderland of forested gorges, jagged cliffs, and cascading waterfalls.
While Haruru Falls may be small, at around 16.5 feet (5 meters) high, but they’re wide, spanning the width of the Waitangi River as it flows inland. One of several striking waterfalls in New Zealand’s Bay of Islands, Haruru is a great spot to cool off during the hot Northland summers with some swimming or kayaking.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Fraser Island (K’gari, the largest sand island in the world, is filled with natural wonders and Lake McKenzie is one of its most wonderful. Also known as Boorangoora, the strikingly blue water of Lake McKenzie makes it the most visited of the island’s freshwater lakes and its most popular swimming location.
The best-known shipwreck around the World Heritage-listed Fraser Island, the once-luxurious liner SS Maheno was driven ashore just north of Happy Valley during a cyclone in 1935. The shipwreck continues to deteriorate in the harsh environment, making for an impressive and haunting site.
Floating down the shallow, fast-flowing waters of Eli Creek beneath a twisted canopy of trees is a highlight of a visit to Fraser Island. One of the largest freshwater creeks on the island, its cool waters provide welcome relief from the sunny shores of neighboring 75 Mile Beach.
Cascading down a red rock gorge and filling up a series of rockpools before emptying out into Sweetwater Pool below; Edith Falls (Leliyn falls are among the most visited attractions of the Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge. With its freshwater pools and impressive natural scenery; it’s a popular spot for hikers and swimmers.
A large granite rock formation shaped like an ocean wave, Wave Rock is located in Western Australia’s Golden Outback region and situated in a bushland environment. Standing nearly 50 feet (15 meters) tall and 360 feet (110 meters) long, the formation is part of a geological area dating back more than 2.5 billion years.
The Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki is home to the largest collection of artwork in New Zealand, with more than 17,000 pieces in its collection. Permanent and rotating exhibits show a wide range of art, from historical Maori and Pacific art to contemporary international works. A gallery visit is a great addition to any central-city sightseeing tour.
Located on Gadigal Country—just a 15-minute walk from the city center—the Art Gallery of New South Wales is one of Australia’s premier cultural attractions. The unique art campus features two stunning buildings, Naala Nura and Naala Badu, and an art garden with Harbour views. Spend a day browsing historical and contemporary art (including the Yiribana Gallery, a permanent space showcasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art), then book one of the museum’s tours or check out dining experiences from renowned Australian chefs. It’s the perfect way to immerse yourself in Australian culture and stories within one of the world’s most beautiful cultural precincts.
A popular day hike from Sydney, the Bondi to Coogee Beach Coastal Walk also may be one of the world’s most scenic coastal walkways. Stretching 3.7 miles (6 kilometers) south from the famed Bondi Beach, the route follows the cliffs via Tamarama, Bronte, and Clovelly, providing panoramic views and beach pop-offs along the way.
Lushly green, with rolling sand dunes, Sigatoka is found on the main island of Viti Levu in Fiji. Its fertile lands along the Sigatoka River have led it to be nicknamed “the salad bowl of Fiji,” and its hyper-fresh produce stars in the local cuisine. With opportunities to bike, hike, and explore the river, Sigatoka is a destination for nature lovers.
Built for the 2000 Olympic Games, this world-class facility still draws travelers and locals looking to experience the Olympic spirit. The park is made up of several venues, including the ANZ Stadium, the Sydney Showground, the Athletic Centre, the Aquatic Centre (which is also open to the public for swimming, and even a skatepark.
All roads in Auckland lead to Queen Street, the bustling heart of the city. Running from the Downtown Ferry Terminal all the way up to artsy Karangahape Road, Auckland city’s shopping and cultural center is stacked with restaurants, bars, hotels, theaters, and stores catering to all kinds of tastes and budgets.
From fantastical costumes and prosthetics to large-scale props and weaponry, 3D models, and animatronics, New Zealand’s Weta Workshop is a one-stop-shop for movie special effects. Most famous for their Academy Award-winning work on theLord of the Rings films, the studio has also worked on films includingGodzilla,Avatar, andSpiderman.
The coastal village of Lennox Head—conveniently situated between Ballina and Byron Bay—is loved by travelers for its sleepy seaside feel, lush surroundings, and surf breaks. The beach area around Lennox Point is well-known for its right-hand break, so surfers flock from far and wide to test the waters. In fact, Lennox Head is now considered a National Surfing Reserve.
Spanning two city blocks and boasting more than 300 retailers across five levels, Melbourne Central is a prime shopping destination in downtown Melbourne. It features a historic shot tower once used to create lead bullets, surrounded by a 20-story glass cone. A museum about the structure is found behind the R M Williams shop.
A coastal town on a remote southern stretch of Western Australia, Esperance is surrounded by beaches known for their shockingly white sand and bright turquoise waters. If you’ve seen the photos of a kangaroo lounging on the beach, this is the Esperance area, which draws visitors for its nearby national parks and other scenic attractions.
Magnificent panoramas, top-notch dining, and one of the world’s coolest urban bungee experiences are all on offer at Auckland Sky Tower. Along with holding the title of New Zealand’s tallest building, Auckland’s most famous landmark has three observation decks, a SkyBar, a revolving restaurant, and two attractions for thrill seekers: the SkyWalk and the SkyJump.
The hustle and bustle of Auckland is mere miles from lush forests and stunning landscapes. The Waitakere Ranges, a short drive northwest of the city center, are home to a regional park full of dense native bush, running rivers, and enchanting waterfalls. Enjoy numerous walking trails and incredible views of Auckland and the Tasman Sea.
Dating back to the 14th century, St. Patrick’s Cathedral is a recognizable feature of Melbourne’s skyline. As well as being hailed as one of the finest examples of Gothic-Revival architecture in the world, the cathedral is the tallest and largest Christian structure in Australia. It’s also home to an organ that boasts 4,500 pipes.
Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures introduces visitors to Australia’s most famous reptiles (and other native species) through an informative and educational day out. Visitors can observe crocs on a cruise through a lagoon mimicking the creatures’ natural habitat and learn how crocodiles are sustainably farmed.
The Tamar Valley, situated on Launceston’s doorstep, stretches north to the sea at George Town. This lush, fertile area of emerald hills, orchards, and, perhaps most importantly, vineyards, serves as Tasmania’s prime wine-producing region, known for its pinot noir, riesling, and chardonnay. Spectacular views abound.
Ubirr is one of the most famous and significant Aboriginal rock art sites in the Kakadu National Park. A 0.6-mile (1-kilometer) circuit track leads visitors past the rock art galleries, where local people painted fish, turtles, goanna, and other essential food animals up to 20,000 years ago. Ubirr is especially popular at sunset.
The building that once held Victoria’s most notorious criminals is now one of Melbourne’s oldest surviving structures, housing a museum with accounts of this era. From 1845 to 1924, hundreds of prisoners were jailed and hanged at the Old Melbourne Gaol. Exhibits at the museum recount stories and legends of Melbourne’s criminal past and showcase related memorabilia, including the death mask of infamous bushranger Ned Kelly.
Made of bluestone with marble floors and stained glass windows, the Dunedin Railway Station is one of Dunedin’s most impressive buildings and purportedly the most photographed in New Zealand. Far more than a railway station, here you can also grab something to eat, visit a sports museum, or photograph the attractive building.
The Arataki Visitor Centre is the official gateway to the Waitakere Ranges, a lush stretch of mountains nestled between Auckland and New Zealand’s west coast. Staffed by knowledgeable park rangers and full of informative displays, the center is a perfect place to prepare for your hiking or camping trip through the lush Waitakere forest.
The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden is on Mt. Tomah in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney. Previously known as the Mt. Tomah Botanic Garden, the 69-acre (28-hectare) garden is set within a UNESCO-listed area at around 3,280 feet (1,000 meters) and contains local and international plants and views of the Blue Mountains.
Distinct and diverse, Chinatown Melbourne is a beloved district of the Victorian city. Located on Little Bourke Street, the area represents the oldest Chinatown in the Southern Hemisphere—it has been thriving ever since it was established in Australia's Gold Rush era. It comes to life at night with award-winning restaurants, karaoke rooms, and cocktail bars.
In Litchfield National Park in Northern Australia, you’ll come across a strange sight. Hundreds of 6-foot (2-meter) flat, broad structures clutter a wide, bare plain. The monuments are not man-made—they belong to Magnetic Termites, so named because the construction of their mounds aligns with the compass.
Built in Victorian Romanesque style in 1898, the sumptuously-decorated Queen Victoria Building is Sydney’s most impressive shopping destination: a stained-glass central dome looks down on balconied floors linked by grand staircases. Originally the site of the Sydney Markets, today the complex offers stores that range from stationers and tailors to coffee shops.
