Perched on the edge of Sydney Harbour and backed by the sleek skyscrapers of the city’s central business district, Circular Quay is the scenic gateway to Manly Beach, Taronga Zoo, and Watson’s Bay. From this transportation hub—from which ferries depart every few minutes—you can enjoy unobstructed views of the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge.
As Australia’s most famous beach—and the star of its own reality TV show, Bondi Rescue—Bondi Beach delivers with its crescent of golden sand, crashing waves, and crowds of bronzed sunseekers. Just minutes from downtown Sydney, this is the ideal spot to work on your tan, hit the waves, sip cocktails at a beachside bar, or hike along coastal cliffs.
Fringed with rocky coves, white sandy beaches, and sun-soaked shores, Rottnest Island’s natural pleasures are numerous—whale-watching, snorkeling, hiking and wildlife spotting along the coast, and taking in the ocean sunsets. At less than an hour from Perth, Rottnest Island, or “Rotto,” makes for an idyllic retreat from the city.
Marking the southern border of Daintree National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Mossman Gorge is one of the most popular places to experience the world’s oldest rain forest. Dating back more than 130 million years, the dense forest and scenic river gorge harbor a rich biodiversity and provide a stunning backdrop for hikers and swimmers.
From the dramatic jungle-clad gorges, wild rivers, and tumbling waterfalls of Daintree National Park to the deserted coast of Cape Tribulation along the Great Barrier Reef, the Daintree Rainforest is Australia’s largest stretch of rainforest. The Kuku Yalanji Aboriginal people have been the stewards of the land for thousands of years, and in 2021, they officially reclaimed the park as a spiritual and cultural center. A protected UNESCO World Heritage Site and a hiker’s paradise, the rainforest is renowned for its extraordinary biodiversity.
Katoomba is one of the most visited towns in the Blue Mountains. Home to Echo Point, where visitors can see the Three Sisters rock formation and Scenic World, Katoomba offers ample attractions and activities to delight all kinds of travelers. While it maintains a small-town feel, it’s home to a large selection of accommodations, dining options, and shopping in the center of town.
Perched on the edge of a plateau overlooking the Three Sisters, Echo Point Lookout offers one of the best views of the iconic sandstone formation—along with sweeping panoramic views of Jamison Valley, Ruined Castle, and Mount Solitary. It’s also the gateway to several popular walking trails in the Blue Mountains National Park.
Off the coast of Queensland, the UNESCO-listed Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system. The portion called Hardy Reef is perhaps the most popular with visitors thanks to its postcard-perfect Heart Reef—which, true to the name, is heart-shaped.
The UNESCO-listed Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is an iconic Australian destination with two of the country’s most striking natural landmarks: Ayers Rock (Uluru) and the Olgas (Kata Tjuta). A sacred site, the park is co-managed by the Anangu and the government. Watch the sun come up, and learn about Anangu culture and traditions.
A highlight of Victoria’s Great Ocean Road, Loch Ard Gorge is a golden sand beach, almost entirely encased by crumbling ochre cliffs that form a tear-shaped oceanic chasm. It was the site of the Shipwreck Coast’s most famous shipwreck—the 1878 wreck of the Loch Ard—and is a popular stop on Great Ocean Road tours.
The largest stadium in the Southern Hemisphere and one of the most famous sporting venues in Australia, Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is more than a Melbourne landmark. The legendary stadium has hosted the Olympic Games, the Commonwealth Games, the annual Boxing Day Test Match, and Australian Football League (AFL) Grand Final.
Soaring through the treetops of Barron Gorge National Park, the 4.7-mile-long (7.5-kilometer) Skyrail Rainforest Cableway offers an unforgettable outdoor experience. Glide over North Queensland’s UNESCO World Heritage–listed tropical rain forest and enjoy unbeatable aerial views over its forests, gorges, and waterfalls.
Queensland’s Barron Gorge National Park extends from the town of Lake Placid, and the surrounding lowlands, all the way to the high Atherton Tableland. The area—which is full of beautiful forests, waterfalls, gorges, and wildlife—is easily accessible from the city of Cairns and is one of the most popular outdoor areas in the region.
Stretching along the coast of Sydney Harbour against a backdrop of the Sydney Opera House, Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden and neighboring park, The Domain, offer spectacular views and beautiful scenery. This inner-city oasis boasts exotic plants, a tropical rain forest, woodland, flowers, and rare horticultural exhibits.
Although otherworldly in appearance, the Pinnacles Desert is 100 percent on planet Earth. Located north of Perth along the Indian Ocean's Coral Coast in Nambung National Park in Western Australia (WA), this vast sandy expanse is filled with towering limestone pillars. The site makes for a popular day trip from Perth since it is only a few hours' drive away. The desert is a popular natural attraction covering an area of 470 acres (190 hectares) within the 43,211-acre (17,487-hectare) Nambung National Park. Roughly 250,000 visitors come from all over the world to see the yellow sand with the iconic limestone pillars jutting out. Despite its inhospitable appearance, the desert and surrounding area which includes white sand dunes and the Indian Ocean are home to a wide variety of native plants, animals and birds.
With its unmistakably Aussie name, it’s little surprise that Kangaroo Island is one of the best places to spot native Australian wildlife. Australia's third-largest island, this unspoiled haven is a trove of natural wonders, from red rock cliffs to sandy beaches, sweeping dunes, and wild bushlands.
The lively suburb of Manly is one of Sydney’s most vibrant seaside areas and a popular destination for surfers from across the globe. Visit Manly Beach to enjoy the golden sand, catch world-class waves, and shop and eat along the lively Corso promenade, which is lined with cafes and restaurants.
Paddington is an upmarket suburb of eastern central Sydney that’s famous for its heritage terraced houses with attractive wrought-iron balconies and fences, as well as boutiques and fine dining. The Saturday Paddington Markets stretch along the main road, Oxford Street, and are a popular place to find local arts, crafts, and fashion.
One of Sydney’s top attractions, Darling Harbour boasts fine-dining restaurants, a shopping center, one of the largest IMAX cinema screens in the world, and two entertainment staples for families: SEA LIFE® Sydney and WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo. Extend your visit into the evening to view the city lights reflected on the water.
A moving reminder of Australia’s harrowing history, the former convict settlement of Port Arthur was a key part of often brutal convict discipline within the colonial system. Today, the Port Arthur historic site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Tasmania’s most visited tourist attraction, with museums and memorials devoted to telling the area’s history.
The Rainforestation Nature Park is 100 acres (40.5 hectares) of pristine UNESCO World Heritage-listed rainforest in Kuranda, just half an hour’s drive from Cairns. Here, visitors can get up close to native Australian animals as trained wildlife keepers lead guests along boardwalks where they can experience uninterrupted views of crocodiles, dingoes, wombats, snakes, kangaroos, and wallabies, as well as learn about Aboriginal culture and traditions.
Wentworth Falls is a charming town located in the Blue Mountains Heritage Site about 60 miles (100 kilometers) west from Sydney. Known for its eponymous waterfalls, the town has a number of walking and hiking trails, picnic and BBQ areas, a well-preserved Aboriginal site, and a charming downtown with historic buildings and gourmet coffee shops.
The vineyard-filled Yarra Valley is a popular destination for food and drink enthusiasts, and the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery offers the chance to cleanse your palate with some sweet treats. Watch chocolatiers at work, join a chocolate-making class, sample (and buy sumptuous chocolate and cakes, or enjoy a full meal.
The Brisbane River winds its way through the heart of the city, from the neighborhoods of South Brisbane all the way to Moreton Bay. The river is also a center of local life, and residents and visitors alike enjoy the many waterfront parks and landmarks, riverside walks, and sightseeing cruises.
The Blue Mountains National Park, part of the Greater Blue Mountains Area World Heritage listing, is one of Australia's most visited national parks and makes an easy day trip from Sydney. The park has over 80 miles (140 kilometers) of walking trails, protected Aboriginal sites for visitors to admire, and camping. It's also home to Echo Point Lookout where the iconic Three Sisters rock formation sits.
The liquid heart of Perth, the Swan River touches many of the city’s neighborhoods on its way to the Indian Ocean. The river passes through the Swan Valley wine region, Perth’s Central Business District and affluent suburbs, and the port city of Fremantle, and there are lots of recreational opportunities on the banks and in the water.
The Nobbies Centre on Phillip Island features educational displays, a cafe, a children's play area, and a gift shop. Overlooking Seal Rocks, the center’s network of boardwalks also offer a front row seat to Australia’s largest fur seal colony and the impressive sea cave known as the Blowhole.
Positioned on a headland in The Domain park, Mrs Macquarie’s Chair is a sandstone bench offering spectacular Sydney Harbour views. Hand-carved by convicts in 1810 as a viewpoint for the then Governor’s wife—Mrs Elizabeth Macquarie—it now features on most Sydney visitor bucket lists.
Located in the bushlands of Mornington Peninsula, Moonlit Sanctuary is a wildlife conservation park that is home to native Australian wildlife, including koalas, wallabies, kookaburras, and dingos. The sanctuary is most famous for its night tours, which allow visitors to see nocturnal pythons, feathertail gliders, quolls, and more.
The Yarra River winds its way through Melbourne’s Central Business District (CBD) plus a number of suburbs. In the city, bars, restaurants, and parks thrive along its banks, bringing locals and tourists together. Numerous festivals and sporting events take place on the Yarra, including the famous Moomba Festival and rowing regattas.
