In Tropical North Queensland, Birdworld Kuranda offers visitors the chance to surround themselves with the color and beauty of birds from all corners of the world. Dotted with waterfalls, ponds, and plants, the rainforest habitat is home to nearly 60 species of the feathered variety, making this one of the largest collections of free-flying birds in Australia.
Perched high on the sea cliffs at the edge of Cape Byron—Australia’s easternmost point—the Cape Byron Lighthouse has been guarding the rocky shores of the Pacific since 1901. One of Byron Bay’s most memorable landmarks, the lighthouse affords panoramic views along the coast and is home to a Maritime Museum.
The steps in front of this iconic building serve as a popular meet-up spot for locals, but it is what’s found within its walls that make a visit worthwhile. Built in the 1880s, this sandstone structure is the political powerhouse of the city, housing the Sydney City Council chamber and the offices of the lord mayor and city councilors.
The coastal outcropping of Wilsons Promontory is Australia’s southernmost point. Towering granite peaks and white-sand beaches dominate the scenery in the area known as The Prom by locals. Look out for kangaroos, koalas, and penguins in this remote-seeming area that's not far from Gippsland.
Boasting a prime location on the banks of the Yarra River, Melbourne Southgate is a shopping, eating, and entertainment complex. As well as offering one of the most diverse shopping experiences in the city, Melbourne Southgate is just a few minutes walk from Flinders Street Station and Arts Centre Melbourne.
Kangaroos aren’t the only Aussie creatures that call Kangaroo Island home—you’ll also find one of the largest sea lion colonies in the world here. Seal Bay Conservation Park is dedicated to protecting and preserving the endangered animals, and gives you the chance to admire wild sea lions in their natural environment.
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.
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.
Owned and operated by the Anangu, the traditional owners of Ayers Rock (Uluru, the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre offers a place for visitors to discover the myths, legends, and cultural heritage of Australia’s most famous monolith. Just south of the UNESCO-listed landmark, the cultural centre is filled with art galleries, fascinating exhibitions, and multimedia displays.
The building that once held Victoria’s most notorious criminals is now one of Melbourne’s oldest surviving structures and a museum devoted to its past. From 1845 to 1924, hundreds of violent criminals were jailed and hanged at the Old Melbourne Gaol, including the infamous bushranger and outlaw Ned Kelly and gangster Squizzy Taylor.
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.
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 foundations of Sydney were built on convict labor, and the Hyde Park Barracks are where criminals who were sentenced to live out the rest of their days in Australia were housed. Now, as a museum, the barracks tell the stories of those unlucky enough to pass through its doors.
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.
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.
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.
One of eastern Sydney’s prettiest areas, the ritzy suburb of Double Bay attracts well-heeled travelers and locals to its top-flight boutiques and restaurants. Surrounded by Sydney Harbour, it’s also a great spot to relax in a leafy park or soak up the sun on the beach.
Amid the hilly suburbs of Queens Domain, the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens offer an idyllic stretch of greenery, dotted with tree-lined walkways, lily ponds, and flower-filled conservatories. Dating back to 1818 and stretching over 35 acres (14 hectares; it’s one of Australia’s oldest botanical gardens.
Showcasing contemporary art alongside antiquities, the largely subterranean Museum of Old and New Art (Mona) draws primarily from the private collection of owner David Walsh. A must for visitors to Tasmania, Mona is a provocative and engaging place to spend a few hours or even the night.
Located in the Blackheath area of the Blue Mountains, Govetts Leap is considered one of the most scenic overlooks in the national park, offering sweeping views over Grose Valley and the 590-foot (180-meter) Bridal Veil Falls. The Blue Mountains Heritage Centre is nearby, and several popular walking trails begin from the lookout.
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.
Central Station is one of the most picturesque attractions on the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Fraser Island, the world’s largest sand island. Originally a culturally important site for Indigenous Butchulla women, Central Station saw a forestry camp established in the mid-20th century. Now visitors come here to learn about the island’s flora and fauna.
Open since 2000, in a contemporary building designed by Denton Corker Marshall, the Melbourne Museum is a cultural and natural history museum dedicated to life in the Australian state of Victoria. Science, nature, and the humanities are combined for an immersive and modern museum experience.
Often overshadowed by its more famous neighbor, the mighty Ayers Rock (Uluru), Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Uluru–Kata Tjuta National Park. This natural wonder, comprising 36 domed red rocks looming up from the desert plains, is a spectacular sight and one of the highlights of Australia’s Red Centre.
The beating heart of Scenic Rim town Tamborine Mountain, Gallery Walk boasts more than 60 arts and crafts shops, galleries, boutiques, and candy stores. Highlights include the Tamborine Mountain Distillery, the airy Gallery Café, and eco-friendly and alternative stores.
Eucalyptus oil was once Australia’s first global export but has seen its industry decline worldwide. On Kangaroo Island, however, South Australia’s only eucalyptus distillers still operate out in the bush. With rusting relics scattered about the property and eccentric tastes, the family-run Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Oil Distillery still churns out the sweet-smelling elixir.
Cairns Aquarium is the only aquarium in the world to exclusively showcase aquatic life from Australia’s Tropical North Queensland, a region that borders the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics rain forest, both UNESCO World Heritage sites. Family-friendly and fun, the aquarium is home to 71 different exhibits of marine life.
Near the Western Australian city of Perth, Hillarys Boat Harbour is a seaside destination popular with locals and travelers alike. Not only a boat transport hub for trips off the coast, it’s also home to Hillarys Yacht Club, the Aquarium of Western Australia, the Sorrento Quay Boardwalk, and a calm, safe cove for ocean swimmers.
Set on the Swan River’s north shore, Elizabeth Quay is a waterfront entertainment hub filled with green spaces and esplanades, eateries, and public artwork. The quay is located in Perth’s central business district, and is a great starting point for exploring the rest of the city.
