Being almost as large as the whole of Europe, Australia has more to offer than probably any other country in the world. With hundreds of national parks, 20 world heritage sites, and some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, it’s easy for your Australia bucket list to become too long.
So how do you narrow down where you should go when backpacking Australia? As someone who spent over two years living and traveling down under, I’m sharing my pick of the ten best places to visit in Australia.
10 Best Places To Visit in Australia
Here are the ten most popular tourist destinations in Australia (which also happen to be my personal favorites too!)
They all offer something unique so the destinations you choose will depend on what you seek from your Aussie adventure, whether you are planning to do a working holiday, an epic east coast Australia road trip, taking a tour or backpacking Australia.
Melbourne and the Great Ocean Road
Melbourne is the starting or finishing point for many people heading to Australia for an East Coast adventure. However, make sure you schedule at least a week in this hip city because there is so much to do and see, including the laneways, coffee shops and art galleries. If you’re like me, you won’t want to leave!
The number one thing to do in Melbourne is the 664 km Great Ocean Road trip, rated one of the most scenic drives in the world. There are various places to visit along the way, including the famous Twelve Apostles, many beautiful beaches, and blissful nature reserves like Great Otway National Park and Port Campbell national park.
Another trip you should make from Melbourne is Phillip Island to see the famous sunset penguin parade and Australian fur seals in their natural habitat.
Sydney
Sydney is the most famous city in Australia, known for its iconic sights like the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, and Bondi Beach. Sydney is definitely one of the must see places in Australia so you will want to spend at least a few days exploring this bustling city and the nearby natural wonders. Make time to take the ferry to Manly and experience the Coogee beach coastal walk to soak up the views.
My favorite destination in New South Wales was the Blue Mountains, a short train ride from Sydney. You will find endless stunning scenery here, including the Three Sisters rock formation, thought-provoking Aboriginal rock art, eucalyptus forests, pristine waterfalls, and cute villages.
Byron Bay
Byron Bay may be a small town, but it is full of character. This coastal town is famed for its hippy, spiritual community feel, gorgeous beaches, and surfing and scuba diving sites.
If you have time, you can also head 92 km north to the Gold Coast, home to the famous party town Surfers Paradise. If the vibe here is a bit too crazy for you, I recommend heading inland to Lamington National Park, an untouched rainforest full of serene walking and hiking trails.
Sunshine Coast and Fraser Island
If you’re traveling the East Coast northbound, as you enter the state of Queensland, one of the first places you’ll want to stop and spend some time is the Sunshine Coast. The Sunshine Coast is beautiful, sunny, and welcoming, with a diverse natural world to explore.
One place you should not miss is Fraser Island, the world’s largest sand island. When you visit Fraser Island, you get to drive across the sand (as there are no roads here) and explore hidden lakes like the “Instaworthy” Lake McKenzie.
On the mainland, spend a day at Great Sandy National Park, enjoying the sand dunes, mangroves, and rainforests. You will also spot tons of wildlife here, including koalas and wallabies. For whale watching, Hervey Bay is one of the best places in the world to witness these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.
The Whitsunday Islands
Continuing north, you’ll soon reach Airlie Beach, the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands. These picture-perfect islands are often at the top of most people’s Australia bucket list, and for a good reason, they really are paradise.
The cluster of 74 Whitsunday Islands boasts white sandy beaches surrounded by the crystal-clear coral sea. Whitehaven Beach is the most famous destination here, but the smaller islands like Hamilton Island have a less-crowded feel.
Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef
Another attraction on every traveler’s Australia bucket list is the UNESCO World Heritage site Great Barrier Reef. As the world’s largest coral reef and one of the best scuba diving spots, you cannot visit Australia without a trip here.
When you’re sick of snorkeling and diving, Cairns has plenty of nightlife or head north and you’ll find the beautiful small resort town of Port Douglas. Full of trendy eateries and luxury resorts, this is the perfect place to relax after a busy day of diving.
Most travelers don’t go further than Cairns or Port Douglas, but in my opinion, this is a massive mistake. Just slightly north of Port Douglas is Cape Tribulation, home to the 135 million years old Daintree rainforest, the oldest tropical rainforest in the world!
Darwin and the Northern Territory
While the northern territory is one of the less visited states, it’s still one I would highly recommend, particularly if you love nature and wildlife and getting off the beaten track.
The northern state is full of natural beauty, including Kakadu National Park, Australia’s largest national park located just outside the state’s major city Darwin.
The popular camping spot Litchfield National Park is also a short drive from Darwin and is full of idyllic waterfalls and pristine swimming spots.
The Outback and Uluru (Ayers Rock)
Australia’s Outback is a vast and remote desert area. Because of its distance from all major Australian cities and towns, many travelers give it a miss. However, exploring the Outback was one of my favorite and most authentic memories from my time down under.
Uluru Kata Tjuta national park, also known as Ayers Rock, is a famous red sandstone formation located pretty much in the middle of the country. It is a protected and spiritual place for the Aboriginals, but tourists can still walk around it and witness its breathtaking changing colors at sunrise and sunset.
You can get to Uluru by flying into Alice Springs, a small outback town that seems stuck in the past and is a whole experience in itself.
Western Australia
With most tourists traveling the east coast route, the country’s west coast is much quieter and less developed. So if you want to escape the crowds and get off the beaten path, I recommend flying into Perth and exploring Western Australia’s natural wonders like Cape Range National Park and Karijini National Park.
South Australia
Like Western Australia, the Southern State offers a much less touristy and more rural experience. One of the most visited spots in this part of the country is the renowned wine region, Barossa Valley, a must-visit for any wine lover.
I also recommend a day trip to Kangaroo Island, a short ferry ride from Adelaide, the state’s largest city. Kangaroo Island is home to Flinders Chase National Park, a large rural protected area on the island full of fantastic geological formations. Wildlife sightings, including penguins, sea lions, and koalas, are common here too.
Final Thoughts on the Best Places to Visit in Australia
With so many must see places in Australia and such huge distances I recommend spending at least a few weeks in this epic part of the world.
The best places to travel in Australia will depend on what you’re looking for. For picturesque beaches, go to the Whitsundays; for unforgettable diving, explore the Great Barrier Reef; or for a unique wildness experience, head to the Outback.
Whatever you’re into one of the most popular routes for those traveling in Australia is a road trip up the East Coast from Melbourne to Cairns which takes in most of Australia’s top attractions in one epic trip.
I hope this post inspires you to visit Australia. For more travel inspiration check out:
