Australia is a vast nation with no shortage of incredible destinations and experiences. Our eight states and territories stretch across a whole continent, so exploring them all in one trip isn’t always possible.
Discover out what destinations must be excessive in your bucket list with our listing of iconic places you simply can’t miss.
CAIRNS AND GREAT BARRIER REEF Destination
Anemone with clownfish, Frankland Islands, Queensland © Phil Warring
In the tropical north of Australia, the rainforest meets the sea and two World Heritage sites unite: the Great Barrier Reef, the Daintree Rainforest.
Imagine lush jungles tumbling to the edge of secluded white beaches, the soft sand disappearing into world-class dive sites, and curious clownfish trying again at you from the colourful coral.
When to visit:
The best time to go to the Great Barrier Reef is between June and October, when the weather is just right. Although December to February brings the miracle of turtle hatching season.
SYDNEY
Sydney Opera Home, Sydney, New South Wales © Cultural Attractions of Australia
Australia’s largest city is one of the world’s prettiest Destination. A lot of its allure revolves around the harbour, a dramatic expanse that creates a sanctuary for among the nation’s greatest beaches.
That is the Sydney you see on postcards, with the immense Harbour Bridge and shell-like followers of the Opera Home skirting the emerald waters.
More sandy stretches await along the coast, from Coogee to Bondi, attracting surfers and sun-worshippers alike.
When to visit:
The most effective time to go to Sydney is between October and May when it’s virtually at all times sunny and the beaches are irresistible.
The can’t-miss whale season, however, runs from June to September and sees as much as 20,000 ocean giants migrating along the coast.
ULURU
Uluru, Red Centre, Northern Territory © Tourism Australia
This big red monolith is a World Heritage site, and considered one of Australia’s most emblematic landmarks.
Uluru is literally the heart of Australia, and the ochre soil is as dramatic as the massive sandstone rock itself.
You’ll be able to cycle, walk, ride a camel or take a helicopter around the nearly 10-kilometre (6.2-mile) circumference, then dine underneath the celebrities on a sand dune –
your meal that includes native ingredients and your view lit by an incredible glowing artwork set up:
Bruce Munro’s Field of Light.
When to visit:
The best time to go to Uluru is from June to August, when the desert is cooler and temperatures are milder.
While the area is hot in summer season, the mild nights and open-air dining make all of it worth it.
MELBOURNE
Hosier Lane, Melbourne, Victoria © Visit Victoria
This southern metropolis captures everything Aussies love most in this world – leisure, sport, art, music and coffee (simply to call a few).
In Melbourne, you can find eye-popping street art and a plethora of en vogue eating Destinations and bars.
From hidden speakeasies to rooftop bars the place you can sip a cocktail and watch the sundown, Melbourne is a trailblazer within the meals and wine stakes.
As soon as you’ve got wined and dined, you can’t miss a road trip along the Great Ocean Road.
Just a few hours from Melbourne, wild koalas, impressive rock formations and endless coastlines await.
When to visit:
The best time to go to Melbourne Destination is between November and March, when the sun is shining and the events calendar is jam-packed with issues to see and do.
The Australian Open tennis tournament, held in January, kicks off the international Grand Slam calendar.
PERTH AND MARGARET RIVER
Olio Bello, Margaret River, Western Australia © Tourism Western Australia
Australia’s western capital is the gateway to some of the state’s most epic adventures – not least these involving food and wine.
It’s a three-hour drive from Perth to the Margaret River area, one of the few places in the world where wine grows within metres of the beach.
The vineyards here are identified for their cabernet sauvignon grapes, however take it from us, all the wines grown here are beautiful.
There’s also a myriad of craft breweries, acclaimed restaurants, luxury hotels, spectacular forests and many to maintain the children entertained –
to not point out considered one of Australia’s high celebrations of meals and wine, the Western Australia Gourmet Escape hosted each November.
When to visit:
The best time to go to Perth and Margaret River is between September and November, when the region is blanketed in native wildflowers.
From January to March, the city comes alive with festivals galore, including Perth Festival and Sculpture by the Sea.
KANGAROO ISLAND
Seal Bay Conservation Park, Kangaroo Island, South Australia © Ben Goode
This secluded island off the coast of South Australia is named after the (you guessed it) abundant local kangaroo species. However Kangaroo Island offers extra than just ‘roos’!
The island is a haven for every kind of Australian flora and fauna. Assume koalas, sea lions, echidnas, wallabies and dolphins – just to name a few. You’ll also uncover a rare array of breathtaking landscapes – cosy coves, towering trees and remarkable rock formations.
If you’re done marvelling at nature, you can retire to the charming towns to enjoy a glass of locally produced wine paired with fine produce grown on the island’s farms.
When to visit:
The best time to go to Kangaroo Island is in the summertime months, between December and February, when it’s excellent beach weather.
But, the mild winter months provide vibrant greenery and the right chance to do some whale watching.
KAKADU
World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park offers a front-row seat to the dramatic wilderness of the Northern Destination.
The park is a three-hour drive from the capital city of Darwin and if you arrive, you’ll discover woodlands, floodplains, mangroves, tidal mudflats and even monsoon forest.
Keep overnight and see landscapes ranging from thundering waterfalls to rocky gorges. If you want a spot to feel completely insignificant – in the best possible means – Kakadu awaits.
When to go to:
The best time to visit Kakadu is in the dry season, between May and October, when the temperatures are cooler, whereas August to November is the best time to see crocodiles.
HOBART
Roaring 40s Kayaking, Hobart, Tasmania © Roaring 40s Kayaking
Located on the island state of Tasmania, Hobart is the right Destination to pause, reconnect and take a breath of among the freshest air on the earth.
Visitors can get a taste of the issues that make Australia nice, from fine dining and cultural attractions to stunning pure beauty.
There’s an endless parade of outdoor actions inside attain of the Destination: epic alpine mountaineering, ocean kayaks and World Heritage-listed hikes.
After a breathtaking adventure, reward yourself with the tastes of Tasmania at Hobart’s greatest restaurants or enjoy some locally brewed beverages on the irresistible bar offerings.
When to visit:
The best time to go to Hobart is during the summer months, between December and March, when the local weather is hotter and the climate is more steady.
Guests in winter, however, get the best view of the Aurora Borealis, also known as the Southern Lights.
GOLD COAST Destination
Greenmount Beach, Gold Coast, Queensland © Destination Australia
If the Gold Coast enjoys a sparkling reputation, it is because there are 300 days of sunshine here every year. This golden city unites the issues that make this country nice:
beautiful beaches, a blissful tropical climate, world-class restaurants and bars, and easy access to tangles of rainforest – you can be surfing one minute, then trekking half an hour later.
The ‘Goldie’ is also home to a parade of theme parks and attractions, promising endless days of motion and journey for the whole family.
When to visit:
Although temperatures are great all year round, the best time to go to the Gold Coast is between January and May or August to December, when the weather’s nice and there’s hardly ever rain.
BYRON BAY
Broken Head Beach, Byron Bay, New South Wales © Destination NSW
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There’s a reason why Nicole Kidman, Chris Hemsworth and Simon Baker (along with hundreds of other lucky Aussies) call Byron Bay home – it truly is one of Australia’s most beautiful coastal coves.
Nestled on the coast of northern New South Wales, Byron is tipped by a picturesque hilltop lighthouse (the mainland’s most easterly level).
In the city’s centre, you can get a tarot reading, take a surfing lesson, indulge in paddock-to-plate meals, or just sip an area brew while spotting dolphins and watching whales on their annual migration.
Be sure to check out the official Canada Web site here.
