Top 20 Places to Visit in Australia

What to visit in Australia? What cities to visit and how much time to dedicate to them? What not to miss in Australia and what activities to do? If you do not know where to start and want to plan your trip to this wonderful country, I propose 20 incredible places to visit in Australia!

List of 20 Best Places to visit in Australia 😀

1- Sydney

Located in the state of New South Wales, the country’s iconic city is the gateway for almost everyone visiting Australia for the first time. You can’t miss the Opera House, Harbor Bridge, Darling Harbor; prowl the neighborhoods of Surry Hills, Paddington, and Darlinghurst; Do activities such as whale watching (from May to November) or a day trip to see the beautiful Blue Mountains and if you are more daring, climb the Bay Bridge. If you like beaches and surfing, Bondi Beach, Coogee and Manly are your ideal getaways. I would recommend spending at least 4 days in Sydney to do all of this.

2- Blue Mountains

The Blue Mountains and the Three Sisters. About 50 km from Sydney are the Blue Mountains which due to the eucalyptus of the trees have this characteristic color. The Three Sisters are the sandstone formations that appear and that can be seen from the viewpoint. An easy getaway from Sydney!

3- Melbourne

My favorite city of the three mentioned in this article! If you like the alternative, street art, musical culture, second-hand and vintage shops or street markets, this city is your paradise! I would recommend spending 3 days in Melbourne and climbing the Eureka tower, visiting Brighton beach and its famous changing tables, or escaping to St Kilda beach and Luna Park.

4- Great Ocean Highway

I recommend taking a getaway of at least two days on the Great Ocean Road to see the rock formations of the Twelve Apostles on the coast of Port Campbell National Park and go to Philip Island to see the smallest penguins in the world. An ideal combination as a two-day getaway or day trip (4 hours) from Melbourne.

5- Brisbane

The state capital of Queensland is the third most populous city in the country. In two days you will be able to visit this great country town : stroll through its financial district, botanical gardens, visit the Southbank area full of restaurants and outdoor events with an artificial beach on the banks of the river. From this city you can go to Moreton Island to see the remains of the stranded ships, take a tour to go to the Great Barrier Reef or visit other coastal areas such as Noosa, Byron Bay or Surfers Paradise.

6- Whitsundays Islands

The Whitsundays Islands are located in the state of Queensland in the northeast of the country, about 900 km from Brisbane. The Whitsundays region is made up of 4 groups with 74 islands, among them is the most beautiful beach in the world: Whitehaven Beach. To get there, you can stay at Airlie Beach or Hamilton Island to delight in this natural wonder.

7- Magnetic Island

The waters of this island do not leave anyone indifferent, in addition, it has the highest density of the koala population in the country. Escape with the ferry from Townsville and discover the beaches: Radical Bay, Florence Bay, Arthur Bay or the gigantic Horseshoe Bay. You can go on beach-to-beach excursions and discover the old Fort Complex fortress from World War II. In one day you can do all this, but if you want to relax, spend at least two days.

8- Paluma Mountains NP

A gem that many pass by on their journey along Australia’s northeast coast: Paluma Range National Park. This national park has beautiful natural places like Little Crystal Creek, Big Crystal Creek or Jourama waterfalls. Tour this national park in one day and end your day with a half-hour walk to reach the waterfalls and, as a reward, bathe in its natural pools.

9- Wallaman Falls

In Girringun National Park are the highest waterfalls in Australia with a drop of 268 meters and 20 meters deep. Without a doubt, a mandatory stop on a route along the east coast. The descent to see the base of the waterfalls is a 30 – 40-minute walk (3.2 km) and bathing is allowed.

10- Mission Beach

A place to relax, bathe on its extensive beach (from May to October) or navigate the waters of the Tully River. From this area and throughout the year, go hiking to the rafting more adventurous in Australia with some rapids.

11- PN Wooroonooran

In this beautiful national park, you can choose to bathe in the Josephine waterfalls, classified as one of the most beautiful in North Queensland, or in Babina Boulders, a less touristy place and highly recommended by locals.

12- Great Barrier Reef

If you want to take an excursion to the Great Barrier Reef, I recommend choosing the town of Port Douglas as a starting point. The Wavelength company offers daily excursions to three coral reefs, away from tourist sites and explained to the smallest detail by marine biologists. You only have to get on the boat, put on your gear and dive surrounded by fish, turtles and dreamy colors.

13- Daintree Rainforest

Probably the oldest rainforest on the planet, as it is estimated to be over 100 million years old. Daintree Rainforest has located 100 km from Cairns, a unique place to spend two days and discover its beaches and the magic of the rain forest. Don’t miss the Daintree Discovery Center, a place to learn more about flora and fauna, see causalities and feel like you are in a true Jurassic Park. Do you want more adventure? They take small boat trips to spot crocodiles. You choose!

14- Cape Tribulation

According to David Attenborough: “The most extraordinary place on Earth.” A unique place where two World Heritage Sites meet: the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. So natural that it will seem like you are on another planet.

15- PN Litchfield

The 1,500 m² Litchfield National Park has located 100 km from the city of Darwin and is famous for its Wangi, Tolmer, Florence waterfalls, its 2-meter termite mounds and its reddish unpaved roads. From November to May, the waterfalls show their maximum splendor, as well as the crocodiles, which due to the rising waters make their appearance. Do not worry! It is clearly marked where you can bathe. Spend 3 days in high season to enjoy the bathing areas and 2 days in the low season.

16- PN Kakadu

This national park is famous for its crocodiles and its Jim Jim and Twin waterfalls. Plan your trip to this park to visit it in the dry season, since in the wet season many of its roads are cut off and its main natural attractions cannot be accessed. A must: a cruise on the Yellow Water river, panoramic views from the Nawurlandja viewpoint and the Nourlangie tour to see Aboriginal art.

17- Trephina Gorge Natural Park

If you have your base camp in Alice Springs, you can visit the Emily and Jessie Gaps, the Trephina Gorge and end up in the Arltunga Historical Reserve where the visitor center that tells the story of the protagonists of the 1887 gold rush is located. You can visit this abandoned city at your leisure and discover mines, cemeteries and old buildings in the middle of the desert.

18- PN MacDonnell

This national park is 100 km from Alice Springs. If you decide to take a desert tour to reach Uluru, I recommend you visit the Simpson Gap, make a stop in the small ocher mountains, and take a walking tour of the Ormiston Gorge. In Ormiston Gorge, there are several routes depending on time and ability: from 1.2 km to 16 km and from moderate to difficult.

19- Uluru

You cannot leave the Northern Territory without seeing this wonder of nature declared a World Heritage Site: the Uluru. This 348-meter rock formation has a perimeter of 9.4 km and is mainly composed of arches, quartz, and other rock fragments that with oxidation generate this reddish hue. This beautiful and imposing rock has hidden secrets and legends for 500 million years. Tour the 10.6 km ring or join the hour-long morning talks to learn more about Aboriginal history and the formation of this incredible monolith. Visit it both at sunset and sunrise!

20- Kata-Tjuta

25 km from Uluru are the Kata-Tjuta rock formations, also known as Las Olgas, less famous than Uluru, but no less impressive. This set is made up of 36 gigantic gravel, granite, basalt and sandstone rocks. I recommend you make a circular excursion on foot through the 7.4 km that runs through the interior of Kata-Tjuta and that pass through the Valley of the Winds.

These have been my recommendations in this wonderful country and have subsequently traveled to see other corners. Have you been wanting more? Keep traveling around Australia through these links!