Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast, Queensland © Tourism Australia
10 Australian destinations you simply can't miss
As a first-time visitor to Australia, you'll be tempted to see it all – from our iconic cities to the outback wilderness. If you need to refine your agenda, here’s our list of the 10 most iconic places in Australia.
By Natasha Dragun
Australia is a vast country with no shortage of incredible destinations and experiences. Our eight states and territories stretch across an entire continent, so exploring them all in one trip isn’t always possible. Find out what destinations should be high on your bucket list with our list of iconic places you simply can’t miss.
Cairns and Great Barrier Reef Region
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 looking back at you from the colourful coral.
When to visit:
The best time to visit the Great Barrier Reef is between June and October, when the weather is just right. Though December to February brings the miracle of turtle hatching season.
Read our Cairns travel guide
Sydney
Sydney Opera House, Sydney, New South Wales © Cultural Attractions of Australia
Australia’s largest city is one of the world’s prettiest. Much of its allure revolves around the harbour, a dramatic expanse that creates a sanctuary for some of the country’s best beaches. This is the Sydney you see on postcards, with the immense Harbour Bridge and shell-like fans of the Opera House 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 best time to visit Sydney is between October and May when it’s almost always sunny and the beaches are irresistible. The can’t-miss whale season, however, runs from June to September and sees up to 20,000 ocean giants migrating along the coast.
Read our Sydney travel guide
Uluru
Uluru, Red Centre, Northern Territory © Tourism Australia
This huge red monolith is a World Heritage site, and 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 can cycle, walk, ride a camel or take a helicopter around the nearly 10-kilometre (6.2-mile) circumference, then dine under the stars on a sand dune – your meal featuring native ingredients and your view lit by an incredible glowing art installation: Bruce Munro’s Field of Light.
When to visit:
The best time to visit Uluru is from June to August, when the desert is cooler and temperatures are milder. While the region is hot in summer, the mild nights and open-air dining make it all worth it.
Read our Uluru travel guide
Melbourne
Hosier Lane, Melbourne, Victoria © Visit Victoria
This southern metropolis captures everything Aussies love most in this world – leisure, sport, art, music and coffee (just to name a few). In Melbourne, you can find eye-popping street art and a plethora of en vogue restaurants and bars. From hidden speakeasies to rooftop bars where you can sip a cocktail and watch the sunset, Melbourne is a trailblazer in the food and wine stakes. Once you've 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 visit Melbourne is between November and March, when the sun is shining and the events calendar is jam-packed with things to see and do. The Australian Open tennis tournament, held in January, kicks off the international Grand Slam calendar.
Read our Melbourne travel guide
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 those involving food and wine. It’s a three-hour drive from Perth to the Margaret River region, one of the few places in the world where wine grows within metres of the beach. The vineyards here are known for their cabernet sauvignon grapes, but take it from us, all the wines grown here are exquisite. There’s also a myriad of craft breweries, acclaimed restaurants, luxury hotels, spectacular forests and plenty to keep the kids entertained.
When to visit:
The best time to visit 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.
Read our Perth travel guide
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. But Kangaroo Island offers more than just ‘roos’! The island is a haven for all kinds of Australian flora and fauna. Think koalas, sea lions, echidnas, wallabies and dolphins – just to name a few. You’ll also discover an extraordinary array of breathtaking landscapes – cosy coves, towering trees and remarkable rock formations. When 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 visit Kangaroo Island is in the summer months, between December and February, when it’s perfect beach weather. Yet, the mild winter months offer vibrant greenery and the perfect chance to do some whale watching.
Read our Kangaroo Island travel guide
Kakadu
Twin Falls, Kakadu, Northern Territory © Tourism NT/Jewels Lynch
World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park offers a front-row seat to the dramatic wilderness of the Northern Territory. The park is a three-hour drive from the capital city of Darwin and when you arrive, you’ll find woodlands, floodplains, mangroves, tidal mudflats and even monsoon forest. Stay overnight and see landscapes ranging from thundering waterfalls to rocky gorges. If you want a place to feel completely insignificant – in the best possible way – Kakadu awaits.
When to visit:
The best time to visit Kakadu is in the dry season, between May and October, when the temperatures are cooler, while August to November is the best time to see crocodiles.
Read our Kakadu National Park travel guide
Hobart
Roaring 40s Kayaking, Hobart, Tasmania © Roaring 40s Kayaking
Located on the island state of Tasmania, Hobart is the perfect place to pause, reconnect and take a breath of some of the freshest air in the world. Visitors can get a taste of the things that make Australia great, from fine dining and cultural attractions to stunning natural beauty. There's an endless parade of outdoor activities within reach of the city: epic alpine mountaineering, ocean kayaks and World Heritage-listed hikes. After a breathtaking adventure, reward yourself with the tastes of Tasmania at Hobart’s best restaurants or enjoy some locally brewed beverages at the irresistible bar offerings.
When to visit:
The best time to visit Hobart is during the summer months, between December and March, when the climate is warmer and the weather is more stable. Visitors in winter, however, get the best view of the Aurora Borealis, also known as the Southern Lights.
Read our Hobart travel guide
Gold Coast
Greenmount Beach, Gold Coast, Queensland © Tourism Australia
If the Gold Coast enjoys a sparkling reputation, it's because there are 300 days of sunshine here every year. This golden city unites the things that make this country great: 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 action and adventure for the whole family.
When to visit:
Though temperatures are great all year round, the best time to visit the Gold Coast is between January and May or August to December, when the weather’s pleasant and there’s hardly ever rain.
Read our Gold Coast travel guide
Byron Bay
Broken Head Beach, Byron Bay, New South Wales © Destination NSW
There’s a reason why Nicole Kidman, Chris Hemsworth and Simon Baker (along with thousands of other lucky Aussies) call Byron Bay home – it really 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 point). In the town’s centre, you can get a tarot reading, take a surfing lesson, indulge in paddock-to-plate meals, or simply sip a local brew while spotting dolphins and watching whales on their annual migration.
When to visit:
The best time to visit Byron Bay is between November and February, when it’s all sun, fun and blue skies. While the best time for whale watching in Byron is from May to September.
Read our Byron Bay travel guide
