Relax with Australia’s natural shades of blue
Australia is teeming with shades of blue. Find your inner calm at some of Australia’s beautiful blue gems.
The bright hues of the Coral Sea contrasted with Broome’s red rocks is nothing short of extraordinary. This stretch of coast in Western Australia is home to wide, empty beaches, making it perfect for a beach-hopping road trip. Begin in Broome, a colourful town with a fascinating blend of coast and outback, then set off to discover dinosaur footprints, aquatic wildlife and, of course, the area’s striking colour scheme.
Over in Queensland, you'll find Hervey Bay about three hours north of Brisbane by car (though you can fly direct, too). Here sits a coastal city known for its deep blue waters and the many humpback whales that frequent the bay each year from July to mid-October. The intimate visits from these majestic creatures are so unique that the Hervey Bay area is unofficially known as the “whale-watching capital of the world.”
A soothing swim in a blue thermal pool? Sign us up. Take a five-hour drive from Darwin (or a one-hour drive from Katherine) and land in the Northern Territory's Elsey National Park. Here, you’ll find the beautiful Bitter Springs thermal pool, canopied by green palms. Before your tranquil soak, explore one of the many bushwalks nearby. The area can be closed off during the rainy season due to flooding, so check before your visit.
You may not expect mountains to be blue, but that’s just what you’ll see with a trip to the Blue Mountains, which is just an easy drive from Sydney. The vegetation here is all shades of green, but the many eucalyptus trees release oil droplets into the air, which when hit by the sun, appear blue in colour. A trip here is full of surprises – epic hikes, cute mountain towns, luxury accommodation and thrilling adrenaline experiences are all at your fingertips.
Just 15 minutes from Mount Gambier or a one-hour flight from Adelaide is the Little Blue Lake. This natural sinkhole, filled with calm, cool water, is surrounded by 8m (26ft) high cliff faces and sits in the middle of a green paddock. Stairs and a floating pontoon have been built to help visitors access the sinkhole, which reaches as deep as 47m (154ft). Only highly experienced divers are permitted access to cave diving here.
The bright blue of the ocean, the blue-grey of the whale shark and the kaleidoscope of colourful coral all come together in the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Marine Park in Western Australia. The coral reef is teeming with fish, but that’s not the only wildlife to be found. Take a guided snorkelling experience to witness whale sharks, humpback whales, manta rays, turtles, dolphins and dugongs in the wild. It's simply breathtaking.
If it's shades of blue you're after, the Great Barrier Reef is filled with them. The World Heritage-listed site boasts azure-blue waters and a seemingly never-ending stretch of blue skies, too. Make a trip to the white-sand beaches of the Whitsundays, which sit in the heart of the reef. The snorkelling here is magical, with coral, turtles, rays and more creating a beautiful underwater world.
In Sydney and beyond, rock pools dot the coastline. These impressive swim spots have held a special place in the state’s identity since the late 19th century, with close to 100 pools open to the public. Hop in with the locals to swim among foaming waves that wash over the sides of the pool. From the Bogey Hole in Newcastle to the Bronte Baths in Sydney, these striking blue swim spots offer a unique way to enjoy the dramatic landscape.
Nature lover at heart? Then it’s time to book a trip to Freycinet National Park. The aquamarine waters of Wineglass Bay might be the region’s crowning jewel, but you’ll also discover pink granite mountains, luxury lodges and delicious fresh oysters. Freycinet and the picturesque Wineglass Bay are a 2.5-hour drive from Hobart, and the area can be explored on a hike or on a leisurely cruise – often with dolphins following playfully. You'll be treated to spectacular scenes either way.
