Australia is home to a whopping 20 World Heritage-listed sites. From cultural treasures to natural gems, here are the ones to add to your bucket list.

Uluru-Kata Tjuta

National Park

Awash in hues of red and orange, Uluru and Kata Tjuta epitomise the beauty of Australia's deserts. Rising over 30 metres from the otherwise flat landscape, these rock formations carry the cultural stories of the Anangu peoples.

Sydney Opera House

Considered a masterpiece of 20th-century architecture, the Sydney Opera House is a beacon that beckons you to explore the sparkling harbour. Not only is the exterior simply magnificent, but inside are stages and theatres for epic shows.

Purnululu National Park

On the World Heritage list for its outstanding universal value, Purnululu National Park is home to the Bungle Bungle Range. These beehive-like domes are the result of 20 million years of interacting geological, biological, erosional and climatic phenomena. Just incredible.

Lord Howe Island

Created by volcanic activity more than 2,000 metres under the sea, Lord Howe Island is an important habitat for endemic species - and it's no so bad to look at, either. The world's largest stick insect was feared extinct before its rediscovery on Balls Pyramid.

Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the world's wonders – so it's no wonder it has a spot on the World Heritage list! Over 2,500 individual reefs, the largest collection of coral anywhere on Earth and 1,500 species of fish – now that's what we call 'great.'

Convict sites

Australia has a fascinating convict history, and the World Heritage-listed sites are some of the best surviving examples of large-scale convict transportation. Visit Port Arthur in Tasmania to walk through penitentiaries and churches, learning the stories of those who lived and worked there.

Shark Bay

Shark Bay in Western Australia boasts a healthy dugong population, but there's another reason this site has secured a World Heritage badge. Gardens of stromatolites – dome-shaped deposits of hardened algae – are some of the oldest life forms on the planet. Talk about history.