Australia is a huge, enchanting place that is popular with tourists of all ages and has something to offer for everyone. Most backpackers I have met here just do the East Coast from Sydney to Cairns, maybe with a day or two down in Melbourne. However, this route misses so many amazing, diverse and bucket list experiences that this great southern land has to offer.
So here are my top places and experiences in Australia (note: I have broken them down by state to help with your planning).
New South Wales (NSW)
1) Sydney Harbour
The Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Luna Park and Botanic Gardens…there are so many iconic beautiful sites to see. If you are feeling fancy, you can grab yourself a cocktail at Opera Bar and enjoy a drink with a view. For those feeling adventurous you can kayak through the harbour or even climb to the top of the bridge.
2) Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk
This is HANDS DOWN my favourite (and best in my opinion) thing to do in Sydney. I have had a few of my international friends visit me and it’s the first thing I take them to when they arrive 🙂 The views along the cliffs are marvellous and you pass by some of our best beaches and outdoor saltwater pools along the way…oh and you get a great workout seeing as the walk is around 6 km.
3) Blue Mountains
Dramatic scenery, waterfalls, gardens, hiking trails, rainforest, eucalyptus trees, cafes and galleries. There are so many reasons to visit the Blue Mountains. Located around 1-2 hours from Central Sydney, you could manage this as a day trip, however to get the full experience I recommend spending a night or two around Katoomba or Leura, and exploring from there. Having grown up at the base of these mountains I have spent many weekends walking through the rugged terrain to lookouts with scenic vistas, and certainly have a love for the Aussie bush. I’m sure you will too!
4) Newcastle and the Hunter Valley
Newcastle is a laid back and charming city located just over 2 hours drive north of Sydney. Here you can find stunning beaches and a groovy art scene bundled with industrial heritage. It offers a similar outdoor, water based lifestyle that Sydney does, with far less crowds. If you are a Yoga enthusiast- they have the most amazing studio- book a class at the Yoga Loft to loosen up those tired muscles from travelling.
If you take a one hour drive inland (west) then you will be in top wine country where you can do tastings and sample gourmet food at the wide range of vineyards. If your budget allows make a weekend of it and get a spa treatment at one of the luxe hotels or resorts out here.
5) Byron Bay
Known for its bohemian alternative vibe, surf beaches and plant based food Byron Bay is a great stop on your Australian adventure. Despite being high on the backpacker trail and full of tourists, you’re bound to have a good time. I highly recommend catching a few waves in a surf lesson with Soul Surf School (I have been to a few surf schools and they are the BEST) and if you love feminine boutique shops look no further than Spell and the Gypsy Also be sure to check out Cheeky Monkeys any night of the week for a good time…they even let you dance on the tables.
6) Koala Hospital Port Macquarie
This is a not-for-profit rehabilitation centre for our favourite sleepy furry friends where you can get up close to the adorable little Koalas.
7) Kosciuszko National Park
In Winter (June to September) you can ski and snowboard to your hearts content and in summer (December to April) you can make the most of the hiking trails; and climb to the highest point in Australia (Mount Kosciuszko).
NOTE: Anywhere along our coastline of New South Wales is stunning and you don’t have to look hard for a great beach. There are plenty of small beach towns if you don’t want a tourist crowd or a city feel. Just hop in the car, grab a map and stop whenever you feel inspired and see what you come across. I always find you discover the best places by using a ‘YOLO’ approach.
Victoria (VIC)
8) Melbourne
Despite the strong rivalry between Melbourne and Sydney (and yes, I will always be a Sydney girl through and through) Melbourne is a great place to visit on your Australian itinerary. It is our most European city and you can easily entertain yourself with the thriving coffee, foodie, art and sport scene. Ride a tram, take a stroll through the alleyways, get up close to some funky street art, blow your budget with ALL the shopping and, of course, eat ALL the food! If you are looking for a great place to eat, then head to the hipster part of town (Brunswick Street) or Lygon street if you like Italian and international cuisines.
If you are looking to check out one of Melbourne’s beaches you can catch the tram down to St Kilda or even head to Brighton to get a picture with the colourful bathing boxes which look similar to Muizenberg Beach in Cape Town, South Africa.
9) Great Ocean Road
One of our best and most scenic coastal road trips with stunning cliffs and rock formations. You can self drive (I recommend 2-3 days) or take an organised short tour from Melbourne.
10) Phillip Island
A great addition to your itinerary if you love seeing penguins on the beach (eek!) and Motor Racing. Phillip Island (like most of Australia) also contains some great beaches.
Queensland (QLD)
11) Gold Coast
Soak up the beaches where they meet the skyscrapers of Surfers Paradise. Take a walk along Burleigh heads, or head to one of the thrilling theme parks.
*note: Majority of theme parks operate under one umbrella company and you can purchase multi park packages. Dreamworld is seperate and for the more adventurous.
12) Great Barrier Reef
Experience world class scuba diving and snorkelling and soak up the sun on pristine white sand; right next to some of the most beautiful water I have ever seen. The GBR has several access points, with the two major ones being Airlie Beach and Cairns. Both have an airport and are also accessible by car and Greyhound Bus.
If you are looking for a little romance or luxury try Hayman or Hamilton Island.
13) Whitsunday Islands and Whitehaven Beach
If you are making a trip to the Great Barrier Reef, then this is an absolute MUST. Picture pure white powder sand, swirls of bright blue and teal water and no crowds and you have Whitehaven Beach. For the best view do the hike up to ‘Hill Inlet’. Whitehaven Beach is located on Whitsunday Island and can be accessed on a day tour with Cruise Whitsundays from Airlie Beach or Hamilton Island.
14) Fraser Island
Listed as a World Heritage site, Fraser Island is the world’s largest sand island. It covers 166,000 hectares and the lakes, creeks and surrounding ocean provides some of the most sapphire blues and emerald greens I have ever seen when swimming. You might even be lucky enough to see a dingo (a ginger coloured wild dog found in Australia).
To visit you have a couple of options. You can take your own 4×4 over on the ferry and camp at designated spots on the island or take a small group guided tour. Cool Dingo offers a good range of these.
15) Daintree Rainforest
The oldest tropical rainforest on earth, the Daintree is stunning, lush, a bird lovers haven and is home to an incredible array of plants and wildlife. It just proves that Australia is more than just beaches. Just a small reminder…this lies within the Crocodile infested region of Australia, so DO NOT go for a swim in any bodies of water (unless signposted/marked otherwise).
South Australia (SA)
16) Kangaroo Island
Boasting pristine beaches, native wildlife and some of the most incredible sunsets Kangaroo Island NEEDS to be on your list. It is a tad expensive, but if your budget can allow for it, you definitely won’t regret it.
17) Barossa Valley wineries
The Barossa Valley a a world class wine region that lies north east of the coastal city of Adelaide. There is a wide range of cellar door tastings and tours available and the quaint stone cottages in the area show strong connections to the significant number of German settlers this region saw in the 19th century. Along the way make a stop in the German style town of Hahndorf and pay a visit to the fudge shop…you can thank me later, you’re welcome! 🙂
I have only been out here for half a day and I definitely will be back. There is just something magical about the golden glow of the sun over the vineyards, and with a top notch wine in your hand, you can’t complain.
18) Eyre Peninsula
Filled with natural beauty and activities for adrenaline lovers, here you can taste incredible seafood, swim with dolphins and sea lions and cage dive with Great White Sharks.
19) Drive across the Nullabor Plain
This applies to WA as well, because it crosses both states. Nullabor in latin means ‘no trees’ and this is where you can drive on Australia’s longest straight road. The journey runs from the Eyre Peninsula in SA to Norseman in WA. You can do the drive in either direction. Closest major cities would be Adelaide (SA) and Perth (WA). Along the way you will encounter plenty of wildlife, amazing cliffs, quaint roadhouses, white sand dunes and the world’s longest golf course (1365 kilometres/848 miles long with a hole at each town or roadhouse along the way).
Keep in mind that this journey is not for the faint of heart and requires thorough planning and preparation. You will need to carry extra fuel and water and plan several days to complete it.
Western Australia (WA)
20) Rottnest Island
Get up close to a quokka and enjoy some of the bluest water Australia had to offer. Check out their website for visitor information and options to get there (air, boat or ferry). Ferry is definitely the cheapest and easiest option. I took the Fast Ferry from Hillarys boat harbour (which is a 25 minute drive north of the city but this ferry was quicker than going from Perth City) as I tend to get sea sick and wanted to limit my time on the water.
21) Take a road trip along the South West coastline
From Perth to Esperance. Stop at Margaret River (beautiful wine region) on the way. You can also get up a bit closer to the gorgeous Kangaroos ON THE BEACH in Esperance, Lucky Bay to be specific 🙂 ! Just remember to leave them be as best as you can unless they come up to you.
22) Road trip UP the West coast
Head north from Perth to Broome. Noteworthy stops are Shark Bay, Exmouth, Coral Bay and Karanjini National Park.
23) Take an overland journey through the Kimberlys.
One of Australia’s greatest hidden gems, this ancient outback region is full of gorges, natural pools, waterfalls and pioneer towns that few have been privileged to see. The Kimberlys is regarded as one of the most sparsely populated places on earth and makes for an adventurous road trip. Get yourself a 4X4 and go off the grid for a bit, you can thank me later! 🙂
Northern Territory (NT)
24) Kangaroo Sanctuary
If you want to cuddle little baby kangaroos (joeys) that have been rescued then this is your chance! The sanctuary provides a non-commercial, intimate and ethical encounter with animals that serve as our national mascot or icon around the world. The sanctuary is located in Alice Springs.
Check our their website 🙂
25) Uluru
Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, is a major drawcard for both international and domestic visitors. This massive monolith will not fail to impress you and it even changes colours depending on the sunlight and time of day (make sure you catch a sunrise and a sunset while you’re here). It is a great place to learn about Indigenous culture and really get to know the heart of ancient Australia. Be sure to allow at least 3-4 days as there are lots of walks and cultural activities on offer. Check out what’s on and where to stay HERE.
26) Kata Tjuta: Valley of The Winds Hike
As controversial as this sounds, I thought Kata Tjuta was even more impressive than Uluru. They are both fantastic but this is a must. Colloquially known as ‘The Olgas’, they are a series of large domed rock formations right in the middle of the desert. You can walk straight through them on the Valley of the Winds hike and it was my favourite hike I have done in Australia so far!
27) Kakadu or Litchfield
Kakadu and Litchfield are large National Parks that are within a few hours drive of Darwin in Australia’s ‘Top End’. Outdoor lovers will be in their element with plenty of hiking trails and opportunities to chase waterfalls. There are some natural swimming holes, just be weary of crocodile safety. Pay attention to any signage near water and ask a local or park ranger of you are unsure.
28) Get up close to a crocodile.
As scary as they are, they are quite a sight when they are in their natural environment. There are not too many places in the world where you can find these ancient creatures and it is definitely something I would class as an ‘authentic Australian experience’. Head to Adelaide River and take a boat tour to see one in the wild.
Tasmania (TAS)
29) Cradle Mountain
If you are an avid hiker and looking to get in touch with a part of Australia’s beauty that many people overlook, then Cradle Mountain National Park is a winner. Here you will find ancient pine trees meet with lakes, fresh streams, grasslands, rainforest and a diverse array of natural wildlife and vegetation.
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
30) Australian War Memorial
Housing some amazing displays of war related memorabilia and an incredible view back towards Parliament House, the Australian War Memorial is the TOP thing to see in Canberra. BTW- Canberra is our capital Sydney ( a LOT of people think it is either Sydney or Melbourne). The displays are divided into different wars or eras and you can see lots of personal artefacts, as well as copies of journal entries and letters. It shows a personal element to war that you cannot often get and the volunteers who run the free guided tours are exceptionally knowledgable. I would allow a whole day for this, but perhaps only a half day if you are travelling with children. Entry to the memorial is free.
If you took anything away from this post, I hope it was that Australia is more than just the East Coast beaches. If you want to truly get in touch with our culture (especially Indigenous) and see how crazy different and VAST our landscapes are then you definitely need to go further afield.
I hope you get to spend some time roadtripping this beautiful southern land (not that I’m biased at all 😉 as it truly is breathtaking and a little piece of it will always be in your heart.
Have you ever been to Australia? Where was your favourite place? If not, it’s time to get planning!
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