10 Best Places To Visit In Australia

^{Credit: Cooberrie Park Wildlife Sanctuary} 

What do you say about a destination as blessed with natural beauty as this?  From ancient limestone caves to secluded island beaches, this stretch of Queensland’s Southern Great Barrier Reef has something for every type of holidaymaker.

From the laid back to the ultra curious, everyone can appreciate a full or half day catamaran cruise on Keppel Bay with Sail Capricornia, or being surrounded by Australian wildlife at Cooberrie Park Wildlife Sanctuary!

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One look at those famous boab trees and you’ll be hypnotised. 

The East Kimberley Ranges are one of the most jaw-dropping natural beauties you’ll ever lay eyes on. If you’re searching for an experience - not just a holiday - this region is for you. Not only will it get you outward bound, it will also connect you to the true meaning of Australia.

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Zebra stone, which is a distinctive red rock found only in this sliver of the country, dates to nearly 600 million years old! 

After you shop it in jewellery form from Kimberley Ornamental Stonecraft, why not dive into another adventure on the stunning Lake Argyle? Here you can meet freshwater crocs, throw in a line, or why not take a scenic flight over Bungle Bungle Range – an otherworldly landscape that must be seen to be believed.

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When you’re done checking out the street art and buying fresh produce at the city’s Central Markets, escape to the hills!

Hahndorf is Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement, where you can meet actual fairies, try artisanal bratwurst, and pick the freshest strawberries. What else? Some of the best wine regions in the world, of course!

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The Mediterranean climate of both the nearby McLaren Vale and Barossa Valley make South Australian wine impossible to pass up, while the cooler temps of the Adelaide Hills offer refreshing varietals that are ideal companions to a hot summer’s day!

Isn’t it time you saw this World Heritage Listed destination?

Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park in north-western Tasmania is out of this world. Highlighted by the dramatic escarpments of Cradle Mountain, it is also home to the Overland Track, one of the southern hemisphere’s best alpine walks.

Easily the background to a children’s storybook, snow-capped mountains, fields of wildflowers and adorable wildlife are abundant.

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Why not delve deeper at Devils@Cradle, a sanctuary for the world-famous Tasmanian Devil.

Offering guests the opportunity to meet the devils themselves, wander through dense Tasmanian rainforest, roast marshmallows around a campfire, and take the chance to try delicious local food and wine. 

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New South Wales south coast is a secret paradise.

Otherwise known as the Sapphire Coast, it’s halfway between the major capitals of Melbourne and Sydney. Once considered a prime location for Australia’s capital city, our government may well have been formed overlooking dramatic cliffs and killer whales who breach by its shores!

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Most of the Sapphire Coast is filled with rugged national parks and hinterland forests, so be sure to bring your hiking boots and a decent rucksack!  Plus, when you’re this close to water, you know the seafood is going to be top-shelf.

As a stop on the Oyster Trail, Wheelers Restaurant in nearby Pambula offers tours of their oyster farm and a café where you can completely indulge your love of the pearl!

Discovery - Rottnest Island has put ‘Rotto’ back on the map as a tourist destination. Featuring 83 fully furnished eco-tents, a stylish resort pool, swim-up bar and direct beach access, glamping on Rottnest is now in high demand! 

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Once you’re there don’t lay about though, as there’s plenty to explore on this stunning natural playground. Snorkelling is always an essential activity with limestone reefs and coral lagoons in every direction!

At Little Salmon Bay and Mary Cove, schools of tropical fish will brush your fins. After that, hire a bike and ride past glittering lakes and coastal headlands on the beautiful Wadjemup Bidi trail!

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In the heart of one of Australia’s great summer playgrounds, Geelong is the gateway to some of our very best surf spots - think Bells Beach, Torquay, and Lorne and you know we’re talking about the Great Ocean Road.

That jewel in the crown aside, Victoria’s second-largest city is also home to several unique experiences. The Bellarine Railway is one of them, where you can journey on the Blues Train and be wined, dined and entertained by four fantastic blues acts in four different carriages of the train! 

^{Credit: Visit Melbourne - The Great Ocean Road}

^{Credit: Kakadu National Park - Yellow Water Cruises} 

Yes, Darwin in the dry season is absolutely beautiful, but the wet season is a gem, too! 

This is when waterfalls are in full flow and the national parks turn fluorescent green. You might even see a Leichhardt grasshopper, a vibrant orange species that only emerges when the storm arrive in Kakadu National Park.

Rain or shine, the WWII tunnels and local markets need to be explored, and cooling off at Berry Springs, catching a flick at Deckchair Cinema, or checking out those chompers at Crocosaurus Cove are all must-do’s.

^{Credit: Burrungkuy (Nourlangie), Kakadu, Northern Territory © Tourism NT/Salty Wings}

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If you’re looking for the best of the NSW north coast without the crowds of Byron Bay, then Ballina is your perfect match. And what’s a trip to the coast without some time spent on the water? 

Ballina Beach is perfect for a surf lesson for you and the kids, or why not take the stand up paddle board out on Lake Ainsworth? Alternatively, head inland to the last remaining section of hinterland rainforest and dip your toes into Killen Falls. 

Whatever you do in Ballina, be sure to walk the grounds of Thursday Plantation. This tea tree plantation is one of the most iconic attractions of the region. Soak up the rainforest walk, tea tree maze, zen garden, and on-site shop (just don’t forget your mozzie repellent).

With direct flights from most Australian capitals, you have to book a long weekend in Hobart. This historic town has transformed into a bucket list location for lovers of quality whisky, delicious wine, edgy art and world-class produce.

Get your fill of fresh-baked croissants and local jams at the Salamanca Market, then take the ferry ride over to the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA). You don’t need to be an art historian to appreciate this quirky museum - just bring an open mind. If you’re after a cold one when the day is done, Shambles, Hobart Brewing Co and Cascade are just a few of the breweries that are worth a peep!