The Best Places to Visit in Australia 

Uluru is the most iconic landmark in the Outback and undoubtedly among the essential places to visit in Australia. This massive monolith holds spiritual significance in Aboriginal culture and is an incredibly mesmerising sight.

Need to know: The area around Uluru boasts some of the best places to go on safari in Australia; here you can spot kangaroos, koalas, crocodiles, dingoes and more.

As you might guess from its name, Kangaroo Island is known for its impressive population of kangaroos, which is far larger than its population of people. But it’s also home to several other fascinating species, as well as intriguing geological sites and outdoor adventures galore.

Need to know: Kangaroo Island features one of our all-time favourite places to stay: Southern Ocean Lodge, a cliff-top haven of luxury with stunning sea views.

Set on Australia’s west coast, Perth is both well off the beaten track and well worth visiting. This charming city is also just a few hours’ drive from Margaret River, which has earned a reputation among big wave surfers and wine connoisseurs alike.

Need to know: If you’re in the mood to explore on foot, you can set out on the Cape to Cape Track – one of our favourite walking trails in Australia.

Melbourne is one of Australia’s largest and liveliest cities, located on the southern edge of the state of Victoria. After checking out its art galleries, museums and cafés, head outside the city to the Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula to discover some of the best vineyards in Australia.

Need to know: The craggy cliffs and rock art of Grampians National Park are about a three-hour drive inland from Melbourne.

Sydney is a must-visit for anyone interested in Australian culture and history. Here you can tour the famous Opera House, scale the Harbour Bridge, soak up the sun on Bondi Beach and explore the city’s thriving culinary and cultural scenes.

Need to know: History buffs should head to the historic neighbourhood of the Rocks, home to museums, vintage pubs and heritage hotels like Pier One and the Langham.

New South Wales may be best known for its capital, Sydney, but it has much more to offer outside the city. This state boasts the Blue Mountains, one of the best national parks in Australia, where you can go hiking, canyoning or ride the world’s steepest passenger railway.

Need to know: New South Wales is also home to Byron Bay – a favourite among surfers and sun-seekers – and the renowned wineries of the Hunter Valley.

Australia includes more than 8,000 islands, but Tasmania is by far the largest. Spend your time here exploring the pristine wilderness of the Freycinet and Tasman National Parks, learning about the endemic Tasmanian devil and getting to know the lovely riverside city of Hobart.

Need to know: Separated from the mainland by the Bass Strait, Tasmania is only about an hour’s flight from Melbourne.

Western Australia is a land of untouched wilderness and sensational scenery. Landscapes here range from the yawning gorges and tumbling waterfalls of the Kimberley region to the aquamarine waters and reefs of the Ningaloo Coast.

Need to know: On the edge of the Chamberlain Gorge you’ll find the delightfully remote El Questro Homestead, one of the best luxury lodges in the world.

No list of Australian vacation destinations would be complete without the Whitsundays: an archipelago of 74 islands surrounded by the Great Barrier Reef. A paradise for scuba diving, snorkelling and water sports, these islands also boast some of the best beaches in Australia.

Need to know: Whitehaven Beach is especially alluring, with its white silica sand that stays miraculously cool even in the harshest sunlight.

Brisbane is a wonderfully welcoming city on Australia’s east coast, with year-round warm weather, riverside restaurants and myriad outdoor activities. To the north is the Sunshine Coast and the Glass House Mountains; to the south is the Gold Coast and its world-famous waves.

Need to know: Wildlife lovers shouldn’t miss the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary: the oldest and largest koala sanctuary on earth.

The Great Barrier Reef is the sort of place that must be seen to be believed. You can snorkel and scuba dive through its unbelievably biodiverse underwater habitats, or see it all from above on a glass-bottom boat.

Need to know: Above the surface you’ll find Lizard Island, one of the best private island resorts in the world, promising the perfect combination of seclusion and proximity to the reef.

South Australia offers a bit of everything: the cliff-backed beaches of the Fleurieu Peninsula, the vineyards of the Barossa Valley and the ancient mountains of the Flinders Ranges, just for a start. The capital, Adelaide, is also considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Need to know: Avid hikers can take on the Arkaba Walk, one of the world’s best hiking trails.

The Top End is among Australia’s most remote areas, all the way at the northern end of the Northern Territory. Here you’ll find a vast variety of terrain, several national parks and many millennia of Aboriginal history. It’s also one of our top destinations for seafood lovers.

Need to know: You can reach the state capital, Darwin, on a luxury rail journey through Australia.