The task of choosing the best places to visit in Australia is no easy task.
From culturally diverse cities with rich Aboriginal histories dating back tens of thousands of years, to the Great Barrier Reef and the pristine outback landscapes in between, there are plenty of incredible locations that could make it onto your shortlist.
Unless you’ve got months, or even years, the country’s sheer scale and sheer variety of experiences means you won’t be able to do it all in one trip, so we’ve handpicked just eight of the best places to visit in Australia to help you create your own shortlist – and maybe even give you a reason to return again and again.
Uluru in the Red Centre is an Australian icon © Ryan Jones
1. Red Centre, Northern Territory
Australia’s most iconic outback experiences
There are few experiences more breathtaking than a trip to Australia’s red heart, the Northern Territory. Here you can watch the sunset over Uluru, perhaps the world’s most famous monolith and a site of spiritual significance to the Anangu people, or be amazed by the sheer size of the 36 red domes of nearby Kata Tjuta, located in the same national park. The natural beauty of the desert is further enhanced by immersive art installations such as Uluru’s new Wintjiri Wiru experience (which uses more than 1,100 drones to tell some of the sacred stories of the Anangu people), Bruce Munro’s Field of Light and the Light Towers at Kings Canyon.
There are plenty of adventure activities available, such as scenic flights and camel rides, but don’t miss the opportunity to discover the world’s oldest continuously living culture. Near Uluru and Watarrka National Parks, there are walking tours and art lessons led by Aboriginal guides.
Planning tip: Accommodation in the Red Centre, including campsites, is limited during the peak tourist season from June to September, so make sure to book tours and accommodation early.
2. Northern Rivers Region, New South Wales
Great for exploring the backstreets
A favourite destination for celebrities and backpackers, bohemian Byron Bay is probably northern New South Wales’ best-known destination. But Byron Bay is only a small part of the Northern Rivers region. Head inland and you’ll find quaint villages and laid-back towns that are just as worth exploring. Swim at Killen Falls, stroll through the charming community of New River and sample wares from the surrounding macadamia plantations and farm stalls.
One experience not to be missed is the Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail, which opens in 2023. The 24 km (15 miles) abandoned railway line connects the historic villages of the region and is perfect for exploring by bike.
Planning tip: Visit the Mullumbimby Farmers Market on a Friday morning. Held on show grounds, the market allows you to support small-scale farmers and meet local people.
Enjoy Sydney’s beautiful harbour and other outdoor activities © Julia Gomina / Getty Images
3. Sydney, New South Wales
Australia’s best cities for outdoor activities
Sydney is rightly considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world, combining the natural splendor of its urban beaches with amazing urban architecture such as the Opera House. Sydney’s beauty is thanks to its huge natural harbour, which is mixed with skyscrapers, national parks and multi-million dollar mansions.
During the summer, you can cool off at the eastern beaches (including the ever-popular Bondi) or at one of the 20 protected swimming spots across the harbour. Try Malinawi Cove, a new terraced sandstone swimming spot that has been a huge hit with nearby office workers on their lunch breaks since it opened in Barangaroo in 2023.
In winter, don’t miss the illuminated harbour at the Vivid Festival, which transforms the foreshore into a canvas for light installations and projections. With cooler daytime temperatures, this is also the perfect time to tackle the Sydney Loop Walk, a 16-mile (26-km) walk along the harbour coastline.
Planning tip: Don’t miss the ferry trip from Circular Quay to Manly – it’s a very affordable way to explore the harbour, visiting Parliament House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Opera House and more.
4. K’gari, Queensland
Perfect for off-grid adventures
K’gari, the world’s largest sand island, which is scheduled to revert to its traditional name in 2023, is seeing a surge in tourists wanting to connect with Indigenous Butchulla culture. Formerly known as Fraser Island, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is rich in history and culture, but it’s also home to one of Australia’s best 4WD adventures.
With natural attractions galore, you can swim in the crystal-clear waters of Boorangoollah/Lake McKenzie, watch dingoes frolic on the beach, or relax in the natural saltwater of Champagne Pool. Camp, stay at one of the island’s resorts, or hike the K’gari Great Walk, which covers almost the entire length of the island, 90 km (56 miles). Whatever option you choose, you’ll soon see why “K’gari” translates to “paradise.”
Planning tip: Access to some of K’gari’s most popular spots is tide-dependent, so always carry a list of tide times with you. The island’s sand is deep and soft, so if you’re not comfortable driving a 4WD, it’s best to book a tour with a local operator.
To experience the best of Melbourne, enjoy its nightlife © Scott E Barbour / Getty Images
5. Melbourne
Best Australian cities for nightlife
Melbourne is a 24-hour city, and when the night comes, the party gets going. Enjoy drinks and snacks at Laneway Bar, and don’t miss a live show. St Kilda’s iconic music venue, Espy, has three stages for live performances, while in Collingwood, Tote is so popular that locals crowdfund it to stay open.
Melbourne is also known for its comedy clubs: check out Spleen Bar, Basement Comedy Club or time your visit to coincide with the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, held each autumn (March-April).
After the show, grab a drink at one of Melbourne’s famous late-night bars like Nick & Nora’s or Cherry Bar. If you get hungry, fill up at Stalactites.
Planning tip: Melbourne has a Night Network of trains, trams and buses that run on Friday and Saturday nights, allowing you to travel safely from bar to bar and easily get home.
6. Margaret River, Western Australia
Great for wineries and adventure
From New South Wales to South Australia, Australia is brimming with wine regions. What sets Margaret River in Western Australia apart is its incredible natural attractions, in addition to its food and wine. This part of Australia, just south of Perth, is considered one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, with a high density of endemic species, including numbats (marsupials that behave similarly to meerkats), western ringtail possums and around 8,000 species of vascular plants, 80% of which are found nowhere else on Earth.
Wine is equally renowned, with around 95 wineries producing award-winning Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Semillon and Chardonnay. When you want to work off all that eating and drinking, you can paddle the legendary southwest swells at the state’s best surfing beaches, dive deep underground on a tour of the region’s limestone caves, or walk part of the 123-kilometre (76-mile) Cape to Cape Track along the coast.
Planning tip: Learn more about the Wadandi (Saltwater) people, the traditional owners of the land, with Koomal Dreaming, which offers guided walks and dining experiences.
Kangaroo Island is a wildlife haven and Lonely Planet has named it one of the best places to visit in 2024 © Uwe Bergwitz / Shutterstock
7. Kangaroo Island
The best places for Australian wildlife safaris
Just across from Adelaide lies Kangaroo Island (KI), a haven for wildlife including the kangaroos that give the island its name, as well as wallabies, koalas, echidnas and platypuses. In Penneshaw, you can watch the island’s tiny penguins waddle to their burrows and see (and smell) the world’s third-largest colony of sea lions nestled among the limestone cliffs of Seal Bay Reserve. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the endangered glossy black red-tailed parrot or the Kangaroo Island dunart, a tiny, very timid marsupial endemic to the island.
KI is more than a wildlife haven; it’s also home to countless local producers, including distilleries, wineries and beekeepers who produce honey made from the only purebred Ligurian bee colonies left in the world. Needless to say, there’s a reason we chose it as one of the best places to visit in 2024.
Planning tip: Many of Kangaroo Island’s native species, including kangaroos, are active at night, so it’s best to avoid driving at this time.
8. Tasmania
Perfect for stimulating all the senses
Home to a vibrant festival scene, world-class art galleries and untouched wilderness for nature lovers, Tasmania is one of Australia’s most diverse destinations, with something to stimulate all the senses.
Here, you can sip whisky at Lark Distillery, Australia’s first carbon-neutral distillery on Hobart’s waterfront, eat freshly shucked oysters on Bruny Island, and dine at restaurants such as Stillwater in Launceston, a UNESCO City of Gastronomy (one of around 50 cities in the world to achieve this accolade).
See weird and wonderful artworks at the controversial Mona (Museum of Old and New Art), hear international music at the popular Dark Mofo and Mona Foma winter and summer festivals, feel the ground beneath your feet as you explore the state’s hiking trails and breathe in the fresh sea air on a boat tour around the world’s highest sea cliffs.
Planning tip: Renting a car during Tasmania’s busy summer months can be tough, so it’s a good idea to book early. Similarly, if you’re planning on taking a car ferry from the mainland, routes often sell out and reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance.
This article was first published on June 17, 2021 and updated on December 3, 2023.
