10 Best Places To Visit in Australia

Sydney is the oldest and largest city in Australia, not to mention one of the most beautiful. Land and sea intermingle, framing the famous white sails of the Opera House and the arching Harbour Bridge.

The fabled history winds through narrow, cobbled laneways, museum galleries, glitzy neighborhoods with artistic districts separated by golden beaches, and areas rich with wildlife.

Caught up in skyscrapers and suburbs, surprising wilderness and a gilded coastline, Sydney is a fabulous place in which to experience contemporary Australia during a personalized vacation planned around a Sydney tour.

Highlights: Sydney Harbour • Sydney Opera House • Sydney Harbour Bridge • Royal Botanic Gardens • Queen Victoria Building • Blue Mountains • Bondi Beach

Recommended length of stay: 3-4 days

Pairs well with: Uluru • Melbourne • Great Barrier Reef • Tasmania

Uluru embodies the immensity and grandeur of the Australian outback, steeped in stillness and shifting colors.

With deep-rooted cultural significance related to the traditional Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara Aboriginal people, a sense of majesty sweeps across the untouched landscape for sensational viewing of the land and stars, revealing one of the best national parks in Australia to visit.

Impeccable sunrises and captivating sunsets only add to the beauty of the remote destination and massive red monolith towering over the sands and brush.

Highlights: Uluru (Ayers Rock) • Valley of the Winds • Wallpaper Gorge • Kuniya Walk • Field of Light • Kata Tjuta

Recommended length of stay: 2 days

Pairs well with: Sydney • Melbourne • Great Barrier Reef

Few experiences can compare with an immersion into the hidden marine life of the Great Barrier Reef's more than 132,819 square miles and over 2,900 coral reefs.

The islands and cays support a dynamic network of sea life, including sharks, rays, turtles, dolphins, and whales, as well as the Great Barrier Reef’s Great Eight.

The vibrant ecosystem gives way to exceptional attractions and activities, from sailing to snorkeling, scuba diving to scenic flights, each allowing you to experience the biodiversity in different ways.

Highlights: Cairns • Port Douglas • Whitsunday Islands • Townsville • Fraser Island

Recommended length of stay: 1-2 days

Pairs well with: Sydney • Melbourne • Uluru

Melbourne is Australia’s second-largest city, with a vibrant, cosmopolitan culture, contemporary style, and mouthwatering cuisine.

The hidden lanes and tree-lined promenades combine to frame Victorian buildings for a distinctive European ambiance where celebrated chefs show off their talents.

Art galleries, stylish cafes, lovely botanic gardens, and the quiet waters of the Yarra River add to Melbourne’s pull, topped with a bohemian vibe that makes it one of the best cities to visit in Australia

Highlights: Royal Botanic Gardens •  National Gallery of Victoria • Eureka Skydeck • Dandenong Ranges National Park • Royal Arcade Flinders Street • Great Ocean Road

Recommended length of stay: 2-3 days

Pairs well with: Sydney • Great Barrier Reef • Uluru • Tasmania

Darwin is surprisingly tropical, infinitely charming, and crowns Australia’s Top End on lands traditionally connected to the Larrakia Aboriginal people.

The city has a spirited cultural diversity that sits closer to Asia’s doorstep than Sydney’s shoreline, giving you access to the brink of the infamous outback, with specific months being the best time to visit.

Life mostly takes place outdoors. with alfresco dining, lush botanic gardens, a vibrant waterfront, and a melting pot of cultures that provide a sizzling cosmopolitan ambiance with access to unparalleled wildlife adventures.

Highlights: Berry Springs Nature Park • Defence of Darwin Experience • Museum of Art Gallery of the Northern Territory • Stokes Hill Wharf • Kakadu National Park

Recommended length of stay: 2-3 days

Pairs well with: Great Barrier Reef •  The Kimberley • Perth

The island of Tasmania feels shrouded in mystique, with treasures ranging from alpine lakes and wild rivers to mountain peaks cloaked in mist and wildlife that speaks to remote nature.

Food enthusiasts can find delectable dishes and homey ingredients, while heritage towns seem frozen in time.

Thunderous waterfalls puncture the silent forests and craggy coastlines give way to gorgeous panoramas, with every turn into the wilderness promising a possible glimpse of a Tasmanian devil or passing dolphin pod, perfect for an Australia family vacation or when planning a romantic Australia honeymoon vacation.

Highlights: Cataract Gorge Reserve • Port Arthur Historic Site • Hobart •  Freycinet National Park • Mount Wellington • Cradle Mountain World Heritage Wilderness

Recommended length of stay: 4-5 days

Pairs well with: Melbourne • Sydney

The Kimberley is Australia’s last frontier, with spectacular scenery spanning a seemingly endless landscape bordered by the coastline and desert. Baobabs pierce the plains and palm trees fringe the gorges, revealing the scenery of one of the best adventure destinations in Australia.

Aboriginal cultures remain deeply connected to the region, celebrating sacred waterholes and revealing a traditional understanding of the prolific wildlife and majestic canyons.

Mountains lead to staggering waterfalls, making travel into the region an adventure in itself, giving you one of the most unparalleled experiences in Australia.

Highlights: Bungle Bungle Range • Emma Gorge • Gantheaume Point • Gibb River Road • Cable Beach • Cape Leveque

Recommended length of stay: 3-4 days

Pairs well with: Darwin • Perth

Perth is often rated one of the world’s most liveable cities and features a refreshing, relaxed atmosphere supported by chic boutiques, gorgeous art galleries, stylish museums, and an endlessly pleasing pace free from the pressures of other fast-paced Australian cities. It’s perfect to explore during a seniors Australia tour.

Perth embodies the isolation of greater Australia, but is bathed in golden sun and rich natural beauty. Pearly beaches give way to sailing excursions, fishing outings, and boating trips, while open vistas offer panoramic views to the surrounding bushland.

Highlights: Kings Park and Botanic Garden • Swan River • Elizabeth Quay • Lotterywest Federation Walkway •  Art Gallery of Western Australia • Margaret River Region

Recommended length of stay: 3-4 days

Pairs well with: Darwin • The Kimberley

The iconic route of Australia’s Great Ocean Road is a classic network of surf breaks, rainforest, and charming seaside towns connected to canopies filled with koalas, resulting in consistent consideration as the top choice for the best scenic drives in Australia.

Pristine beaches lead to sheer limestone cliffs, while towering rock spires fade to hinterlands and dairy farms. You could spend days appreciating the scenery that ranges from rugged coastline to windswept beaches, abundant wildlife parks, and idyllic towns along the 186-mile road.

Highlights: Port Campbell National Park • Torquay Beach • Great Otway National Park • Loch Ard Gorge • Bells Beach • Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve

Recommended length of stay: 1-2 days

Pairs well with: Melbourne • Tasmania

Kangaroo Island is a remarkable haven for Australian wildlife and is also the country’s third-largest island for a great escape during an Australia kangaroo safari.

The landscape brims with scenic and wildlife opportunities, immersing you in the untamed wilderness of white-sand beaches, steep coastal cliffs, windswept boulders, and sand dunes that lead inland to rolling green hills.

The diverse landscape supports an assortment of animals, from sea lions to penguins, koalas, and echidnas, which roam near towns that have kept a rural pace of life.

Highlights: Flinders Chase National Park • Seal Bay Conservation Park • Vivonne Bay • Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary • Penneshaw

Recommended length of stay: 2-3 days

Pairs well with: Adelaide • Melbourne

Two to three weeks will give you the most opportunities for an authentic and customizable Australia trip.

With anywhere from 14-21 days in the country, you will have time for deeper exploration and unique experiences, in addition to some leisure time.

Most people are surprised by how large Australia is and the majority of the population is concentrated around the coastline, leaving expansive sections of remote wilderness that embody the famous Crocodile Dundee landscapes.

Learn more: 2 Week Australia Itineraries

Seeing the differences between Australia’s best places to visit is a wonderful experience. Each location hosts several fascinating things to do, such as visiting with koalas or snorkeling over the world’s largest coral reef.

Dive even deeper with our Australia travel guide for information and helpful tips on encountering the world Down Under or find inspiration for your next trip with our sample Australia vacations and tours that you can personalize to your preferences.