Planning your first big Australian trip — or your tenth? This is the bucket-list of the best places to visit in Australia: the icons everyone should see once, plus the hidden corners that make the country unforgettable. We’ve grouped them by region so you can build a realistic route rather than zig-zag across a continent the size of Europe.
The icons you can’t miss
Sydney — the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Bondi and the coastal walks. Start here; see our guide to the best time to visit Sydney.
Uluru (Ayers Rock) — the spiritual heart of the country in the Red Centre; sunrise and sunset are unmissable.
Great Barrier Reef — the world’s largest coral reef system, off the Queensland coast at Cairns and the Whitsundays.
Great Ocean Road — the Twelve Apostles and one of the world’s great coastal drives; see our road trips.
Best places in New South Wales
Beyond Sydney, NSW packs in the Blue Mountains (Three Sisters, clifftop walks), the Hunter Valley wine country, Byron Bay and a coastline of secret beaches, waterfalls and national parks. It’s the easiest state to explore without a long-haul flight.
Best places in Victoria
Melbourne — laneways, coffee and culture — plus the Great Ocean Road, the Grampians and Phillip Island’s penguin parade. Compact and easy to road-trip.
Best places in Queensland
The Great Barrier Reef, the Whitsunday Islands and Whitehaven Beach, tropical Cairns and the Daintree Rainforest, and the theme-park coast of the Gold Coast. Warm year-round in the north.
The Red Centre & Northern Territory
Uluru and Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon, and tropical Darwin and Kakadu National Park. This is the raw, ancient Australia — best in the cooler months (May–September).
Western Australia & the wild south
Perth and Rottnest Island (home of the quokka), the Margaret River wine region, and the pink Lake Hillier. In South Australia, don’t miss Kangaroo Island and the Barossa Valley. For raw wilderness, Tasmania’s Cradle Mountain and Freycinet are hard to beat.
How to plan your trip
Don’t try to see it all in one visit — distances are huge. Pick one or two regions, and time your trip with our guide to the best time to visit Australia. For inspiration beyond the postcards, browse our hidden places and events across the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the number one place to visit in Australia?
Sydney is the most visited, thanks to the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and beaches — but the Great Barrier Reef and Uluru are the two most iconic natural wonders.
How many days do you need to see Australia?
For the highlights of one region, allow 7–10 days. To combine Sydney, the Red Centre and the reef, plan for at least 2–3 weeks given the travel distances.
What is the best time to visit Australia?
Spring (September–November) and autumn (March–May) offer the best all-round weather; the tropical north is best in the dry season (May–October).
What are the must-see natural wonders in Australia?
The Great Barrier Reef, Uluru, the Twelve Apostles on the Great Ocean Road, the Blue Mountains, and the Daintree Rainforest.
