From natural wonders to weird and wonderful wildlife, Australia is famous for a lot. Here’s what Australia is famous for — the icons, animals, food and culture that make it one of the world’s most distinctive countries.
Natural wonders
Australia is most famous for the Great Barrier Reef — the world’s largest coral reef system and the only living thing visible from space — and Uluru, the giant red monolith at the heart of the continent. Add the Great Ocean Road, the Blue Mountains, the Daintree Rainforest and thousands of kilometres of beaches.
Unique wildlife
Nowhere else has this cast of characters: kangaroos and koalas, the duck-billed platypus, wombats, quokkas (the “world’s happiest animal” on Rottnest Island), Tasmanian devils, and cassowaries. Around 80% of Australia’s mammals, reptiles and plants are found nowhere else on earth.
Iconic landmarks
The Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge are instantly recognisable worldwide, along with the Twelve Apostles and the MCG — the spiritual home of Australian sport.
Food & coffee culture
Australia is famous for its coffee (the flat white was arguably born here), Vegemite, meat pies, lamingtons, pavlova, barramundi and fresh seafood — plus world-class wine regions like the Barossa, Margaret River and Hunter Valley. Explore our food trails.
Beaches, surf & the outdoors
Surfing at Bells Beach and Bondi, the laid-back beach lifestyle, and a national obsession with the outdoors — from bushwalking to road trips across the Outback.
Culture & people
Australia is home to the world’s oldest continuous living culture — Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, with more than 65,000 years of history — plus a famously relaxed, multicultural way of life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Australia most famous for?
The Great Barrier Reef, Uluru, the Sydney Opera House, and unique wildlife like kangaroos and koalas are what Australia is best known for around the world.
What animals is Australia famous for?
Kangaroos, koalas, wombats, platypuses, quokkas, Tasmanian devils and cassowaries — most of which are found nowhere else on earth.
What food is Australia famous for?
Vegemite, meat pies, lamingtons, pavlova, barramundi and flat white coffee, plus world-class wine from regions like the Barossa and Margaret River.
What is Australia’s most famous landmark?
The Sydney Opera House is the most recognisable man-made landmark; the Great Barrier Reef and Uluru are the most famous natural wonders.
