Pamela W. Holloway Australia is the only country in the world that is also a continent and shines brightly between the Indian Oceans and South Pacific Oceans. This beautiful and wild country has never-ending surprises that will surely mesmerize travelers, beginning with the Great Barrier Reef off Cairns’ coast. A plethora of colors, Land Down Under’s endangered iconic seascape begs to be seen by everyone.
The stunning coastal cities of Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, and Perth; the tropical rainforest of Gold Coast Hinterland of Queensland; popular and outstanding luxury villas in Australia; and the dry mountains savannahs of the red sand outback all looking for the attention of tourists. Here are some of the best places that demand to be seen when visiting the Land Down Under.
Sydney
The world’s largest island and the smallest continent, Australia is a traveler’s paradise. It is a total package with a home to some wildlife, stunning coral reefs, picturesque rainforest, national parks, a long stretch of beautiful beaches, scorching deserts, the best restaurants, and luxury villas in Australia. Here are some of the top picks for you to tour around the Land Down Under.
Great Ocean Road
The Great Ocean Road is considered one of the most scenic and best-driven roads globally and is located in Victoria. Aside from the crystal clear ocean water, don’t miss the amazing formations of limestone stacks known as the 12 Apostles. From Torquay to Allansford, it is a blissful 243 km long ride seeing some famous landmarks such as Port Campbell and Otway National parks, stunning rainforest, best hiking trails, and endless waterfalls. You could also spot some of the famous wildlife of Australia, including emus and kangaroos.
Kakadu National Park
Kakadu National Park is one of the world’s heritage sites in Australia. It is also the largest national park in the country and the 2nd largest in the world. This is the perfect place to witness the wilderness and is one of Australia’s most popular tourist attractions. Some of the things to see and do in Kakadu National Park include seeing the 300 different species of birds, marveling at the aboriginal rock art, visiting waterfalls and rivers, and seeing the fantastic diversity of Australian wildlife crocodiles, dingoes, and wallabies.
Blue Mountains National Park
Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Blue Mountains National Park, is a popular day trip from Sydney and is home to the famous 3 Sisters. From Sydney to the Blue Mountains area, take a day trip, and you’ll discover Aboriginal culture, camping, canyoning, climbing, and mountain biking activities. You can also board the scenic glass-roofed Katoomba Railway, the steepest passenger railway in the world.
Fraser Island
Fraser Island is a heritage-listed island located along the southeastern coast of Queensland, Australia. You can find this beautiful and largest sand island paradise just a short ferry trip from Hervey Bay. You’ll surely enjoy its most unique 4-wheel-drive adventures. Another option to get here is by ferry from Rainbow Beach and Hervey Bay. It boasts a lush rainforest with diverse wildlife, freshwater lakes and creek, dunes, multi-colored sand cliffs, heaps of shipwrecks along the stunning seacoast, and some magnificent marine life, including sharks, whales, and dolphins.
Uluru
Ayers Rock or Uluru is one of the most important tourist attractions in Australia. It is also one of the largest monoliths in the world. You can find Uluru within the Kata Tjuta National Park. You can visit this place during sunrise or sunset for the amazing sight of this 348-meter high monolith. To soak in the beauty and get up close to Uluru, the best way to experience this is through Uluru Base Walk. Enjoy the stunning view of sunrise or sunset when visiting Uluru. It has some of the world’s famous sunrises and sunsets. There are over 5 viewing areas to witness the beautiful landscapes of Uluru, so don’t forget to bring your camera. Another spot you shouldn’t miss when visiting Uluru is the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Culture Centre, a great starting point for visitors to the park.
Heide Museum of Modern Art
If you’re a history buff, the Heide Museum of Modern Art should be on top of your list. Located just 20 minutes from the city, this museum contains 15 acres of incredible gardens, dedicated exhibition spaces, Sculpture Park, Heidi Store, and historic kitchen gardens. It is a combination of a contemporary art gallery, Heritage Park, and a historical art museum. Take a walk across the museum’s area and journey into the past, where you surely mesmerize by this living history of Melbourne. In the sculpture plaza, you’ll find Café Heide opposite the main entrance of the museum. They offer great coffee, breakfast, and lunch menu that serves only seasonal produce grown in the kitchen garden.
Harbor Bridge, Sydney
Of course, your Australian travel isn’t complete without visiting Australia’s iconic landmark – The Sydney Harbour Bridge. This is the largest steel arch bridge in the world, spanning one of the finest natural harbors. You can walk and cycle across the bridge or climb to the top to get the stunning views of the city. Another best way to appreciate the bridge is to take a ferry ride. It is also a must-do for all Sydney visitors is the Pylon Lookout, where you can see some of the fascinating display of how the Harbor Bridge was built.
