
Australia has about a bit of everything for every type of traveler—beaches, mountains, cityscapes, secret gardens, and cultural sites.
For first timers, you would probably have a hard time picking what city or town to choose when visiting the land down under because of the many options this country-slash-continent has to offer.
But worry not, we have narrowed down the places that you can visit. There could have been more on this list, but we do not want to stress you out even more.
Since this list is basically us telling you to go around the entire continent, you need to decide on a best carry-on luggage that can survive all the city and town hopping.
If you are ready for the adventure, then let’s start.
Sydney
Sydney, of course, is an automatic part of the list. It is still the most iconic place in Australia, so it should be on your itinerary.
Picture perfect landmarks and a picturesque harbor are enough reasons always to come back to Sydney. But before it even became the city it is today; this harbor was once the landing site for convicts who were sent to Australia.
Now, Sydney is most famous for the Sydney Opera House, where you can find a lot of tourists posing in front of its iconic curves and points.
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is an exotic beauty that can be found in Northern Territory, Australia.
It is easily recognizable because of its flaming red rocks. This national park looks a bit like a savannah. If you are imaginative, you can even picture the famous old school cartoon character Road Runner, running around the plains with its eccentric stops and turns.
The site is owned by Anangu Aboriginal people, so you must behave accordingly. That way, we can show respect to the natives of the place and avoid any conflicts along the way.
Great Barrier Reef
For the divers visiting Australia, the Great Barrier Reef should definitely be on your list. It is one of the seven wonders of the natural world. You should definitely see it before it dies completely.
The Great Barrier Reef across the coast of Queensland is one way to appreciate and understand how diverse our marine ecosystem is. Not to mention that it is a vital element that humans need to survive longer.
But if you have not tried diving yet, you still have a good reason to go because the Great Barrier Reef could be your first great dive!
Hobart
Hobart can be found in the island state of Tasmania. In fact, it is the state’s capital and the second oldest capital after Sydney.
It is a very touristy spot since it houses MONA or the Museum of Old and New Art, the biggest privately funded museum. This city has a dynamic art scene that you should not miss.
If you grow tired of all the art appreciation activities, you can just dine at the best restaurants in the city as they are known for their delicious food choices.
Whitsunday Islands
If you see this island from the plane, you will probably want to jump right then and there.
Whitsunday Islands is a magical island, almost looking impossible with its white cast sand and clear turquoise waters. It is also the heart of the Great Barrier Reef.
It is the ultimate summer island of your dreams, so you should never skip the Whitsunday beaches.
Melbourne
Melbourne is Australia’s second-largest city. It is big enough to be home to a lot of contemporary art galleries, museums, and one of the liveliest music scenes in the country.
Be amazed by the art showcase at the National Gallery of Victoria, which boasts a good mix of modern and indigenous art.
This city is also that one place in Australia that you can experience both the spectacle of the city and a quick dip at nearby beaches like St. Kilda and the world-famous Brighton beaches with its colorful bathing boxes.
Great Ocean Road
If you are a big fan of the great outdoors and all the nature stuff out there, Great Ocean Road is calling your adventurous soul.
The Great Ocean Road can also satisfy your thirst for a great drive around less busy roads and around the astounding rock formations that surround the island.
It is also known for its natural wellness initiatives, where you are encouraged to realign your focus and re-evaluate the lifestyle you are living through the help of the beautiful environment around you.
You can also visit the Port Campbell National Park or the Otway National Park to soothe your well-being.
Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park
This place is so dreamy, and it does not look like it is real at all.
Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park can be found in the Central Highlands of Tasmania. It is one of Australia’s natural treasures that will spoil you with serene lakes, dolerite rocks, alpines, and canopied forests, just like in the movies.
If you are lucky, you will get a chance to meet some of the wild creatures living in this area, such as Tasmanian devils, pademelons, and platypus.
Darwin
Darwin is the most Asian-Esque among all the other cities in Australia since it is the closest one to the neighboring continent.
It is also the gateway to the Northern Territory, where you can find the famous Kakadu National Park and the Litchfield National Park.
Darwin is such a lively city brimming with vibrant food experiences, their botanical gardens, the waterfront district, and some crazy wildlife encounters. It also has a handful of museums that you can visit to get to know more about the city.
They consider Darwin to be a crossroads of culture and international cuisine. And, it is also a notorious place for crocodiles!
Kakadu National Park
Kakadu National Park is a special place in Australia that is worthy of high praise and respect.
For over 40,000 years, it is considered to be the home of Aboriginal people. It tells a lot of stories about their history and culture; it will be a shame if you do not get to experience it at least once in your life.
Aside from its cultural significance, the national park is a huge mass of land with breathtaking waterfalls and rock art. It is a perfect place for some walking, swimming, and ranger-guided trekking.
Cairns and Port Douglas
While Cairns is great for island adventures, Port Douglas makes for a more jungle escapade given its close proximity to Daintree Rainforest.
But just because these two places are different from each other does not mean you cannot visit both.
Cairns is just an hour and a half away from Port Douglas. So, if you are planning to go on a day trip, travel time will not be a problem at all.
They also have one thing in common: They are both home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites— the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest.
Perth
Perth is a suburban haven famous for the Swan River.
In this quaint city, you can just casually stroll at Elizabeth Quay while waiting for dolphins to come and say hi. And like any other Australian city, Perth can also test your alcohol tolerance as it has a lot of bars that you can go to when you feel like partying.
This town used to be at the forefront of the Western Australian mining boom. Now, it has become a totally fun place for tourists and locals.
Adelaide and the Barossa Valley
Wind down and drink some wine in Barossa Valley. It is a famous wine-producing region that is close to Adelaide.
Both have breathtaking sceneries that you should not miss. Adelaide is a sophisticated tourist spot with plenty of picture-perfect places and has plenty of historical sites and stories. You can visit Australia’s first pedestrian mall, Rundle Mall, while you are here.
On the other hand, Barossa Valley has a colorful vibe from its shopping districts to wine valleys, cycling tours, and heritage sites.
Plan your drive to South Australia and make sure to put Barossa Valley and Adelaide on your stops. You have plenty of activities to choose from when you decide to visit these two places.
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital of Queensland and is also a popular tourist destination in Australia.
If you want to celebrate summer all year round, this is the place that you should go to. It is always sunny in Brisbane, making it a great tourist hangout place. It is the third most populated city in Australia after Sydney and Melbourne.
You can spend a day or two at a resort in Brisbane. They also have great parks where you can have a picnic with your friends. You can also do some biking and hiking in this vibrant city.
Kangaroo Island
And since Australia is known for having too many kangaroos on their side, a trip to this country would not be complete without meeting one of the most beloved members of the animal kingdom.
Aside from Kangaroos, this island is also home to some of the most threatened species of animals in the country, including sea lions, koalas, cockatoos, and the short-beaked echidna.
It is located in South Australia, where you can book accommodation to spend a few nights close to the impressive wildlife of this island.
Now that we have given you a wide range of options to choose from, I bet it would not be hard for you to consider Australia as your next travel destination. If this list does not convince you to visit the land down under yet, then you must be looking for a different place.