Top 20 Places in Australia For Your Bucket List

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If there are two questions I’m at all times requested, it’s what are the highest locations in Australia to go to? And what experiences needs to be on my Australia bucket listing? Nicely, for those who’re asking yourselves these questions, you’ve come to the correct place.

As Australians, we’ve traveled our personal yard extensively and have even accomplished an 18-month street journey round Australia. We all know journey in Australia fairly properly, however even we struggled to slender down all the highest locations for an Australia bucket listing to simply 20 locations.

Australia is residence to miles and miles of beautiful shoreline, mysterious islands, the world-famous Nice Barrier Reef, the majestic outback desert, glamorous cities, huge swamps and wetlands, and distinctive wildlife you gained’t discover anyplace else.

With all this to discover, it’s unsurprising that visiting Australia has been on most individuals’s bucket listing. Everybody ought to come down underneath at the least as soon as of their lifetime.

However for those who solely have one probability to see the most effective locations in Australia, these could be my prime options for seeing the most effective of what our nation has to supply.

20 Finest Locations in Australia to Add to Your Bucketlist

Let’s start our listing of the most effective locations in Australia so as to add to your bucket listing. These locations shouldn’t be skipped off any itinerary if you wish to see the most effective of the nation.

1. Whitsunday Islands, Queensland

Ahh The Whitsundays. If heaven had a spot on Earth, it will be right here.

There are 74 islands that make up The Whitsundays and it’s most well-known for its turquoise blue waters, white sandy seashores, and thriving marine life. What’s to not love?!

It’s residence to our favorite seaside in Australia, Whitehaven Seaside, a protected seaside that you’re not allowed to convey something on the seaside with you – it’s that lovely.

There are many different secluded bays with that aqua blue water and pure white sand seashores which can be nice for a snorkel. Throw in tropical sunsets, each water sport conceivable, and the very fact you’re within the coronary heart of the Nice Barrier Reef, the perfect spot for scuba diving. I don’t assume I really want to go on.

The mainland city of Airlie Seaside is a occurring place with Hamilton Island being essentially the most concentrated for lodging and actions.

The place to remain within the Whitsundays:

2. Kakadu Nationwide Park, Northern Territory

Some folks name it Kaka-don’t, however don’t hearken to them. They most likely raced by way of the park on a day journey with a tour group and it deserves a lot extra time than that. It’s the truth is, Australia’s largest Nationwide Park and is not possible to see in a day.

We spent 5 days in Kakadu and nonetheless solely scratched the floor, but it surely simply makes our prime locations in Australia listing. It’s one other considered one of Australia’s UNESCO world heritage websites and is the place you may see aboriginal cave work and, in fact, the well-known salt water crocodile.

From wetlands to sandstone escarpments, waterfalls, swimming holes, billabongs, rivers, wildlife, and aboriginal rock artwork, it has all of it.

The place to remain at Kakadu:

3. Margaret River, Western Australia

I can’t wait to return to Margaret River, considered one of our prime 3 areas in Australia as a result of it just about has all of it.

There are over 150 wine producers, quite a few breweries, unbelievable seashores, gourmand meals, espresso homes, chocolate makers, cheese factories, caves to discover, forests to stroll by way of, mountain bike trails, whale watching, surf tradition, artists, and gorgeous landscapes.

What are you ready for?!

The place to remain in Margaret River:

4. Sydney, New South Wales

You’ll be able to’t go to Australia and never spend at the least just a few days in one of many world’s most stunning cities – a lot of you’ll fly by way of right here anyhow.

Certain Sydney has a status of being on the costly aspect, however a lot of the finest issues to do are free or low-cost – stroll throughout the Sydney Harbour Bridge, picnic within the Botanical Gardens, stroll round Round Quay and admire the Sydney Opera Home, take the ferry over to Manly, discover The Rocks District, and my favorite – the Bondi Seaside to Coogee Seaside coastal stroll!

When you’ve got extra time to spare, contemplate taking a day journey out to the Blue Mountains and see the enduring Three Sisters rock formation.

The place to remain in Sydney:

Watch Our Video on Sydney:

5. Broome, Western Australia

Should you’ve been following us for a whilst you’ll know that Broome is our favorite place in Australia. Our love affair with Broome dates again to our days engaged on a pearl farm in the Kimberley area, and on our earlier journey we spent 5 weeks there and didn’t wish to go away.

It’s the placing pink earth towards the turquoise water of the Indian Ocean, essentially the most wonderful sunsets over Cable Seaside, and ideal climate – it has the vibe of  an enthralling nation city by the ocean!

The place to remain in Broome:

6. Byron Bay, NSW

This legendary beachside city in Northern NSW has been attracting surfers, the spiritually minded, spa lovers, yogis, backpackers and people looking for themselves for years.

With among the most well-known browsing breaks within the nation, the choice way of life, and the gorgeous hinterland, Byron is the place to be, and be seen. Don’t miss the lighthouse stroll previous Wategos Seaside, dawn and sundown, Bluesfest over Easter, and take a browsing lesson!

The place to remain in Byron Bay:

7. Freycinet Nationwide Park, Tasmania

Freycinet is our favourite place in Tasmania and considered one of our prime three favourite Nationwide Parks in Australia. You’ve most likely heard of world well-known Wineglass Bay, however have you ever heard of Hazards Seaside, Pleasant Seashores, Coles Bay, and that this park has among the finest walks in Tassie?

Give your self greater than in the future right here to do all of the hikes, go kayaking, and soak up the great thing about the Hazards.

The place to remain in Freycinet:

8. Uluru, Northern Territory

Visiting Uluru within the Pink Centre of Australia is an expertise I’ll always remember. Often known as the “non secular coronary heart of Australia” Uluru is a type of locations you simply need to see, and really feel, for your self.

Don’t rush by way of right here like most individuals, keep awhile and take all of it in. Expertise sundown and dawn, stroll across the base, take a camel trip, perhaps a helicopter flight, and go to close by Uluru-Kata Tjuta Nationwide Parks.

It’s residence to the enduring Ayres Rock, and the place you may discover the majestic outback desert. When you’ve got time, I extremely advocate a tenting journey to the outback the place you may sleep underneath the celebrities. It’s finest to remain within the campgrounds close to Alice Springs to keep away from working into any animals.

The place to remain at Uluru:

9. Nice Barrier Reef, Queensland

Getting out on the world’s largest coral reef and the biggest dwelling construction on the planet must be in your Aussie bucket listing.

Stretching 2,300km lengthy, the GBR is a pure marvel of the world and for my part lives as much as its status. Should you’re a diver, and even only a snorkeler, the choices are countless. Most individuals go to the reef from Cairns which is named the unofficial gateway.

The place to remain in Cairns:

Watch Our Video from Port Douglas:

10. Daintree Rainforest, Queensland

How can one thing so outdated be so stunning? I imply, at 110 million years outdated the Daintree Rainforest is fairly rattling outdated, and probably the oldest current rainforest on this planet.

My favorite spot is Cape Tribulation – a headland situated inside Daintree Nationwide Park, a place the place two World Heritage Listed websites collide – the Daintree and Nice Barrier Reef.

Different spots to go to embody Daintree Discovery Centre, Cow Bay, Myall Seaside, Emmagen Seaside, Cape Kimberley and Mason’s Cafe, and swimming gap.

The place to remain within the Daintree:

Watch Our Video from Daintree Rainforest:

11. Fraser Island, Queensland

Should you’re a hard-core 4×4 driving fanatic put Fraser Island on the prime of your Aussie bucket listing. Fraser Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Website and is the world’s largest sand island.

It stretches 123 km lengthy, 23 km extensive, and was created over 800,000 years in the past from sand dumped by locations so far as Antarctica when it was nonetheless joined with Australia.

I can’t get sufficient of Fraser, it’s an journey with nature you’ll crave extra of. My favourite spots are 75 Mile Seaside, Eli Creek, Maheno shipwreck, Lake Mackenzie, Indian Head, and Champagne Swimming pools.

From the shore, for those who’re fortunate and go to on the proper time, you may even see humpback whales within the ocean.

The place to remain on Fraser Island:

Watch Our Fraser Island Video:

12. Melbourne, Victoria

I may reside in Melbourne, and I’m not the one one apparently because it constantly ranks on the prime of most habitable cities on this planet, I simply don’t know if I may reside with the 4 seasons in one-day climate sample.

Anyhow, Melbourne is an superior metropolis to go to.

Should you’re a sports activities nut like me it’s received the Australian Open Tennis, the Grand Prix, the Melbourne Cup, and the AFL. For everybody else, it’s received an unbelievable meals scene, among the finest espresso and cafes within the nation (if not the world), cool pubs, countless procuring, nice festivals, superior markets, helpful public transport, and simply an all-round addictive vibe!

The place to remain in Melbourne:

13. Nice Ocean Highway, Victoria

You’ve most likely heard of the Nice Ocean Highway, it’s kinda well-known all over the world as top-of-the-line street journeys on this planet.

We spent 2 weeks driving the GOR and it lived as much as expectations. If I’ve one tip, don’t rush it, don’t drive it in in the future just like the tour buses, decelerate, and provides it the time it deserves.

The scenic drive was accomplished in 1932, by troopers who returned residence from WWI. It was inbuilt dedication of those that misplaced their lives. It begins within the small city of Torquay and completed within the quiet city of Allansford.

Many individuals take a pair days to drive the Ocean Highway, stopping off in among the small cities alongside the way in which.

However for those who solely have time for one place, then Port Campbell Nationwide Park is the spotlight, it’s the place a lot of the prime scenic spots are situated just like the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge. s

The place to remain on the Nice Ocean Highway:

14. Rottnest Island, Western Australia

Rotto because the locals name it’s one thing particular. With over 60 picturesque seashores and bays and prime spots for snorkeling, diving, kayaking, swimming, and fishing it’s probably my favorite island in Australia and for those who make it to Perth, don’t miss Rottnest.

Keep over for those who can, however for those who solely have half a day ensure you go to The Basin and Pinky Seaside. Seize a motorcycle, it’s one of the best ways to discover the island, and don’t neglect your digicam!

It’s additionally top-of-the-line locations in Australia to see quokkas, a local animal to Australia!

The place to remain on Rottnest:

15. Hobart, Tasmania

I’m not CRAZY about Hobart, but it surely’s undoubtedly a pleasant sufficient place with plenty of historical past – it’s Australia’s second oldest metropolis – and I actually loved just a few different locations inside straightforward attain of town in order that’s why I’m together with it on this listing.

I do love the truth that it’s walkable, my favorite spots being Salamanca and Historic Battery Level, and naturally, the well-known MONA museum is a must-visit. I extremely advocate the opposite locations shut sufficient to Hobart are Bruny Island, Port Arthur, and historic Richmond.

The place to remain in Hobart:

16. Barossa Valley, South Australia

If we’re simply speaking wine and meals, then the Barossa Valley and close by Adelaide Hills might be my favorite place in Australia for satisfying the style buds.

It’s a brief drive from Adelaide and with over 80 cellar doorways and 150 wineries from huge names to boutiques together with Jacob’s Creek, Penfold’s, Wolf Blass and Grant Burge, you’re not missing in choices. And the surroundings is one thing else too – do the 57-kilometre Barossa Scenic Heritage Drive for some gorgeous surroundings.

The place to remain within the Barossa:

17. Karijini Nationwide Park, Western Australia

We had excessive expectations for Karijini. So many individuals we met on our 18-month journey instructed us that Karijini was their favorite nationwide park. And so they weren’t mendacity.

This place is spectacular, and I can’t consider that three years in the past I don’t assume I’d even heard of this place, however we’re doing our greatest to share it with as many individuals as attainable. The colors of the rock, the gorges, the swimming holes, the waterfalls, the climbing – it’s off-the-beaten-path in WA however completely well worth the effort!

The place to remain in Karijini

18. Gold Coast, Queensland

We selected to name the Gold Coast our residence for a cause. While it’s a area well-known for tourism with a tagline well-known for enjoyable, it has an amazing combine of lovely coastal and hinterland surroundings, with among the finest seashores within the nation.

My favorite spots on the coast are Burleigh Heads, Rainbow Bay and Coolangatta.

While within the hinterland try Lamington Nationwide Park, Springbrook Nationwide Park, and Binna Burra Nationwide Park!

The place to remain on the Gold Coast:

19. Wilsons Promontory Nationwide Park, Victoria

One other place we knew little about till we travelled round Australia, and it wasn’t till associates in Melbourne urged we go right here, it’s a 3-hour drive from town, that we did. It’s a 50,000-hectare coastal wilderness space and so in style they’ve a poll system to remain within the lodging throughout peak season.

Your reward – gorgeous vistas of pink granite boulder mountains, turquoise water, squeaky white sand, intimate coves, forested valleys, and unbelievable climbing.

20. Kangaroo Island, South Australia

Kangaroo Island is an island stuffed with variety. Unbelievable landscapes from seashores to sand dunes and forests to rolling farmlands. You’ll be certain to identify a wild array of Australian animals – dolphins, kangaroos, koalas and extra AND the meals and wine is unbelievable!

The place to remain on Kangaroo Island:

Watch Our Video from Kangaroo Island

Earlier than You Go

So there you may have it, these are the most effective locations in Australia so as to add to your Australia bucket listing. As you may see, there’s quite a lot of variety and tradition to discover in Australia, and it’s not all about wildlife and seashores (although these are among the finest causes to go to Aus!)

There’s a cause why so many backpackers come to Australia for a 12 months’s vacation, after which by no means go away. There isn’t any the place fairly like Australia. When you go, you’ll know.

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