Discover Australia's sparkling beaches, friendly wildlife and natural wonders.

A continent in its own right, Australia’s landscapes range from tropical rainforests to the red deserts of the Outback via vineyards, surf beaches and cosmopolitan cities. Thanks to an efficient network of internal flights, you can experience many of these places within the same trip.

We’ve found some of the biggest Australian myths to be true: this really is a land of easy-going attitudes where active, outdoor lifestyles are celebrated, and natural wonders abound. We can recommend how to make the most out of your Australia vacation, whether you’re interested in snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, heading out on a bush walk with an Aboriginal guide, or simply looking for the best seafood in Perth. You can also cruise through the Kimberley, in northernmost Australia, visiting multi-tiered waterfalls and exploring sandstone caves as you navigate this remote, fractured coastline.

Must-See Places to Find Your Calm in Australia

Sydney | From stunning coastal walks and harbor cruises to the calming presence of the iconic Opera House, Sydney offers a surprising sense of serenity for a world-class city. Breathe in the salty sea air as you stroll from Bondi to Coogee, or enjoy a quiet dinner overlooking the sparkling harbor.

The Outback | There’s a quiet magic in the heart of Australia. Picture yourself surrounded by wide, open skies, ancient rock formations, and deep spiritual silence. Watching the sunrise over Uluru is more than a moment—it’s a memory etched into your soul.

Melbourne | This creative capital invites you to slow down and savor life. Recharge in cozy bookstores, sip coffee in world-renowned cafés, and explore tree-lined laneways rich with street art, history, and culture. As night falls, Melbourne comes alive with events, art exhibitions, and a vibrant dining scene. Explore trendy neighborhoods and a sophisticated foodie culture that blends old-world charm with modern energy.

The Whitsundays & Great Barrier Reef | Imagine sailing turquoise waters, snorkeling vibrant coral gardens, or simply relaxing on powdery white beaches. The Great Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, stretches over 344,400 square kilometers. It's the largest living structure on Earth—and an unforgettable experience whether you’re underwater or soaking it in from above.

Can't-miss Places to Visit in Australia, According to Australians

Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk, New South Wales

Australia is known for its gorgeous coastline, and no trip to Sydney is complete without a visit to the nearby shores. Start at Australia’s iconic Bondi Beach and stroll south toward Bronte, stopping along the way at the viewpoints and public parks to take in the stunning coastal scenery. Extend your scenic walk by following the path down to Coogee Beach, passing oceanfront saltwater pools, the picturesque Waverley Cemetery, and several golden-sand beaches along the way.

Bright, Victoria

Hidden in the mountainous folds of Victoria's high country, just a four-hour drive northeast of Melbourne, Bright feels like something of a revelation. Set in a pine forest valley on the banks of the Ovens River, this small town is a charming perennial favorite among local vacationers.

In the summer, kids flood the water playground by the river and gold panners sit along the water's edge hoping to uncover remnants of the region's prospecting past. Thrill-seekers can hike or mountain bike on nearby Mount Feathertop and Mount Beauty, while gastronomes can either lazily pick their way through weekend markets brimming with fresh produce or pop on a helmet and pedal between cellar doors.

Bruny Island, Tasmania 

Seemingly huddled into the Tasmanian mainland against the elements, rugged Bruny Island punches well above its weight for its size. Blessed with fertile soils and cold, clean waters, the island has played a significant role in Tasmania's reputation as a foodie haven, with a constellation of wineries, chocolateries, and oyster farms that attracts hungry locals.

Those who prefer a taste of adventure instead should indulge in the island's network of hiking trails and lookouts, such as The Neck and South Bruny National Park. Keen-eyed visitors will spot fur seals lolling about on beaches, as well as humpback whales making their annual migrations to and from Antarctica. If you time your visit right, on a clear night in the winter, you might also see one of the island's other hidden secrets: the aurora australis — also known as the Southern Hemisphere's answer to the northern lights — shimmering on the horizon.

Katoomba, New South Wales

Located just 90 minutes west of Sydney, Katoomba is the eucalyptus-fringed heart of the Blue Mountains, a World Heritage range that draws Australians wanting to escape to the bush while eschewing tentpoles and swags in favor of luxury hotels.

Naturally, hiking and the great outdoors are the main attractions here ­— especially the Three Sisters rock formation and the Jenolan Caves, an extensive network of underground caves whose acoustics lend themselves to monthly cave concerts. Across the Blue Mountains are cultural sites important to the Gundungurra people, including songline storytelling trails and cave paintings dating back 1,600 years. The region is also a popular wellness retreat, with locals indulging in pampering at a day spa or yoga class at the Kurrara Historic Guest House.

Esperance, Western Australia 

At first glance, you might expect Esperance to be on a postcard from Queensland, thanks to the kangaroos skipping across pristine white-sand beaches. But here's the catch: Esperance is actually along Western Australia's southern coastline, and it's still relatively undiscovered, due to its remote location (about a day's drive or a 90-minute regional flight from the nearest city, Perth).

McLaren Vale, South Australia 

Found just beyond Adelaide's city limits, McLaren Vale is not only easily accessible, but it's also one of Australia's top wine regions. International travelers typically continue down the coast to Kangaroo Island, but locals with a taste for the finer things know this slice of the Fleurieu Peninsula is worth a staycation in its own right.

Alice Springs, Northern Territory 

The iconic sandstone monolith Uluru is just a taste of what the Outback has to offer. Alice Springs is a launching pad for many adventures, including hot-air ballooning and hikes to watering holes. More recently, the town has reinvented itself as an arts hub, appealing to those who want to see the MacDonnell Ranges come alive with light and sound during Parrtjima, let their hair down in drag at FabAlice, or compete in a quirky "boat race" that takes place in a dried-up riverbed. The Araluen Arts Centre features significant works from contemporary Aboriginal artists and holds regular events celebrating Aboriginal culture.

Seventeen Seventy, Queensland

On a jagged headland thrusting out into the Coral Sea, the unusually named town of Seventeen Seventy has attracted Australians in part because of its laid-back vibes, but also because it's removed from Queensland's more heavily frequented cities.

Named after the year in which Captain Cook first landed in Australia, Seventeen Seventy is surrounded on three sides by the Coral Sea and Bustard Bay. The calm, warm waters lend themselves to swimming, stand-up paddle boarding, and fishing, and its location facing the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef means it's also ideal for exploring quieter parts of the world's largest coral reef system. Regular snorkeling tours and fishing charters depart for Lady Musgrave Island, a coral cay known for its mix of coral reefs and pisonia forests. Plus, campers can make use of the ferry service to camp on the island.

Lorne, Victoria

For many young Australians, the surfing town of Lorne has become synonymous with the essential summer road trip to Falls Music and Arts Festival on New Year's Eve, but the truth is Lorne was drawing locals well before the first big tops were put up.

The town's location, two hours southwest of Melbourne and sandwiched between Bass Strait and Great Otway National Park, means it enjoys the best of the coast and woodlands. Novice and experienced surfers can catch waves along the rocky shores of Lorne Point, while the pier is a good place to drop a line for trevally or barracuda. Meanwhile, temperate inland rain forests boast more than 10 waterfalls within six miles of town, zip-lining adventures, treetop walks, and hidden glowworms twinkling after dark.

Yamba, New South Wales

Frequently described as Byron Bay or Noosa "before the boom," Yamba is a relatively sleepy coastal town 62 miles south of Byron Bay that has all the same hallmarks minus the crowds. There are trendy cafes with swish interiors serving lattes that would make any Melbournian proud, and come nightfall, restaurants serve up fresh seafood caught that day (the town prides itself on its prawns). The historic Pacific Hotel provides live music, a dance floor, and stellar views over the water.

Yamba is home to four beaches, each with distinct water conditions, which means surfers will always find good waves. On Wednesdays, locals visit the Yamba Farmers & Producers Market at the mouth of the Clarence River to pick up their groceries, as well as artisanal pastries, candles, oils, and gins.

Out of town, visitors can explore Iluka Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed Gondwana rain forest. A nearly two-mile walking track takes hikers past strangler figs and vines and culminates at Bluff Lookout, where you can spot sea eagles and whales.