563 Best Sights in Australia

The heart of the trendy South Yarra–Prahran–Windsor area, this long road is packed with pubs, bars, notable restaurants, and upscale boutiques—more than 1,000 shops can be found within the precinct. Australian icons like Dinosaur Designs and Scanlan Theodore showcase their original work at the fashion-conscious, upscale Toorak Road end of the street (nearest to the city). Catch the 78 tram or walk south along Chapel Street to Greville Street and visit a small lane of hip bars, clothing boutiques, and record stores. Past Greville Street, moving into Windsor at the south end of Chapel Street, things get hipper, with cafés and vintage shops; this part of Chapel Street has three great markets selling everything from fresh produce to vintage records.

A short drive from Mt. Lofty Summit brings you to delightful Cleland Wildlife Park, where many animals roam free in three different forest habitats. Self-guided walking trails crisscross the park and its surroundings, and you're guaranteed to see emus and kangaroos in the grasslands and pelicans around the swampy billabongs. There are also enclosures for wombats and other less sociable animals. Koala cuddling is a highlight of koala close-up sessions (A$33, daily 2 pm and 2:30 pm). Breakfast with the Birds offers the chance to feed a variety of species before the park opens to the public, and private two-hour night walks (A$327 for up to four people) let you wander among nocturnal species such as potoroos and brush-tailed bettongs: check the website for the next scheduled walk. Private guided tours can be arranged for A$135 per hour weekdays, A$270 per hour weekends. Reservations are essential. 

The park is closed when there's a fire ban (usually between December and February).

These glorious gardens are divided into 25 "garden rooms" that include the Maple Court, the Azalea Steps, and 100-year-old European beech trees. They were first established in the late 1890s as commercial and cut-flower gardens by the Woolrich family. The internationally famous gardens are dotted with artworks by local artists and the Diggers Garden Shop hosts workshops and sells seeds, plants, and books. A central terraced area, with manicured hedges and a sculpture of a huge vase, is stunning, as is the view across the mountain ranges from the garden café. The Seasons café serves breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea daily, with some ingredients coming from its own kitchen garden. A popular dish is the "Chatter Platter," a selection of cheeses, terrine, dips, garlic prawns, and salad (A$30 per person).

For divers and snorkelers, the usually crystal clear waters off Lizard Island are a dream. Cod Hole, 20 km (12 miles) from Lizard Island, ranks among the best dive sites on Earth. Massive potato cod swim up to divers like hungry puppies; it's an awesome experience, considering these fish can weigh 300 pounds and reach around 6 feet in length. The island lures big-game anglers from all over the world from September to December, when black marlin are running.

Yachts competing in the annual Sydney-to-Hobart race moor at this colorful marina dock from the end of December through the first week of January. Buildings fronting the dock are century-old reminders of Hobart's trading history. Nearby Hunter Street is the original spot where British ships anchored at the time of colonization. There's a multitude of eateries, from fish punts to five star.

A popular choice for families, beautiful Coolum Beach boasts a surf club, skate park, playgrounds, change rooms, toilets, kiosk, shorefront parks, and well-maintained picnic areas. A long, white-sand beach, Coolum is patrolled year-round and has a nice beach break and some decent, uncrowded waves off the headland. Walk south along the boardwalk to the headland park for magnificent coastal views, or north to quieter Peregian Beach with its patrolled surf, playground, and adjacent Environmental Park. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking; showers; toilets. Best for: sunset; surfing; swimming; walking.

Founded by Thomas Cooper in 1862, this is Australia's only large-scale, independent, family-owned brewery. The Coopers beer story began when Thomas tried to create a tonic for his ailing wife, Ann, but instead created his first batch of beer. Customers grew in numbers as Thomas hand-delivered his all-natural ales and stout by horse and cart; the tradition lives on with guest appearances at special events by Clydesdayles drawing the very same cart that Thomas once used. Visitors can take accessible guided tours (A$33) of the brewhouse and enjoy tastings of the award-winning signature Coopers ales, including Coopers Pale Ale, Coopers Sparkling Ale, and Coopers Stout, in the museum post-tour. Proceeds from the brewery tour ticket price go to the Coopers Brewery Foundation, which then distributes funds to various charities. The museum features a display of the historic horse and cart, vintage Coopers delivery truck, and pictorials showcasing the history of the brewery.

The 1860s stone cellar door at Coriole Vineyards sits among nasturtiums and hollyhocks on a hill with stunning views of Gulf St. Vincent  and the surrounding region. The surrounding vines produce some of Australia's most exciting Italian varietal wines, such as Fiano, Sangiovese, and Montepulciano. Coriole also grows olives and makes olive oils, which you can taste along with their wine. Enjoy all three as part of a meal at on-site restaurant Gather, which foregrounds foraged and estate-grown ingredients on a seasonal menu of delicate share plates.The hosted tastings are excellent and should be booked ahead.

Perth's poster beach is as beguiling as it is relaxing, what with its soft cream sand, transparent blue waters, and strip of beachy pubs and restaurants. Naturally, it's very popular, particularly on Sunday, when people of all ages picnic on the grass beneath the row of Norfolk pines that also hosts masses of squawking birds. The water is fairly calm, though punchy waves can roll through, crashing mainly in shallow depths. "Sunday sessions"—afternoon beer drinking in two local pubs at the Ocean Beach Hotel and the swanky Cottesloe Beach Hotel, both of which have good, ocean-facing accommodations—are also held here. South of the Cottesloe groyne is a reasonable reef surf break, but it's often crowded. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (free); showers; toilets. Best for: swimming; surfing; snorkeling; sunset; walking.

The Cradle Mountain section of the park lies in the north. The southern section of the park, centered on Lake St. Clair, is popular for boating and hiking. Many walking trails lead from the settlement at the southern end of the lake, which is surrounded by mountain peaks and dense forest. Visitors are advised to park their cars in the free lot and then make use of the shuttle bus that runs from the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre and makes stops at all the trails. 

One of the most famous trails in Australia, the Overland Track traverses 65 km (40 miles) between the park's northern and southern boundaries. The walk usually takes six days, depending on the weather, and on clear days the mountain scenery seems to stretch forever. Hikers are charged A$200 to do the Overland during peak walking season (October to May). 

A Gold Coast institution and perhaps the most ecologically minded wildlife facility in the region, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is a 70-acre, not-for-profit National Trust Reserve featuring more than 60 koalas and an on-site wildlife hospital. Established in 1947 as a lorikeet sanctuary, it now shelters a wide variety of Australian species, including kangaroos, crocodiles, wombats, dingoes, Tasmanian devils, echidnas, emus, and rare birds. There are more than 10 daily animal feedings, shows, and performances, friendly 'roos (often with joeys in their pouches!) love to be petted and hand-fed, and the fleet of young koalas make for perfect cuddle and photo opportunities. All revenue goes toward Currumbin's work protecting, treating, and rehabilitating local wildlife.

Tickets are much cheaper if bought online in advance, especially in low season.

The world's oldest tropical rain forest is an ecological wonderland: 85 of the 120 rarest species on Earth are found here, and new ones are still being discovered. The 22,000-acre park, part of the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Wet Tropics region, stretches along the coast and west into the jungle from Cow Bay, 40 km (25 miles) or around an hour's drive northwest of Mossman. The traditional owners, the Eastern Kuku Yalanji, who live in well-honed harmony with their rain-forest environs, attribute powerful properties to many local sites—so tread sensitively. Prime hiking season here is May through September, and many local operators offer guided Daintree rain-forest walks, longer hikes, and nighttime wildlife-spotting excursions. Gather information and maps from local rangers or the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service's ParksQ website before hiking unguided, and stay on marked trails and boardwalks to avoid damaging your fragile surroundings. Whatever season you go, bring insect repellent.

The expansive gardens contain the largest collection of rhododendrons in the southern hemisphere, with around 15,000 rhododendrons, and thousands more azaleas and camellias; the garden's premier season is spring, when they put on a show of spectacular white, mauve, yellow, and pink blooms. Several miles of walking trails lead to vistas over the Yarra Valley, and the gardens are a short stroll from Olinda village. Otherwise, jump on board the Garden Explorer minibus for a short, guided tour. For a perfect afternoon, combine your visit with tea and scones in the park's garden's café or back down in the village.

As Bunbury's favorite attraction, this not-for-profit conservation-first organization welcomes 80,000 visitors each year. Get up close to wild dolphins at the Dolphin Discovery Centre. Upward of 200 dolphins have been identified in Koombana Bay—swim with them, book an eco-cruise, or stay on the beach and wade into the interaction zone. Enjoy a unique, immersive experience at the discovery center, which enjoyed a A$2 million refurbishment in 2018, with its digital 360-degree dolphinarium, interpretive panels, theater, aquariums, dolphin displays, on-site café, gift shop, and a rooftop bar perfect for cocktails at sunset.

Call first to book the weather-dependent swim and eco-cruises. Dolphin encounters are not guaranteed, but the chances are higher in the warmer months.

Established by French champagne house Moët & Chandon, this vineyard has one of the most spectacular settings in the Yarra Valley; its Chandon tasting bar has enormous floor-to-ceiling windows providing fantastic views over the vineyards and the Yarra Ranges. Apart from sparkling wines, the winery produces Shiraz, Pinot Noir, Meunier, and Chardonnay. Take a free self-guided tour of the winery's history and production methods from 10:30 to 4:30 daily, or sign up for a wine discovery class on Sunday with a maximum of 12 people (bookings essential) to get a closer look at wine appreciation. The restaurant's three-course gathering-style menu is designed to share, and changes seasonally (A$85 per person).  The French-inspired menu starts with charcuterie and dips, then onto small bites followed by heartier mains including market fish and a lamb rump. A vegetarian option is available. Otherwise, the lounge menu has build-your-own platters of pâtés, olives, dips, and cured fish and meats, A$8 per item. 

From Bellingen a meandering and spectacular road leads inland to Dorrigo and then travels back east eventually reaching the Pacific Highway, close to Coffs Harbour. This circular scenic route, beginning along the Bellinger River, climbs more than 1,000 feet up the heavily wooded escarpment to the Dorrigo Plateau. At the top of the plateau is Dorrigo National Park, a small but outstanding subtropical rain forest that is included on the World Heritage list. Signposts along the main road indicate walking trails. The Satinbird Stroll is a short rain forest walk, and the 6-km (4-mile) Cedar Falls Walk leads to the most spectacular of the park's many waterfalls, but the most dramatic of all is the free Skywalk lookout, a 230-foot boardwalk above the canopy that has panoramic views out to the coast. The national park is approximately 31 km (19 miles) from Bellingen.

Overlooking the densely forested Jamison Valley and three soaring sandstone pillars, this lofty promontory has the best views around Katoomba. The formations—called the Three Sisters—take their name from an Aboriginal legend that relates how a trio of siblings was turned to stone by their witch-doctor father to save them from the clutches of a mythical monster. The area was once a seabed that rose over a long period and subsequently eroded, leaving behind tall formations of sedimentary rock. From Echo Point—where the visitor center is located—you can clearly see the horizontal sandstone bedding in the landscape. There is a wide viewing area as well as the start of walks that take you closer to the Sisters. At night the Sisters are illuminated by floodlights. There are cafés and a visitor information center near the site.

This 700,000-acre property features some of the most ruggedly beautiful country in the Kimberley. El Questro has a full complement of recreational activities like fishing, swimming, horseback riding, and helicopter rides, and offers individually tailored walking and four-wheel-drive tours. Four independent accommodation facilities are on-site, each different in style and budget: the luxury Homestead (from A$3,285 per night with a two-night minimum-stay requirement and a policy that guests must be ages 16 and up); the safari-style tented cabins at Emma Gorge Resort (from A$350); air-conditioned Riverside Bungalows (from A$175); and Riverside Campgrounds (from A$30 per person per night) at El Questro Station. Each has a restaurant, and rates at the Homestead include drinks and food, laundry, and activities. Alternatively, you can choose to take a full-day tour of El Questro with included trips to Emma Gorge, Zebedee Springs, lunch at The Station, a Chamberlain River Cruise, and round-trip transport from Kununurra (A$268). Not renting a four-wheel-drive vehicle? Take a shuttle from Kununurra starting at A$110 each way to Emma Gorge Resort, A$135 each way to El Questro Station, and A$140 each way to El Questro Homestead.

On the south side of Perth's Central Business District lies the ever-expanding Elizabeth Quay, a public area brimful with restaurants, cafés, playgrounds, ice-cream parlors, boat excursions, larger-than-life artworks, and the swanky Ritz-Carlton hotel. Although construction is ongoing, EQ is a bustling hub and a great meeting spot. Transperth also has a bus depot, train station, and ferry crossing here making access without a car easy. 

Tip: Feel like a kid again and take a spin on the classic carousel.

This is one of the prettiest (and coldest) swimming holes in the Red Centre, so it's quite popular with locals and visitors alike—it's also the deepest and most permanent waterhole in the area, so you may glimpse wild creatures like wallabies or goannas (monitor lizards) quenching their thirst. Take the 3-km (2-mile) Dolomite Walk for a close-up look at this fascinating geological site.

Fronting Cairns Harbour, this busy boardwalk and recreational zone is the focal point of life in Cairns. Along the walk you'll encounter shady trees and public art, picnic and barbecue facilities, a large saltwater swimming lagoon, volleyball courts, an imaginative kids' playground, a state-of-the-art skate plaza, and areas for fitness, markets, and live entertainment. A shallow, 4,800-square-meter (51,667-square-foot) filtered saltwater lagoon swimming pool with a sandy shore, decking, and shelters, patrolled by lifeguards year-round, provides free, convenient relief from the often sticky air. Along the street opposite and along the marina at the boardwalk's southern end, you'll find hotels, shops, galleries, bars, and eateries.

The big attraction of this area is the twice-weekly Eumundi Markets—the best and largest street market on the Sunshine Coast, and one of the largest in Australia. More than 600 stall holders gather along Memorial Drive in the picturesque town of Eumundi to sell arts, crafts, clothing, accessories, and fresh and gourmet produce. Buses run to Eumundi from Noosa and other Sunshine Coast towns on market days, when the town swells to near-cosmopolitan proportions. Live musicians, poets, and masseurs keep the crowd relaxed.

The Eureka Centre stands on the site of the 1854 Eureka Stockade revolt, in which gold miners staged an armed rebellion against police corruption and for the establishment of democracy in Victoria. The museum brings history to life via impressive interactive technology. Visitors learn about democracy around the world and can admire the tattered but beautiful remains of the original Eureka Flag, which flew above the site of the battle. A simple on-site café serves coffee and cake.

Much of Kangaroo Island has been given over to farmland but since being declared a national treasure in 1919, a huge area of original vegetation has been protected in Flinders Chase. The catastrophic wildfires that swept through Kangaroo Island in early 2020 burnt 98% of the park but within weeks green shoots had begun to re-emerge and wildlife returned soon afterward. Now the regenerating landscape offers a unique chance to observe how well adapted Australian flora is to bushfires; many native species need fire to reproduce.

The best way to see the park is on foot and several short walking trails meander through shaded valleys or along spectacular coastal cliffs. But the undoubted highlight is the 61-km (38-mile) Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail, which adds tannin-stained creeks, mallee scrub, sugar gum forests, and isolated beaches into the mix as well as passing the aforementioned geological marvels. Walkers can hike the full five-day trail or tackle a single section with a range of licensed tour operators. The effects of seas crashing mercilessly onto Australia's southern coast are visible in the oddly shaped rocks on the island's shores. 

Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park is the main reason to visit Strahan. This is the best-known section of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, with its mountain peaks, untouched rain forest, and deep gorges and valleys that wind through the wilderness. In the late 1970s and early 1980s this area was the focus of one of Australia's most bitter conservation battles, when a hydroelectric power scheme was proposed that called for damming the Franklin River and flooding the river valley. Conservationists eventually defeated the proposal, but tensions remained high in the community for years.

About 50 km (31 miles) of the Lyell Highway, which stretches from Hobart to Queenstown, winds through the heart of the park to the west of Derwent Bridge. Making this drive is a great way to appreciate the area's natural beauty; there are several well-signposted walks along the way that let you do some easy exploring. The Franklin River Nature Trail is a 1-km (½-mile) wheelchair-accessible route through the rain forest; the Nelson Falls Nature Trail is a pleasant 20-minute stroll that takes you to the waterfall of the same name. The more challenging Donaghys Hill Wilderness Lookout Walk (40 minutes round-trip) is one you should bring your camera for; it brings you to a beautiful panoramic lookout dominated by the peak called Frenchmans Cap but with wilderness all around..

The park is also accessible by boat from the town of Strahan; cruises from there take you across Macquarie Harbour and into the early reaches of the Gordon River, where you can stop for a short walk in the rain forest. Some cruises include a stop at Sarah Island, once one of the harshest penal settlements in Tasmania, and venture out through the narrow entrance to Macquarie Harbour, known as Hell's Gates, for a glimpse of the tempestuous ocean beyond. Half- and full-day cruises run daily; some include a smorgasbord lunch and other refreshments.

The eclectic, artsy, and always bustling Fremantle Markets have been housed in this huge Victorian building since 1897 and sell everything from WA landscape photographs to incense, freshly roasted coffee, toys, clothing, and fruit and vegetables. You can also get a delicious array of street food, such as Turkish gözleme, German sausages, doughnuts, chocolate cake, and fresh-squeezed orange juice. Around 150 stalls attract a colorful mix of locals and tourists. 

One of the most popular tourist attractions in the state, prison day tours illustrate convict life—including (successful) escapes and the art cell, where a superb collection of drawings by prisoner James Walsh decorates his former quarters. The jail was built by convicts in the 1850s and is an important part of the region's history. Choose from a variety of tours, including a goosebump-inducing one by flashlight or a thrilling underground tour for which visitors are provided with hard hats, boots, and headlamps before descending 65 feet into the labyrinthine tunnels. Climbing (and a sense of adventure) is a must!

Highlights of the dramatic scenery here include the mountain-size granite formations known as the Hazards. On the ocean side of the peninsula there are also sheer cliffs that drop into the deep-blue ocean; views from the lighthouse at Cape Tourville are unforgettable. A series of tiny coves, one called Honeymoon Bay, provide a quieter perspective on the Great Oyster Bay side. Wineglass Bay, a perfect crescent of dazzling white sand, is best viewed from the lookout platform, about a 30-minute walk up a gentle hill from the parking lot; if you're feeling energetic, though, the view from the top of Mt. Amos, one of the Hazards, is worth the effort. A round-trip walk from the parking lot to Wineglass Bay takes about 2½ hours, and there are longer hiking options in the park. The park's many trails are well signposted. Daily entry to the park costs A$20 per person and A$40 per vehicle.

Located just 11 km (7 miles) from the Adelaide city center, palindromic Glenelg is a busy seaside suburb known for its sandy beach, historic jetty, serene marinas, bustling shops, hotels, restaurants, bars, and The Beachouse entertainment complex. Trams lead the way to the beach, carrying passengers from the city along Jetty Road while pedestrians weave in and out of the various retail outlets that line the strip. A day trip to Glenelg is a must, but the easygoing beach vibe encourages everyone from backpackers to more discerning travelers to make it their Adelaide base. The beach is large and sandy with a very gentle slope, and the waters are calm. Expect to see large crowds on hotter days and, depending on the season, seaweed can be a problem. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: sunrise; sunset; swimming; walking; windsurfing.

Comprising four mountain ranges—Mt. Difficult, Mt. William, Serra, and Victoria—the impressive Grampians National Park spills over 413,000 acres. Its rugged peaks, towering trees, waterfalls, creeks, and plethora of wildlife attract bushwalkers, rock climbers, and nature lovers. Spectacular wildflowers carpet the region in spring, while a number of significant Aboriginal rock art sites make it an ideal place to learn about Victoria's Indigenous history. The township of Halls Creek (population 600) sits within the national park, and with its 10,000 tourist beds it becomes quite a busy place in summer and at Easter. If you're staying in a self-catering accommodation, it's wise to stock up on groceries and wine in the big towns of Ballarat, Ararat, Hamilton, or Horsham, since prices at the Halls Gap general store are inflated. One of the most picturesque drives in the park is the 60-km-stretch (37-mile-stretch) from Halls Gap to Dunkeld.

Some areas in the park can be affected by fire and flood from year to year, so check with Parks Victoria for current road and camping conditions.