"Australia’s attraction scene is nothing short of epic: coral reefs, desert monoliths, wild outback trails, and cities pulsing with culture and coastline. It’s the kind of place where I can snorkel with turtles in the morning and watch a world-class opera at night."
I’ve got a sunhat on, sunscreen packed, and a camera ready for kangaroos and coastal cliffs—all in a country that feels like a continent of bucket-list moments. Who knew one place could offer such wildly different adventures in every direction?
I dive into the vibrant underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef after spending a fun morning in Port Douglas. When I miss the city, Sydney wows with the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and Bondi Beach charm. Down south, Melbourne delivers laneway cafés, street art, and cultural festivals, while Tasmania offers untamed beauty and historic towns. And let’s not forget the Twelve Apostles along the Great Ocean Road—nature’s sculpture gallery by the sea.
"Reefs, rocks, and rooftop views from coast to coast? Australia is my second home!"
Unique Tourist Attractions in Australia:
1. Go scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef
Australia’s famous Great Barrier Reef needs no introduction and occupies pride of place at the top of most visitors’ must-see list. The amazing reef (the largest in the world) is made up of over 3,000 separate reef systems and dozens of beautiful, inviting tropical islands surrounded by azure waters teeming with marine life. You can access this wonderland from several coastal cities, including Cairns, Townsville, Rockhampton, and Mackay. Activities at the Great Barrier Reef are generally centered on the amazing marine life, which draws snorkelers and scuba divers – if you prefer to keep your feet dry, you can join a tour on a glass-bottomed boat instead. Boating, sailing, scenic helicopter flips, and simply relaxing on the beach complete the picture.
2. Admire the view in The Blue Mountains
The Blue Mountains region is located is New South Wales, bordering the Sydney metropolitan area, and offers locals and visitors an ideal escape from the city. The region comprises beautiful landscapes dotted with charming small towns and villages and the chance to enjoy a wide variety of outdoor pursuits, including scenic drives, hiking and cycling, horseback riding, and several adventure sports such as abseiling and canyoning. There is also an extremely high scenic cable-car ride and a scenic railway to enjoy. You can explore 29 of the regions’ attractions on the hop-on-hop-off Blue Mountains Trolley Tour or take a self-guided drive. In addition to all the above attractions, there are caves to explore, relaxing spa experiences, and antiques and crafts to be uncovered.
3. Relax and swim on Bondi Beach
Everyone has heard of Australia’s iconic Bondi Beach, which welcomes over one million visitors annually. The famous beach forms a golden crescent of soft sand surrounding the clear azure waters of the Pacific Ocean and is the ideal place to spend a surf and sun vacation. The protected waters of the bay are great for surfing and beginners can take lessons with Let’s go Surfing. If ocean bathing is not quite your thing, you can swim in two wonderful surf-side pools or enjoy walking along the 2.5-mile Bondi to Bronte coastal walk, which meanders along the cliff tops overlooking the beach. The entire Bondi Beach area is packed with excellent restaurants and shopping, and the Saturday Bondi Farmer’s Market should not be missed.
4. Marvel at the Cape Pillar Sea Cliffs
Towering over 900 feet over the brilliant waters of the Pacific, the Cape Pillar Sea Cliffs are a must-see attraction for all visitors to Tasmania, which lies off the coast of mainland Australia. These dramatic sea cliffs are the tallest of their kind in the Southern Hemisphere and are protected within the Tasman National Park. You can visit the spectacular cliffs on a boat tour out of historic Port Arthur, or do it the hard way and hike to the cliffs along the 25-mile Cape Pillar Circuit (a 4-day adventure), which will reward you with unsurpassed views of not only the Cape Pillar Sea Cliffs but also Cape Hauy, Monument Lookout and Tasman Island.
5. Tour the iconic Daintree Rainforest
Daintree Rainforest invites visitors to indulge in some genuine ecotourism as they seize the unique opportunity to visit the World’s oldest surviving rainforest, located 100km northwest of Cairns on the east coast of Australia. The pristine and completely natural old-growth rainforest is a privately owned conservation initiative run by long-term inhabitants who are dedicated to sharing their knowledge and their rainforest with nature lovers. You can choose from several guided interpretive tours, which range from 2 to 5 hours, some of which include a cruise through the mangrove swamps, lunch, and afternoon tea. Along the way you will meet some of the very special animals, plants, and insects who inhabit this heritage site.
6. Explore the attractions at Darling Harbour
Sydney’s amazing Darling Harbour is more than just a dockyard – this waterfront area is home to many of Sydney’s prime attractions and is where locals come to be entertained, educated, wined, dined, and rejuvenated; it is an absolute must-see attraction for all visitors to the city. You have a wide range of activities and attractions to choose from, including cinemas, harbor cruises, the Australian National Maritime Museum, Madame Tussauds, Sea Life Sydney Aquarium, and the amazing Powerhouse Museum, which showcases science and technology. If all this is not enough, you can also visit several theaters and galleries, dine at numerous waterfront restaurants, and shop until you drop – the Hello Sydney! Shopper Hopper will take you from one great shopping area to the next.
Romantic Tourist Attractions in Australia:
7. Explore Melbourne's landmarks at Federation Square
If you are planning to visit Melbourne, you need to put Federation Square on your list of must-see attractions. This 3-hectare city development includes St. Paul’s Court, The Square, and The Atrium and is the entertainment, cultural and artistic hub of the city. An ideal way to get your bearings and learn all about the Federation Square history and attractions is to join the free tour (Mon-Sat). Highlights of your visit will include ACMI (Australian Centre for the Moving Image), and the NGV Design Studio, the Ian Potter Centre (Australian Art). You can rent a bike to tour the area or hop aboard a Yarra River Cruise to explore the city from a different perspective.
8. Visit Gippsland Lakes, Australia's largest inland waterways
The Gippsland Lakes are an enormous network of beautiful inland lagoons, marches, and lakes which cover an area of over 230 square miles located between Ninety Mile Beach and the ocean. In this tranquil environment you will have an astonishing variety of beach activities to keep you occupied, including boating, sailing, canoeing, kayaking, wind-surfing, fishing, and sailing. The calm waters of the lagoons are perfect for children and the entire area is a popular summer vacation destination. Nature lovers will be able to view a wide variety of birds and other wildlife, including lagoon dolphins, and you can visit Rotamah Island by boat to see wallabies and kangaroos in their natural environment, while Raymond Island is home to a koala colony. When conditions are perfect you may be able to witness blue glowing waters at night caused by bioluminescent organisms.
9. Marvel at the rugged beauty of The Great Ocean Road
The Great Ocean Road region of Victoria is where you can embark on the famous Great Ocean Road Scenic Drive, a brilliant 413-mile adventure along the magnificent coastline of southern Australia. The route stretches from the town of Torquay (90 minutes from Melbourne) to Nelson, on the south Australian border. You can complete the route in 3 days, but allowing yourself 5 or even 7 days will give you more time to enjoy the wide variety of exciting activities available en route. Highlights of your tour could include renting a bike and cycling along the rugged seashore, donning hiking boots and exploring waterfalls and forests, going on a zip-line tour or simply enjoying the incredible coastal scenery and the wonderful restaurants along the way.
10. Sample Thai-Euro fusion dishes at Restaurant Moon
Restaurant Moon is a unique Darlinghurst dining destination from restaurateurs Jackie Park and Touchpong Chancaw, known for their work at Aum. The restaurant, which opened in 2018, is housed within an elegantly-designed space in the city's former Onde building, serving up upscale Thai selections throughout the week at lunch and dinner. Creative entree selections include 72-hour braised Jack's Creek beef ribs in tamarind glaze, Aylesbury duck confit in panang curry, crispy pork belly with Chinese broccoli and fermented soybeans, and stir-fried zucchini and pumpkin with coriander and fried egg. Diners can also enjoy traditional Thai favorites like pad Thai, crab fried rice, and pad se ew, served up alongside fresh Sydney rock oysters and shareables like pork char siu.
346 Liverpool St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010, Australia, Phone: +61-2-93-57-60-84
📔 I get asked this a lot so I decided to include it:
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Why is Australia a great tourist destination?
- Australia is an amazing tourist destination offering visitors a huge variety of attractions and activities for all tastes and ages.
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Where can beach lovers go in Australia?
- Sun and surf lovers will find what they're looking for in abundance. Most will want to head straight to famous Bondi Beach.
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What natural landmarks should visitors explore in Australia?
- If you prefer mountains to seascapes, you can add the beautiful Blue Mountains and mysterious Uluru to your list of must-see destinations.
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Where can snorkelers and scuba divers go in Australia?
- Snorkelers and scuba divers will not be able to resist the lure of the magical Great Barrier Reef.
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What are some scenic drives in Australia?
- Take a scenic drive along the famous Great Ocean Rd or the Sunshine Coast to see some of the highlights.
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What cultural experiences can visitors enjoy in Australia’s cities?
- Australia’s cities are full of wonderful parks and gardens, excellent markets, and brilliant art galleries and museums.
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What are some must-see attractions in Sydney?
- In Sydney, you can tour the iconic Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
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Where can I learn more about visiting Australia?
- Learn more about Australia at Australia.com.
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