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10 Iconic Australian Destinations to Add to your Travel Bucket List

Australia is an enormous country that is host to some of the world’s most incredible destinations. From stunning beaches on the Gold Coast to the breathtaking views of the Blue Mountains, Australia’s diverse landscape has something for every kind of traveller. The challenge then becomes, where to go first? 

Considering we’ve already covered 10 spots in Australia that feel like a fantasy world, I thought it could be fun to focus on the island continent’s 10 most popular bucket list items – just for those of us who are only expecting to make the trip down under maybe once or twice in our lifetime.

Let’s take a closer look at  10 of the most iconic destinations that you must see when visiting Australia.

1. The Gold Coast 

Located on the southeastern coast of Brisbane in Queensland, the Gold Coast is famous for having Australia’s best coastlines and theme parks. Golden sand and clear water as far as the eye can see, the Gold Coast really lives up to the name. Kids will also be endlessly entertained by countless theme parks like Dreamworld or Wet’n’Wild. 

Gold Coast accommodation can also vary greatly from earthy, beachy and bohemian, to straight up luxury with panoramic coastal views. So if you are travelling without kids in tow, be prepared to be pampered in amongst a good dip at the beach.

2. The Daintree Rainforest 

The world’s oldest tropical rainforest, the Daintree Rainforest is one of Australia’s most unique destinations. Spanning over 1200 square kilometres of rainforest situated in the northern eastern corner of Queensland, The Daintree rainforest is host to some of Australia’s most interesting plants and wildlife. 

If you’re lucky enough you might even get a glimpse of some cassowaries, an elusive kingfisher bird, and some of the forest’s other endemic birdlife and wildlife. If you enjoy trekking through nature and don’t mind a bit of bushwacking or maybe some heights as you brave the forest’s canopy walk, then you’ll absolutely fall in love with the Daintree and all of its sights and sounds.

3. The Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the most beloved 7 natural wonders of the world. The Reef is also world-renowned for its biodiversity and natural beauty, promising otherworldly scenes of aquatic activity, and playing a major role in driving ocean conservation research that benefits waterways worldwide. 

Located along the northern Queensland coast most visitors access the reef from the town of Cairns. From town, there are multiple ways to enjoy the reef to suit all levels of adventure. You can explore the depths with a scuba tank or snorkel the surface with a tour group. 

If you prefer to stay dry, you can always try the bottomless boat that gives a great view of the coral reef systems below. Just make sure you listen to all the stories that your local tour guides have to share. Some may be involved in conservation research, and if you’re really lucky, you could even schedule some tours with Indigenous tour guides who can tell you all about the cultural and ecological significance of the Reef in Indigenous Australian cultures.

4. The Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge 

Two of Australia’s most recognisable landmarks are the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Located in the city centre, these Aussie icons are easy to get to and are a must visit during any trip to Sydney. Travelers with a courageous spirit can even take a walk along the top of the harbour bridge and experience the best view of Sydney Harbour. 

Not far from the Harbour Bridge is the Opera House where you can catch a show or take a tour. Surrounding the Opera House is a wide range of cafes and restaurants displaying Sydney’s best culinary talent for you to enjoy. ‘Dinner and a show’ anyone? The Opera House and Sydney’s eateries along the Circular Quay will be sure to deliver.

Pro tip: if you have a few extra days to spare in Sydney, then you should definitely book a Harbour cruise as well. There’s plenty to learn about the history of the Harbour, and many destinations all across the waterfront to be explored. You can book private cruises or even just jump on a public ferry from Circular Quay to get off at any of the stops around the Harbour. This includes destinations like Manly, Bondi Beach, and Taronga Zoo, just to name a few.

5. Uluru

A list of Australia’s iconic destinations wouldn’t be complete without Uluru. In the heart of the Northern Territory, Uluru (also often referred to as Ayers Rock) is one of Australia’s most iconic destinations. 

A sacred location for the local Anangu people, Uluru is a magical and mystical place with energy you can feel. Travel photographers will love Uluru for its night sky as the stars are visible like nowhere else in the world. 

Because Uluru is a place of deep cultural significance, it’s thankfully now prohibited to scale the rock itself, but you can explore the base of Uluru via a walking track, bike trail or even a camel ride. And if you’re after a cultural tour, just be sure to make your bookings early because sunrise and sunset spots actually do fill up quickly.

6. Cradle Mountain 

Tasmania’s Cradle Mountain is a rugged and tough landscape ideal for hikers and wilderness adventurers. The Dove Lake circuit is great for beginners looking to explore the area in a short time. And if you’re up for a challenge, the multiday Overland Track is for you. But be prepared, as the 65km six day trek is not for the faint of heart and at times Tasmania’s weather can be challenging. 

With Cradle Mountain being in the heart of the Tassie high country, it really is an amazing feeling being totally surrounded by nature as you explore this unique terrain. Simply put, Cradle Mountain is the perfect cool weather destination for trekkers with a keen sense of adventure, as you will discover wilderness unlike anything else. 

7. The Barossa Valley Wine Region

The Barossa Valley is one of Australia’s most famous wine regions and is home to the world renowned Penfolds winery, amongst many other iconic vineyards and distilleries. Located north of Adelaide in South Australia, this iconic wine country is a great destination for foodies looking to relax and unwind.

Sample some of the local produce at Barossa Farmers market, here you will find a wide range of local artisans creating unique flavours of all kinds. The amazing food and wine experience is elevated by the stunning scenery. For food and wine lovers the Barossa valley is simply a destination that cannot be missed.

8. The Great Ocean Road 

The Great Ocean Road is a 243km road carved along the southwestern coast of Victoria. The Road was originally constructed by returning servicemen from the first World War and now stands as a memorial to their sacrifice. On top of the Great Ocean Road’s historic significance, the highway itself is renowned for its stunning coastal views, offering amazing lookout points that really let you experience the wonder and majesty of Australia’s wild southern coastline.

Starting in Torquay and ending in Allansford the journey is packed with interesting landmarks such as the Twelve Apostles and Bells Beach. We definitely recommend stopping at a few of the coastal towns along the Ocean Road overnight as well so you can really savour this quintessential Aussie road trip experience.

9. Rottnest Island

A unique destination, Rottnest Island can be the spot for travellers looking for something different away from the crowds. Located off the coast of Perth Western Australia, Rottnest Island is accessible by ferry and is a great place for a day trip. 

The Basin on the northside of the island is a beautiful beach with white sand and crystal-clear turquoise water. The Island is also a nature reserve and is home to the happy little quokka, a native wallaby-like marsupial that’s endemic to the island and renowned all over the world for its cute smile and passion for posing for selfies. Natural beauty aside, honestly a trip to Rottnest is vital just for the quokkas alone!

10. Blue Mountains National Park

Only an hour’s drive out of Sydney, the Blue Mountains National Park is a great place to enjoy nature. Stopping in the town of Katoomba will give you a great view of the mountain ranges and allow you to access many walking trails. 

Throughout the national park there are also a variety of walks that range in difficulty and length. Some may even take you to some cascading alpine waterfalls. The air will be chilly, but fresh and invigorating!

After dark, you can also experience the magical glow worms that can be found across some of the cave systems in the mountains. Jenolan Caves is a must-visit for those looking to explore this fascinating NSW destination.

Experience Australia’s Most Iconic Escapes

For many of us, travelling to Australia is likely to be a once in a lifetime experience – so you want to make sure you visit all of the island continent’s most iconic attractions across your trip itinerary.

And yes, sadly a lot of the destinations we’ve outlined here today are in different states, which means you can expect them to be up to thousands of kilometres apart – Australia is well and truly massive. But so long as you know where you’d like to go, you can make sure your Aussie itinerary is tailored to your own down under dreams!