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The Australia You’ve Never Heard Of: 10 Spots That Don’t Feel Real

Sydney Opera House, Uluru, the Great Barrier Reef, Bondi Beach, Australia is full of blockbuster landmarks. 

But beyond the tourist trail, outside of the Lonely Planet’s must-visit list, there’s a whole version of Australia that feels like a bit of a fantasy. And the best part – these places are not too crowded. These top 10 spots include everything from Horizontal Waterfalls and wave-shaped rocks to living fossils. Let’s start. 

Shark Bay, WA 

Even being World Heritage listed, it’s surprisingly easy to find a quiet place to enjoy wildlife you won’t have anywhere else on the planet. I’m talking about stromatolites, living fossils at Hamelin Pool going back 3.5 billion years. 

Plus, you can also spot lots of wild dolphins at Monkey Mia, many of whom are very keen to interact with people. It’s a far more unique experience than booking a dolphin watch tour. 

Wave Rock, WA 

Although it may not be as popular as Uluru, it also looks like a gigantic piece of modern art. This spot is a 15-metre-high granite formation that resembles an ocean wave mid-crash, complete with multicoloured striping to complete the aesthetic effect. 

It’s so perfectly formed that it almost looks like it’s an AI-generated image, except it’s real. I recommend going during the wildflower season, which runs from August to November. 

Horizontal Falls, WA 

David Attenborough called it one of the greatest wonders of the world, which pretty much puts it on a must-visit list in my book. Known as “Garaanngaddim” by the local Dambimangari people, Horizontal Falls features waterfalls that are created by massive tidal movements. Because they reverse twice daily, the water appears to flow uphill. 

To visit, you need to book a tour; I recommend opting for a seaplane or jet boat. For stays, the bookable floating boathouses nearby will be your base camp, putting you right next to the falls. 

Wilson’s Promontory National Park, VIC

Known simply as “The Prom” by locals, it’s Victoria’s southernmost point, and well worth a visit. Granite mountains, pristine beaches, beautiful wildlife, and a serene sense of solitude. 

Mount Oberon (558m) is well worth a visit, giving you those Instagram-worthy panoramic coastal views. Tidal River camping ground is the suggested HQ, giving you the opportunity to see wildlife up close and personal. 

Karijini National Park, WA 

This is Western Australia’s second-largest national park, offering the raw beauty of nature that you will not find in many other places in the country. Ancient gorges (e.g. Hancock Gorge and Weano Gorge), emerald rock pools, hidden waterfalls, and glowing landscapes. 

Top tip: only go between April and September, when it’s a bit cooler. You will otherwise meet extreme temperatures, and it can get dangerous. And even then, always plan carefully (e.g. fuel, water, food supplies), and dress wisely.

Guy Fawkes River National Park, NSW

Yes, it’s named after that English bloke with the fireworks. And well worth planning a visit, too. It’s rugged, vast, and a wilderness that feels hardly touched by humanity. 

It’s an important park, protecting the largest remaining stands of Antarctic beech trees in NSW, remnants of Gondwana forests. It’s also home to several endangered species, including the bristlebird and Hastings River mouse (can’t promise you’ll see them, however). 

Border Ranges National Park, NSW

The lush and misty rainforest has often been described as evoking a true sense of Jurassic, with ancient rainforests that well and truly deserve their World Heritage status. 

Here, you will find the largest subtropical rainforest remnant in Australia, with some trees over 1,000 years old. The scenic drives are breathtaking. You will stop many times to get your phone out and take photos. 

Bundjalung National Park, NSW

This destination is all about learning and respecting the local people and their sacred sites, with Bundjalung National Park featuring Aboriginal burial grounds and ceremonial areas. 

Canoeing through paperback swamps and wetlands in Jerusalem Creek is a memorable experience, and the beaches give you the opportunity to fish and surf away from large crowds. Just remember: this is a sacred area, so be respectful and follow park guidelines to the letter. 

Carnarvon National Park, QLD

Located in Central Queensland, at Carnarvon National Park, you will find an ancient sandstone wilderness offering towering sandstone cliffs, Aboriginal art galleries, the platypus (if you’re lucky!), and the chance to camp under the stars. 

The sandstone cliffs are particularly impressive, with some sections reaching 200 metres high. You will also find the country’s largest collection of Aboriginal stencil art, which spans over 3,5000 sites. Final approaches will require 4WD transport, by the way. 

Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park, QLD

This is where you go into the true outback, a unique experience to visit ancient limestone cave systems, Aboriginal rock art, and wildlife, including wallabies and bats. 

For the caves, I recommend a guided tour. There are plenty that are beginner-friendly, and these will still offer those ‘wow’ moments throughout your visit. 

Tips for Exploring Remote Australia

The list of top spots to visit may be done, but before you go, I’d like to offer a few tips when exploring remote Australia. Remember, this is nature, and it can be extremely unforgiving: 

• Carry a physical map. Google Maps won’t always be there to save you, even with the best data plan. Download maps for offline use just in case, but don’t forget the physical version, too. 
• Check park alerts regularly, as closures are often affected by the weather. Considering you will be driving long distances, you don’t want to find out at the last minute. 
• Bring plenty of cash. Just like when you go on holiday from Australia and use a foreign cash service, it’s really important to have several methods of payment. We forget that cash can still actually be quite useful, especially when you’re out in the middle of nowhere. 
• Bring supplies like water, food, fuel, first aid kits, and everything else you need to survive in case your vehicle breaks down. 
• 4WD is essential if you’re going to drive. 
• Tell people your plans. You want to keep your family and friends involved. Send them an itinerary, a copy of your documents, and the Australian mobile phone number just in case anything happens. 

Apologies for the Mum’s-style end to this article, but it’s important to highlight the importance of proper planning. These spots are not that popular partly because they are a little harder to reach, which in turn carries a bit of extra risk. 

But don’t worry, it’s generally very safe, and the investment in being just that little bit more than the average tourist is going to be more than worth it. The reward: destinations showcase the continent’s incredible diversity while offering the rare gift of peace, so skip the High Street hits and opt for these hidden gems.