The Best Places to Visit in Australia for Your Next Holiday

From its iconic cities of Sydney and Melbourne to the glittering coastline of the Gold Coast and unmissable natural wonders from Uluru to the Great Barrier Reef, Australia is a dream destination. And we haven't even mentioned kangaroos and koalas yet.

Get inspired for your next journey with this list of the best places to visit in Australia.

From Sydney’s famous landmarks to Melbourne’s artistic laneways, these Aussie cities promise unforgettable experiences.

Sun-kissed and showy, Australia’s gateway city dazzles visitors with her iconic skyline, harbour views, and golden beaches.

Sydney’s signature moves are the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, both offering insta-busting views and edge-of-seat experiences like the epic BridgeClimb, one of Sydney’s top experiences.

Beyond the landmarks, one of the best things to do in Sydney is to explore the cobblestone streets of its earliest European settlement, The Rocks, with its historic pubs, boutiques and its thriving weekend markets. Wander the waterfront Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, with stunning views of the harbour. Bring a picnic or book into one of the restaurants or cafés dotted throughout.

The city’s beaches, from Bondi Beach to Manly Beach, are magnets for surfers and sunbathers. Don’t miss the scenic coastal walks; the six-kilometre Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk is bookended by great cafés for a morning well spent. 

Feel the power of the seas on a slow ferry ride to Manly Beach – if it was any more laid back, it’d be horizontal. For a change of pace, koalas and kangaroos lead the charge of Australian wildlife at Taronga Zoo, alongside giraffes and tigers. Join a keeper talk or two at Australia's largest zoo.

For harbour views guaranteed to dazzle, check into Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour.

The budget-friendly ibis Styles Sydney Central is fantastically convenient for transport links, set close to Central Station.

Set in busy Haymarket, the heritage-listed Hotel Morris Sydney is packed with boutique charm, while The Porter House Hotel Sydney – MGallery Collection wears its heritage with pride; built in 1876, it was originally a tobacco factory.

Australia’s cultural capital rolls on creativity, dining and events, all powered by some of the best coffee ever put in a cup (it’s a big call, but come try for yourself). 

Be prepared for a subtle attack on your senses; Melbourne will charm you with its street art, hidden cafes, and laneways like Hosier Lane, Duckboard Place, and AC/DC Lane. The city’s world-class museums, galleries, and sporting events, including the Australian Open and the Grand Prix, give Melbourne a summertime buzz.  

Take a few hours to walk the city's laneways and alleys – that’s where you’ll find the layers of street art. If you really want to blend in, do it with a cup of coffee; Melbourne and coffee go hand-in-hand, literally. Otherwise, drop in to one of the city’s top roasters for a cup, or even take a behind-the-scenes masterclass with a pro.

Culture and sport muck in together in Melbourne; in a day, you can peruse some of the world’s most distinctive art at the National Gallery of Victoria, then catch a tram to the cricket or AFL game – aka ‘the footy’ – at the nearby Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

It’s also daytripper-friendly, with the Yarra Valley wine region only an hour from town, as is the start of the Great Ocean Road. A day out on Phillip Island visiting its penguins is the quintessential Melbourne day trip.

Come for the stylish luxury, stay for the Chocolate Hour at the Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne on Spencer, conveniently located opposite Southern Cross Station. For views of the Yarra River, opt for Quay West Suites Melbourne, while Novotel Melbourne on Collins is right in the heart of the city. For those on a budget, ibis Melbourne Central lets you save on hotels, and splurge on the shopping all around you.

Sun-drenched beaches, bustling seaside towns, wild wildlife; buckle up for unforgettable road trips.

The Gold Coast is brassy and brazen; with golden sands, happening nightlife and family-friendly attractions, the Gold Coast is a paradise for beach lovers and thrill seekers. 

Just an hour south of Brisbane, Surfers Paradise and Burleigh Heads headline the Gold Coast’s iconic beaches, attracting sun-seekers and surfers alike. Beyond the beaches, go inland for lush hinterlands, tropical national parks and thrilling theme parks including Dreamworld, Sea World, and Warner Bros Movie World.

Best things to do on the Gold Coast

Surfers Paradise’s beach lives up to its name; surfers genuinely love it. Why not take a surf lesson from a pro? Staying on the water theme, the waterfalls of Springbrook National Park are a highlight of its scenic hiking trails, while market aficionados are well served at the gigantic Carrara Markets. The key mall here is the long-standing Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, packed with fashion and restaurant precincts, as well as entertainment and kids’ play areas.

When the sun goes down, hit the rooftop bars and clubs, catch a band or visit the night markets – Surfers Paradise draws a younger crowd, while Broadbeach has a more relaxed vibe. To get a read on the ‘hood, take an evening gondola tour through the Gold Coast’s waterways to spot millionaires’ mansions while the sun sets.

The eco-certified Novotel Surfers Paradise offers beach views in Surfers Paradise, while families love the convenience of the 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments at Mantra Circle on Cavill, right on the main drag. For premium accommodation in Surfers Pardise, Peppers Soul speaks to those seeking a luxury stay with ocean views. 

One of the world’s most scenic coastal drives, the Great Ocean Road curves along southern Victoria, dishing up a feast of dramatic cliffs, pristine beaches, and lush rainforests.

The drive’s highlight is the Twelve Apostles, sea-sculptured limestone formations rising from the ocean; just don’t expect 12, time and tide have taken their toll. Along the way, you can explore charming towns like Lorne and Apollo Bay, as well as the remarkable Great Otway National Park.

Best things to do on the Great Ocean Road

Take a roadtrip from Torquay to Allansford, stopping at the viewing platforms to marvel at the Twelve Apostles. Fancy a helicopter ride? Fly from the helipad in downtown Melbourne or take a scenic flight from the helipad near the main viewing platform at Princetown.

Away from the coast, the Great Otway National Park is lined with waterfalls amidst ancient rainforest. Take a walk to the Cape Otway Lightstation overlooking the Bass Strait; its light has been guiding ships since 1848. Along the road, keep an eye out for koalas, while the Anglesea Golf Club is riddled with kangaroos - it even does daily 'roo tours to its most famous residents. For ethical wildlife sightings, take a walking tour with Wildlife Wonders at Apollo Bay. 

For coastal tranquillity, Mantra Lorne is popular with families seeking the classic Victorian beach holiday. Alternatively, you could stay in Melbourne and day trip along the Great Ocean Road, by car, or for a really special experience, take a scenic helicopter flight over the jaw-dropping skyline.

Australia’s natural wonders are unmatched, featuring unique landscapes, and wildlife found nowhere else on Earth.

Deep in Australia’s Red Centre, in the Northern Territory, unmistakable Uluru is a sacred site for the Anangu, the Indigenous people of the region, and the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognised for both its natural and also its cultural values.

On a visual level, the sandstone monolith’s colours shift throughout the day, especially at sunrise and sunset. Nearby, the rock domes of Kata Tjuta are equally breathtaking and immensely sacred to the Anangu.
 

The best things to do while visiting Uluru and Kata Tjuta

Join a guided tour to learn about Indigenous culture. Going alone, you can walk, cycle or even Segway the 10-kilometre Uluru Base Trail, stopping at the signs and explainers along the way – budget a couple of hours for the journey. 

Uluru is also renowned for its magical art installation Field of Light, by artist Bruce Munro. It’s best enjoyed at dusk; to awake with Uluru, its sublime, emotive Sunrise Journeys experience starts in the darkness before dawn, when an artwork by three Anangu women lights up Country, their poem accompanied by music and breakfast as the sun rises over Uluru – an exceptional experience.

There's accommodation for all styles and budgets at Ayres Rock Resort. For apartment-style accommodation, opt for Emu Walk Apartments while budget-friendly accommodation is found at the Outback Hotel & Lodge. For premium stays, the five-star hotel Sails in the Desert obliges.

It's not called 'Great' for nothing, and the Great Barrier Reef lives up to its name. As the world’s largest coral reef system, the 2,300-kilometre-long reef is a bucket-list destination for snorkellers and dive junkies.

This underwater paradise is home to vivid soft and hard corals, tropical fish better than you've seen in any aquarium, and the big players, such as sea turtles and manta rays. 

Yet you can still immerse yourself in the reef without getting your toes wet, take a scenic flight over the reef - Heart Reef is a favourite for marriage proposals. Otherwise, many operators run semi-submersibles that offer superb underwater viewing, while keeping your blow-out intact. Staying on dry land, the reef is dotted with spectacular islands such as Green Island and Fitzroy Island, off the coast of Cairns.

In Cairns, Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort offers family-friendly stays, or opt for Pullman Cairns International for a touch of luxury.

An hour north of Cairns in Port Douglas, Peppers Beach Club is casually elegant and absolute waterfront, while Mantra PortSea Port Douglas has not only hotel rooms, but also one and two-bedroom apartments great for groups and families, and a swim-up bar - love!

Tasmania’s showcase peak, Cradle Mountain, is a magnet for hikers and those who appreciate a scenic alpine landscape. Four hours' drive from Hobart, it's part of the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. Take a short walk or spend six days hiking the Overland Track for your fill of glacial lakes, ancient rainforests and diverse wildlife.

Best things to do at Cradle Mountain

If mountains, glacial lakes, snow, and serenity are on your checklist, the Dove Lake Circuit ticks all boxes. The 6-kilometre walk takes a couple of hours - allowing plenty of time for photos - even so, don't underestimate the mountain conditions, and gear up. Too short? Then the Overland Track is for you. The six-day hike across the Central Highlands is one of Australia's premier multi-day walks. 

Whichever walk you do, keep your eyes out for wombats and wallabies, and if you're lucky, you'll even spot a Tasmanian devil. 

Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge is the last word in luxurious tranquillity, set in the World Heritage-listed national park. 

These Aussie destinations are world-class, and absolutely worth the trip to South Australia and Western Australia.

Red wine lovers, come to your heartland. The Barossa, just an hour north-east of Adelaide, produces Australia’s top reds and some pretty flash whites, too, and the valley is choc-full of sweet villages and phenomenal dining.

To see where it all started, head to Langmeil Winery, established in 1842 and considered the Barossa's oldest winery in the Barossa. It's also home to the world's oldest shiraz vines.

Don’t go home without visiting Australia’s most famous winery, Penfolds, which produces Australia's most expensive wine, the famed Penfolds Grange, or fly under the radar with sleeper hits such as the organic/biodynamic Tscharke Wines or long-staying family label Bethany Wines. The Barossa Valley is also one of the most beautiful places for a hot-air balloon ride, coasting the vineyards, and the historic towns of Tanunda and Angaston.

Surrounded by vineyards, Novotel Barossa Valley Resort puts you within easy reach of local farmers' markets, sweetly scented lavender farms, golf courses, and the more than 150 wineries and 90 cellar doors in this premier Australian wine region.

For wine and whales, Western Australia’s Bunker Bay delivers, with crystal-clear waters and proximity to the Margaret River wine region.

A three-hour drive south of Perth, Bunker Bay is on a whale superhighway – from late May to August, you can spot humpback and southern right whales on their way to and from Antarctica.

Don’t miss the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse, with its dramatic views and one-hour loop walk, and cellar doors – there are more than 90, so you won’t get to them all in one visit. The big guns include Vasse Felix, where the first vines were planted in the district, and heavyweight Cullen, whose star-spangled biodynamic and organic wines are produced on a carbon-neutral, solar-powered estate.

For a luxurious coastal retreat, where you can watch whales from the bar, visit Pullman Bunker Bay Resort Margaret River.

It's a big country, and Australia is full of fabulous places to visit, from its iconic key cities, Sydney and Melbourne, as well as the golden beaches of the Great Ocean Road and the Gold Coast, with its surf scene and theme parks. Away from the big hubs, explore the Red Centre, home to sacred Uluru, or go far north to the Great Barrier Reef. Heading to South Australia or Western Australia, the Barossa Valley produces the country's best red wine, and WA's Bunker Bay is one of the top places to spy whales on their annual migration from Antarctica.

Sydney's top attractions include the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge - the BridgeClimb is one of the city's most popular attractions. Walk through history in Sydney's oldest European neighbourhood, The Rocks, brimming with historic pubs and busy weekend markets. For a longer walk, take the six-kilometre Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk.

Edgy and urbane Melbourne is best known for its colourful street art - wander its lanes and alleyways to discover some of the best-known artists in the business, then step inside the National Gallery of Victoria for a masterclass in Indigenous art. Summer sizzles with the Australian Open and the Grand Prix, otherwise it's cricket in summer and AFL ('the footy') in winter. Whatever you do in Melbourne, make sure you're holding a cup of locally roasted coffee while you do it.

Sydney's best day trip is to the Blue Mountains, to walk the Three Sisters and visit Katoomba. Otherwise, head south to the Royal National Park for wild beaches and rockpooling, or go north to Palm Beach to walk around Barrenjoey Lighthouse and visit local cafés. In Melbourne, the Yarra Valley wine region is only an hour from the city, while it takes 90 minutes to get to the Mornington Peninsula - best done with a driver. Visiting the penguins of Phillip Island is one of the best day trips from Melbourne.