It’s no wonder why many intrepid travelers have a trip to Australia on their bucket list.
This unique country has plenty of fun things to keep you busy, from diving among colorful coral reefs to exploring buzzing metropolises, swimming in turquoise blue waters, and much more. That’s not all: UNESCO also thinks the country is fantastic, which is why it has 20 Australian sites inscribed onto its World Heritage List.
1. The Great Barrier Reef
No matter if you’re a pro scuba diver or never touched a snorkel in your life, everyone should see this incredible natural phenomenon at least once in their lifetime!
The Great Barrier Reef is a huge natural complex that stretches nearly 350,000 square kilometers, consists of hundreds of small islands, and has almost 3,000 individual coral reefs. This phenomenon is so huge that it is the only living structure on Earth visible from space. How amazing is that?
Besides its sheer size, it’s no wonder why diving enthusiasts have appreciated the Great Barrier Reef for such a long time: visitors can see more than 400 species of coral, swim alongside around 1,500 different types of fish, and be amazed at dozens of other underwater species that call this area home.
The best way to see this attraction is to take a tour of the Great Barrier Reef. If you’re shy of the water, no worries — Google Maps also has a special street view map of the reef underwater!
2. Sydney
When planning a trip to Australia, most people include the country’s biggest — and arguably the most popular — city on their itinerary: Sydney!
Although it’s not the capital of the country (that title belongs to Canberra), Sydney is famous for many different things, including its diverse culture, business district, food scene, tourist attractions, and much more.
First-time visitors are always amazed at the unique combination of modern architectural buildings and huge shopping centers that are cleverly juxtaposed next to antique buildings (such as the Sydney Royal Mint) and peaceful gardens.
Of course, the world-famous Sydney Opera House deserves a special place on any Australian itinerary. A masterpiece of 20th-century architecture, the Opera House took 14 years to build and can seat more than 5,700 visitors across its concert halls, theaters, and rooms.
Thanks to its unusual architectural form (which many have noted look like white sail-shaped shells), the building is included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
3. Uluru (Ayers Rock)
When most people think of Australia’s natural attractions, Uluru/Ayers Rock comes to mind first.
This is one of the most recognizable places in Australia thanks to its unique form: Ayers Rock is an oval-shaped sandstone formation, some 348 meters high and 3.6 km wide, that is known for its rugged beauty and changing colors. In fact, at dawn, the rock has a lilac hue, while during the day it alternates between orange, red, and gold!
Besides attracting thousands of tourists every year, Ayers Rock is an excellent subject for photographers, who travel from around the world to take its photo.
There are many ways to explore Uluru, including short and medium strolls, and even a 3.5-hour walk around the entire base of the rock!
4. Tasmania
Tasmania is truly a natural paradise in Australia. This is thanks to the state’s location, which is an island about 240 kilometers off the southern coast of Australia!
‘Tassie,’ as the locals like to nickname it, has plenty of picturesque landscapes, unique flora and fauna, and a temperate climate. It’s the perfect destination for those who want to enjoy nature because nearly half of the state is made up of national parks and reserves!
Some popular spots to visit include the hiking routes of Freycinet National Park, the beautiful viewing platform from Mount Wellington, and the historic Salamanca Place.
5. The Twelve Apostles
Located off the shore of Port Campbell National Park in Victoria, the Twelve Apostles are one of the most famous natural attractions in the country. These huge pillars can reach up to 50 meters in height and are surrounded by the ocean on all sides.
Although the name indicates that there should be twelve apostles, there were, in fact, only eight. After a giant wave hit the area in 2005, one of the limestone pillars collapsed and nowadays there are only seven standing.
It is especially beautiful to see this attraction during sunset when it is reflected in the waves of the ocean. For a truly unique view, visitors also have the chance to go on a helicopter tour and see the apostles from a bird's eye view.
This post was brought to you in collaboration with Online Visa Australia.
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