Creating an itinerary for a trip to Australia can become complicated for instance, as the country itself is large and offers a plethora of natural and man-made attractions for you to see and explore.
With so much that you can do and so many places to visit while in Australia, it’s likely that your holiday would have to last much longer than it actually can. Luckily for you, there are some places that stick out and that are incredible to the point that you can’t afford to miss out on them. Here are some of the best places in Australia to put on your bucket list.
Sydney
If you’re indecisive about whether to have an urban adventure or spend your time on some of the most amazing beaches you’ve ever seen, you’ll be happy to know you can have the best of both worlds if you simply go to Sydney.
One excellent example is Bondi Beach, where the ideal combo of sand and sea will have you in a trance even before you hit the water. Once you’re done with the swimming, surfing and sunbathing, perhaps you’ll be interested in taking a walk in one of the city’s gorgeous parks, visiting the Royal Botanic Garden or spending some time in one of the many museums there. In the meantime, be sure to tour Sydney Harbour, where Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge are located. And if you get hungry at any point, don’t forget that Sydney is Mecca for foodies. From the fresh food you can buy at the local farmers’ markets to some of the most interesting national restaurants to mouth-watering street food, you’ll certainly have plenty to pick from.
Great Barrier Reef
It truly doesn’t matter if you’re an adventurer, a marine-life enthusiast, or a marine biologist with a thirst for knowledge, the Great Barrier Reef will not disappoint. Aside from actually being the biggest coral reef system in the world, it’s also home to a wide variety of marine wildlife. You’ll find the Great Barrier Reef right off the coast of Queensland, easily accessible by boat from The Whitsundays region. In fact, sailing The Whitsundays to the reef is often a popular choice as the Whitsundays has great accommodation and is popular on it’s as a tourist destination, so people often see both at the same time. This will provide you with a unique opportunity to go snorkeling or scuba diving, so that you can get up close and personal with the marvelous under-the-sea creatures that live there, such as tropical fish, turtles and giant clams. Ideally, you’ll want to visit it between June and October, as that’s when the temperatures are more bearable, there’s a lower chance of rainfall and the water is significantly clearer.
Great Ocean Road
If you’re a fan of long coastal drives, you should know that one of the most scenic ones you’ll ever get to see is in Victoria. Those who appreciate the sculpting talent of Mother Nature will love the 12 Apostles, the Hopetown or Beauchamp Falls in Otways, or Point Addis in Anglesea, while those who prefer the wildlife can go koala-watching in Kennett River or whale-watching in Warrnambool.
Those who are keen on surfing might decide to spend some time in the Australian National Surfing Museum in Torquay. This part of Australia is also a perfect place to stay for a night or two, as finding comfortable Great Ocean Road accommodation isn’t complicated at all. In fact, you get to choose the type of accommodation you like, whether it’s a luxurious holiday home or a cozy shack near the coast. That way you can truly immerse yourself in the Great Ocean Road experience and take your time to soak the beauty in.
Melbourne
Those who aren’t really sure if they want a summer or a winter holiday will be blown away by Melbourne. You can get tanned on one of Melbourne’s striking beaches in the morning, and then, just a two-hour drive away, go skiing or snowboarding in the afternoon. Plus, with all the galleries, museums and theaters, you’ll see the logic behind Melbourne being considered the cultural capital of Australia. Just walking through the city will leave you breathless with the architecture and the historical buildings you’ll get to see there. In case you long for the green of nature, it’s within reach as well, as the city boasts different gardens and parks, combined with lovely walking and bike paths so that you can either walk or cycle around the city. Finally, who’d expect to see penguins, koalas and kangaroos in a city this big? Well, that’s why Melbourne never ceases to surprise and is the place to go if you want to have the most memorable holiday of your life.
Kakadu National Park
Those who don’t deem bustling city life very appealing should know that Australia doesn’t lack wilderness either. As a matter of fact, the second-largest national park on the planet is the Kakadu National Park, in the Northern Territory.
It will allow you to experience the monsoon rainforests, waterfall, wetlands and mangrove swamps, but also to cross paths with a diversity of animal species, from mammals to reptiles to fish to birds. Whether you want to go hiking, take a cruise or even take a flight above the Kakadu National Park, you’ll have a wonderful time there. Be sure to visit it between May and October, to avoid the flooding, but if you still opt for the wet season, you’ll witness the waterfalls and the wetlands in all their glory.
Whatever your preferences may be when it comes to traveling and holidays, you’ll definitely find anything you long for in Australia. And when it comes to bucket lists, these are just some of the places in this magnificent country to make yours more exciting.
