Ten places everyone should visit in Australia
With the International borders looking like they are going to be closed for at least the next twelve months we have put together our list of Ten places you should visit in Australia.
Whitsundays
The Whitsunday Islands rest on the North East Coast of Queensland, located in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. The Whitsunday Islands are made up of 74 islands, Hamilton Island its largest habited island has its own golf course, airport and primary school. Daydream island is the smallest measuring just 1km in length.
The Whitsundays are full of stunning landscapes, from dense rainforest, amazing white sandy beaches, hiking trails and grand resorts.
Two of the must see locations in the Whitsundays are the iconic heart Reef, located out at Hardy Reef.
But probably its most famous location is the iconic Whitehaven beach with 98 % pure silica sand. As you look out on the amazing seven kilometres of sand you see the amazing colours of the turquoise, blue and green water.
If you make it to Whitehaven beach you need to head up to the Northern Island to Hill Inlet, where you see the swirling sands.
Uluru
Uluru also known as Ayers Rock is a huge Rock formation found in the Northern Territory. Uluru is made from Sandstone and stands, 348m high, rising 863m above sea level.
Uluru is famous as it appears to change colour depending on the time of day. From Burnt orange, to intense red.
Whilst you cannot climb Uluru anymore there are some great walking trails around the base. Whether you want to walk the full 9.4km circumference, or just take a small stroll, You get a real perspective of its size as you walk around the base and see the traditional drawings, the water falls.
Uluru can be accessed with by air, with direct flights from most major airports to Alice springs, which is 4 hours away, then hire a car or jump on a coach to get there.
Or catch a flight with Jetstar and virgin to Ayers Rock airport, pre Covid19 there were daily flights from Sydney, Melbourne and Cairns, and 3-4 times a week from Brisbane.
Great Ocean Road
The Great Ocean Road starts at Torquay, only 90 minutes from Melbourne. The 243 km road is on The Australian National Heritage list and runs all the way to Allansford.
Most of the road hugs the coastline and there are great little towns, iconic lighthouses, waterfalls, and beaches. nature reserves and cliffs along the way.
The most famous of these would be the iconic Twelve apostles, as well as the Loch Ard gorge, and London Bridge, Gibson steps.
Visit the Far North Queensland
Port Douglas – Cairns and beyond.
When I think of Far North Queensland, I think of rainforests, beach, and ancient geological wonders, Like the Undara Lava tubes, limestone caves and volcanic craters.
Take a trip out to the Great Barrier Reef and swim, dive and snorkel amongst turtles, clownfish and gorgeous corals.
Take a visit to the ruins of a castle, There is something magical about wandering the ruins of Paronella Park covered in vines. This is the perfect spot to explore, imagine and daydream.
Far North Queensland is also home to the worlds oldest tropical rainforest. The wet tropics is 9000 sq km (About the size of Cyprus) and includes 30 different national parks. Running from Townsville, up to Cooktown is full of history, waterfalls, world heritage areas. You will not be disappointed.
Cradle Mountain – Dove Lake
Located in the Cradle mountain – Lake St Clair national Park is Tasmania’s iconic Cradle Mountain. Whilst it is the sixth highest mountain in Tasmania, is close proximity to both Launceston, (2 hours) and and hour and a half from Devonport make it undoubtedly the most famous peak in the state.
A great vantage point to see Cradle Mountain is at Dove Lake, this popular lake has well maintained paths that incircle it and on a clear day you get a lovely view of Cradle Mountain.
These paths also continue onto Cradle Mountain, for those that want to walk to the peak it is about six and a half hours and very strenuous climb.
Port Arthur
Port Arthur is a very sombre yet historical site in Tasmania, that well worth visiting. Port Arthur is a town and former convict settlement that is located just under 100km from Hobart.
Port Arthur is a world heritage site, from 1833 to 1853 it was the destination for Convicted British criminals, and stayed as a prison until 1877.
Located on 40 hectares of land, with over 30 buildings you can learn all about the history of the area.
Glass house mountains
Located on the Sunshine Coast, near the Beerburrum State forest is the beautiful Glasshouse mountains.
The 13 mountains including the largest hill, Mount Beerwah which rises 556 metres above sea level, are a significant peak on the landscape of the Sunshine Coast.
Located an hour from Noosa and an hour from Brisbane, they are full of walking trails, abseiling locations, and home to six small townships, linked by country roads and rail.
Phillip Island
Phillip Island, is a island located about 140km from Melbourne, with 97km of beautiful coastline . Phillip Island is 26km long and 9 km wide and is home to the Phillip Island Grand Prix track.
People swarm to the island in summer for Surfing, with many iconic surf breaks located on the island. As well as the Penguin Parade at Phillip Island on Summerland Beach home to the little penguins.
There is one entry onto the island, a 640m concrete bridge connects the town on mainland San Remo, with the Phillip island town of Newhaven.
Phillip island is extremely popular over Summer and its population increases by 400%
Craig’s Hut
Located in the Victorian Alps of the Great dividing range, is the iconic Craig’s hut. Located atop Mt Stirling, about 50 kms from Mansfield, it is famous as the set for Australia’s iconic film. The Man from Snowy river.
Unfortunately during the bushfires in 2006, the original hut was burnt down, however it was rebuilt and as of 2008 was reopened to public visits.
The only way to get there is to walk the 1.2km walking trail from the day visitor area, or to arrive via 4WD.
Go West.
Western Australia covers and amazing 33% of Australia’s landmass, however only has 10% of Australia’s popuation. It is a beautiful rugged area with such a wide range of landscapes from beaches, gorges, caves, waterfalls and rock formations.
Western Australia is also home to wildflowers not seen anywhere else in the world.
Western Australia is so vast that it has one person per square km, or 2.5 people per square mile, with its capital Perth having a density of approx 739 per square mile.
Compare that with California, and Los Angeles that is approximately 100 times the population density. Los Angeles population density is 253.9 people per square mile. Los Angeles’s population density is 7484 people per square mile.
What are some of the places that you would have on your must visit list?