We know that Australia is such a vast and incredible country to explore, it takes time and good planning to visit special corners of this inspiring natural beauty! We listed down below the best places you can’t miss in Australia per region, a guide with one of the most beautiful spots on Earth!
Northern Territory (NT)
The Northern Territory is the land of sacred aboriginal culture and people, famed for its Outback desert landscapes, wildlife and adventurous atmosphere. It is a very unique area about the fascinating culture of the tribes who have lived there for thousands of years, the Australian origin.
VISIT ULURU AT SUNRISE OR SUNSET
Uluru, or Ayers Rock, is a massive sandstone in the heart of the region arid red centre that started forming around 550 million years ago. Not only is a spectacular natural formation, but it is also a deeply spiritual place that hides ancient wisdom and diverse plant and animal life. During sunrise or sunset, you can see the rock transformation colour from ochre to burnished orange and intense red, definitely a must-see!
GO ADVENTUROUS AT KAKADU NATIONAL PARK
It is a rich biodiverse natural reserve composed of wetlands, rivers and sandstone cliffs, home to different plant species, crocodiles, turtles and birds. There you can find Aboriginal rock paintings, tropical waterholes, fishing spots, sites for boating and much more – a place for making memories that will last a lifetime.
You can find more info about life at the Northern Territory here.
Queensland (QLD)
This region can be really tropical and sunny during almost all year, that is why is a favourite for water & beach lovers, surfers and fans of natural and active environments. There you can get your backpack and find a huge variety of activities, including surfing, diving, snorkelling, fishing, sailing and so on.
DISCOVER THE WONDERFUL GREAT BARRIER REEF
he Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest and longest coral reef system and one of the world’s great natural wonders, containing thousands of species of fish, abundant marine and birdlife. It is the world’s first reef ecosystem to be recognised by UNESCO, so it is tremendously important to respect all the rules and enjoy the area with responsibility and consciousness to avoid damage to this precious environment. Go snorkelling or scuba diving to discover never-seen-before species underwater such as giant clams, manta rays, sharks, turtles, whales, potato cod, Maori wrasse and clownfish. Not bad, right?
GET HYPNOTISED BY THE STUNNING WHITEHAVEN BEACH
You will not believe what you’ll see when you get there! The combination of reaaaally white silica sands hugged by sparkling turquoise waters is just unbelievable, a miracle on Earth! The untouched seven-kilometre stretch of white sands and crystal-clear waters can be accessed from the also beautiful Airlie Beach and Shute Harbour or by skippering your own boat. Once you get there, don’t lose time and go for a dip in the clear waters, an unforgettable experience!
GET LOST IN THE OLDEST RAINFOREST: DAINTREE
The Daintree Rainforest is a region on the northeast coast of Queensland, Australia. Located near Cairns, the Daintree is part of the largest area of tropical rainforest on the Australian continent. This triumph of natural wonder and awe-inspiring beauty reveals hidden riches and inspirational insights. Long-term human inhabitancy has accumulated a unique collection of faunal, floral and panoramic views of the rainforest integrity that you don’t want to miss!
New South Wales (NSW)
The state of New South Wales has endless amazing beaches, breathtaking natural treasures and one of the world’s most famous and vibrant cities. The weather and climate of the NSW Coast is relatively mild with well-defined seasons that feature hot summers and cool winters, so you can enjoy all the seasons to the fullest.
GET TO KNOW THE ICONIC SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE
https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/
You just can’t go to Australia without visiting the famous and beautiful Opera House. It’s a multi-venue performing arts centre at Sydney Harbour, a beautiful place where you can take ferry boats to different directions of the city and also see the Sydney Harbour Bridge at its best hour, the sunset. Designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, but completed by an Australian architectural team headed up by Peter Hall, the building opened in 1973 and offers diverse events and concerts all along the year, Don’t forget to check what’s going on. Beautiful and cool!
CHOOSE ONE BEACH PER DAY AMONG ALL SYDNEY BEACHES
The number of beaches in Sydney means that if you were to visit one new beach every day, it would take you over three months to see them all! So no matter where you are in the city, you never have to travel far to find an amazing beach. Each has a unique style and is good for a specific activity, so take notes of the best ones: Shelly Beach, Manly, Tamarama, Bronte, Bondi, Balmoral and Avalon (or just go straight to The best secret beaches in Sydney).
PALM BEACH
Victoria (VIC)
The state encompasses mountains, national parks, wineries and surfing beaches. Melbourne, the state capital is full of ‘laneways’ and is the country arts centre, really interesting and worth it to go for a visit and check many creative spots around the city.
HIT THE ROAD AT THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD
The spectacular Great Ocean Road runs alongside the wild Southern Ocean, together with cliffs and empty beaches. Epic surf points and unforgettable hikes form a complete adventure experience and one of the world’s most scenic coastal drives. Some of our students like to rent a car and take the road exploring each part of this long and beautiful ride. Living the dream!
FIND OUT THE INCREDIBLE TWELVE APOSTLES
The Twelve Apostles is a collection of limestone stacks that were once connected to the mainland cliffs. They are close to each other in a very curious way, forming a beautiful and natural scene. It is 4.5-hour scenic drive from Melbourne along the Great Ocean Road by car or taking tours (there’s plenty of options available). It’s totally worth it the view and ride experience.
South Australia (SA)
With 1.7 million people, the South Australia State ranks fifth in population in the country with the majority of residents in Adelaide. It has a semi-arid climate, perfect for grapes crops, meaning that more than half of Australia’s wines are produced in the South Australian wine regions.
GO FOR A WINE TASTING AT BAROSSA VALLEY
Just a 50 minutes drive northeast of Adelaide, the Barossa is an internationally-acclaimed wine region with over 80 cellar doors in a beautiful picturesque landscape. If you are a wine lover, this is your dream place!
VISIT THE COASTAL SOUTH PARADISE AT FLEURIEU PENINSULA
Road trips and scenic drives are on the top of the list of this beautiful area. In the Coastal Way road trip you can cruise more than 700 km of coast, going surfing, fishing, camping and bushwalking at the Fleurieu Peninsula. It offers a great scenic and culinary experiences in the charming towns including Victor Harbor, Willunga, Normanville, Goolwa, Yankalilla and Rapid Bay.
You can find more info about life in South Australia here.
Western Australia (WA)
The Australian biggest state is best known for its spectacular landscapes and breathtaking beaches. The state capital, Perth, has many options of bars to go around and soft-sand beaches with great weather.
NEVER MISS MARGARET RIVER SURF BREAKS
The Margaret River area is known globally for the wine, beaches and sense of adventure. The city has more than 120 world-class wineries to explore and amazing surf spots on the Indian Ocean, definitely, a must go! It has options for all levels of surfers: for beginners, the best beaches to go are Redgate Beach, Contos Beach and Boranup Beach; for intermediate surfers, we recommend the South Point Beach, Moses Rock Beach and Yallingup Main Break Beach; and if you are an experienced surfer, we absolutely have to go to the Surfers Point Beach, Main Break Beach and North Point Beach.
MEET THE CUTEST LITTLE ANIMAL ON ROTTNEST ISLAND
It’s no joke that these animals will steal your heart! The quokkas are tiny and happy animals related to wallabies that have no fear of humans, so will often come right up to visitors (yay!). Apart from a small colony in the region, they are found nowhere else on the planet, so it’s really a gift to meet them. But the things can get even better as the island offers other great natural and relaxing activities, such as crystal clear water beaches and whale watching at the right season (from late August to November). It’s just a paradise!
Tasmania (Australians like to call it “Tassie”)
Tasmania is an isolated island state off Australia’s south coast known for its vast, rugged wilderness areas, largely protected within parks and reserves. If you have an adventurous soul and love being into the wild and explore raw natural places, this island is waiting for you!
GO EXPLORING THE VAST AND BEAUTIFUL FREYCINET NATIONAL PARK
Seriously, this place should be in everyone’s bucket list for travelling the world! Freycinet National Park is home to incredible pink granite peaks of the Hazards Range, hidden bays, white sandy beaches and abundant birdlife. The iconic Wineglass Bay is just one of a kind with a short trek to Wineglass Bay lookout, one of Tasmania’s most photographed views. The park has short and long trekkings that will take you to different types of spots where you can go swimming, kayaking or snorkelling with underwater views of abundant marine life. A sanctuary!
MEET THE UNFORGETTABLE SOUTHERN LIGHTS
You know that kind of thing that you’ll never ever forget in your whole life?
The Aurora Australis, or Southern Lights, happens when the sun releases a massive burst of solar wind and magnetic fields into space. These solar winds carry particles which interact with earth’s magnetic field, colliding to produce energy releases in the form of auroras. However, don’t expect to see a dancing rainbow with the naked eye though, you’ll need a camera!
The Southern Lights can be seen year-round from Tasmania, but no one knows precisely when a light show may occur, so it’s good to check apps like Star Walk, Solar Monitor and Aurora Forecast to make sure your chances are high and be delighted with the ballet of lights!
Now that you’re sorted with the best places per region, it’s time to plan your trip to Australia! Our consultants are available at info@puravidastudy.com.au for great tips and recommendations on those areas, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
If you have other places that you’d like to suggest, please leave us a comment below so we can spread more great things around our Puravida Study community!
We see you in Australia, mate!
Georgia Carajeleascov
A nature lover and curious at heart always looking for the next trip and cultures to see. A marketing specialist with digital and strategy skills, helping brands to develop their soul and presence.