Must-see places to visit in Australia.
New South Wales
Discover a sparkling coastline, fascinating Outback landscapes, World Heritage Listed national parks and alpine country. New South Wales has it all!
If it’s sun, sand and surf you’re after, New South Wales beaches are amazing. Whether you prefer surfing or spa treatment on your beach holiday, there’s something for everyone. Take time to explore the picturesque countryside; you’ll find spectacular coastal drives, charming towns and colourful local markets.
Tempt your tastebuds with gourmet produce and boutique wines, and enjoy fine dining surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery or fresh seafood on the waterfront; the choices are as diverse as the regions themselves.
No matter what type of holiday you’re looking for, New South Wales Holidays can provide you with a sensational range of holiday options, with more than 200 tourism attractions to choose from in Sydney and throughout New South Wales.
Queensland
With pristine beaches, tropical islands, lush rainforests, vibrant cities and the authentic Australian outback, Queensland is the ultimate holiday destination. Known as Australia’s Sunshine State, Queensland offers abundant diverse experiences to create lasting memories.
Brisbane is the state’s capital city, a city full of energy, style, arts and culture. The Brisbane River snakes through the metropolis and is peppered with alfresco dining options. By night, the city comes alive with vibrant bars and live music venues to keep you entertained into the early hours of the morning. Brisbane is also the perfect hub to explore the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, only an hour away by road. Both coastal regions offer stunning beaches, fabulous food and wine experiences and shopping that rivals many of the great shopping strips. Head further north to swim in the freshwater lakes of K’gari (formerly Fraser Island), the largest sand island in the world and just one of Queensland’s five World Heritage listed areas.
The Great Barrier Reef, stretching 2300km along the Queensland coast, is undoubtedly one of the biggest attractions on the planet. Home to a myriad of sea creatures and hidden gems, the best way to explore the reef is to snorkel or scuba dive. There are literally hundreds of Queensland Islands where you can relax and indulge in all that island life offers. Sail the Whitsunday Islands or take a seaplane to a remote getaway where you can truly escape. Unwind at a rainforest retreat in Tropical North Queensland. The World Heritage listed Wet Tropics offer spectacular scenery, deep gorges, numerous waterfalls and mountain summits providing expansive rainforest views.
The Queensland Outback is nature of a different kind, one that delivers Australia’s final frontier. Desert sand dunes and lush fishing holes make an interesting combination the friendly locals are only too happy to show you. Travel back to the dinosaur era, listen carefully for the ghost in the home of Waltzing Matilda, or sit back and enjoy a cold beer in one of the iconic outback pubs. Whether you're relaxing on sun-kissed beaches, trekking through ancient rainforests or snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef, there's an experience waiting to become your treasured memory in Queensland.
South Australia
A brilliant blend of food and wine, breathtaking landscapes and abundant wildlife await your discovery in South Australia.
There’s something for everyone in beautiful South Australia. Discover spectacular natural attractions, superb food and wine, fantastic beaches, and a calendar full of festivals and events.
Discover Adelaide, a cultural and sophisticated city with world-class cuisine and a charming blend of historic buildings, wide streets and parklands. Explore lush vineyards, rolling hills, heritage towns, picturesque villages and delicious gourmet food of the Barossa, McLaren Vale, Clare Valley and Coonawarra regions.
Experience beautiful coastal scenery and superb beaches of the Fleurieu Peninsula, or enjoy a relaxing cruise on the Murray River. Encounter a colony of sea lions in the wild, little penguins coming ashore at dusk and a range of wildlife experiences on Kangaroo Island.
Explore the Flinders Ranges, one of the oldest mountain ranges on earth, and see stunning vistas, spectacular gorges and ancient fossil sites. See rugged and dramatic Outback landscapes; overnight in an underground hotel or noodle for your very own opal.
Whatever experience you seek, the diverse regions of South Australia will spoil you for choice!
Victoria
You will love every piece of Victoria, with its own diverse attractions and an amazing range of unique experiences.
Whatever your interest, Victoria has something to suit even the most discerning traveller. The hardest part is deciding where to go first. Best of all, many of Victoria’s unique and varied landscapes are easily accessible on day trips from Melbourne.
From the world-class wineries of the Yarra Valley to the mineral springs of the Macedon Ranges and Spa Country, the coastal villages of the peninsulas to alpine towns in the High Country. Drive along the scenic Great Ocean Road or pull on your walking boots and follow tracks and trails through the Grampians.
Whether it’s shopping, entertainment, sporting events or dining out, Melbourne is a city that has something for everyone. Shop in chic fashion stores, dine in cafés and trendy bars, experience food and film festivals or visit world-famous sporting venues.
Western Australia
Arriving in Perth, the capital of Western Australia, is to arrive at the gateway to a real Australian experience.
Under almost constant sunny blue skies, Perth is a modern, laid-back city where life unfurls in a leisurely fashion. With superb beaches, world-class eateries and a vibrant centre, this city comes without the congestion and pollution of other major Australian cities. The idyllic Swan River and lush Kings Park simply enhance the feeling of space and well-being.
Despite being the most remote city of such size in the world, it is accessible and connected, with direct flights from London taking just 17 hours.
Head to the South West region, and you’ll find sought-after wineries and ancient forests running out to the secluded coastal bays and meandering rivers where dramatic vistas are the norm. Country living here is simple but comfortable, rich in the desirable things in life: good food, fine wines and starry nights.
More remote is the Golden Outback, a vast landscape covering over 50% of Western Australia. Stretching from the craggy Mt Augustus in the north to the pristine white sand beaches of Esperance in the south, it’s a dramatic region of stark, natural beauty.
The endless plains are pockmarked with salt lakes, outcrops of rugged boulders and scrubby woodland. There are flat-as-pancake deserts, shimmering in the heat, and some of the whitest sand beaches you’ll find anywhere. The springtime rains trigger the blooming of a sprawling carpet of wildflowers.
There are crumbling remnants of the gold rush days and modern mining centres like Kalgoorlie and the Goldfields. To the west, the Wheatbelt offers gently undulating plains and bustling rural townships.
In the North West region, you’ll discover the authentic Aussie frontierland and an insight into Aboriginal culture. Ancient rain forest still clings on in this epic region, with red ochre gorges, huge cattle stations and plenty of pioneer spirit.
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory is an exciting and diverse wonderland with varied landscapes and attractions guaranteed to provide the most intrepid traveller with the experience of a lifetime.
This amazing state has everything from the Top End to Central Australia – ancient rock formations, palm-fringed waterholes, sweeping desert plains, rugged ranges, stunning gorges and incredible wildlife.
Venture into ancient Arnhem Land, be guided by traditional land owners in Uluru, cruise through Katherine Gorge, explore stunning Twin Falls in Kakadu or take a camel ride in the Outback. It’s all out there waiting in the Northern Territory. Seek new experiences and be surprised.
Tasmania
Tasmania is like nowhere else on the planet, an island at the edge of the world. In just one day wake to the cleanest air in the world; hear stories of convicts at world heritage convict sites; cruise under soaring sea cliffs; sip whisky, cider, beer or wine at a cellar door; and savour a paddock-to-plate meal.
Tasmania breeds fiercely proud, creative islanders. Some craft artisan cheeses others cultivate head-turning museums. Over a third of the island is preserved in parks, reserves and the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Take it all in on more than 2000 km of walking tracks, head out on a gourmet trail or just chill out on a pink beanbag enjoying a glass of bubbles as you absorb Mona’s mind-blowing art collection.
Whatever your speed, Tasmania delivers an unforgettable journey of discovery. Little wonder it’s considered by many to be the most desirable place on earth.
Canberra & the Australian Capital Territory
Canberra is the capital of Australia and lays claim to being one of the most appealing city destinations in the world. It is a modern city just three hours south of Sydney. There is so much to experience from shopping and attractions to a calendar full of events and festivals.
Since 1927 when it became the capital, Canberra has evolved into a world city, combining both historical heritage and modern cool.
Take your pick of world-class art galleries, cultural events, high-energy bars and sophisticated restaurants. This culinary destination is fuelled by an international outlook, great local produce and a creative buzz. The Old Bus Depot Market and the artisan stalls at the various farmer's markets are always a big draws.
After the urban bustle, step outside the city boundaries and you’re in prime Australian bush, inhabited by extraordinary wildlife in the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, on the Brindabella Ranges and in the Namadgi National Park. Lake Burley Griffin, though man-made, is a real landmark, right in the centre of Canberra and with pleasant cruises giving a fresh perspective on the city from the water.
Canberra is great for families with a range of activities including fun science at Questacon, interactive displays at the National Museum of Australia and the National Zoo and Aquarium. Celebrate Australia’s sporting achievements at the Australian Institute of Sport, learn their political history at Parliament House and take time to reflect at the Australian War Memorial
A popular highlight is the remarkable and partly underground Parliament House, known locally as the ‘house on the hill’. It’s a distinctive building completed as recently as 1988 and has frequent daily tours.
Art lovers head to the National Gallery to admire the planet's largest collection of indigenous Australian art, or perhaps the National Portrait Gallery. The Australian War Memorial is a place for reflection, and you might be interested to see Changi Chapel, built originally by prisoners of war in Singapore and painstakingly brought back after the war.
For retail therapy, there are malls, shopping centres and exquisite boutiques, from the arcades in the city, stylish Lonsdale Street in Braddon and the designer boutiques of Manuka and Kingston, and of course, there are weekend markets for handcrafted wares.
The Australian Institute of Sport has an important role in the hearts of a sports-mad nation. It will educate, entertain, intrigue and inspire anyone interested in Australia’s sporting heritage. If feeling energetic yourself, you can take a mountain bike and ride down Mount Stromlo at the Stromlo Forest Park.
More sedate are the National Botanic Gardens, perfect for a relaxing stroll among some of the world’s most gorgeous flora – there’s even a 45-minute bus tour of the Gardens so you can see the highlights without doing the legwork.
Canberra is a great base for exploring the surrounding region; discover more than 30 wineries, explore historic townships and beautiful coastlines. The famous Snowy Mountains are easily accessible so you can combine your city stay with a snow holiday during winter or a mountain escape during summer.
