It’s so big you can have any kind of holiday you’d like: road-tripping in a van, backpacking on a budget, or just looking to tick some iconic spots off your bucket list. After my trip there, I knew I had to round up my top 7 epic locations across every corner of Australia —from north to south, east to west, and everything in between.
Uluru
You can’t speak about Australia without mentioning Uluru. Standing tall over the red sands of the Northern Territory, this sandstone monolith is more than a tourist destination, it’s sacred land for the Anangu people, and it is one of the most powerful places I’ve ever been to.
Most people choose to visit during sunrise or sunset when the rock appears to have a glow and transforms colour before your eyes. It is entirely silent out there too which only adds to the surreal experience. You can either walk around the base of the rock, take an interpretative walking tour with local Indigenous guides (tours from around AUD 70 / €42), or simply sit and soak up the energy of the place.
Uluru’s striking presence in the heart of Australia makes it one of the country’s most iconic and culturally significant landmarks © Getty Images
Note: If you visit, please do not climb it. Not only is it not allowed, but it is a significant disrespect to the local culture.
Don’t forget about Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), another amazing and epic rock formation nearby which you’d think was taken from a sci-fi film. It’s a bit of a trek to get there (you need to first fly to Yulara . Flights typically cost AUD 300–500 / €180–€300 return and then a short drive to the national park), but it is remote and that makes it even better.
Whitsundays
If heaven had a beach, it would likely look something like the Whitsundays. Located off the coast of Queensland in the Coral Sea, the Whitsundays are made up of 74 islands and are a waterfront paradise of turquoise-water beaches that are unparalleled.
The Whitsundays offer a dreamy escape with crystal-clear waters and powdery white sands surrounded by the natural beauty of the Great Barrier Reef © Getty Images
The centerpiece is Whitehaven Beach, most frequently recognized as one of the most picturesque beaches in the world. Its sand is 98% pure silica. In laymen’s terms, it is so white that it literally looks photoshopped. No matter how you get to the beach (boat or aerial views), it will spoil you from all other beaches.
However, the real adventure begins when you go on a sailboat for a few nights. Multi-day sailing tours typically start at around AUD 600–900 (€360–550) depending on the boat you choose and the itinerary which can vary a lot. You can swim with turtles at coral reefs, stargaze on deck, and see sunrises bobbing up and down on the ocean that will last a lifetime.
If you want the complete tropical experience, base yourself in Airlie Beach. Accommodation starts from AUD 40 (€24)per night for hostels and around AUD 120 (€72) for mid-range hotels and hop on one of the dozens of sailing tours leaving every day!
Sydney
Yes, it’s touristy. Yes, you’ve seen the Opera House a million times. But Sydney is still worth giving a chance. The city is where laid-back beach culture meets international city life with some ridiculously good food and a killer coastal walk or two thrown in.
Start with the basics: go on a ferry from Circular Quay to Manly, the views are worth it. A one-way ferry ticket costs around AUD 10 (€6). Then you can scope out some of the lesser-known backstreets of Newtown or Surry Hills for thrift shops, indie cafés, and rooftop bars that are little gems on the map.
Sydney might be famous for its big-ticket landmarks, but the real charm is in the little things—neighbourhoods full of character, unbeatable coastal views and food spots you’ll be talking about long after you’ve left © Getty Images
If you love beaches, Bondi is the iconic Sydney beach, but Bronte and Tamarama still have that vibe without as many tourists. And I cannot stress how worthwhile the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk is. You will see every beach in between, including those local beaches I mentioned. It’s free and takes around 2–3 hours depending on stops.
There’s also no shortage of good eats. If you go to Bondi, stop at Totti’s, a newly opened Italian restaurant that has the best prosciutto, pasta and fresh bread outside of Italy. Expect to pay around AUD 35–50 (€21–30) per person for a meal there. If that’s not your thing, there are plenty of hole-in-the-wall dumpling spots in Chinatown (dishes from AUD 10–15 (€6–9)) or one of my favourites, a local Thai food place called Tom-Yum Tum-Gang (I won’t spoil too much, but it’s authentic and most importantly, cheap. Mains are around AUD 14 (€8.50)).
Great Ocean Road
Few drives in the world can match the drama of Victoria’s Great Ocean Road. Hugging the southern coast, this 240-kilometre stretch is one scenic jaw-dropper after another. Think cliffs that plunge into roaring seas, rainforests packed with wildlife, and beach towns so charming you’ll wish you had more days to spare.
The main attraction is the Twelve Apostles, large limestone stacks emerging from the ocean. But that’s merely one part of a path filled with lookouts, hikes, and coastal cafés where you can walk off the touristy snacks. Most viewpoints and natural attractions are free to visit. Be sure to add some time to check out Loch Ard Gorge (also free), a beach area amongst cliffs, and Apollo Bay, a cute town like it has been pulled from a film set.
The Great Ocean Road is more than just the Twelve Apostles. It is a road trip filled with wild beaches, dramatic cliffs, and charming towns that make every stop worth it © Getty Images
The number one thing on my bucket list when I was in Australia was to see a wild koala. A friend of mine who had visited before told me if I was doing this drive, I had to pull over in Kennett River and look up, you’re basically guaranteed a sighting (also free, but arrive early or later in the day for the best chance).
It’s best to drive this road yourself, so rent a car in Melbourne. Rental prices typically start from AUD 80–120 (€48–73) per day, depending on the car type and insurance. Give yourself at least 2–3 days, you’ll want to stop often. Like, a lot.
Freycinet
Tasmania! My favourite part. Australia’s smallest state, it’s certainly the most underrated, and boasts some serious beauty, most notably in Freycinet National Park . Although a little out of the way on the east coast, the park gives you all the postcard feels when you arrive at the lookout for Wineglass Bay.
Tasmania is Australia’s smallest state and a hidden gem with stunning views like those at Freycinet National Park’s Wineglass Bay lookout © Getty Images
It’s a bit of a hike to get to yell out “Wow!” when you arrive, the sight of the white sand, turquoise bay and forested headlands will quickly erase any sweat. If hiking isn’t enough for you, the Hazards Beach circuit is long and allows for a combination of dense bushland, mountainous granite, and completely deserted, pristine beach.
Entry to Freycinet National Park requires a valid Parks Pass:
- AUD 44 (€27) for a 24-hour vehicle pass
- Or AUD 89 (€54) for a holiday pass valid in all Tasmanian national parks (up to 2 months)
Freycinet is still wild and a little untouched; it’s not busy, and at night the stars are insane. You could base yourself about five minutes away in Coles Bay, grab a kayak from a rental shop (from AUD 50 (€30) per day), or even organise a local oyster tasting (expect to pay around AUD 35–50 (€21–30) for a tasting experience with wine). Either way, you won’t be disappointed with this pick.
Esperance
Over on the west coast, where fewer tourists go but the beaches still slap, you’ll find Esperance. It’s remote, rugged, and ridiculously beautiful. The kind of place where kangaroos literally lie around on the sand like they own the place (because honestly, they kind of do).
Esperance on Australia’s west coast is a stunning, rugged spot with fewer tourists. Here, kangaroos chill on the sandy beaches like they own the place—and honestly, they do © Getty Images
Cape Le Grand National Park is the headline act, and Lucky Bay is the cover star. The sand here squeaks when you walk on it and the water is that clear, icy blue that makes you want to jump in even if it’s freezing. Don’t skip Hellfire Bay either, which might just be the prettiest beach you’ve never heard of.
Entry to Cape Le Grand National Park:
- AUD 17 per vehicle (€10.30) for a day pass
- Or AUD 44 (€27) for a 5-day pass covering multiple WA parks
You’ll need a car, ideally a 4WD, which you can rent from Esperance or Perth. Expect 4WD rentals to start at around AUD 120/day (€73). Some of the best spots are a little off the map, but that’s part of the fun. Think beach camping (sites from AUD 15–20 per person, or €9–12), sunrise swims, and that feeling of discovering somewhere not everyone’s talking about… yet.
Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island , located just off the coast of South Australia, is a chill beach getaway yet also an absolute wildlife oasis. Sometimes referred to as “mini-Australia” because it has it all in one compact, geographical location—beaches, sand dunes, forests, and more animals than you can keep track of.
Making a stop at Seal Bay where you can actually walk among the sea lions lying on the sand is a must.
- Seal Bay guided tour: around AUD 39 (€24) for adults
- Self-guided boardwalk entry: approx. AUD 16.50 (€10)
The island also has a place called Little Sahara (yes, it’s a real thing in Australia) where you can sandboard down giant sand dunes.
- Sandboard rental: around AUD 37 (€22.50) for two hours
Kangaroo Island off South Australia offers a laid-back beach escape and incredible wildlife all in one place © Getty Images
You also can’t miss Remarkable Rocks, which look like alien sculptures that landed on the edge of a cliff.
- Access is included with Flinders Chase National Park entry, about AUD 13 (€8) per adult.
The island is still recovering from the bushfires of 2020 but it is rebuilding wonderfully again! The recovery plan emphasizes tourism, so visiting now is actually helping.
It’s a quick ferry ride (from AUD 110 return per adult, or €66) or a short flight from Adelaide (from AUD 180 return, or €109). Once you’re there, the only thing you’ll need is some good times, adventure, and maybe good snacks for the ride!
See You Down Under
Australia really isn’t one-size-fits-all. Yes, it is one country but iit feels like ten stitched together, each one with its own rhythm and personality, and postcard moment. One minute you’re in the middle of a desert fully immersed in stargazing, the next you’re sipping on flat whites, beachside; or hiking through misty forests where the only sound is the birds singing.
But the essence of the country is exactly that: contrast. The laughable way the ground shifts beneath your feet as you travel across the coast, city, bush, rainforest and reef. Whether that be discussing what to do next with strangers on surfboards in Byron Bay or, accidentally befriending a wombat, in Tasmania. (Seriously, they’re friendlier than you think.)
Even if you are chasing sun-filled beaches, salty air, seafood by the water, wide open roads that stretch off gravity with no end in sight, or simply looking to go off-grid and reconnect with something real - Australia shows up. Again and again.
And who knows? Maybe you’ll come to the beaches and stay for the kangaroos. Or the night skies. Or the people. Either way, don’t be surprised if you start planning your return before you even leave.
