The 17 places the travel guides we read name most, what they say about each, and fares from your city.
The places, most named first
From the 7 guides that rank for "best places to visit in australia"
Named by 5 of 71. Great Barrier ReefQueensland, AustraliaThe largest coral reef system in the world, made of thousands of reefs and hundreds of islands.Main access points are Airlie Beach, Cairns and Port Douglas.
Named by 5 of 72. SydneyNew South Wales, AustraliaThe Opera House is a UNESCO site designed by Jørn Utzon.The Harbour Bridge can be climbed for a view of the city.Best time to visit Sydney
Named by 3 of 73. Great Ocean RoadVictoria, AustraliaA 243 km road on Victoria south coast, not far from Melbourne.About two hours from Melbourne; the Twelve Apostles are the best known stop.
Named by 3 of 74. Whitsunday IslandsQueensland, AustraliaAbout 55 km off the Queensland coast, with white sand beaches and coral reefs.Whitehaven Beach can be reached by hired boat.
Named by 3 of 75. CairnsQueensland, AustraliaA base for reef trips and other adventures.The tropical north around it includes the Daintree Rainforest.Best time to visit Cairns
Named by 2 of 76. UluruNorthern Territory, AustraliaSacred monolith in the Red Center; visitors are not allowed to climb it.In the middle of the country; people walk around it or view it from the air.
Named by 2 of 77. Kangaroo IslandSouth Australia, AustraliaAbout 112 km southwest of Adelaide, reachable by air and water.Wildlife-focused, with sea lions, echidnas and its own kangaroo sub-species.
Named by 2 of 78. MelbourneVictoria, AustraliaNamed the top city for food, with famous laneways.A stop on the east coast route.Best time to visit Melbourne
Named by 2 of 79. Barossa ValleySouth Australia, AustraliaOne hour north of Adelaide, rolling hills and wineries.Listed among Australia best known wine regions.
Named by 2 of 710. TasmaniaAustraliaSuited to adventure seekers, with waterfall abseils and the Gordon Dam abseil.Wineglass Bay on the Freycinet Peninsula is rated among the top 10 beaches in the world.Best time to visit Tasmania
11. Kakadu National ParkNorthern Territory, AustraliaWaterfalls, savannas, sandstone plateaus and monsoon rainforest, not far from Darwin.Home to Aboriginal people for more than 50,000 years, with rich rock art.
12. Lord Howe IslandNew South Wales, AustraliaWorld Heritage-listed island with day hikes and coral reef snorkeling.Only 400 guests are allowed on the island at a time.
13. Margaret RiverWestern Australia, AustraliaWine region suited to a slow reset, with yoga and spa options.The Injidup Natural Spa is a natural rock pool nearby.
14. Lamington National ParkQueensland, AustraliaPart of the Gondwana Rainforests World Heritage site in the McPherson Range.Shelters more than 200 rare and threatened species and over 500 waterfalls.
15. Gold CoastQueensland, AustraliaTheme parks and attractions for children and adults.
16. Phillip IslandVictoria, AustraliaHome to the Penguin Parade and a koala conservation centre.
17. CanberraAustralian Capital Territory, AustraliaThe national capital, on the east coast route.
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When to go
Travel guides most often name March to May and September to October as the best time to visit Australia.
Named by 5 of 71. Great Barrier ReefThe largest coral reef system in the world, made of thousands of reefs and hundreds of islands.Main access points are Airlie Beach, Cairns and Port Douglas.Named by 5 of 72. SydneyThe Opera House is a UNESCO site designed by Jørn Utzon.The Harbour Bridge can be climbed for a view of the city.Best time to visit Sydney
Named by 3 of 73. Great Ocean RoadA 243 km road on Victoria south coast, not far from Melbourne.About two hours from Melbourne; the Twelve Apostles are the best known stop.
Named by 3 of 74. Whitsunday IslandsAbout 55 km off the Queensland coast, with white sand beaches and coral reefs.Whitehaven Beach can be reached by hired boat.Named by 3 of 75. CairnsA base for reef trips and other adventures.The tropical north around it includes the Daintree Rainforest.Best time to visit Cairns
Named by 2 of 76. UluruSacred monolith in the Red Center; visitors are not allowed to climb it.In the middle of the country; people walk around it or view it from the air.Named by 2 of 77. Kangaroo IslandAbout 112 km southwest of Adelaide, reachable by air and water.Wildlife-focused, with sea lions, echidnas and its own kangaroo sub-species.
Named by 2 of 78. MelbourneNamed the top city for food, with famous laneways.A stop on the east coast route.Best time to visit Melbourne
Named by 2 of 79. Barossa ValleyOne hour north of Adelaide, rolling hills and wineries.Listed among Australia best known wine regions.Named by 2 of 710. TasmaniaSuited to adventure seekers, with waterfall abseils and the Gordon Dam abseil.Wineglass Bay on the Freycinet Peninsula is rated among the top 10 beaches in the world.Best time to visit Tasmania
11. Kakadu National ParkWaterfalls, savannas, sandstone plateaus and monsoon rainforest, not far from Darwin.Home to Aboriginal people for more than 50,000 years, with rich rock art.12. Lord Howe IslandWorld Heritage-listed island with day hikes and coral reef snorkeling.Only 400 guests are allowed on the island at a time.
13. Margaret RiverWine region suited to a slow reset, with yoga and spa options.The Injidup Natural Spa is a natural rock pool nearby.
14. Lamington National ParkPart of the Gondwana Rainforests World Heritage site in the McPherson Range.Shelters more than 200 rare and threatened species and over 500 waterfalls.15. Gold CoastTheme parks and attractions for children and adults.
16. Phillip IslandHome to the Penguin Parade and a koala conservation centre.17. CanberraThe national capital, on the east coast route.
