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10 things you need to tick off your travel list when visiting Australia

From the popular attractions to the less obvious choices, we take a look at 10 things you should add to your travel itinerary when planning your visit to this grand and glorious country. 

By LLM Reporters   |  
Sydney Opera House Sydney Australia.
Image Credit: yongtick/Bigstock.com

The colossal country that is Australia has so much to offer its visitors, whether it’s some of the most stunning beaches, wonderful native wildlife, finest foods, or significant structures both man-made and crafted by nature. 

From the popular attractions to the less obvious choices, we take a look at 10 things you should add to your travel itinerary when planning your visit to this grand and glorious country. 

Visit the picturesque beaches

Whitsundays
Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays in Queensland has the most breath-taking scenery. Image credit: Coral_Brunner/Bigstock.com

Whether you’re seeking a supreme spot to indulge in some surfing or fancy finding somewhere for a bit of relaxation, Australia’s coastline will not disappoint. Famed beaches like Bondi, just outside of Sydney, attract those interested in its surf culture and relaxed atmosphere, while Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays in Queensland has the most breath-taking scenery, and South Australia’s Kangaroo Island boasts beauty and seclusion in equal measure. 

Enjoy the vibrant nightlife

Australia offers some of the world’s best bars, nightclubs and casinos. Image credit: TK Kurikawa/Bigstock.com

Whether you prefer sipping cocktails on swish rooftop bars, trying your luck at an elegant casino, or whiling away the hours with a drink in hand listening to some catchy live music, you’ll be well catered to. For those fancying a flutter, holymolycasinosaustralia.com recommends The Star, Sydney or Crown Sydney in the bustling metropolis, or the country’s largest offering with 540 table games (including 100 poker tables) at Crown Melbourne on the city’s vibrant Southbank.

Visit the Great Barrier Reef

great barrier rift
From glass bottom boat tours to snorkelling to helicopter tours and more, visitors keen to experience the Great Barrier Reef can do so in a way that suits them. Image credit: Deb222/Bigstock.com

The world’s largest coral reef system spans a whopping 344,000 plus square kilometres of islands and individual reef (some 2,900) hosting around 1,500 species of fish and 400 types of coral, making it one of Australia’s most impressive natural wonders. From glass bottom boat tours to snorkelling to helicopter tours and more , visitors keen to experience the Great Barrier Reef can do so in a way that suits them.

Sip on fine wines in South Australia’s Barossa Valley

Late afternoon sun baths a scenic vineyard
Wine lovers will rejoice when visiting Australia as the country is well known for producing some of the finest offerings, and one of the must-visit places has to be the world-famous Barossa Valley

Wine lovers will rejoice when visiting Australia as the country is well known for producing some of the finest offerings, and one of the must-visit places has to be the world-famous Barossa Valley. Shiraz is what this country is best known for and Barossa Valley offers visitors the chance to take part in cellar door tastings and tours at a selection of top-notch wineries.

Immerse yourself in Aboriginal culture by joining a guided tour 

Australian aborigines
The best way to do learn about the aborigines of the continent is to take part in an Aboriginal-led tour. Image credit: Rafael Ben Ari/Bigstock.com

You can’t pay a visit to Australia without learning more about the world’s oldest continuous living culture, and the best way to do this is to take part in an Aboriginal-led tour. From taking part in a range of experiences including storytelling, dance, music, song, art, other traditions, site tours and more, you’ll learn from those at the heart of the culture and see some stunning sights – like Uluru – along the way.

Indulge in world-class dining experiences 

Unidentified people dine at Degraves street in Melbourne Australia
Melbourne boasts more than 3,500 restaurants, which serve up cuisines from over 70 countries. Image credit: TK Kurikawa/Bigstock.com

Anywhere you visit you’ll come across world-class food, but those seeking the best that the country can offer should consider visits to Melbourne, Hobart and Launceston. Melbourne boasts more than 3,500 restaurants, which serve up cuisines from over 70 countries, so foodies will have fun eating their way around this place, while Tasmania’s cities of Hobart and Launceston provide unmissable dining experiences – the latter was named as one of UNESCO’s 36 City of Gastronomy worldwide.   

Head to Tasmania for epic hiking trails through rugged wilderness

Tasmania
Nature lovers should hang around the island state of Tasmania and explore some of the stunning natural surroundings on foot. Image credit: ianwool /Bigstock.com

Nature lovers should hang around the island state of Tasmania and explore some of the stunning natural surroundings on foot. Boasting an array of glorious coastal, mountain and lake scenery, highlights include Freycinet National Park on the coast, Mount Wellington, and also Tasmania’s most famed natural landmark, Cradle Mountain, which sits in the magnificent Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park.  

Explore the iconic Sydney Opera House

Sydney Opera House. Sydney Australia Over 10 millions tourists visit Sydney every year
Any visit to Sydney wouldn’t be complete without the obligatory photograph of the Sydney Opera House. Image credit: Maonakub/Bigstock.com

Any visit to Sydney wouldn’t be complete without the obligatory photograph of the Sydney Opera House, and once you’ve ticked this off your list, why not go one step further and take in one of the 40 shows that take place there each week? If a show isn’t for you, then take a tour inside or enjoy a sunset dinner cruise around Sydney Harbour with the iconic structure as your backdrop.  

Explore the Blue Mountains

Blue Mountains
Explore the Blue Mountains, a rugged region bursting with eucalyptus forests, dramatic cliffs, and waterfalls. Image credit: ianwool/Bigstock.com

If you’re spending time in Sydney, be sure to go inland and explore the Blue Mountains, a rugged region bursting with eucalyptus forests, dramatic cliffs, and waterfalls, with villages and towns, including Katoomba and Leura, welcoming guests seeking adventurous tours. Seek out ancient Aboriginal rock art, be in awe at the sight of Wentworth Falls and take in the surrounding natural beauty along the Three Sisters Walk.

Head to K’gari (Fraser Island)

The incredible stretch of Fraser Islands sandy beach, Indian Head Lookout, Fraser Island Queensland
Also known by its former name, Fraser Island, K’gari is the world’s largest sand island and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, sitting off the east coast of Queensland

Also known by its former name, Fraser Island, K’gari is the world’s largest sand island and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, sitting off the east coast of Queensland. Though around half a million people visit the island each year, only 152 people live there (according to the 2021 census). From admiring its natural beauty from the sky on a scenic flight to making the most of its coastline by partaking in a range of water sports, like jet ski safaris, this is one destination worth the trip.