The Best Australian Travel Ideas

There are many travellers who have Australia on their bucket list- but the problem is there is so much to see and do! It depends on you and what you’re interested in- history, the arts, food or nature?

Australia is the sixth-biggest country in the world, and it is PACKED full of amazing things you won’t see anywhere else. The biggest problem you’ll have is … where to go?

The best beaches in Aussie

Australians are true-blue beach lovers. And why not- after all, every bit of coastline has amazing beaches to visit, many with the iconic white sand and turquoise blue waters that we see in our dreams.

In New South Wales, the top three beach locations would include Byron Bay, Jervis Bay, and Sydney. The Byron Bay area is known for surfing and a whole lot of sunbathing. Sydney has the iconic Bondi Beach and of course Palm Beach, where the famous ‘Home and Away’ TV series is filmed.

Queensland has the Gold Coast, popular with tourists as it also has loads of theme parks in the area. The Sunshine Coast is less touristy but still has places like Mooloolaba and Noosa. The Whitsundays are idyllic- absolute paradise, perfect for snorkelling, yachting and relaxing.

In WA, Margaret River has amazing beaches, with Hamilin Bay, Yallingup and Eagle Bay. Rottnest Island is a small island off the coast of Perth and it has very cute friendly marsupials called quokkas. Hire a bike, cruise around the circumference of the Island and find a secluded paradise for the day before you take the ferry home.

The best food and wine in Oz

Australia is fast becoming a foodie’s paradise- not only is the climate great for growing (in particular, big bold red wines), but the influx of other cultures is heavily influencing the availability of international foods.

Melbourne has an amazing food and wine scene, with alleyways lined with cafes and bars that waft scents of coffee and other deliciousness, the only sign they are there. The Queen Victoria night food market is great and the Melbourne Chinatown is easily the best in Australia.

Yarra Valley has more than 80 wineries, so a day trip through the area will yield a collection of wine to keep you happy for a long time.

Barossa Valley is another fantastic wine region, home to Jacob’s Creek and 80 other wineries.

The Hunter Valley in NSW is just a two hour drive from Sydney and has fine dining and fine wines in a beautiful location.

Tasmania is another foodie destination that is well worth a visit. Of course, there is wine and beer, but the food is amazing, with loads of small boutiques creating delicious titbits. Fresh salmon, oysters, cheese, chocolate, the list goes on. Be warned though- many people head over to Tassie for a visit and then end up moving there!

<H2>The best of the Outback

The Outback is incredible, huge and unforgiving (make sure you get insurance before heading out). From miles of red dirt and a few kangaroos through to scrublands and sandy arid plains, there is incredible diversity of places to see.

Uluru- No visit to the Outback is complete without a trip to this sacred spot. It’s a spiritual place for the local Aboriginal people and a UNESCO heritage site.

Kata Tjuta – Close to Uluru, this is a series of ochre rock domes, which you can walk among and take in the incredible sights.

Alice Springs has a host of incredible things to do, from hot-air ballooning, Aboriginal art, camel rides through the desert, or even a four-wheel drive and camping tour. With unique landscapes, plants and animals, this will be unlike any other experience you’ve had before.

The best cities in Australia

If you like the hustle and bustle of city living, then Melbourne and Sydney are a great holiday option, with plenty to do and see.

Sydney has the Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Bondi Beach, Manly, the Royal Botanic Gardens and a nightlife scene that is Australia’s best. Of course, there is also great shopping and a very cool fashion scene.

Melbourne has a more chilled vibe than Sydney. It is the art and music capital of Australia, with ever-changing exhibitions, music festivals galore and a street art scene unlike anywhere else in the world.

Road trips

Australia has the best road trips in the world. Travelling by road gives you the freedom to stop and start as you like, take your time and explore or hurry through if needed.

The Great Ocean Road is stunning, starting just outside of Melbourne. Give yourself two to three days to navigate through, stopping at Kennett River to see the koalas, and of course the 12 Apostles too.

Red Centre Way between Alice Springs and Uluru will give you the outback experience you want through the West MacDonnell Ranges. You’ll see miles of red dust, kangaroos and so much more.

Port Douglas to Cape Tribulation offers another completely different experience. From tropical North Queensland, you’ll get a chance to see the Great Barrier Reef and the lush Daintree Rainforest- how incredible.

So much more awaits you in Australia

This is just scratching the surface of the amazing things you can see and do in Australia. You’ll never be bored, and there’s always something around the corner to inspire, excite and explore.

Melissa Thompson
Melissa Thompson writes about a wide range of topics, revealing interesting things we didn't know before. She is a freelance USA Today producer, and a Technorati contributor.