A to Z of beautiful places in Australia

 

Apollo Bay, Victoria

Between the deep blue sea, the dramatic coastline and gentle hills, Apollo Bay has all the charm you’d expect of a town on the Great Ocean Road – and more.

Blue Lake, Mount Gambier, South Australia

It would be hard to feel blue when looking at this stunning lake at Mount Gambier in South Australia. The lake is in the crater of an extinct volcano and turns a particularly intense blue (as often seen in photos) in November, so plan your trip accordingly!

Cape York, Queensland

Travelling up to the tip of Australia is already on many people’s bucket lists, and it’s a beautiful trip. Cape York is one of the most untouched areas in Australia, and this 4WD-only trip passes through rivers and spectacularly verdant bush on its way to the ocean views at the top of the country.

 

Dales Gorge, Karijini National Park, Western Australia

At Dales Gorge, you’ll experience the best of Karijini National Park, from Fortescue Falls to Fern Pool.

Eden, New South Wales

The name doesn’t lead you astray; Eden is, well, heavenly. It’s on the south coast of New South Wales, which has a laidback charm missing from much of the more-popular north coast. Sandwiched between the mountains and the turquoise sea, Eden is spectacularly located.

Flinders Island, Tasmania

Rising majestically from the Bass Strait, Flinders Island is the biggest in a collection of islands that dot the ocean from Victoria to Tasmania.

 

Grampians National Park, Victoria

If you play scissors, paper, rock after visiting the Grampians, you’ll always pick rock – nothing could defeat the majesty of these spectacular rocky mountains. While the Grampians have been recently affected by fire, the towns have all reopened.

Horizontal Waterfalls, Western Australia

While called waterfalls, this natural phenomenon could more accurately be called tidal currents. Hidden in the north of the state in the Buccaneer Archipelago, the inaccessibility of this site only adds to its appeal.

Imperial Hotel, Ravenswood, Queensland

A classic Old West–style saloon, Imperial Hotel in Ravenswood has the sort of swinging doors you can imagine Clint Eastwood pushing through and is a grand remnant from the gold boom in the nineteenth century.

Jim Jim Falls, Northern Territory

Unlike Horizontal Waterfalls in Western Australia, Jim Jim Falls is in the more traditional vertical style of waterfalls. Situated in Kakadu National Park, these falls tumble over the plateau into a deep plunge pool. It all looks so relaxing, but think twice before approaching the water – crocodiles have been known to move into the area.

Keppel Bay Islands, Queensland

Further south than the more famous Whitsunday Islands, the Keppel Bay Islands have beaches that remain more secluded than many in Queensland (although the water is just as sparkling), sentinel cliffs, abundant forests and native wildlife.

Lord Howe Island, New South Wales

Is Lord Howe Island the most beautiful island in the world (sorry mainland Australia)? Quite possibly. From the imposing peak of Mt Gower to the sandy beaches and distinct wildlife, Lord Howe is simply paradise.

Memory Cove camping area, Lincoln National Park, South Australia

Memory Cove has some of the best ocean camping in South Australia, with its panoramic ocean views, easy access to the beach and bush setting.

Naracoorte Caves National Park, South Australia

These caves are impressive in themselves, but what’s even more impressiveis the collection of fossils that has led to the caves being listed as a World Heritage site.

Ormiston Gorge, West MacDonnell National Park, Northern Territory

The centre of Australia is so hot you might want to head straight for water. And you can’t do better than the almost permanent waterhole at Ormiston Gorge, nestled in the mountains of West MacDonnell Ranges.

Purnululu National Park, Western Australia

Conical rocks with tiger stripes? No, that’s not a feature in a Star Trek movie, it’s the startling geological formation of the Bungle Bungles, which will make you awe at the ancient beauty of Australia.

Quobba Station, Western Australia

You can’t beat this camping area on the coast near Ningaloo Reef.

Recherche Bay, Tasmania

Part of the Southwest Wilderness, Recherche is only accessible by boat, but the trip is worth it: relatively untouched beaches, thick verdant forest and a garden that was established by members of D’Entrecasteaux’s 1792 expedition.

Sydney Harbour, Sydney Harbour National Park, New South Wales

It might not be the biggest harbour in Australia, but locals would argue it’s the best. It was the first place the British stopped in Australia, and it was good enough to convince them to stay. It’s just as beautiful today, although slightly more developed.

Tidal River, Wilsons Promontory National Park, Victoria

Tidal River is the main camping ground in the spectacularly beautiful Wilsons Promontory National Park.

Uluru, Uluru–Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory

If you’re lucky, you’ll visit on one of the days when the sun setting over Uluru turns this majestic rock different shades of red. It’s one of the most beautiful sights in Australia.

Valley of the Giants, Walpole-Nornalup National Park, Western Australia

Walk amongst the towering tingle trees in the Valley of the Giants. You can see their huge trunks from below or walk through the treetops on the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk.

Wilpena Pound, Flinders Ranges National Park, South Australia

Speaking of giants, it almost looks as though a giant has lent down and pressed a thumb into a section of Flinders Ranges, creating the majestic ochre arena of Wilpena Pound. Of course, the process wasn’t that quick – the arena was formed by erosion over millions of years.

Yamba, New South Wales

This laidback beach town is a haven away from the bustling tourist centres of Coffs Harbour and Byron Bay, and is situated on a windblown patch of coastline near Yuraygir National Park.

Zeehan, Tasmania

Zeehan is a National Trust–listed town on the wild west coast of Tasmania.