For many reasons there has been a massive increase in staycations this year! So we thought we’d share a few of the places you have to visit in Australia, broken down by state.
New South Wales
- Lord Howe Island – Lord Howe is an untouched paradise with pristine beaches, abundant wildlife, tropical coral reefs, rainforest, world class hiking and diving. It is the ultimate tropical island paradise.
- Byron Bay – A good variety of nature and beaches, Byron Bay is a must-visit. The Cape Byron walking track is a must, followed by brunch in one of the many incredible cafes in the town. Byron is a hipster’s paradise. The fantastic range of Byron Bay accommodation has everything you might want. From a luxury villa-style property to a small cottage near the beach, there is something for everyone.
- Port Macquarie – I may be biased but I think my home town of Port Macquarie is one of the most beautiful spots in the country. We’ve got stunning waterways, rainforest, beautiful hinterland and so many incredible Aussie animals to spot (in the bush and the sea)!
- Magic Point – Located off the coast of Sydney, Magic Point is renowned as being one of the best places to see sharks in Australia. If you’ve always wanted to do a shark dive, make sure to add this destination to your bucket list.
- Coffs Harbour – Coffs Harbour is located around 340 miles north of Brisbane and serves to be a beautiful tourist destination with a calm and confident approach to sea-faring and preserving their vibrant nautical culture. A fan favourite of this area is that of Coffs Harbour Tours, where whale watching is performed in abundance and can be a very powerful ‘tick’ to have on your bucket list.
Victoria
- Melbourne – If you’re looking for a sophisticated city with rooftop bars and amazing food, then Melbourne is definitely the city for you.
- Phillip Island – Phillip island is home to one of the smallest penguins in the world, known as the Little penguin. Take a day trip and watch the penguins emerge from the ocean and waddle to their burrows for the evening. It doesn’t get much cuter than that!
- Great Ocean Road – The Great Ocean Road is one of Australia’s most scenic and epic road trips! The Road stretches alongside the wild Southern Ocean with rocky cliffs, empty beaches and amazing wildlife to spot.
Western Australia
- Esperance – If you are visiting close by, you should consider booking a local tour in Esperance. Visit the Pink salt lake, where the water is actually the shade of pink or take a stroll along Esperance Bay.
- Cervantes – If you find yourself near the small town of Cervantes, then you must visit The Pinnacles, which are located within Nambung National Park.
- Ningaloo Reef – Ningaloo Reef is a World Heritage-listed site on the West Australian coast. It’s waters are considered one of the best place in the world to swim with whale sharks.
Northern Territory
- Darwin – A mixture of city and nature, one day you could be hanging out along the coastal beaches eating seafood and the next day watching crocodiles in Crocodylus Park.
- Kakadu National Park – If you visit the Northern Territory, you have to visit Kakadu National park. There are plenty of nature trails leading you to the most stunning views.
- Litchfield National Park – Make sure you visit at the right time of the year and you’ll have endless picture perfect, natural swimming holes to dive into!
Photo by Nick Dunn on Unsplash
South Australia
- Barossa Valley – If you are planning a road trip, then consider driving the Barossa Heritage Trail. The Barossa Valley is one of Australia’s most renowned wine-producing regions, so wine lovers – bookmark this!
- Kangaroo island – Is one of the best places to see wildlife and explore outdoor adventures such as surfing, sailing, swimming and fishing.
Queensland
- The Gold Coast – The Gold Coast is known for its theme parks and beautiful beaches. There are so many theme parks including Dreamworld, Wet ‘n’ Wild and Warner Bros Movie World, making it a great destination for a family holiday.
- Daintree Rainforest – Take a cruise along the Daintree River where you can spot saltwater crocodiles or zipline through the rain forest! Head to the coast and see where the rainforest meets the sea, which is a pretty magical experience!
- The Whitsundays – The Whitsundays are located in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef and are made up of 74 beautiful islands. The Whitsundays are the ultimate paradise, with beautiful islands, endless coral reefs, marine life and seemingly endless sunshine.
Tasmania
- Freycinet National Park – Freycinet National Park is one of Australia’s most beautiful National Parks. Boasting white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, secluded bays, dramatic peaks and the world famous Wineglass Bay. A haven for bird watchers, beach goers and hikers alike!
- Cradle Mountain National Park – Cradle Mountain is one of Tasmania’s most visited places and there is no surprises as to why. With craggy mountains, alpine lakes, ancient rainforest and the world famous Overland Track just to name a few. Cradle Mountain National Park is also teeming with wildlife and is one of the best places to spot Tasmanian devils, platypus and echidnas.
Australia is home to so many amazing destinations and we haven’t even scratched the surface! If you are planning on taking a trip to Asia, check out our favourite destinations here.
What are your favourite places in Australia?
This post was written in collaboration with Summer Star.
All words are our own.
