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Top places to visit in Australia | A journey!
As an island continent, Australia offers endless sunshine, beautiful beaches, dramatic desert dunes, and ancient Maori cultures imbued within their modern-day lives. If this is your first time in Australia, you will probably have to give three or four shots to complete visiting all the places, as Australia is huge. Read on to find out the top places to visit in Australia.
Top 10 places to visit in Australia
Here are the top 10 places to visit in Australia-
Adelaide
Brimming with art and culture, Adelaide is the capital of South Australia and the country’s fifth-largest city, known for its charm and beauty. The city’s heritage, arts, and culture thrive here while the people are well-adapted to their culture, which they direly preserve. Art Gallery of South Australia at North Terrace in Adelaide, Parliament House with its grand colonnade, and Mitchell Building are the places you must visit while in Adelaide.
Canberra
Often overlooked in the eyes of Melbourne and Sydney, Australia’s capital Canberra is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the continent. Stunning nature reserves and mountain ranges in the north adorn the city. Canberra, as a metropolis, is the home of several world-class museums, monuments, and art galleries. Restaurants, bars, and pubs are found in abundance. Many students live and study in Canberra, making the nightlife active and vibrant here. The capital has several historical sites. Due to its rural setting, tourists can engage in great outdoor activities like hiking and cycling around Canberra’s numerous artificial ponds, lakes, and gardens.
Barossa Valley
An hour’s drive from the southern capital Adelaide lies Barossa Valley, one of Australia’s top 10 places to visit. It is a favorite day trip among many tourists and locals who spend the day with their loved ones and indulge in a small picnic. This Verdant Valley is one of Australia’s oldest grape-growing regions due to its rich and fertile soil. Foodies are attracted to this place because of its artisan and modern food produce. Historic buildings such as museums, European-style dining, and heritage trails overwhelm this surreal valley. The valley offers other fun activities to take part in, like going to the spa, shopping for antiques and souvenirs, brunch at the finest restaurants, and appreciating the beautiful art at the galleries.
Daintree Forest
Located on the northeast coast of Australia, Daintree is one of the oldest rainforests in the world. Its ancient ecosystem is home to flora, fauna, and a delicate balance of wildlife that is incredible to explore. Unlike the popular belief of rainforests being lush green and verdant, Daintree has more rugged mountainous stretches, coral reefs, beaches, and turbulent rivers with rapids. Daintree is a nature lover’s heaven to hike amid the dense undergrowth of the forest. Besides hiking and bird or wildlife watching, some popular tourist activities are zip-lining, paddleboarding, and cruising.
Clare Valley
Clare is yet another prominent grape-growing valley in southern Australia, like Barossa Valley. Located about 130 km north of Adelaide, this picturesque valley has pastoral landscapes, providing the perfect setting for a weekend romantic getaway. The place is also known for its growing and flourishing gourmet food culture. The valley is adorned with historic bluestone buildings and charming heritage towns since the Polish, English, and Irish immigrants initially settled in the valley centuries ago. While at Clare Valley, explore the beautiful Skilly Hills, enjoy dining at the finest cafes and restaurants, and browse through local markets and art galleries.
Flinders Ranges
Nature lovers, photographers, and artists find their haven in Flinders Ranges. This place has been named after Matthew Flinders, a famous explorer. From pale pink and burnished gold to burnt orange, the arid landscape of this region provides a striking play of colors in the light of the day. Despite dry conditions and lack of natural water, this region has a surprising number and wildlife species that thrive here abundantly. Some of the animals often spotted here are the yellow-footed wallabies, emus, and colorful parrots. Summertime trips to Flinders Ranges are not advisable, so it is one of the top 10 best places to visit in Australia during winters. Day safaris at the Flinders Ranges National Park are common among visitors. This is where rich growth of vegetation cloaks the sheltered valleys of Clare.
Karijini National Park
Located in Western Australia, this park is the second largest in its area. The park is centered around Hamsley Ranges, so it is spectacularly mountainous, with deep gorges, canyons, caves, and waterfalls. These rugged structures make the park an excellent place to hike, and the glimmering waterfalls are refreshing to take a dip or two in after a day of dusty hiking or walking. Besides the picturesque view, Karijini National Park is home to over 800 plant species and wildlife. Upon your visit to the park, you will be able to spot red kangaroos, wallabies, and echidnas while exploring the natural grounds of the park.
Glenelg
This beach area is perfect for families and friends, attracting tourists with an exciting history, soft sand, calm seawater, and family-friendly attractions. From Victor Square in Adelaide, it takes only 25 minutes to reach Glenelg using the tram, Adelaide’s last surviving tram service. Some of the oldest European settlements on mainland South Australia are located here. The most beautiful attraction in this place is Glenelg Beach, which can easily rank as one of the top 10 places to visit in South Australia. An amusement park called The Beach House is an exceptional place to visit if you are traveling with kids. Exhilarating rides, bumper boats, water slides, and Ferris wheel adorn the area.
Alice Springs
Located in the geographical center of Australia, this city lies approximately 1500 km from its nearest city. This rustic rural town is a great place to visit, especially if you want to delve into the Aborigines’ native past, history, culture, and heritage. Alice Springs is the home to indigenous art galleries, museums, and a large population of Aborigines. The iconic charm of the place is its rock formations, desert landscapes, and gorges. The Uluru, Kata Tjuta rock and Kinga Canyon are these popular attractions.
Murray River
This is Australia’s longest river. Its source is in the New South Wales Alps, flowing to the Southern Ocean in South Australia. By the side of the river, eucalyptus trees and sandstone cliffs are scattered heavily. The wetland of this region is home to several species of wildlife. This place was once home to the Ngarrindjeri and Nganguraku tribes. Today, this river is responsible for irrigating the agricultural region. It is the source of several water-based activities like fishing, boating, swimming, water-skiing, and gliding along on a paddle steamer. Some of the popular places to tour from Murray are Waikerie, a little town that serves as a popular spot for gliding, Loxton – the garden city of the Riverland region, and the Olivewood Historic Homestead and Museum.
Key takeaways
- There are several popular tourist destinations in Australia.
- If you plan on a trip to Australia, plan to relax more or indulge in adventure water sports. Australia has a lot to offer for both relaxed and adventurous souls. Australia has it all, whether you are looking for an exciting scuba dive, delicious food, rich culture, or splendid sandy beaches.
- It is best to do your research thoroughly before setting out on a trip. Narrow down on what you are looking to get out of your vacation and the duration of your stay. This will make it easier to decide on Australia’s top 10 places to visit.
That’s all for now! If you have any more questions about which country to choose for studying abroad, you can drop a comment below on reach out to us.
Liked this blog? Read: Top 10 things I wish I knew before traveling to USA!
FAQs
1. Is it safe to travel to Australia alone?
Australia is a relatively safe country to travel solo, especially for women travelers. It is full of friendly people, and you can get many opportunities to meet new people.
2. What are the best souvenirs I can carry from Australia?
Some of the best souvenirs would be locally, indigenously handmade items. Some of the items are:
- Boomerang
- Didgeridoo
- Vegemite
- Bush tree
3. What is the best time to visit Australia?
The ideal time to visit Australia is during spring and autumn. September to November and March to May receive the highest number of tourists due to the perfect weather and peak season.