23 Places to Visit in Australia: Cities, Icons & Natural Wonders

Australia is full of amazing places to visit — harbor cities, tropical seas, the Outback, and culture-rich capitals. This guide covers 23 places to visit in Australia based on insights from Roger C., the brilliant Tour Designer behind Collette’s Australia tours.

Whether you’re planning your first trip to Australia or coming back for more, this list is sure to help you pick your must-sees. Be sure to check out our guide on when to visit Australia to help decide when the best time for your trip is based on what you want to see.

Cities to Visit in Australia: A Quick Overview

Before diving into the full list, it helps to understand the cities that act as gateways to surrounding regions. Each one has its own personality.

Sydney (New South Wales)

A harbor city full of ferries, seaside walks, and sandstone. Many travelers say seeing Sydney from the water — especially on a harbor dinner cruise — is an instant favorite.

Melbourne (Victoria)

Creative and cosmopolitan, with cafés, galleries, theaters, and a strong food scene, Melbourne offers a bit of culture to balance time spent exploring more outdoorsy regions.

Adelaide (South Australia)

An aerial view of the Adelaide city skyline and the Adelaide Riverbank precinct in South Australia.

Flat, park‑ringed, and easy to explore on foot, Adelaide frequently surprises travelers with its relaxed pace and open spaces.

Brisbane (Queensland)

This is Streets Beach, a famous man-made beach located inside the South Bank Parklands in Brisbane, Australia.

Sunny and river‑fronted, Brisbane offers growing arts districts and access to nearby beaches and hinterland.

Perth (Western Australia)

The Perth city skyline as viewed from the iconic Kings Park and Botanic Garden in Western Australia.

Set on the coast of the Indian Ocean, Perth is a city with a more outdoor lifestyle.

25 of the Top Places to Visit in Australia by Region

Sydney & New South Wales

1) Sydney Harbor

a striking sunset over Sydney Harbour in Australia.

One of the world’s most scenic natural harbors, framed by the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Book a sunset dinner cruise for a relaxing way to take it all in.

2) Sydney Opera House

This is the Sydney Opera House, one of the world's most famous multi-venue performing arts centers and an iconic symbol of Australia.

Jørn Utzon’s UNESCO‑listed landmark is just as compelling up close as it is from the water. Roger often designs tours to pair this with an Aboriginal welcome and walking tour to help guests connect to the culture early in their trip.

3) Bondi Beach

This image shows Bondi Beach, which is one of Australia's most famous and iconic coastal destinations.

A surf‑culture icon with a lively esplanade. Take the coastal walk toward Coogee for ocean views and stop at some of the cafes.

4) Blue Mountains

The Three Sisters, an iconic sandstone rock formation situated in the Blue Mountains National Park of New South Wales, Australia.

Here you’ll find the sandstone escarpments and eucalyptus valleys west of Sydney. Lookouts and gentle walks are designed to give you a big‑nature perspective without strenuous hiking.

5) Hunter Valley

This image captures the sweeping panoramic view from the Hang Gliders Lookout, situated on the western escarpment of Tamborine Mountain in Queensland, Australia.

A pastoral wine region north of the city, known for Semillon and boutique cellars — an easy countryside counterpoint to Sydney’s energy.

Tropical North Queensland

6) The Great Barrier Reef

A green sea turtle swimming beneath the surface of clear ocean water over a coral reef.

The world’s largest coral reef system, reached by full‑day cruises from the Cairns region. Being on the water makes this feel immersive even without snorkeling. See what it's like in our Great Barrier Reef video with marine biologist Bekki Hull.

7) Cairns & The Esplanade

the Cairns Esplanade, a popular waterfront park and scenic walkway located in the city center of Cairns, Queensland, Australia.

A tropical gateway city with a breezy waterfront, al fresco dining, and well‑located hotels. From here, you can join Aboriginal‑led river and mangrove experiences that take you beyond the reef.

8) Daintree Rainforest

Mossman Gorge, a famous natural landform located in the southern sector of the World Heritage-listed Daintree National Park in Queensland, Australia.

One of the oldest rainforests on Earth. Guided walks highlight unique plant life and birdcalls.

9) Kuranda & The Rainforest Highlands

The Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, a famous tourist attraction located in Cairns, Queensland, Australia.

Take a scenic railway or cableway up to this green plateau where cooler air offers a refreshing change.

The Red Centre & The Outback

10) Uluru (Ayers Rock)

Tourists hiking along a path at the base of the massive sandstone monolith, Uluru (Ayers Rock), in Australia.

Spend some time at this vast sandstone monolith sacred to the Anangu people so you can appreciate how the light at sunrise and sunset transform it.

11) Kata Tjuta (The Olgas)

This image features the Kata Tjuṯa rock formations, also known as The Olgas, located within the Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park.

The rounded, weathered domes west of Uluru are best experienced in the softer light of early morning or late afternoon.

12) Outback Barbecue & Stargazing

a scenic view of the Australian Outback.

This is a special experience Roger likes to include on Collette tours. An evening of open skies, storytelling, and song.

Southern Australia (Victoria & South Australia)

13) Melbourne

Flinders Street Station, located on the corner of Flinders and Swanston Streets in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

This cultural capital known for galleries and theaters makes a nice urban destination to mix in with more rural sites.

14) Adelaide

Chapel Hill Winery and Retreat, a prominent estate situated in the McLaren Vale wine region of South Australia.

A friendly and easygoing city with direct access to surrounding vineyards, Adelaide is a great place to look for local events, restaurants, and fine wine.

15) Barossa Valley

The Seppeltsfield Road and its famous Avenue of Palms, located in the premier Barossa Valley wine region of South Australia.

One of Australia’s most celebrated wine regions. Some of our Australia tours include private winery visits with time to enjoy lunch.

16) Kangaroo Island

Seal Bay Conservation Park, located on the rugged south coast of Kangaroo Island in South Australia.

Wild coastlines and abundant wildlife. Photographers and nature‑focused travelers will enjoy spending time here.

17) Hobart & Port Arthur (Tasmania)

The historic Hobart Waterfront and Constitution Dock in Hobart, the capital city of Tasmania, Australia.

An island pairing that combines an artsy waterfront city with the powerful history of a former penal settlement.

18) Yarra Valley

Autumn landscape at a vineyard in the Yarra Valley, a premier cool-climate wine region located just outside Melbourne in Victoria, Australia.

Victoria’s cool‑climate wine country, close enough to Melbourne for a day trip and different enough to feel worth the visit.

Western Australia

19) Perth

This city gives you rivers, ocean views, sun, space, and an active outdoor rhythm.

20) Rottnest Island

Car‑free and easygoing, with turquoise bays, cycling paths, and famously photogenic quokkas — the island’s adorably furry residents.

Can’t Miss Multi‑Region Experiences

21) Harbor & Coastal Cruises

Traveling by water — from Sydney Harbour cruises to reef catamarans — offers a chance to relax and just let the scenery sink in.

22) Aboriginal‑Led Cultural Experiences (Multiple Regions)

Yugambeh Aboriginal warrior participating in a cultural performance or martial arts demonstration in Queensland, Australia.

Welcome ceremonies, guided walks on ancestral land, and storytelling moments are often cited as highlights on Collette’s Australian tours.

23) Australia & New Zealand Combinations

Queenstown, New Zealand, showcasing Lake Wakatipu and its surrounding landmarks.

Planning a journey across the Tasman Sea allows Australia’s scale and New Zealand’s landscapes to complement each other, creating a natural crescendo.

FAQs About Places to Go in Australia

What are the absolute top places to see in Australia?

Sydney Harbour, the Great Barrier Reef, and Uluru are the classic trio, often paired with Melbourne, Adelaide and the Barossa Valley, or time in the Red Centre.

Is the Great Barrier Reef worth visiting if I don’t snorkel?

Yes. Many travelers value the day on the water, shifting colors, and sense of scale even without entering the water. Take a peek in this video of the Great Barrier Reef with Collette.

How can I experience the Outback without roughing it?

Our guided tours of Australia are designed with comfort in mind, allowing you to enjoy the Outback while knowing that you’ll have a comfortable place to stay.

Take the stress out of deciding where to go and choose a guided tour that still offers time for you to explore on your own.

Tags:

Destination Highlights Culture and Cuisine Australia