10 Highlights of Australia You Have To See

Australia is one of my favourite countries. The landmass the size of a continent has it all from world famous cities to a vast empty interior. I spent two years exploring every part of the country and have a number of incredible memories from my time there.

Before I went, I had a very small bucket list of things that I wanted to see in Australia (only the top three on this list) but with everything I learnt about on the way, I discovered a number of other highlights that you should make the effort to see.

Australia is an incredible country to travel around and these are my highlights:

The 10 Highlights of Australia

1. Uluru

Uluru, or Ayers Rock as it used to be known, is the largest monolith (single rock structure) in the world.

When I first set eyes on it, when driving in from Alice Springs, it was actually more impressive than I had imagined. Walking around it and learning about the aboriginal history was fascinating as well as awe inspiring in its size.

Camping out and watching the rock change colour as the sun set and the sun rise again the following morning was one of the most beautiful things I had seen. Sometimes photos don’t do it justice and sitting there that evening is one of those times when you just have to sit and admire.

2. Sport at the MCG

As someone that used to work in sport, visiting the MCG is like a pilgrimage to Australian sport.

I was lucky enough to watch by AFL team Hawthorn Hawks play at the MCG. Anyone that doesn’t know what Aussie Rules football is can still go and enjoy the madness that unfolds on the massive pitch in front of you. I went with a bunch of Europeans that had no idea what was going on but still enjoyed the Australian right of passage. The great thing about the sport is that many teams play their “home” games at the MCG so every weekend will have a couple of matches at the ground.

If you’re there in summer then cricket is your best best to visit with Big Bash and test match cricket being held in the arena. Close to the MCG are the tennis courts that host the Australian Open in January, AAMI park that hosts rugby and football and Albert Park that hosts the Australian Grand Prix. There is always sport going on in Melbourne!

3. Scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef

Diving in the largest reef system in the world is an incredible feeling. It has some of the best corals in the world and the diving is some of the best in the world in places as well. Be aware that the Great Barrier Reef is so large that not everywhere is created equally.

If you’re looking for the best diving, make your way up to Cairns and take a boat out from there to see the healthiest corals and highest fish numbers.

4. Walk the laneways of Melbourne

The laneways in the CBD of Melbourne are bursting with street art, cute cafes and bring the creative side to Melbourne. They are the hub of what gives Melbourne its soul.

Hosier Lane and AC/DC lane are hubs of graffiti artists painting murals whilst my favourite cafe, Dukes Coffee, is a short walk away.

5. See the Sydney Opera house

Probably the most unique structure in Australia, nothing says Australia like the sight of the Sydney Opera House. For me, it is the quintessential thing that means that I am in Australia and was the first place I went to when I returned to Sydney after some years away.

There are so many ways to see the Sydney Opera house from walking around the outside of it, having a beer or glass of wine in one of the many bars on the harbourside or from Kirribilli Lookout on the northside of the harbour. However my favourite way of seeing the Sydney Opera House is taking one of the ferries from Circular Quay out to Manly or Watsons Bay and watch the Opera House change as you sail past it.

6. See a quokka on Rottnest Island

A short boat ride from Perth lies Rottness Island. The 19 km² island is home to pristine beaches, a small township and endless untouched wilderness. Take a dip in the sea with barely anyone around, even by Autralian standards.

But one of the main draws of the island is to see the quokka, a marsupial that isn’t found anywhere else. What makes them special? The fact that they have slightly upturned mouths which makes it look like they are smiling giving the happiest animal in the world!

7. Explore the outback

The outback is synonymous with Australia.

The endless sprawling desert that covers 90% of the continent sized country can be daunting and deadly as much as it’s beautiful and a dream to explore. Taking a road trip into the outback is an incredible way to see the country and be at one with nature. But be aware of the dangers of flash flooding, wild animals, burning heat and the many other hazards that exist in the outback.

8. Explore Fremantle

Fremantle is a suburb south of Perth that has a slower, more laid back vibe that the city close by. Just a 25 minute train journey from the capital of Western Australia, Freo as it is known to locals, is renowned for it’s al fresco dining, coffee scene and street art. Take a tour to explore the convict past of the region and finish your day off at Little Creatures Brewery, one of my favourite craft beers from Australia.

9. Drive the Great Ocean Road

Heading south from Melbourne lies the Great Ocean Road, one of the most scenic drives in the country.

But it isn’t just the drive along the stunning cliffs that drop into the southern ocean, the small towns along that way including Lorne and Apollo Bay.

Stop off at Kennet River for views of koalas and colourful parrotlets. Explore the surf scene at Torquay. Stop at the Memorial Arch, one of the famous signs that tributes the workers who built the road after World War 1. And you can’t come to this region without seeing the 12 Apostles (with now only 7 still standing).

10. Kakadu National Park

Kakadu (and it’s neighbouring national park, Lichfield) are some of the most exotic national parks in the country. I took a road trip from Darwin in the far north of the Northern Territories. It’s one of the most underrated areas of the country and is well worth exploring.

Seeing aboriginal cave art that’s thousands of years old in a place that feels as remote as you can get is a truly memorable experience. Add to this that I saw one of the best sunsets of my life (and I’m a sucker for sunsets!) make it a place you have to visit.

Summing up the highlights of Australia

Australia is an incredible country with so much to see and do. For a first time visitor, having so many places to go can make planning an itinerary daunting. But with these highlights, I’ve made it easier to narrow down where you want to go and what you want to experience.

Also check out: Best Places to Visit When Backpacking the East Coast of Australia

Dan

Dan is an avid traveller from London. His first big adventure was in 2010 living in Malaysia for 3 months. He has been on the road almost constantly since 2015 travelling to destinations that aren’t on the mainstream tourist trail and working full time and travelling since 2021.