The deep natural harbour in the southeast of Australia has existed for some 6,000 years and territories around the water were established long before Captain James Cook arrived in the harbour in 1770. Today Sydney Harbour, with its famous bridge stretching from the Central Business District to the North Shore, is an iconic Australian view known the world over.
The landscape of Sydney Harbour changed forever in the mid-20th century, when the Sydney Opera House was built between 1957 and 1973. Australia’s gleaming white sail-inspired landmark building was built on a promontory on the south side of the harbour now called Bennelong Point (it was named Cattle Point by Europeans), and its grand opening ushered in a new era for the once-industrial harbour. The best views of the opera house are from the Kirribilli Foreshore, the Botanical Gardens, or the Pyrmont Bay ferry.
Australia’s Great Ocean Road is one of the world’s most scenic drives. The ocean views are phenomenal along the entire 151-mile (243km) route – but it’s the soaring Twelve Apostles sea stacks in Port Campbell National Park that are the most photogenic. Chiselled from the soft limestone of the mainland over tens of millions of years, there are only seven apostles still standing (in fact, there were only ever nine in total). You can see them from the boardwalk and viewing platforms close to the Twelve Apostles Visitor Centre, or walk from the car park to Gibson Steps for beach-level access.
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Western Australia’s highest twin waterfalls are culturally significant to the Balanggarra people, who call them Oomari Falls and revere them as the male and female Wunkurr (Rainbow Serpents). The falls in full flood (January to April) are a staggering sight, plunging 328 feet (100m) off ancient sandstone cliffs into tidal waters. The falls are only accessible by boat along the King George River as it cuts through the steep-sided canyon – there is also an almost-vertical bushwalk to the top of the falls for the jaw-dropping view down.
Western Australia’s Pinnacles Desert is on the traditional lands of the Yued people in Nambung National Park, a two-hour drive from Perth. Here, hefty limestone pillars (some up to 11 feet/3.5m high) rise up from the sandy dunes. There’s a 2.7-mile (4.5km) drive trail that’s suitable for ordinary cars. It has a viewing platform around halfway, so you can sit and contemplate the otherworldly view. Come between August and October for an extra spectacle of blooming desert wildflowers.
On some early mornings in Byron Bay, Australia's easternmost city, the sky is a blend of rich purple and fiery orange hues, contrasting against the backdrop of dramatic clouds and vast ocean. People gather to watch the sunrise at lookouts on the capes and headlands all along the coast, watching as its gentle glow paints the beaches in soft light.
The expansive deck and aerial walkway at Daintree Discovery Centre in tropical North Queensland provide a breathtaking vantage point for immersion in the grandeur of the the world's oldest tropical rainforest. The Daintree is 463 square miles (1,200sq km) – roughly four times the size of Malta – and its lush canopy reaches out in all directions.
An iconic Gold Coast view is Surfers Paradise Beach, backed by a strip of high-rise buildings that are home to hotels and ocean view apartments. The name says it all: surfers flock here for the waves and for the (in)famous nightlife. SkyPoint Observation deck has fantastic views at 755 feet (230m), though for those feeling brave, SkyPoint Climb allows you to reach the building's spire at 886 feet (270m).
Floating 34 miles (55km) off Australia’s Queensland coast, the Whitsundays are a group of uninhabited white-sand islands surrounded by extraordinary blue-and-green waters and close to the Great Barrier Reef. Some of the most iconic images of the 74 islands and islets are of Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet on the largest island, but pictured is Langford Island near Hayman Island, the home of a luxury resort. Stay on the islands or explore by boat from mainland hub Airlie Beach.
The Murray, Australia’s longest river at 1,570 miles (2,530km), starts in the Snowy Mountains and winds through New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, before flowing out to the ocean. There are many places to view the mighty river with its red-ochre banks, ancient gum forests and wetlands, and the easy four-day, 25-mile (40km) walk with Murray River Trails offers an incredible experience; guests sleep on a river boat and watch the sun rise and set from its deck.
This huge sandstone monolith in the Red Centre of the outback in Australia’s remote Northern Territory is sacred to Indigenous Australians. Called Ayers Rock by Europeans, the rock is now part of the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and is officially named Uluru, as it’s always been known to the Indigenous peoples. Thought to be at least 500 million years old, Uluru was originally at the bottom of the sea. Today, this sacred spot is most often reached by road from the nearest town: Alice Springs is a 288-mile (463km) drive away.
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There’s something very special about the night sky in Australia’s outback, far from the light pollution of the city. You’re in the Southern Hemisphere and the axel tilt here means that on dry nights from February to October the Milky Way dazzles brilliantly overhead. Indigenous Songlines tell stories of the stars, plus knowledge of the night sky and its relation to the seasons on land has been shared for over 50,000 years. To experience the blaze of a billion stars in the Northern Territory, visit Earth Sanctuary near Alice Springs, or stay overnight in one of the state’s national parks.
Parasail over majestic humpback whales to witness these gentle giants from a whole new perspective. Departing from Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour, Parasail Whale Watching is a unique way to experience Western Australia’s humpback whale migration as they travel along the coast of Perth and Rottnest Island between September and December each year. Tours last around two-and-a-half hours.
Melbourne’s CBD, simply called 'the City' by locals, has a modern high-rise skyline that is best viewed from Princes Bridge, or from Eureka Tower in the Southbank neighbourhood across Yarra River. The city was established in the mid-19th century and although from a distance the skyline appears to be all shining glass, when you walk its gridded streets, or trundle along in the tram, you’ll notice that plenty of the buildings in the CBD are actually historic. See the city from above at sunrise with a scenic hot air balloon ride.
South Australia has some of the country’s most renowned wine regions, not least Barossa Valley, northeast of Adelaide. Here, the rolling hills of the countryside host more than 150 wineries and 80 cellar doors mostly famous for shiraz and other deep reds. To explore the Mediterranean-like wine valleys of South Australia and soak up the neat rows of vines and historic villages, take a road trip on the 139-mile (223km) Epicurean Way.
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In Western Australia’s Albany, a breathtaking lookout extends horizontally from a towering cliff. Below this delicate-looking platform the waves of the Southern Ocean pound the granite rocks – this is The Gap, a safe (though it might not feel like it) viewing area of the exposed coast 131 feet (40m) below. Nearby, the aptly named Natural Bridge, also in Torndirrup National Park, offers incredible views as far as the coast from Bald Head to West Cape Howe.
Flinders Island is part of the Furneaux Group – 52 islands that stretch over the Bass Strait between Tasmania and mainland Australia. On the west coast, Killiecrankie and its bay are well loved by rock climbers and bush walkers who appreciate this rugged natural beauty. It's a steep hike to the summit of Mount Killiecrankie, but it's worth it; you’re rewarded with views across the island of granite massifs, forest and turquoise coast.
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Captain James Cook landed on Norfolk Island during his second round-the-world voyage in 1774 and it became a penal colony in the 19th century. Today, this South Pacific island attracts tourists, usually those who come by plane from Brisbane and Sydney, with its untouched subtropical forests and lagoons. A small obelisk marks the spot where Captain Cook came ashore, and the lookout across the pristine landscape is majestic.
The view along Kings Avenue towards the Australian-American Memorial in Canberra’s Field Marshal Sir Thomas Blamey Square is a sight to behold. The soaring tower, affectionately known as the Eagle, symbolises Australian-American ‘comradeship in arms’ and the assistance of American personnel in the Second World War. Originally this was bushland but now the memorial is bookmarked by the administrative headquarters of the Australian Defence Force (with Mount Pleasant Nature Reserve just behind).
Katherine town, which sits on the banks of its namesake river around 197 miles (317km) from Darwin, is the point where the traditional lands of the Jawoyn, Dagoman and Wardaman peoples converge. Just 19 miles (30km) northeast of Katherine along a sealed road is the Nitmiluk National Park, which features Katherine Gorge with its rugged sandstone cliffs and rock art sites. One incredible way to access the gorge and its mesmerising views is by helicopter: you can also take a boat tour.
This huge sea-sculpted rock is best viewed from the elevated lookout point as the sun sets over the Indian Ocean. In Western Australia’s Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park just off Cape Naturaliste near Dunsborough, Sugarloaf Rock is the star of an astounding seascape, with seabirds, dolphins and sometimes whales (July to October) spotted nearby. There are also great views of the rock from along the coastal Cape to Cape Track between Sugarloaf Rock and Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse, which is around two miles (3.5km).
The blazing purple blooms of the jacaranda tree might not be native to Australia, but today they are a much-loved sign of spring when they burst into life in November. There are many streets in Adelaide’s Central Business District and suburbs lined with jacaranda trees, including Allinga Street in Glenside (pictured), and you only need to explore on foot to find pavements and parks adorned with the purple flowers.
In the remote northwest of Karijini National Park (around 15 hours’ drive from Perth) is a stunning natural landscape of swirling ridges of corrugated rock in a steep sided red-orange gorge. There are a couple of short bushwalks to pools for a dip, including one with a waterfall (pictured), but it's even possible to see the impressive gorge from the lookout point close to the car park. Karijini National Park is the traditional home of the Banyjima, Kurrama and Innawonga Aboriginal peoples.
Eyre Peninsula in South Australia is a veritable paradise of white sand beaches, crystal-clear waters and secluded sea caves. The coastline is dotted with wild and beautiful bays where you can lay down a towel and take in the view, including Perlubie Beach, Greenly Beach, Memory Cove and pristine Coffin Bay, which is famous for emus and oysters. There’s pretty limited access to the national park unless you have a four-wheel drive.
Perth's cityscape has been redeveloped recently, thanks to the exciting new waterfront park, Elizabeth Quay. Enjoy the promenade with its cool bars and restaurants, and soak up some extraordinary public artwork. There’s a bridge for a great bird's-eye view of the area, which is even more special at night; it’s also possible to hop on a scenic river cruise.
Whether you view the Great Barrier Reef from high above or from beneath the waters, it’s a glorious sight to behold. The world’s largest coral reef complex and one of the seven natural wonders of the world, this site off northeast Australia’s coast is home to an astonishing 1,600 species of fish. The underwater world teems with life and shipwrecks, such as the SS Yongala, are popular viewing places to spot some unique creatures.
You'll find Cradle Mountain in the Central Highlands region of Tasmania, in Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. Dove Lake or Crater Lake make perfect foregrounds for capturing a classic sweeping Cradle Mountain view and the rugged peaks frame the scene beautifully. You’ll need to be fit to take in this epic panorama, either hiking the short 3.7-mile (6km) Dove Lake Circuit, or the more strenuous eight-mile (12.8km) Cradle Summit walk.
One of the largest national parks in Australia, Kakadu preserves savanna woodlands, floodplains, mangroves and mudflats, and has been home to Aboriginal people for more than 65,000 years. The Bininj people in the north of the park and Mungguy people in the south work together with Parks Australia to protect and share the rock art paintings here that have been dated to 20,000 years old. The main rock art galleries to view are at Ubirr and Burrungkuy (Nourlangie).
Esperance is a whopping 432-mile (696km) drive from Perth, but from here it’s easy to reach Lucky Bay and the surrounding Cape Le Grand National Park. The stunning sands are said to be Australia’s whitest and the beach was named the 'world’s best' in 2023. Best of all? It’s a wildlife sanctuary and the classic beach view often includes kangaroos, wallabies and possums. The Wudjari people are the traditional owners of Cape Le Grand National Park.
The Blue Mountains area is a World Heritage wilderness site west of Sydney and a favourite escape for people who live in the city. The name of the mountains comes from the blue haze in the air caused by oil droplets from eucalyptus trees mixing with dust particles and water vapour – seen from a distance, the whole landscape is blue. The landmark Burramoko Ridge (Hanging Rock) lookout point is reached on a seven-mile (11km) there-and-back hike, or you can cycle along a ridgeline in Grose Valley, close to Blackheath. It’s a phenomenal viewpoint towards the rock and across the lush valley.
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