Must-visit Places in Australia

G’day mate.

Being the sixth largest country in the world, Australia is world-famous for its natural wonders, beaches, deserts, and the Outback. Due to the diversity of the land, Australia can deliver a travel experience like no other regardless of your travel taste, budget or age. The most visited destinations in Australia are the five major cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. Get ready to have an adventure of a lifetime in the land of the kangaroos and koalas. Visit the stunning landmarks down under.

1. The Sydney Opera House

The Opera House is synonymous with Sydney as a city. The iconic design of the Opera House is unique and recognisable all over the world. The Opera House was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site and welcomed 8.2million visitors annually. The building is home to theatres, studios, a concert hall, exhibition rooms, and cinemas. Its concert halls and theatres host more than 1,600 performances a year, from opera to comedy shows. Outside the Opera House, there’s also an Opera Bar with the best view in town, letting you sip your cocktails as you marvel at the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the world’s tallest steel arch bridge that spans a spectacular natural harbour.

2. The Great Barrier Reef

One of Australia’s most remarkable natural gifts, the Great Barrier Reef is also a UNESCO World Heritage site and is one of the largest living structures in the world. Visible from outer space, the reef is home to over 3000 coral reefs, 600 continental islands, 300 coral cays and mangrove islands. At the Great Barrier Reef, you can enjoy snorkelling, scuba diving, aircraft or helicopter tours, bare boats (self-sail), glass-bottomed boat viewing, whale watching, or even swimming with dolphins. Larger than the Great Wall of China, the Great Barrier Reef is deemed one of the seven wonders of the natural world.

3. Uluru

Uluru, or Ayers Rock, is a massive sandstone monolith in the heart of the Northern Territory’s arid “Red Centre”. At 348m high, Uluru is one of the world’s largest monoliths, towering over the surrounding landscape and some 550 million years old. Not only is it a spectacular natural formation, Uluru is a deeply spiritual place. The Uluru Base Walk is one of the best ways to soak in the beauty and get up close to Uluru. It’s a paradise for sunset chasers as Uluru boasts spectacular sunrises and sunsets. Due to its immense size, it can take up to 3.5 hours to complete a full walk around the fascinating landscape.

4. Bondi Beach

The name ‘Bondi’ comes from the aboriginal word that means “water breaking over rocks”, but some say it is the literal translation of the aboriginal word ‘surf’..

Bondi Beach is an iconic stretch of fine sand and one of the world’s most famous beach destinations. The beach is popular for walking, golfing and whale watching. There is no better way to experience Bondi than a dip in the iconic Icebergs ocean pool and have a scrumptious brunch with a side of ocean views. Keep an eye out, and you may even see breaching whales and surfing dolphins across the glorious ocean.

5. Blue Mountains

The Blue Mountains, about a two-hour drive from Sydney, is one of Australia’s most beautiful natural areas, made up of 7 separate National Parks, covering around 10,000 sq km. In 2000, it became Australia’s 14th World Heritage Site and is part of the Great Dividing Range which runs down the East Coast of Australia. The Blue Mountains is known for dramatic scenery with rugged sandstone tablelands, wilderness, valleys, waterfalls, rainforests, lookouts, canyons and excellent walking trails. Immerse yourself in nature by climbing down to the valley floor and along rugged terrains where you will find waterfalls and breathtaking views. The highlight of Blue Mountains is the iconic Three Sisters, an unusual rock formation, towering above the Jamison Valley.

6. Melbourne Cricket Ground

The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), locally known as ‘The G’, is an Australian sports stadium located in Yarra Park, Melbourne, Victoria. Since 1853, the MCG has been in a state of constant renewal and served as the centrepiece stadium of Australia's sporting history — the 1956 Summer Olympics, the 2006 Commonwealth Games and two Cricket World Cups: 1992 and 2015. MCG also plays a significant role in the development of international cricket; it was the venue for both the first Test match and the first One Day International, played between Australia and England in 1877 and 1971, respectively. The annual Boxing Day Test is one of the MCG's most popular events. Referred to as "the spiritual home of Australian rules football" for its strong association with the sport since it was codified in 1859, MCG hosts Australian Football League (AFL) matches in the winter, with at least one game held there in most (if not all) rounds of the home-and-away season.

7. Twelve Apostles

Hailed as one of the most scenic drives in the world, the Great Ocean Road is on many travellers’ bucket lists. The road connects the Victorian coastline and is a stunning drive past coastal villages, beaches, waterfalls, and rainforests. The drive's highlight is definitely the limestone pillars — there are only 8 Apostles left standing as Mother Nature, time, and salty water has caused several Apostles to fall — that juts out from the Southern Ocean. These rock formations are said to be 15 to 20 million years old. View the 12 Apostles at sunrise and sunset as they change colours from dark and foreboding in shadow to brilliant sandy yellow under full sun.