Australia is one of those places that seems to have it all.
Its diverse landscapes of sun-soaked beaches, bustling cities, and explored desert is a main draw for many tourists.
And while natural beauty is part of its appeal, Australia has so much more to offer in terms of history and culture.
Is Australia Worth Visiting?
Australia is absolutely worth visiting. It’s perfect for road tripping, scuba diving, relaxing at the beach, or experiencing their traditional aboriginal culture. Not only rich with natural beauty and wildlife, but Australia also has several metropolitan cities offering everything from local wine to world-class opera.
For these reasons, Australia is one of those must-see destinations to add to your bucket list.
Not convinced? Here are a couple of reasons to book your flight down under today.
It’s Great for Road Trips
As the world’s 6th-largest country, Australia has a lot of terrain for you to explore.
Whether you’re looking for a weekend escape or a multi-weeklong journey, you’ll have plenty of scenic drives to choose from.
Looking to explore the east coast? A 2-week journey from Cairns to Brisbane is the best way to see some of Australia’s most stunning natural attractions.
This coastal route will take you along the shores of Queensland, where you can make day trips to Cape Tribulation, Mission Beach, or the Whitsunday Islands.
If you’re on the southern coast, then you can take the drive from Adelaide to Melbourne.
It’s considered to be one of the most scenic road trips in the country.
As you travel between these two cities, you can stop to hike the rainforest, visit an aboriginal cultural center, or visit one of the numerous charming villages.
Western Australia is also a road-tripper’s paradise.
The land is less developed, so be prepared to get off the beaten path while you explore untouched beaches and miles of unexplored Australian outback.
It’s Home to the Great Barrier Reef
You can’t go to Australia without visiting the Great Barrier Reef – one of the seven wonders of the world.
Covering over 133,000 square miles and featuring 2,900 individual reefs, it’s the largest coral reef system on our planet (and it can even be seen from outer space!).
During your visit, you can stay on the mainland (Cairns or Townsville) or choose one of the many islands off the coast, including Lizard Island, Green Island, or the Whitsundays.
If you do choose to stay on an island, you can also enjoy other activities including hiking, sightseeing, and boating.
Snorkeling and scuba diving are the two most popular activities.
As you dip below the ocean’s surface, you’ll come face to face with 1,500 types of fish, 400 species of coral, and hundreds of larger marine creatures like sharks, rays, turtles, whales, dolphins, and dugongs.
If you prefer to stay dry – don’t’ worry.
There are plenty of other ways to see the reef that doesn’t involve getting wet.
For example, you can take a glass-bottom boat cruise, a semi-submarine excursion, or a scenic helicopter or seaplane tour.
It Preserves Aboriginal Culture
Aboriginal Australians are some of the oldest populations of human beings, dating back over 50,000 years.
Although they only make up 3% of the country, this Indigenous group still plays a vital role in Australian identity.
To learn more about their culture, you can visit one of the many sacred Aboriginal Australian sites.
The most notable site is Uluru, a sandstone monolith located in the Northern Territory.
It is believed that ancestorial spirits live on top of the rock, which is why the government has forbidden visitors from climbing it.
Another important site is the Grampians National Park, which is a 3-hour drive from Melbourne.
The park contains 90% of all the Aboriginal rock art in Australia.
You can see over 4,000 different motifs, many of which date back more than 30,000 years.
Mount Borradaile is one of the least explored Indigenous sights in the country, but it also happens to be one of the most beautiful.
Located in the remote region of Arnhem Land, the area is home to tranquil billabongs, lush rainforests, and million-year-old caves.
During your visit, you can see Aboriginal rock art as well as sacred burial and ceremonial sites.
It Has Amazing Beaches
With a coastline of over 37,000 miles, it’s no surprise that Australia has some of the best beaches known to man.
There are nearly 12,000 beaches in the country, from the sun-bathers of Bondi Beach to the soft white shores of Whitehaven.
If you’re spending any amount of time on the coast, you’re likely never too far from a tropical paradise.
Despite being the largest city in Australia, Sydney isn’t just a cosmopolitan hub of high-rises and cultural landmarks.
It’s also home to more than 100 picturesque beaches.
Bondi and Manly are two of the most popular choices for locals and tourists.
But if you want to escape the crowds, it’s recommended to visit Shelly Beach, Bilgola Beach, or Tamarama Beach. The east is also good for surfing, especially in New South Wales near Byron Bay.
The west coast may be more remote, but the beachy landscapes are truly otherworldly.
Head to Cable Beach in Broome where you can enjoy the rugged backdrop of rust-red cliffs while you sunbathe.
Or visit Shell Beach near Shark Bay, whose 37-mile-long shores are covered in seashells instead of sand.
But if you want that classic tropical feeling, the west has that too. Prevelly Beach, Lucky Bay, and Wharton Beach are just a few places where you can find white sand and clear blue waters.
It’s Rare Local Wildlife
More than 80% of the wildlife in Australia is native to the country, which means you won’t find them in the wild anywhere else in the world.
Of course, you’ll see kangaroos, but you also might encounter creatures you never knew existed.
You’ll find adorable marsupials like the koala and wombat, as well as monotreme mammals like the platypus and echidna.
Australia is also home to over 500 endangered animals, including the spotted quoll, the Tasmanian devil, and the black-flanked rock wallaby.
In addition, the country has over 850 species of birds, 4,000 species of fish, and over 860 types of reptiles (more than any other place in the world).
But out of all the animals in Australia, nothing is more present than insects.
They account for 96% of animals, 90% of which are native.
The most common creepy crawlies include beetles, ants, mosquitos, and spiders.
You can see many of these creatures in the wild.
Visit Rottnest Island to see quokkas, Phillip Island for penguins, Ningaloo Reef to swim with whale sharks, or pretty much anywhere for kangaroos!
It’s Incredible Cities
Although Australia is known for its natural landscapes, its vibrant cities are also worth visiting.
In fact, more than 85% of the population lives in a city, which is surprising considering that the country is roughly the same size as Europe!
Sydney is usually the first place that tourists visit on their trip to Australia.
This buzzy metropolis is a mix of laid-back beaches, lively entertainment, and glamourous shops and restaurants.
After Sydney, Hobart is the oldest city in the country (although it also happens to be the least populated).
It’s located on the island of Tasmania, which sits 150 miles south of the mainland.
There are plenty of cultural sights to keep you occupied, including theaters, orchestras, museums, markets, and casinos.
Melbourne is another great choice, with a thriving café, food, and nightlife scene.
It also caters to sports enthusiasts and art lovers, making it one of the coolest cultural cities in the country.
If you’re visiting the Northern Territory, then a stop in Darwin is a must.
With a tropical setting and tons of nearby natural attractions, visitors can enjoy some recreational activities while also soaking in city vibes.
It’s Exhilarating Recreational Activities
Australia is a wonderland for adventure lovers.
The diverse landscape of desert, mountains, forests, and sea makes it possible to do practically every type of outdoor activity imaginable.
As an island, Australia is known for its water sports.
Not only is it one of the best places in the world for snorkeling or scuba diving, but it’s also a premier surfing destination.
Every day of the year, you can expect large swells and consistent waves that most surfers only dream of.
Boating is also very popular.
Rent a kayak, charter a sailboat, go ziplining, or take a boat cruise to see the ocean (and Great Barrier Reef) up close and personal.
Hiking (or as the Aussies call it, bushwalking) is another popular activity.
There are a seemingly endless number of trails to explore, from the deep woods of the Blue Mountains to the dramatic, coastal cliffs of Darkinjung County.
Even if you didn’t bring your hiking boots, you can still find a flat and easy walking trail for you to see the beautiful surroundings.
Australia is also a good destination for extreme sports.
White water rafting, shark diving, bungee jumping, and hang gliding are just a few activities that are guaranteed to get your heart pumping.
If you’re visiting from June to September, you might also get a chance to go skiing or snowboarding (mostly in the south near New South Wales and Victoria).
It Produces Delicious Wines
Many people are unaware that Australia produces over 500 million liters of wine each year.
Of those, 27% are shiraz and 19% are chardonnay, although pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and resiling can also be found.
Because of the Mediterranean climate, South Australia is the largest and most well-known region for producing wine.
However, you’ll also find a few vineyards in New South Wales, Victoria, and on the western coast near Perth.
In total, there are over 2,000 individual wine producers in the country.
The Barossa Valley in South Australia is arguably one of the most famous wine-producing regions with over 150 wineries.
Gran Burge, Jacob’s Creek, Wolf Blass, and Bethan Wines are a few wineries that you should sample during your visit.
It’s Laid-Back Culture
Maybe it’s long days of warm weather or numerous fun recreational activities, but it’s a known fact that most Australians are laid back and easygoing (did you know that cricketer Dennis Lillee even greeted Queen Elizabeth with a “G’day, how ya goin’?”).
Even their language is dotted with slang and abbreviations, adding to the informality of the culture.
Whatever the reason, the Australian laid-back lifestyle is something that all societies can learn from.
It’s not uncommon to see people taking their lunch break on the beach or enjoying an after-work beer with friends and family.
Australians are definitely known to enjoy life to the fullest.
And most importantly, Australians are extremely friendly.
People will usually always greet you with a smile or a “G’day, mate” and are willing to go the extra mile to help with problems you may encounter while traveling.
And because almost 30% of the country was born overseas, you can expect to be treated with respect and kindness, even as a foreigner.
FAQ
What is the best time to visit Australia?
The seasons in Australia are opposite to those in the Northern Hemisphere, although the exact weather will depend on which part of the country you’re visiting.
But generally speaking, the spring (September and November) and fall (March to May) are two of the best times to visit.
Summer can also be a good time to visit the southern coast, which is considerably cooler and better suited for sightseeing.
If you’re traveling to the northern part of the country, you’ll want to avoid traveling during the rainy season, which goes from October until April.
How many days do I need in Australia?
Australia is a massive country with long distances between many of its top cities and sights.
If you’re planning to just tick one or two places off your bucket list, then a week or two is generally enough time
However, the more time you have in the country, the most you’ll be able to immerse yourself in the culture.
Ideally, you’ll want to allow 3 or 4 days for every destination you’re planning to visit.