Australia's 10 best natural wonders

Aug 8, 2020 • 5 min read

Twelve Apostles.

You could spent a lifetime enjoying Australia's natural wonders © Keith Stewart / 500px

From the stunning Twelve Apostles jutting out of the sea to the uncanny views of the Pinnacles Desert, Australia is a country with a bounty of wonders that date back centuries. From the coastal vibes to the arid, desolate spots, here are 10 natural wonders that make the land of Oz a popular destination for those with a zest for adventure. 

Editor's note: Please check the latest travel restrictions before planning any trip and always follow government advice.

wonder travel australia

1. Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is as fragile as it is beautiful. Stretching more than 2000km along the Queensland coastline, it's a complex ecosystem populated with dazzling coral, languid sea turtles, gliding rays, timid reef sharks and tropical fish of every colour and size. Whether you dive on it, snorkel over it or explore it via a scenic flight or a glass-bottomed boat, this vivid undersea kingdom and its coral-fringed islands are so unforgettable people are signing up to become a Citizen of the Great Barrier Reef to help save it.

2. Daintree Rainforest

Lush green rainforest replete with fan palms, prehistoric-looking ferns and twisted mangroves tumble down towards a brilliant white-sand coastline in the ancient, World Heritage-listed Daintree rainforest. Upon entering the forest, you'll be enveloped in a cacophony of birdsong, frog croaking and the buzz of insects.  Continue exploring the area on wildlife-spotting night tours, mountain treks, interpretive boardwalks, canopy walks, self-guided walking trails, 4WD trips, horse riding, kayaking and crocodile-spotting cruises. You might even spot a prehistoric cassowary.

500pxRF_7676251.jpg

Australia's most recognised natural wonder, Uluru draws pilgrims from around the world like moths to a big red flame. No matter how many postcard images you have seen, nothing prepares you for the Rock's immense presence, character-pitted surface and spiritual gravitas. There's plenty to see and do: meandering walks, bike rides, guided tours, desert culture and simply contemplating the many changing colours and moods of the great monolith itself. The one thing you can't do – climb the Uluru. Stay off!  

Editor's note: Be mindful of the Mutitjulu Community by exercising proper health and safety protocols. 

4. The Whitsundays

You can hop around a whole stack of tropical islands in this seafaring life and never find anywhere with the sheer beauty of the Whitsundays. Travellers of all monetary persuasions launch yachts from Airlie Beach and drift between these lush green isles in a slow search for paradise (you'll probably find it in more than one place). Don't miss Whitehaven Beach €“' one of Australia's (and the world's) best. Wish you were here?

5. The Twelve Apostles 

The most enduring image for most visitors to the Great Ocean Road , the Twelve Apostles jut from the ocean in spectacular fashion. There they stand, as if abandoned to the waves by the retreating headland, all seven of them. Just for the record, there never were 12, and they were called the 'Sow and Piglets' until some bright spark in the 1960s thought they might attract tourists with a more venerable name.

The two stacks on the eastern (Otway) side of the viewing platform are not technically Apostles – they’re Gog and Magog. And the soft limestone cliffs are dynamic and changeable, suffering constant erosion from the tides: one 70m-high stack collapsed into the sea in July 2005 and the Island Archway lost its archway in June 2009. The best time to visit is sunset, partly to beat the tour buses and also to see little penguins returning ashore. 

Dingo in the wild

6. Fraser Island 

The local Butchulla people call it K’gari – “paradise” – and for good reason. Sculpted by wind, sand and surf, the striking blue freshwater lakes, crystalline creeks, giant dunes and lush rainforests of this gigantic sandbar form an enigmatic island paradise unlike any other. Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world (measuring 120km by 15km) and the only known place where rainforest grows on sand.

7. Tasmania's Cradle Mountain

A precipitous comb of rock carved out by millennia of ice and wind, crescent-shaped Cradle Mountain is Tasmania's most recognisable – and spectacular – mountain peak. It's an all-day walk (and boulder scramble) to the summit and back for unbelievable panoramas over Tasmania's alpine heart. Or you can stand in awe below and fill your camera with the perfect views across Dove Lake to the mountain. If the peak has disappeared in clouds or snow, warm yourself by the fire in one of the nearby lodges ... and try again tomorrow.

Why Tasmania is perfect for ecotourists  

Turtle Time

8. Ningaloo Reef 

Snorkel among pristine coral, surf off seldom-visited reefs and dive at one of the world's premier locations at this World Heritage-listed marine park, which sits off the North West Cape on the Coral Coast in Western Australia . Rivalling the Great Barrier Reef for beauty, Ningaloo has more accessible wonders: shallow, turquoise lagoons are entered straight from the beach for excellent snorkelling. Development is very low-key, so be prepared to camp, or take day trips from the access towns of Exmouth and Coral Bay.

9. The Outback 

Whether you're belting along South Australia's Oodnadatta Track in a 4WD or depreciating your van on the southern section of the Birdsville Track, you'll know you're not just visiting the outback – you've become part of it. Out here, the sky is bluer and the dust redder than anywhere else. Days are measured in kilometres, spinifex mounds and tyre blowouts. If time isn't on your side, a road trip to the mining town of Broken Hill may be as far from the coast as you get.

Digging Outback Queensland's Jurassic Trail  

10. Pinnacles Desert 

It could be mistaken for the surface of Mars, but scattered among the dunes of Nambung National Park , thousands of ghostly limestone pillars rise from the surrounding plain like a vast, petrified alien army. One of the west's most bizarre landscapes, the Pinnacles Desert attracts thousands of visitors each year. Although it's easily enjoyed as a day trip from Perth , staying overnight in nearby Cervantes allows for multiple visits to experience the full spectrum of colour changes at dawn, sunset and the full moon, when most tourists are back in their hotels.

You might also like: 

The 10 best island destinations in Australia   Unforgettable road trips on Australia's East Coast   Australia's top 10 wild swimming spots  

Explore related stories

Nayara Tented Camp

Health & Wellness

Mar 11, 2024 • 8 min read

The privacy of a plunge pool suite lets you relax in bliss. Here are the world's best.

wonder travel australia

Mar 4, 2024 • 8 min read

Where-Locals-Go-Australia.png

Feb 27, 2024 • 6 min read

A mixed race couple having cocktails by the pool of a resort in the tropics. She is Asian, he is black. She is feeding him strawberries. Vacation concept.

Feb 12, 2024 • 10 min read

1290933961

Jan 5, 2024 • 20 min read

wonder travel australia

Jan 2, 2024 • 11 min read

wonder travel australia

Dec 28, 2023 • 9 min read

wonder travel australia

Dec 27, 2023 • 8 min read

A woman on a viewpoint looking down the beach and the cliff with the Ocean in the background at Bells Beach near Torquay along the Great Ocean Road in Australia, Victoria, South Pacific

Dec 2, 2023 • 7 min read

wonder travel australia

Nov 17, 2023 • 5 min read

National Geographic content straight to your inbox—sign up for our popular newsletters here

the Whitsunday Islands in Australia

7 Stunning Natural Wonders in Australia

Go for the ultimate natural wonder, the Great Barrier Reef, but stay for these other irresistible stops.

Go for the ultimate natural wonder, the Great Barrier Reef , but stay for these other irresistible stops.

NEW SOUTH WALES

Ball's Pyramid on Lord Howe Island in Australia

Take a break from hiking Lord Howe Island to enjoy a boat ride around Ball's Pyramid.

Lord Howe Island is a tiny dot in the Tasman Sea, roughly a third of the way between Australia and New Zealand . Look for massive basalt mountains that rise straight up out of the ocean, with craggy cliffs covered with greenery for a definite South Pacific feel. The hiking is tremendous and often quite strenuous. You also can explore dramatic cliffs with whirling seabirds that rise on furious currents of air. Take a boat out to see Ball’s Pyramid, a 6.4-million-year-old shard of razor-sharp rock that rises straight out of the ocean.

NORTHERN TERRITORY

Tolmer Falls in Litchfield National Park in Australia

Tolmer Falls is one of many waterfalls and watering holes found in Litchfield National Park.

Fast-flowing, towering waterfalls and rich, red rock canyons that look like northern Arizona or southern Utah make up Litchfield National Park . Located a short drive south of the capital of Darwin, Litchfield features lush watering holes where you can take a dip and admire ribbons of water tumbling over cliffs lined with deep green trees and orange-red rock. The park offers a series of great hikes that take you through glorious woodlands and past creeks and on to lovely pools and waterfalls.

Wineglass Bay in Freycinet National Park, Australia

The beaches and verdant hikes around Wineglass Bay are well worth the effort of getting there.

Take a breathtaking mountain hike surrounded by peaks of pink granite, combined with one of Australia’s prettiest white-sand beaches, in Freycinet National Park . Freycinet offers some of Tasmania’s most rewarding hikes, with trails for just about every ability. The short trek to the Wineglass Bay lookout isn’t an easy one, but the views are well worth the effort.

The sands of Whitehaven Beach swirl and move with the tide around this stunning island in the Whitsundays.

The Whitsundays are some of the most beautiful islands on the planet, with swirling, white sand and waves of blue-green water that swirl around into wavy patterns that mesmerize visitors. The islands (there are 74 of them, all in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef ) are great for walking and exploring. You’ll find lonely, deserted beaches and some of Australia’s oldest archaeological sites. But the best way to appreciate the majesty of the blue bays and brilliant white sandbars is by plane.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Purnululu National Park in Australia

This distinctive orange "beehive" is one of many remarkable features in the Bungle Bungle Range.

The Bungle Bungles (also known as Purnululu) not only have an awesome name, but they’re one of the most remarkable features on the continent: massive rocks with black and orange stripes that rise like giant knobs from the surrounding outback in the far northwestern part of the state. Indigenous peoples have lived here for centuries, but hardly any non-indigenous folks knew about the region until the 1980s. There are wonderful walks to see hidden gorges and pools. It’s open only in the dry season, usually April to November.

  • Nat Geo Expeditions

the 12 Apostles rock formation in Port Campbell National Park in Australia

These eye-grabbing rock formations make up the Twelve Apostles along the Great Ocean Road.

The Twelve Apostles is a magnificent rock formation found on the Great Ocean Road that has been pummelled by rain, wind, and furious ocean waves for millions of years. The constant attack has worn away sections of the limestone cliffs, leaving towering rock formations offshore that march along the coast in a dramatic golden fashion.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Flinders ranges in Australia

North of Adelaide lay the colorful rock walls of Flinders Range as well as surrounding indigenous cultures to explore.

The Flinders Ranges are just a few hours’ drive north of Adelaide. You’ll find towering rock walls with wide bands of pale white and ochre-colored rocks that positively glow in the light of sunrise and sunset, as well as spectacular gorges carved out over 800 million years. You’ll also get to experience indigenous culture that dates back 45,000 years. A scenic flight is a great way to see the area, or try a four-wheel-drive tour to experience the terrain on an up-close basis.

LIMITED TIME OFFER

Get a FREE tote featuring 1 of 7 ICONIC PLACES OF THE WORLD

Related Topics

  • NATIONAL PARKS

You May Also Like

wonder travel australia

Here are the best ways to get outdoors in all 50 states

wonder travel australia

How to embrace slow travel in the Yorkshire Dales

wonder travel australia

Rock art, baboons and hiking in South Africa's Drakensberg mountains

wonder travel australia

4 remarkable wild stays in U.S. national parks, from a traditional log cabin to sky domes

wonder travel australia

Go wild: these are the best U.S. national parks to suit every taste

  • Paid Content
  • Environment

History & Culture

  • History Magazine
  • Women of Impact
  • History & Culture
  • Mind, Body, Wonder
  • Destination Guide
  • Adventures Everywhere
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
  • Nat Geo Home
  • Attend a Live Event
  • Book a Trip
  • Inspire Your Kids
  • Shop Nat Geo
  • Visit the D.C. Museum
  • Learn About Our Impact
  • Support Our Mission
  • Advertise With Us
  • Customer Service
  • Renew Subscription
  • Manage Your Subscription
  • Work at Nat Geo
  • Sign Up for Our Newsletters
  • Contribute to Protect the Planet

Copyright © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society Copyright © 2015-2024 National Geographic Partners, LLC. All rights reserved

Hey Explorer

18 Most Beautiful Natural Wonders in Australia

Picturesque. Incredible. Rugged. Wild. These are just some of the words that best describe Australian natural landmarks.

Tagged as the land Down Under, Australia is known for the iconic Great Barrier Reef as well as the Harbour Bridge and other attractions in its biggest cities like Sydney and Melbourne . But the sparsely populated Outback actually makes up 80% of the country’s total area.

While a big percentage of the country is remote, its untamed charm brought forward more iconic attractions and formations that showcase the natural beauty of Australia — from the coast to the Outback! Here are 18 of the most beautiful natural wonders in Australia!

Table of Contents

1. Great Barrier Reef (Queensland)

Great Barrier Reef aerial view

When you say natural wonders in Australia, this has to be the first on the list!

The Great Barrier Reef (GBR) houses about 3,000 coral reefs and thousands of marine species, making it the world’s largest and most extensive coral reef ecosystem. It spans over 2,300 kilometres off Australia’s east coastline and covers more than 300,000 square kilometres in total.

You can explore the GBR by swimming, diving, viewing marine animals, or through aerial tours and staycations on any of its islands.

Did you know? The Great Barrier Reef is visible from space ! An astronaut from the International Space Station captured an image of 3 reefs or 15 kilometres of the GBR using a powerful set of lenses!

2. 12 Apostles (Victoria)

the limestone pillars known as 12 Apostles

One (or few, to be more exact) of the most iconic Australian natural landmarks is just a four-hour drive from Melbourne. The 12 Apostles are 45-metre-tall limestone pillars that are the main attractions of the scenic Great Ocean Road.

These rock stacks originally were connected to the mainland. But wind and storms from the Southern Ocean in the past 10 to 20 million years eroded and eventually isolated the pillars.

It used to be known as Sow and Pigs but changed to 12 Apostles since it was more catchy. Despite its name, it was said that there never were 12 pillars as only 9 rock stacks were visible at the beginning of the 21st century. However, 2 of these stacks collapsed, leaving only 7 ‘apostles’.

3. Blue Mountains (New South Wales)

top view of The Three Sisters From Echo Point, Blue Mountains National Park, NSW, Australia

The Blue Mountains is a World Heritage site famous for its rugged landscape and the blue haze blanketing the area.

The haze is due to airborne oil droplets from eucalyptus trees mixing with water vapour and dust particles and then refracting blue light rays. Quite scientific, but it makes for a fantastic vista, especially from certain viewpoints.

Aside from the seemingly endless wilderness, within the Blue Mountains are other interesting spots like waterfalls, caves, mountain towns, valleys, and cliffs! And not to be forgotten is the other world-famous tourist spot, the folklore-laden Three Sisters rock formation.

4. Lake Hillier (Western Australia)

aerial view of the amazing Lake Hillier, so-called Pink Lake, famous landmark of Australia. Pink Lake is located near Esperance, Cape Le Grand National Park, in Western Australia

Located on the isolated and uninhibited Middle Island, this Australian natural wonder went viral for its water’s pink colour. Lake Hillier’s bubble gum shade is highlighted even more by its surroundings – lush green forest, white sand, and the striking blue of the Southern Ocean.

So, why is it pink? The lake is home to algae classified as halophiles which can tolerate high amounts of salt, which Lake Hillier has!

However, in recent years, visitors noticed that Lake Hillier’s water is not as pink as it was. Salt harvesting, reduced evaporation, and changes to the water flow are the reasons for the fading of the pink hue.

Just a quick note: Lake Hillier is not the only pink lake in Australia, nor the whole world! There are about 6 more pink-hued lakes in the country.

5. Uluru and Kata Tjuta (Northern Territory)

Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, on a clear day

Formed more than 500 million years ago, Uluru and Kata Tjuta are sacred rock formations, especially to the Aboriginal Anangu people.

Uluru, or Ayers Rock, is one of the world’s giant monoliths. Also known as the Red Centre, this sandstone formation is best known for its red or orange colour, especially during sunrise or sunset.

About 40 kilometres west of Uluru are 36 domes popularly known as the Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), which translates to ‘many heads’.

Tourists are prohibited from climbing the Uluru, but walking trails are designated at the base of both formations. Visitors can also explore the Walpa Gorge, a creek between 2 of the largest Kata Tjuta domes.

6. Bungle Bungle Range (Western Australia)

Purnululu National Park, Bungle Bungles rock formation

Looking like pastries with chocolate stripes or beehives to some, the Bungle Bungle Range consists of cone karsts made from sandstone. These banded domes were formed and shaped over 360 million years, weathering erosion and other natural elements. Its orange colour from the presence of cyanobacteria makes it even more striking!

These rock formations are significant to the customs of Aboriginal Australians who have resided in the region for years.

Despite being one of the most surreal natural attractions in Australia, Bungle Bungle was only known by the locals in the 1980s through a TV crew’s aerial footage. Now, walking and helicopter tours help visitors explore the area.

7. Pinnacles (Western Australia)

hundreds of spires in The Pinnacles Desert in Australia

Thousands of Pinnacles of various heights amid a desert may seem like a scene from a sci-fi film, but it is an actual Australian natural landmark. Pinnacles are limestone pillars formed from seashells and shaped by water and wind in the past 25,000 – 30,000 years.

You can visit the Pinnacles at the Nambung National Park, located 3 hours from Perth. Want to get a unique view of the Pinnacles? Time your visit at dawn or during sunset, and you’ll see shadows and shapes forming, making the site look somewhat eerie!

8. Southern Lights (Tasmania)

Breathtaking view of aurora australis photo taken in Mersey River, East Devonport, Tasmania, Australia

When we talk about nature’s spectacular light shows, Iceland and the Arctic Circle’s Northern Lights or the Aurora Borealis immediately come to mind. But the Southern Hemisphere has its version, the Aurora Australis or Southern Lights.

Tasmania is one of the optimal spots in Australia to view this phenomenon, especially during winter and its long nights. However, weather, atmospheric conditions, and lights from the surroundings and the moon can affect its visibility.

One important thing to note is that the Southern Lights are not as vivid and playful as the Northern Lights. It can be quite elusive and faint, especially to the naked eye. But with the right camera settings, photos of the colour bursts can be quite a masterpiece!

9. Heart Reef (Queensland)

The Heart in The Great Barrier Reef in Australia

Now, this natural attraction is something romantic dreams are made of!

This is the Heart Reef, the one-of-a-kind coral formation at the Whitsunday stretch of the Great Barrier Reef.

Discovered by a local pilot in 1975, the heart-shaped reef has since become the usual subject of tourism materials promoting the GBF and The Whitsundays.

If you plan to visit the Heart Reef, note that snorkelling and diving are not allowed since the area is protected. You can view the Heart through aerial tours via helicopters or seaplanes. Proposals and love surprises are also well accommodated by the tour operators.

10. Wineglass Bay (Tasmania)

Aerial view of picturesque Wineglass Bay on sunny morning

Located at the foot of the Hazards mountain range at Freycinet National Park, this bay is known for its stunning colours and unique crescent shape!

Visitors can enjoy the bay through water activities, cruises, walking, and hiking to the lookout point, where you can best see the view.

One might think that Wineglass Bay got its name from its wineglass-like perfect curve. But the origin of the name is actually from its dark past. In the 1800s, whalers would hunt and bring whales to the shore for butchering. The bay was said to turn red with all the blood – like a glass of red wine. This shore whaling practice stopped some decades after.

11.  Karlu Karlu (Northern Territory)

rock formations of Karlu Karlu or Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve, Northern Territory, Australia

Found on both sides of Stuart Highway, the rock stacks will surely make you question, ‘how did those get piled up there?’ Scottish-Australian explorer John Ross even gave it the name Devils Marbles in 1870 saying, “This is the devil’s country; he’s even emptied his bag of marbles around the place.”

It was said that these ‘marbles’ were formed from granites that solidified under layers of sandstone. Over the years, water penetrated through fractures, eventually revealing the rounded stones.

Locally called Karlu Karlu , which translates to ‘round boulders’, four Aboriginal groups consider these rock stacks sacred. These also serve as a shelter and refuge for plants and some animals.

12. Horizontal Falls (Western Australia)

torrents through Horizontal Falls in Talbot Bay, Western Australia

Truly unique and intriguing, English broadcaster and natural historian Sir David Attenborough even called Horizontal Falls “one of the greatest natural wonders of the world”.

This natural phenomenon is a result of the fast-moving current in Talbot Bay which passes through two of McLarty Range’s narrow gorges. A massive volume of water is rapidly pushed through the tapered gaps, creating extreme tides that are some of the largest in the world and producing a channel that seems like a horizontal waterfall.

Visitors can view this attraction through scenic aerial tours or water cruises. The more adventurous ones can even join boat tours that will pass through the extreme torrents!

13. Wave Rock (Western Australia)

Surf’s up at the Wave Rock

This can be one of the biggest waves you can ‘surf’ – just without water! Located a few hours from Perth is the 14-metre-high and 110-metre-long Wave Rock.

Its flared slope was formed in a span of 2.7 billion years through erosion and weathering. The view became more interesting with the multicoloured granite having streaks of brown, grey, yellow, and reddish orange.

Visitors can walk trails and join tours to other attractions around Wave Rock, including the nearby Mulka’s Cave where you can view more than 450 ancient rock paintings.

14. Nature’s Window (Western Australia)

Looking through Nature’s Window

Including this landmark on one of your nature trips in Australia will provide you with spectacular views within a view!

Nature’s Window is a jagged hole in a layered, deep red and white banded sandstone,  serving as a lookout point of the gorge and Murchison river. This opening was the effect of wind erosion through the years.

Wondering if you can withstand the trek? It is estimated to be a moderate, one-kilometre return walk that includes a flight of stairs at the starting point of the trail. People are also not allowed to climb above the window and on the rock itself.

15. Blue Lake (South Australia)

Panorama view of Blue Lake, a volcanic crater at Mount Gambier-South Australia in a sunny day.

This has to be one of the most breathtaking natural attractions in Australia – the colour-changing Blue Lake in Mount Gambier!

The water sports a vibrant cobalt blue hue from December to March but changes to a steel grey-blue tint from April to November. Native plants frame the area, highlighting the lake’s shape and colour.

The lake is a former volcanic crater, with its deepest point reaching up to 77 metres. Blue Lake is the city’s water source, which is why swimming in this lake is not allowed. But you can head over to Little Blue Lake where you can freely indulge in a dip.

16. Umpherston Sinkhole (South Australia)

Top view of Umpherston Sinkhole at Mount Gambier

The word sinkhole often brings about scary images of the Earth suddenly opening and swallowing everything up. But here’s one that represents beauty – South Australia’s Umpherston Sinkhole!

This attraction used to be a limestone cave whose roof collapsed, turning it into a sinkhole. It was transformed into a scenic garden in 1886.

Immerse yourself in nature’s stunning views upon entering through the long ramp, then see the ivy drapes on the terraces, the hydrangeas, ferns, and more that fill the area. Every spot of the sunken garden will surely satisfy the aesthetic goals of your social media feeds. Stay until the evening for the chance to see the possums dwelling there.

17. Hamersley Gorge (Western Australia)

Hamersley Gorge and its heart-shaped spa pool

You can see the natural beauty of Australia even in the most remote gorges, like the Harmersley Gorge.

Bask in the banded appearance, colour, and texture of ancient rocks as you walk down the trail to the steps leading to the spa pool. Take a relaxing dip at the heart-shaped spa pool while filling your sight with the amazing vista — from the rocks shielding you from the ‘outside world’ to the clear skies and the gush of the waterfalls.

18. Wolfe Creek Crater (Western Australia)

World’s second largest meteorite crater - Wolfe Creek Crater

Head over to the world’s second-largest meteorite crater, the Wolfe Creek Crater!

It was about 300,000 years ago when a meteorite, weighing more than 50,000 metric tons, crashed onto the ground while travelling at 15 kilometres per second. The impact left a hole about 880 metres in diameter and 55 metres deep from its rim.

It was discovered by Europeans in 1947 but the Aboriginal people long knew about this. They even had legends attached to the crater.

Visitors can walk or climb until the top of the crater rim, but climbing down the crater is restricted because of the steep terrain and loose rocks.

Did you know? The Wolfe Creek Crater was photographed from space! NASA’s Terra satellite was able to capture a clear image of the crater back in 2006.

Final thoughts

Hazy skies over 12 Apostles, one of the most beautiful natural wonders in Australia

When it comes to breathtaking landscapes, stunning views, and some of the wildest scenes, Australia surely has a lot to offer.

From the coast to land and rock formations and even the harsh Outback, the Land Down Under is filled to the brim with exquisite natural wonders to discover and incredible adventures to conquer.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Photo of author

© 2024 Hey Explorer

Stock images by Depositphotos

  • International edition
  • Australia edition
  • Europe edition

A scubadiver inspects a statue at Townsville’s Museum of Underwater Art.

Australia’s 20 best travel experiences, ranked by Lonely Planet

Choosing Australia’s top travel experiences is not easy, and while many usual suspects appear in Lonely Planet’s list, some may even surprise locals

At 7.6m sq km, spanning eight climate and three time zones, Australia is a big country. So where do you start?

In making their new book, Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Australia Travel List, the travel guide publisher began by compiling every highlight in their existing books. “We then asked our writers, editors, designers and cartographers in Australia to reveal their favourite spots and experiences,” they say. From there, they solicited votes from a panel of travel experts and members of their community.

The result, “with hundreds of votes cast and a bit of mathematical alchemy, as well as a keen eye on sustainability practices”, is a new book of 500 experiences. They also ended up with “one very clear winner”.

Here is that winner, along with the rest of the book’s Top 20 experiences.

1. Fall silent before the majesty and gravitas of Uluru

Northern Territory/ Anangu Country

The landscape of Uluru changes dramatically with the shifting light and seasons. In the afternoon, Uluru appears as an ochre-brown colour, scored and pitted by dark shadows.

As the sun sets, it illuminates the rock in burnished orange, then a series of deeper and darker reds before it fades into charcoal. A performance in reverse, with marginally fewer spectators, is given at dawn.

Uluru

Uluru is a beautiful, charismatic place. Its dimensions are one thing: it is 3.6km long and rises 348m from the surrounding sands (867m above sea level). If that’s not sufficiently impressive, remember this: two-thirds of the rock lies beneath the sand.

Uluru is a monolith textured with layers of profound spirituality and timeless beauty, the epitome of desert stillness and, in the plays of light and shadow that dance across its surface, one of the richest shows in nature. The sunset viewing areas are once-in-a-lifetime experiences understanding its singular beauty when surrounded by the vast desert around it.

You can also get up close by taking one of the walks that encircle the base. There are many options, but most fold into the Uluru Base walk, a 10.6km circumnavigation of the rock. Along the way, it passes caves, paintings, sandstone folds and geological abrasions and generally initiates you into the scope and detail of this remarkable place.

Sacred sites are everywhere; entry to and knowledge of the particular significance of these areas is restricted by local law, and knowing this only adds to Uluru’s mystery.

The walk takes you away from the crowds – very few visitors spend long enough here to get to know Uluru this well. There is no better way to experience the rock.

Around 1km from the rock itself, the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre adds depth and perspective to your Uluru experience. Displays and exhibits focus on Tjukurpa (Aboriginal law, religion and custom) and on the natural and human history of the park. Park rangers can supply the informative visitor guide, leaflets and walking notes, as well as other park information.

2. Be confronted and inspired by art at the extraordinary Mona

Tasmania/ Palawa Country

Undeniably eccentric, the Museum of Old and New Art (almost universally known as Mona) has ushered Hobart on to the world’s cultural stage.

Mona Museum of Old and New Art

Opened in 2011, and housed in a Nonda Katsalidis-designed three-storey bunker burrowed into the Triassic sandstone of a peninsula jutting into the Derwent River, Mona is a showcase for founder and owner David Walsh’s remarkable collection of ancient, modern and contemporary art, which is loosely curated under the themes of sex and death.

All cultural roads lead to Mona in January (for Mona Fofa, or Mofo for short) and June (for Dark Mofo) for Tasmania’s largest contemporary music festival.

SEE IT! Mona is 12km north of Hobart’s city centre. The best way to get here is on the museum’s ferry, which departs from Brooke St Pier.

3. Be mesmerised by the Great Barrier Reef

Queensland/Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sea country

The Great Barrier Reef isn’t just the world’s largest living organism. Visible from outer space, it’s also one of the planet’s most precious ecosystems – and a gobsmackingly beautiful one to boot.

Home to more than 600 hard and soft coral species and a colourful array of other marine creatures, from tiny nudibranchs (sea slugs) to huge manta rays, this World Heritage-listed area also has cultural significance to more than 70 local Indigenous groups, their connections to the reef dating back some 60,000 years.

It’s no secret, of course, that the Great Barrier Reef faces a number of threats. Yet from coral planting dive trips to Indigenous-led reef tours, there are more opportunities than ever to experience this fragile ecosystem sustainably, helping to ensure that this incredible slice of nature can be enjoyed for generations of visitors to come.

4. Find freedom on the Great Ocean Road

Victoria/ Gadubanud and Girai wurrung Country

As its name rightfully declares, the Great Ocean Road is no ordinary stretch of bitumen. This is one of the world’s bucket-list drives, a 243km blockbuster of breathtaking coastal vistas, koala-speckled gums, nostalgic holiday towns and rolling dairy farms. Officially bookended by Torquay and Allansford, the route takes in the arresting beauty of Port Campbell national park.

The Great Ocean Road

The entire drive can be tackled as a long day trip from Melbourne, though it pays to stay longer. Spend at least a few days riding waves and horses on Fairhaven Beach, chomping on fresh crayfish at Apollo Bay Fishermen’s Co-op and snooping around time-warped sites like Cape Otway Lightstation.

The Great Ocean Road weaves through Great Otway national park, where walking trails lead through temperate rainforest splashed by waterfalls. If you fancy a multi-day trek, ditch the wheels altogether and hit the 104km Great Ocean walk, the most intimate way to experience this fabled stretch of surf.

5. Walk alongside Australia’s highest sea cliffs on the Three Capes track

Tasmania/Palawa Country

Any list of epic Australian bushwalks is bound to contain the Three Capes track. Traversing a well-maintained path alongside the lofty sea cliffs in Tasman national park, this four-day, 48km trek kicks off after walkers are dropped by boat at the Denmans Cove trailhead.

The route links the cove with Cape Raoul, Cape Pillar and Cape Hauy before finishing on the sandy shores of Fortescue Bay. Scenery includes eucalypt forests, coastal heathland and ocean views for as far as the eye can see.

Accommodation is in ranger-supervised camps with architect-designed huts that are almost as good looking as the eye-popping coastal scenery.

You’ll walk up the slopes of Crescent Mountain and Mt Fortescue and down to Ellarwey Valley, seeing native flora and fauna aplenty. Daredevils can scale the well-named Blade Rock formation at Cape Pillar and plunge into the icy surf at Fortescue Bay. The track is described as being achievable for most ages and abilities, but some bushwalking experience is recommended.

WALK IT! Tasman national park is 100km south-east of Hobart. Boats collect walkers at Port Arthur. Daily walker numbers are capped, so book well ahead .

6. Explore the weird and wonderful rock formations of Bungle Bungles

Western Australia/ Jaru And Gidja Country The bizarre, ancient, beehive domes of the World Heritage-listed Purnululu national park will take your breath away. Known colloquially as the Bungle Bungles, these remote rocky ranges are the finest example of cone karst sandstone anywhere in the world.

The Bungle Bungles rock formations at Purnululu national park.

The distinctive rounded rock towers are made of sandstone and conglomerates moulded by rainfall over millions of years. To the local Gidja people, “purnululu” means sandstone, with Bungle Bungle possibly a corruption of “bundle bundle”, a common grass. The park is rich in fauna and flora, the walks take you through shady palm-fringed gorges, and the sunsets here are sublime. There’s refreshingly little infrastructure and it’s never crowded.

SEE IT! Access is via a rough, unsealed, flood-prone 4WD-only track from the Great Northern Hwy north of Halls Creek, or by air on a package tour from Kununurra or Warmun. For more information, visit www.parkstay.dpaw.wa.gov.au .

7. Enjoy the ultimate rainforest experience in Daintree national park

Queensland/Kuku Yalanji Country

The oldest tropical rainforest on the planet, the World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest is like a real life Jurassic Park, complete with living dinosaurs, from cassowaries to crocs.

South of the Daintree River, the Indigenous-run Mossman Gorge is the most accessible of the park’s two sections. Here an elevated boardwalk tracing the crystal-clear Mossman River connects to a scenic 2.4km rainforest circuit. Learn more about the Kuku Yalanji connections to this verdant oasis on a tour with Ngadiku Dreamtime Walks.

Some say you haven’t been to the Daintree until you’ve visited the Cape Tribulation section of the park north of the Daintree River, where rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef. Allow several days to soak up this lush wilderness, dotted with rainforest boardwalks and idyllic croc-free swimming holes.

SEE IT! From Port Douglas it’s a 20-minute drive west to Mossman Gorge, and a 40-minute drive to the Daintree River Ferry.

8. Set sail for Kangaroo Island’s wilderness and wildlife

South Australia/Kartan Country

Kangaroo Island (KI) was scorched by bushfires in Australia’s “Black Summer” of 2019–20, but remains a veritable zoo of seals, birds, dolphins, echidnas and (of course) kangaroos. Island produce (wine, seafood, gin, beer), surf beaches and the kooky rock formations of Flinders Chase national park are also highlights.

Remarkable Rocks, Kangaroo Island

These days, KI is rurally paced with a scattering of laid-back towns – the kind of place where kids ride bikes to school and farmers advertise for wives on noticeboards. The excellent five-day, 64km coastal Kangaroo Island Wilderness trail was ravaged by the fires, but trail reconstruction is under way: watch this space.

SEE IT! KI is big! You can’t see it all in a day. Bring your car on the ferry and explore over a weekend.

9. Marvel at the Milky Way in the Warrumbungle Dark Sky Park

New South Wales/Kamilaroi Country The night sky unrolls around you each night in the Warrumbungle national park, Australia’s first and only Dark Sky Park. The 233 sq km park has been internationally recognised for its stunning views of the stars due to its high altitude, low humidity and carefully monitored light pollution.

Warrumbungle National Park

With four observatories to choose from, you can stargaze well into the night. Siding Springs Observatory is home to the largest optical telescope in Australia – with a mirror measuring 3.9m, the Anglo Australia telescope is capable of viewing quasars up to 12bn light years away.

The Warrumbungles still have plenty to offer once the sun rises. Avid bushwalkers are sure to enjoy the rugged volcanic landscape. The Breadknife and Grand High Tops walk will bring you close to the park’s most impressive formations. With over 190 bird species recorded within the park, birdwatchers should be sure to look out for emus, wedge-tailed eagles and the southern boobook owl.

For a more relaxing option, take a trip along the world’s largest Virtual Solar System Drive. The dome of the Siding Springs Observatory represents the sun, with scaled model planets stretching the whole 200km to Dubbo.

10. Light up your time in Sydney at the Vivid festival

New South Wales/Gadigal Country

During Vivid Sydney, video art and massive images are projected on to Sydney’s iconic architecture, with the sails of the Opera House, the arches of the Harbour Bridge and the sandstone buildings of the Rocks all transformed into leviathan canvases for a shimmering collage of spotlights, laser beams and electrified sky-high street art.

Journey on the harbour at night on the Manly Ferry for brilliant views, or join a chartered boat trip to take in the best of the glowing spectacle. Beyond the illuminations, music is also a stunning part of the Vivid experience, from big international artists to more intimate performances from the best of Australia’s emerging talent.

SEE IT ! The festival is held annually for three weeks. The 2022 festival will take place from 27 May to 18 June.

11. Go wild on mainland Australia’s southernmost point, Wilsons Prom

Victoria/Brataualung Country

Hitting rock bottom is a good thing when it involves Wilsons Promontory. Occupying the southernmost point of mainland Australia, the 305 sq km national park claims some of Victoria’s most varied, magnificent natural landscapes: salt-white Squeaky Beach, the Saharan dunes of the Big Drift, the lushness of Lilly Pilly Gully.

Wilsons Promontory National park

Walking tracks lead over ridges, across heathland and through headily scented bush alive with kangaroos, wombats, echidnas and iridescent birdlife. The Telegraph Saddle to Sealers Cove route (10.3km) is especially memorable, weaving through fern gullies and swampland to a forest-backed beach. It’s the first section of the challenging, multi-day Southern Circuit (59km), whose stops also include the monumental Oberon Bay.

A much quicker way to admire the bay’s sweep is from panoramic Mt Oberon, an easy 6.8km return hike from the Telegraph Saddle car park. Head up at sunset and pinch yourself. SEE IT! Tidal River is the park’s hub, with visitor information, a general store and accommodation. Avoid school holiday periods and book accommodation in advance at www.parks.vic.gov.au .

12. Experience wildlife and Indigenous history in Kakadu

Northern Territory/ Bininj/Mungguy Country

Kakadu ranks among the world’s great national parks. Its wetlands and escarpments shelter abundant wildlife and rock art that dates back 20,000 years. This is the land of the Bininj/Mungguy, whose presence brings soul and spirituality to any visit here.

In just a few days you can cruise on billabongs bursting with wildlife, examine millennia-old rock paintings under the care of an Indigenous guide, swim in pools at the foot of tumbling waterfalls and hike through ancient sandstone escarpment country. Ubirr and Nourlangie are the main rock-art sites, Jim Jim has the best falls, Cahill’s Crossing is terrific for crocs, and Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba) is great for birds and other wildlife. Kakadu is very popular and can become crowded – in the Dry at least. But this is a vast park, and with a little adventurous spirit you can easily get off the beaten track and be alone with nature.

13. Be wowed by white sands and crystalline water at Wineglass Bay

The show-stealing centrepiece of Freycinet national park, curvaceous Wineglass Bay is Tasmania’s most famous beach for good reason. Its blindingly white sand and pink granite headlands splashed with flaming orange lichen are almost ludicrously photogenic, and a walk along its length to Hazards Beach is almost as rewarding as a swim in its gin-clear water.

Wineglass Bay

Views of the bay are best appreciated from the Wineglass Bay Lookout, a 90 minute walk from the national park’s walking track car park. From here, 1,000 steps lead down to the beach. Those who choose to stay longer and walk further can set off on the Freycinet Peninsula Circuit, a three-day, 30km trek around the peninsula from Hazards Beach south to Cooks Beach, then across the peninsula over a heathland plateau before descending to Wineglass Bay.

SEE IT! Wineglass Bay is 200km north-east of Hobart, via the Tasman Hwy (A3) and C302.

14. Hit the Grampians for an epic hike in Victoria’s Garden of Eden

Victoria/ Jardwadjali and Djab wurrung Country

Hitchcock couldn’t have directed it better himself. A long, eerie crevasse; a sharp left turn, then – BAM! – Pinnacles Lookout and its knockout vista over ranges and plains.

Grampians Peaks Trail hike – hyperlapse video

Gotcha moments are thick on the ground when hiking Grampians national park, its sandstone peaks rising like petrified gods. While there are plenty of short strolls – the 4km Mt William (Duwul) Summit walk is breathtaking – the Grampians Peaks trail is the ultimate lace-up adventure.

A 160km long, 13-day odyssey, it spans the entire length of the Grampians (Gariwerd), from Mt Zero (Mura Mura) in the north to the culinary hamlet of Dunkeld in the south. Along it, precious landscapes unfurl, from woodlands and waterfalls to cooling fern valleys. Harboured within: red-tailed black cockatoos, endangered pincushion lilies and the haunting handprints and figures of Aboriginal rock art shelters like Ngamadjidj and Gulgurn Manja.

HIKE IT! See www.grampianspeakstrail.com.au for trail information. Foodies should book a night at Dunkeld’s Royal Mail Hotel.

15. Elevate your Sydney experience on the Bondi to Coogee clifftop walk

Clovelly Beach

Say good morning to the perfect way to take in the best of Sydney’s coastal scenery. The simply sensational 6km Bondi to Coogee walk leads south from Bondi Beach along the clifftops via Tamarama, Bronte and Clovelly, interweaving panoramic views, patrolled beaches, sea baths, waterside parks and plaques recounting local Aboriginal stories. Pack your swimmers if the weather’s warm.

WALK IT! The trail begins at the southern end of Notts Ave near Bondi’s Hunter Park, and completes its view-friendly route near Dunningham Reserve at the northern end of Coogee.

16. Immerse yourself in the remarkable desert rocks of Kata Tjuta

There’s nowhere on earth quite like Kata Tjuta (formerly the Olgas), a striking group of domed rocks huddled together about 35km west of Uluru. The deep valleys and steep-sided gorges contain sites which are sacred to the local Anangu people.

Kata Tjuta

The tallest rock, Mt Olga (546m; 1,066m above sea level) is higher than Uluru. The Valley of the Winds loop, one of the most rewarding bushwalks in Australia’s Red Centre, winds through the gorges and past surreal domes in hues of the deepest red offset by the blue of the desert sky. Elsewhere, Walpa Gorge is especially beautiful in the afternoon, when sunlight floods the gorge. The views from the Sand Dune Lookout, off the road to Uluru, put everything in perspective.

17. Revere Port Campbell national park’s Apostles

Victoria/Girai wurrung Country

You couldn’t ask for a grander finale to the Great Ocean Road. As it shakes off the tortuousness of the Otway Ranges, forest turns to weather-beaten scrub, the sky bursts open and the route shoots west along a flat, narrow escarpment dropping away to terrifying ocean-pounded cliffs. This is Port Campbell national park, home to Victoria’s geological superstars, the Twelve Apostles.

Out of cold, savage waters they rise – monumental limestone stacks, abandoned by the retreating coastline. In truth, there are fewer than 12, but this fails to diminish their impact.

The Twelves Apostles

Less famous but no less spectacular are the Bay of Islands and London Bridge rock stacks, just west of sleepy Port Campbell township. Once a double-arched rock platform, London Bridge indeed fell down in 1990, leaving two terrified tourists marooned on the world’s newest island – they were eventually rescued by helicopter.

To the east of the Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge is where the Shipwreck Coast’s most famous and haunting tale unfolded, when two young survivors of the wrecked iron clipper Loch Ard made it to shore. From the clifftop, a path leads down to the cave where the pair took shelter.

The best time to visit is at sunset, not only for the optimal Instagram opportunities (and to beat the tour buses), but also to catch a glimpse of little penguins returning. Sightings vary, but generally the penguins arrive 30 minutes after sunset; don’t forget your binoculars!

18. Reconcile the laid-back splendour of Rottnest Island with its gruesome past

Western Australia/ Noongar Country

With warm water, sunken wrecks, diverse marine life and 63 beaches, it’s little wonder people flock to “Rotto” to swim, fish, laze, dive, snorkel, surf and sea-kayak their cares away. And of course, no trip to Rottnest is complete without the obligatory selfie with the incredibly cute, furry and all-too-trusting quokka.

Highlights include “The Basin”, a family- friendly seawater pool, and the 20m Wadjemup Lighthouse on the island’s highpoint. Wadjemup is a Noongar word meaning “place across the water where the spirits are” – rather apt, given at least 373 unmarked graves hold the victims of a harsh and cruel prison for Aboriginal people operating during the 1800s.

19. Catch the Manly Ferry across one of the world’s greatest harbours

New South Wales/Guringai Country

The Manly Ferry is one of Sydney’s best bargains for visitors to the city. Take in Opera House and Harbour Bridge views before sliding past the ritzy suburbs of Point Piper and Rose Bay and exiting the rocky promontories of the Sydney Heads.

A Sydney ferry

Opposite Manly Wharf, refresh with a beer at the 4 Pines brewpub before strolling along the Corso to the surf, sand and Norfolk pine-lined esplanade of Sydney’s second-most famous beach. Pretty good for around $10.

CRUISE IT! The Manly Ferry departs from Wharf 3 at Circular Quay and takes around 20 minutes.

20. Dive into Queensland’s Museum of Underwater Art

Queensland/Bindal and Wulgurukaba Sea Country

As if the Great Barrier Reef wasn’t epic enough, you can now explore an underwater sculpture garden. The second instalment of the Townsville region’s Museum of Underwater Art, the Coral Greenhouse features 20 human figures performing conservation work in and around a submerged conservatory.

Designed by the renowned sculptor, Jason deCaires Taylor, in collaboration with Indigenous groups, the installation complements the Ocean SirTen sculpture.

Ultimate Australia Travel list

DIVE IT! Dive tours to the Coral Greenhouse run from Townsville and Magnetic Island.

This is an edited extract from Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Australia Travel List , $39.99. Available now.

  • Australia holidays
  • Australian lifestyle
  • Queensland holidays
  • South Australia holidays
  • Victoria holidays
  • Western Australia holidays

Comments (…)

Most viewed.

Logo

13 Feb What To Do In The Dandenong Ranges

The Dandenong Ranges is home to some unique experiences, unlike anything else you’ll find in Melbourne. Whether you’re looking for a nice place to eat, some time out in nature or a fun family day out, read on to discover what you can get up to in the Dandenong Ranges...

wonder travel australia

03 Oct A Guide To Melbourne’s Most Instagrammable Spots

Whether your Instagram aesthetic is multi-colour brunches or serene nature shots, Melbourne is an absolute goldmine for stunning photos. In this guide, we're going to show you Melbourne's most instagrammable spots, from iconic Melbourne buildings to it's hidden insider spots...

Best Beaches in Melbourne

16 Sep 12 Best Beaches in Melbourne To Visit On A Day Out

Heading to the beach is a staple of summer, but deciding which beach to visit can be a daunting task. In this list you will discover the best beaches Melbourne has to offer, from dog friendly beaches, to hidden gems, family friendly beaches and Melbourne’s must visits. ...

Zebedee Springs, The Kimberley, Western Australia © Tourism Australia

Australia Recommends 2024

Sydney, NSW © Tourism Australia

Come and Say G'day

Uluru, NT

G'day, the short film

Twelve Apostles, Great Ocean Road, Victoria © Tourism Australia

Discover your Australia

Kangaroo Island, South Australia © Tourism Australia

Travel videos

Elysian Retreat, Whitsundays, QLD © Tourism Australia

Deals and offers

Jacarandas and Sydney Harbour at sunset, Sydney, NSW © Destination NSW

Australian Capital Territory

Bondi, Sydney, NSW © Georges Antoni and Ken Butti

New South Wales

West MacDonnell Ranges, NT © Tourism Australia

Northern Territory

Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef, QLD © Tourism Australia

South Australia

Cradle Mountain, Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, TAS © Pierre Destribats

Western Australia

Aerial shot of Emily Bay on Norfolk Island © Rose Evans (Norfolk Island Tourism)

External Territories

Bondi Beach, Sydney, NSW ©  Daniel Tran

The Whitsundays

Kangaroo, Lucky Bay, Cape Le Grand National Park, WA © Tourism Western Australia

Mornington Peninsula

Paddleboarding, Noosa, QLD © Tourism and Events Queensland

Port Douglas

Cape Byron Lighthouse, Byron Bay, NSW © Destination NSW

Ningaloo Reef

Airlie Beach, Whitsunday Coast, QLD © Tourism Whitsundays

Airlie Beach

Remarkable Rocks, Kangaroo Island, South Australia. © South Australian Tourism Commission

Kangaroo Island

The Basin, Rottnest Island, Western Australia © Tourism Western Australia

Rottnest Island

Lake McKenzie, K’gari (Fraser Island), QLD © Tourism & Events Queensland

Hamilton Island

Lord Howe Island, NSW © Trevor King, Destination New South Wales

Lord Howe Island

Tiwi Design, Tiwi Islands © Tourism NT/Shaana McNaught

Tiwi Islands

Little penguins, Phillip Island Nature Park, VIC © Phillip Island Nature Park

Phillip Island

Bruny Island Paddle, Southern Sea Ventures, Bruny Island, Tasmania © Southern Sea Ventures

Bruny Island

Cape Naturaliste, near Dunsborough, WA © Tourism Western Australia

Margaret River

St Hugo Wines, Barossa Valley, SA © Tourism Australia

Barossa Valley

Grampians National Park, Victoria © Robert Blackburn, Visit Victoria

The Grampians

Audrey Wilkinson, Hunter Valley, NSW © Audrey Wilkinson

Hunter Valley

Dominique Portet Winery, Yarra Valley, VIC © Tourism Australia

Yarra Valley

Sea turtle, Lady Elliot Island, Great Barrier Reef, QLD © Tourism & Events Queensland

McLaren Vale

Glass House Mountains, Sunshine Coast, QLD © Tourism and Events Queensland

Glass House Mountains

Bubble Tents, Capertree, Mudgee Region, NSW © Australian Traveller

Alice Springs

Cable Beach, Broome, Western Australia © Tourism Australia

Uluru and Kata Tjuta

The Kimberley, WA © Tourism Australia

The Kimberley

The Arkaba Walk, Elder Camp, Flinders Ranges National Park, SA © Adam Bruzzone, South Australian Tourism Commission

Flinders Ranges

Jim Jim Falls, Kakadu National Park, NT © Jarrad Seng, all rights reserved

Kakadu National Park

Eyre Peninsula, SA © David Edgar

Eyre Peninsula

Hamersley Gorge , Karijini National Park, WA © Tourism Western Australia

Karijini National Park

Monkey Mia, Shark Bay World Heritage Area, WA © Tourism Western Australia

Great Barrier Reef

Blue Mountains, NSW © Destination NSW

Blue Mountains

Cassowary in Daintree Rainforest, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland

Daintree Rainforest

Twelve Apostles, Great Ocean Road, VIC © Greg Snell, Tourism Australia

Great Ocean Road

Spicers Peak, Scenic Rim, QLD © Tourism and Events Queensland

Purnululu National Park

Boat Shed, Lake Dove and Cradle Mountain, Cradle-Mountain Lake St Clare National Park, TAS © Adrian Cook

Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park

Wangi Falls, Litchfield National Park, NT © Tourism NT, Dan Moore

Litchfield National Park

Saffire Signature Experiences, Freycinet Marine Oyster Farm, Coles Bay, Freycinet National Park, TAS © Tourism Tasmania

Aboriginal experiences

National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, VIC © Robert Blackburn, Visit Victoria

Arts and culture

WOMADelaide 2019, Adelaide, SA Ⓒ Grant Hancock

Festivals and events

Detour Restaurant, Brisbane, QLD © @detourrestaurant and @dine.agency

Food and drink

Raging Thunder, Tully, QLD © Tourism Australia

Adventure and sports

Three Capes Track, Tasman National Park, TAS © Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service

Walks and hikes

Great Ocean Road, VIC © Tourism Australia

Road trips and drives

Waterline Charters, Wessel Islands, NT © Aussie Fly Fisher

Beaches and islands

Nature's Window, Kalbarri National Park, WA © Tourism Australia

Nature and national parks

Wombat, Symbio Wildlife Park, Helensburgh, NSW © Destination NSW

Eco-friendly travel

Group of friends participate in a body clay ritual at Peninsula Hot Springs © Peninsula Hot Springs

Health and wellness

The Dune Pavilion Deck with views of Uluru at Longitude 131 in the Northern Territory © Baillies Longitude 131

Family travel

Table Cape Tulip Farm, Wynyard, Tasmania © Tourism Australia

Family destinations

Hellfire Bay, Esperance, Western Australia © Tourism Australia

Family road trips

Merewether Baths, Newcastle, NSW © Destination NSW

Backpacking

Ellery Creek Big Hole, West MacDonnell Ranges, Northern Territory © Tourism NT/Salty Aura

Work and holiday

Sand Dune Adventures at Stockton Beach, Port Stephens, NSW © Tourism Australia

Beginner's guide

Man in a wheelchair looking up at the canopy of the Daintree Rainforest in Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland

Accessible travel

 Mrs Macquarie's Chair, Sydney, NSW © Destination NSW

Planning tips

wonder travel australia

Trip planner

Cape Tribulation, Tropical North Queensland, QLD © Tourism Australia

Australian budget guide

 Aerial of car driving through palm trees in Tropical North Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland / Sean Scott.

Itinerary planner

Kangaroo, Lucky Bay, Esperance, WA © Australia’s Golden Outback

Find a travel agent

Beach House on Wategos Beach, Byron Bay, NSW © Tourism Australia

Find accommodation

Indian Pacific, Lake Hart, SA © Andrew Gregory

Find transport

Snowy region, Jindabyne, NSW © DPIE-Murray Van Der Veer

Visitor information centres

Deals and travel packages

Sydney Airport, New South Wales © Sydney Airport

Visa and entry requirements FAQ

Passengers using SmartGate © Australian Border Force

Customs and biosecurity

Uluru, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, NT © Tourism NT/Matt Cherubino

Working Holiday Maker visas

Bronte Baths, Bronte Beach, Sydney, NSW © Tourism Australia

Facts about Australia

Prairie Hotel, Parachilna, SA © South Australian Tourism Commission

Experiences that will make you feel like an Aussie

Great Barrier Reef, QLD © Georges Antoni / Tourism Australia

People and culture

Castle Hill, Townsville, QLD © Tourism and Events Queensland

Health and safety FAQ

Sorrento Pier, VIC © Visit Victoria, Ewen Bell

Cities, states & territories

Mount Lidgbird and Mount Gower, Lord Howe Island © Tom Archer

Iconic places and attractions

  Wildflowers, near Hamelin Pool, WA © Tourism Western Australia

When is the best time to visit Australia?

Ringer Reef Winery, Bright, VIC © Visit Victoria

Seasonal travel

Human Progress Pride flag, Sydney, NSW © Daniel Boud

Events and festivals

Silverdale Olive Orchard, Coral Coast, WA © Australia's Coral Coast

School holidays

Sydney New Year's Eve, Sydney Harbour, NSW © Destination NSW

Public holidays

Sydney Harbour, Sydney, NSW © Destination NSW

How to get to Australia's most iconic cities

Gantheaume Point, Broome, WA © Tourism Australia

How long do I need for my trip to Australia?

Self-drive, Marrawah, TAS © Tourism Tasmania

How to travel around Australia

Car driving on road next to the ocean in Lagoons Beach Conservation Area © Pete Harmsen/Tourism Tasmania

Guide to driving in Australia

Maui Motorhome parked on the coastline in Tasmania © Tourism Australia

How to hire a car or campervan

Family strolling alongside Tilligerry Creek © Destination NSW

How to plan a family road trip

 Car drives along the Matilda Way in Outback Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland

How to plan an outback road trip

wishlist

Lucky Bay, Cape Le Grand National Park, Western Australia © Greg Snell, Tourism Western Australia

Why Australia is the best place to visit

Why visit Australia? The real question you should be asking yourself is, “Why on earth has it taken me so long?”

By Natasha Dragun

From world-class wine to glistening beaches – we’ve lost count of the number of reasons to visit Australia. But, just for the record books, here are a few of our favourites.

Our beaches are divine

Casuarina Beach, Lizard Island, QLD © Tourism Australia

Casuarina Beach, Lizard Island, Queensland © Tourism Australia

When you think of Australia (besides kangaroos and koalas) you probably think of sunny beaches and rolling waves – and you’d be right! If you visited one beach a day, it would take you 27 years to see them all. Our sandy stretches are home to world-class surfing , unique marine life, striking ocean pools and unbeatable beach culture. So, it’s no wonder Australian beaches regularly rank among the best in the world. Surf, swim, snorkel, sun-worship – there are endless ways to enjoy Australia's beautiful beaches and islands.

Discover Australia’s best beaches

We've got some really big things

Uluru, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, NT © Olivia Mair

Uluru, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory © Olivia Mair

How many times can we say Australia has the world’s biggest, oldest or greatest something? A fair few, it turns out. 

From the only living organism visible from outer space (the  Great Barrier Reef ) to the planet’s biggest rock (no, not  Uluru – it’s actually Mount Augustus!), many Aussie attractions defy imagination. We’re the world’s biggest island with the world’s oldest rainforest , the world’s whitest sand and the world’s oldest civilization . 

We could go on, but we’ll let you discover the rest for yourself.

Check out our top natural attractions

The wildlife is weird and wonderful

Quokka, Rottnest Island, WA © James Vodicka

Quokka, Rottnest Island, Western Australia © James Vodicka

Did you know that 80 per cent of Australia’s wildlife is so unique it can't be found anywhere else in the world? 

Our exotic animals will make you gasp, laugh and scratch your head, sometimes all at the same time. You’ll be familiar with some – kangaroos, koalas and wombats – others you might not expect. Like harmless whale sharks ( swim with them  in Ningaloo Reef); the smiling quokka (grin alongside one on  Rottnest Island ); the shy platypus (hiding in south-east Australia’s rivers); and one of the planet’s largest birds, the emu. 

Sure, you can visit a zoo or watch a wildlife documentary, but there’s nothing like getting up close to Australia’s magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.

Ready to meet Australia’s cutest animals? Here’s where to go

The road trips are sublime

Great Ocean Road, near Lorne, VIC © Visit Victoria

Great Ocean Road, near Lorne, Victoria © Visit Victoria

When the journey matters as much as the destination, there’s no better way to explore Australia than with a road trip . 

Given time, you can enjoy one of Australia’s iconic road trips, such as the iconic Nullarbor Plain crossing – an epic one- or two-week drive traversing the Great Australian Bight, featuring some of the country’s most amazing coastlines and landscapes. More modest road trips include a journey along the Great Southern Touring Route , a family road trip around Kakadu , or the Queensland Great Sunshine Way . 

Imagine it now: windows down, sun on your neck and wind in your hair as you cruise along Australia's incredible coastline. Sounds pretty good, right?

Feast your eyes on our iconic road trips,

We're an adventure-seeker's paradise

Ningaloo Marine Park, Ningaloo Reef, WA © Tourism Western Australia

Ningaloo Marine Park, Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia © Tourism Western Australia 

Australia’s adventure options cater to every style of explorer, span every corner of the country and cover all domains – the definition of adventure is up to you!

Ocean adventurers can meet the Great Barrier Reef’s Great Eight and come face to face with whales, turtles and over 50 species of shark. Lovers of the skies can enjoy the best  scenic flights over Australia , including dramatic air safaris, pub crawls by helicopter and waterway exploration by seaplane. If it’s thrills you seek, you can get your fix with an adrenaline rush . Descend 140 metres (459 feet) down the world’s highest commercial abseil or swim with great white sharks! 

Find the most adrenaline rush

Get closer to our ancient culture

Dreamtime Dive and Snorkel, Cairns, QLD © Tourism Tropical North Queensland

Dreamtime Dive and Snorkel, Cairns, Queensland © Tourism Tropical North Queensland

Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities have the oldest continuous culture in the world, having called this land home for over 60,000 years. There is so much about this country that is spiritual and sacred to Indigenous Australians.

From traditional rock art and dot paintings to didgeridoos and Creation stories, there are hundreds of reasons to include Aboriginal experiences in your trip. The cultures and communities differ in each region, so you can learn a little more about our ancient origins everywhere you go.

Read our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

There's just no place like Australia

Emu Bay, Kangaroo Island, SA © South Australian Tourism Commission

Emu Bay, Kangaroo Island, South Australia © South Australian Tourism Commission

Don’t just take our word for it – researchers regularly rank Australia as one of the world’s best places to live and visit (read: laid-back, relaxed, fun). The 2,800 annual hours of sunshine, magnificent native scenery and delicious local gastronomy all contribute to making Australia a land like no other. 

It’s easy to smile when Australia is your backyard, and we’d love to share it with you. So, what are you waiting for? Come and see for yourself why Australia is the best place to visit.

Find out how to experience Australia like a local

More articles like this

Uluru Aboriginal Tours, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, NT © Tourism Australia

We use cookies on this site to enhance your user experience.  Find out more . By clicking any link on this page you are giving your consent for us to set cookies.

Acknowledgement of Country

Indigenous symbol - Natural Beauty

We acknowledge the Traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Owners of the land, sea and waters of the Australian continent, and recognise their custodianship of culture and Country for over 60,000 years.

  • International (English)
  • New Zealand (English)
  • Canada (English)
  • United Kingdom (English)
  • India (English)
  • Malaysia (English)
  • Singapore (English)
  • Indonesia (Bahasa Indonesia)
  • Deutschland (Deutsch)
  • France (Français)
  • Italia (Italiano)
  • 中国大陆 (简体中文)

*Product Disclaimer:  Tourism Australia is not the owner, operator, advertiser or promoter of the listed products and services. Information on listed products and services, including Covid-safe accreditations, are provided by the third-party operator on their website or as published on Australian Tourism Data Warehouse where applicable. Rates are indicative based on the minimum and maximum available prices of products and services. Please visit the operator’s website for further information. All prices quoted are in Australian dollars (AUD). Tourism Australia makes no representations whatsoever about any other websites which you may access through its websites such as australia.com. Some websites which are linked to the Tourism Australia website are independent from Tourism Australia and are not under the control of Tourism Australia. Tourism Australia does not endorse or accept any responsibility for the use of websites which are owned or operated by third parties and makes no representation or warranty in relation to the standard, class or fitness for purpose of any services, nor does it endorse or in any respect warrant any products or services by virtue of any information, material or content linked from or to this site.

  • Villas & Lodges
  • Apartments & houses
  • Camping and Glamping
  • New South Wales
  • South Australia
  • Western Australia
  • Northern Territory
  • Norfolk Island
  • New Zealand
  • Switzerland
  • Middle East
  • Southeast Asia
  • Antarctica & Arctic
  • Coach, Group & Escorted
  • Special Interest
  • City Tours & Sightseeing
  • Scenic Flights & Heli Tours
  • All-Inclusive Packages
  • Restaurants
  • Wine & Dine
  • Street Food
  • Art & Culture
  • Shopping & Markets
  • Rail Journeys
  • Ski & snowboard
  • Walks & Treks
  • Dive & Water Sports
  • Expeditions
  • Parks & Reserves
  • Theme & Amusement Parks
  • Spa & Wellness
  • Global Village
  • Money & Rewards
  • What’s On
  • Tried & Tested
  • Interviews & Profiles
  • Deals & Itineraries

Subscribe to the magazine

wonder travel australia

  • Vacations & Travel on Facebook
  • Vacations & Travel on LinkedIn
  • Vacations & Travel on Instagram
  • Vacations & Travel on YouTube

V&T Newsletter

Love inspiring travel stories and exciting competitions? Get the latest news delivered to your inbox.

wonder travel australia

10 incredible natural wonders to see in Australia

  • facebook-f-brands (1)
  • twitter-brands (1)
  • linkedin-in-brands
  • envelope-solid

Australia is home to some of the most unique landscapes and natural wonders in the world. To make sure you don’t miss out on the best ones, Tourism Australia has rounded up the country’s top ten intriguing natural wonders that are guaranteed to have you dreaming about your next Aussie adventure.

1. Aurora Australis, Tasmania

wonder travel australia

Like its Northern Hemisphere counterpart (Aurora Borealis), the Southern Lights (Aurora Australis) illuminate the night sky with flickering shades of green, blue, purple and red. The Southern Lights can be viewed all year round – although most commonly during winter, May to August, and during the spring equinox in September. Aurora Australis is visible from several spots across the country, but your best chance of witnessing this phenomenon is from Australia’s southernmost state – Tasmania. Head to Bruny Island, Satellite Island, Bathurst Harbour and Cradle Mountain for the beautiful low-light conditions you need to spot the glimmering light show.

2. Morning Glory Clouds, Burketown, Queensland

wonder travel australia

During the months of September and October, the rare meteorological phenomenon referred to as the ‘Morning Glory Clouds’ roll across the Gulf and can be observed above the skies in Burketown. Gangalidda traditional owner Murrandoo Yanner said his people believe the morning glory was created by Walalu, the Rainbow Serpent, and is of great cultural significance. The cloud bank can be up to 1,000km long, 1-2km wide and can travel at speeds of up to 60km/hour. Although these clouds can be found in other parts of the world, Burketown is the only place where they appear frequently at set times of the year.

3. Australia’s Pink Lakes, South Australia and Western Australia

Australia natural wonders: Australia's pink lakes

Australia’s extraordinary pink lakes have got to be seen to be believed. From the outback of South Australia to the coast of Western Australia, there are few things that are as beautiful and baffling as Australia’s pink lakes.

  • Located on Middle Island in Esperance , Western Australia’s Lake Hillier is known for its bubble-gum pink hue. It’s a surreal sight; the pink lake neighbours the dark blue waters of the Indian Ocean, with a strip of lush green forest acting as a barrier.
  • Famous for some of the most vividly-hued nature found anywhere in Australia, Western Australia’s Hutt Lagoon changes from red to pink and even to lilac purple. Located on the Coral Coast , visit during mid-morning or sundown to catch the best of its colourful spectrum. 
  • The pale pinks, oranges and yellows of Lake Eyre, located a six-hour drive from Adelaide, epitomise the vast landscapes of outback South Australia . The salt pan lake is a stunning sight, but becomes a different kind of beautiful every few years as the lake floods with water. 
  • Contrasting colours of pink, blue and green create the striking scene that is Lake MacDonnell. Located in South Australia’s breathtaking Eyre Peninsula, Lake MacDonnell is one of the country’s most intensely pink lakes, owing to its high salt concentration. Take the ultra-Instagrammable road between the bubblegum-hued Lake MacDonnell and its neighbouring blue-green waters to discover Cactus Beach at the end of the path.

Keep reading: The one time of year you can cruise to Australia’s most Instagrammable lake

4. Cuttlefish Annual Aggregation, Eyre Peninsula, South Australia

Australia natural wonders: Stony Point Eyre Peninsula

The annual migration of giant Australian cuttlefish ‘Sepia apama’ to the waters of the upper Spencer Gulf to breed is one of the most spectacular natural events in the Australian marine environment. Unique to South Australia’s waters, it is the only place in the world where the cuttlefish aggregate annually in mass and with such great predictability. Every winter, thousands of cuttlefish merge and as expert colour-changers, these masters of camouflage can change their shape and texture to look like rocks, sand or seaweed. Travellers can snorkel with the amazing giant cuttlefish at Stony Point between June and July, located on the coastline of the Upper Spencer Gulf Marine Park in the Eyre Peninsula.

Keep reading: Whale watching in South Australia

5. Bioluminescent Plankton, Jervis Bay, New South Wales

wonder travel australia

Jervis Bay, located three hours south of Sydney, is renowned for its white sandy beaches, however, the beaches in the area are even more wondrous at night. Due to a natural chemical reaction within plankton, the plankton become luminescent and emanate a blue glow. This unusual natural phenomenon, which can only be seen at night, can happen at any time of the year, but is more common in spring and summer months when the water is warmer. While the magical display is difficult to predict, the presence of red algae during the day may indicate a higher chance of bioluminescence in the evening.

Keep reading: swim with whales and seals in Jervis Bay

6. The World’s Largest Dinosaur Footprints, Broome, Western Australia

wonder travel australia

The world’s largest dinosaur footprints can be found on the north coast of Broome in Western Australia. At 1.7-metres long, these fossilised dinosaur footprints are 130 million years old and extend in patches for 80km along the coast. At the southern end of Cable Beach is Gantheaume Point, a scenic area of red sandstone cliffs where visitors can observe footprints of dinosaurs located on the flat rocks 30 metres out to sea, and are only visible at low tide. Once travellers have finished visiting Australia’s very own ‘Jurassic Park’, if the timing is right they can also catch a glimpse of the ‘ Staircase to the Moon ‘ at Cable Beach in Broome. The ‘Staircase to the Moon’ happens 2 to 3 days a month between March and October, as the full moon rises over the exposed tidal flats of Roebuck Bay. Currently, this spectacular site is being shared live over their Facebook page and website .

7. Coral Spawning, The Great Barrier Reef, Queensland

Australia natural wonders: Coral Spawning Queensland

In simple terms, coral spawning is the reef reproducing. Coral polyps simultaneously release egg and sperm bundles that they’ve spent months growing into the ocean for external fertilisation. This happens in a mass event annually often affectionately named the world’s largest orgasm by locals. This rare phenomenon lasts only a few nights, but travellers can take a nighttime coral spawning dive trip or join an overnight vessel during the coral spawning dates for another chance to view this weird and wonderful sight.

8. Min Min Lights, Outback Australia, Northern Territory

wonder travel australia

The Min Min Lights are a mysterious phenomenon that have spooked many people in the Outback of Australia from Mataranka (south of Katherine) to Uluru and everywhere in between. The lights have been described by witnesses as floating, fast-moving balls of colour that glow in the night sky and stalk people, leaving some feeling confused and frightened. There is debate as to whether the Min Min Lights exist, or if they are simply an Aboriginal folktale that has been passed down for generations. Daydream about heading to the Northern Territory , a place steeped in Aboriginal culture, from its rugged sandstone escarpments and tranquil waterholes in the north, to the mesmerising beauty of the Red Centre . Join a Maruku Arts exclusive tour and be guided by an Anangu who will tell you the stories of this unique landscape and explain the connection between the art, culture and land, or head to Kakadu National Park for Pudakul Aboriginal Cultural Tours where Graham Kenyon, a knowledgeable former Northern Territory park ranger will take visitors through dreaming stories as they explore the wetlands. 

9. Horizontal Falls, Western Australia

wonder travel australia

Described by David Attenborough as “Australia’s most unusual natural wonder”, Horizontal Falls in the Kimberley region of Western Australia is a natural phenomenon that is as intriguing as it is beautiful. There are two horizontal waterfalls in and both can be found in Talbot Bay in the Buccaneer Archipelago. These incredible natural wonders are the work of some of the largest tidal movements in the world, the first and most seaward is about 20-metres wide, while the second is about 10-metres wide. The powerful tides in the Kimberley can reach more than 10-metres and the direction of the flow reverses ensuring the water flows two different ways each day, and a unique waterfall effect. You can join a scenic flight or sea safari to the Horizontal Waterfalls.

Keep reading: Cruise the Kimberley with A&K

10. Red Crab migration, Christmas Island

wonder travel australia

Walk the red crab carpet in Christmas Island, off the far north-west coast of Australia. The island is home to an estimated 40-50 million bright red land crabs. Each year, at the start of the wet season (November – January), a spectacular awakening occurs. Mother Nature literally rolls out the red carpet as hordes of crabs emerge from the island’s forests and march their way down to the ocean to breed. Before planning a trip, check here for possible spawning dates, and time visits accordingly. Remember, it’s a natural event, so dates are predictions only.

Top image: Lake Hillier, Middle Island near Esperance. Image: Instagram/ @westernaustralia/@mkz.imagery

Travel Video We Love

Subscribe to our newsletter

Email address:

Latest Posts

Chianti in Tuscany

Latest Features

Australia natural wonders: Horizontal Falls Western Australia

Top 6 Instagram locations in Australia’s North West

wonder travel australia

The hilly streets of San Francisco

TTC family of brands

My Trafalgar

Destinations

Get Inspired

866 513 1995

Wonders of Australia

Available Dates

Your itinerary

Dates & prices

Wonders of Australia Guided Tour

9 Day Australia Tour from Brisbane to Sydney

9 days, 1 country and 4 cities

Accommodation

8 Breakfasts, 1 Welcome Reception, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner, 1 Regional Dinner, 1 Farewell Dinner

View day-by-day trip itinerary

Kick off your Australian adventure with a warm ‘Brizzie’ welcome, before heading to the Great Barrier Reef and onwards to the iconic sights and sounds of Sydney.

Looking to book in a group of 9 or more?

Deals, savings and exclusive private touring options available plus if you need a different date or itinerary change we can create a custom trip. Contact us for more details

Trip code: 

Low deposit from $200

Deposit protection

Free booking changes

Trip map & itinerary

Day by day itinerary

9 days itinerary trip from Brisbane to Sydney visiting 1 country and 4 cities

Download itinerary

Print itinerary

Expand all days

About this trip

Sightseeing highlights.

Explore Brisbane, and Sydney Opera House with a Local Specialist

Discover Sydney

Visit Bondi Beach

Scenic Cruise on the Great Barrier Reef

Travel highlights

Specific transfer information can be found here:

Airport Transfers

An expert Travel Director and professional Driver

Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted

All porterage and restaurant gratuities

Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals

Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras

All land transport shown. All transfers shown

Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)

Optional Experiences and free time

A Trafalgar bonus - all Intra-Air Flights: Brisbane to Hamilton Island and Hamilton Island to Sydney

Three local female weavers in colourful traditional local dress including festooned hats, weaving colourful alpaca wool on the ground

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences

Every one of our tours includes at least one conscious travel experience that supports one or more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS). Look out for yours within the day-by-day trip itinerary.

Find out more

Large People Preparing To Grow A Small Tree With Soil In The Garden 1198078044

Net-zero by 2050

Travel knowing our 4-point climate action plan will ensure net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Large BMG Australia Tasmania Mount Gnomon Farm With Guy Robertson

Support Local

Your tour directly supports local communities by visiting family-run businesses, UNESCO sites and places of cultural significance.

Large Aerial View Over Solar Panels And Windmills 1367402534

Sustainable Practices

Every part of our business, from trip design to how we run our offices, aligns to our 5-year sustainability strategy which ensures a positive impact on people, the planet and wildlife.

Scotland

Philanthropic Efforts

Our not-for-profit, the TreadRight Foundation, invests in nature-based solutions to address climate change.

You’ll make a positive impact to people, planet and wildlife on this tour

LIVE, UNEDITED & INDEPENDENT TRAVELER REVIEWS

Wonders of Australia trip reviews

#ttwondersofaus.

Real moments from real travelers, creating the greatest travel stories they’ll ever tell

Or search for something else

wonder travel australia

Help & Info

WE MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®

Unedited Reviews

Our Destination Management Companies

Frequently Asked Questions

Travel Updates

Media & Press Room

Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

Travel Planning

Get Your Free Brochure

Travel Insurance

Booking Conditions

Trip Deposit Level

Recommendations

Trafalgar is a proud member of  The Travel Corporation  family of companies.

#SimplyTrafalgar

Selected Region

United States

United Kingdom

New Zealand

South Africa

Copyright 2024 Trafalgar. All rights reserved.

Terms and Conditions

Privacy Policy

Cookie Policy

It's in your cart!

Keep shopping, edit item quantity, you haven't selected your free gift.

Your free gift hasn't been added to your cart yet. If you don't select a free gift, it will not be sent out with your order. Are you sure you want to checkout without your gift?

The Wanderers Travel Co.

FREE SHIPPING TO AUSTRALIA + FREE GIFT WITH EVERY ORDER FREE SHIPPING TO AUSTRALIA + FREE GIFT WITH EVERY ORDER

  • Top Handles
  • Toiletries Bags
  • Laptop Bags
  • Free Express Shipping Australia Wide
  • 7 Day Returns
  • Fast international shipping

Wander With Wonder

Wander With Wonder experts travel Around the World or Across the Street™ discovering the best destinations, accommodations, and dining for your travel planning. Our travel articles are full of photos, engaging stories, and tips for your travel adventures.

Adventure Travel

Ready for an adventure? Adventure travel might be playing in the snow , exploring jungles , ziplining through forest canopies , rock climbing , whitewater rafting , or camping in the wilderness . What adventures do you want to discover?

We hope you can find something on Wander With Wonder to inspire your next adventure. You can check out all of our adventure travel stories here. 

These are a few of our top picks for the best adventure travel stories:

  • Dog Sledding in Colorado
  • Backcountry Glamping in Oregon
  • El Chaltén: Spectacular and Accessible Hiking in Patagonia
  • Head to Huaraz for Hiking in Peru
  • Snow Adventures in Grand County, Colorado

Whether it’s small ship cruising, luxury cruiseliners, river cruising, or a sailing adventure,  Wander With Wonder is your guide to the best in cruising.

We bring you the latest information, personal experiences, and photographs from exciting travel experiences on the water. Not sure if a cruise is for you or what to do to prepare for your first cruise? We have great insider tips for answering all of your cruising questions.

Wander With Wonder covers cruises from these cruise lines:

  • Adventure Canada
  • AmaWaterways
  • Celebrity Cruises
  • European Waterways
  • Holland America
  • Hurtigruten Expeditions
  • Iceland Pro Cruises
  • Maine Windjammer Cruises
  • Norwegian Cruise Line
  • Princess Cruises
  • Regent Seven Seas
  • Royal Caribbean
  • Silversea Cruises
  • Viking Cruises

These are a few of our top picks for the best stories about cruises:

  • Adventures on the Danube with Viking River Cruises
  • Exploring Portugal with Viking River Cruises
  • Cruising Iceland with Silversea Cruises
  • Circumnavigating Iceland with Iceland ProCruises
  • Princess Cruises: Rediscovering the Love Boat
  • Royal Caribbean Introduces Icon of the Seas

Hotels & Resorts

What is your favorite hotel or resort when you travel? We have something for every mood on Wander With Wonder . Fun hotels. Chic boutique inns. Exclusive and luxurious hotels. All-inclusive resorts. The hotel can become a memorable part of any vacation.

These are a few of our top picks for some of our most memorable stays:

  • 3 Luxe and Storied Hotels for Your Next Siem Reap Visit
  • Hotel Altstadt Vienna
  • 5 Iconic Hotels of the West
  • Raffles Hotel Singapore is the Essence of Luxury
  • Mandapa A Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Bali
  • Romantic Beach Getaway: Pueblo Bonita Pacifica
  • Inn at Newport Ranch
  • St. Ermin’s Hotel London
  • La Quinta Resort & Club
  • Discovering Wow Moments at Hotel Mousai in Mexico
  • Kenwood Inn & Spa: Luxury Inn in Sonoma
  • The Best Luxury Accommodations in Arizona
  • Le Blanc Spa Resort Cancun

Luxury Travel

Our  Wander With Wonder travel experts explore the world to discover luxury resorts, spas, boutique hotels, and luxe activities. We share the best stories, provide reviews, and entice you with photographs to help you plan your luxury travel escape.

Luxury Travel Lake Como Italy

Here are a few of our favorite luxury travel experiences:

  • Trains and Spas Offer Magical Moments with Rocky Mountaineer
  • Caribbean Wow at Hilton La Romana All-Inclusive Adult Resort
  • Honeymoons in Phuket
  • Spa Resorts in Thailand: Luxurious Koh Samui Spa Resorts
  • An Insider’s Guide to Siem Reap
  • Ultimate Guide to 2 Days in Wadi Rum
  • Old City Bangkok
  • Dubai Has it All

National Parks

Travel America’s national parks from the Grand Canyon and Yosemite in the West to the Great Smoky Mountains in the East and the Everglades in the South.

Along with National Parks, we also cover National Historic Sites, National Monuments, National Wildlife Refuges, National Memorials, and Native American parks.

Best Things To Do In Northern California

Our  Wander With Wonder travel experts bring tips, stunning photography, what to see, and news to enhance your National Park visit.

Check out a few of our favorite national parks, memorials, monuments, historic sites, and wildlife refuges, as well as Native American parks:

  • Acadia National Park
  • Arches National Park
  • Bryce Canyon National Park
  • Canyonlands National Park
  • Capitol Reef National Park
  • Chiricahua National Monument
  • Death Valley National Park
  • Fort Davis National Historic Site
  • Glacier National Park
  • Grand Canyon National Park
  • Grand Teton National Park
  • Great Smoky Mountains National Park
  • Mesa Verde National Park
  • Navajo Nation Parks
  • Olympic National Park
  • Oregon Caves National Monument
  • Painted Desert National Park
  • Petrified Forest National Park
  • Rocky Mountain National Park
  • Saguaro National Park
  • San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
  • Shenandoah National Park
  • St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge
  • Walnut Canyon National Monument
  • Wright Brothers National Memorial
  • Yellowstone National Park
  • Zion National Park

Here are a few of our favorite stories to help you get out and explore the national parks across the USA:

  • Exploring Aviation History in North Carolina
  • Top Things to Do in Saguaro National Park
  • Explore Arizona’s Largest Sky Island at Chiricahua National Monument
  • The Best Things to Do at Glacier National Park
  • Top Places to Visit on The Grand Canyon’s South Rim
  • Hiking Shenandoah National Park
  • Best Places to Visit in Grand Teton National Park
  • Escape to the Quiet Side of Acadia at Schoodic Peninsula
  • Navajo Nation Parks: Southwestern Road Trip
  • Dinosaur Hunter: Dinosaur Valley State Park Texas
  • An Oasis in the Desert at Death Valley National Park

Outdoor Travel

Our  Wander With Wonder outdoor travel experts visit places of natural beauty when they travel Around the World or Across the Street™. We offer exciting stories and photographs to help you plan your outdoor travel adventures.

Perhaps you prefer outdoor travel during the summer when you can go hiking, camping, fishing, swimming, horseback riding, or biking. Does outdoor travel in winter excite you, when you can go skiing and dog sledding? We have you covered no matter when you prefer to explore the outdoors.

Here are a few of our favorite outdoor travel stories:

  • South Lake Tahoe Guide for Summer
  • Ponca State Park
  • 10 Best Beach Vacation Escapes
  • Fly Fishing in Vail, Colorado
  • Exploring Iowa’s Scenic Valley Trail via Railbikes
  • Discovering Costa Rica’s Wildlife
  • Romantic Winter Weekend in Myrtle Beach
  • Sober Travel to Costa Rica
  • Discover Serious Powder at Grand Targhee Ski Resort
  • 11 Amazing Outdoor Winter Activities in Phoenix
  • Discovering Crystal River: Florida’s Nature Coast
  • Fall in the Colorado Rockies
  • Head to Huaraz for One of the Best Hikes in Peru
  • Wilderness Camps at The Broadmoor in Colorado
  • Rafting the Mighty Ocoee: Tennessee’s Whitewater Rapids

Pet-Friendly Travel

Do you love to travel and want to share your adventures with your four-legged friends? Our  Wander With Wonder travel experts offer tips and tricks for traveling with your pets.

pet-friendly travel in the UK

We also have some suggestions for the best pet-friendly destinations.

Here are a few of our favorite stories that you can use to help plan your pet-friendly travels:

  • Fido-Friendly Getaway on the Delmarva Peninsula
  • Whidbey Island for Dog Lovers
  • Pet Lovers’ Guide to Milwaukee
  • A Dog-Friendly Fourth of July: Sunriver in Central Oregon
  • 6 Dog-Friendly Highlights When Wandering Around Moab, UT
  • Tiptoe Through the Oregon Wooden Shoe Tulip Fest with Your Dog

Take a road trip to explore the highways, byways, and backroads across the USA and elsewhere.

Road trips are a great way to experience the communities along your route. We recommend getting off the interstates and exploring the small towns. What you discover on your road trip can create memories of a lifetime. A road trip can be one of your best memories, even in Hawaii .

Santa Ynez Valley

Remember to prepare for your road trip. Here are some of our recommendations for the best coolers , tabletop grills , and even a few great snacks to help you enjoy your road trip.

Here are some of our favorite road trips in the Western and Southwestern US, where you can enjoy wide-open spaces and majestic mountain backdrops:

  • Discover Food in The Dalles and Along the East Gorge Food Trail
  • Off the Beaten Path: California Gold Country
  • Explore the Marion Farm Loop in Willamette Valley
  • 10 Things to Do in Jerome, AZ
  • Day Trips from Phoenix: Eclectic Cave Creek
  • 5 Great Arizona Road Trips
  • 5 Great Day Trips from Portland, OR
  • Wine Tasting Day Trip to Dundee, Oregon
  • Mt. Hood Scenic Loop: Favorite Day Trip from Portland
  • Columbia River Gorge Washington: Road Trip on the Less-Traveled Side

Looking for a road trip across Texas? Everything is bigger in Texas, including the highways. Texas offers some of the most unique road trips in the US. Here are a few of our favorite Texas road trips:

  • 9 Road Trips from Austin, Texas
  • 9 Day Trips from San Antonio
  • 8 Road Trips from Houston
  • 11 of the Best Parks for Central Texas Camping

Road trips through the Midwest allow you to explore the country’s heartland. From prairies to rolling hills, don’t simply pass through the Midwest—stop and explore. Here are a few of our favorite stories about Midwest road trips:

  • Midwest Family Fun Tubing the Niobrara
  • Cedarburg, WI: Discover Your Own Hallmark Moments
  • Midwest Road Trip: Fun and Quirky Stops from Nebraska to South Dakota
  • Decorah, Iowa: Small Midwest Town with Big Charm
  • Beaver’s Bend Getaways in Oklahoma
  • An Iowa Road Trip to Discover Americana
  • Exploring Wisconsin’s Cranberry Highway

Exploring the Southern US? Life slows down in the South, so take some time and explore the backroads and byways. As you go up the coast to the Mid-Atlantic, the beauty continues as the pace quickens. Here are some of our favorite stories about road trips in the South and Mid-Atlantic states:

  • Discover Art in Bentonville, Arkansas
  • Explore the Beaches of Wilmington, NC
  • Exploring Small Maryland Towns of Charlestown and North East

Road trips through New England are beautiful any time of the year. In fall, there’s no better place for leaf-peeping. Here are a few of our favorite stories about New England road trips:

  • A Mother-Daughters Northern New England Road Trip
  • Vermont in the Fall Road Trip
  • Maine Road Trip: Exploring the North Coast
  • Explore Bennington and Discover Covered Bridges in Vermont
  • Southern Maine Road Trip: A Drive for the Ages
  • A New Hampshire Road Trip: Exploring the Lakes Region
  • Fall in Cape Cod: Driving Tour in New England
  • A Finger Lakes NY Road Trip

Road trips are also exceptional in places around the world. If you are based in the US, you can rent a car and take to the road to explore other parts of the world. Here are a few of our favorite stories about road trips in places around the world:

  • Experience the Upscale Side of the Fraser Valley in British Columbia
  • Croatia Road Trip in an RV
  • Discover Morocco in a Van

Travel Tips

Travel tips from our travel experts will ensure your journeys are informed and effortless. On Wander With Wonder , we share travel tips on where to stay, what to wear, and what to pack for your travels.

travel tips

Concerned about financing your travels ? We have suggestions. Worried about cyber-safety while traveling ? We offer some guidelines. Wondering how to take great travel photos ? Check out our pro photo tips.

These are a few of our top picks for the best travel tips and news stories:

  • How to Become a Confident Solo Traveler
  • 6 Ways to Deal with Travel Fatigue
  • How to Travel the World on a Shoestring Budget
  • Dos and Don’ts of Dressing for a Long-Distance Flight
  • Accessories to Pair with Your Swimsuit for Your Next Caribbean Vacation
  • 6 Travel Tips from Seasoned Travelers
  • 6 Things to Make Your International Journey Hassle-Free
  • Monarc Eco-Friendly Bags
  • Packing Light for a Weekend Getaway: Tips from Thomas Peter Maletta
  • Travelers Guide: Landscape Photography Tips

Wellness Travel & Spas

Use your travel time to enhance your well-being. Our  Wander With Wonder travel experts guide you to the best spas, hot springs, wellness resorts, yoga retreats, and more.

Spa

Our photos and personal stories are here to help you choose the best wellness travel destinations.

Here are a few of our favorite stories about wellness travel and spa experiences:

  • Rejuvenate in the Pagosa Springs Hot Springs
  • Wellness Retreat at SCP Redmond Hotel in Oregon
  • Couples Getaway at Utah’s Red Mountain Resort
  • Spa Resorts in Thailand
  • Ojo Santa Fe Spa Resort
  • Marival Armony: Global Spa in Punta Mita, Mexico
  • Forest Bathing: Learning to Be in the Moment
  • The Cove Luxury Spa in Idaho
  • SpaWell Tucson
  • Sound Bathing at La Copa in Careyes, Mexico
  • The Magic of Fall in Sedona, Arizona
  • Wow Experience at The Ritz-Carlton Dallas Spa
  • Travel Updates

‘Goddess of the Sky’: Nepal makes radical Mount Everest changes for the 2024 climbing season

Nepal has taken radical action to address the sorry state of Mount Everest – the sacred summit locals revere as the “Goddess of the sky.”

Jack Evans

One in four Aussie flights running late

‘Do better’: Jetstar’s huge turnaround

‘Do better’: Jetstar’s huge turnaround

Vow that kept lost mum, son alive for 10 days

Vow that kept lost mum, son alive for 10 days

Radical new rules to protect Mount Everest are being brought in with its enduring appeal proving to be a disaster for the natural wonder’s once-pristine ground.

The Nepalese community is bracing for hundreds of foreigners to chase the elusive peak this season, and are hoping 2024 will not mirror 2023.

Nepal issued a record 478 climbing permits last year, and adding in one and a half Sherpa support per foreigner, that meant more than 1,200 people pursued the summit last spring.

The season, which runs generally runs between early April and June, saw 17 climbers, including Sherpas, die.

That figure cements the season in infamy as the peak’s second deadliest, topped only by 2018 when 18 climbers died in an earthquake.

The past season was also marred by concern over the state of the sacred summit that locals revere as the “Goddess of the sky.”

Nepal issued 478 climbing permits in 2023, resulting in more than 1,200 people pursuing the summit of Mount Everest. Picture: Getty

Headlines lead with imagery of immense summit queues, desecrated high-altitude camps strewn with trash, biological human waste including excrement and dead bodies, while Sherpas were also captured hauling seemingly ill-prepared climbers from the summit on other occasions at a significant risk to their own wellbeing.

Now, with just days until the world’s elite climbers descend on Kathmandu, Nepalese leaders are scrambling to avoid a repeat.

Khumbu Pasang Rural Municipality, a major authority over Everest, Base Camp and the tourism operations they facilitate, has brought in a suite of new regulations aimed at preserving the natural wonder while ensuring the safety and wellbeing of climbers.

Sherpa remembers forgettable 2023

Tenzi Sherpa, an experienced guide on the world’s highest peak, made global headlines during the 2023 season after the fed-up climber shed light on the sorry state of the sacred mountain.

He is among many Nepalese hoping for improvement this year, telling news.com.au he was glad to see local authorities exercise greater control over the mountain and Base Camp.

“Everest is melting every year, day by day from global warming and a lot of human movement,” he explained.

Concerns over the state of the mountain, including trash, human waste, and dead bodies, have led to new regulations being put in place. Tenzi Sherpa posted a video to Instagram of the mess building up at Camp IV – the last camp before the summit. Picture: Tenzi Sherpa/ Instagram

“This year, some rules have been changed, so it’s going to help prevent human waste.”

He supported a focus on preserving local tradition and employment on the mountain.

“The helicopter shouldn’t be there for supplies because there are many (local) people who supply all the stuff for the expedition,” he said.

“The government is looking for more sufficient tourism by protecting environment and culture and more than that, it is making new infrastructure and new roads to reach Base Camp more easy way.”

Tenzi Sherpa’s 2023 footage showed an abandoned mess at Camp IV – the last stop before the summit.

“The dirtiest camp I have ever seen,” he captioned a video that showed a group of climbers passing through what appears to be an abandoned camp strewn with mountains of unwanted climbing material.

The Khumbu Pasang Rural Municipality has introduced new regulations aimed at preserving the natural wonder while ensuring the safety and wellbeing of climbers. Picture: Tenzi Sherpa/ Instagram

He said the mess was an assortment of tents, empty oxygen bottles, steel bowls, spoons, sanitation pads and paper.

“I feel so sad every time cause I have seen many times doing expedition groups, and companies cut (their) companies logos and leave all the tents for the rest,” Tenzi said in 2023.

“I would like to request to the government to punish companies who leave their trash on mountain … it’s a huge problem we all face.”

As he gears up for the 2024 season, Tenzi Sherpa is hopeful a raft of new locally-led restrictions on climbers will see things improve.

Climbers face major changes this season

The Khumbu Pasang Rural Municipality’s recently announced Base Camp Management Procedure 2024 , introduces significant changes will likely reshape the Everest climbing experience.

One of the most notable changes is the prohibition of business ventures at the Everest Base Camp Area. Bars, spas, bakeries, and cafes will be no longer.

The regulations emphasise the use of local porters and yaks to transport expedition equipment. Picture: Heath Holden

Expedition teams will now be limited to a maximum of 15 members, a measure aimed at reducing overcrowding and minimising environmental impact.

The provision does allow for the enlistment of additional high-altitude and base camp workers as needed, ensuring that expeditions remain well-supported.

To address sanitation concerns, the new rules mandate the set up of designated toilet tents, with strict guidelines on waste disposal. Expedition members venturing beyond the base camp are required to carry back their waste in biodegradable bags, ensuring that the mountains remain unspoilt by human presence.

While trekkers and general visitors are still barred from overnight stays at the Base Camp, provisions have been made to accommodate family members, medical personnel, and sponsors of expedition members. However, strict guidelines regarding space allocation for dining and sleeping quarters have been put in place to prevent overcrowding.

In a nod to Nepalese tradition, the rural municipality emphasises the use of local porters and yaks to transport expedition equipment.

A check-in system has been implemented to track climbers’ progress beyond the Base Camp for safety and accountability. Picture: Lakpa Sherpa

Helicopter transportation is now available despite initially being heavily restricted, subject to approval, with three helipads designated for emergency use at the Base Camp.

To enhance safety and accountability, a check-in system has also been implemented to track climbers’ progress beyond the Base Camp, ensuring timely intervention in case of emergencies.

Climbers will pay a small fee for electronic devices the size of a thumb drive which will be inserted inside their jacket.

Additionally, expedition teams are required to bring back all logistics items and a minimum amount of waste, with agencies receiving a ‘Garbage Clearance Letter’ upon proper waste disposal.

As for the bodies of those who die, which notoriously litter the peak, tour and expedition agencies will be tasked with grim task of retrieving them.

The Himalayan Times reported that: “Tour and expedition agencies will be responsible for retrieving the bodies of their respective high-altitude professionals, including mountain guides, porters, and trekking guides.” Only then will they be given a clearance letter.

However, with just days until the first climbers head to the summit, the BCMP is still being ironed out, and some key points are already being rolled back.

The Nepal Parliament is also working on a new tourism bill, adding the prospect of further or more robust regulation.

Take three ‘poo bags’

As for faeces, climbers ascending Everest will now be expected to collect it in doggy bags and carry it back to base camp, according to new regulations from local officials.

Each person will be given three bags by Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality, the body governing most of Everest, to reuse throughout the climb.

Extreme low temperatures mean excrement left on Everest does not fully degrade, with local authorities citing that human stools are visible on rocks, cause widespread odours, and even cause climbers to fall sick.

2023 Everest season headlines lead with imagery of immense summit queues, desecrated high-altitude camps strewn with trash, biological human including excrement and dead bodies. Picture: Tiktok

In February, the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee was hoping to source 8,000 ‘poo bags’ from the US which contain chemicals and powders that solidify human excrement and remove odour.

It’s thought the average climber produces 250 grams of excrement per day and usually spend about two weeks on the higher camps for the summit attempt.

Yaks to Base Camp in jeapordy

Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality has already been forced to amended a rule concerning the transportation of materials related to mountain above Syangboche – a two day trek from Base Camp.

Part of the first amendment to the Base Camp Management Procedure of 2024, the regulation stipulated that materials for mountain climbing in the area above Syangboche must not be transported by helicopter.

More Coverage

wonder travel australia

Instead, the use of local workers and porters, yaks, and jopke (cow/ yak hybrid) was mandated to support the local economy.

However, the rules have already been modified to allow for the transportation of climbing materials above Syangboche by helicopter or other means, provided permission is obtained from the coordination and monitoring committee when necessary.

According to climbing media, the obligation to use yak convoys instead of helicopters to ferry supplies the last leg to Base Camp was rolled back some after issues arose finding enough yaks in Syanboche.

If you think your flight is always delayed, you’re not wrong. New figures reveal just what Australian domestic travellers are putting up with.

It’s great news for Aussies who fly on budget airlines. Jetstar and Bonza outperform Qantas and Virgin Australia in a surprising area.

For 10 days, a woman and her nine-year-old son battled the elements while lost in dense, unforgiving bush. This is how they miraculously survived.

wonder travel australia

Slot machine maker accuses Vegas company of producing ‘cheap knockoff’

A n Australia-based slot machine manufacturer is accusing a Las Vegas company of producing “a cheap knockoff” of one of its most successful games.

In a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Nevada, Aristocrat Technologies Inc. seeks an injunction calling for Light & Wonder to stop manufacturing and distributing what it considers to be a copycat game and for financial damages to be determined at trial. The company is accusing Light & Wonder Inc. and subsidiaries LNW Gaming Inc. and Sciplay Corp. of trade secret misappropriation, copyright infringement, trade dress infringement and deceptive trade practices.

In its five-count lawsuit filed Feb. 26, Aristocrat says Light & Wonder produced games similar to its Dragon Link and Lightning Link slot machine games. The company said former Aristocrat game developers Emma Charles and Lloyd Sefton, who joined Light & Wonder in 2021, worked on their new company’s Jewel of the Dragon and Dragon Train products.

Dragon Train was first released in Australia in 2023 and in the United States earlier this month. It’s been distributed in tribal casinos in California, Kansas and Minnesota.

“Aristocrat brings this complaint to stop L&W from free-riding on the significant time, effort and creativity Aristocrat has devoted over many years to developing innovative and award-winning games that bring joy to players around the world,” the 50-page lawsuit filed in late February says.

Aristocrat says Dragon Link is one of its best-performing games and has colors, animations and audiovisuals with Asian themes that Light & Wonder has tried to duplicate. The machine has a “hold and spin” feature that enables players to accumulate symbols building toward bonus payouts.

Light & Wonder is fighting the lawsuit and said it has no merit.

“Aristocrat’s U.S. lawsuit is the latest installment in its continued international campaign to undermine the release of L&W’s innovative competing products,” a response filed March 12 said. “Rather than competing on an even playing field in the market, Aristocrat has contrived baseless legal claims in multiple jurisdictions coinciding with the release of L&W’s products in an effort to tarnish L&W’s product rollouts and drive customers away.”

Light & Wonder’s response said its Dragon Train product “is the result of years of independent development and innovation from a team of product developers, including Emma Charles, relying on general knowledge of commonly used game concepts.”

Aristocrat is asking the court to require Light & Wonder to destroy all trade secrets, identify all individuals and entities to whom Light & Wonder disclosed its trade secrets and to deliver to Aristocrat all packaging labels, displays, advertising or other materials in L&W’s possession that infringe on Aristocrat’s copyrights.

It also asks that Light & Wonder turn over any profits or financial benefits “received as a result of its misappropriation and infringement” as well as unspecified punitive damages.

The case is being heard by U.S. District Judge Gloria Navarro.

Contact Richard N. Velotta at [email protected] or 702-477-3893. Follow @RickVelotta on X.

©2024 Las Vegas Review-Journal. Visit reviewjournal.com.. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Customers in the Aristocrat Gaming booth at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) at The Venetian Expo in Las Vegas Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022. (K.M. Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @KMCannonPhoto

IMAGES

  1. 10 Natural Wonders To Visit in Australia

    wonder travel australia

  2. Holiday Vacations

    wonder travel australia

  3. 40 of Australia’s most stunning natural wonders

    wonder travel australia

  4. 10 Natural Wonders To Visit in Australia

    wonder travel australia

  5. The 7 Natural Wonders of Australia

    wonder travel australia

  6. The 7 Natural Wonders of Australia

    wonder travel australia

COMMENTS

  1. Australia's 10 best natural wonders

    From the stunning Twelve Apostles jutting out of the sea to the uncanny views of the Pinnacles Desert, Australia is a country with a bounty of wonders that date back centuries. From the coastal vibes to the arid, desolate spots, here are 10 natural wonders that make the land of Oz a popular destination for those with a zest for adventure.

  2. Wonder Travel Australia

    Wonder Travel Australia would like to introduce to everyone the interesting form of travel experience in beautiful Australia: Fishing around the lake. Absolutely worthy of the vote as one of the ...

  3. 7 Stunning Natural Wonders in Australia

    7 Stunning Natural Wonders in Australia Go for the ultimate natural wonder, the Great Barrier Reef, but stay for these other irresistible stops. Photograph by Andrew Watson, Getty Images

  4. 18 Most Beautiful Natural Wonders in Australia

    4. Lake Hillier (Western Australia) Located on the isolated and uninhibited Middle Island, this Australian natural wonder went viral for its water's pink colour. Lake Hillier's bubble gum shade is highlighted even more by its surroundings - lush green forest, white sand, and the striking blue of the Southern Ocean.

  5. 10 natural wonders of Australia

    From Echo Point, on the ridges of the Great Dividing Range, the limestone rock formation, the Three Sisters, rises from sandstone plateau and 760-meter-deep gorges. It contains some of the world ...

  6. Australia's 20 best travel experiences, ranked by Lonely Planet

    Bring your car on the ferry and explore over a weekend. 9. Marvel at the Milky Way in the Warrumbungle Dark Sky Park. New South Wales/Kamilaroi Country. The night sky unrolls around you each night ...

  7. Australia's famous natural landmarks

    Why you'll love it: Swimming alongside the ocean's largest fish. The crystal clear waters of Ningaloo Reef are home to the world's largest fringing reef, a 260km (162mi) long coral reef you can access right from the beach. It's a wildlife wonderland, famous for its abundance of turtles, tropical fish, manta rays and humpback whales.

  8. Australia's Best Natural Wonders and Attractions

    Arguably the mos t recognizable natural wonder on mainland Australia, Uluru is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is sacred to the Indigenous Anangu people. Located around 335 kilometers (208 miles ...

  9. Australia Travel Guides

    Posted at 23:27h in Australia, Travel, Travel Guides, Victoria by Content Creator. Heading to the beach is a staple of summer, but deciding which beach to visit can be a daunting task. In this list you will discover the best beaches Melbourne has to offer, from dog friendly beaches, to hidden gems, family friendly beaches and Melbourne's must ...

  10. Inspiration from our blog

    For a seamless trip, here's our list of things to know before you travel to the Land Down Under. Read More. Unit 1, 101 Park Road Yeronga. QLD 4104 Australia. 1300 001 379. [email protected]. 2nd Floor, 199 Phan Dinh Phung Str, Ward 17, Phu Nhuan District, HCM. 1800 282 878. [email protected].

  11. Australia

    Australia, with the vast outback, vibrant cities, and unique wildlife is a draw for visitors. ... Australia is the ideal travel destination for nature lovers. You'll also discover bustling nightlife and city views. ... It is no wonder that tens of thousands of travelers from all around the globe fly across oceans just to have a taste of this ...

  12. Why Australia is the best place to visit

    There's just no place like Australia. Don't just take our word for it - researchers regularly rank Australia as one of the world's best places to live and visit (read: laid-back, relaxed, fun). The 2,800 annual hours of sunshine, magnificent native scenery and delicious local gastronomy all contribute to making Australia a land like no other.

  13. Australia Vacations & Guided Tours

    Great Barrier Reef: Snorkel through the living ecosystem of this natural wonder made up of over 3,000 individual reefs.; Sydney Harbour Jet Boat Ride: Checkout the iconic sites of the city as you cruise around Sydney Harbour on an exhilarating jet boat ride.; Sydney Opera House: Go backstage on a special tour followed by a private dinner in one of the most recognizable architectural wonders in ...

  14. 10 incredible natural wonders to see in Australia

    To make sure you don't miss out on the best ones, Tourism Australia has rounded up the country's top ten intriguing natural wonders that are guaranteed to have you dreaming about your next Aussie adventure. 1. Aurora Australis, Tasmania. Aurora Australis, Tasmania. Image: Instagram/ @tasmania/@leannemarshall.

  15. Eighth Wonder Travel

    CONTACT US. TALK TO OUR EXPERT TEAM. +61 476 273 362. LETS START PLANNING YOUR TRIP. SPEAK TO OUR TEAM. Top. Eighth Wonder Travel specialises in luxury travel experiences to New Zealand and Australia. We put together the very best experiences, which include golf, adventure, water sports and cultural excursions.

  16. Wonders of Australia Tour

    Free 3 day booking hold and flexible changes. From Brisbane to Sydney, explore Australia with Trafalgar. TTC family of brands. FAQs Get a Quote Agents Login. My Trafalgar. Destinations. Ways To Go. Deals. About Us. Get Inspired. 866 513 1995. or call your travel agent. ... MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences.

  17. Australia

    Fuel Your Soul With Travel. Go With Us And Get Away. World. Vietnam. Northern Vietnam; Southern Vietnam; Central Vietnam; Australia. ... Wonder Golf Tours. Australia; Vietnam; New Zealand; Thailand; Golf Accessories; Qatar FIFA World Cup 2022; Australia Home World Australia Category. Sydney (29) Melbourne (21) ...

  18. WONDER TRAVEL AUSTRALIA (@WonderTravelAU) / Twitter

    Wonder Travel is a Australian based travel company that specializes in high quality, memorable tours in Vietnam, and Australia.

  19. Wonder Travel Australia (@WonderTravelAUS) / Twitter

    Fuel your soul with travel

  20. Adelaide

    Wonder Travel is a Australian based travel company that specializes in high quality, memorable tours in Vietnam, and Australia. AUSTRALIA Unit 1, 101 Park Road Yeronga QLD 4104 Australia 1300 001 379 [email protected]; VIETNAM 2nd Floor, 199 Phan Dinh Phung Str, Ward 17, Phu Nhuan District, HCM

  21. Bags

    FREE SHIPPING TO AUSTRALIA + FREE GIFT WITH EVERY ORDER Bags. Whether for travel or everyday, our signature luxe full grain leather bags are versatile and chic. Perfect for keeping your essentials close on the flight and perfect for Wandering your destination! A winning mix of function and style!

  22. Travel

    Luxury Travel. Our Wander With Wonder travel experts explore the world to discover luxury resorts, spas, boutique hotels, and luxe activities. We share the best stories, provide reviews, and entice you with photographs to help you plan your luxury travel escape.

  23. AUS WONDER TRAVEL PTY. LIMITED

    Find company research, competitor information, contact details & financial data for AUS WONDER TRAVEL PTY. LIMITED of PARRAMATTA, NEW SOUTH WALES. Get the latest business insights from Dun & Bradstreet.

  24. Mount Everest 2024 season: Nepal makes radical Everest, Base Camp

    The Nepalese community is bracing for hundreds of foreigners to chase the elusive peak this season, and are hoping 2024 will not mirror 2023. Nepal issued a record 478 climbing permits last year ...

  25. Slot machine maker accuses Vegas company of producing 'cheap ...

    An Australia-based slot machine manufacturer is accusing a Las Vegas company of producing "a cheap knockoff" of one of its most successful games. In a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in ...