Best Places to Visit in Australia for a Rejuvenating Vacation!

Home to some of the quirkiest wildlife, stunning beaches, and picturesque rain forests, Australia is certainly a good place to visit for adventure seekers, backpackers, and travellers. Popularly called the land of Kangaroos, Australia is the world’s smallest continent and the largest island country as well. 

Much of Australia's beauty lies in the cultural and indigenous diversity of the local populace, contemporary cuisine, flourishing festivals, art forms, and events. In addition to its raw beauty, the country is well-renowned for water sports, including scuba diving, surfing, and snorkelling. 

Let’s now unravel the best places to visit in Australia with a rundown of the main attractions in the article below. These iconic places will help you make a sound decision about where to start and when to travel next to ‘the land down under’.

Best Places to Visit in Australia

From stunning beaches, spectacular tourist spots, and magnificent deserts, here are our top picks for you in this traveller's paradise! We have curated the list per the weather and the purpose of your visit.

1. Sydney

Sydney, the capital of New South Wales with a long history, is a good place in Australia to visit with family. The distinguishing feature of Sydney is that it dazzles in every season - be it summer, winter, or autumn - due to the tropically balanced climate throughout the year. 

It is home to world-class restaurants, beautiful lush green gardens, and Jacaranda trees thriving on almost every street. It also houses the iconic Opera House, Harbour Bridge, tracts of parks and bushlands.

Temperature in Sydney

When it comes to the best time to visit Sydney, you must be aware of the different seasons to make an informed decision for your trip.

Things to See

Some of the cool places to visit in Australia are -

Rocks Market, Harbour Bridge, Darling Harbour, Taronga Zoo, Sydney Tower, Sea Life Aquarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Bondi Beach, Circular Quay, Queen Victoria Building, Shelly Beach, Luna Park, Cockatoo Island, Hard Rock Café, Royal National Park, Madame Tussauds, Manly Beach, Australian National Marine Museum, Darling Quarter, Centennial Park… and more!

Things to Do

• See the world-heritage Sydney Opera House show at night while enjoying lip-smacking food inside the premises.
• Visit the Darling Harbour to enjoy a vibrant nightlife scene with fantastic river views.
• For a deeper understanding of the sights and the history behind them, take the help of passionate volunteering locals with 'I am Free’ walking tours.
• Shop in the biggest market of Sydney – Paddy. You can get affordable souvenirs and other items, like tasty food.
• For the best retail and dining options, you can head to Bondi Beach. Remarkably, it holds the Guinness World Record for the largest photo shoot in a swimsuit, with 1,010 women taking part.

2. New South Wales

Commonly referred to as NSW, New South Wales is located on the east coast of Australia and is certainly among the best places to visit in winter. It is famous for its endless golden beaches, natural treasures, and other vibrant cities. 

With sophisticated dining scenes and top-notch galleries & museums, New South Wales can certainly be among the best destinations on your bucket list. Exploring New South Wales is exciting and easy, with plenty of rewarding things to do available like - 

Temperature in New South Wales

The average maximum temperature in winter is 8.8 °C.

Things to See

The best places to visit in New South Wales, Australia are listed below – 

Blue Mountains National Park, Lord Howe Island, Byron Bay, South Coast’s Beaches, Hunter Valley, Coffs Harbour, Norfolk Island, Port Stephens, Snowy Mountains, Kangaroo Valley, Outback NSW, Armidale, Canberra, and much more.

Things to Do

• From May to November, you can go in search of whales off Byron Bay. More than 25,000 humpback whales can be found lingering in warm waters where you can have enough opportunities to spot the whales from the shore, in a kayak, or on a cruise.
• Located just forty-five minutes from Newcastle, the Hunter Valley has been offering the Hunter Valley balloon flights for more than 45 years. You can enjoy the views of farmlands, mountain ranges, national parks, and endless vineyards.
• The scenic world is one of the best options for enjoying the mountains' best views. You can enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime picnic along with scenic beauty in New South Wales by heading to the Beyond Skyway, located in the Blue Mountains.
• Visit the Gunyah treetop dining room for a beautiful bush dining experience and enjoy contemporary Australian cuisine. It has everything from home-cooked breakfast to a romantic candlelit dinner on the Veranda!
• Take the Aboriginal Discovery tour at the Mungo National Park to learn about the dreaming stories and 50,000+ years of the indigenous history of the world heritage area.

3. East Coast

The East Coast in Australia is a marvellous area where you can find rainforest trails, delightful wildlife, stunning sunsets, paradise beaches, and so on. It is vast and has more than hundreds of places that attract tourists. Whether you fly, hire a car or a campervan, or use trains, it is easy to get around this paradise and see the main sights. 

The best places to visit in East Coast Australia are discussed below.

Temperature on East Coast Australia

Spring and autumn are the best months to travel to East Coast Australia.

Things to See

Some of the best places to visit in East Coast Australia are as follows – 

Newcastle, Surfer’s Paradise, Brisbane, Noosa Heads & Fraser Island, Townsville & Magnetic Island, Mission Beach, Cairns, Queensland, Great Barrier Reef, Victoria, Melbourne, Wilsons Promontory & Gippsland, Canberra, Eden, and many more.

Things to Do

• Jervis Bay, one of the best beaches in East Coast Australia, is three hours away from Sydney. You can head to this beach and enjoy the scenic beauty.
• See the stars in the Barrington Tops National Park.
• Noosa is an excellent place to see the Australian zoo on Australia's Sunshine Coast and is one of the best places in Australia for families. While exploring wildlife, you can also enjoy amazing beaches. 
• To swim, relax, snorkel, and party, you can head to Magnetic Island and plan your trip around the island Life Beach Party.
• One of the prettiest places on East Coast Australia is the Whitsundays, which is a group of 74 islands. You can explore them on a sailing tour with any of the three types of boats available.

4. Victoria

Victoria, another designated place for families, is one of the most populated states in Australia as well. With a unification of urban, relaxed, and vibrant life, Victoria is a cool place to visit in Australia. From camping sites, beach water sports, and adventure sports to culture, art and history, it has everything at a single destination. This place is ideal for people travelling with families, friends, and those seeking solace in their life along with excitement.

Temperature in Victoria

In summer, the temperature in Victoria hovers around 28 °C.

Things to See

The bucket list of places to visit in Victoria contains the following – 

Phillip Island, Melbourne, Bendigo, Daylesford, Mornington Peninsula, The Grampians, Murray Sunset National Park, Lakes  Entrance, Tower Hill, Great Ocean Road, and more.

Things to Do

• Take a tour of the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne. This exhibition has a vast collection of paintings from the 70s and 80s.
• If you are interested in history, head to Bendigo where you can learn about the Aboriginal heritage, Chinese history, and European settlement.
• Walk with your family to Daylesford to enjoy the serene Lake Daylesford and explore the botanical gardens.
• For an amazing rainforest experience, visit the Dandenong Ranges. One of the popular ways to explore the area is via Puffing Billy Train, the oldest steam railway in Australia.
• Visit the National Wool Museum to learn about wool's story through the sights and sounds of machines weaving socks or carpets.

5. Queensland

Another one on the list of the best places to visit in Australia is Queensland. It has a slice of a traveller’s paradise to tailor to the desires of different groups - from 1,000 ecosystems to 5 world heritage listed sites. Popularly called 'the sunshine state', Queensland delivers high city attractions and outdoor adventures.

Temperature in Queensland

The temperature in Queensland in winter is generally mild, ranging between 11 and 21°C.

Things to See

The popular hotspots in Queensland are as follows – 

Cairns, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Mount Isa, Townsville, Maryborough, Bundaberg, Hervey Bay, Rockhampton, Gladstone, and more.

Things to Do

• The planet’s oldest surviving rainforest, Daintree National Park, has a large concentration of endangered and threatened species. You can take a safari and see more than 18,000 plant species.
• The largest sand island in the world, Fraser Island, is about a 3.5-hour drive from Brisbane (the capital of Queensland). You can have four-wheel drive adventures and explore crystal clear lakes, dense forests, wide windswept beaches, and more.
• Surfer's paradise is a trendy spot for travellers to enjoy great nightlife and cuisine. 
• Head to Tamborine Mountain to enjoy the stunning views of the mountain and the atmosphere. You can enjoy wineries, cheese, gourmet restaurants, and vintage stores.
• Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, an alternative to the Australia Zoo, is another must-go place. It has cute performances for kids and allows you a chance to feed crocodiles and more.

6. Perth

Located between the Indian Ocean and the landscapes of Western Australia, Perth is a cultural metropolis famous for modern museums, beaches, old-growth vineyards, and riverside parks. Perth is renowned for its cultural, environmental, and recreational significance and is frequently ranked as one of the world’s most liveable cities. Though it is an excellent place to visit in all seasons, winter is generally recommended as the most favourable one for travellers. 

Temperature in Perth

The average temperature in winter is around 8 to 19 °C 

Things to See

Elizabeth Quay, Swan River, Perth Mint, Hillarys Boat, Art Galleries, Bell Tower, Scitech, St Mary’s Cathedral, Aviation Heritage Museum, and more.

Things to Do

• You can wander through the Treetops at Kings Park and Botanic Garden to enjoy the spectacular views of the Darling Range and Swan river.
• Visit Cottesloe, one of Perth's famous beaches with clear water and a thriving café culture. It is a good place for families who want to enjoy the sheltered inlets on the Swan River.
• A hot spot for Perth nightlife, you can add Elizabeth Quay to your bucket list. It is an excellent place to enjoy live music with a pleasant vibe. 
• Popular for families and children, the Perth Mint is a good place to get a glimpse of Western Australian history.
• As a tourist, you can also check out some of Australia's unique wildlife at the Perth Zoo, including kangaroos, wombats, koalas, wallabies, and Tasmanian devils.

7. Esperance

Located in Western Australia, Esperance is home to some of the world’s unique white sand beaches. The place is famous for its scenic beauty, friendly kangaroos, and amazing beaches. One of the best places in Australia, Esperance is a blissfully new and clean remote town.

Things to See

Some of the most sought-after places in Esperance are – 

Lucky Bay, Cape Le Grand National Park, Lake Hillier, Frenchman Peak, Miss Hellfire Bay, Cape Le Grand Beach, Esplanade, and more.

Things to Do

• Renowned for its white sand, you can visit the Cape Le Grand National Park and see the long stretches of clean white sand. Moreover, the park covers a wild area of the coast featuring some exquisite mountain peaks.
• Head to Lucky Bay at the Cape Le Grand National Park to enjoy the sunrise and sunset.
• You can walk along the long esplanade, enjoy nature, and find some BBQs and restaurants to try out.
• For shopping, head to the Esperance markets where the local farmers produce and sell goods.
• Visit Twilight Beach, a hub for smooth golden sounds and granite boulders.

8. Robe

Robe is one of the oldest towns in Southern Australia and is famous for its remarkable history. At Robe, you can find everything for everyone - from coastal scenery to spectacular beaches. Furthermore, you can treat your taste buds or indulge in holiday retail therapy at several cafes and restaurants. You can also wander through its streets and enjoy the beauty of southern Australia!

Temperature in Robe

The average temperature in summer is around 23°C

Things to See

Cape Dombey Obelisk, Encounter Signal, Ruins of the Old Gaol, Chinese Pai Fang, Beacon Hill Lookout, Mahalia Coffee House, Sky Seafoods, Camel Farm, and more.

Things to Do

• Robe is famous for its fishing industry. You can visit Sky Seafoods and select a fresh lobster from their collection.
• You can enjoy a short drive to Long Beach. As the name suggests, long beach is 20 km of golden sand land and is one of the renowned beaches in Australia.

• An ice cream shop popularly known as the Robe Ice-Cream & Lolly Shop is located in the Robe which is famous for its different flavours. Notably, this funky shop has a chessboard on each table.

• You can have fresh waffles and freshly roasted coffee at Mahalia coffee to start your day with a delightfully sweet treat.

• Wine lovers can head to Governor Robe Wines - you can sit and relax with a glass of your favourite wine and delicious bites.

How to Buy Travel Insurance for Australia from the UAE?

travel insurance is not a mandatory requirement to visit Australia from the UAE. However, purchasing travel insurance is highly recommended to ensure that your vacation runs smoothly as planned. 

Travelling, whether alone or with family or friends, exposes you to certain risks related to your luggage, health, important documents, and more. Here, a good travel insurance plan can cover all the possible financial risks and allow you to get the required assistance even at an overseas place where you may not be aware of the facilities.

Policybazaar UAE is an ideal platform if you want to buy travel insurance for Australia from the UAE. On policybazaar.ae, you can easily compare the top plans from popular travel insurance providers and select the one that matches your requirements. You can always connect with our in-house expert team to find the appropriate plan and receive guidance throughout the process.

By purchasing travel insurance from policybazaar.ae, you can enjoy various benefits – 

• Policybazaar UAE has tied up with the top insurance companies in UAE to provide you with the best plans in the market at affordable rates.
• If you are stuck in the process or need help choosing the right plan for your needs, our round-the-clock customer service team can assist you via phone and email.
• You can avail of various discounts and offers throughout the year 
• You can always connect with the customer service team for after-sales services 
• You can apply for travel insurance from the comfort of your home with a few clicks
• Another remarkable benefit of using Policybazaar UAE is that you can easily compare the plans on the basis of coverages, exclusions, and prices

You can always visit our travel insurance quotes page to figure out the plan that suits you best. For that, you would need to visit the 'travel insurance' section on the official website of Policybazaar UAE and provide the required information in the lead form. Once the form is submitted, our concerned customer representative will contact you and help you.

Before Taking Off

Australia is a beautiful and colossal place with various tourist spots that make it one of the most popular destinations on the planet. You can visit Australia to explore nature, enjoy wildlife, and admire the beautiful cities and towns. Whichever destination you pick from the list of the best place to visit in Australia, you can certainly expect an amazing time there. 

To make your trip smooth and stress-free, you can simply buy travel insurance and be financially prepared against possible risks and monetary losses while travelling!