Student at Indiana University currently studying abroad at the University of Sydney in Australia. Loves travelling and going on new adventures.
From beautiful beaches to scenic natural formations, Australia has it all. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing day trip or an exciting weekend, checking out some of Australia’s unique attractions is worth doing.
Every year, around 9 million people head to this country with the intention to travel and explore its many natural wonders. With a wide variety of things to do and see, planning a trip can be overwhelming. Apart from seeing the famous Uluru, Sydney Opera House, and Bondi Beach, Australia is full of hidden gems.
If you’re interested in off-the-beaten-path travel, here’s a list of interesting places in Australia that you need to visit. Hopefully, this list can help you figure out where to go, or at the very least provide you with some travel inspiration.
First things first, if you’re planning a trip to Australia, the first thing you need to decide is how you’re going to travel the country. You can opt to take a group tour, joining companies like Intro Travel or opt to do it independently by renting (or even buying a campervan). Deciding on this early on will help you map out a route around the country, taking you through most of the sites listed below.
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Australia is special in the fact that it contains numerous lakes that, in certain conditions, actually appear pink. The pictures are so spectacular you won’t even believe that they aren’t edited. Lake Bumbunga is one such lake that you need to see to believe.
Even then, you still might not believe your eyes! Depending on the amount of salt and kinds of bacteria present at any given time, the lake can range in color. Located in the Clare Valley, this lake finds itself in the heart of one of this region’s best wine areas and is a fun stop to any Australia roadtrip. Drive up to check out the lake, then enjoy a relaxing day checking out all of the delicious food and drink.
Tin Can Bay
This little sea town located in Queensland is an amazing spot for a weekend vacation. Not only does it boast the beautiful beaches, boats, events, and immersive attractions you would expect to find, but it also is home to some very unique experiences.
Primarily, the feature that draws people to this coastal town is the humpback dolphins. You can easily book guides to take you wading out into the water to hand feed the dolphins when they enter into the bay. The food here is so fresh and delicious, the town even hosts its own seafood festival annually. This spot is absolutely one to check out when looking for a chill, laid-back time!
Murphy’s Haystacks
Everyone has heard of Uluru (Ayer’s Rock) when thinking about the best tourist sites in Australia. However, getting to the very center of Australia can be difficult and time-consuming. Luckily, Australia has so many different rock formations that are bizarre and incredible to check out.
Murphy’s Haystacks are a low-key rock formation that will only cost you $2 to check out as it is located on farmland. Their inimitable shape, in addition to their pink-ish color makes the rock formations an extremely interesting site to check out. Look up Australia rock formations near me wherever you are in Australia and you’ll be sure to find some amazing spots.
Montague Island
Located off the cost of New South Wales, this large island is one of my favorite places in all of Australia. Aside from the historic lighthouse, the environment is nearly untouched by man allowing for a completely immersive experience into the nature of the island.
The lighthouse can be climbed and toured by visitors, providing an astonishing view at the top. The main reason I love this place so much, however, is the wildlife. The island is home to seals, whales, and little penguins. You can book snorkeling and diving trips through the island to swim with the seals. This is such an original experience that can’t be had at many places in Australia or even the world.
Maitland Bay Beach
If you’re looking for a chill beach near Sydney to get a break from the usual busy spots like Bondi, then this is the place for you. Located in New South Wales, this beach is named after the ship that crashed on shore in the late 1800’s.
The remains of the ship can even be seen when the tide recedes far enough which is an astounding sight for anyone of all ages. Be prepared though, if you plan on going to this beach it will require a little bit of bushwalking to get there. Maitland Bay Beach is absolutely worth the hike!
This sinkhole located in South Australia was converted into a garden and is certainly a sight to see. While you’re checking out the beautiful terraced gardens, you’ll run into lots of fountains, sculptures, and even animals feeding on the vegetation. This is the perfect spot to get that picture that will make all of your friends jealous. It’s also a terrific location to bring down some food for a little picnic! Open sunrise to sunset, this sunken garden is certainly an interesting and unique scene to check out in Australia.
Figure Eight Pools
The Figure Eight Pools located near Sydney is one of the most picture-worthy places in Australia. The perfectly shaped pools are amazing for hanging with a group of friends and getting some unbelievable pictures. However, be sure to plan your trip with plenty of research in advance.
The pools are only visible when the tide reveals them and the walk to the pools is long and steep. You can pay for a guided tour to take you down there to ensure your safety. However, if you can make it out to these pools be sure to get some pictures and post them everywhere because nobody will believe that they’re real.
So there you have it! Hopefully, this quick article has given you ideas on interesting places of things to see while in Australia apart from the usual itinerary staples.
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