Australia, a land of boundless beauty and extraordinary diversity, beckons travellers from across the globe to embark on a journey like no other. With its pristine beaches, awe-inspiring natural wonders, vibrant cities, and rich cultural heritage, this sun-kissed continent offers an array of holiday experiences that promise to leave an indelible mark on every adventurer’s heart.
But where are the best places to go?
Recently, the team at Australian Traveller undertook the mammoth task of coming up with the 100 best holiday experiences in Australia. This didn’t just involve them picking their favourites but rather enlisting the opinions of 20 of the most well-travelled and informed travel experts in the country. They included Catriona Rowntree, who has been a travel reporter for the Channel Nine TV show Getaway for almost 20 years, the ex-AFL star Peter ‘Spida’ Everitt, who is the host of The Great Australian Doorstep and Daniel Scott, a pre-eminent travel writer who has previously been recognised as the ‘Travel Writer of the Year’.
From the sunsets that paint the skies in a kaleidoscope of colours over the iconic Sydney Opera House to the ancient mystique of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, where millennia-old rock formations tell tales of the land’s profound indigenous history, over 1200 experiences were considered. But after many, many hours of judgement and deliberation, they came up with a definitive list of the top 100.
In this article, In case you missed it, we’ll give you a brief rundown of the list. So whether you’re planning your first visit to Australia from overseas or considering exploring your own backyard in more detail, we hope it provides you with a source of inspiration.
100 Best Australian Travel Experiences
Here are the 100 best Australian travel experiences as determined by Australian Traveller.
1. Take a scenic cruise along the beautiful Kimberley Coast in WA
2. Go on a road tripping adventure along the east coast of Tasmania
3. Complete ‘The Big Lap’ of Australia
4. Visit Kakadu National Park in WA
5. Enjoy a stay at the wonderful Saffire Freycinet in Tasmania
6. Treat yourself to a gourmet foodie break in the Margaret River region of WA
7. Rest and relax on a serene break at Lord Howe Island in NSW
8. Drive the legendary Great Ocean Road road in VIC
9. Spend a weekend in the Barossa Valley in SA, enjoying wine and gourmet food
10. Enjoy a magical and romantic stay at the Qualia resort in Queensland
11. Take a trip to the exotic Lizard Island in Queensland
12. Swim in the ‘Other Reef’ that resides at Ningaloo in WA
13. Tackle the Freycinet Walking Experience in Tasmania
14. Scuda Dive or Snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland
15. Embark on an adventure to Cape York on the tip of Queensland
16. Go on the Bay of Fires Walk in Tasmania
17. Cross Queensland, Northern Territories and Western Australia along the Savannah Way
18. Experience a Northern Territories wet season
19. Explore the magic of the Rowley Shoals Marine Park in WA
20. Immerse yourself in Melbourne’s foodie scene for a weekend dining in Victoria
21. Chill out on a relaxing beach break at Byron Bay in NSW
22. Embark on the challenging Overland Track Hike in Tasmania
23. Go on a road trip to the beaches of the South West region of WA
24. Enjoy the wonderful gastronomic treats of the Adelaide Hills on a foodie break in SA
25. Visit the stunning Maria Island in Tasmania
26. Experience life as a castaway at the beautiful Bedarra Island in Queensland.
27. Take a pilgrimage to the Red Centre in Northern Territories
28. Spend a weekend enjoying the delights of Hobart in Tasmania
29. Go on a road tripping adventure along the Great Alpine Road in Victoria
30. Explore the best foodie spots along the Fleurieu Peninsula in SA
31. Enjoy seal and dolphin watching opportunities at Kangaroo Island in SA
32. Attempt The Great Ocean Walk in Victoria
33. Go camping and 4WD on Fraser Island in Queensland
34. Walk barefoot along the shoreline of Kangaroo Island in SA
35. Spot and swim with Minke whales in the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland
36. Enjoy a weekend getaway at a hatted restaurant venue
37. Indulge in the gourmet delights of the Clare Valley in SA
38. Take in the wonder of the Wilpena Pound in SA
39. Book into the magnificent Longitude 131 in NT
40. Visit your nearest National Park on a weekend trip
41. Lose yourself in the captivating wonder of the ancient Tarkine forest in Tasmania
42. Book into the charming Berkeley River Lodge in WA
43. Enjoy the summer vibe at Lorne in Victoria
44. Partake in the quintessential Australian camping experience
45. Experience the magic of winter in Broome in WA
46. Traverse the legendary Gibb River Road in WA
47. Enjoy the festivities and fireworks of New Year’s Eve at Sydney Harbour in NSW
48. Explore Arnhem Land on a safari in NT
49. Take a safari tour around Cobourg in NT
50. Discover the mystique and beauty of Indigenous rock art in Australia
51. Visit the vibrant Tiwi Islands in NT
52. Feel like a celebrity on an upscale holiday at Noosa Beach in Queensland
53. Embark on the iconic Pacific Coast road trip from Sydney to Brisbane
54. Immerse yourself in the tropical vibes of Far North Queensland at Cairns, Palm Cove and Port Douglas.
55. Explore the fabulous Cocos (Keeling) Islands – 2750 km north of WA
56. Take a cruise from Cairns to Darwin into Arnhem Land in NT
57. Traverse the spectacular Larapinta Trail in Northern Territories
58. Enjoy a relaxing and deluxe weekend at a spa retreat at Daylesford in Victoria
59. Go on a guided trek with an esteemed indigenous elder in WA
60. Attempt the legendary Cape to Cape track in WA
61. Explore the Coral Coast between Perth and Exmouth on a road trip
62. Spend the night camping (old school) at Kooljaman in WA
63. Relax on a beach getaway on the Sapphire Coast in NSW
64. Visit Wilson’s Prom in Victoria to stake a claim
65. Immerse yourself in the beauty and majesty of the Yarra Valley in Victoria
66. Traverse the iconic Central Arnhem Highway in NT
67. Follow the trail of the Dreamtime sea serpent on a road trip from Exmouth to Broome
68. Enjoy a wine and cellar door tour of the Tamar Valley in Tasmania
69. Treat yourself to a spa and surf safari at a tranquil coastal retreat
70. Visit the extraordinary Mungo National Park in NSW
71. Enjoy a stay at the El Questro Homestead in WA
72. Cruise around the Whitsunday Islands on a yacht in Queensland
73. Traverse the scenic Great Northern Crossing in WA
74. Splash around with dolphins and sea lions at the Eyre Peninsula in SA
75. Visit the beautiful and remote town of Strahan in Tasmania
76. Enjoy one of Adelaide’s fabulous festivals in SA
77. Experience a Tasmanian Seafood Seduction tour around Bruny Island in Tasmania
78. Tackle the Thorsborne Trail around Hinchinbrook Island in Queensland
79. Road trip along the epic Flinders Way in SA
80. Go on a foodie tour around the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria
81. Visit the beautiful hinterlands of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland
82. Immerse yourself in the wonders and historic natural beauty of Litchfield National Park in NT
83. Go to the races in the outback at Birdsville in Queensland
84. Enjoy a deluxe stay at a Blue Mountains retreat in NSW
85. Splash around with Manta Rays off Lady Elliot Island in Queensland
86. Relax on a beachcation on The Shoalhaven Coast in NSW
87. Check out the scenic and wildlife delights of Rottnest Island in WA
88. Tour around The Grampians region of Victoria
89. Float along on a houseboat on one of Australia’s magnificent rivers
90. Watch a match at the Australian Open Tennis Tournament in Melbourne, Victoria
91. Embark on an iconic road trip to the Top End of NT from the Red Centre
92. Watch or learn how to do an Indigenous dance in Queensland
93. Enjoy a relaxing weekend at Leura in NSW
94. Stay at a luxury lodge near the Scenic Rim in Queensland
95. Experience indigenous culture at Garma in NT
96. Enjoy a glorious coastal break by the beach in the Eyre Peninsula in SA
97. Visit magical Hayman Island in the Whitsunday Islands of Queensland
98. Face your fears on an epic Great White Shark expedition in SA
99. Enjoy a beach vacation on the Mid-North Coast in NSW
100. Observe the wonder of the spectacular Bamurru Plains in NT
So there you have it, the list of 100 best travel experiences in Australia. Hopefully, this list has inspired you to create your own bucketlist of ‘must-do’ travel experiences in the Great Southern Land.