If you could magically design the perfect place for travel and adventure, it would be hard to imagine anything better than what already exists in the world: Australia.
This continent and country offers breathtaking natural landscapes, animals found nowhere else on Earth, and urban centers that rival the best cities in Europe, North America, and Asia when it comes to livability rankings.
Let's be honest: for most of us, it isn't exactly a close destination. But it is absolutely worth the long flight.
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So once you finally arrive, you'll want to make the most of your vacation. In no particular order, here are the best places to visit in Australia. Some of these spots link to earlier articles, in case you want to dig into the details.
Sydney
Australia's largest city, Sydney, is considered one of the world's greatest metropolises for good reason.
The capital of New South Wales is home to the photogenic Sydney Harbour (the largest natural harbour in the world), the one-of-a-kind Sydney Opera House, a lively entertainment scene, and some of the finest restaurants anywhere.
And then there are the beaches. Bondi may be the most famous, but it's only the start of the sun and surf available just a short trip from the city.
Melbourne
Melbourne, Australia's second-largest city, is packed with first-rate attractions.
From cultural and architectural landmarks to stunning outdoor spots, Melbourne gives Sydney a serious run for its money when it comes to travel.
From world-class museums like the National Gallery of Victoria to impressive nearby getaways like Port Campbell National Park, Melbourne has plenty to offer.
Perth
The capital of the vast state of Western Australia may sit far from most other Australian destinations, but Perth's remote location only makes its appeal stronger.
It feels like the people of Perth have long known their city was a hidden gem for travel, and now it has come into its own.
Its idyllic setting on the Indian Ocean and the weather (sunny, dry, and warm for most of the year) certainly don't hurt either.
Brisbane
The capital of Queensland, sunny Brisbane has a beach right on the doorstep of its central business district.
It sits in South Bank, a bustling entertainment and cultural district that, as the name suggests, lies on the south bank of the Brisbane River. This is where the city comes to relax and have fun.
It's also the gateway city to the popular beaches of the Gold Coast and other natural attractions.
Cairns
You truly step into the tropics when you reach Cairns (in Australia, the further north you go, the warmer it tends to get).
Set on the Pacific Ocean, Cairns is the launch point for the Great Barrier Reef and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest, among other natural wonders.
A city of around 150,000 people, it boasts a growing cafe scene, a swimming lagoon, and a laid-back vibe.
The Great Barrier Reef
The only living thing on Earth visible from space, the Great Barrier Reef was born 25 million years ago.
The world's largest reef system stretches 3,000 kilometers along the Queensland coast and is home to 400 species of coral and 1,500 species of tropical fish.
Besides diving and snorkeling, you can also go fishing and island-hopping here.
Uluru
Uluru, an intriguing sandstone monolith, is a sacred site for the Indigenous Anangu people.
It lies 450 kilometers southwest of Alice Springs in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Although it is now closed to climbers, it remains a striking place to visit, with plenty of other activities available in the park.
Avid Australian traveler and retiree Heather White puts it this way: "It's like climbing the Vatican or Westminster Abbey. It's a genuinely beautiful and spiritual place: you don't need to climb it to feel that."
The Blue Mountains
The Blue Mountains are about a two-hour drive west of Sydney by car. They shelter some of the oldest plant species in the world, including the Wollemi pine, the botanical equivalent of a dinosaur.
Towering forests, canyons, sandstone cliffs, and waterfalls are just some of the highlights for nature lovers, and the hiking here is simply spectacular.
Eucalyptus oil from the gum trees gives the views in the Blue Mountains their signature haze.
Rottnest Island
Family-friendly Rottnest Island, affectionately called "Rotto" by locals, is a 25-minute ferry ride from the port city of Fremantle in Western Australia, or 90 minutes from Barrack Street Jetty in Perth.
Why go? For one, it's a car-free place. Instead, you get around by bike, and more than 60 beaches await as you pedal through paradise.
You can also go snorkeling, diving, whale watching, and hiking here.
Noosa
The beaches in Noosa, in a word: gorgeous. This town in southern Queensland is well worth a visit.
It may not have the international fame of other Australian resorts, but Noosa absolutely deserves your attention.
Set in southern Queensland, this peaceful town of around 52,000 people is surrounded by beaches, a river, and national parks. You can come here for golf and other sports, or simply relax on its beaches.
Noosa National Park draws visitors with a small but active koala population and more stunning beaches than you can cover in a day.
The Atherton Tablelands
Waterfalls and geological wonders like crater lakes and volcanic pipes make the Atherton Tablelands a fantastic playground in northern Queensland.
This fertile plateau also offers cave exploration, birdwatching, and kayaking.
Can't tear yourself away from all that nature? Spend a night at The Canopy Treehouses for a one-of-a-kind stay.
Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island is a beautiful, unspoiled getaway located off the coast of Adelaide in South Australia.
It's a sanctuary for many of Australia's beloved and endangered animals, including sea lions, koalas, cockatoos, and the short-beaked echidna, a small, stocky creature covered in short spines. Like the platypus, it's a mammal that lays eggs.
And in case you're worried you'll have to rough it out there, the island has an artisanal food and wine scene that keeps drawing more and more attention.
