Australia is a place of Aboriginal culture, impressive rainforests and tropical beaches. It’s a country with incredibly diverse wildlife and fauna, and also the ideal destination for Christmas when you’ve grown tired of cold holidays.
But with all these remarkable things about Australia, the most visited spots include the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Melbourne. Indeed, for a foreigner, these locations are unique, but Australia’s tourist attractions are more than these spots. The country has a few World Heritage Sites that are truly one of a kind, and visiting them is a one-in-a-lifetime experience.
As a heads-up, you must always be prepared for the weather conditions to change. The north is hot and humid, while the country’s centre tends to be dry and hot, so if you’re doing a car trip along the country, know what clothes to wear to feel comfortable.
So, if you’re eager to explore Australia’s gems, here are the perfect spots to see.
Uluru, the sacred place of Aboriginal people
Uluru is a famous sandstone formation that abounds with waterholes, caves and paintings, which made it a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Australia’s landmark is believed to have been home to people more than 10,000 years ago.
The spot is significant to locals, so climbing is prohibited even for tourists. At the same time, taking photographs is also banned in certain spots of the formation due to traditional beliefs and importance. If you’re travelling to Uluru, you might be a lucky visitor and see one of the rarest phenomena there: cascades that go on the sides of the formation due to heavy rain.
You’ll learn about one of the most impressive myths, legends and traditions of the Aṉangu, the landowners of the place, and discover plenty of mammal species and plants in the Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park.
Since the place is a great tourist spot, you can fly from Sydney on a direct flight, so you could leave your car in the Sydney airport parking lot safely and then return after one day spent at the location.
Sapphire Coast, the place with the most pristine beaches
If you’re looking for a place with few tourists and many empty beaches, we assure you that the Sapphire Coast is the ideal spot. Indeed, reaching the place is not easy, considering you drive 500 km from Sydney or fly from Merimbula airport.
However, as soon as you get there, you’ll realise all the effort was worth it because the Coast has numerous sports of unspoiled nature where you’ll see about one or two people walking around the beaches. You’ll explore the crimson cliffs that stand tall against the waves while watching the beautiful landscape.
The Coast’s restaurants are famous for delicious diaries, but the seafood cooking here is extraordinary. Hence, after walking around the shore, you can reward yourself with a tasty meal
next to one of the most beautiful places on earth.
If you consider driving from Sydney to the Sapphire Coast, make sure to book a parking lot
on Parkos regardless of your next stop because this way, you’re not losing time looking for reliable and safe parking.
Kakadu National Park, Australia’s most extensive park
Another remarkable certified UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Kakadu National Park, is the most significant and impressive park in the country. However, part of the park also covers a locality, so you might bump into the citizens as you travel.
The park is close to Darwin, the capital of the Northern Territory and is owned by Aboriginal people. The place is diverse in flora and fauna, including an Aboriginal type of rock. However, when it comes to wildlife, it seems like invasive species have been brought into the area to populate the park, such as the domestic Asian water buffalo or feral cats and red foxes.
The area abounds of Aboriginal rock art sites dating over 20,000 years old. The painting often depicts people hunting, playing, learning and participating in ceremonies. So, you’ll have a lot to learn from this magical spot.
Whitsunday Islands, a popular yachting destination
If you miss summer and its pleasant weather, you definitely should go to the Whitsunday islands because 74 of them are recorded to be great holiday spots. Moreover, they’re famous locations for yachting if you’re interested in this sport.
The Whitsunday Islands are similar to the Maldives in regard to their beauty, so be prepared to see some of the bluest waters and warmest weather. There are also many things to do there, such as tour on the helicopter above the Heart Reef or simply snorkelling around it. Another impressive location is Whitehaven Beach, one of the largest islands and displays a fantastic colour fusion of white, green and blue.
But what’s most exciting here is snorkelling and diving in the Great Barrier Reef, which can also be seen from space since it’s so enormous. You’ll get to see the eight marine fish, like the beautiful clownfish, giant clams and the Maori Wrasse, which are the most common species.
If you’re interested in Indigenous culture, make sure to go to the Airlie Beach and participate in the Ngaro Indigenous Cultural Tour, where you’ll be guided towards the ancient people of the sea and how they hunted to sustain their lives. Within the tour, you’ll usually see two islands displaying caves and aboriginal rock formations. If you’re lucky, you could experience a walk around the rainforest and explore the flora and fauna. The duration of this tour usually takes about eight hours, with lunch and snacks included, so be prepared for this long trip with a lot of enthusiasm and energy!
What do you think about Australia’s hidden gems?
Although they’re pretty visited themselves, these spots are not as famous as the Sydney Opera House, for instance. However, they’re inviting everyone who loves adventure, exploration and learning about Aboriginal people and customs. This is also what makes them unique because their lack of many tourists is preserving nature beautifully.
