With rainforests, deserts and beaches, Australia is a natural wonderland. Discover our most wonderful places and experience their awe-inspiring beauty first-hand.
The Blue Mountains, two hours west of Sydney, paints a stunning picture with its blue haze tinted by eucalyptus oils. Hike rainforest trails and look for sleepy koalas in the trees.
The Blue Mountains
With soaring cliffs, cascading waterfalls and eucalyptus forests blanketing the mountainsides, the Blue Mountains are one of Australia’s most famous natural wonders. Located just an hour’s drive from Sydney, this World Heritage-listed national park is a mesmerising blend of pristine wilderness and fascinating natural beauty. Wander the bushwalking trails amidst this dramatic landscape of sandstone cliffs and gorges or take in the breathtaking views from high lookouts. You can even try abseiling or get to know more about the area’s history on a guided tour.
The Blue Mountains’ name comes from the distinctive blue haze that hovers over the mountains. This is caused by the eucalyptus trees which release oil into the air that mixes with dust particles and water vapour. When this mix is hit by short wavelength rays of light, the mountains are given their distinctive blue color.
Aside from its natural beauty, the Blue Mountains is also home to Aboriginal culture. The local Dharug, Dankingjung and Wiradjuri tribes are the traditional owners of the region. Their rich ancestral traditions are celebrated at cultural centers, museums and galleries. Other highlights include the soaring cliffs and canyons that have inspired artists from across the country to come to the region.
You can easily spend a day or a few days exploring the Blue Mountains, which are bordered by pretty mountain towns with arts and crafts galleries. However, if you really want to experience the magic of this amazing place, book a trip during the autumn (March to May) or spring (September to November). This is when the foliage is at its best and you can visit the region’s many waterfalls.
With its mesmerising natural beauty, the Blue Mountains is a dream destination for anyone visiting Australia. But what makes the region even more special is its geology and history. The mountains have been uplifted, eroded, faulted and intruded over the course of billions of years. This has resulted in an impressive landscape with a range of rock formations that have earned the area its World Heritage listing.
Fraser Island
Known as K’gari to its Traditional Owners, the Butchulla people of Fraser Island (Australia) this pristine UNESCO World Heritage-listed wonderland oozes natural beauty at every turn. It’s hard to believe that a place of shifting sand dunes, crystalline freshwater lakes and lush rainforest could be this peaceful and awe-inspiring.
Before it was the playground of 4WD’s and campers, K’gari was home to the thriving Butchulla tribe. The area was also the first site of a European settlement on Australia’s east coast and has since become a popular tourist destination. Today’s visitors can still explore the history of Fraser Island with a stop at Central Station which was once a forestry camp, mission and quarantine station.
For a true taste of the island’s nature, you can visit Lake McKenzie and witness the beautiful meeting of sand dunes and clear green waters. It’s the only lake in the world that is a pure sand barrage lake and it can even change colour during different times of the day. Other beautiful sand lakes include Lake Wabby, Lake Boomanjin and the hidden gem of Lake Allom.
The most impressive feature of Fraser Island is that its sand can support a sub-tropical rainforest – which is rare for such a sandy landscape. This is due to the presence of a mycorrhizal fungus that provides trees with the nutrients they need to grow.
Fraser Island offers a multitude of activities for travellers of all tastes and interests. Adrenaline junkies can race down 75 Mile Beach on a 4WD, while those looking for something a little more tranquil can plunge into the calming waters of Lake McKenzie which is said to have eucalyptus oil healing powers. For those wanting to learn more about the native wildlife that abounds on this sandy paradise, why not book in a Butchulla bush-tucker tour?
The Twelve Apostles
Located on the coast of Port Campbell National Park along the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, these limestone rock pillars rise up from the wild Southern Ocean and are one of the iconic sights along Australia’s most famous scenic drive. The rock pillars are the result of erosion over millennia by the relentless pounding of waves and wind. Erosion carved through the limestone cliffs forming caves and arches which then collapsed into sea stacks. Although the cliffs have now receded, their offshore sea stacks are still being battered by the ocean and continue to erode at a rate of 2 centimeters per year. There are now only eight Apostles remaining, but their presence is still a breath-taking sight.
The rock pillars have become icons of the Great Ocean Road and are visited by millions each year. Their beauty has inspired many Australian artists and they are also home to a wide variety of marine life including fur seals, weedy sea dragons, abalone, reef fish, lobsters, and the odd little penguin.
These magnificent limestone stacks are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as The Shipwreck Coast and are best viewed from the air by helicopter or from a scenic boat cruise. The best time to visit the Twelve Apostles is in the shoulder season of spring and autumn when temperatures are milder, crowds are smaller and it’s possible to enjoy each spot without having to jostle for a position at each lookout.
The most magical time to see the Apostles is when the sun starts to set. The soft rays of the sun play with the rocks and give them an aura of orange and purple.
Ningaloo Reef
The Ningaloo Reef is one of the only coral reefs in the world that’s formed on the western side of Australia, and it is a must-see for snorkelling, diving and swimming enthusiasts. But it’s not just the dazzling underwater life that makes Ningaloo Reef such a remarkable place; this region also has a rich natural history and is home to some amazing wildlife.
The warm waters of Ningaloo Reef are a magnet for marine life. The showpiece, however, is the whale sharks that visit from mid-March to July. Jump from a boat and see the world’s biggest fish drift dazzlingly close to the surface. Other highlights include dolphins, dugongs and manta rays. Ningaloo Reef is also an important nesting ground for loggerhead and green turtles.
Ningaloo Reef is also famous for a unique geological phenomenon, known as the “Bubble Gum Forest”. This occurs when an underlying layer of sediment is forced up to the surface due to natural gas pressure. This produces a bubblegum-like surface that is covered in colourful coral.
Because of the arid climate and low rainfall in the region, coral is able to grow right up to the beach. This is unusual for the reef, which typically grows a long distance away from land, because rain washes silt into the water and hampers growth.
The pristine beaches of Ningaloo Reef are a popular spot for relaxing and enjoying the stunning natural beauty of the area. And, there are luxury accommodation options, gorge hikes and gourmet dining on offer. Ningaloo Reef is located north of Exmouth and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Cape Range National Park. It can be accessed via a flight from Perth to Exmouth or, for the ultimate in Ningaloo Reef experiences, stay at Sal Salis, an eco-luxe safari camp beside the reef and inside the national park, where you can enjoy gorge hikes, guided reef tours and full nature immersion.
Kati-Thanda-Lake Eyre
The vast, ephemeral Lake Eyre is one of Australia’s most fascinating natural phenomena. Usually dry, the massive salt lake transforms during floods and rains to reveal a thriving ecosystem, attracting birdlife, animals and wildflowers en masse. Explore it on foot or, for the ultimate experience, take a scenic flight.
When the lakes fill, the desert landscape is a water wonderland. The soaring summer heat of the outback is replaced with wetlands, birdlife and lush pastures. The ephemeral lakes also attract water birds from across the globe.
It only happens every couple of years, but when it does, it’s something truly special. Floodwaters from the Channel Country move through free-flowing rivers such as the Diamantina and Georgina River systems and Cooper Creek into the illustrious Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre. Thousands of kilometres from any coastline, it takes an incredible amount of rain for the lakes to reach full capacity.
“It’s quite amazing to see – it’s like looking at Mt Everest in your backyard,” says Cairns traveller Zippy Warnecke. “You just don’t expect to see life in the desert, but it’s full of it - birds, flowers, everything.”
A massive heart-shaped basin, the desert rivers of the Lake Eyre Basin are driven by boom and bust cycles. They’re characterised by unpredictable flooding and drying, creating a remarkable, complex ecology across the heart of Australia.
The mighty Lake Eyre is located within the vast Lake Eyre National Park, a remote, rugged outback destination. While you can explore the park on a self-drive tour, we recommend joining a specialised Lake Eyre tour with a local operator to ensure your safety and comfort. Be sure to check out our Lake Eyre driving tips and prepare properly before heading out there.
