Australia Highlights
Opera House, Great Barrier Reef and the red heart of the outback
Australia is a continent-sized adventure — from the iconic Opera House and Harbour Bridge of Sydney to the world's largest coral reef system, the rust-red monolith of Uluru, and the cosmopolitan café culture of Melbourne.
Top Australia Highlights to Visit
Handpicked destinations for the ultimate australia highlights experience
Great Barrier Reef
The world's largest coral reef system — a UNESCO wonder
The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system — a UNESCO World Heritage Site stretching 2,300km along the Queensland coast. It is home to 1,500 species of fish, 4,000 types of mollusc, 240 species of birds, and 30 species of whales and dolphins. Snorkelling and diving here is one of the world's great natural experiences — the colours, the diversity of life, and the sheer scale of the reef are overwhelming.
Highlights
- 2,300km of coral reef — the world's largest living structure
- Snorkelling and diving with 1,500 species of fish
- The Whitsunday Islands — 74 tropical islands within the reef
- Whitehaven Beach — one of the world's finest
- Helicopter flights over the Heart Reef
Things to Do
- Snorkel or dive from Cairns or Port Douglas
- Sail the Whitsundays
- Visit Whitehaven Beach
- Take a scenic helicopter flight
- Stay on a reef pontoon overnight
Practical Info
Best Time to Visit
June–October (dry season, best visibility)
Recommended Duration
3–7 days
Typical Cost
Day trips from Cairns from A$200; liveaboard diving from A$500
Travel Tips
- ·Fly to Cairns or the Whitsundays (Hamilton Island)
- ·Book reef tours in advance in peak season
- ·Apply reef-safe sunscreen only
- ·The outer reef has better visibility than the inner reef
Nearby Attractions
Uluru (Ayers Rock)
The sacred red heart of Australia
Uluru is the most iconic natural landmark in Australia — a massive sandstone monolith rising 348m from the flat red desert of the Northern Territory. Sacred to the Anangu Aboriginal people, Uluru is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world's great natural wonders. The rock changes colour dramatically at sunrise and sunset, from deep ochre to blazing orange and purple. The surrounding Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park also contains the extraordinary domed rock formations of Kata Tjuta (the Olgas).
Highlights
- Uluru at sunrise and sunset — the colour changes are extraordinary
- Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) — equally spectacular domed formations
- Anangu cultural tours — understanding the sacred significance
- The base walk — 10.6km around the full circumference
- The Field of Light art installation (seasonal)
Things to Do
- Watch sunrise and sunset from the viewing areas
- Walk the 10.6km base circuit
- Take an Anangu cultural tour
- Explore Kata Tjuta's Valley of the Winds
- Dine under the stars at Sounds of Silence dinner
Practical Info
Best Time to Visit
May–September (cooler temperatures)
Recommended Duration
2–3 days
Typical Cost
Park entry A$38 for 3 days; accommodation from A$200/night at Ayers Rock Resort
Travel Tips
- ·Fly to Ayers Rock Airport (Connellan) from Sydney, Melbourne, or Alice Springs
- ·Book accommodation at Ayers Rock Resort well in advance
- ·Climbing Uluru is now permanently closed out of respect for the Anangu people
- ·Summer temperatures exceed 45°C — visit May to September
Nearby Attractions
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