Attractions of Australia
What do we know about Australia? Of course, the first associations with this country are numerous kangaroos, jumping on incredible expanses, crocodiles, surfing, the Sydney Opera House, the endless ocean, the heat and the aborigines.
In fact, deciding to visit Australia, we must not forget that this is the only state on our “Blue Planet”, which occupies an entire continent! Of course, the continent is smaller than Eurasia, but still! So try to see all of Australia for the week – at least naive. Only a walk through Sydney will take several days, and the Great Barrier Reef can be explored for months and never cease to be surprised.
First of all, we advise you to decide what interests you more – modern Australian cities or the nature of the Green Continent? In the first case, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane are waiting for you, and in the second – remote corners, islands, reefs, mountains, rivers and lakes.
We remind you that in the Southern Hemisphere the opposite is true and the Australian New Year is a very hot holiday that locals prefer to spend on the beaches. In any case, whenever you come to Australia, we advise you to take a ride along the Great Ocean Road with its “12 apostles”, visit one of the country’s numerous national parks, see the most beautiful bridge of the continent, the Harbor Bridge, as well as visit Fraser Island.
What to see in Australia?
The most interesting and beautiful places and a brief description.
- Great Barrier Reef
The biggest attraction of Australia. Here there is a lesson for everyone. Do you want to watch sharks? You should go to the Great Barrier Reef! Or do you just want to lie on the cleanest beach? Great, there is enough space for everyone! Do you want to rent an expensive hotel room right on the beach? There are such suggestions too! Have you always wanted to master diving? There is no better place to do this. The Great Barrier Reef is surprisingly diverse, attracting both tourists and scientists.
- Sydney Opera House
This is a real calling card of the country. Even those who have never heard anything about Australian sights, must have seen this building against the backdrop of the Gulf of Sydney on postcards and tourist booklets. The building is a sink, a structure that fits perfectly into the landscape, a masterpiece of architectural thought – people call the Sydney Opera House differently.
- The Twelve Apostles
This picturesque group of limestone cliffs is the most frequently visited landmark located on the famous Great Ocean Road in Victoria. Around the Twelve Apostles a tourist center was even built. Travelers on helicopters over the cliffs are popular with travelers. By the way, the “apostles” are not 12, but eight – the ninth cliff collapsed in 2005, unable to withstand the onslaught of the waves.
- Uluru (Ayers Rock)
This is a sacred place for the Australian aborigines, the rock towering above the rest of the area is brick red. Uluru is famous for its ancient rock paintings and caves. Conveniently, the resort town of Yulara and the airport are located nearby, so getting to this amazing attraction is convenient and easy.
- Blue Mountains
These cliffs are not really blue – this effect is given by the gray evaporation from the eucalyptus forests covering them. Part of this area, stretching to the west from the city limits of Sydney, is recognized as a UNESCO object and National Park. Tourists are advised to begin exploring the Blue Mountains from the city of Katoomba, next to which there are waterfalls, caves and other interesting places.
- Harbor Bridge
It is the largest bridge in Sydney and one of the largest arched steel bridges on the planet. Local landmark, the decoration of the urban landscape and a place of attraction for thousands of tourists. Particularly popular are walks along the side arch to the top of the bridge, from where an amazing view of the metropolis opens. To lift you will need the help of an instructor and a special suit with insurance.
- Sydney Tower
The highest building of the city can not fail to attract attention. Sydney Tower has nothing to do with television broadcasts. Here are shops, restaurants and other entertainment facilities. The most acute impressions will be a visit to a retractable viewing platform, which rises above Sydney to a height of 268 meters.
- Kakadu National Park
In fact, this national park was named not by the name of the birds, but in honor of the tribe of the aborigines. Kakadu Park attracts tourists with amazing landscapes and the opportunity to see rare animals, birds and reptiles. Archaeologists are particularly interested in two caves, where they found cave paintings aged about 18 thousand years.
- Great Ocean Road
Visiting Australia and not driving along the most scenic road in the world is a big omission! This is 243 kilometers that stretch along the ocean coast in Victoria. A hiking route is also open along the road. In addition to the Twelve Apostles along the Great Ocean Road, you will meet many interesting things, for example, the Lok-Ard and Grotto Ridge.
- Cape Byron
The easternmost point of the Green Continent, the cape, from where stunning views of the ocean open spaces. Cape Byron, so-called well-known traveler James Cook, is decorated with a snow-white lighthouse, which saved many sailors from shipwreck. The area is very beautiful and therefore attracting many tourists.
- Bondi Beach
This beach is only 10 kilometers from the center of Sydney and annually attracts tens of thousands of people. Here they jog, hold interesting contests and races, they simply sunbathe, swim and surf. A wide strip of white sand and clean ocean waves make Bondi Beach one of the most beautiful on the planet.
- Prison Port Arthur
Few people now remember that in Australia at one time many convicts were exiled. Port Arthur prison, located in Tasmania, was considered one of the most terrible places of detention. The building is perfectly preserved, along with the church and the chapel, so it became a real museum, perfectly demonstrating the conditions in which the convicts lived.
- Queen Victoria House
Today, the British queen does not live in this Gothic building, but the true royal chic is perfectly preserved. The house is located in the business part of Sydney and is a popular, quite modern shopping center. Visit the House of Queen Victoria can be for two reasons – to admire its rich decoration and go shopping.
- St. Paul’s Cathedral in Melbourne
This is the largest Anglican cathedral of Melbourne, a magnificent building, where you can come not only to pray, but also to admire the unique decoration and beautiful architecture. One of the most prominent buildings of the city, famous for its body, which is considered the largest of all built in the XIX century.
- Horizontal waterfalls
A unique natural wonder located in northwestern Australia. Horizontal waterfalls occur only during sufficiently long tidal currents, when powerful water flows pass through narrow settled between picturesque rocks. The spectacle is amazing and fascinating, created by the difference in levels of water flow.
- Stone wave
At least 140 thousand tourists come every year to see this natural wonder. Looking at this rock, it really seems that the wave from the ocean somehow turned out to be in the middle of the land and froze forever. Scientists believe the Stone Wave is a unique rock formation created by nature from granite, just think about it – 60 million years ago!
- Australian Zoo in Queensland
Have you watched animal shows with moderator Stephen Irwin, the famous crocodile hunter? Sure that looked! The Australian Zoo in the city of Queensland is associated with his name, now he is managed by the widow of Irwin. On the territory of the zoo, surprisingly comfortable conditions have been created not only for rare animals, but also for visitors, who have something to be surprised at and enjoy during his visit.
- Tasmania
This is probably the most unusual and picturesque state in Australia, located on the same island, in the very south of our planet. Then only Antarctica and the ocean. Among tourists, Tasmania is known for having a yearly regatta from Sydney to Hobart, the main city of Tasmania, as well as races gathering spectators from around the world. The nature of the island is also unique.
- Sandy Island Fraser
Aboriginal people, several thousand of whom lived on this island before the colonization of Australia, simply called it “Paradise”. And this is not surprising. It is incredibly beautiful here, nature has remained virtually untouched and the island located off the east coast of the continent continues to attract tourists. True, to keep intact the amazing “hanging” freshwater lakes, for which Fraser is famous, failed – too many people want to see such exoticism.
- Penguin Parade on Phillip Island
This is a sight that millions of tourists cannot pass by. In fact, thousands of little penguins, who are marching en masse to the ocean waves and returning at sunset, and every day at almost the same time – what could be more interesting! Usually, special tours are organized on Phillip Island, during which they also offer to visit the penguin show and the Koala Nature Reserve.
