Which Australian Destination is best for you?

Australia is a favourite travel destination for many, which shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. After all, it’s got a warm climate, the world’s most vibrant and expansive coral reef, and a vast array of out-of-this-world landscapes. Once you have your heart set on a trip down under, though, it can be difficult to decide where you are going to spend your time. 

This country is chalked full of buzzing cities and friendly coastal towns just waiting to host you. The good news is, all of these popular tourist destinations, and a few wild cards, have a very niche appeal that will suit certain travellers more than others. Here, we have outlined everything you need to know about Australia’s best destinations, so you can rest easy. By the end of this article, you’ll know you’ve made the right vacation choice for you. 

Byron Bay 

Travellers LOVE Byron Bay, and for good reason. It’s trendy, bohemian and young at heart, serving up a side of mega surf vibes. When you’re not catching waves, you can wander local markets and art boutiques, have brunch at one of the many vegan-friendly cafes, or stop for an afternoon gelato. You can also visit the iconic Cape Byron Lighthouse. 

Melbourne

Looking for a hipster-friendly Australian city? Consider Melbourne. The coffee here is known for being some of the best in the world so be sure to start your days with a cup (or two) of joe. From there, you can enjoy vibrant street art, an ever-rotating selection of live musical performances, or one of over one hundred art galleries. Melbourne is certainly the trendiest and most art-centred city.  

Sydney 

If you want a big city, metropolitan feel, choose Sydney. This is where you’re going to find the most hustle and bustle, never-ending nightlife options and high-end shopping around every corner. You can go to a performance at the opera house, wander the harbour, visit top museums, and wine and dine yourself at all the local hotspots. Of course, Sydney is also home to the ever-popular Bondi Beach.

Perth

In Perth, you’ll find pretty much everything you’d expect from an Australian city. In juxtaposition to its shopping, nightlife, phenomenal restaurants and urban parks, you’ll also have access to pristine beaches, for swimming, surfing and lounging in the sand. We also recommend taking a walk beside the Swan River or booking a dinner cruise. 

Yamba

Yamba is the cutest seaside town you have ever seen on the NSW north coast. This small town is crowd-free and the perfect backdrop to laid-back summer vacation. It’s also an undeniable choice for young couples. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants, stunning natural pools for floating in at the beach, tons of indie boutiques for an afternoon shopping spree and local markets in the morning. We highly recommend a seaside picnic at the lighthouse, where you can soak up some alone time with your lover.  

Port Douglas

Port Douglas is a sweet little coastal town that serves up some lovely Palm Springs vibes. You can lounge on powdered beaches, go fishing, sailing or hiking, and enjoy a little bit of luxury at the same time. Rex Smeal Park is an absolute must, with a quiet and quaint palm-lined waterfront. You can also end the day with some Aussie craft beer at Hemingway’s Brewery. Most of the accommodations here are luxury boutique hotels, which helps enhance the slow, sustainable vibes Port Douglas exudes. 

Cairns

Cairns is the place to go if you’re looking for an all-natural Australian experience. You’ll find plenty of crystal-clear swimming pools, waterfalls, jungles and beaches. Go for a dip, a river cruise, a pontoon-boat ride, stand up paddleboard through the Daintree rainforest or snorkel the barrier reef. We also recommend looking into a Mossman Gorge Dreamtime Walk, where you can enjoy a leisurely jungle hike as you learn about indigenous heritage and culture. In contrast, there’s certainly no shortage of activities to fuel the adrenaline-junkies itinerary such as bungee-jumping, zip-lining, white water rafting and a walk through the rainforest sky rail that’s not for the weak of heart.   

Port Stephens

Port Stephens is known for being both a great alternative to Sydney and a top destination for families travelling with school-aged kids. There’s simply SO MUCH to do, especially if you’re into the spirit of adventure. You can swim with sharks and rays at the Irukandji centre, swim with wild dolphins, go whale watching, ride horses on the beach, ride camels through the desert, go sandboarding down the Stockton Sand Dunes and go on several hikes. If you’re looking to take it a little bit slower, you can go for a stroll through the Tilligerry Habitat, which is a quaint boardwalk and nursery where you can spot wild koalas, visit the natural champagne spa in Boat Harbour or peruse local markets. The cafés and restaurants here are amazing, and you’ll find plenty to do on cloudy days as well. 

Brisbane

If you prefer to travel to a more built-up city centre, Brisbane is a great choice. Outdoor dining is the name of the game when it comes to the Brisbane lifestyle, from cute cafes to five-star restaurants. It’s a great city for combining a slew of attractions and things to do with an easy pace of living. You’ll love strolling across the waterfront boardwalks, kayaking the river, lounging in parks and watching outdoor theatre performances. If you want to add an infusion of beach-bound paradise to your Brisbane vacation, you can easily tack on a couple of days on the surrounding islands, chalked full of unspoilt beaches, ancient shipwrecks and diverse marine life. 

Broome

Broome is a beautiful, natural destination that boasts a blend of nostalgic beach-town attractions and luxurious hotels. Broome used to be the largest pearling port around the globe, so you should expect to do some pearl-centric tourism while you are there- anything from visiting pearl farms and museums or purchasing wearable art from an independent jeweller. This is also a great choice for families, with opportunities to watch crab races, catch a flick at the oldest outdoor movie theatre in the world, visit dinosaur footprints as part of the dinosaur coast and do some extraordinary rock pooling at Riddell Beach. 

Esperance 

In Esperance, the beaches are the main attraction. You can visit any of the public coastline parks for sheltered coves and incredible spots for whale watching (yes, even from land), most notably Cape Le Grand National Park which is absolutely stunning. We also recommend a trip to Lucky Bay, where a population of kangaroos have made the beach home. Just remember to be respectful of local wildlife and be mindful of kangaroos somewhat aggressive nature. While you will find some nice cafes, restaurants and boutiques, there’s not A LOT to do in town- but this is part of the appeal. Esperance is the perfect place to slow down and live the laid-back, beachy lifestyle Australia is so coveted for. Just outside of town, you can also make the trek to one of Australia’s Famous pink lakes, Lake Hillier. Though this is not the most vivid of the pink-hued bodies of water, it’s certainly still worth the trip. 

Exmouth 

Exmouth is an excellent destination for ocean-lovers, located right on the Ningaloo reef. There are so many places to go snorkelling and diving, and you can expect encounters and tours to see turtles, dolphins, whale sharks, manta rays, shipwrecks and of course, thousands of fish. When you’re ready to dry off and take on some land activities, you can enjoy a hike through Charles Knife Canyon or Cape Range National Park, and camp out under the stars at night. 

Adelaide

Adelaide is a vibrant city centre in the South of Australia. Dubbed the “city of churches”, Adelaide is full of historical architecture making it a fabulous stomping ground for fans of heritage walking tours. This city has a little bit of something for everyone. Besides the arts and shopping scene, you can also go hiking and swimming through conservation areas, botanical gardens, city parks, natural springs and gorges, or kick back and relax at one of the many surrounding vineyards. Literature-lovers will rejoice in a visit to the State Library of South Australia, which has been affectionately named one of the most beautiful libraries in the world. And of course, in Australia, you’re never too far from a beach. Though Adelaide does have a few to choose from, we recommend a visit to Port Willunga, where you can picnic, read or lounge in little sea caves. 

Coober Pedy 

If you want a quirky, once-in-a-lifetime experience, consider visiting the town of Coober Pedy. It’s known for extraordinary lunar-like landscapes, and the local houses are actually dug out of the rocks to help keep temperatures down. The best part of this vacation spot? It’s a hotspot for opals. Just a simple walk down the side of the road could have you heading home with a pocketful of treasure-and what a great story you’ll have to tell about them!