Discover the Best Places to Visit in Australia: A Comprehensive Guide
So, you want to travel? And Australia comes to mind? Believe it or not, the world’s smallest continent has big things to offer when it comes to an incredible holiday experience. Australia is remarkably rich in nature, history, culture, and just way of living. From the breathtaking landscape at Bondi Beach to the tranquil nature at the Royal Botanic Garden, Australia is paradise for those who can’t get enough of the great outdoors. If you prefer soaking in the culture from a less active point of view, you’ll be blown away by Australia’s beaches, harbours, food, music, and coffee scene. Convinced? We hope so. Pack your bags because we’re going on an adventure, mate! Here at Photobook Australia, we’ve prepared this comprehensive guide on the best places to visit in Australia.
Experience the Wonders of Sydney
One of Australia’s most exciting places to be is Sydney — home to a stunning metropolis overlooking the sea, remarkable architecture, and bustling scenes. It’s no wonder why there’s an endless list of Sydney tourist attractions people love. One of the best places to visit in Sydney is the Sydney Opera House, it’s easily one of Australia’s most recognisable landmarks. More than just photographing this shell-like structure, you could also join the Opera House backstage tour to learn about its history, upcoming events, and family-friendly activities.
Next up, the Harbour Bridge. If you want to be starstruck, we know this glorious arching bridge will do the trick. Known as one of the world’s most beautiful bridges, the Harbour Bridge is undoubtedly one of Sydney’s pride and joy. While the bridge is a sight to behold from afar, did you know you could climb this steel piece of architecture too? The view is certainly a spectacular one! Next, a stroll in the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. It’s a peaceful oasis that houses thousands of plant specimens and wildlife. Whilst there, pay a visit to The Calyx — a world-class exhibition of floral and green wall displays. And speaking of admiring nature, how about a little r&r by the sea? Bondi Beach is a local and tourist favourite, it has a glimmering beach strip and waves so majestic you’d probably cry happy tears. A place for surfers love to hang, and everyone else loves to eat, play, swim, walk, and just be themselves.
There’s a ton of places you could stay at when in Sydney. Depending on what type of holiday you’re up for, different hotels would suit your needs. However, budget and location are key considerations when booking hotels. So, in Sydney, to get a well-rounded experience, we’re looking at three types of hotels — luxe to bang for your buck. Either way, we recommend staying in the Sydney Central Business District or Darling Harbour neighbourhood because of location, attraction, and convenience. Top picks include The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, Four Seasons Sydney, Ovolo Woolloomooloo, Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour, The Pod Sydney, QT Sydney, The Langham Sydney, and more.
We can guarantee your phone is going to be filled with stunning photos of gorgeous Sydney. Since trips like these don’t happen often, you should preserve these memories, not just let them stay in your phone. Turn them into a photobook to share with loved ones, posters or canvas for decorating your home office, or even a mug to inspire your next travel adventure.
Get the Full-On Melbourne Experience
Dubbed one of the most liveable cities on earth, Melbourne is home to major global annual sporting and cultural events like the Australian Open (tennis), Mooba (music), and the Melbourne Fringe Festival (art). Some of the best places to visit in Melbourne are the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria (Melbourne Gardens), the National Gallery of Victoria, the Queen Victoria Market, the City Circle Tram and the Eureka Skydeck. Not forgetting to make mention of the best beaches in Melbourne like St Kilda Beach, Brighton Beach, Half Moon Bay, Elwood Beach, and more. These tourist attractions and local favourites will fuel your love for nature, history, culture, and a sense of adventure and fun.
For a city with tons of character, you’ll be spoilt for choice on what to do in Melbourne. “But first — coffee.” You’ll find the world’s best coffee in Melbourne, even beating out many renowned coffee cities like Vienna and Rome. It is said that it’s hard to find a bad cup of coffee in Melbourne. You could also check out the bold and inspiring street art, the city council has designated areas for street artists to showcase their graffiti and other urban art. For an extra good time with friends and family, visit the iconic Federation Square where art and culture take centre stage. To end the day, do a little retail therapy at Chapel Street for some world-class shopping, or go thrifty at Bridge Road at Richmond.
Getting a comfy place for your time in Melbourne is a must. From luxury hotels to cosy spaces, you’d want to find yourself in these top picks: Zagame’s House, The Hotel Windsor, Pan Pacific Melbourne, The Larwill Studio, The Cullen, Grand Hyatt Melbourne, and more. After all, not only is your hotel a place for some shut-eye but think of it as an opportunity to treat yourself to some relaxation. There’s so much to see, taste, and experience in Melbourne, you might as well turn your memories into precious mementoes. You could turn scenic photos into keychains for family and friends or decorate your mirror or wall with artistic Melbournian art shots. Want to reach out to a loved one whilst there, turn your photos into a one-of-a-kind postcard for your heartfelt messages.
Feel the Charms of Slow Life at Perth
Known as one of the most isolated cities on the globe, Perth has a chill and relaxed vibe that seems to have tourists flocking. The city is filled with luscious parks, wildlife, comedy shows, beaches, live music, art galleries, and cultural centres. You can find some of the best beaches in Perth like Leighton Beach, Cottesloe Beach, City Beach, Mettams Pool, and Bathers Beach, to name a few. Perth celebrates the natural raw beauty and welcomes all who seek perfect weather, world-class wineries and more.
If you’re up for something unique, Perth offers many tour options with activities such as stargazing The Pinnacles Desert, touring a jewel cave at Margaret River, and ringing the bell at The Bell Tower. To know a little more about Perth’s history, the Perth Mint where you can see a live gold pour and understand more about the Mint’s golden past. For an afternoon of rest, head over to King’s Park and Botanic Garden, it’s a 399.9-hectare park overlooking Perth Water with panoramic views of Swan River. It’s a haven for lovers of nature and a place for a lovely picnic or some frisbee fun. Before you retire for the day, check out the Fremantle Markets with over 150 shops for craftspeople, fashion designers, and other merchants — a popular weekend go-to for the day.
Where to stay, you ask? Here’s a list of hotels we think you’ll enjoy whilst in Perth: Crown Towers, Ritz Carlton, Airbnb Perth, Fraser Suites, Crown Casino Perth, Parmelia Hilton Perth, and Crowne Plaza. Each one has its own sense of style, amenities, unique cuisines, and more. You’ll be sure to have a calm time as you unwind from a great day. Your Perth trip deserves to be remembered in a special way. Turn your travel photos into memorabilia for friends and family; have them printed on drawstring bags or canvas tote bags. You could even design your very own luggage tag, to get yourself psyched before your next trip.
Experience the Best of Both Worlds in Adelaide
Adelaide offers a good mix of cosmopolitan and natural treasures. The city is filled with vibrant festivals, charming wineries, sparkling laneways, brilliant parks, and more. Adelaide is also known as the ‘City of Churches’ with extraordinary architecture such as St. Peter’s Cathedral, St Francis Xavier Cathedral and Trinity Church Adelaide. Apart from that, hitting up the Adelaide Central Markets is also a great idea, from fresh produce to pastries and cheeses, you’ll have your fill and get your 10k steps. Some of the best beaches in Adelaide will surprise you with exceptional views and surf activities will excite you. Here are some of the local favourites: Glenelg Beach, Semaphore Beach, Moana Beach, and Brighton Beach.
Some other key attractions in Adelaide would be Mawson Lakes where you’ll find the Adelaide Planetarium and Mobara Park. It also has a host of eateries, schools, medical hubs, and shops, all around a breathtaking lake. If you’re interested in seeing some wildlife, the award-winning Adelaide Zoo, featuring over hundreds of species, with thousands of animals. It’s a family-friendly place to be, admiring adorable animals. In addition, there’s the University of Adelaide, where its main campus has some of the finest gothic architectural designs paired with lush greenery.
With so much to explore in Adelaide, after shopping at the Adelaide Central Market or Stirling Market, you’ll need a comfortable place to stay. Indulge in the best for your travel experience. Here are some noteworthy hotels to choose from: Mayfair Hotel, Atura Adelaide Airport, Pullman Adelaide, Stamford Plaza Adelaide, Hotel Grand Chancellor Adelaide, and more. With a day filled with adventure and memories, it would only be appropriate to create essentials from these lovely photos. You could design a travel bottle for everyday use, a series of framed prints for living room decor, or photo magnets on your fridge or whiteboards. What a fun way to round off your trip!
Experience Brisbane and its Vibrant Lifestyle
Famously known as the ‘River City’, Brisbane has hidden gems when it comes to tourist attractions. When it comes to places to visit in Brisbane, the iconic Brisbane River comes to mind. It’s the chef’s kiss backdrop to this city of lifestyle and leisure. Travel by ferry or CityCat service as you cruise along the scenic cityscape. If you’re up for something adorable, pay the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary a visit where you’ll get to cuddle them! You’ll also get to hand-feed kangaroos and check out other animals like wallabies, wombats, dingoes and more. Closer to the Brisbane Central Business District is Nudgee Beach — surrounded by sand and sea as well as nature and wildlife. Some activities to enjoy include birdwatching, cycling, and fishing.
In case you prefer lighter activities during the day, there’s always time to explore Sunday Markets in Brisbane. It’s a great way to get some fresh air and stock up on supplies. Check out the Northey Street Organic Farmers Market, Redcliffe Markets, and Riverside at the Gardens Market to taste the local delicacies and get a feel of the culture and vibe. In case you’re up for seconds, visit Mount Gravatt. There’s a galore of cuisines to choose from, the area also has a lookout point, markets, an aquatic centre, and a sports complex where you can have some family fun at the pool.
After a day of fun, it’s time to call it a day. In a city like Brisbane where there’s lots to explore, finding the perfect place to recharge is essential for a fresh day ahead. Based on location, convenience and price, here are some of our recommended hotels: The Calile Hotel, The Westin Brisbane, Ovolo Inchcolm, One Thornbury Boutique B&B, and Next Hotel Brisbane. Now, you might be thinking how else can you commemorate this trip — we’ve got ideas. How about photos of the Brisbane River for your desk? They’d make brilliant table photo frames for some desk inspo. If you’d like a collection of smaller photos, you could turn your series of photos into Insta prints!
Go Down Under at the Great Barrier Reef
If you love the ocean, a trip to the Great Barrier Reef is not to be missed! Depending on what you have in mind, there are several options for tour packages comprising underwater activities like snorkelling, scuba diving, and cruising in the Great Barrier Reef. Whichever one you pick, each activity is sure to get you up close and personal with the incredible underwater ecosystem, you’re bound to catch a glimpse of various species of fishes, jellyfish, or even dugongs. We think you’ll have a new-found love for it. If you’d like something a little less adventurous, take a boat or helicopter to Green Island — home to an abundance of native plants and animals, a true hotspot when visiting the Great Barrier Reef.
Whether it’s a day trip or more, visiting the Great Barrier Reef means exploring the natural wonders. Island-hopping is a popular to-do when exploring the Great Barrier, home to over 900 islands, some have yet to even be discovered. For some sand, sun, and fun, we recommend giving these islands a try: Fitzroy Island, Lady Elliot Island, Lizard Island, Orpheus Island, and more. Each island has its unique charm, some are family-friendly, some are better suited for couples, and others, for wildlife lovers. Another unique experience would be seeing corals from a glass-bottom boat. Some packages even include a picnic lunch, snorkelling gear, stinger suits, and more.
If you plan to give Fitzroy Island a go, you could stay at the Fitzroy Island resort — a truly fun-filled experience for the family, packed with play rooms and arcade games for kids. For a romantic getaway, the Reef View Hotel caters to just that. Some other paradise-like resorts include Peppers Blue on Blue Resort Magnetic Island, Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort, Coral Sea Resort Hotel, Daydream Island Resort, and more. Whichever hotel you pick we guarantee you’ll be rejuvenated in your heart, soul, and mind.
Wild-Life Living in the Outback
Life in the Outback may seem less colourful compared to other parts of Australia, but it has impeccable character. For instance, the Uluru (Ayers Rock) Kata Tjuta National Park, it’s listed as a UNESCO World Heritage and is a sanctuary of wildlife and indigenous culture. At this historical place, there are activities such as morning-guided base walks, segway rides, BBQ dinners, and star tours. Other parks include Kantju Gorge, Kuniya Walk, Talinguru Nyakunytjaku.
Although most travellers stay in their own camper vans, there are several hotels that you and your group could book, depending on the type of experience you’d like. The Lost Camel Hotel, Sails in the Desert, Ayers Rock Resort, Longitude 131, and Outback Pioneer Hotel & Lodge, these hotels offer a range of suitable accommodations styles that will suit your needs. While you often see Uluru on postcards, we recommend designing something more meaningful to keep this trip close to your heart. Print photos into a ready book to fuel your wanderlust or decorate your room using Insta cards. Turn your group photos into hanging canvas prints for your walls or as a gift to your travel buddies. In fact, you could even map out your entire trip to Australia with origami tiles as decor or use those photos as your desktop plaque that you’ll see every day.
With that, it’s safe to say that Australia is a must-visit destination. The city, the beaches, the culture, and the wildlife, are just a few of the exceptional parts of this lovely continent. If you’re planning to visit, the best times are usually in spring (September to November) and autumn (March and May). Pack a combination of clothing you can layer and lightweight pants and shorts, and of course, plenty of charging cables for those photos to make your travel memories last forever. That’s it, we hope you’ll enjoy your adventure in Australia!
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