Australia, known for its stunning natural landscapes, unique wildlife, and vibrant cities, offers a plethora of attractions for every type of traveler. From the iconic Sydney Opera House to the Great Barrier Reef, the Outback to the beautiful beaches, Australia provides diverse experiences that make it a top destination for tourists. Here are the top 30 tourist places in Australia, each with its tourism specialty, locality, best time to visit, nearby attractions, and recommended restaurants and hotels.
1. Sydney, New South Wales
Tourism Specialty: Iconic landmarks, beaches Locality: Southeast Coast Best Time to Visit: September to November, March to May Nearby Attractions: Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Bondi Beach Nearby Restaurants: Quay, Bennelong, Aria Nearby Hotels: Shangri-La Hotel, The Langham, Park Hyatt Sydney
2. Great Barrier Reef, Queensland
Tourism Specialty: Coral reef system, marine life Locality: Northeast Coast Best Time to Visit: June to October Nearby Attractions: Whitsunday Islands, Cairns, Port Douglas Nearby Restaurants: Salsa Bar & Grill (Port Douglas), Nu Nu Restaurant (Palm Cove), Ochre Restaurant (Cairns) Nearby Hotels: Lizard Island Resort, Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas, Thala Beach Nature Reserve
3. Melbourne, Victoria
Tourism Specialty: Arts, culture, food Locality: Southeast Coast Best Time to Visit: March to May, September to November Nearby Attractions: Federation Square, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Royal Botanic Gardens Nearby Restaurants: Attica, Chin Chin, Vue de Monde Nearby Hotels: The Langham Melbourne, Crown Towers, Park Hyatt Melbourne
4. Uluru (Ayers Rock), Northern Territory
Tourism Specialty: Iconic rock formation, Aboriginal culture Locality: Central Australia Best Time to Visit: May to September Nearby Attractions: Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Field of Light Nearby Restaurants: Talinguru Nyakunytjaku, Ilkari Restaurant, Arnguli Grill & Restaurant Nearby Hotels: Sails in the Desert, Desert Gardens Hotel, Longitude 131°
5. Great Ocean Road, Victoria
Tourism Specialty: Scenic coastal drive, rock formations Locality: Southwest Coast Best Time to Visit: December to February Nearby Attractions: Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, Great Otway National Park Nearby Restaurants: Chris’s Beacon Point Restaurant, La Bimba (Apollo Bay), Waves Café Bar and Restaurant Nearby Hotels: Mantra Lorne, Apollo Bay Waterfront Motor Inn, Captains at the Bay
6. Cairns, Queensland
Tourism Specialty: Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, adventure activities Locality: Northeast Coast Best Time to Visit: June to October Nearby Attractions: Daintree Rainforest, Kuranda Scenic Railway, Cairns Esplanade Nearby Restaurants: Ochre Restaurant, Bushfire Flame Grill, Salt House Nearby Hotels: Shangri-La Hotel, Pullman Reef Hotel Casino, Hilton Cairns
7. Blue Mountains, New South Wales
Tourism Specialty: Scenic views, hiking trails Locality: West of Sydney Best Time to Visit: September to November, March to May Nearby Attractions: Three Sisters, Scenic World, Jenolan Caves Nearby Restaurants: Darley’s Restaurant, Echoes Restaurant, Leura Garage Nearby Hotels: Lilianfels Resort & Spa, Echoes Boutique Hotel, Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains
8. Gold Coast, Queensland
Tourism Specialty: Beaches, theme parks Locality: Southeast Coast Best Time to Visit: April to May, September to November Nearby Attractions: Surfers Paradise, Sea World, Lamington National Park Nearby Restaurants: Rick Shores, Hellenika, The Fish House Nearby Hotels: QT Gold Coast, The Star Grand, Palazzo Versace
9. Tasmania
Tourism Specialty: Wilderness, heritage sites Locality: South of the Australian mainland Best Time to Visit: December to February Nearby Attractions: Cradle Mountain, Port Arthur, Freycinet National Park Nearby Restaurants: Stillwater (Launceston), Franklin (Hobart), The Agrarian Kitchen Eatery (New Norfolk) Nearby Hotels: Saffire Freycinet, MACq 01 Hotel, The Henry Jones Art Hotel
10. Whitsunday Islands, Queensland
Tourism Specialty: Tropical islands, sailing Locality: Northeast Coast Best Time to Visit: June to October Nearby Attractions: Whitehaven Beach, Hamilton Island, Heart Reef Nearby Restaurants: Bommie Restaurant, Manta Ray, Coca Chu Nearby Hotels: Qualia, InterContinental Hayman Island Resort, Daydream Island Resort
11. Perth, Western Australia
Tourism Specialty: Beaches, parks Locality: West Coast Best Time to Visit: September to November, March to May Nearby Attractions: Kings Park, Fremantle, Rottnest Island Nearby Restaurants: Wildflower, Rockpool Bar & Grill, C Restaurant Nearby Hotels: COMO The Treasury, Crown Towers Perth, The Westin Perth
12. Adelaide, South Australia
Tourism Specialty: Wine regions, festivals Locality: South Coast Best Time to Visit: March to May, September to November Nearby Attractions: Barossa Valley, Adelaide Botanic Garden, Kangaroo Island Nearby Restaurants: Orana, Africola, Penfolds Magill Estate Restaurant Nearby Hotels: Mayfair Hotel, InterContinental Adelaide, The Playford
13. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
Tourism Specialty: National museums, politics Locality: Southeast Australia Best Time to Visit: September to November, March to May Nearby Attractions: Australian War Memorial, National Gallery of Australia, Parliament House Nearby Restaurants: Aubergine, Courgette, Monster Kitchen and Bar Nearby Hotels: Hyatt Hotel Canberra, Hotel Hotel, Ovolo Nishi
14. Byron Bay, New South Wales
Tourism Specialty: Surfing, bohemian culture Locality: Northeast Coast Best Time to Visit: September to November, March to May Nearby Attractions: Cape Byron Lighthouse, Wategos Beach, Byron Bay Markets Nearby Restaurants: Three Blue Ducks, The Farm, St. Elmo Dining Room and Bar Nearby Hotels: Elements of Byron, The Byron at Byron, The Atlantic Byron Bay
15. Kangaroo Island, South Australia
Tourism Specialty: Wildlife, natural beauty Locality: South Coast Best Time to Visit: March to May, September to November Nearby Attractions: Flinders Chase National Park, Seal Bay, Remarkable Rocks Nearby Restaurants: The Enchanted Fig Tree, Kangaroo Island Fresh Seafoods, Sunset Food and Wine Nearby Hotels: Southern Ocean Lodge, Kangaroo Island Seafront, Lifetime Private Retreats
16. Hobart, Tasmania
Tourism Specialty: Historic sites, MONA museum Locality: South Tasmania Best Time to Visit: December to February Nearby Attractions: Salamanca Market, Mount Wellington, Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) Nearby Restaurants: Franklin, Fico, Templo Nearby Hotels: MACq 01 Hotel, The Henry Jones Art Hotel, Islington Hotel
17. Fraser Island, Queensland
Tourism Specialty: Largest sand island, freshwater lakes Locality: Southeast Coast Best Time to Visit: May to October Nearby Attractions: Lake McKenzie, 75 Mile Beach, Maheno Shipwreck Nearby Restaurants: Seabelle Restaurant, The Sand Bar and Bistro, Eurong Beach Resort Restaurant Nearby Hotels: Kingfisher Bay Resort, Eurong Beach Resort, Fraser Island Retreat
18. Barossa Valley, South Australia
Tourism Specialty: Wine region, vineyards Locality: Northeast of Adelaide Best Time to Visit: March to May, September to November Nearby Attractions: Seppeltsfield, Jacob’s Creek Visitor Centre, Barossa Farmers Market Nearby Restaurants: Hentley Farm, Vintners Bar & Grill, Appellation Nearby Hotels: The Louise, Novotel Barossa Valley Resort, Tanunda House
19. Hunter Valley, New South Wales
Tourism Specialty: Wine region, gourmet food Locality: North of Sydney Best Time to Visit: March to May, September to November Nearby Attractions: Hunter Valley Gardens, wineries, hot air ballooning Nearby Restaurants: Muse Restaurant, EXP. Restaurant, Margan Restaurant Nearby Hotels: Chateau Elan, Spicers Vineyards Estate, Hunter Valley Resort
20. Alice Springs, Northern Territory
Tourism Specialty: Outback town, Aboriginal culture Locality: Central Australia Best Time to Visit: April to October Nearby Attractions: Alice Springs Desert Park, Larapinta Trail, Royal Flying Doctor Service Nearby Restaurants: Hanuman Alice Springs, Page 27 Cafe, Epilogue Lounge Nearby Hotels: Lasseters Hotel, DoubleTree by Hilton, Alice Springs Resort
21. Broome, Western Australia
Tourism Specialty: Cable Beach, pearling history Locality: Northwest Coast Best Time to Visit: May to October Nearby Attractions: Gantheaume Point, Broome Historical Museum, Horizontal Falls Nearby Restaurants: The Aarli, Matso’s Broome Brewery, The Zookeepers Store Nearby Hotels: Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa, Mangrove Hotel, Kimberley Sands Resort
22. Port Douglas, Queensland
Tourism Specialty: Great Barrier Reef, luxury resorts Locality: Northeast Coast Best Time to Visit: June to October Nearby Attractions: Four Mile Beach, Mossman Gorge, Wildlife Habitat Nearby Restaurants: Nautilus Restaurant, Salsa Bar & Grill, Harrison’s Restaurant Nearby Hotels: Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Thala Beach Nature Reserve, Coconut Grove Apartments
23. Noosa, Queensland
Tourism Specialty: Beaches, national parks Locality: Southeast Coast Best Time to Visit: September to November, March to May Nearby Attractions: Noosa National Park, Noosa Main Beach, Hastings Street Nearby Restaurants: Sails Restaurant, Bistro C, Noosa Beach House Nearby Hotels: Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort, Peppers Noosa Resort & Villas, Seahaven Noosa Resort
24. Phillip Island, Victoria
Tourism Specialty: Penguin Parade, wildlife Locality: South of Melbourne Best Time to Visit: December to February Nearby Attractions: Phillip Island Nature Parks, Koala Conservation Centre, Churchill Island Nearby Restaurants: The Cape Kitchen, Pino’s Trattoria, Rusty Water Brewery Restaurant & Bar Nearby Hotels: Silverwater Resort, Ramada Resort by Wyndham Phillip Island, The Island Accommodation
25. Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Tourism Specialty: Beaches, hinterland Locality: Southeast Coast Best Time to Visit: September to November, March to May Nearby Attractions: Australia Zoo, Eumundi Markets, Glass House Mountains Nearby Restaurants: Spirit House, The Long Apron, Rickys River Bar & Restaurant Nearby Hotels: Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort, Mantra Mooloolaba Beach, Peppers Noosa Resort & Villas
26. Whitsundays, Queensland
Tourism Specialty: Sailing, reef Locality: Northeast Coast Best Time to Visit: June to October Nearby Attractions: Whitehaven Beach, Hamilton Island, Heart Reef Nearby Restaurants: Bommie Restaurant, Manta Ray, Coca Chu Nearby Hotels: Qualia, InterContinental Hayman Island Resort, Daydream Island Resort
27. Mornington Peninsula, Victoria
Tourism Specialty: Wine, beaches, hot springs Locality: Southeast Coast Best Time to Visit: December to February Nearby Attractions: Peninsula Hot Springs, Sorrento, Red Hill Nearby Restaurants: Montalto, Ten Minutes by Tractor, Polperro Winery Nearby Hotels: Jackalope Hotel, RACV Cape Schanck Resort, Peppers Moonah Links Resort
28. Margaret River, Western Australia
Tourism Specialty: Wine, surfing Locality: Southwest Coast Best Time to Visit: September to November, March to May Nearby Attractions: Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, Mammoth Cave, Margaret River Chocolate Company Nearby Restaurants: Vasse Felix, Voyager Estate, Leeuwin Estate Nearby Hotels: Pullman Bunker Bay Resort, Margaret River Resort, Cape Lodge
29. Coffs Harbour, New South Wales
Tourism Specialty: Beaches, marine life Locality: Mid North Coast Best Time to Visit: September to November, March to May Nearby Attractions: Big Banana, Solitary Islands Marine Park, Dorrigo National Park Nearby Restaurants: Shearwater Restaurant, Latitude 30, Saltwater Restaurant Nearby Hotels: Pacific Bay Resort, BreakFree Aanuka Beach Resort, Opal Cove Resort
30. Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula, Victoria
Tourism Specialty: Coastal towns, wineries Locality: Southwest of Melbourne Best Time to Visit: December to February Nearby Attractions: Geelong Waterfront, Adventure Park Geelong, Bellarine Rail Trail Nearby Restaurants: Jack Rabbit Vineyard, Merne at Lighthouse, The Whiskery Nearby Hotels: Vue Apartments, Rydges Geelong, Mantra Lorne
These top 30 tourist places in Australia offer a rich variety of experiences, from exploring vibrant cities and stunning coastlines to discovering the unique wildlife and pristine natural landscapes. Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, or cultural enrichment, Australia provides an unforgettable journey for every traveler.
