The Best Places to Visit in Southern and Western Australia
1. Adelaide
While nearly all of Australia's major cities (except Canberra) are coastal, Adelaide is celebrated for the quality and abundance of its beaches. The city and surroundings are lined by over 100km of soft sand. The central location, open sands and pine-lined boulevards of Glenelg Beach make it perfect for an immediate escape from the city. Visitors can also travel further out and explore the dozens of smaller beaches of the suburban Adelaide coastline.
Even when it's not beach weather (a rare occasion in the South Australia climate), Adelaide has plenty of cultural and historic sights to explore. The Art Gallery of South Australia's Indigenous art collection is a particular highlight.
2. Rottnest Island
Quokkas are one of Australia's lesser-known but most beloved endemic species. These furry marsupials are found on Rottnest Island, where they’re renowned for their friendly behaviour and comfort around humans - Quokka selfies are fast becoming the new must-do Australian tourist activity. Despite this, visitors to Rottnest Island should avoid feeding the Quokkas as they require a specific diet and any unfamiliar foods can cause illness or injury. Along with Quokka-spotting, the white dunes of Rottnest make it a great destination for a beach, sailing or hiking holiday.
3. Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park
South Australia’s spectacular geology can best be seen in the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. One of the most famous places in Australia, the Flinders Ranges feel like a landscape from another planet. The characteristic rocky outcrops that dominate the skyline are best viewed at sunrise or sunset, when they reflect a warm orange glow. Due to its relative proximity to Adelaide, the Ikara-Flinders Park has developed a well-maintained network of roads, cycling trails, campsites and eco-lodges, making it an ideal destination for everything from bare-bones camping trips to spa retreats.
The Best Places to Visit in the Northern Territories
1. Uluru
One of the iconic images of Australia, Uluru encapsulates the continent's natural splendor and long human history. Uluru (also known as Ayers Rock) is the centerpiece of the Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park and has been a site or religious and cultural importance to the local Pitjantjatjara people for centuries. In 2000, a combination of the Sydney Olympics and the park's new status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site led to a spike in the number of tourists, both domestic and international - Uluru is now one of the most-visited sites in the country. Visitors are prohibited from climbing the site, and photography is only permitted in certain areas. Respecting the area's significance is essential to ensuring a sustainable tourism model for the environment and local population.
The Uluru-Katja Tjuta National Park rewards a longer visit: as well as the iconic monolith, the park contains the smaller, but equally fascinating Kata Tjuta rock formations and a wealth of preserved rock paintings and ancient cave systems.
2. Kakadu National Park
The Northern Territories’ other major UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kakadu National Park lacks the iconic landmark of Uluru-Katja Tjuta – it is nevertheless one of the most beautiful landscapes in the country. This sprawling network of monsoon forests, waterfalls and mountains offers countless opportunities for hikers, bikers and adventurers.
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The Best Places to Visit in Queensland
1. The Great Barrier Reef
It’s hard to communicate the importance of this 1,400-mile-long area of aquatic life: the Great Barrier Reef is the largest continuous coral reef in the world and home to over 1,500 fish species, many of which are near extinction. It's also one of the best places to see rare species of sea turtles, crabs and sharks. Visiting the reef isn’t just for scuba divers or proficient swimmers: escorted reef tours and glass-bottomed boats allow anyone to view the natural wonder up close. Countless coral islands are scattered throughout the region. Some, like the thriving beach communities of Whitsundays or Fitzroy island, have established themselves as some of the best places to visit in Australia.
2. Cairns
Cairns is famous as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, but the Queensland city also borders another of Australia’s natural wonders: the Daintree Rainforest. Daintree is the terrestrial counterpart to the Barrier Reef - it's the oldest rainforest in the world and home to much of Australia’s most threatened wildlife and plant species. Cairns itself is worth exploring as well. As the locus of two of the world’s most significant natural wonders, the city has a well-developed tourist economy and a dedicated airport.
3. Brisbane
Queensland’s capital, and the third-largest city in Australia, Brisbane is an oasis of greenery and big-city energy in the sparsely populated Queensland province, ensuring plenty of things to do in Australia. Frequently ranked as one of the world’s best cities to live in, Brisbane has a notable architectural legacy of 19th-century housing and modernist skyscrapers.
4. Gold Coast
Queensland is one of the most geographically diverse states in Australia. To international visitors, it’s perhaps most famous for its long Pacific coastline, which harbours hundreds of idyllic beaches and some of the best surf spots in the world. The most famous of these are the aptly named Surfer's Paradise and the resort city of Gold Coast, though the state is lined with dozens of more low-key beach communities. As a purpose-built resort city, Gold Coast is ideally suited to families with children – the beachfront is more built-up and supervised than Queensland's smaller beach towns, and the area is also home to Australia’s biggest theme parks. For families looking for sea, sand and non-stop entertainment, Gold Coast is the place to go.
Australia's Big Things
Australia is simultaneously one of the largest and least densely-populated countries on earth, with around 90% of the population living by the coast. As a result, cross-country drives can be lonesome, with hours of uninterrupted wilderness. In these situations, drivers look for something – anything – to lift the boredom. This has led to the blossoming of one of the great Australian art forms: Big Things.
Across the continent, enterprising artists and have assembled an array of supersized fibreglass monuments – some, like Ballina’s Big Prawn, highlight local industries and specialties. Some, like the Big Cassowary, pay homage to their area’s natural heritage. And some, like the Big Easel, are just there. South Australia's Big Rocking Horse even has an internal staircase and viewing platform. There are dozens of Big Things along Australia’s highways and collecting them is a passion project for many road-trippers.
The Best Places to Visit in Victoria
1. Great Ocean Road
Victoria is the second-most densely-populated state in Australia – which admittedly isn’t saying much in a country with an average of nine people per square mile (compared to a global average of 60). Victoria still has vast expanses of open country. One of the most scenic is along the Great Ocean Road. This highway, built as a war memorial in the 1920s, skirts Victoria's southern edge and offers unparalleled coastal views. Highlights include the Twelve Apostles rock columns and the legendary Bells Beach surfing spot.
2. Melbourne
As the second-largest city in the country behind Sydney, Melbourne is one of the best places to experience contemporary Australian culture. For foodies, Melbourne has become a must-visit destination - the restaurant scene has risen in prominence over the last 20 years. Today, Melbourne is equally renowned for its wealth of upmarket restaurants and high-end coffee shops as it is for its laid-back atmosphere. In October, Melbourne hosts the city-wide Fringe Comedy and Arts festival - visitors are recommended to book their accommodation months in advance during this period.
Australia routinely punches above its weight in international sports competitions, but the nation's most popular sport is entirely home-grown: Aussie Rules Football. Taking in a game at Melbourne’s 100,000-capacity MCG stadium is a great way to experience Aussie life in an iconic landmark. It's also home to the Australian Sports Museum.
3. Yarra Valley
Just a day trip away from Melbourne is the Yarra Valley. This lush expanse of vineyards and rolling hills is a popular destination for both tourists and Melburnians. Internationally, it’s known for being one of Australia’s premier wine-making regions. The scenic landscape and quality of the wines has developed a lucrative wine-tourism economy in the area – Yarra Valley is full of eco-lodges, hotels and restaurants catering to the wine-tasting crowd.
The Best Places to Visit in New South Wales
1. Sydney
Australia's largest city is notable for its scenic layout, stretching across both sides of the vast Sydney Harbour. The Sydney Harbour skyline is one of the most recognizable in the world. Taking a sightseeing boat tour underneath the Sydney Harbour Bridge is a thrilling way to experience the sights up close.
2. Byron Bay
For a break from the big city, take a trip out to the beach town of Byron Bay. Known as the home of Australia's rich and famous, Byron Bay is more than just upmarket shopping and dining. Its hilltop vantage point offers panoramic views over Australia's East Coast and the Pacific Ocean. Other pockets of the New South Wales coastline, like Bondi Beach and Coogee, are legendary surf spots.
Australia eSIM plans
Staying Connected in Australia
If you're travelling to Australia, a mobile internet connection is one of the first things that will be needed on landing. Reliable mobile data is needed for everything from getting around to translating menus and sharing your holiday photos.
An eSIM from Australia is the easiest way to use mobile data without paying roaming charges. A prepaid Australia eSIM allows you to get connected to local mobile networks, so you can browse the internet and use apps - with no roaming fees. Prepaid plans make it easy to keep track of data usage on holiday, and can be topped up anytime - because no one wants to be stuck in the Outback without a connection.
Venturing Further?
For longer journeys, a regional travel eSIM allows travelers to seamlessly travel through multiple countries with a single data plan. An Asia-Pacific eSIM from BetterRoaming provides access to local mobile data in 14 countries across the APAC region, including Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia and China.
How to apply the BetterRoaming December 2024 Promo Code
Applying a promo code is quick and easy. All you need to do is scan the QR code to install your eSIM (it's free), then follow the onscreen instructions to enjoy 20% off all Australia data packages.
The code XMAS-PRM20 is valid throughout December 2024 (December 1 – 31) on all plans for Australia. Here’s how to apply it:
- 1
Scan the QR code
Unlock your phone and scan the QR to install your free eSIM - 2
Activate the eSIM
Follow the onscreen instructions on your device - 3
Click the link in the SMS we send you
This will take you to your personal dashboard - 4
Select 'Vouchers'
Click on the 'Vouchers' option in your personal dashboard - 5
If you've selected a data package for the UK, Switzerland or Australia, enter the code XMAS-PRM20
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Your discount is now displayed in the Roaming Plans section
Click here for more information and detailed instructions
