Australia’s top natural attractions
Start dreaming of your next Australian holiday with these stunning natural wonders.
In Australia, you’ll find some of the most unique landscapes and incredible natural wonders in the world. From peculiar rock formations to bubble-gum pink lakes, here are 20 impressive Australian natural wonders to add to your Pinterest travel board and get you dreaming of your next holiday.
The Pinnacles
The Pinnacles, Nambung National Park, Western Australia © Tourism Australia
Where: Two-hour drive from Perth
What makes this place unique: Located in the Nambung National Park, and formed 25,00 to 30,000 years ago, The Pinnacles is a mammoth collection of giant limestone pillars, some standing as high as five metres (16.4 feet) tall.
How to see it: One of the best ways to view the Pinnacles is via a 4WD tour through the sand dunes.
Lake Hillier
Aerial view of Lake Hillier, Middle Island near Esperance, Western Australia © Tourism Australia
Where: Eight-hour drive from Perth
What makes this place unique: Located on Middle Island near Esperance, Lake Hillier is known for its baffling bubble-gum pink hue. Although it’s not the only pink lake in Australia, it’s often considered the most vibrant.
How to see it: Take a cruise around Middle Island to see the lake up close.
Ningaloo Reef
Whale Shark, Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia © Luxury Lodges of Australia
When to visit
March to August is the best time to swim with the whale sharks at Ningaloo.
Where: Two-hour flight from Perth
What makes it unique: The crystal clear waters of Ningaloo reef are home to the world’s largest fringing reef, a 260-kilometre (162-mile) long coral reef swarming with turtles, tropical fish, manta rays, humpback whales and the elusive whale shark.
How to see it: Swim with the whale sharks, fly above the reef in an Exmouth microlight flight or stay in a luxury campsite.
Litchfield National Park
Wangi Falls at Sunset, Litchfield National Park, Northern Territory © Tourism NT, Jackson Groves
Where: Two-hour drive from Darwin
What makes it unique: Litchfield National Park is filled with stunning waterfalls and waterholes that are surrounded by monsoonal vine forests. The most popular place to take a dip is Wangi Falls.
How to see it: Get a bird's-eye view with Litchfield Helicopter Flights or learn about the local Indigenous connection to the site with Northern Territory Indigenous Tours.
KIngs Canyon
Kings Canyon Rim Walk, Kings Canyon, Northern Territory © Tourism Australia
Where: Six-hour drive from Alice Springs
What makes it unique: The towering red sandstone walls of Kings Canyon are astonishing. The jagged red rock and smooth, steep stone of the canyon stretch out across the desert.
How to see it: Kings Canyon can be explored from a helicopter or on the iconic rim walk.
Uluru and Kata Tjuta
Uluru, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory © Olivia Mair
Fun fact
At its tallest point, Uluru stands 348 metres (1,142 feet) above sea level. That is 24 metres (78 feet) higher than the Eiffel Tower.
Where: Five-hour drive from Alice Springs
What makes it unique: Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is home to two of the country’s most amazing natural monuments, Kata Tjuta and Uluru. Imbued with spirituality and a rich Indigenous history, the heart of the Red Centre is a must-see.
How to see it: Join a SEIT Outback tour to learn more about the cultural significance of this incredible area from your guide.
Umpherston Sinkhole
Umpherston Sinkhole, Limestone Coast, South Australia © Adam Bruzzone
Where: Five-hour drive from Adelaide
What makes it unique: Once a limestone cave that has since collapsed, the Umpherston Sinkhole in Mt Gambier has been transformed into a stunning sunken garden.
How to see it: It’s free to wander around this natural phenomenon – you can even pack a picnic and have lunch while you enjoy the surrounds.
Wilpena Pound
Wilpena Pound, Flinders Ranges National Park, South Australia © Adam Bruzzone
Where: Five-hour drive from Adelaide
What makes it unique: Wilpena Pound in the Flinders Ranges is a huge, sunken natural amphitheatre – a vast crater carved out of the desert, surrounded by jagged mountains. Wilpena Pound covers eight times the area of Uluru.
How to see it: Take in the enormity of this sunken natural amphitheatre on a scenic flight.
The Great Barrier Reef
Heart Reef, Whitsundays, Queensland © Salty Wings
When to visit
The best time to visit the Great Barrier Reef is from June to October, during the dry season. With less rain, the waters can be crystal clear.
Where: Located in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland, there are several locations from which you can reach the reef including Cairns, Port Douglas, Airlie Beach and Bundaberg.
What makes it unique: The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system and home to the most amazing diverse marine life, surrounded by picturesque tropical islands with some of the world’s most beautiful sun-soaked beaches.
How to see it: There are so many unforgettable ways to experience the reef. Take a day trip to iconic attractions like Heart Reef and Vlasoff Cay, or snorkel over some of the world’s best coral and marine life.
Girraween National Park
Lookout, Girraween National Park, Queensland © Tourism Australia
Where: Three-hour drive from Brisbane
What makes it unique: Girraween National Park is known for its granite landscape, eucalypt forests and heathlands. Dramatic granite outcrops and boulders tower over the forests and are splashed with beautiful wildflowers in spring. Granite Arch, the Pyramids, and Balancing Rock are must-sees.
How to see it: Camp at Castle Rock or Bald Rock Creek camping areas and explore the park's 30 kilometres of walking tracks.
The Fairy Pools
Noosa National Park, Sunshine Coast, Queensland © Paul Smith Images
Where: Two-hour drive from Brisbane
What makes it unique: The Fairy Pools, set within Noosa National Park on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, are natural tidal pools surrounded by dark and dramatic basalt rocks. The pools are home to a variety of coral and sponges that can be spotted at low tide.
How to see it: Take a walk along the Coastal Track through the beautiful Noosa National Park.
The Three Sisters
Three Sisters, Blue Mountains, New South Wales © Daniel Tran
Did you know
According to commonly told Aboriginal legend, the Three Sisters were once beautiful sisters named Meehni, Wimlah and Gunnedoo who were turned into stone by a powerful tribal elder.
Where: Two-hour drive from Sydney
What makes it unique: Located in Katoomba in The Blue Mountains, the Three Sisters is a strikingly unusual rock formation that, according to Aboriginal legend, represent three sisters who were turned to stone. The tallest of the sisters stands at over 920 metres (3,000 feet) above sea level.
How to see it: The Three Sisters is best seen from Echo Point Lookout, however you can also get up close on a walking trail to the top of the Three Sisters via Honeymoon Bridge.
Dark Sky Park
Dark Sky Park, Warrumbungle National Park, New South Wales © Destination NSW
Where: Six-hour drive from Sydney
What makes it unique: Located in the picturesque Warrumbungle National Park, at Dark Sky Park you can enjoy some of the most spectacular stargazing thanks to high altitude, low humidity, crystal-clear skies and low light environment.
How to see it: At Warrumbungle Observatory, you can book your chance to navigate the night sky as you spot stars and planets through up to five different telescopes.
The Walls of China
Walls of China, Mungo National Park, New South Wales © BIG4
Where: 14-hour drive from Sydney
What makes it unique: In Mungo National Park, the Walls of China are like a lunar landscape. Nature has carved out dramatic crescent-shaped sand and clay dunes that stretch along in a 33-kilometre (21-mile) chain.
How to see it: Check out the landscape from the viewing platform, best at sunset when the sand dunes turn yellow, orange and deep ochre. Or go on an Aboriginal Discovery Tour to learn more about the park and its history.
Booroomba Rocks
Booroomba Rocks, Namadji National Park, Australian Capital Territory © VisitCanberra
Travel tip
Time your walk for sunset and witness spectacular views with incredible photo opportunities.
Where: 40-minute drive from Canberra
What makes it unique: This is one of Canberra's best known and loved bush walks, taking you through Namadgi National Park along the soaring granite cliffs of Booroomba Rocks. From the clifftops you can see an aerial view of Canberra as well as the graceful Brindabella Ranges beyond.
How to see it: Walking trails around the park range from 2.5 kilometres (1.5 miles) to 10.5 kilometres (6.5 miles). You can also camp overnight at Honeysuckle Campground.
The Grampians
MacKenzie Falls, Grampians National Park, Victoria © Roberto Seba
Where: Three-hour drive from Melbourne
What makes it unique: The Grampians National Park is known for its stunning vistas, sandstone mountains, wildflowers, wildlife and the must-see Mackenzie Falls. Take the 2.5-hour return hike that ends in an incredible view of tree-covered mountains, blue lakes and vast valleys.
How to see it: Take off on a hike to Boronia Peak for the best views.
The Great Ocean Road
Twelve Apostles, Great Ocean Road, Victoria © Tourism Australia
Where: 1.5-hour drive from Melbourne
What makes it unique: The Great Ocean Road is packed with sweeping coastal views and ancient rock formations. Some of the most impressive sights along the way are Loch Ard Gorge, the iconic 12 Apostles, Gibson Steps and London Bridge.
How to see it: Simply set off on a road trip along one of Australia’s most spectacular coastlines.
Freycinet National Park
Wineglass Bay, Freycinet National Park, Tasmania © Matt Donovan
Travel tip
Freycinet is famous for its oysters. Take a tour of the Freycinet Marine Farm to sample the best.
Where: 2.5-hour drive from Hobart
What makes it unique: Freycinet National Park in Tasmania is a picturesque peninsular of towering, pink-hued granite mountains that surround the white sands and calm, blue waters of Wineglass Bay.
How to see it: Simply relax on the miles of white sand at the Friendly Beaches, follow the 90-minute walk to Wineglass Bay lookout, or take a day-tour from Hobart.
Dolerite sea cliffs of the Tasman Peninsula
The Candlestick, Cape Hauy, Tasman Peninsula, Tasmania © Jason Charles Hill
Where: Two-hour drive from Hobart
What makes it unique: The enormous dolerite sea cliffs found at the bottom of the Tasman Peninsula are perfectly suited to the rugged, almost unworldly coastal surrounds. In Cape Hauy, you’ll find The Candlestick and the Totem Pole, standalone sea stacks that stretch out of the ocean and into the sky.
How to see it: For the daring, these cliffs are an abseiling and rock climbing mecca, but you can also marvel at the bizarre rock formations from a coastal cruise.
The Bay of Fires
Bay of Fires Lodge Walk, Mount William National Park, Tasmania © Tasmanian Walking Company, Great Walks of Australia
Where: Three-hour drive from Launceston
What makes it unique: Bay of Fires contains incredible granite boulders covered in bright orange lichen that appear even more vibrant against the vivid blue of the ocean.
How to see it: Take an Eco Tours cruise, swim at Binalong Bay or snorkel and dive to see the reefs, corals, underwater caves and abundant sea life.
