Australia’s top natural attractions
Start dreaming of your next Australian holiday with these stunning natural wonders.
In Australia, you’ll find an incredible bounty of jaw-dropping natural wonders. From peculiar rock formations, bubble-gum pink lakes, idyllic waterfalls and crystal-clear ocean vistas, here are some impressive Australian natural wonders to add to your Pinterest travel board and get you dreaming of your next great adventure.
The Pinnacles
The Pinnacles, Nambung National Park, Western Australia © Tourism Australia
Where: Two-hour drive from Perth
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. Throughout the centuries, coastal winds removed the surrounding sand, leaving the pillars exposed to the elements. They are a truly humbling and majestic natural site, forcing perspective and our place in a vast history.
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
We love how nature can mess with us and create spectacular oddities like a pink lake! 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. Its pink color is less accentuated when viewed from the surface but it is very prominent from above. However, unlike other pink lakes around the world, its water is still distinctively pink even when it is in a glass. Simply magic.
How to see it: Enjoy a scenic and relaxing flight with Goldfields Air Services around Middle Island to really experience the lake up from its best angle.
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
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
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
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
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.
Wilpena Pound
Wilpena Pound, Flinders Ranges National Park, South Australia © Adam Bruzzone
Where: Five-hour drive from Adelaide
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.
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.
The Fairy Pools
Noosa National Park, Sunshine Coast, Queensland © Paul Smith Images
Where: Two-hour drive from Brisbane
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
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 or via a guided sunset tour.
Dark Sky Park
Dark Sky Park, Warrumbungle National Park, New South Wales © Destination NSW
Where: Six-hour drive from Sydney
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
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.
Travel tip
Time your walk for sunset and witness spectacular views with incredible photo opportunities.
The Grampians
MacKenzie Falls, Grampians National Park, Victoria © Roberto Seba
Where: Three-hour drive from Melbourne
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
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, or if you're feeling like an adrenaline rush – why not take in the view while skydiving?
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
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, like a wonder-filled chartered cruise.
Dolerite sea cliffs of the Tasman Peninsula
The Candlestick, Cape Hauy, Tasman Peninsula, Tasmania © Jason Charles Hill
Where: Two-hour drive from Hobart
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
Binalong Bay, Bay of Fires, Tasmania © Tourism Tasmania / Stuart Crossett
Where: Three-hour drive from Launceston
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.
