10 Australian destinations you simply can't miss

The tropical north of Australia holds one of the world's truly special places – the Great Barrier Reef. It's the only place on the planet where two World Heritage sites meet – the reef and the Daintree Rainforest. Above the surface you'll find luxury resorts, white sand and hidden islands. Dive below and you'll be stunned by the array of coral, rainbow-hued fish, turtles, rays and starfish. Nearby, the vibrantly green rainforest conceals ancient trees and Aboriginal culture.

This huge red monolith is a World Heritage site, and one of Australia’s most memorable landmarks. Uluru is the heart of the Australian outback – not only a beautiful place, but a sacred place to the Anangu Traditional Custodians. The red earth will draw you in as you enjoy hikes, helicopter rides and cultural tours. When the sun starts to set, sit down to dinner under the outback sky – your meal featuring native ingredients and your view lit by an incredible glowing art installation: Bruce Munro’s Field of Light.

Australia’s western capital is the gateway to some of the state’s most epic adventures – not least those involving food and wine. It’s a three-hour drive from Perth to the Margaret River region, one of the few places in the world where wine grows within metres of the beach. The vineyards here are known for their cabernet sauvignon grapes, but take it from us, all the wines grown here are exquisite. There’s also a myriad of craft breweries, acclaimed restaurants, luxury hotels, spectacular forests and plenty to keep the kids entertained.

World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park offers a front-row seat to the dramatic wilderness of the Northern Territory. The park is a three-hour drive from the capital city of Darwin and overflows with adventure; think swimming beneath waterfalls, heading out on an outback safari and hiking to vistas that never seem to end. If you want a place where you can feel completely insignificant – in the best possible way – Kakadu awaits.

If the Gold Coast enjoys a sparkling reputation, it's because there are 300 days of sunshine here every year. This golden city unites the things that make this country great: beautiful beaches, a blissful tropical climate, world-class restaurants and bars, and easy access to tangles of rainforest – you can be surfing one minute, then trekking half an hour later. The ‘Goldie’ is also home to a parade of theme parks and attractions, promising endless days of action and adventure for the whole family.