10 Great Reasons to Visit Australia

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If you are looking for unforgettable travel experiences, then Australia should be at the top of your travel list. This diverse island nation is full of unique experiences and destinations, awaiting your exploration. 

Many travelers take pause when they think about the long journey to reach Australia’s shores. Is it even worth it to make the trip to one of the furthest countries from North America?

The answer: YES!

As a seasoned traveler, I have navigated the shores, deserts, and vast landscapes of Australia, and I want to guide you through the country’s unique offerings in an attempt to convince you to book your plane ticket. 

Whether you are a family on vacation, a digital nomad, or a couple looking for a romantic escape, Australia has a vast array of attractions to cater to every travel style (and budget). 

Join me as I share 10 reasons to visit Australia, from the stunning beaches to the surprisingly rich cultural heritage. 

1. The Famous Australian Beaches

It probably comes as no surprise that you should visit Australia because of the beaches!

Australians are proud of their beaches and with good reason: Australia has some of the best beaches in the world! With a coastline that stretches over 23,000 miles, you’ll undoubtedly find the perfect beach for you.

In fact, there are no less than 11,011 beaches in Australia, including big wave surfer havens, pristine white sand beaches, family-friendly shores, and isolated romantic spots.

Among the most beautiful Australian beaches are Shelly Beach in Sydney Whitehaven Beach near the Great Barrier Reef, Cable Beach in Broome, Four Mile Beach in Port Douglas, and the famous Hyams Beach – known for having the whitest sand in the world.

2. Perfect for Road Trips

Not only is Australia the 6th largest country in the world (and an entire continent by itself), but it is criss-crossed by 542,813 miles of roads – that’s a lot of potential driving!

Australia is THE place to go off the beaten path! You can go camping and enjoy the solitude, or explore many of the lesser-known towns and villages you come across. Seriously, it will take you months to explore all the hidden gems, beaches, forests, and inhabited areas. 

But if solitude and roughing it isn’t your thing, don’t worry! A drive along the Great Ocean Road in Victoria makes the perfect short road trip adventure.

Speaking of short road trips – if you are in a pinch for time, you can also skip the isolation of the Outback and stick to a quick road trip between Melbourne and Sydney in South Australia – this is without a doubt one of the best road trips I did in Australia!

3. It Conserves Aboriginal Culture

Even though they just comprise about 3% of the population, Australia still has a strong Aboriginal identity through the preservation of the culture of its various indigenous people. Before European settlement, Australia had over 600 nations of Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders (based on their languages).

These indigenous people have developed across Australia for over 50,000 years and were the original settlers before colonization. 

Today you can visit many of their sacred places, including the most famous and sacred of all, Uluru. 

Also known as Ayers Rock, this monolithic sandstone rock (or mountain!) has hosted Indigenous ceremonies for over 10,000 years, and the local Anangu community believes their ancestral beings still live there. 

Other sacred Aboriginal sites worth seeing include:

• Mount Borradaile
• Ubirr
• Windjana Gorge
• Cave Hill
• The MacDonnell Ranges

4. The Great Australian Weather

If you are looking for great weather, look no further than the south coast. Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide have the best climate in the country – imagine mild winders of about 50°F and hot summers averaging between 77°F and 86°F.

But it is not just the big cities that boast brilliant weather.

Australia has golden-sunshine weather pretty much year-round. The northern states have comfortable, dry winters, although summers are rainy and humid (and VERY hot, reaching 104°F!)

5. Unique Marine Life, Wildlife and Nature

Because of its isolation from the other continents, the fauna and flora in Australia have taken a unique turn.

Marsupials (mammals with pouches) are abundant here, like koalas, kangaroos, wombats, quokka (specifically found on Rottnest Island in Western Australia), and the Tasmanian devil all evolved here and can be found nowhere else on Earth.

Most of Australia is still untouched and in its natural state. As already mentioned, Australia is the perfect place to sunbathe at stunning beaches, go diving at the Great Barrier Reef (more on that below), bask in wide-open spaces, and camp surrounded by wildlife.

Australia’s birdlife is also unique (and a bit hazardous). During Swooping Season you must duck for aggressive Magpies, while Cassowaries have been known to attack (and in rare instances, kill) people.

But don’t worry, you’re unlikely to be chased down by a “murderbird” in the streets of Syndey!

Australia has plenty of national parks where you can witness its natural beauty, like:

• Kakadu National Park (it is a drive to the Northern Territory, but well worth it!)
• Purnululu National Park
• Blue Mountains National Park
• Uluru-Katja Tjuta National Park (an UNESCO World Heritage Site)

Oh, and did I mention the incredible marine life?

I will discuss the Great Barrier Reef in detail below, but divers and snorkelers can expect to find a variety of cephalopods, crabs, sea lions, sea dragons, sharks, and even the little penguin.

6. Dive At The Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef, located off the coast of tropical North Queensland, deserves its own mention since it is one of the world’s most extraordinary natural wonders. Don’t believe me?

It is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World!

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system and the only living organism that can be seen from space. 

Just so you have an idea, it is bigger than the United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and Switzerland combined! 

The snorkeling and diving here is a world-class experience you can’t find anywhere else.

You can visit the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed wonder, by doing a snorkeling or diving day trip from the city of Cairns or by doing a liveaboard diving experience. 

7. Everything From Laid-Back Culture to Over-The-Top Festivals

From my experience, Aussies have a very laid-back culture. Everyone calls each other mate, and they never miss a holiday.

But, on the flip side of this chillaxed vibe are the incredible festivals. Aussies have a festival for everything, whether it’s food, art, film, music, or surfing – almost anything is celebrated here!

Many of their big festivals attract worldwide attention due to their splendor, eccentric vibes, and over-the-top style.

Some not-to-be-missed festivals include:

• Woodford Folk Festival
• Sydney Mardi Gras
• Melbourne International Comedy Festival
• Byron Bay Bluesfest
• Adelaide Festival of Arts
• Surfest Newcastle

If you happen to be around towards the end of the year, the New Year’s Celebration at Sydney Harbor is a must! See how thousands of fireworks are shot from the Sydney Harbour Bridge, next to the iconic Sydney Opera House.

Also, did you know you can climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge?! I did it!

8. Incredible Cities

Believe it or not, Australia has a land area larger than Europe, yet it has an incredibly low population density, with just 9 people per square mile. Most Australians (roughly 85%) live in cities along the coast.

Confused by many as its capital city, Sydney offers the most captivating and pulsating cosmopolitan ambiance in the country. Sydney’s beach lifestyle, lively nightlife, and vibrant culture make it a must-see destination for every trip.

Fun fact: Canberra is Australia’s capital city, and it is an exciting destination for architecture and museum lovers.

On the south coast, Melbourne’s charming European flair, foodie scene, and coffee culture make it a perfect contrast to Sydney while still being in a vibrant city.

Cairns’ enviable location on the East Coast between the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest makes it the perfect destination for adventurous travelers.

Adelaide’s charming coastal city vibes are matched by its gorgeous beaches and lovely parks, while the quiet and remote Darwin on the north offers some great local markets.

And last but not least, on the west, Perth is a laid-back and sophisticated city that combines great food, arts, and beach fun.

The beauty of Australia’s cities is their sprinkled location between mountains, rivers, and wide-open plains, which provide us with so many amazing things to do, see, and experience.

9. Delicious Australian Wine

If you love wine, there’s a lot of great wine to be had while in Australia, especially Pinot Noir and Shiraz. White wine more your thing? Make sure to also sample the Savignon blanc, Chardonnay and Riesling.

Some of the great wine regions in the country include Hunter Valley near Sydney, Barossa Valley near Adelaide, and Margaret River near Perth.

You can take a day trip to any of the wine areas from the nearby major cities, or if you want to do it as locals do, buy some wine at the store and get buzzed at the park.

10. Australia’s Slang

Traveling to a distant corner of the world just to hear some slang might seem like an odd reason to visit Australia, but… have you ever heard an Australian accent?

Even though Australia is an English-speaking country, you will find that the Australian version of English is somewhat exotic. Their language is considered a small tourist attraction to foreigners since it is composed of so much Aussie slang.

Having said that, you should be prepared to ask for clear repeats since their pronunciation is not always easy to understand.

Here are some common slang terms and what they mean to help you find your feet in the Aussie dialect:

• Arvo – Afternoon
• Barbie – BBQ
• Bogan – Someone who is not so sophisticated
• Bottle-O – Liquor store
• Crikey – Said when surprised
• Dunny – Toilet
• Fair Dinkum – Honestly?
• G’Day – Good Day/Hello
• Maccas – McDonalds
• Servo – A fuel station
• Thongs – Flip flops

As you can see, Australia has so much to offer. It is a destination that not only deserves to be visited, but also more than once to see its many contrasting cultures, diverse cities, and experience its wild adventures.

Here are some quick tips to help you plan your trip to Down Under…

Quick Tips to Plan a Trip to Australia

• One thing most travelers don’t realize is that they need an ETA for Australia. Trust me, even I, a seasoned traveler, didn’t realize this until I arrived at the airport. Thankfully it is easy to get online!
• Remember that since it is in the southern hemisphere, their winter is during the northern hemisphere’s summer and vice versa.
• Unless you’re staying just in the city center of one city, it is essential to rent a car. I highly recommend renting a car with DiscoverCars.com.
• Australia is immense! Dedicate enough time to travel from place to place.
• You can get the best accommodation discounts via Booking.com.