12 Unique Places To Visit In Australia: The Ultimate Australia Bucket List

Australia is such a large and diverse country full of unique landscapes, ranging from the red outback to tropical greens and even idyllic island escapes. After almost two laps road tripping around Australia, we have all the inspiration you need for your travel bucket list, full of the most unique places to visit in Australia. 

Hutt Lagoon (Pink Lake In Western Australia)

You simply cannot miss ticking off Hutt Lagoon in Western Australia off your bucket list. Otherwise known as the famous Pink Lake in Australia, this dreamlike attraction is located 5 hours north of Perth and is definitely worth the long drive up. 

The incredible pink water colour is due to the presence of a certain type of algae which can be more vivid throughout the year. No matter what time of year you visit, you're sure to come across a spectacular view. We've found that it's best to shoot on a clear sunny day as overcast cloudy days often cast a reflection off the water.

Uluru

When it comes to unique places to visit in Australia, there is one place that stands out from the rest. Located in the heart of the country, Uluru is a sacred rock formation set amongst the rich red outback.

One of the most magical experiences you can have at Uluru is watching the mesmerizing sunset. Many people head to the various viewing points to watch the sun go down but these places can get extremely busy and crowded so it's best to head there early to secure a spot. As the sun sets you'll be able to see the colour of the rock shift from red to orange, and lastly purple. 

There are a bunch of different walking trails you can also do in Uluru Kata-Tjuta National Park but the Uluru Base Walk is the most popular and was one of our favourites. It's the best way to see Uluru up close and to take in the sheer size of the sacred rock as it towers over you.

Aside from walking, there are also a variety of different tours available to witness the beauty of Uluru. The sunrise camel tours and helicopter ride are two of the most unforgettable experiences you'll have in Australia.

When planning your trip around Australia, make sure to include Uluru on your bucket list itinerary. It is one of the most beautiful and unique places to visit in Australia, full of indigenous culture that will leave you speechless.

Lucky Bay in Esperance 

Recently voted as the best beach in the WORLD, Lucky Bay is one of the most unique places to visit in Australia as you'll be able to hang out with kangaroos along the pristine white sand beach. The idyllic tropical setting and turquoise water is what makes this beach one of the best in Australia.

The kangaroos are typically around in the mornings so it's best to head there for sunrise. You'll also be able to drive on the beach and since the sand is usually hard, 2WD vehicles can even go on but it’s always best to check conditions

Karijini National Park

Karijini National Park is a nature lovers dream, perfect for those looking for a fun adventure. You'll be able to traverse narrow chasms, chase cascading waterfalls and gaze upon unique ancient rock formations.

There are so many spectacular gorges, crystal clear swimming pools and wildlife to see in the national park. There are also a number of beautiful hikes that take you through unique red gorges formed by smooth layered rocks.

Park entry costs $15 per vehicle and we'd recommend spending at least 4 or 5 days exploring Karijini as the attractions can be quite spread out.

Hancock Gorge was our favourite hike in Karijini. It's a super fun and adventurous 400m return trail to Kermits Pool. You’ll reach sections where you have to walk through water and spider crawl your way along the narrow gorge walls.

Dales Gorge is where you’ll find Fortescue Falls and Fern Pool, which is conveniently located right next to Dales Campground. Fortescue Falls is an 800m return walk down some steps. Once at the bottom, you can keep heading right for another 300m until you reach Fern Pool.

Hamersley Gorge is home to the instagram famous ‘Spa Pool’. Head right at the bottom of the gorge and keep making your way upstream. You’ll have to do some rock scrambling but you’ll quickly reach the spa pool after about 20-30minutes. This spot is incredibly popular so it’s best to head here in the early hours of the morning to have it all to yourself.

Karijini is truly a special and unique place which is why it’s our favourite national park to visit in Western Australia so it definitely deserves a place on your bucket list!

The Great Barrier Reef & Whitsundays

If you're looking for unique places to visit in Australia, why not visit one of the seven wonders of the natural world, the Great Barrier Reef. The reef is full of vibrant coral formations and abundance of marine life. For the ultimate bucket list Australia experience, be sure to jump on a seaplane to take in the views of the Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsundays from above. You'll even be able to see the famous Heart Reef and Whitehaven Beach. 

A trip to the Whitsundays wouldn't be complete without stepping foot onto the world famous Whitehaven Beach. This pristine beach can only be accessed by boat and there are plenty of tours available. We did the Northern Exposure tour with Ocean Rafting and couldn't recommend them enough. You'll visit the stunning Hill Inlet lookout where you can see the shifting tides creating a unique blend of colours amongst the sand and water. 

Wharton Beach in Esperance

Out of all the beaches in Australia, the beaches in Esperance are some of the best in the country. Wharton Beach in particular is one of our all time favourites. You'll be met with pristine white sand that squeaks beneath your feet as well as crystal clear water that rivals tropical islands. The shade of turquoise is so beautiful, especially on a clear sunny day.

The beach is accessible to 4WD's and is also dog friendly, making it a great place to park up for the day. The southern end of the beach is incredibly popular for swimming, surfing, snorkelling and fishing. You can read our best things to do in Esperance blog for more amazing beaches and attractions.

Broome

Broome is known for the stunning Cable Beach where you can watch sunset and camels walking past on the beach. Part of the beach is also 4WD so you'll find plenty of people flocking to this beach at sunset to park up and enjoy the evening view.

Another unique place to visit in Broome, Western Australia, is Roebuck Bay. This captivating beach will draw you in with its unique red sand and silky blue water. The contrast in colour is what makes this place a must visit location on any Australia bucket list.

Exmouth 

Exmouth is a surreal seaside escape with idyllic beaches and easy access to the stunning Ningaloo Reef right from shore! It’s also blooming with marine life, including whale sharks, manta rays and plenty of turtles. Exmouth is where you go to spend your days surfing, diving and snorkelling under the warm winter sun.

For the best beach in Exmouth, you'll definitely want to head to Turquoise Bay. A place that certainly lives up to its name, Turquoise Bay has incredibly crystal clear water and plenty of snorkelling opportunities to see wildlife.

A visit to Exmouth wouldn't be complete without swimming with the whale sharks. Exmouth is one of the only places you can swim with them in Australia. The best time to swim with the whale sharks is from late March to late July each year. 

Lastly, make sure to finish off your evenings with a panoramic view watching the sunset over the ocean from Vlamingh Head Lighthouse. Be sure to read all about the best things to do in the area in our Exmouth Itinerary.

Yorke Peninsula Salt Lakes

The Yorke Peninsula is such a diverse and stunning region with so many incredible places to visit. The well-known beaches such as Flahertys Beach, Berry Bay and Daly Head are all incredible. However, we think that the Yorke Peninsula is one of the most unique places to visit in Australia because of their stunning salt lakes.

The Yorke Peninsula is home to over 200 salt lakes with a variety of trails you can explore for the best views. The crystal formations and unique colours and pattern of the salt lakes make Yorketown a popular destination for photographers. If you have a drone, we definitely recommend going for a flight and checking some of them out. You'll be blown away by the textures and pink hues left behind from the high salinity levels.

For a more in-depth guide to the Yorke Peninsula, be sure to read our best things to do on the Yorke Peninsula blog post!

Cape Tribulation & The Daintree Rainforest

Cape Tribulation is where the tropical Daintree Rainforest meets the pristine Great Barrier Reef. This makes it one of the most unique places to visit in Australia as it's where two UNESCO World Heritage Sites meet! 

The Daintree Rainforest is the oldest rainforest in the world. It's incredibly biodiverse and is home to many animal and plant species not found anywhere else in the world.

One of our favourite places to visit is Cow Bay, where you can rope swing from a palm tree with amazing views of the rainforest. Another must visit destination in the area is taking a boat out to Mackay Reef and snorkelling another section of the Great Barrier Reef. 

We went with Ocean Safari on the morning tour and had an amazing time! The reef was some of the most vibrant we've seen and the variety of marine life was epic. We spotted a bunch of tropical fish, eagle rays and even a small reef shark.

Great Ocean Road

A road trip along the Great Ocean Road is one of the most common Australia bucket list experiences and for good reason. The rugged beauty and raw coastline views make this one of the most memorable drives you'll ever have. 

The Great Ocean Road stretches for a whole 243km between Torquay and Allansford. It's full of epic views and plenty of unique places to visit to break up the drive.

Visiting the Twelve Apostles is a no brainer but some of our other favorites are Loch Ard Gorge, Gibsons Steps, and The Bakers Oven. For a change of scenery from the coast, head into The Great Otway National Park. Here you'll be surrounded by lush green forests and stunning waterfalls. Beauchamp Waterfall and the Redwoods Otways are both unique and are two of our all time favourite places to visit in Australia.

Mount Gambier

Mount Gambier is an underrated gem located at the far southeastern corner of South Australia. It's primarily known for the various unique sinkholes scattered all over the region. The most popular sinkholes are Little Blue Lake, Blue Lake, Kilsby Sinkhole and lastly Umpherston sinkhole. Little Blue Lake is the most accessible and perfect for cooling off in the summer. Alternatively, Umpherston sinkhole has no water but is a stunning garden with massive hanging vines going all the way down. 

Diving Kilsby sinkhole is a bucket list experience that many people in Australia and all over world have on their list. The 60 meter deep sinkhole is perfect for those looking to free dive, snorkel, or scuba dive in crystal clear water.

Want to find more inspiration for Australia travel destinations?

We have plenty of other blogs on the best travel destinations in Australia or check out our instagram @lolahubner for daily Australia travel content. 

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