The 15 top attractions to visit in Australia

Where: Off the Queensland coast, easily accessed by boat from Cairns or Port Douglas

What is it? You can live your best Little Mermaid fantasy at the Great Barrier Reef – the largest coral reef in the entire world. Made up of more than 100 islands and 3,000 individual reef systems, this is easily one of Australia’s most sought-after tourist hot spots. Experience the technicolour marvels of the reef on and off the water, with experiences like snorkelling, scuba diving, glass-bottomed boat viewing, helicopter tours, whale watching and swimming with dolphins. 

Time Out tip: Before you go, take a moment to educate yourself about the current health of the Great Barrier Reef and discover how you can help save it.

Where: Sydney Harbour, NSW

What is it? You can’t visit Sydney without snapping a picture at one of the world’s most photographed and famous performing arts venues. Along with its spectacular roster of classical and contemporary music, opera, theatre and dance shows, Sydney Opera House offers different tours that allow you to get intimate with the building.

Time Out tip: If you don't feel like shelling out, it's still free to sit on the steps for a quick lunch by the water and gaze in marvel at those 1,056,000 pearly, self-cleaning Swedish tiles.

Where: Red Centre, Northern Territory

What is it? Escape the hustle and bustle of Australia’s capital cities and journey to the country's red centre, where the skies are clear, the stars are out and the landscapes are spectacular.  On the ancestral lands of the Anangu people, Uluru has immense spiritual importance for Australia's First Nations people. During the day, walk around the rock’s vast ten-kilometre base, and by night, be captivated as magical drone shows, lasers and light projections illuminate Uluru’s wildest corners.

Time Out tip: Uluru recently took out gold for being the best sunset-watching location on Earth, and we suggest experiencing the magic for yourself at the dedicated car sunset viewing area.

Where: Princetown, Great Ocean Road, Victoria

What is it? Of all the tourist attractions across Victoria, the 12 Apostles is the one that draws in the most crowds from far and wide. The famed limestone stacks continue to amaze visitors, despite four of the 12 formations succumbing to the elements over the years. In June 2024, a new $9.2 million viewing platform was unveiled near Princetown along the Great Ocean Road, offering a new vantage point for marvelling at the majestic rock structures. 

Time Out tip: Be sure to also stop at the nearby Loch Ard Gorge, London Bridge and The Grotto. And for a little reward, treat yourself to something sweet from Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery.

Where: Port Arthur, Tasmania 

What is it? Museums aren’t confined to only four walls, and you’ll find one of Australia’s greatest at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Port Arthur Historic Site. Just a 90-minute drive from Hobart, this is proudly Australia’s most intact and evocative convict site, with more than 30 historic buildings and ruins to explore. Stroll through the 40-hectare landscaped grounds, join an introductory walking tour, and embark on a complimentary 20-minute harbour cruise where you’ll catch glimpses of the Isle of the Dead.

Time Out tip: Your ticket grants you entry for two consecutive days, so you can come back and do it all again. Trust us, you’ll treasure the extra time.

Where: Cape Tribulation, Queensland – an easy drive from Cairns or Port Douglas

What is it? This World Heritage-listed wonder is the oldest continually surviving rainforest in the world, with more tree species in one hectare than in the entirety of the United Kingdom. Explore the emerald canopy via a river cruise, rainforest boardwalk, crocodile tour or treetop zipline.

Time Out tip: The world-renowned Mossman Gorge is a must-visit attraction within the Daintree, boasting 12 square kilometres of crystal-clear rock pools and riverside tracks.

Where: Jabiru, Northern Territory

What is it? Covering an incredible 20,000 square kilometres of the Northern Territory, this is Australia's biggest national park and also one of its only UNESCO World Heritage-listed. Along with its tiny yellow butterflies, ancient rock art galleries, immense red gorges and deep blue pools, Kakadu boasts a powerful history, having been a sacred place of living and ceremony for Indigenous people for 65,000 years. This really is the place for an adventure of a lifetime. 

Time Out tip: Kakadu's most popular waterfall, Gunlom Falls, is reopening in 2025 – add it to the bucket list.

Where: Canberra, ACT

What is it? Canberra gets a bad rap compared to other Australian capital cities, so you might be surprised that it’s home to one of the top ten free tourist attractions in the world. At the Australian War Memorial, you can discover the Australian experiences of war and connect with the stories of people and events that shaped our nation. Place a poppy on the Roll of Honour to remember the sacrifice made by our servicemen and women, and stay for the moving Last Post closing ceremony. 

Time Out tip: From the base of the War Memorial, you can hike up Mount Ainslie and take in stunning views stretching down Anzac Parade to Parliament House.

Where: Perth, Western Australia

What is it? Kings Park and Botanic Garden was crowned Australia's very best tourist attraction in 2024. This 399.9-hectare urban oasis is one of the world's largest and most beautiful inner city parks, boasting some of the greatest views in Perth. Within it, you'll find the Fraser Avenue Precinct (a century-old walk lined with red-flowering gums), more than 250 hectares of protected bushland, the State War Memorial, beautiful outdoor event spaces and playgrounds galore.

Time Out tip: In the summer, there’s even more reason to visit with the pop-up Moonlight Cinema.

Where: West Launceston, Tasmania

What is it? A five-kilometre urban reserve of bushland and cliffs with walking trails, located just a 15-minute walk from Launceston's city centre. Hit the trail on either the beginner-friendly Cataract Walk or the more advanced (and steep) Zig Zag Track. If you're not much of a hiker, you can drive up to the First Basin car park, where you can hop on the world's longest single-span chairlift. It spans 457 metres and offers spectacular views of the Gorge from 308 metres above. 

Time Out tip: If you have extra time, we also recommend going for a dip in the outdoor swimming pool, enjoying a meal in the Gorge restaurant or settling on the lawns for a sunset picnic. Keep an eye out for the peacocks and pademelons who are waiting to pounce on your crumbs.  

Where: Sydney, NSW

What is it? Take a walk over the most iconic bridge in the world and get a bird's eye view of Sydney that's worth every penny. Yes, it’s expensive. Yes, you have to wear an unflattering grey jumpsuit. But, the feeling as you summit the fourth-longest single-span steel arch bridge is one to last a lifetime. 

Time Out tip: For something extra, The Pylon Lookout and Museum regularly hosts epic events, including sky-high small-group dinners, magic shows and photography masterclasses.

Where: Hobart, Tasmania

What is it? No trip to Tasmania is truly complete without a day trip to the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA). This transcendent palace of big, bad and mad ideas doesn’t discriminate when it comes to art, so you could see everything from a classical wall of ceramic vaginas to an intricate glass machine that produces legitimate faeces, or a wax head of an Italian man from the 17th century. 

Time Out tip: MONA only opens from Thursday to Monday, so plan your trip wisely.

Where: Freycinet National Park, Coles Bay, Tasmania

What is it? This crescent-shaped bay is easily one of Tasmania’s most photographed views, and deservedly so. It’s less than an hour's hike up to Wineglass Bay Lookout, where you’ll be rewarded with unparalleled views of the breathtaking blue waters and sparkly white beach (shaped in a wine glass, of course).

Time Out tip: If you’re lucky, you may even spot whales swimming in the bay from May to October.

Where: Melbourne, Victoria

What is it? This grand modernist building in Melbourne’s city centre is Australia's oldest and most popular art museum. That title has been won thanks to the NGV’s top-notch and diverse permanent collection (including a Rembrandt, a Bonnard and a Tiepolo), fantastic visiting collections, free tours and an ongoing series of late-night events. Not to mention the spectacular stained glass ceiling by Leonard French or the Water Wall at the gallery entrance.

Time Out tip: If you're feeling fancy, the Tea Room offers high tea as well as cakes and light meals, while downstairs you can fill your belly with the seasonal menu items at Garden Restaurant.