Travel

Wonders of Down Under: 50 Amazing Places to See in Australia (PHOTOS)

As the world’s sixth largest country, Australia is full of amazing and diverse places to visit, including beautiful mountain ranges, stunning beaches, world-renowned wine regions, bustling cities, exotic rainforests, and expansive deserts.

With 16,000 miles of coastline, there are thousands of unforgettable Australian beaches, such as Hyams Beach, which holds the Guinness World Record for having the world’s whitest sand. Those seeking to escape the hustle and bustle of developed coastlines can find refuge in the secluded beaches of Rottnest Island, while surfers can find paradise along the Gold Coast.

Snorkelers and divers can explore one of the world’s seven wonders, the Great Barrier Reef, just off the coast of Queensland. This gigantic reef is home to 1,500 species of tropical fish as well as rays, dolphins, sharks, sea turtles and giant clams.

(MORE: 12 Amazing Places to Go Diving)

For the wildlife-lover, Australia is full of unique animals, as well as numerous places to encounter them. For example, on Phillip Island, there is an evening “parade” of world’s smallest penguin, the fairy penguin, a bird native to Australia and New Zealand.

Meanwhile, at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane, visitors can hug a eucalyptus-loving, fluffy koala and at Lucky Bay, they can meet some wild, western gray kangaroos right on the beach. “The kangaroos are generally females with joeys,” Heather Quinlan, communications officer of the Australian Department of Parks and Wildlife, told weather.com. She explained that these marsupials are drawn to the beach by sea grass, which is washed up by storm surges.

(MORE: 14 Places to See Wildlife)

Of course, no trip to Australia would be complete without a trip to The Outback. Travelers can traverse the continent by rail on The Ghan and take in the beautiful landscape of the center of Australia, or they can stop by Alice Springs in July for the unique Lasseters Camel Cup, a camel race that raises proceeds for local charities. Just be ready for some hot weather if you go to The Outback, because the desert area of central Australia is the hottest in the country, says weather.com meteorologist Linda Lam, especially from December to February.

(For More Travel, Follow Us On Facebook)