Australia is known for its beautiful landscapes, oceans, animals, and some of the world’s most natural wonders.
Whether planning a trip or curious to see what natural beauties Australia is home to, we’ve curated a list for you to uncover.
Uluru (Ayers Rock)
Uluru in our opinion is the most natural wonder in Australia. At 348 metres (1141 ft) high, 3.6 kilometres (2.2 miles) long, and 9.4 kilometres (5.8 miles) around, Uluru is over 500 million years old and a deeply spiritual place for the local Aboriginal people, the Anangu.
No matter what time of day you see Uluru, it is truly breathtaking, however, it may be worth viewing more than once as it actually changes colour depending on viewing at sunrise or sunset, and is a sight to behold.
Did you know? Uluru still has rock art painted on it that provides insight into stories that have been passed from generation to generation. When visiting, there are signs which interpret what the rock art communicates.
Blue Mountains
Located 1.5 to 2 hours outside of Sydney, The Blue Mountains are home to picturesque rock formations and scenic views of eucalyptus trees which give off a blue haze, giving the Blue Mountains their name.
The most popular spot in the Blue Mountains is The Three Sisters located in Katoomba (pictured), Lincoln’s Rock, Govett’s Leap, and Wentworth falls, among others.
The Great Barrier Reef
Possibly one of the most well known wonders, The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system located in Queensland and home to over 1,500 tropical fish, whales, turtles, dolphins, and sea snakes.
Just off the coast of Queensland, the Great Barrier reef is a true natural wonder and one that is sadly at risk due to climate change.
Fraser Island
South of The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest sand island. Formed during the ice age, Fraser Island is home to a 75-mile beach, dingoes, over 300 species of bird, and over 100 freshwater lakes.
The Twelve Apostles
Stretching over 248 kilometres (154 miles), The Great Ocean Road is home to the famous Twelve Apostles. Thought to be over 20 million years old, The Twelve Apostles are limestone formed by natural erosion. Despite being called The Twelve Apostles, natural erosion has resulted in there being just 8 apostles today with 2005 seeing the collapse of the 9th apostle.
Kakadu National Park
Kakadu National Park is Australia’s largest national park and located in the Northern Territory (NT). With breathtaking waterfalls, diverse wildlife (wallabies, crocodiles, birds), and beautiful aboriginal art, Kakadu National Park is a very important place to Aboriginal people with many communities still living in the Kakadu region.
Lake Hillier
Better known as the pink lake in Western Australia, Lake Hillier is beautiful and located right next to the pacific ocean and beautiful beaches.
Whilst beautifully viewed in close proximity, it’s best viewed on flights in and out of Esperance, Western Australia.
Ningaloo Reef
Located in Northern Western Australia, Ningaloo Reef is home to some of the world’s wonderful ocean life including humpback whales, whale sharks, manta rays, turtles, and more.
Ningaloo Reef is the largest fringing reef in Australia and can be found in the small resort town of Exmouth, over 12 hours drive north of Perth.
The Kimberley Region
Also in Western Australia, The Kimberley Region offers some of the most natural and beautiful landscapes in Australia. Known for its deep gorges, miles of river, wildlife (including kangaroos and saltwater crocodiles), and caves, it is home to the Bungle Bungles, Horizontal Falls, dinosaur footprints, and the famous Gibb River Road.
The Pinnacles Desert
Although they may look like they’re from another planet, the Pinnacles limestone formations are located 2-3 hours north of Perth and were formed around 25,000-30,000 years ago from coastal winds of the Indian Ocean which over time have broken down shells into limestone, eventually forming the dunes we know as The Pinnacles.
Whilst Australia is home to more wonderful natural wonders, we selected this list based on how unique they are to Australia and how well known they may be to the wonderful world we live in.
If you are looking to discover more natural wonders, you won’t be stuck for choice with Australia.