10 of Australia’s Less-Known Tourist Destinations

Vauxpins
7 min readOct 6, 2023

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The Sydney Opera House, the Great Ocean Road, the Great Barrier Reef, and Uluru are frequently on travelers’ bucket lists when they decide where to go in Australia. There are, however, a ton more incredible places that ought to be on everyone’s vacation wish list. These secret places in Australia include the ten amazing places on this list. And yes, indeed, they are the hidden gems.

Indeed, many of them are outdoors, but the Australian way of life is also, and you must undoubtedly venture out and see the breathtaking scenery if you want to travel the nation like the natives do. Whether in the Outback or on the shore, Australia’s natural beauty is exceptional and breathtaking. So be ready to move away from the well-known locations and leave behind the busy cities like Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney. Read till the end to know the less popular tourist attractions to go to next time.

10. Kings Canyon

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The Luritja and Arrente people have lived in the 710-square-kilometer (274-square-mile) Watarrka National Park in the Northern Territory for more than 20,000 years. It is home to Kings Canyon. Discover their vibrant culture, marvel at clifftop treks, and take a breathtaking flight to see it all from above.

After Uluru and Kata Tjuta, the third piece of the Red Center three provides something completely distinct. The walk around the rim is noteworthy because of the plunging vistas downward that contrast with the rocky red terrain over the top of the George Gill Range. The trip through the foot of the canyon reveals unusually lush foliage for this region of the world.

09. Blue Mountains Waterfalls

Some of the best waterfalls in the Blue Mountains are not likely to be listed in the typical guidebook but are still well worth a visit. The Blue Mountains are famed for their sandstone cliffs, huge wilderness, and some magnificent and enormous waterfalls. These waterfalls are genuine Australian hidden gems.

Lawson and Hazelbrook, like the majority of the Blue Mountains towns, are located close to one another along the Great Western Highway and both have picturesque bushland that is not part of the Blue Mountains National Park, allowing walkers to bring their four-legged companions with them. These are all short, simple hikes that can be finished in under two hours.

08. Glasshouse Mountains

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The Glasshouse Mountains may not be well-known to most tourists to Australia, but anyone who lives in southeast Queensland can attest to their beauty. Many people believe that these undiscovered gems of Australia ought to be on the list of places to visit while in the country.

The Sunshine Coast hinterland, roughly an hour’s drive north of Brisbane, is where the 11 peaks are hidden. The Glass House Mountains were formed by volcanic activity that took place about 27 million years ago, and nature sculpted the area over many eons of time. Mount Beerwah and Mount Ngungun are the most stunning.

07. The Pinnacles

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The Pinnacles, a city of limestone pillars in Western Australia’s Nambung National Park, are visible through the sand dunes. The 17,487-hectare park, which is around 200 kilometers or two hours’ drive north of Perth, provides a natural environment for a wide variety of native animals and bird life. These ragged poles, some of which are up to five meters high, have been sculpted by the coastal winds and seem to be reaching for the sky.

The incredible Pinnacles are naturally occurring limestone formations that were created between 25,000 and 30,000 years ago after the sea withdrew and left behind piles of seashells. The pillars became exposed to the elements when the surrounding sand was gradually eroded by coastal storms.

06. North Stradbroke Island

One of the most overlooked locations along Australia’s famed East Coast is North Stradbroke Island, which is just off the coast of Brisbane. Local Queenslanders call it “Straddie” in the traditional Australian manner. Straddie, the second-largest sand island in the world, is a subtropical island that is an amazing 38 km long and 11 km broad.

The beautiful beaches on this island include calm turquoise waters and lush golden dunes. Its offshore location gives it a great area to view the stars on a clear night after viewing the Pacific Ocean sunset. Because it’s off of Brisbane, it’s a perfect area to get away from the city, explore the amazing bays around, and top off your summer tan.

05. Big Crystal Creek

Make sure to visit Paluma Range National Park if you’re searching for some free outdoor entertainment in North Queensland (between Townsville and Ingham). Big Crystal Creek, with its rock pools, waterfalls, and natural waterslides, is one of the attractions of Paluma Range National Park.

Either you can unwind and cool off in one of the many rock pools, or you can check out some of the natural rock slides that have been smoothed out by years of water flow. Big Crystal Creek may be reached by using the Bruce Highway for about 40 minutes north of Townsville. Follow the signs to Big Crystal Creek for another 20 minutes after turning left onto Barrett Rd.

04. Fleurieu Peninsula

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The Fleurieu offers much the same untamed coastline landscape and prospects for animal spotting as Kangaroo Island, which is typically dismissed as only a simple gateway. Additionally, it is home to the fantastic McLaren Vale wine region, known for its Shiraz, which is curiously under-visited compared to the Barossa Valley.

The Fleurieu Peninsula is home to beautiful beaches, world-famous wine, and waves for surfing at Southport, Boomer Beach, and Waitpinga. You may also get lost in the world-famous McLaren Vale wine region. Even better, you may swim with tuna, sometimes known as the “Ferraris of the Sea.”

03. Wave Rock

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Southwest Australia’s Wave Rock is a granite rock face that resembles a massive ocean wave. Like a breaking wave of surf frozen in time, the rock curls inside and then outward as it rises. Streaks of gray, reddish orange, yellow, and brown run along the cliff’s overhanging curve, further enhancing the appearance of running water.

Wave Rock is located close to Hyden, a town in Western Australia’s Wheatbelt, some 210 miles (340 kilometers) east of Perth. This wave that appears to have been petrified dates back 2,700 million years and is thought to have been created by the Aboriginal deity Rainbow Serpent. This place is famous among locals but is still a secret attraction to tourists.

02. Rainbow Beach

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Location of Rainbow Beach on the Cooloola Coast The location, which is bounded by K’gari to the northeast and Double Island Point to the south, can trace its ancestry to the early creation-time tales of good and evil boomerangs colliding over the region’s now-famous dunes.

Fraser Island may be accessed from Hervey Bay, which is larger and brasher, although Rainbow Beach is also closer and prettier. This is partially due to the fact that it shares some characteristics with Fraser, particularly the expansive beach that a 4WD may travel down and the breathtaking cliffs of multicolored sand. Tours to the Double Island Point Lighthouse are offered by Surf and Sand Safaris along the beach.

01. Katherine Gorge

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Katharine Gorge, in the Northern Territory’s Nitmiluk National Park, is a striking area where the legends of Aboriginal ancestors are depicted in rock art and reflected in the green rapids and falls. This spectacular environment provides an outback glimpse into the late Miocene era with its 13 gorges.

Its northern boundary borders Kakadu National Park, which was formerly known as Katherine Gorge National Park. The Katherine River, which begins in Kakadu, has cut a deep valley through old sandstone, one of thirteen different gorges featuring rapids and waterfalls throughout its course. One of Australia’s most distinctive and obscure destinations, Katherine Gorge is a definite must-see on any traveler’s itinerary to the Northern Territory.

There is much to see in Australia’s enormous environment, but many of the most breathtaking sights are also some of the country’s best-kept secrets. These are 10 of the most breathtaking spots that are frequently ignored or unheard of by the crowds of tourists, from quirky rocks fashioned like waves and skulls to crystal lakes, gorges, and bays. Next time, be sure to visit the places we listed above; you will not regret it.

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