Australia is an enormous and ancient country, with a dizzying array of experiences waiting for visitors. The best places in Australia to visit include the Great Barrier Reef, the Great Ocean Road, major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, world-class wine regions like the Barossa Valley, Adelaide Hills and Yarra Valley, and of course, the beaches of the Gold Coast, Byron Bay and the Sunshine Coast.

You can’t talk about the best places to visit in Australia without mentioning at least a few of the country’s dazzling islands and unspoiled national parks, like the Whitsundays, Rottnest Island, Freycinet National Park and Wilsons Promontory.

Uluru is one of the most iconic places to visit in Australia, but I’ll have to wait until my first visit (hopefully this winter!) to add it to my list.

I’ve lived in Australia for nearly my whole life, and have visited everywhere on this list below. There is always more to discover!

For each of the best places to visit in Australia, I’ve recommended the best things to do in each destination & some tips on where to stay, and how to get there.

If you’re planning your first trip to Australia, check out my itinerary for 2 Weeks in Australia for First Time Visitors or my 1 Month Australia Itinerary.

Map of The Best Places to Visit in Australia

How to use this map:

Click the white button in the top left corner of the map to see the list of locations, then click on any location to see it highlighted on the map. Click on the top right corner of the map to open a larger version in a new tab. You can also add this map to your Google Maps.

New South Wales

Sydney

Sydney is often mistaken as Australia’s capital city, and it’s easy to see why. Located on the east coast, Sydney has some of the most enviable natural real estate in the world, built around Darling Harbour and with dozens of coves, bays and beaches. It’s one of the most beautiful cities in the world, when you’re along the harbour or the coast.

A trip to Sydney is on most international visitors’ itinerary, and for good reason. Architectural marvels like the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge make a stroll around Circular Quay a jaw-dropper, Bondi Beach really is as beautiful as the hype leads you to believe, and there are dozens of scenic walks and viewpoints around the city to enjoy.

Top 3 Things to Do

• Hit Bondi Beach, or tackle the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk
• Take the Manly Ferry from Circular Quay to Manly, across Darling Harbour
• Explore trendy Surry Hills

Where to stay

• Crystalbrook Albion – We stayed at this stylish boutique hotel in the heart of Surry Hills on our last trip to Sydney, I loved the hotel & the location. Highly recommend!
• Sydney CBD – A convenient base for exploring a range of tourist sites

How to get there

Fly into Sydney International Airport. Sydney is Australia’s busiest airport, so you’ll be able to fly to and from a huge range of domestic & international destinations.

Byron Bay

Byron Bay is one of Australia’s most beloved beach towns, located in northern New South Wales. Byron Bay is closer to southeast Queensland than to Sydney, so it’s an ideal side trip from Brisbane or the Gold Coast.

Byron Bay was once a sleepy hippie beach town, but for the past twenty years its been a hotspot for cashed up citydwellers making a seachange. It may be busier now, but it’s still just as beautiful.

Top 3 Things to Do

• Watch the sunset over the ocean at Cape Byron, the easternmost point of Australian mainland. You can drive, or hike 3.7km up to the Cape Byron lighthouse for the best views
• Go whale watching to spot migrating humpback whales between June and November
• Hit the beach at Main Beach

Where to stay

• The Lord Byron – Centrally-located hotel with queen rooms, and onsite pool & tennis court
• Waves Byron Bay – Stylish hotel in a central location

How to get there

Byron Bay is 70km south of the Queensland-New South Wales border. It’s a 2-hour drive from Brisbane or a 75-minute drive from the Gold Coast, but it will take much longer in peak traffic or on school holidays. You can fly to either Brisbane airport or Coolangatta airport.

Waterfall Way

Waterfall Way is a scenic driving route in northern New South Wales, stretching for 200km between Coffs Harbour and Armidale. It’s considered one of the most scenic drives in Australia and yet somehow it manages to fly under the radar – I think it’s one of Australia’s best kept secrets! 

It’s one of the best places in Australia to visit for a scenic journey filled with national parks and gorgeous waterfalls.

Waterfall Way takes you through charming country towns like Dorrigo, Armidale and Bellingen and to some of the most beautiful waterfalls in Australia like Dangar Falls, Wollomombi Falls and Ebor Falls.

Top 3 Things to Do

• Visit waterfalls like Ebor Falls, Dangar Falls & Wollomombi Falls
• The Dorrigo Skywalk over the treetops in Dorrigo National Park
• Visit Bellingen, a charming hinterland town

How to get there

Waterfall Way is in northern New South Wales, and takes a little bit more effort to access than most destinations on this list. You can fly to Coffs Harbour, a regional airport, which is an hour’s drive from some parts of Waterfall Way, or you could make a big road trip out of it and drive from either Brisbane or Sydney. It’s a 5-6 hour drive from both.

Queensland

The Gold Coast

The Gold Coast is Australia’s most famous beach town, and a thriving city in southeast Queensland. The Gold Coast is home to miles of beautiful, deep sandy beaches and excellent surf conditions. 

Surfers Paradise is the most famous neighbourhood on the Gold Coast, and the most touristy, but you can find a much more laidback pace with equally beautiful beaches in Broadbeach, Burleigh, Mermaid Beach & Coolangatta.

Top 3 Things to Do

• Beach hop at the best beaches on the Gold Coast
• The short but steep hike in Burleigh Heads National Park
• Go whale watching between June-November

Where to stay

• QT Gold Coast is a fun, design-led hotel chain with loads of personality.
• The Langham is luxurious hotel stay, located on the border of Surfers Paradise & Broadbeach

How to get there

The Gold Coast has its own international airport, Coolangatta Airport (OOL). Coolangatta is on the southern tip of the Gold Coast, so it will take about 40 minutes in a taxi or Uber if you’re staying in Surfers Paradise or Broadbeach. You can also drive to the Gold Coast from Brisbane, which takes 90 minutes in good conditions and around 2 hours in traffic.

Brisbane

Sunny, sub-tropical Brisbane is the fastest growing city in Australia, and located in southeast Queensland. Brisbane is my hometown, and I love returning several times every year.

Australia’s third largest city has had a major glow up in the last decade, and is preparing to host the 2032 Olympics. A few days in Brisbane is best spent enjoying the laidback lifestyle and great outdoors, even in the heart of the city.

Stroll along the Southbank Promenade along the Brisbane River, enjoy dinner under the Storey Bridge on the riverfront at Howard Smith Wharves, hop on a City Cat (high speed ferry) to zip up and down the river, browse Australia’s best designers on leafy James Street and explore the pretty Roma Street Gardens (where we got married!).

Top 3 Things to Do

• Drink & dine on Howard Smith Wharves, Brisbane’s beautiful riverfront precinct
• Shop & stroll along James St, New Farm’s leafy lifestyle precinct
• Walk or jog along the riverfront through Southbank Parklands

Where to stay

• The Calile, New Farm – An internationally acclaimed design hotel (#12 on World’s 50 Best), and a chic oasis in the heart of James Street. We stayed here for a week before our wedding, it was heaven!
• Hotel X, Fortitude Valley – A luxury design hotel, just a few blocks from the trendy Howard Smith Wharves precinct. Love the rooftop pool & restaurant here! The included a la carte breakfast is one of the best
• Voco Hotel, Brisbane – Well located for exploring the city or crossing the Victoria Bridge to Southbank

How to get there

Fly into Brisbane, which has both a domestic and international airport. Brisbane is a 1-hour flight from Sydney and a 2.5 hour flight from Melbourne.

The Whitsundays

The Whitsundays are a dreamy archipelago of 74 tropical islands, off the coast of north Queensland. Whether you’re sailing, taking a scenic flight or island hopping, the Whitsundays is one of the most beautiful island chains in Australia.

The most popular islands to stay on are Hamilton Island, Hayman Island and Daydream Island, with a range of accommodation from family friendly to high end luxury. The crown in the Whitsundays crown is Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island, an uninhabited island with sparkling white sand beaches, which is a must-do day trip from wherever you stay.

Top 3 Things to Do

Where to stay

How to get there

If you’re staying on one of the islands, the best way to get to the Whitsundays is to fly to Hamilton Island & then take a boat transfer to your destination. You’ll need to arrange this in advance. If you’re staying on the mainland in Airlie Beach, fly to Proserpine & take a pre-booked shuttle transfer to Airlie Beach.

Cairns & Great Barrier Reef

Queensland’s ancient tropics are home to some of the greatest natural treasures in the world: The Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. 

Snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef is a bucket-list experience for millions, and the easiest place to do this from is Cairns, the largest city in the Great Barrier Reef region. Book a day trip to the Outer Reef to experience one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

The Daintree Rainforest is the oldest living rainforest in the world, and is a must-visit in the region. Take a guided tour on a day trip from Cairns to get the most out of your trip.

Cairns is a popular base, but for a more relaxing holiday destination stay in stylish Port Douglas or on the beachfront at pretty Palm Cove.

Top 3 Things to Do

• Snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef
• Island hop to Green Island & Fitzroy Island
• Explore the ancient Daintree Rainforest

Where to stay

• Palm Cove – a popular beach town, with a wide range of accommodation and beautiful beaches
• Port Douglas – A chic holiday destination with a range of high end resort style accommodation
• Crystalbrook Riley, Cairns – Crystalbrook is one of my favourite boutique hotel brands, and their Cairns outpost looks like paradise. Cairns is the largest town in the region & will be convenient for arranging day tours from.

How to get there

You can fly to Cairns Airport, and arrange transfers if you’re staying in Palm Cove (30 minutes’ drive) or Port Douglas (1 hour drive).

Sunshine Coast

The Sunshine Coast is a coastal region in Queensland, north of Brisbane, best known for its string of beach towns, including Caloundra, Mooloolaba, Sunshine Beach and trendy Noosa. It’s one of the best places in Australia to visit for beach hopping, with 36 beaches to explore.

Head to the Sunshine Coast to spend time on the beach and in the surf, to dine on the waterfront in Noosa, or to head to the Sunshine Coast Hinterland for scenic reserves and the Glasshouse Mountains.

Top 3 Things to Do

Where to stay

• Noosa is the most popular & trendy destination on the Sunshine Coast, with the crowds & price tag to match!
• Mooloolaba is family friendly, has a large beach and a range of accommodation
• Caloundra is also very family friendly and is home to pretty Kings Beach

How to get there

You can fly directly to the Sunshine Coast, to Sunshine Coast airport in Marcoola (MCY). This is a regional airport, so if you can’t find a convenient flight, you can instead fly to Brisbane and drive to the Sunshine Coast. The drive will take anywhere from 90 minutes to 2.5 hours, depending on your destination and the traffic.

Victoria

Melbourne

Melbourne has long been considered Australia’s capital of culture, food, shopping & sport, and now it’s overtaken Sydney to become the largest city in Australia. Melbourne has strong European influences, which are especially evident in its cafe culture, diverse food scene and excellent, large food markets.

Melbourne is best known for its vibrant laneways and hidden bars, cafes and restaurants, ever-changing street art, obsession with good coffee and its fervour for the AFL (footy), with nine teams based in Melbourne (half the league!).

Northside neighbourhoods like Fitzroy and Collingwood are frequently recognised as some of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world.

Melbourne is the capital city of Victoria, and has the added benefit of offering a variety of day trip and side trip destinations which are very accessible – often less than a 2 hour drive.

Top 3 Things to Do

• Visit Melbourne’s most iconic neighbourhoods: Carlton, Fitzroy & St Kilda
• Explore Melbourne CBD’s vibrant laneways
• Visit the NGV, the best art gallery in Australia

Where to stay

How to get there

You can fly directly to Melbourne, to Melbourne International Airport. Melbourne is a 1 hour flight from Sydney and a 2 hour flight from Brisbane.

The Great Ocean Road

The Great Ocean Road is Australia’s #1 scenic drive, and stretches for more than 200km along the south coast of Victoria from Torquay to Port Fairy.

The most famous landmark on the Great Ocean Road is the Twelve Apostles, a series of freestanding pillars that are crumbling into the sea. There is so much more to see along the Great Ocean Road though, with a number of other scenic viewpoints in Port Campbell National Park, and pleasant beach towns along the journey.

In the hinterland, take the back rounds to chase waterfalls in Great Otway National Park. The Great Ocean Road is one of the best places in Australia for an epic road trip.

Many tour operators offer long day tours from Melbourne to the Twelve Apostles, the most famous natural landmark on the Great Ocean Road, but I’d strongly recommend taking 3-4 days to explore the region.

Top 3 Things to Do

• See the Twelve Apostles & explore Port Campbell National Park
• Spot koalas snoozing in the gum trees in Kennett River
• Chase waterfalls in Great Otway National Park

Where to stay

• Lorne Hotel in Lorne – A historic boutique hotel, that has been recently renovated. Lorne is my favourite town on the Great Ocean Road
• Apollo Bay – A range of accommodation options in Apollo Bay, which is approximately halfway along the Great Ocean Road

How to get there

You can take a guided day tour from Melbourne, but I recommend hiring a car and doing a road trip if you can. Lorne is my favourite place to stay on the Great Ocean Road, which is a 2-hour drive from Melbourne. Allow more time than you think you need, when driving along the scenic parts of the Great Ocean Road between Torquay and Port Fairy.

The Goldfields

The Victorian Goldfields is a historic region north of Melbourne, and the stage for the 19th century Gold Rush that made Melbourne the richest city in the world at the time. The influx of wealth made the towns in the Goldfields some of the most beautiful country towns in Australia, and the largest towns Bendigo and Ballarat are beautifully preserved to this day. The Goldfields is one of the best places to visit in Australia for experiencing charming country towns,

The Goldfields also has its own wine region, which is particularly renowned for its distinctive Heathcote Shiraz. If you’re visiting in June, head to the tiny town of Heathcote for its annual wine weekend over the Kings Birthday long weekend.

Top 3 Things to Do

• Visit Ballarat – Explore the pretty Ballarat Botanical Gardens, have lunch at Pancho (a gorgeous South American restaurant), & take the kids to Sovereign Hill, an open air museum that recreates Ballarat during the 19th century Gold Rush
• Visit Bendigo – Wander the pretty streets & catch the latest exhibition at the Bendigo Art Gallery
• Heathcote on Show – On the Kings Birthday Long Weekend in June, local winemakers descend on Heathcote and take over public spaces with pop up wine tastings. It’s the best wine event I’ve been to, and I’ve been several times!

How to get there

The Goldfields towns are a 90-minute drive from Melbourne, which makes for a great day trip.

Grampians National Park (Gariwerd)

The Grampians National Park is a favourite long weekend destination for Melburnians and keen hikers, located four hours drive west of the city, in western Victoria. The Grampians is a series of five rugged sandstone ridges, which creates dramatic scenery, waterfalls and plenty of amazing hiking opportunities. You’ll need to book well in advance to get accommodation close to the entrance of the park, in Halls Gap.

Top 3 Things to Do

• Hike to the Boronia Lookout, for one of the most iconic views of the Grampians
• Hike to Mackenzie Falls & Silverband Falls
• Visit Mt Langi Ghiran’s cellar door, to try The Grampians wine

Where to stay

• Halls Gap – Book a cottage or B&B style accommodation well in advance of your trip

How to get there

The Grampians is a 4-hour drive from Melbourne, so it’s best suited as a 3-4 day trip rather than an overnight stay.

Wilsons Promontory

Wilsons Promontory National Park is a beloved national park in Gippsland, in southeast Victoria. “The Prom” as it’s known, juts into the Southern Ocean and is the southernmost point of the Australian mainland.

Come for more than 80km of hiking trails, white quartz beaches, and for your chance to spot Australian wildlife including kangaroos and echidnas. It’s one of the best places in Australia to visit for stunning coastal views paired with hiking opportunities, within a close range to a major city.

More than 50,000 hectares of unspoiled National Park makes it the largest coastal wilderness in Victoria.

Top 3 Things to Do

Where to stay

• There is a range of accommodation in Yanakie, located outside the entrance to the National Park
• Camp in Tidal River Campground, as close as you can get to the action

How to get there

Wilsons Prom is a 3 hour drive from Melbourne, which makes it a very popular long weekend & school holiday destination. 

Mornington Peninsula

The Mornington Peninsula is Melbourne’s weekend getaway destination of choice, located just over an hour’s drive southeast from the city. The peninsula is dotted with dozens of wineries and fringed with pretty beaches and dramatic coastal walks, creating the perfect recipe for a relaxing weekend away. This is one of the best places in Australia to visit for a weekend of wineries and beaches, a rare combination!

Top 3 Things to Do

Where to stay

• Portsea Hotel – boutique hotel above the famous Portsea Hotel (pub). An iconic spot, and a gorgeous pub that goes off in summer
• Intercontinental Sorrento – the new Intercontinental Sorrento is a glamorous hotel destination with on-site bars and restaurants. Lovely pool area & on-site restaurant Audrey’s is divine
• Jackalope is one of the most talked about luxury hotels in Australia. It’s a perfect escape year-round, with vineyard views, a pool and hot tub. Read about my stay at Jackalope here.

High Country Victoria

High Country is a picturesque corner of regional Victoria, filled with mountains, ski fields, rivers, lakes, valleys and wine regions.

Visit the elegant, historic town of Beechworth to step back in time as you walk down its grand streets & eat lunch at the historic Tanswell’s Commercial Hotel. Spend a day or two exploring the King Valley wine region, which was settled by Italian immigrants and retains its Italian influence, producing the best prosecco in Australia.

In the south, Nagambie & Strathbogie Ranges offer a weekend of food, wine & a relaxed pace only an hour from Melbourne.

What to do

• Wine tasting in the King Valley
• Experience true country hospitality in beautiful Beechworth, stop at Tanswell’s Commercial Hotel for lunch
• Hit the slopes at the skifields on Mt Hotham, Mt Buller and Falls Creek

Where to stay

• The King Valley is a great base for a weekend of wine & cheese tasting
• Beechworth is a thriving regional centre, with well-preserved historic streets and B&B style accommodation
• Farther south, Mitchelton in Nagambie offers luxury accommodation on a winemaking estate

How to get there

High Country Victoria is a 2-4 hour drive from Melbourne. Beechworth is a 3-hour drive and is a great base for exploring the region. Since it’s a bit farther, High Country is best as a long weekend from Melbourne rather than a day trip.

Tasmania

Freycinet National Park & Wineglass Bay

Freycinet National Park is located on the east coast of Tasmania, Australia’s island state. Freycinet is most famous for the perfectly curved Wineglass Bay and the dramatic pink granite mountain range, The Hazards, but there are plenty of beautiful views, beaches and bays to discover.

Stay in a cabin at Freycinet Lodge for the best access to the national park, and for stunning views at breakfast, lunch and dinner from the lodge’s deck and restaurants.

Top 3 Things to Do

Where to stay

• Freycinet Lodge – Stay in the heart of the national park at the luxurious Freycinet Lodge. A splurge, but an unforgettable stay!
• Coles Bay is the small town outside the park, which has a wider range of accommodation options

How to get there

Freycinet National Park is on the east coast of Tasmania, almost halfway between Hobart and Launceston. You can fly to either city, and hire a car at the airport for the 2.5 hour drive to Freycinet.

Hobart

Hobart is Australia’s smallest and southernmost state capital, located on the south coast of the island state, Tasmania. Hobart is a real charmer, with a small, walkable historic centre perched on the waterfront.

Tasmania is renowned for its pristine natural environment, which includes some of the cleanest air and purest water – resulting in some of the most spectacular seafood, whiskey and wine you’ll find. Tasmania’s best restaurants are concentrated in Hobart, so make a few restaurant reservations before your visit.

Top 3 Things to Do

• Visit MoNa, the controversial Museum of Old & New Art which put Hobart back on the map. Take the MoNA ferry for the most scenic trip to the museum.
• Coffee & breakfast at the Salamanca Markets, a regular market in historic Salamanca Place
• Explore pretty Battery Point, one of Hobart’s most historic neighbourhood

Where to stay

How to get there

Tasmania is an island state, so you’re best option is to fly. You will likely have to fly via Melbourne, but it’s only a 60-minute flight from Melbourne to Hobart. Alternatively, you can take the Spirit of Tasmania, which is an overnight ferry from Geelong to Hobart.

Launceston & The Tamar Valley

“Lonnie” as it’s affectionately known, is on the north coast of Tasmania and the second largest town in the island state – although it is still a small town by any measure! Launceston is a very pretty town, with a lovely laid back pace. It’s a short flight from Melbourne, and a great base for exploring the nearby Tamar Valley wine region. If you’re travelling to Freycinet National Park, stop for a night in Launceston on your way to explore this charming small city.

What to do

• Visit Cataract Gorge, a beautiful scenic reserve just a 4 minute drive from Launceston’s CBD
• Wine tasting in the Tamar Valley, Tasmania’s premier wine region
• Eat really well from dawn til dusk! Bread + Butter is a great spot for breakfast and Havilah is a stylish wine bar with an excellent, tightly curated menu

Where to stay

• Hotel Grand Chancellor has very large, comfortable rooms & is conveniently located in the Launceston CBD. I stayed here on my last trip.

How to get there

Again, as Tasmania is an island state, the best way to get to Launceston is take a 1 hour flight from Melbourne.

South Australia

Barossa Valley

The Barossa Valley is Australia’s oldest & most prestigious wine region, located just an hour’s drive from the state capital, Adelaide, in South Australia. There are more than 150 wineries in the Barossa Valley, 80 of which have cellar doors (tasting rooms) that are open to the public. Some of the grandest wineries are housed in magnificent chateau estates, giving it a European feel, in an Australian landscape.

The Barossa is famous for its signature, bold Shiraz, but don’t miss out on trying a Barossa GSM, my favourite wine from the region!

Top 3 Things to Do

Where to stay

• Small towns like Angaston, Tanunda or Nurioopta are well located for winery hopping and have a range of B&B style accommodation

How to get there

Fly to Adelaide & hire a car to drive to the Barossa Valley, which is a 60 minute drive from Adelaide

Adelaide

Adelaide is one of Australia’s smallest capital cities, but it punches above its weight in food & wine, thanks to its proximity to some of the best wine regions in the country. The capital of South Australia has a small and walkable CBD, with the highest concentration of excellent bars and restaurants around Leigh Street and Peel Street.

Don’t miss Penfolds Magill Estate, which is a short drive from the city. This is part of Penfolds original estate, and it’s the best place to experience Australia’s most prestigious wine brand.

Top 3 Things to Do

How to get there

Fly directly to Adelaide airport.

Adelaide Hills

The Adelaide Hills is a charming hinterland region just 30 minutes’ drive from Adelaide, in South Australia. Explore the hills to find some of Australia’s favourite winemakers like Shaw & Smith and Nepenthe, dine in cosy old pubs and shop from the farmgate at Berenberg Farms.

Top 3 Things to Do

• Stop for lunch at The Crafers Hotel, a gorgeous, old-world gastropub which is one of my favourites in Australia
• Wine tasting at some of the best wineries in the Adelaide Hills, including Shaw + Smith, Nepenthe and Cobb’s Hill Estate
• Stop in pretty Hahndorf, a 19th century German village 

Where to stay

• The Manor in Basket Range is one of South Australia’s most memorable hotel stays, with accommodation in a castle estate built in 1935

How to get there

The Adelaide Hills is a 30 minute drive from Adelaide, which has the closest airport

McLaren Vale

The Fleurieu Peninsula extends south from Adelaide in South Australia, with dramatic coastline and world class wine region in the McLaren Vale. It’s an easy day trip from Adelaide, and a morning cruising alongside the peninsula’s beaches can be followed up with lunch and an afternoon wine tasting in the rolling hills of McLaren Vale. It’s easily one of the best places in Australia to visit to experience Australia’s excellent wine regions, especially as it’s such an easy trip from a major city.

Top 3 Things to Do

• Wineries in McLaren Vale like Coriole and progressive Alpha Box & Dice
• Admire the larger than life D’Arenberg Cube & the sculptures by Salivdor Dali before wine tasting at D’Arenberg
• Drive along the dramatic coastline & take in the view of beaches like Port Willunga, Aldinga and Noarlunga

How to get there

McLaren Vale is a 45 minute drive from Adelaide, making it an easy day trip.

Western Australia

Perth

Perth is the capital of Western Australia, and is located on the southwest coast of Australia, on the edge of the Indian Ocean. Visiting Perth is a 3-for-1 deal, with the charming, historic town of Fremantle and idyllic Rottnest Island less than an hour away from the city. It’s the best place in Australia to visit for an introduction to Western Australia.

There are 19 sandy beaches in Perth, the most famous of which is Cottesloe (also my personal favourite!). Spend a morning at the beach, the afternoon taking in the views over the city from the sprawling King’s Park and be back in the city for dinner overlooking the Swan River.

Top 3 Things to Do

• Beach hop in Perth at Cottesloe Beach & City Beach
• Spend a day in Fremantle, and visit the new Gage Road Brewery on the waterfront for lunch
• Day Trip to Rottnest Island, cycling between beaches and spotting adorable quokkas!

Where to stay

• Quay in Perth is well located near the waterfront
• Accommodation on Rottnest is available, but it notoriously hard to secure a reservation due to its popularity – good luck!

How to get there

Fly to Perth Airport. Perth is a 3.5 hour flight from Melbourne, and you will have a time zone change which can cause some minor jet lag.

Fremantle

Fremantle is a perfect day or half day trip from Perth, with wide streets and immaculately preserved heritage buildings making it feel a little bit like a movie set. 

How to get there

Catch the train from Perth to Fremantle, which takes less than 30 minutes

Rottnest Island

Rottnest Island, just off the coast of Perth, deserves a day of its own. Hire bikes and cycle between the islands stunning beaches and coves, like Parakeet Bay, Little Salmon Bay and The Basin.

How to get there

Catch a ferry from Perth to Rottnest Island

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