Australia, by region
Six states and two mainland territories, each with its own capital, key towns, and a short list of landmarks worth planning a trip around.
Runs from the Pacific coast to the Snowy Mountains. Most trips centre on Sydney, with day trips into the Blue Mountains or north to Byron Bay.
Cities & towns
- SydneyHarbour city — Opera House, the CBD, Bondi.
- Byron BaySurf town by Cape Byron, the mainland’s easternmost point.
- NewcastleBeach city two hours north of Sydney.
- WollongongCoastal city south of Sydney.
Landmarks
- Sydney Opera House & Harbour Bridge
- Bondi BeachPlus the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk.
- Blue MountainsThree Sisters lookout, Jenolan Caves.
- Hunter ValleyWine region north of Sydney.
Victoria
Built around Melbourne’s laneways and trams, with the Great Ocean Road along the southwest coast and the Yarra Valley an hour out of the city.
Cities & towns
- MelbourneLaneway cafes, street art, the MCG.
- GeelongGateway to the Great Ocean Road.
- BallaratGold-rush era city, Sovereign Hill.
Landmarks
- Twelve ApostlesLimestone sea stacks on the Great Ocean Road.
- Yarra ValleyCool-climate wine region.
- Phillip IslandNightly penguin parade.
- Mornington PeninsulaHot springs and beaches.
Queensland
Coastline stretches 2,200km north from Brisbane to Cape York, taking in the Gold Coast, the Great Barrier Reef, and the Daintree rainforest.
Cities & towns
- BrisbaneRiver city with riverside parklands.
- Gold CoastHigh-rise beach strip and theme parks.
- CairnsReef and rainforest gateway.
- TownsvilleAccess point for Magnetic Island.
Landmarks
- Great Barrier ReefBoat trips from Cairns or Airlie Beach.
- Whitsundays74 islands, Whitehaven Beach.
- Daintree RainforestMeets the reef at Cape Tribulation.
- Fraser Island (K’gari)World’s largest sand island.
Western Australia
Covers a third of the continent with under 3 million people. North of Perth the coast runs through Ningaloo Reef; further north, the Kimberley is largely untouched wilderness.
Cities & towns
- PerthRiverside capital, Kings Park.
- FremantlePort town 20 minutes from Perth.
- BroomePearling town, gateway to the Kimberley.
Landmarks
- Ningaloo ReefSwim with whale sharks, March–July.
- Rottnest IslandCar-free island known for quokkas.
- Pinnacles DesertLimestone spires, Nambung National Park.
- Karijini National ParkRed gorges with swimming holes.
South Australia
Adelaide sits between the hills and the coast, with the Barossa Valley 45 minutes north, and Kangaroo Island and the Flinders Ranges further out.
Cities & towns
- AdelaideCompact capital, busy festival calendar.
Landmarks
- Barossa ValleyAustralia’s best-known wine region.
- Kangaroo IslandSea lions, koalas, Remarkable Rocks.
- Flinders RangesWilpena Pound, six hours from Adelaide.
- Coober PedyUnderground opal-mining town.
Tasmania
An island state 240km south of the mainland. Around 40% of it is national park, including the Overland Track and the Freycinet Peninsula.
Cities & towns
- HobartWaterfront capital, home to MONA.
- LauncestonGateway to the Tamar Valley.
Landmarks
- MONAMuseum of Old and New Art.
- Cradle MountainStart of the Overland Track.
- Wineglass BayFreycinet National Park.
- Bay of FiresLichen-streaked granite coastline.
Northern Territory
Kakadu’s wetlands sit near Darwin in the Top End; Uluru-Kata Tjuta is nearly 1,500km south in the Red Centre, via Alice Springs.
Cities & towns
- DarwinTropical capital, Mindil Beach markets.
- Alice SpringsDesert town, base for the Red Centre.
Landmarks
- Uluru & Kata Tjuta462km southwest of Alice Springs.
- Kakadu National ParkRock art at Ubirr, Yellow Water cruises.
- Litchfield National ParkWaterfalls, day trip from Darwin.
- Kings CanyonRim walk between Alice Springs and Uluru.
Australian Capital Territory
Purpose-built as the national capital, roughly halfway between Sydney and Melbourne, planned around Lake Burley Griffin.
Cities & towns
- CanberraAustralia’s capital.
Landmarks
- Australian War Memorial
- National Gallery of Australia
- Parliament HouseGrass roof you can walk over.
