Top tourist attractions to visit in Australia
Tourism in Australia is booming, with visitors looking to experience the country’s world-famous beaches, incredible landscapes and fantastic tourist attractions. According to Tourism Research Australia, around 10 million people are expected to visit the country in 2026 alone.
As the sixth-largest country in the world, home to some of the most beautiful places on Earth, there is plenty to do and see in the land down under. With that said, we have revealed the top 10 tourist attractions in the country.
We analysed 40 of Australia’s top tourist attractions on TripAdvisor. From there, we calculated the percentage of five-star (excellent) reviews for each attraction. These were the top 10 attractions with the highest results:
Contents:
- Whitehaven Beach
- Sydney Harbour
- Bondi to Coogee Walk
- Uluru
- The Great Ocean Road
- Kings Park and Botanic Garden
- Hartley’s Crocodile Adventure
- Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria
- Sydney Opera House
- Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
1. Whitehaven Beach
5* rating: 85%
Located in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Whitehaven Beach stretches across 4.3 miles of pristine coastline and is protected from commercial development. Here, visitors can experience Australia’s natural beauty, where lush rainforest directly meets white sand and clear turquoise water.
Due to its remote location, Whitehaven Beach is accessible only by boat. Most visitors visit Whitsunday Island by travelling from Airlie Beach, located on the Queensland mainland. The Port of Airlie Marina offers regular sailings to Whitsunday Island for those looking to witness this incredible beach.
2. Sydney Harbour
5* rating: 82.1%
Serving as the cultural heart of the city, Sydney Harbour is arguably one of the most recognisable harbours in the world, stretching 150 miles along its shoreline. Home to over 60 beaches, national parks and thriving marine life, the harbour blends Sydney’s city landscape with natural beauty, encouraging outdoor activities for both locals and visitors.
Enjoying a ferry ride is a great way to fully experience the harbour. The Manly Ferry takes visitors from Circular Quay to Manly and offers picturesque views across the open harbour to the city skyline. These operate year-round and are highly cost-effective.
3. Bondi to Coogee Walk
5* rating: 80.1%
Bondi to Coogee Walk is a 3.7-mile cliff trail carved into the sandstone of Sydney’s eastern suburbs, connecting two of Australia’s most iconic beaches. With beautiful views of the vast Pacific Ocean, the coastal walk takes about 2 to 3 hours at a steady pace, making it suitable for all ages.
Starting at Bondi Icebergs, the famous saltwater swimming pool, the walk includes some of the city's most beautiful locations, including Tamarama Beach, Bronte Beach, Clovelly Beach, Gordon’s Bay and of course, Coogee Beach, the final destination.
4. Uluru
5* rating: 80%
Located in the desert of central Australia in the southwest corner of the Northern Territory, Uluru is the world’s largest sandstone monolith, famous for its magnificent red hue. At 348 metres tall, it stands taller than the Eiffel Tower and is four times taller than the Statue of Liberty.
Uluru is a major feature of Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park, one of the few places in the world to hold a dual UNESCO World Heritage listing. Despite its popularity, the attraction is incredibly remote, so careful planning is essential for a visit. The nearest major town, Alice Springs, is 280 miles away. Most visitors fly directly into Ayers Rock Airport, which is about a 30-minute drive away.
5. The Great Ocean Road
5* rating: 79.5%
The Great Ocean Road is a 151-mile stretch of winding road along the southeastern coast of Victoria, Australia. Running between the surf towns of Torquay and Allansford, it is celebrated as one of the most scenic and spectacular coastal drives in both Australia and the world.
One key highlight is the 12 Apostles, a collection of huge free-standing limestone rocks rising majestically from the ocean, sculpted by millions of years of fierce wave erosion.
6. Kings Park and Botanic Garden
5* rating: 79.3%
Perched on Mount Eliza, the Kings Park and Botanic Garden is one of the largest inner parks in the world, spanning nearly 1,000 acres. Two-thirds of the park is untamed, protected bushland, while the rest features manicured lawns, memorials, and the internationally renowned Western Australian Botanic Garden.
For those looking to visit, the park offers free guided tours at 10am and 1pm every day. Led by highly knowledgeable tour guides, they will point out tropical plants and share the park's history.
7. Hartley’s Crocodile Adventure
5* rating: 76.2%
Nestled right against the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wet Tropics rainforest, Hartley’s Crocodile Adventure is widely considered the best place in Australia to see apex predators, such as saltwater crocodiles, up close in a safe, eco-friendly environment.
This attraction is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The main highlight is the lagoon boat cruise, where visitors glide through the murky waters of Hartley’s Lagoon. The guides use poles to feed the resident wild crocodiles, causing the massive animals to lunge out of the water.
8. Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria
5* rating: 74.9%
Spanning 94 acres along the south bank of the Yarra River, Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria is a lush oasis that serves as a green escape to Melbourne’s busy central business district. It houses a collection of over 50,000 individual plants representing 8,500 different species from around the world.
It is completely free to visit, making it a budget-friendly option for those looking for something to do in Melbourne. If you are travelling with family, the Ian Potter Foundation Children's Garden is a must-visit. This is an interactive, nature-based playground featuring a bamboo forest, a ruin garden, digging spots, and a spectacular water-play area that’s popular on warmer days.
9. Sydney Opera House
5* rating: 74.8%
As one of Australia's most iconic landmarks, the Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts centre located on Bennelong Point in Sydney Harbour. It is famed as a global architectural masterpiece, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and a major symbol of Sydney.
The opera house was designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon and opened in 1973. Today, it hosts over 2,000 events a year, including classical opera and ballet, contemporary rock concerts, comedy shows, and avant-garde theatre, and is home to the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
10. Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
5* rating: 74.4%
Affectionately known to locals simply as "The G," Melbourne Cricket Ground is Australia’s most iconic sports stadium. Located in Yarra Park, just a short walk from Melbourne’s city centre, it is the largest stadium in the Southern Hemisphere and the epicentre of Australian sporting culture.
With a seating capacity of 100,024, it ranks among the largest and most famous stadiums in the world, alongside venues such as Wembley and Camp Nou. Whether you’re interested in sport or not, MCG should be added to your Australian itinerary.
Other Australian attractions (that didn’t make the top 10) include:
- Mount Wellington - 73.5% of five-star reviews
- Shrine of Remembrance - 73.2% of five-star reviews
- Australia Zoo - 7-.2% of five-star reviews
- National Gallery of Victoria - 68.5% of five-star reviews
- Blue Mountains - 68.1% of five-star reviews
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