The top 15 places to visit in Australia
<p>Here is out Top 15 Ultimate Retirement Bucket List of places to visit in Australia. Take a look at our list and you’ll see there’s something for you – whether it’s a beach holiday, an outback adventure or a tropical paradise.</p>
<p><strong>Bucket List No. 1: Great Barrier Reef, Queensland </strong></p>
<p>The Great Barrier Reef is a living work of art so large - it can be seen from out at space. The 2,300-kilometre-long ecosystem, stretching from Fraser Island in the south to the Torres Strait in the north, is made up of thousands of vibrant reefs surrounding hundreds of white sand islands. It’s listed as one of the seven natural wonders of the world and it’s also the world’s biggest single structure made from living organisms.</p>
<p>You can go snorkelling with amazing tropical fish on the Great Barrier Reef because this world heritage-listed destination is home to 600 types of hard and soft coral, thousands of tropical fish, turtles, sharks and dolphins.</p>
<p><strong>Bucket List No. 2: The Kimberley, Western Australia</strong></p>
<p>Known as one of the world’s last wild frontiers at the north-western end of Australia, the scenery at the Kimberley is breathtaking. The region is three times larger than England, yet only 40,000 Aussies call it home.</p>
<p>Instead, the Kimberley is home to a large range of Australian wildlife in amongst the rolling red sandhills, ancient canyons, breathtaking gorges, serene swimming holes and outback stations.</p>
<p>When you’re ready to relax, head to Cable Beach - a 22-kilometre-long stretch of white sands located in the beach town of Broome. You can ride off into the sunset atop a camel. Or if you’d prefer a more outback experience, stay in the more inland town of Kununurra.</p>
<p><strong>Bucket List No. 3: Uluru, Northern Territory</strong></p>
<p><img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="/nothing.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/dbc4cc43794148f38db4a6aa636a93fe" /><img style="width: 500px; height: 285.3035143769968px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7843254/travel-uluru-at-sunset-um.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/dbc4cc43794148f38db4a6aa636a93fe" /></p>
<p>Uluru usually is often cited as Australia’s number one bucket list destination. This is because there’s nothing more Australian than visiting Uluru. You’ll be awed by the rich red desert sands, champagne-worthy sunsets, the incredible spiritual presence and let’s facit it – this is an outback journey every Aussie should make.</p>
<p>The 350-metre-high structure is shrouded in ancient folklore, Aboriginal Dreamtime stories and rock art dating tens of thousands of years. There are many ways to experience the majesty of Uluru. You can take a walking tour with an Aboriginal guide so you can really appreciate the grand scale of this impressive icon.</p>
<p>Right now, the Field of Light illuminates Uluru as darkness falls. This is a lighting display set up around Ulu<u>r</u>u by artist, Bruce Munro. It’s an amazing sight to see the gentle rhythms of colour lighting up the desert and this display has now been extended indefinitely.</p>
<p>While you’re at Uluru, you can take a quick trip (only 30 kilometres) to Kata Tjuta – also known as The Olgas – and gaze at this<span> group of large, ancient rock formations.</span></p>
<p><strong>Bucket List No. 4: The Whitsundays, Queensland</strong></p>
<p>If your idea of a bucket list holiday means tropical cocktails by the pool, picnics on secluded beaches and sunsets to die for, then the Whitsundays is the perfect place for you. Stay at world famous Hamilton Island or one of the regions smaller island resorts, such as Daydream Island or Heron island.</p>
<p>As well, you can island-hop your way around the stunning Whitsundays because the calm and crystal-clear waters are perfect for sailing. While you’re island-hopping, don’t miss world famous Whitehaven Beach!</p>
<p><strong>Bucket List No. 5: Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory</strong></p>
<p>A short trip outside of Darwin in Australia’s Northern Territory, sits Kakadu National Park, home to the oldest living culture on earth and Aboriginal rock art dating back over 25,000 years.</p>
<p>Kakadu is Australia’s largest national park and there’s lots to do including crocodile spotting, enjoying the incredible indigenous history or visiting outback waterfalls and swimming holes (some are safe from the crocs!).</p>
<p>Or you can spend a day or two hiking the waterfall trails, go swimming in boulder creek and then take an indigenous-owned cruise through the world-famous, Yellow Water Billabong. You can even get into the local wildlife spirit and stay at the croc-shaped <a href="http://www.lastminute.com.au/accommodation/australia/mercure-kakadu-crocodile-hotel/W2642?hotelid=W2642&regionid=1631&noadults=2&nochilds=0&checkin=15%2F01%2F2015&checkout=16%2F01%2F2015&datefrom=15%2F01%2F2015&dateto=29%2F01%2F2015&sortby=17">Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Bucket List No. 6: Margaret River Region, Western Australia</strong></p>
<p>Margaret River is the perfect bucket list destination for food and wine enthusiasts, with hundreds of world class wineries and restaurants in this beautiful pocket of the world.</p>
<p>The best part is this is one of the few Australian wine regions where the vineyards meet the ocean. So, you can spend your mornings at the beach and then take your time in the afternoons to do some wine tasting and feasting on local produce. Bliss!</p>
<p><strong>Bucket List No. 7: Lord Howe Island, NSW</strong></p>
<p><img style="width: 500px; height: 285.1699882766706px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7843255/travel-lord-howe-island-um.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/ba8734bf51b5489d962ac1f0dbeeb4b5" />Lord Howe Island is a gorgeous, hidden gem. This tiny little island only ever allows 400 tourists to visit at a time, making you feel like you have the place to yourself. Spend your days hiking, scuba diving, fishing, paddle-boarding or just relaxing on the beach with a good book.</p>
<p><strong>Bucket List No. 8: Wineglass Bay, Tasmania</strong></p>
<p>Relax on what’s been voted one of the Top 10 beaches in the world! Located on Tasmania’s Freycinet Peninsula, this little piece of paradise features pure white sand against a turquoise sea.</p>
<p>Soak up the deserted beaches around the bay, the colourful rocks and delicious local seafood (hint, don’t miss the region’s oysters). The best place to stay is Coles Bay.</p>
<p><strong>Bucket List No. 9: Great Ocean Road, Victoria</strong></p>
<p>Aussies love a good, old-fashioned road trip and the Great Ocean Road is well-known as one of the best. The 46-kilometre-long coastline road winds from Torquay (west of Melbourne) to Allansford and was built originally to honour fallen World War I soldiers.</p>
<p>The road leads to some of Victoria’s most famous landmarks including: The Twelve Apostles; Bells Beach; the famous artist community of Lorne; Otway Treetop Walk and Zipline; the Henty Wine region; Queenscliff where you can swim with dolphins; stay at the charming fishing village of Port Fairy and visit Cape Bridgewater, where you can watch hundreds of fur seals soaking up the sun.</p>
<p>Many people recommend rising early to see the 12 Apostles at sunrise. This is one of Australia’s world-renowned natural wonders, consisting of these 8 monumental limestone pillars which look like they’re drifting out to sea. One of the pillars has fallen down, due to erosion by the waves, but they’re still awe-inspiring.</p>
<p><strong>Bucket List No. 10: Kangaroo Island, South Australia</strong></p>
<p>Kangaroo Island is the perfect place to get away from everything and get back to nature so you can enjoy some of the real Australian landscape – including the flora and fauna.</p>
<p>Nestled off the coast of South Australia, Kangaroo Island will keep you busy as it’s home to plenty of local wildlife - from sea lions, to penguins, echidnas and koalas.</p>
<p><strong>Bucket List No. 11: Fraser Island, Queensland</strong></p>
<p>Even though Fraser Island is the world’s largest sand island, what you’ll find on there is not your typical island flora and fauna. Boasting lush rainforests, freshwater lakes, creeks and picturesque coastlines – you’ll find a menagerie of native Australian wildlife, including echidnas, possums, sugar gliders, dingoes, snakes, cockatoos and wallabies.</p>
<p>A short ferry ride from the mainland, Fraser Island is the perfect spot for a weekend camping trip filled with fishing, exploring and swimming in crystal clear waters. Make sure you take a run down 75 Mile Beach – it’s a long rugged stretch of sand down the east coast of the island.</p>
<p><strong>Bucket List No. 12: Rottnest Island, Western Australia</strong></p>
<p>A short ferry ride from Perth in Western Australia, Rottnest Island stretches over seven square miles. It’s easy to hire a bike for the day and explore the lush, idyllic landscape at your own pace.</p>
<p>The island is home to just 300 local residents – but apart from people, it’s also home to one very famous marsupial found only in a few locations worldwide - the Quokka. So take your time to catch up with these charming fellows.</p>
<p><strong>Bucket List No. 13: Cradle Mountain, Tasmania</strong></p>
<p>Tasmania has some of the most stunning landscapes in the world and the view from the base of Cradle Mountain, looking across Dove Lake is one of them. As you gaze into the distance, you can see snow-capped peaks reflected in the glassy blue water.</p>
<p>Cradle Mountain is located in the Central Highlands of Tasmania, one mile above sea level. The picturesque mountain can be climbed most of the year but is sometimes dangerous to climb during winter.</p>
<h4>Bucket List No. 14: Whale watching in Hervey Bay, Queensland</h4>
<p>After months of traveling north along the east coast of Australia, these humpback whales finally reach the sanctuary of Hervey Bay for some well-earned rest and relaxation.</p>
<p>It’s at this time you can often see them swimming around Hervey Bay. The whales use the calm, protected waters around Fraser Island as a calf kindergarten to teach their young a few skills. It’s this phenomenon which saw this area crowned as a Whale Heritage Site at the World Whale Conference in 2019. Best time to visit is from July to November.</p>
<p><strong>Bucket List No. 15: The Three Sisters, NSW</strong></p>
<p>These three weathered sandstone peaks are an iconic formation in the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, west of Sydney. Towering more than 900 metres high, they're best viewed from the Echo Point lookout at Katoomba, overlooking the picturesque Jamison Valley.</p>
<p>Aboriginal legend has it they were three sisters who were turned to stone. They are most photogenic at sunrise and sunset. As the sunlight changes throughout the day, it brings out new and different colours against the rocks. The site is also floodlit until around 11pm each evening and you can take a look at the spectacular scene against the black background of the night sky.</p>
<p><em>Photos: Getty Images</em></p>
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