The Best Things to Do In Each Australian State
After COVID kept us inside for a few years, tourists are flocking back to Australia to discover those bucket list trips they've always been wanting to go on, so we thought when better to highlight the joys of the country than this week, as our Destination of the Week. As such a massive country with so much going on we decided to give you an overview of what there is to do in each state. To give you a taster and maybe help you decide where in the country you want to go.
Western Australia
Western Australia is the largest state in Australia taking up nearly a third of the mainland. With a state this size, it means you’re never short of things to do. Perth is the capital and the largest city in the state and there’s some great stuff to do there. Perth is the sunniest of all the state capitals, so where better to make the most of it than at one of Perth’s beaches, some of the best are Mettams Pool, Cottesloe Beach and Leighton Beach. Perth is a modern metropolitan city, but you can also experience the culture and history of the region here as well as visit some nearby wineries. When in Perth take a trip to nearby Rottnest Island, home to the Quokka, a small mammal similar to a wallaby. They can only be found in Western Australia and are extremely cute. If want wineries Margaret River is the place to go in Western Australia but it's also a great place for surfing and other adventure activities such as caving. If you want to explore the beauty and nature of Western Australia, look no further than the Kimberly region, one of the world’s last wilderness frontiers. It's full of wildlife, canyons, freshwater swimming holes and many outback stations.
Northern Territory
Many of Australia’s states are self-explanatory as to their location, Northern Territory being no different. The state's capital is Darwin, a laidback city which is rich in Aboriginal culture. This can be seen in the languages spoken, and the vast array of street art on buildings and in museums. Being in the north of the country it’s also very near to Asia and Darwin reflects this, especially in the food culture and the night markets, both of which you should definitely check out. The Northern Territory is home to Australia’s best national parks such as Kakadu National Park, Kings Canyon and Litchfield National Park. Across these, you’ll find lush rainforests, 20,000-year-old rock formations and stunning waterfalls and rivers just to start with. If you like being out and about in nature, you should look no further. Perhaps nature's highlight, however, is the visually breathtaking, culturally significant and naturally remarkable formations of Uluru and Kata Tjuta. These rock formations dominate the landscape and are sacred to the local Anangu people.
Queensland
Queensland is known as the ‘Sunshine State’ and is great if you’re looking for beaches. As well as this it is home to one of Australia’s most famous places, The Great Barrier Reef. Brisbane is the state’s capital and it revolves around making the most of the sunshine, whether that being getting out on the water or exploring the food places and markets or engaging with local culture or wildlife. For a truly unique experience, visit the Whitsunday Islands, located off the coast of the mainland and next to the Great Barrier Reef. Here you can swim with turtles, spot whales and discover the beautiful beaches of this archipelago. Something completely opposite to that is the Daintree Rainforest, a lush rainforest that is the oldest in the world. Here you can discover trickling streams, gushing gorges or spot wildlife in this ancient wonderland which David Attenborough called “the most extraordinary place on Earth”.
South Australia
If you’re looking for a state where you can enjoy a relaxed environment, look no further than South Australia. Home to one of Australia’s oldest wine regions, the Barossa Valley, if you’re looking to do some wine tasting, look no further. In the region, there are over 150 wineries which you can discover by road or gaze on from a hot air balloon. The region is also home to many great restaurants, villages and national parks. Adelaide, the state's capital, is a very up-and-coming city for its lifestyle. With a great bar scene, it is also home to world-class art and music in museums, concert halls and festivals, all of which are the envy of any of Australia’s other cities. If you’re in South Australia, nature can be found in the form of Flinders Ranges. This part of the outback is filled with weathered peaks and gorges which create one of the most dramatic landscapes in Australia. You can explore the area in a variety of ways, whether it be a steam train, plane or 4x4. To get your fill of wildlife, visit Kangaroo Island where you can see plenty of the animals which is named after, as well as Koalas, sea lions and even swim with dolphins.
New South Wales
The largest city in Australia, Sydney finds its home on the shores of Port Jackson in New South Wales. The city has so much going on, it’s easy to see why many people choose it as their first stop in Australia. Here you can see the sights such as the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge, as well as discover the culture through museums, tours and trips. No trip to Sydney would be complete without a trip to one of its famous beaches, such as Bondi or finding somewhere a bit more secluded. There is much more to New South Wales than Sydney. Get out and explore further up and down the coastline on the Sapphire Coast and the Central Coast. Get out in nature and explore the Blue Mountains, about a two-hour drive from Sydney. These stunning rock formations, covered in lush bushland create a great atmosphere to get out and explore. Also, just outside Sydney are the wine regions, discover some truly great wines in this serene setting.
Victoria
Melbourne, the capital of Victoria is also the cultural capital of Australia and has been the recipient of the ‘Most Liveable City in the World’. Full of a range of museums and galleries with focuses on anything from art to sports and science, Melbourne is a great place to learn and see more about the area and the country. Moving away from Melbourne take in the sights of nature at the Grampians National Park, a mountain range covered in green forests which rises up from the farmland surrounding it. The national park is full of native plants and wildlife and allows you to discover and learn the local aboriginal culture which runs deep in the region. Victoria is also home to one of the most beautiful drives in all of Australia, the Great Ocean Road. This coastal road snakes along the cliff tops providing scenic ocean views, activities and opportunities at every turn.
Australian Capital Territory
By far the smallest of the states, the Australian Capital Territory is focused around the Australian capital of Canberra. Although it is smaller than many of the main cities in the country, it still has plenty to offer and is easy to get around. In the city, there are plenty of museums and galleries and even a ski slope for families. Just outside the city, you can explore Lake Burley Griffin, where you can walk, cycle or Segway around or kayak, boat and SUP on the lake itself. Get back to nature at Tidbinbilla, a reserve full of lush forests and expansive valleys, which is home to a range of wildlife and you can even spend some nights under the starry skies. Canberra and the surrounding area also make for great wineries, with more than 40 within just a 35-minute drive of the city, there’s plenty for you to choose from.
Tasmania
Last but certainly not least we have Tasmania, if you’re looking to get a feel for everything the country has to offer, it's perfect. Tourism Australia calls it ‘the island state that’s a microcosm of our island nation’. Tasmania is a great place to discover the wild side of Australia with stunning beaches, flowing rivers and mountains, it's an adventure tourists dream. If you’re wanting to explore the wine culture, there’s plenty of that there too and yet still there’s lots for families to do and take part in. The state’s capital is Hobart, a city with a rich history balanced with its thriving streets full of local markets and glistening waterfront. The city has plenty to see and do and is also a good base to explore the wonderful sites nearby.
We hope this has given you an idea of which state or states you may want to visit, whatever you choose, Australia is sure to leave you wanting more. For more info visit www.australia.com To find out about other holiday destinations, take a look around our website or read our blogs to see what takes your fancy. If you know where you’re looking to book call us on 0115 784 3388, email enquiries@ct4ntravel.co.uk or fill in our contact form with what you’re looking for. Don't forget to follow us on social media to find out the next Destination of the Week and for all your holiday needs. If you've been to Australia, where was your favourite place? What was the best thing you did, or do you think we missed anything? Let us know in the comments or on social media, just click the buttons below which take you to our social pages.