Top Five Hidden Gems in Australia
27/02/2025
Australia is jam-packed with iconic sights and attractions that draw in visitors from around the world every year – from the bustling cities like Sydney and Perth to natural wonders like Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef. But if you leave the crowds behind and head off the beaten track or even a short distance offshore; you can experience nature at its very best, mix with the ‘locals, and so much more. To inspire you with a few ideas, we’ve put together a list of our favourite hidden gems to add the finishing touches to your itinerary Down Under!
1. The Whitsundays
With 74 islands to choose from, 69 of which are uninhabited, the Whitsunday Islands amid the Great Barrier Reef are the perfect haven to escape city life on a tour or charter boat. Think picture-perfect views of turquoise waters, crisp white sands, and serene beaches; and it’s easy to see why this is a tropical paradise found. Whether it’s going on an underwater safari to find Nemo the clownfish or sea turtles, getting up close to crocodiles on a crocodile safari, taking a dip in Cedar Creek Falls, or simply chilling out on Airlie Beach; the Whitsundays are filled with memories to treasure.
2. Rottnest Island
When it comes to pinch-me moments, meeting the smiling Quokkas on Rottnest Island, 19km off the coast of Perth, is one to tick off your list. These little marsupials only live in Western Australia, and many have made their home on Rottnest Island. Although you’re not allowed to feed or touch them; keep your distance, be quiet, and they’re happy to smile for the camera for the perfect photograph. Rottnest Island also boasts 63 beaches and 20 bays for diving, swimming, surfing, and whale watching. You can even jump out of a plane for the definitive view over the island on a skydive!
3. Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island, 13km off South Australia’s coast, is a haven for nature lovers with its indigenous wildlife, dramatic coastal scenery, and rich farmlands. It’s a prime spot to catch sight of kangaroos and koalas and is also home to sea lions and seals. Visit Seal Bay’s sea lion colony and stroll the boardwalk or join a guided tour to learn about these endangered ‘puppies of the sea’. Slide down Little Sahara sand dunes on a toboggan, wander fields filled with lavender at Emu Bay Lavender Farm, see the Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch, and sip drinks at the island’s wineries, breweries, and cidery.
4. The Kimberley
Delve into one of the Earth’s true wilderness areas and two billion years of natural history in Western Australia’s Kimberley. Gaze in awe at the rocky shores, ochre-coloured gorges, teeming waterfalls, vast river systems, and fascinating wildlife. Embark on a cruise along the Kimberley coast or a boat tour to the Horizontal Falls. Set out on an epic road-trip along Gibb River Road or take a scenic flight over the otherworldly landscapes of the Bungle Bungles. Broome leads to native animals in the wild on a mangrove tour, camel rides over Cable Beach, and learning about the discovery of pearls at Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm.
5. Melbourne's Laneways
No trip to Melbourne is complete without exploring and experiencing the colourful and lively laneways in the inner city. Wander around and you’re sure to find a surprise around every corner; from hole-in-the wall cafes to stop for a cup of locally roasted coffee and rooftop bars with cityscape views to eclectic restaurants serving mouth-watering cuisine and unique boutiques selling one-of-a-kind clothing and hand-crafted jewellery. Not forgetting the ever-changing street art along the quiet Union Lane thoroughfare and the verdant Guildford Lane urban oasis with its flower-filled window boxes, potted plants, and creeping vines.
Want to experience all this and more on a holiday to Australia? Pack your bags, book one of our amazing Australia adventures, and get ready to uncover the best things to see and do in Australia for yourself.