Every travel writer has a bucket list – a list that’s likely ever-growing thanks to Australia’s incredible scrapbook of otherworldly destinations. From secluded swimming holes and majestic waterfalls to regional dining gems and picturesque wineries, there’s just too much to see, eat, drink and explore.
Want to know what tops our travel bucket list? We’ve rounded up the holiday spots in Australia that our editors at Time Out are itching to visit. Warning: Your personal bucket list is about to get a whole lot longer.
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The Cocos (Keeling) Islands
If you haven't heard of the “Cocos”, you're not alone. This remote tropical island, just a five-hour flight from Perth, only welcomes 144 visitors at a time, making it the perfect off-grid escape from Sydney’s hustle and bustle. I can already picture myself dipping in the crystal-clear water, stretching out on the sugar-white sands and experiencing the local Cocos Malay cuisine. Island time, here I come.
Melissa Woodley, Travel & News Editor
Tasmania
I had a little taster of Tassie earlier in the year – I’m talking eight hours in Hobart to smash out a visit to MONA, down a dozen oysters and grab a wine at Sonny (you know, the essentials) – but all it did was manage to whet my appetite for an even longer trip. I’m desperate to gorge on cheese, chocolate and wine on Bruny Island, take an (icy) dip in Wineglass Bay and hike to the summit of Cradle Mountain. Oh, and I also wouldn’t mind a cheeky overnight stay at Pumphouse Point. So, who’s keen to join me?
Leah Glynn, Melbourne Editor
Kakadu National Park
I’ve only visited the NT once as a child, but I’ve been dreaming of making another trip ever since, as I’d love to witness the majesty of those incredible landscapes again. I’d also love to learn firsthand about the rich history of the region, and the way that Aboriginal people have looked after the land as the Traditional Owners for thousands of years. Having lived on the other end of Australia my whole life, it would be magical to immerse myself in this unique part of the country.
Liv Condous, Melbourne Lifestyle Writer
Ningaloo Reef
The ocean in Australia is my happy place, and I can’t imagine anything more magical than watching the sun set over this ridiculously beautiful reef. I want to wake up in the dunes here and spend days hiking along the coastline and swimming with turtles in the turquoise water. There are so many amazing beaches in Australia, but Ningaloo seems out of this world.
Winnie Stubbs, Sydney Lifestyle Writer
South Australia
As a professional eater, drinker and lover of grown-up grape juice, it’s nearly a sin that I have yet to gallivant around South Australia’s many excellent wineries. The Barossa Valley! Clare Valley! And don’t even get me started on Eden Valley and McLaren Vale! I’ve heard big things about South Australia’s capital too, from Adelaide’s ripper restaurants and bars to its colourful arts scene. So, if you’re asking where’s next on my hit list, here’s looking at you, SA. Now, I just need to find a road trip buddy who values adventure and snacks above all else.
Avril Treasure, Sydney Food & Drink Editor
The Kimberley
Dramatic and rugged, this vast region in Western Australia is known to be one of the world’s most precious wilderness zones. I’d love to bathe under a waterfall, have a picnic with the beautiful ranges as a backdrop, ride a horse or camel and see the dinosaur footprints in Broome. Even from afar, it feels like a sacred place.
Lauren Dinse, Melbourne Food & Drink Writer
The Red Centre
It’s wild to think I’ve lived in Australia for 25 years and still haven’t laid eyes on Uluru. Despite being the poster child for many famous Aussie ads, I reckon I've got to see that colossal rock in person to truly appreciate its grandeur. I’d love to time my visit with the launch of Uluru’s dazzling new Indigenous art, light and sound experience in August, which will showcase the rich cultural connection of the three First Nations artists to the land.
Melissa Woodley, Travel & News Editor
Cradle Mountain
I still haven’t made it to Tasmania. When the borders opened up again, I started planning a Cradle Mountain walking trip – but international borders had also opened up, and the pull of a Greek Islands adventure was just too strong to resist. But I still dream of hiking through unspoilt rainforests, via rocky outcrops and river valleys. Before treating myself at the end of the journey to some cabin overlooking the water, and drinking wine in a steaming-hot outdoor bath.
Alice Ellis, Sydney Editor
Palm Cove
I’m dreaming of jetting across to Palm Cove in Tropical North Queensland. It’s a world away from my local Melbourne weather, but the flight is only a few hours. I can imagine walking barefoot under the coconut palms and 500-year-old melaleuca trees, from a dip in the ocean to a soak in one of the village’s many day spas.
Ashleigh Hastings, Melbourne Arts & Culture Editor
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