Natural Landmarks in Australia

Queensland

Stretching along the northeast of Australia you'll find the state of Queensland with a coastline that is nearly 7,000km long. Its capital Brisbane offers surfing beaches and the city of Cairns is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.

Great Barrier Reef has over 400 coral species and amazing marine animals among them sharks, dolphins, and green turtles. This is the biggest coral reef system in the world. The waters are many different shades of blue stretching far and wide.

Barron Falls is located in the Barron Gorge National Park and is a major Australian attraction especially during the wet season when the falls is in a green, lush setting, The falls are in the Barron River in the middle of the national park. They can be enjoyed from a cable car or viewpoints accessed by car.

Paronella Park is where you can see a Spanish castle in the middle of a forest. It is located a hundred miles south of Cairns between Mission Beach and Innisfail. In 1929 Jose Paronella, a Catalan immigrant built the castle and created beautiful gardens.

New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory

New South Wales is in the southeastern part of Australia. It has coastal cities and national parks. The capital of the state is Sydney. There are many surfing beaches and the Hunter Valley region in the north with many wineries.

The Walls of China in Mungo National Park can be accessed by a bike path. These are natural rock formations that offer amazing views.

The Blue Mountains are located on the outskirts of Sydney in the Blue Mountain National Park. The park stretches from the town of Penrith to Lithgow. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The mountains offer many walking possibilities, amazing views, canyons, and huge waterfalls of which the most famous is Wentworth Falls.

There is also the fascinating rock formation The Three Sisters. You can enjoy seeing kookaburras, owls, possums and more.

Kangaroo Valley lies between Sydney and Canberra and has breathtaking landscapes. One of the best places to see the views is at the Cambewara lookout that overlooks the whole valley. The valley is also known for its food and local products including the wines produced at the local winery in Yarrawa.

Australian Capital Territory

The Australian Capital Territory includes Canberra, the capital of Australia. The city was built between Syndey and Melbourne in the early 20th century. Because of the district's forest, farmland and nature reserves Canberra has been given the nickname "Bush Capital."

Australian National Botanical Gardens is located close to Black Mountain and is a great place to walk, picnic, or just relax. During the summer you can enjoy jazz concerts on the weekends. There is a lovely rainforest gully, rock garden, banksia and waratah field.

Australia's national floral emblem the golden wattle can be seen here with the national colors of green and gold. It is a symbol of unity.

Namadgi National Park is the northernmost reserve of the Australian Alps. There are camping sites and accommodation available. Many miles of walking trials with lovely views of landmarks such as Brindabella Ranges.

Gibraltar Falls is located where you can enjoy picnicking, There is a lookout from which you can view the falls. Take a walk to Woods Reserve where you can find picnic tables, barbecues, and a camping area.

Victoria

Victoria is located in southeast Australia and offers surfing beaches, mountains, national parks, and wineries. The state capital is Melbourne.

The Twelve Apostles are amazing rock formations rising out of the ocean along the coastline. A popular tourist attraction you'll find driving along the Great Ocean Road.

Erskine Falls on the Great Ocean Road is one of the most famous waterfalls in Victoria. It is located in Lorne, a small seaside town popular with surfers. The falls is easily accessible and you can view them from an upper lookout or take the 240-steps to see the falls from below and feel the mist.

Dandenong Ranges can be found 30km from Melbourne.

There are beautiful wooded landscapes and lovely villages like Olinda, which is home to the National Rhododendron Gardens with over 15,000 rhododendrons and exotic trees.

Tasmania

Tasmania abbreviated as TAS is an island state of Australia. It lies 240km to the south of the Australian mainland. Its capital is Hobart. It includes the main island of Tasmania which is the 26th largest island in the world and the surrounding 1000 islands.

Russell Falls is the most famous and loveliest waterfall in TAS. It is surrounded by dense tropical vegetation. Located inside the Mount Field National Park the falls are easily accessible.

Wineglass Bay is part of Freycinet National Park and a lovely place to view and take walks among nature.

Lord Howe Island is a third of the way between the eastern coast of Australia and New Zealand, It is a UNESCO World Heritage site with many natural wonders in the Tasmanian Sea.

Northern Territory

The Northern Territory or NT is a vast federal territory known for its Outback desert landscapes. The capital is Darwin and remote Alice Springs is the gateway town to the Red Centre desert.

Uhuru or Ayers Rock is an icon of the Australian outback. It is a sacred site for the Anangu people. This sandstone monolith rises out of the desert capturing light at dawn and dusk. It is no longer climbed but views from a distance and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Kings Canyon is one of the most famous and mythical places in Australia. Located in Watarrka National Park which has been home to the Aboriginal people for more than 20,000 years. It is a formation of gigantic red rocks.

The sandstone canyon rises above the forests at the western end of the George Gil Ranges. For breathtaking views take the Kings Canyon Rim Walk, a 6km loop along steep cliffs.

Bitter Springs at Mataranka in the Elsey National Park is a real oasis in the heart of the Australian desert. You can swim in a natural crystal clear river that is surrounded by lush vegetation with sounds of wildlife all around.

South Australia

South Australia is a state in the southern central part of Australia. Its capital is the beautiful city of Adelaide.

The Flinders Ranges are a short distance from Adelaide. They're towering walls of white and ochre rocks that capture sunrises and sunsets.

Umpherston Sinkhole is also the Sunken Garden and is a massive hole with lovely fauna and flora. It is located in Mount Gambier and was caused by rock erosion. You can stroll between flowers and palm trees. It is one of the most unique natural landmarks in South Australia.

Pildappa Rock is located 15km northeast of Minnipa. It is known as the state's "Wave Rock" due to its sandstone waves. It is the longest and highest wave formation on the Eyre Peninsula. You can climb the rock for spectacular views of the Gawler Ranges National Park where you can find picnic facilities.

Western Australia

Western Australia covers the entire western third of Australia and consists mostly of the arid Outback. The population is concentrated in the fertile southwest corner which is home to the Margaret River wine regions and the riverside capital Perth.

Pumululu the Bungle Bungles are unique rock formations all banded in orange and black. During the dry season April through November, they are accessible. There are many walking paths with hidden watering holes and gorges.

Pink Lakes are spread about Australia. They're pink in color due to the algae in the water and among the best known is Lake Hillier.

Shark Bay has a coastline with white sand dunes and limestone cliffs. It is home to protected species of flora and fauns among them around 10,000 dugongs which are marine mammals resembling manatees. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.