Australia Unearthed: The Most Beautiful Places In Australia That Aren’t Commonly Heard Of

by Dean Cooper | Jun 10, 2017 | Attractions, Beaches, Cities, Highlight, Listing, Nature, Parks, Top 100 Experiences, Wildlife

Australia is a notoriously beautiful and amazing place but, truth be told, much of the country has been left relatively unexplored. Almost larger than the continental United States, there should be little surprise that there are many areas of natural splendour that have not yet been made popular tourist destinations.

If you are planning a trip ‘down under’ and want to stray from the usual tourist spots, consider checking out a few of these totally beautiful but relatively uncommon destinations.

Esperance

Credit: Chris Fithall on Flickr

Home to Australia’s whitest beach, Lucky Bay, this area on the southern coast of Western Australia was a dream come true for a beach lover like me. The stunning seascape has views of the 110 islands of the Recherche Archipelago. I was looking for adventure and picturesque coves and bays for swimming, snorkelling, and surfing — and I found that all in Esperance. The cobalt blue water, dramatic coastlines, and vibrant wildflower-filled landscapes were some of the highlights from this heaven on earth.

Kangaroo Island

Kangaroo Island is located just south of Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, and was the perfect place to escape from everyday life. Luckily, I have a friend with a house there so I was able to experience some of the 500 kilometers of coastline last year. I was almost overwhelmed by the abundance of amazing activities including culture tours, eco adventures, and sanctuaries to visit. The pristine beaches, bushland, wildlife, and flora and fauna of the land were unlike any other in the world. Easily one of the most gorgeous destinations in Australia, Kangaroo Island was an awesome place to explore.

Wilsons Promontory National Park

I was in serious need of a weekend spent outside of the city and fortunately Wilson’s Prom is only a short drive from Melbourne. This quaint but plentiful national park is the epitome of natural beauty. Fern gullies, salt marshes, mountainous forests, granite ranges, and pristine beaches? What more could you want?  Wilsons Prom is also inhabited by a variety of wildlife. I didn’t have to go to the zoo to see emus, reptiles, birds, amphibians, wombats, wallabies, and kangaroos, this national park has got it all.

Glasshouse Mountains National Park

Just an hour north of Brisbane, this national park was like a dream come true for me (and other nature lovers). I would recommend devoting enough time to truly be able to experience the many rainforests and magnificent hiking tracks. Glasshouse Mountains National Park will forever have a place in my heart for the breathtaking panoramic views that I was able to see. This heritage-listed national park is certainly a one-of-a-kind destination and I can’t wait to go back.

Magnetic Island

After crossing the Great Barrier Reef off my bucket list, someone suggested that I head north to Magnetic Island, just off the coast of Queensland. This island is a truly hypnotic destination that boasts an average of more than 320 days of sunshine per year. While I was there I fell in love with the natural parks, some with pockets of rainforest — all with opportunities for adventure. I spent the day exploring the various walking tracks and checking out the spectacular lookouts. In the evenings, I relaxed on one of the stunning beaches while watching the beautiful and colorful sunset.

Bay of Fires

While this state is relatively underrated and unknown to even many Australians, Tasmania was and forever will be one of my favourite places in the world. This region of Tasmania is home to breathtaking white beaches that are a backdrop for even more beautiful crystal clear blue water and rocks covered with brilliantly coloured orange lichen. The Bay of Fires was so isolated and remote that I felt like I travelled back in time. Surrounded by reserves and national parks, this is an ideal and magnificent location to camp, hike, fish, swim, walk, surf, bird watch, or simply take in all the natural wonders that the northeastern coast of Tasmania has to offer.

“Broome is certainly underrated when it comes to all that it has to offer”

Norfolk Island

Credit: Thomas Huxley on Flickr

If tranquil lagoons, picturesque views of pines and ferns, and dramatic towering cliffs are your thing, then Norfolk Island is the place for you. I feel so happy to have heard about this Pacific island, one of Australia’s external territories. Norfolk Island is home to less than 2,000 people and known for its natural beauty (specifically, the Norfolk Pine tree). I felt like I discovered a secret slice of paradise as soon as I arrived and was immediately surrounded by the lush green landscape and stunning beaches.

Litchfield National Park

Credit: Bryn Pinzgauer on Flickr

Located in the Northern Territory, just south of Darwin, the natural park is truly a sight to be seen. I was mesmerised by the countless swimming holes and numerous breathtaking waterfalls. The 1,500 square kilometres of national park offer so many opportunities for adventure and beautiful sights — just thinking about it makes me want to go back right now.

Broome

Although I had heard of this one before travelling here, Broome is certainly underrated when it comes to all that it has to offer. Located in an extremely remote location, it is typically too far for most travellers, contributing more to its appeal as a somewhat secret destination. Broome is home to a rich Indigenous heritage and pristine white beaches. Considered to be one of the world’s last wildernesses, the tropical climate, world-famous beaches and abundant wildlife make Broome one of the most beautiful and unique places I’ve ever been.

Conclusion

As you can see Australia is home to some amazing and beautiful places. So which one are you going to visit first?