Australia is a unique continent unlike any other, which is famous for its unusually beautiful land, rare natural phenomena, as well as amazing representatives of flora and fauna. Those who are fond of contemplating untouched nature will find a lot of inspiration here. Here you can enjoy both the modern life of the metropolis and go on a journey along the trails of wild nature and fully enjoy scuba diving. After some time, looking at the photos you take here, you will see that you have visited a completely different world with its laws and unique sights. So where to go in Australia for an unforgettable experience and beauty? Read on in this article!
The Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is located in the northwest area along the coast of Australia and is a huge range of coral reefs and islands. This ecosystem is so large that it can be seen from space. It attracts tourists and diving enthusiasts alike. There really is something to see here: the underwater world of the reef is filled with huge corals and colorful plants, through the gardens of which swim schools of fish that you could only see on the screen of the monitor. Other underwater inhabitants include sea snakes, jellyfish, whales, dolphins, guinea pigs, stingrays, turtles, and hundreds of other species. Well, those who want to look at the ocean flora and fauna up close will be able to choose the closest path to them from Cape Melville. The reef has been forming for tens of millions of years, and the newest layers can be seen at a depth of about 15 meters.
By the way, Gerona Island is located here, which is recommended for all beginner divers. Even if you are afraid of diving, you can still get to know the underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef in a specially equipped underwater room, the walls of which are made of durable glass. Visitors can watch the fascinating underwater life of the reef for as long as they like.
The Great Barrier Reef and its attractions are not limited to the underwater world. Entering through Cairns, which is called the gateway to the reef, you can see many exotic plants and animals. Natural beauty unfolds in Russell River National Park, Kuranda Nature Reserve for spectacular waterfalls, Daintree National Park for rainforests, and Eubenangee Swamp National Park for a wide variety of bird species. Particularly curious visitors will not miss the opportunity to visit the Tjapukai Aboriginal Village.
Blue Mountains
Not far from Sydney, or rather, on the border with it, is the Blue Mountains National Park. Most of its flora is blue eucalyptus and dozens of its species, which creates the effect of a blue haze in the air saturated with essential oils from the trees. The local fauna is represented by mountain kangaroos, wallabies, possums, as well as exotic birds. There are observation platforms for tourists, and it should also be noted that not all parts of the park are allowed to enter. By the way, despite its name, the Blue Mountains mainly consist of mountain plateaus, cliffs, canyons, and caves, and the only real mountain here is Mount Victoria, about 1.3 km above sea level. But when you come here and see with your own eyes all the beauty of the opening landscapes and breathe the unusually clean air, you are unlikely to remember about such a minor inconsistency.
Kakadu National Park
A national park called Kakadu is one of the nature reserves to showcase Australia’s incredible landscapes and wildlife. Tourists also come here to get acquainted with the aboriginal history of this place, which has served as their home for thousands of years. You will be able to visit the aboriginal sites and see objects of their culture, rock paintings. The relief of this area has contributed to the creation of many picturesque rivers and waterfalls in which you can swim after a long journey. All in all, this is a great place in Australia to see and capture wildlife in all its beauty and diversity.
Cape Byron
Discovered by James Cook in 1770, the cape is located on the easternmost point of the mainland. Here is an important tourist attraction – the snow-white lighthouse, which was built in 1901. Standing on the observation deck, you can see how the land meets the sea. Despite the fact that there are no problems with communications and this place is very popular among tourists, nature here looks almost pristine. The small town of Byron Bay, where the headland is located, also offers visitors a vacation on Wategos Beach and Main Beach and all the opportunities for surfing.
Fraser Island
Australia is known to be a very green continent. But if you look at Fraser Island, it will look like a boule beach because of the white sand that even formed whole white sandy mountains here. It is noteworthy that the island has freshwater lakes surrounded by wild forests, which creates truly unique panoramas. But visitors need to be careful not to visit completely wild beaches on their own – there are dingo dogs on the island, and poisonous jellyfish can be waiting for you in the water. In addition to the dunes, Fraser Island can captivate visitors with its equatorial forests in the north, where you can also visit the Great Sandy National Park.
Those who want to see Australia’s wild and unspoiled nature should be prepared to travel a lot over long distances. But it’s worth it. You can also feel the continent’s flavor by visiting special museums and botanical gardens in Sydney and other metropolitan areas of the continent. There are a lot of attractive places in Australia, and therefore it seems like a real paradise to every photographer.