The ‘best 30’ places in Australia, according to travel veteran

I’m not boasting that I’ve covered travel for a long time, but when I started TripADeal was offering two for one pet-friendly specials on Noah’s Ark.

I’ve had the chance to compare and contrast a lot of different offerings on the Australian holiday scene. Seems a shame to waste the knowledge, so here are the top 30 Aussie places I rate the most.

John Walsh was Executive Producer of the TV travel series Getaway from 1999-2024. You can follow John on Instagram @thegetawayexpert.

Beaches

Coogee, Sydney, NSW

In my opinion, this is a better option than its more famous neighbour, Bondi. It’s more compact with great swimming, beachfront promenade, beach park with picnic facilities. Lots of cafés, one of Sydney’s best pubs The Coogee Bay and one of the best bar/restaurant combos – the Coogee Pavilion. Fantastic public transport access as well.

Cottesloe, Perth, WA

Some may not agree about Coogee, but it’s difficult to argue that Cottesloe is not Perth’s best beach.

Fifteen minutes from the city, sparkling white sand, azure Indian Ocean waters and the iconic Indiana Tea House front and centre.

Whitehaven, Whitsundays, QLD

That’s not a beach, THIS is a beach.

You’ll find this sprawling, silicon gem in the annual lists of the world’s best and whitest beaches. Easy access from Hamilton island. 

Drives

Grand Ridge Road, Gippsland, VIC

This doesn’t get the attention of its more famous rival the Great Ocean Road, but this is the definition of a scenic drive. Running for 132 kilometres through forest and farm land of the Strzelecki Ranges. Best access from Melbourne is Warragul about 90 minutes away.

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Cradle Mountain to Strahan, TAS

I love this drive. It’s dramatic, it’s scenic, it’s unpredictable. If you drive straight through it’s about three hours through rainforests, winding mountain roads, wilderness and treeless moors - yes, as in Wuthering Heights. The weather can change instantly. I’ve driven through snow then had lunch in the sun 30 minutes later.

Grand Pacific Drive, South Coast, NSW

This is the scenic route on the last leg of the drive from Sydney to Wollongong. Most famous in recent years for the Sea Cliff Bridge, which you will recognise from countless car commercials. Some of the states best beaches and cutest little towns like Corrimal, Thirroul, and Coalcliff are also along here.

Family holidays

Gold Coast Theme Parks, QLD

OK, you don’t have to be a travel genius to pick this one, but that doesn’t mean it should be off the list. This is a rite of passage for thousands of Aussie families every year. Warner Bros. Movie World, Wet ‘n’ Wild, Dreamworld, Sea World, Whitewater World and Paradise County. If you can’t find something to occupy the kids here you’re not trying hard enough.

Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo, NSW

No adrenaline rides here, just the thrill of a wildlife experience. This is right on trend with “analogue holidays” no devices and no gimmicks. An open plain zoo designed for maximum animal well-being with a family-friendly layout.

(I’m also going to squeeze in Monarto Safari Park, SA, and Werribee Open Range Zoo, VIC, for the same reasons)

Puffing Billy Railway, Belgrave, VIC

An oldie but a goodie. A steam-train ride through the beautiful Dandenong Ranges that has been making families happy for generations. Only an hour by car or train from Melbourne.

Food

Gouger St, Adelaide, SA

This is a foodie’s paradise. Block after block of great cuisine including Thai, Italian, Chinese, Malaysian, French, Vietnamese and Argentinian. Not only that it also borders Chinatown and the Adelaide Central Market which has its own collection of tasty eateries. Proof alone that Adelaide is not boring!

Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne, VIC

This place is aptly named because it is the queen of Australian markets. It is a market but not as you know it. Fresh produce, of course, but for the visitor it’s the range of bakeries, cafés, restaurants, Asian street food, tapas, bratwurst and ramen that will wow you. I mean wow you.

Spice Alley, Sydney, NSW

This is a favourite of mine. An Asian street food precinct tucked away in a lane off Broadway near Central Station in the city. Korean, Cantonese, Chinese, Singaporean, Malaysian, Japanese and some cute little bars. You’re welcome. 

Budget options

Anglesea, VIC

Budget is tricky because it can mean a different thing to different people but Anglesea on the Great Ocean Road between Bells Beach and Lorne should satisfy most definitions. Beautiful setting and a good selection of affordable backpackers, motels, and caravan parks.

Bulli, NSW

Bulli is the less fashionable neighbour of towns like Thirroul and Austinmer on The Grand Pacific Drive mentioned earlier. Same stretch of spectacular coast, great beach but a lot more affordable accommodation options.

Holiday & Caravan Parks, Everywhere

Too many to mention, but there is one near you. Most often the best real estate and best prices in town. Huge fan. 

Outback

Wilpena Pound, SA

This is a giant natural amphitheatre formed by the erosion of ancient mountains - not a volcanic crater or meteorite impact site.

It’s a striking formation in the Flinders Ranges about 5-6hrs drive north of Adelaide. You can drive around the rim in a 4WD or walk into it through a narrow gap called The Pound. 

Mungo National Park, NSW

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This is not on everyone’s outback bucket list, but it should be. The “Walls of China” on the edge of Lake Mungo is an otherworldly sight – more moonscape than landscape.

This is no daytrip, though. Six hours from Adelaide or 11 from Sydney.

The Pilbara, WA

Poor old Pilbara. Doesn’t get near the attention of its more famous neighbour The Kimberley, but it can hold its own as a spectacular patch of outback with the best of them.

The highlight is Karijini National Park. Stunning gorges with freshwater swimming holes and waterfalls. You can camp here or glamp it up at the Karijini Eco Resort. 

Most surprising

Newcastle, NSW

There was a time when Newcastle was a grimy, steel town. No offence. Then in 1999 BHP closed its steelworks and the revitalisation of Newcastle began.

It’s always had some of the state’s best beaches (hello Merewether!), but now the old industrial waterfront has been transformed with the Honeysuckle Precinct headlining the development with shops, cafés, restaurants, hotels and a very popular waterfront promenade.  Queen Wharf West is next to get a major makeover.

Darwin, NT

I was a latecomer to Darwin. I thought it was an outpost city kind of disconnected from the rest of Australia. That may have been the case once but not now. 

The city is neat and clean with plenty of green space and heritage sites. The Waterfront Precinct is the highlight for me with shops, restaurants, hotels and a wave pool. There’s a scenic drive along the ocean front through Fannie Bay to East Point and a great museum and art gallery.

Make sure you time your visit to catch the Mindil Beach Sunset Market, probably the most colourful in Australia, and join everyone on the beach to watch the sun go down. 

Montville, Sunshine Coast Hinterland, QLD

This is a surprise because it’s not the kind of town you expect to find in Queensland. It would feel right at home in the Southern Highlands of NSW or the Adelaide Hills. It’s a very quaint, storybook village that feels very European.

Cute shops, tea houses, and its most famous store the Clock Shop. The name may lack imagination, but the shop does not, specialising in German cuckoo clocks.     

Romantic

Daylesford, VIC

Daylesford is variously known as Victoria’s Spa capital and B&B capital. Either way this cute little town is a recipe for romance. It’s also a magnet for all kinds of lovers – food lovers and wine lovers. What’s not to love?

Byron Bay Hinterland, NSW

Byron Bay is fun, crowded, and beachy. But the Byron Bay Hinterland is not. Not crowded, not beachy, but still fun.

The hinterland starts about 15 minutes out of Byron at Bangalow and includes towns like Newrybar, Federal, and Mullumbimby. Lush rolling hills, pretty valleys, windy roads and lots of romantic accommodation options. I’ll just mention one featured it on Getaway, Blackbird. Stunning.

Tamborine Mountain, QLD

This feels a LOT further than the glitz and glamour of the Gold Coast less than an hour away.

You drive out through the GC hinterland up into an enchanting world of rainforests and charming villages. Ripe for romance.   

Indigenous Culture

Walkabout Cultural Adventures, Daintree, QLD

We featured their Ngana Julaymba Dungay tour on Getaway. A walking tour of the coastal habitats of the Daintree with a local guide who shares his knowledge of bush tucker, bush medicine, and you get the chance to try and catch a mud crab the traditional way. 

Mabu Buru Tours, Broome, WA

These are run by local legend Johani who also doubles as a part-time crocodile wrangler. Born and bred Broome Yawuru man. He runs half and full days tours from hunting and foraging to cultural gathering experiences.

Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris, NT

This is one of the best and most established tour companies in the Northern Territory. Owner Max Davidson got permission from the traditional owners to conduct operations here including taking guests through some sacred areas normally off limits.

Adventure

Ningaloo Reef, Exmouth, WA

Swimming with whales sharks. I haven’t done this myself, but it’s high on my bucket list and a Getaway favourite. The only place in Australia, and one of few in the world, where you can swim with these gentle creatures which are actually the largest sharks on Earth.

Cairns, QLD

Cairns is often called the adventure capital of Queensland for good reason. You can do almost any adrenalin activity here and the surrounding area, including bungee jumping, skydiving, white water rafting, zip lining and more against some spectacular scenery.

The Grampians, VIC

The Grampians are a mountain range in western Victoria about 3.5-4 hours west of Melbourne. Rock climbing and abseiling are the headline adventure here, but there’s also canoeing, mountain biking and 4WDriving. Stunning scenery.