By Caitlin Hornik
Australia is home to iconic beaches, world-famous coffee, and animals that aren’t found anywhere else in the world! Be sure to add these attractions and highlights to your Aussie bucket list!
The Australia Way
Aussies have the work-life balance down pat. The way of life is easier, calmer, and more relaxed. They work hard, they play hard, and they know how to balance it all! There is a huge emphasis on health and wellness. Fresh foods, exercise, surfing, and more are all part of the day-to-day lives of many Aussies. Plus, they’re genuinely kind people!
Beautiful Beaches
The vast majority of Australian towns and cities lie on the coast. As a result, visitors have access to a plethora of beaches! Bondi Beach is arguably the most famous of all and is located just a short bus ride from Sydney city center. Cottesloe Beach in Perth is another favorite!
Great Barrier Reef
One of the seven wonders of the natural world, the Great Barrier Reef is undoubtedly one of Australia’s greatest draws. Fun fact: It is the only living thing on Earth that is visible from outer space! If that’s not enough, the world’s largest coral reef offers visitors the opportunity to snorkel, scuba dive, swim with dolphins, whale watch, and so much more. The Great Barrier Reef is one of the world’s most remarkable destinations!
Aussie Animals
Australia is home to some of the cutest animals in the world! Due to Australia’s isolated nature, they’re not found elsewhere. Thus, the conservation and preservation efforts here are extremely important. In certain parts of Australia, you can hold a koala, pet a kangaroo, and take selfies with Quokkas! Wildlife is a huge highlight of the Aussie experience.
Outback
Central Australia is the outback region, also known as the Red Centre. It is home to Uluru, or Ayers Rock, which is a massive sandstone monolith. Visitors can also see Kata Tjuta, or the Olgas, another massive rock group formation. Be aware, though, that the outback is home to many poisonous insects and spiders! Regardless, it’s worth it to venture to the Red Center to see more of Australia’s natural beauty - and to catch a magnificent sunset!
Foods
Australia has its fair share of delicacies. In fact, they’re responsible for trends including avocado toast and blue algae lattes! You cannot go to Australia without trying fairy bread, meat pies, Tim Tams, lamingtons, and of course, Vegemite!
Coffee
If you’re looking for some of the best coffee in the world, Australia is the place to visit! You can read more about the coffee culture here. In the meantime, you should know that Australian coffee is very strong and that the coffee quality standards are much higher than in America. It is quite common to spend hours in a cafe sipping a coffee and socializing!
Wine
Australia is home to some of the greatest wine regions in the world! Adelaide and Melbourne are gateway cities to wine regions including Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Yarra Valley, Coonawarra, and so many others! Australia produces large quantities of Cabernet, Shiraz, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Merlot, and other interesting wine varieties.
Cities
Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Gold Coast, Canberra, Cairns … The list goes on! Australian cities are charming, quirky, and full of vibrant life. All of the aforementioned highlights and attractions can be found in the bustling cities. They’re loaded with cafes, wines to try, zoos and nature preserves, and plenty of once-in-a-lifetime experiences that make Australia an incredible place to visit!
