Incredible places in Australia: Why the AUD drop isn't all bad news

The Aussie dollar may be down, but its incredible travel offerings are not.

It’s true, the Australian dollar has hit a five-year low, making it pretty tough for many of us to travel overseas right now. While that isn’t ideal, some of the most unique places in Australia quite literally cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

We’re lucky enough to call this beautiful and fascinating place home, so when it really comes down to it, there’s so much to explore right here that there’s no need to travel anywhere else.

Here are 10 incredible places in our country that prove Australia should be the main event, not the backup option.

1. Daintree Rainforest, Qld

Not only is the Daintree Rainforest magnificent – especially once you cross the Daintree River into Cape Tribulation, you suddenly feel transported to the age of dinosaurs, it’s so easy to imagine them chomping their way through this dense and vibrant green foliage – and at 130 million years it holds the title of the oldest continually surviving rainforest in the world.

The plant and animal life you can find here today is millions of years older than the Amazon, and thriving. From an exclusive waterfall tour of Cassowary Falls to tasting the Daintree Ice Cream Company’s iconic frozen treats, find the best ways to immerse yourself in the Daintree with this list of our favourite things to do.

mosman, daintree rainforest places in australia — See the ancient Daintree Rainforest. (Image: TEQ)

2. Arnhem Land, NT

Not only does Australia have some of the oldest landscapes, but it’s also home to the world’s oldest living culture. While there are fascinating experiences to enrich your knowledge of Australia’s Indigenous peoples all over the country, why not start in the place where the oldest evidence of this culture was discovered? Arnhem Land.

The Madjedbebe site – a rock shelter found at the base of the Arnhem Land escarpment – is dated at 65,000 years. Sitting 300 kilometres east of Darwin in Mirarr Country, ancient artefacts – like tools and ochre crayons used to make pigments – were found here, and proved that the previous estimates of Indigenous people living in Australia fell far short of the truth.

Get out and explore the most incredible places in Arnhem Land with our ultimate guide to planning a trip there.

guide showing indigenous cave art in arnhemland — Learn about the world’s oldest culture in Arnhem Land. (Image: Tourism NT/ Shaana McNaught)

3. Great Barrier Reef, Qld

About 344,400 square kilometres, more than 2900 individual reefs and 900 islands make up the Great Barrier Reef; the largest coral reef system in the world and is one of the World’s Seven Natural Wonders. Stretching for 2300 kilometres along Queensland’s coast from Bundaberg to the tip of Cape York Peninsula, there are so many ways and places to explore its vibrant marine life.

Whether you prefer to get a bird’s-eye view from a helicopter, jump on a glass-bottomed boat, or get up close by snorkelling and diving, this guide to picking the best location for you should be your first read. Then you can read our pick of the best accommodation options, and the best tours.

aerial shot of two people snorkelling in the great barrier reef — Dive into one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. (Image: TEQ)

4. Stockton Bight Sand Dunes, NSW

Hidden just on the edge of Port Stephens, the Stockton Bight Sand Dunes is a spectacular place that most Australians still don’t know about. Created thousands of years ago, these are the largest moving coastal dunes in the Southern Hemisphere. Exploring them can feel like exploring a desert, or another planet, as they stretch so far that you often can’t see anything but sand.

Personally, a quad bike ride with Sand Dune Adventures – an Indigenous-led not-for-profit run by the Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council – is the absolute best way to see these dunes, but there are many other options. Pick your favourite from our top picks list, here.

Stockton Bight Sand Dunes nsw places in australia — Ride a quad bike through Stockton Bight Sand Dunes. (Image: Destination NSW)

5. Great Australian Desert, Central Australia

When combined, this country’s 10 deserts become the Great Australian Desert: the fifth largest (after the Antarctic, the Arctic, the Sahara and the Arabian) and among the most untouched in the world. Australia’s deserts are so large that they cover about a fifth of our nation’s mainland.

So it’s no surprise that both the terrain and the wildlife that call it home are incredibly diverse and unique to Australia. Find landscapes that range from semi-desert grassy or mountainous to red sand dunes and rocky plains to great salt pans. So where to start an Australian desert adventure?

Start here with our guide to the best and easiest ways to navigate our deserts, then have a gander at our top picks of the most incredible outback experiences to have around the country.

person walking through the South Australian Outback — Explore the fifth of Australia that is covered by desert. (Image: Getty/ Philip Thurston)

6. Lark Quarry, Qld

In 1962, a fossilised footprint on Cork Station (about a 1.5-hour drive out of Winton) became the most significant dinosaur discovery in Australia (and the world). Continuing exploration of the area found over 3300 footprints in what was clear evidence of a dinosaur stampede, the only known record of a dinosaur stampede in the world.

Those same footprints are still on display today at Lark Quarry . See the footprints for yourself as you walk around the boardwalks, or join a 45-minute guided tour to learn more.

While you’re there, be sure to check out the rest of what Winton has to offer, for both dinosaur enthusiasts and everyone else.

dinosaur footprints at Australian Age of Dinosaurs in winton qld — See part of the Lark Quarry stampede at the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum. (Image: TEQ)

7. Ningaloo Reef, WA

The World Heritage Site of Ningaloo Reef is not only surrounded by beautiful beaches just begging you to relax on an extended holiday (and the world’s largest fringing reef), but it’s the only place in Australia (and one of few in the world) where you can not only see but swim with whale sharks. Every year, hundreds of these giant sharks, the largest known fish in existence, come to the Ningaloo to find food from March to July.

And that’s not all you’ll see in these crystal clear (and delightfully warm) waters. About 450 different species of marine life call it home for the whole or part of the year, including humpback whales, manta rays, dugongs, dolphins and turtles.

Read this guide to discover our favourite ways to explore this beautiful part of Western Australia.

person snorkelling with a whale shark in ningaloo reef western australia — Swim with whale sharks. (Image: Tourism WA)

8. Coober Pedy, SA

So this is more of a man-made wonder, but the natural abundance of a beautiful little stone saw Coober Pedy become the opal capital of the world. It’s also one of the most unique towns in the world, given that the majority of it – from mines to churches to housing – resides underground in an effort to beat the stifling heat.

It’s truly an Australian bucket list place, and you can start planning your adventure here.

two people underground in Coober Pedy south australia — Head underground to experience Coober Pedy. (Image: South- Australian Tourism Commission)

9. Phillip Island, Vic

Little penguins, the smallest of all penguins, can only be found along the coast of Australia and New Zealand. But where better to guarantee a sighting than Phillip Island, home to one of the largest little penguin colonies in the world.

Just a 90-minute drive from Melbourne (and connected to mainland Victoria by a bridge) book a ticket to the famous nightly Penguin Parade . Elevated boardwalks make for perfect viewpoints as a controlled number of visitors watch these feathered locals return to their burrows every night as the sun goes down. Plus your ticket supports more research into and care for these waddly creatures.

Need even more penguins in your life? Read our list of the best places to spot them in Australia.

[enguin parade on phillip island victoria — Watch little penguins head home for the night on Phillip Island. (Image: Visit VIC)

10. The Blue Mountains, NSW

The Blue Mountains are no secret to Australians, but not many realise that these beautiful rocky mountains are actually 10 times older than the Grand Canyon. In fact, the ancient rocks underneath the mountains are estimated to be about 470 million years old.

That alone makes them worth a visit, but then add the blue-tinged beauty and idyllic towns dotted along this area, and you’ve got a recipe for the perfect holiday. For tips on everything to do, from dining out to staying in, hiking, swimming, wine-tasting and more, read our Blue Mountains travel guide. The outdoorsy types should also check out our favourite hikes in the area, all the better to immerse yourself in this ancient landscape.

the three sisters at the blue mountains new south wales — Gaze on rock formations older than the Grand Canyon. (Image: Destinaion NSW)

Makers, bakers, artists, chefs, crafters – Ballarat and its surrounds are overflowing with creative spirits. All dedicated to keeping traditional skills alive for a city that is humming with artful energy.

Modern makers: a new generation of artists and artisans

“Keeping craft alive is a noble cause,” says Jess Cameron-Wootten, a charming and passionate master leathercrafter and cordwainer, who handmakes traditional leather boots and shoes in Ballarat’s old Gun Cotton Goods Store.

Ballarat was recognised in 2019 as a UNESCO Creative City of Craft and Folk Art, and today it’s a place where craft traditions converge with contemporary needs. Nothing quite captures this convergence as a visit to Wootten , the workshop and store of Jess Cameron-Wootten and his partner Krystina Menegazzo.

heritage buildings in Ballarat — Ballarat’s streets are lined with heritage buildings. (Image: Matt Dunne)

Jess’s father was an artisan bootmaker, or cordwainer. Now Jess and Krys and their small team of artisans continue the tradition, but with a modern spin. The company’s boots and shoes, made completely from scratch, are renowned for their quality and longevity. Wootten also craft shoes, bags, belts, leather aprons, wallets and more.

Cosy beanies, gloves, alpaca socks, “unbreakable” shoelaces and various other goods – many from local craftspeople and small-scale makers – fill the shop’s shelves. “We’re always happy to support a mate,” says Jess. “People love to see the workshop and where things are made. Our clients care about quality and sustainability,” Krys comments. The company slogan ‘Made for generations’ says it all.

Ruby Pilven’s ceramics at Ross Creek Gallery. (Image: Tara Moore)

For Ruby Pilven, craft is also in the DNA – both her parents were potters and with her latest porcelain ceramics, Ruby’s young daughter has been helping add colour to the glazes. “I grew up watching my parents in the workshop – I’ve always been doing ceramics,” she says, although her Visual Arts degree was in printmaking. That printmaking training comes through particularly in the rich layering of pattern. Her audacious colour, unexpected shapes and sudden pops of 12-carat gold are contemporary, quirky – and joyful.

You can see Ruby’s handcrafted ceramics, and work by other local and regional artists, at Ross Creek Gallery , a light-filled space surrounded by serene bushland, across from the mudbrick house her parents built in the 1980s. A 10-minute drive from Ballarat, it’s a tangible link to the region’s well-established craft traditions.

How Ballarat is preserving the past

artisans making crafts at the Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades, Ballarat — The Centre for Rare Arts & Forgotten Trades holds workshops to preserve crafts and skills.

While tradition is ongoing, there’s a danger that many of these specific type of skills and knowledge are fading as an older generation passes on. Step forward the Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades .

The seven purpose-built studios occupy a fabulous modern building adjacent to Sovereign Hill, with state-of-the-art facilities, enormous windows and landscape views across to Warrenheip and Wadawurrung Country.

artisanal works at the Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades, Ballarat — Check out artisanal works at the Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades.

Practising artisans run hands-on workshops. Fancy making your own medieval armour? Or trying your hand at blacksmithing, spinning wool, plaiting leather, weaving cane or craft a knife? Book a class and learn how. “It’s about creating awareness and also sharing knowledge and skills before they are lost,” explains Deborah Klein, the centre manager.

A city steeped in food and flavours

Chef José Fernandez preparing American streetfood at Pancho — Chef José Fernandez creates vibrant South American street food at Pancho. (Image: Ballarat Tourism)

One skill that hasn’t been lost is that of cooking. Ballarat’s burgeoning gastronomy scene runs the gamut from an artisan bakery (the atmospheric 1816 Bakehouse) to cool coffee shops, speakeasy cocktail bars and distilleries to fine-dining venues. But I’m still surprised to find Pancho , José Fernandez’s South American street food restaurant, serving fried cheese tequeños, fiery fish tacos, Argentinian grilled chicken.

The room is as lively as the food – a whirl of colour filled with gifted and thrifted paintings, photos, tchotchkes (trinkets), plants. There’s a Mexican abuela aesthetic going on here. Even before the music and mezcal kick in, it’s fun. Heads up on the drinks menu – an authentic selection of mezcal, tequila, South American wines and Mexican cerveza.

a cocktail at Itinerant Spirits, Ballarat — Enjoy a cocktail at Itinerant Spirits. (Image: Ballarat Tourism)

The spirit is willing, so after lunch we head towards the gold rush-era Ballarat train station and across the line to the old 1860s Goods Shed for Itinerant Spirits . At one end, a massive German copper still looms behind a wall of glass. The fit-out embraces deep olive-green tones, original bluestone walls, steamer trunks as coffee tables, heritage timber floors, oversized lamp shades and cognac-hued modernist leather seating.

the Itinerant Spirits Distillery & Cocktail Bar, Ballarat — The distillery operates from an old goods shed. (Image: Ballarat Tourism)

Gallivanter Gin, Vansetter Vodka and Wayfarer Whiskey – the key spirits distilled – star at the bar. The spirits are crafted using grains from the Wimmera Mallee region, and native botanicals foraged in the Grampians. Seasonal cocktails are inspired by local people and places (I loved The Headland, inspired by Sovereign Hill and flavoured with old-fashioned raspberry drops). Sample the spirits, and join a cocktail masterclass or a distillery tour. It’s a seductive setting – you’ll likely find yourself ordering a charcuterie platter or pizza as the evening progresses.

The Ballarat stay combining history and luxury

one of the rooms at Hotel Vera, Ballarat — The rooms at Hotel Vera have a contemporary style. (Image: Ballarat Tourism)

New lives for old buildings keeps history alive. Vera, Ballarat’s boutique five-star hotel, has taken it to the next level: it’s a palimpsest, a subtle layering of early 1900s and 1930s Art Deco architecture with a sleek new wing. There are seven spacious suites, each a dramatically different colour, with designer chairs, blissful bathrooms. High-end pottery and hand-picked artworks imbue the spaces with personality.

Vera’s intimate, award-winning restaurant, Babae, is subtly theatrical with sheer drapes and gallery lighting, its bespoke timber furniture and brass-edged marble bench setting the stage for food with a sharp regional focus. “We have goat’s cheese from a local supplier, handmade granola from local Vegas & Rose, truffles from nearby Black Cat Truffles, fresh food from our garden, and regional wines,” says joint owner David Cook-Doulton.

Celebrating the local makers, bakers, growers and producers, and the master chefs who work their magic is all part of the rich tapestry that links Ballarat’s history to its vibrant present.

A traveller’s checklist

Getting there

It’s 90 minutes from Melbourne, either on the Western Freeway, or hop on a V/Line train from Southern Cross Station.

Staying there

Hotel Vera is a centrally located Art Deco boutique hotel. Consider Hotel Provincial , which feels like a sleek country house, but with its own restaurant, Lola.

a contemporary room at Hotel Provincial, Ballarat — Hotel Provincial has country house vibes.

Eating there

dining at Mr Jones, Ballarat — The table is set at Mr Jones. (Image: Tony Evans/ Visit Victoria)

Culinary whiz Damien Jones helms Chef’s Hat winner Mr Jones Dining with quiet assurance. His modern Asian food is deceptively simple with deep, intense flavours. Low-key, laid-back ambience, lovely staff, thoughtful wine list.

Cocktails are definitely a thing in Ballarat. Reynard (fox in French) is foxy indeed, a clubby space with top-notch cocktails and small bites. Grainery Lane is extravagantly OTT with its massive 1880s bar, myriad chandeliers, brass gin still, Asian-inspired food and lavish cocktails.

dining at Grainery Lane, Ballarat — Dining at Grainery Lane.

Playing there

a laneway filled with artworks in Ballarat — An artful laneway in the city. (Image: Ballarat Tourism)

Check out local design legend Travis Price’s wall murals in Hop Lane with its colourful canopy of brollies, or in Main Street. The Art Gallery of Ballarat’s off-site Backspace Gallery showcases early-career artists in a stylish, contemporary space. First Nations-owned and run Perridak Arts connects people to place, bringing together art and crafts in this gallery/shop.

a woman admiring artworks at Perridak Arts Gallery — Perridak Arts is a First Nations-run gallery. (Image: Tony Evans)

The wineries of the Pyrenees are close at hand with their welcoming cellar doors and robust reds. Join a behind-the-scenes tour at the Centre for Gold Rush Collections .

Don’t forget the giant bluestone Kryal Castle , ‘the land of adventure’, for a little medieval magic, and not just for the kids: get ready for Highland-style feasting, jousting, even overnight stays.

Australia isn’t a plan B: here’s why the AUD drop isn’t all bad news