10 most Instagrammed places in Australia

Every wondered where the most Instagrammed places in Australia are? We did, so we asked those in the know at Instagram to find the most-tagged travelled-to destinations in this wide brown land.

1. Sydney Opera House

No surprise here. The Opera House is the centrepiece of the most populous city in the country with a benchmark New Year’s Eve celebration of global significance – just like number one on our sister titles’ ‘10 Most Instagrammed Places in the World ’ list.

Other events like the million-people-drawing Vivid light festival will see the sails long illuminated in this list.

2. Darling Harbour, Sydney

On the other side of Sydney’s CBD, Darling Harbour is still first or second stop on many international tourists’ itineraries for a spot of harbourside dining and shopping, even if local visitors have plateaued recently.

Watch this space when the current redevelopment – which includes the demolishment of Entertainment Centre – is complete, particularly given its proximity to entertainment and foodie hubs like Chinatown.

3. Surfers Paradise Beach, Gold Coast

Let’s just say that Surfers Paradise has never topped our best beach in Australia list, yet, but the Gold Coast’s beach-de-résistance certainly attracts its share of digital natives.

Family holidays and the Instagram (and Snapchat) frenzy of Schoolies will help keep Surfers near the top of this Instagram wave.

4. Bondi Beach, Sydney

Sydney’s most famous beach destination for a generation was destined to pop up its head here.

Of course, backpackers and ever-changing trendy restaurants, cafes and bars beef up Bondi’s Instagram credential, but it’s the beach and blue sky that still feature in most Grams. The classic shot across the Bondi Icebergs is one of our faves.

5. Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)

A winter full of AFL and perhaps the most famous cricket game in the world, the Boxing Day test, during summer bring ‘The G’ into Instagram focus.

Consequently the MCG feed is more for sport worshippers than travel dreamers, with a slew of at-the-game selfies and ‘duallies’ of punters in their battle dress of choice.

6. Sydney Harbour

Even when you’re not facing the other two harbour icons on this list, the Opera House or the bridge, there are a million places and spaces that will forever see Sydney Harbour in this top 10 in Australia, if not the world.

7. Sydney Harbour Bridge

How many angles can you Gram the Coathanger from? On top on a bridge climb, from the air in a seaplane, directly underneath from an old ferry or from innumerable spaces from afar, from Taronga Zoo to The Rocks.

Not surprisingly one of our demographics’ more popular vantage points is from directly opposite in the Opera Bar, wine in hand.

8. St Kilda Beach, Melbourne

Without doubt, St Kilda attracts the artiest variety of images in this list, thanks to its bo-ho by the beach vibe.

Expect lots of tattoo shots, foodie Grams among the beach shots and Insta-images of Luna Park’s unhinged-looking clown (see: The St Kilda You Always Wanted to Meet).

9. The Grounds of Alexandria, Sydney

The fact that Sydney’s busiest (if not trendiest) coffee precinct in the barely post-industrial inner-city suburb of Alexandria makes the list may surprise some.

To understand, stand outside the Grounds of Alexandria on a Saturday morning and marvel at the hive of people and traffic buzzing around this coffee-driven collective of utterly Instagrammable spaces.

10. South Bank, Brisbane

South Bank is still Brisbane’s river-side meeting place of choice (see Hip Hood: South Bank).

It has evolved over the past few years, moving on from just a sometimes-rowdy outdoor space to a multi-faceted and personalitied part of Brisbane’s persona with growing cultural cred.

That’s why it’s Brisbane’s favourite Instagram subject.

MORE… The 10 Most Instagrammed Places in the World

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Spend a few days visiting the real-life Central Australian locations that inspired the new film everyone is talking about, and discover why Alice Springs is such an important part of Australian culture.

In the credits of the new Australian film Kangaroo , the first name under ‘cast’ should read ‘The Northern Territory ’. Not only is Alice Springs (and the surrounding landscape) integral to the movie itself, but the spiritual heart of Australia and its local Indigenous owners also inform the look and feel of every frame, explains Producer Trisha Morton-Thomas of Brindle Films, who also plays Charlie’s grandmother Gwennie.

“By setting Kangaroo in Alice Springs (Mparntwe), the film embraces how visible Aboriginal people are here, and the living Aboriginal culture that is woven through this community,” she explains.

still from kangarro film — See *Kangaroo*, then visit the real-life filming locations.

And while shooting in such a sacred part of the Northern Territory required extra planning, it was something the cast and crew were highly invested in.

“There are incredibly significant sacred sites and places of deep cultural stories in the area, that at times are very gender-specific, which we’ve kept out of the production,” she explains. “Even if overhead drone footage captures a sacred site that isn’t meant to be seen by other people outside of that clan, we’ve made sure to omit it from the film.”

If Kangaroo piqued your interest in a Central Australian holiday, we don’t blame you. Read on to discover eight places featured in the movie that you can visit in real life – and get planning. Don’t forget to pack sunscreen and a hat.

1. Alice Springs/ Mparntwe

artist at Many Hands Art Centre — Visit the galleries of Alice Springs, like Many Hands Art Centre. (Image: Tourism NT/ Helen Orr/ Many Hands Art Centre)

The red and dusty streets of the film’s fictional town of Silvergum were filmed on the outskirts of Alice Springs. And, while the art gallery featured in the film is fictional, Alice Springs is a hub of creativity. See the work of local artists at the Araluen Art Centre , Yubu Napa Art Gallery , Iltja Ntjarra (Many Hands) Art Centre and the famous Tjanpi Desert Weavers .

2. The Kangaroo Sanctuary & Kangaroo Rescue Centre

The Kangaroo Sanctuary Alice Springs, the inspiration for the Kangaroo move — Visit the movie’s inspiration at Kangaroo Sanctuary. (Image: Tourism NT/ Kangaroo Sanctuary)

Kangaroo was inspired by the journey of Chris ‘Brolga’ Barns, who founded the now world-renowned Kangaroo Sanctuary based in Alice Springs. For lead actor, Aussie Ryan Corr, the animals were central to the movie, alongside the landscapes.

“The animals in this story were a real calling point for me,” he explains. “What this story tries to tell us about the connection between humans and animals is beautiful.”

To gain a real insight into the fauna and flora of the Red Centre, you can visit the Kangaroo Sanctuary on a sunset tour, where you might even get the chance to hold a baby kangaroo.

3. Ormiston Gorge

woman walking along the edge of Ormiston Gorge near alice springs — Take a dip in Ormiston Gorge. (Image: Tourism NT/ @domandjesso)

The film captures the raw beauty of the West MacDonnell Ranges, known in the Arrernte language as Tjoritja. This national park is rich in Indigenous culture and stark geological wonders.

Only a 15-minute drive from Alice Springs, Tjoritja offers visitors the chance to camp, hike and swim among ancient landscapes (most attractions are less than a three-hour drive away).

Ormiston Gorge , a cooling oasis in among the red desert sands, is one of the most popular destinations, no doubt because of the permanent swimming hole and towering red cliffs. From here, visitors can also embark on the beautiful Ormiston Pound Walk and the shorter – more accessible – Ghost Gum Walk. Bring your bathers – it’s safe for swimming.

4. Standley Chasm

woman walking through Standley Chasm near alice springs — Wander through Standley Chasm. (Image: Tourism NT)

The 1.2-kilometre walk to nearby Standley Chasm will be a highlight for any visitor as the imposing 40 metre-high chasm walls project strength and ancient wisdom.

Visit at midday to experience the path illumined by the midday sun. Not only will you fill your camera roll with vibrant red images of the gorge and its intoxicating shadows, but you can also camp nearby in a powered or unpowered site so you can watch the brilliance of the desert stars fill the night sky after dusk.

5. Simpsons Gap

three people walking on path through simpsons gap near alice springs — Walk the trails of Simpson’s Gap. (Image: Tourism NT/ Helen Orr)

Closer to Alice Springs, the photogenic Simpsons Gap is the perfect place to spot the endangered Black-footed Rock wallaby near the permanent watering hole. While swimming isn’t permitted, soaking up the sun and views certainly is.

Explore the area’s numerous walking trails, appreciate the soaring cliffs on either side of the ‘gap’ and pick out the shooting locations of Kangaroo in the area.

6. Ellery Creek Big Hole

aerial of Ellery Creek Big Hole near alice springs — Dive into Ellery Creek Big Hole. (Image: Tourism NT/ Tourism Australia)

When it comes to classic Northern Territory landscapes, you can’t go past Ellery Creek Big Hole/ Udepata : tall gum trees sidling up to a refreshing watering hole (fed by the West MacDonnell Ranges and surrounded by rugged red cliffs.

Swim in the cooling waters, hike the cliff tops, watch for birds and even stargaze as you camp here overnight. It’s locations like this that attracted the film’s director Kate Woods to the project.

“It humbles you to be in this environment: it’s so beautiful, so old and so vast,” she explains. “I was thrilled to get a chance to … shoot such a beautiful story in the incredible landscape of the Northern Territory.”

7. Larapinta Drive

aerial of Larapinta Drive into alice springs — Drive along Larapinta Drive. (Image: Tourism NT)

There is no better way to get a feel for how the characters arrived at the fictional Central Australian town of Silvergum than to travel along the iconic state road, Larapinta Drive.

Connecting Alice Springs to the mighty King’s Canyon in the west, via the historic community of Hermannsburg, this road takes in the West MacDonnell National Park, Alice Springs Desert Park and artist Albert Namatjira’s house, among other attractions. Take your time, bring a camera and prepare for numerous stops along the way.

8. Todd River

competitors in Henley on Todd Regatta, alice springs — Join in the fun of the quirky Henley on Todd Regatta. (Image: Tourism NT/ TImparja Creative)

Meandering through Alice Springs like a lazy Western Brown snake, the Todd River is a central part of Alice Springs culture. Known as an ‘intermittent river’, the Todd can go from a dry dusty riverbed to a flowing waterscape in less than 15 minutes after heavy rainfall.

When it’s dry, the famous Henley on Todd Regatta fills the sandy riverbed with handmade ‘boats’ carried by sailors. This is the world’s only dry river boating event, and it’s referenced in the ‘Silvergum Boat Race’ in the movie. Inspired by the real-life event, the characters built quirky “Flintstones-style boats” and competed in teams.

See Kangaroo in cinemas now, and start planning your NT getaway at northernterritory.com.

The 10 most Instagrammed places in Australia