Australia Ranks Second In World's Most Unspoilt Landscapes

Australia has come in second on the list of the world’s most unspoilt landscapes.

From Europe to Central America, some of the most jaw-dropping destinations made the list of destinations across the world that have the most unspoilt landscapes. And not only is Australia on the list, it made the top three.

The rankings

Unspoilt: not spoiled, in particular (of a place) not marred by development.

In today’s world, little of the globe remains untouched. From the depths of the largest rainforest and the deepest parts of the ocean to the highest mountain peak in the world, humans have ventured far and wide in hopes of discovering something new and unseen. With all this travel, it can be difficult to find destinations that remain unspoilt. Until now.

New research by walking holiday experts Inghams has revealed the destinations across the world that are the most intact and preserved. To find out the most frequently posted about unspoilt locations, Inghams analysed 54,000 Instagram posts which included the hashtags #unspoilt, #unspoiled and #offthebeatenpath. This was compared to a control set of 50,000 Instagram posts to reveal an #unspoilt post rate.

Coming in at number one was the Nordic island of Iceland. And number two? That spot belongs to Australia, with an #unspoilt post rate of 10.90 (Iceland came in at 13.15, so not too far off, right?)

Ormiston Pound, Northern Territory — Australia is ranked as the second most unspoilt destination in the world.

Following Iceland and Australia, the top 10 most unspoilt destinations consisted of Ireland, Cyprus, Costa Rica, Tanzania, New Zealand, Peru, Greece and Georgia.

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Why Australia?

It’s not hard to see why our amazing country won second place. Each state of Australia offers something special; its own unique landscape, climate, community, history and arts scene.

From the vast, dusty terrain of the Red Centre and dense, ancient rainforests of Tropical North Queensland to NSW’s stunning beaches and Tasmania’s charming towns, we’ve got it all.

Daintree Rainforest, Tropical North Queensland — Explore the ancient rainforests of Tropical North Queensland.

Want to boat between golden gorges and spot crocodiles? Head up to Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory. Keen to dive with whale sharks at a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site? Ningaloo Reef in WA is the place for you.

Plus, Australia is home to one of the world’s oldest living cultures dating back over 65,000 years.

Ningaloo Reef, WA — Ningaloo Reef is a pristine World Heritage-listed site.

Camping and glamping meet luxury hotels. Fine dining meets bush tucker tours. Thrill-seeking adventures meet relaxing escapes. Shopping. Wildlife encounters. Major cities. Country towns. And hundreds of kilometres worth of stunning landscapes. Australia has it all. And the best part? It’s all unspoilt territory.

Glamping in Australia — Glamping is a great way to see unspoilt Australia in style.

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Maintaining our spot

It’s important that it stays unspoilt and unmarred by mass tourism. According to Anne Williams, director of marketing at Inghams, there are courses of action that ensure it stays that way.

“Anyone who loves spending time in nature knows how disappointing it can be when your favourite natural spots get tarnished by tourists or other human interference," she says.

“In order to keep some of the world’s best landscapes as unspoilt as possible, there are a few things you can do while exploring… leave no trace. Stay on designated trails. Don’t take souvenirs [from the environment] and avoid crowded areas."

Kondalilla National Park in Queensland — It’s important to stay on designated trails.

This means taking everything you bring back out with you. No rubbish, food, wrappers, bottles, other waste and harmful products. Leave natural objects were you found them, they’re there for a reason. Don’t visit places that are often overrun by tourists, opt for less-travelled terrain where you’re less likely to leave a footprint.

According to Anne, “If we can all treat the outdoors as if it were our own homes, we’ll be able to leave behind some beautiful, untouched landscapes for future generations to enjoy too."

Bate Bay’s sweep of beaches has been crowned Australia’s best for 2026, placing Sutherland Shire in the spotlight as a top coastal destination just south of Sydney’s CBD.

The beaches fringing Bate Bay – Cronulla, North Cronulla, Wanda, Elouera and Greenhills – have topped Tourism Australia’s 2026 list of best Australian beaches (as curated by Beach Ambassador Brad Farmer). For locals, it’s less revelation, more recognition.

The mood shifts from the moment you step off the T4 train service from Central to Cronulla and catch a glimpse of the ocean. At dawn, the Esplanade is already buzzing with regulars, and by mid-morning, parents have staked out a toasty spot on Cronulla Beach where excited toddlers clamber over rocks, and the Jellybean swim squad at Oak Park have donned their bright pink caps while singing Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’.

By the afternoon, towels are being collected from across the sand as visitors wander back to Cronulla in loose formation.

North Cronulla beach — Dive into the world’s best beaches.

That’s the thing about Bate Bay beaches. This isn’t a story about a single beach. This long, uninterrupted sweep of sand and sea, where you can walk for kilometres without breaking stride, is not just enjoyed over summer; it’s a year-round destination. Here, Cronulla’s buzz gives way to Wanda’s wild edges, before stretching out to the quieter reaches of Greenhills.

But while Bate Bay’s beaches may have taken top honours in the 2026 Best Australian Beaches list, they’re only part of the drawcard. Sutherland Shire stacks up as a full-spectrum coastal escape, where good food, national park adventures and on-the-water experiences sit within easy reach of the shoreline. Whether you’re planning a long weekend or stretching out a stay, here’s how to make the most of Cronulla beyond the sand, sea and surf.

Beyond the beaches

Dining

The Sutherland Shire dining scene delivers from early morning to late at night with a mix of vibrant cafes, bars and pubs. Start your day at Grind Espresso, where the coffee comes strong and fast. From there, drift towards HAM for pastries, best eaten buttery warm.

By midday, locals linger across sun-lit tables. Loaf and Next Door appeal to the surfers who come in for snacks after chasing waves. Blackwood’s Pantry and The Press are also popular for breakfast and lunch, while Pilgrim’s continues to hold a special place in the hearts of vegans.

Newer arrivals signal where Cronulla is heading: Homer Rogue Taverna is being hailed as one of the best restaurants in Cronulla, with the confidence that comes from understanding what locals want. Ask a local to reveal their favourite restaurant for a special occasion, and it’ll likely be Pino’s Vino e Cucina al Mare, Yalla Sawa or Alphabet Street. Summer Salt, Sealevel, Benny’s, Bobbys and Pippis are a few of the best waterfront restaurants in the Shire.

Finally, when most places are winding down, Duke’s Providore shifts gears to become Duke’s After Hours – a low-lit romantic spot perfect for a date night. Parc Pavilion, Northies Cronulla and bars The Blind Bear, Las Chicas and Low & Lofty’s are also part of Cronulla’s identity.

Visit Bundeena

Bundeena Ferry Wharf — Catch a ferry to Bundeena.

A short ferry ride from Cronulla, Bundeena offers a counterpoint to Cronulla’s mighty surf beaches. If Cronulla is the Shire’s social heart, Bundeena – or Bundenesia, as it’s affectionately known – is the place to go to exhale and unwind.

Hop on the ferry from Cronulla, and within 30 minutes, you’ll be inhaling the eucalyptus-scented air. Check the creative pulse of the local community by timing your visit with the Bundeena Maianbar Art Trail on the first Sunday of every month.

One of the best things to do in Bundeena is paddle into Cabbage Tree Basin with Bundeena Kayaks. Follow the five-kilometre Jibbon Beach Loop Track that leads past quiet coves to ancient Indigenous rock art, or simply find a stretch of pearl-white sand to relax on.

Pristine walking trails

Royal National Park Cape Baily Walking Track — Cool off with a coastal stroll.

Beyond the coastline, Sutherland Shire offers myriad ways to shift gears. Royal National Park – the oldest national park in Australia – sits just minutes from the surf. Clifftop walks trace the edge of the continent, the rugged bushland is threaded with creeks and hidden waterfalls, and a network of tracks rewards those willing to go a little further.

Take the Coast Track, where the land drops cleanly into the ocean over sheer cliffs that have been stacked together like giant Jenga. Or veer inland, where pockets of forest cool the air and filter the light. It’s a reminder of how close nature sits to the bustle of suburbs in the Sutherland Shire.

Enjoy whale watching

humpback whale sighting noosa experiences — Spot whales from May to October. (Credit: The Edit Suite)

Twist your binoculars until the ocean is in focus, stretched like a creased blue sheet all around. Come May, the East Coast becomes the humpback highway. Thousands of whales migrate along this stretch of coastline each year, their movements tracked by keen eyes from vantage points like the Cape Solander platform in Kamay Botany Bay National Park, one of the best places for whale watching in Australia. There’s something quietly thrilling about seeing that first telltale spout or the arc of a breaching body against the vastness of the sea. From June to October, whale-watching cruises depart from Cronulla, offering a closer look at the migration.

Awards come and go. But places like Cronulla endure because they belong as much to the visitors as they do the early-morning swimmers, walkers and surfers.

Plan your escape at visitsutherlandshire.com.au.

Australia ranks second in world’s most unspoilt landscapes

Australia has come in second on the list of the world’s most unspoilt landscapes.

The rankings

Why Australia?

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This stretch of Sydney beaches topped the annual Best Australian Beaches list

Bate Bay’s sweep of beaches has been crowned Australia’s best for 2026, placing Sutherland Shire in the spotlight as a top coastal destination just south of Sydney’s CBD.