Australia ranks second in world’s most unspoilt landscapes

Taylah Darnell Taylah Darnell
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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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AI Prompt

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."

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Taylah Darnell
Taylah Darnell is Australian Traveller's Writer & Producer. She has been passionate about writing since she learnt to read, spending many hours either lost in the pages of books or attempting to write her own. This life-long love of words inspired her to study a Bachelor of Communication majoring in Creative Writing at the University of Technology Sydney, where she completed two editorial internships. She began her full-time career in publishing at Ocean Media before scoring her dream job with Australian Traveller. Now as Writer & Producer, Taylah passionately works across both digital platforms and print titles. When she's not wielding a red pen over magazine proofs, you can find Taylah among the aisles of a second-hand bookshop, following a good nature trail or cheering on her EPL team at 3am. While she's keen to check out places like Scotland and North America, her favourite place to explore will always be her homeland.
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This new tour takes you to the best and most unexpected parts of NSW’s outback

Credit: Destination NSW

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    The outback is calling, and the adventure is made all the easier with this hot new AAT Kings’ tour.

    It’s the desert palette of rust-red earth and vast cobalt sky that calls you at first, for where better to get away from it all than the outback? Of course, once you start driving, taking note of all the weathered pubs, dusty tracks and tiny towns held together with humour, resilience and more corrugated iron than ever deemed possible, something else grabs a hold of you: the idea that far from the celebrated icons and landmarks associated with Australia, you’re finally immersed in an authentic slice of local life that few have ever experienced.

    Ancient landscapes, proud pastoral histories, ghost towns, culinary powerhouses and a rich Indigenous heritage; there are plenty of facets to life on the land. The best way to experience all of the above with both ease and like-minded friends? AAT Kings’ new Outback New South Wales Adventurer, a 9-day small group tour. This Sydney-return itinerary is designed to connect travellers not only with iconic outback destinations, but with the characters, culture and experiences that bring each place to life.

    Highlights? The Adventurer has more than a few, but here are eight to start.

    1. Broken Hill

    See the striking art at Living Desert and Sculptures. (Credit: Destination NSW)

    Welcome to Broken Hill, where mining history, outback eccentricity and a surprisingly rich arts scene unite in a rusty desert landscape. In Australia’s first heritage-listed city, exploration is quickly rewarded. Begin with a guided walking tour taking in the city’s grand Victorian and Art Deco architecture. Later, enjoy visits to both the Broken Hill City Art Gallery and the Living Desert and Sculptures – the perfect place to enjoy the changing colours of an outback sunset. Of course, no visit to Broken Hill is complete without a stop at the historic Palace Hotel Broken Hill, famous for its role in The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Happily, it makes for the perfect spot for dinner.

    2. White Cliffs

    people in a mine in white cliffs nsw
    Strap on your hardhat and head underground. (Credit: Destination NSW)

    Strap on your hardhat and start spending your imaginary fortunes; White Cliffs, Australia’s oldest commercial opal field, is begging you to come in search of rare pineapple opals. Admittedly, you’re much more likely to find white opals, but the true gems of White Cliffs – where much is built underground to escape the desert heat – are everywhere.

    Here, you’ll descend 13.5 metres underground into a working mine to learn about the region’s heritage, and observe how miners continue the search for these prized gemstones. Perhaps you’ll even find a couple yourself?

    3. Mungo National Park

    mungo national park nsw outback
    Spend time in the striking, lunar-like landscape of Mungo National Park. (Credit: Destination NSW)

    With its lunar-like landscape made up of ancient, dried lake basins and sculpted sand and clay formations, a drive into UNESCO World Heritage-listed Mungo National Park is somehow two things all at once: uniquely Australian with vast outback skies, and somehow otherworldly, as though you’ve been dropped off by spaceship. At its heart lies the iconic Walls of China, a 30-kilometre sand-and-clay lunette shaped by thousands of years of erosion.

    Understanding more than 40,000 years of Barkindji, Mutthi Mutthi and Ngiyampaa history begins with a visit to the Visitor Centre, and concludes with a sunset tour led by local Aboriginal guides. A key experience? Learning about the discovery of Mungo Man and Mungo Lady. At 40,000+ years old, these are among the oldest human remains found anywhere in the world.

    4. Kinchega National Park

    kangaroo in Kinchenga National Park nsw
    Meet the locals of Kinchega National Park. (Credit: Destination NSW)

    Some come to Kinchega National Park for its iconic Darling River landscapes full of birdlife and haunting river red gums; others visit for its rich First Nations and pastoral history. Your visit will encompass all of the above, with a guided tour (part of AAT Kings’ MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience) designed to give a deeper understanding of Barkindji cultural heritage, history and traditions.

    Walk with local guide David as he shares ancestral knowledge and creation stories, and explains how native plants – through bush food and bush medicine – have sustained Indigenous communities for thousands of years. Then sit back and enjoy those views alongside native tea and sweet treats.

    5. Griffith

    chef at zecca restaurant in griffith
    Treat your tastebuds to ‘the food bowl of Australia’. (Credit: Destination NSW)

    How can you say no to a visit to a destination widely regarded as ‘the food bowl of Australia’? Shaped by fertile farmland and home to approximately 75 per cent of New South Wales’ wine grapes, this is a day to roll up your sleeves and enjoy the best gastronomy the state has to offer. Think vineyards, cellar doors, cafes and restaurants largely shaped by its multicultural heart (Griffith is not only home to over 60 nationalities, but has the highest proportion of Italian ancestry anywhere in Australia).

    6. Mudgee

    exterior of lower wines in mudgee nsw
    Visit some of Mudgee’s best wineries. (Credit: Destination NSW)

    Nestled by the Cudgegong River, Mudgee packs a big punch for a heritage country town, having carved a reputation for itself as one of the country’s leading (and award-winning) wine regions, a key epicurean destination, and a regional arts centre growing in both visibility and vibrancy.

    Take a moment to enjoy the town’s 19th-century charm before heading to Lowe Family Wine Co. for a guided tasting of organic and biodynamic wine, followed by a relaxed lunch featuring a feast of homegrown and local produce. Will you walk away with bottles of Mudgee’s iconic reds under your arms? It’s a distinct possibility.

    7. Silverton

    see the living ghost town of silverton on AAT Kings new NSW outback tour
    See the living ghost town of Silverton.(Credit: Destination NSW)

    A once-booming silver mining hub, the dystopian setting for Mad Max 2, and now a tranquil settlement that’s home to around 50 people; Silverton is considered a living ghost town and remains a sight to behold.

    Take time to explore its heritage streets (and perhaps take a look at the quirky Mad Max 2 Museum) and the Silverton Hotel, an iconic outback pub, before a visit to Silverton Gaol & Historical Museum. It’s home to a wealth of colonial artefacts, early mining equipment and stories from the outback’s pioneering past which will serve to anchor you firmly in place.

    8. Shear Outback

    man working at shear outback in nsw
    Get a glimpse behind the wool curtain. (Credit: Destination NSW)

    If you ever find yourself singing, “click go the shears boys, click, click, click…”, you’ve come to the right place. Shear Outback, an award-winning tourist and education attraction located in Hay, brings to life the traditions and stories of one of the outback’s most enduring industries: sheep shearing.

    Here, in the heart of the Riverina, you’ll enjoy live shearing demonstrations, meet the shearers, shedhands, sheepdogs and yes, sheep, who come together to show guests exactly what it takes to provide Australians with all that glorious wool.

    Discover more of Outback NSW with AAT Kings. Visit aatkings.com.