Skip to main content
Hays Travel Homepage

Where to Go in Australia?

29/09/2025


Thinking about a holiday to Australia, but don’t know where to start? Fair enough, it’s a big ol’ country. From red dirt outback to reef-laced coastlines, Australia’s got a bit of everything. That’s why we’re going state-by-state with our holiday spotlights. So, you don’t miss a thing! Let’s match you to your perfect Aussie playground. 

1. Queensland

For the Sunshine Seekers and Reef Dreamers

Picture Australia and you’re probably thinking of Queensland. Ever seen water so clear you can spot a turtle winking at you? Home to the Great Barrier Reef (yes, it’s as good as they say), the Daintree Rainforest (yep, oldest in the world), and enough tropical islands to lose track of time entirely, Cairns is your gateway to outdoor adventures. 

But there's more than outdoor adventure. If you like your holiday with a little more luxury, Port Douglas has your name on it. And for pure barefoot bliss? Whitsundays, baby.

2. Sydney & Surrounds

For the First-Time Traveller Who Wants It All

Ok, you got us...Sydney isn’t a state; New South Wales is. But did you really go to Australia if you didn’t see the Opera House?  Sun, surf, and Sydney - New South Wales is the state of icons. And Sydney’s the show-off of the family. Harbour views that make your jaw drop, iconic landmarks like the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, and beaches so good they’ve got their own reality TV shows (we’re looking at you, Bondi).

But don’t just stick to the big smoke. Pop up to the Blue Mountains for misty hikes and dramatic cliffs, and cable car rides or head down the coast to Kiama and Jervis Bay, home to some of the whitest sand you’ll ever squish between your toes.

3. Victoria

For the Cool Culture Buffs

Ahh, Melbourne. The kind of place where the coffee’s strong, the fashion’s slick, and the weather’s... well, changeable. Four seasons in one day? Yep, that’s the vibe. But it’s part of the charm. And when you can browse open-air markets, see penguins on Phillip Island, and watch sunset from a roof top bar, all in the same day, the unique weather is totally worth it!  

The rest of Victoria’s compact enough to explore in chunks. Drive the Great Ocean Road for cliffs that’ll have you hanging out the car window like an excited Labrador. Sip your way through the Yarra Valley. Or rug up and head to the Grampians for hikes, waterfalls, and wildlife galore.

4. The Northern Territory

For the Wild at Heart

Say g’day to the Top End, where Australia’s wild heart beats loud and proud. The Northern Territory is where the country flexes its ancient soul. This isn’t your polished postcard version of Australia; it’s untamed, spiritual, and completely unforgettable.

Uluru, glowing rust red at sunrise, is a must-see. Not just a rock, Uluru is a living cultural landscape, deeply meaningful to the Anangu people, the Traditional Owners of the land. Further north, the adventure ramps up in Kakadu and Litchfield National Park, two wild playgrounds packed with everything from thundering waterfalls you can swim under and crocodile-filled billabongs to 25,000-year-old Aboriginal rock art that tells stories older than the pyramids.

5. Western Australia

For the Kings & Queens of the Road!

Here’s the thing about Western Australia: it’s big. Like, really big. And wildly underrated. The realm of epic road trips, crack open Australia’s biggest region and discover lands of adventure and oceans of gentle giants. 

Perth is the sunniest capital city in Oz, and nearby Fremantle’s got that easy-breezy, craft beer kind of vibe. But it’s once you hit the road that WA starts to show off. Down south, Margaret River is a stunner of wineries, surf breaks, and forests full of towering karri trees. Head north and you’re in for outback-meets-ocean magic in places like Broome, the Kimberley, and Ningaloo Reef, where you can swim with whale sharks. 

6. Tasmania

For the Slow-Down Seekers and Nature Nuts

Tasmania’s devils aren’t the only oddballs to uncover in this remote wonderland. Tasmania’s like Australia’s secret garden, just off the mainland. But with more oysters, ghost stories, and misty mountain magic.

Hobart’s got history and hipster charm with waterfront seafood feasts, buzzing markets, and heritage buildings turned wine bars. But the best way to see Tasmania is to rent a car and take your time. Hike the dramatic peaks of Cradle Mountain, walk with wombats in the wild, or lose a day (or three) sipping cool-climate pinot noir in the Tamar Valley. And don’t skip Freycinet National Park, home to the iconic Wineglass Bay, one of the world’s most photographed beaches.

So... Where’s Your Australia?

Still can’t decide? Honestly, you can’t go wrong. Whether you want to road trip through red dirt, nap on a beach, chase crocs (from a distance), or sip your way through wine country, Australia delivers. And then some.

Just remember: don’t try to see it all in one go. Pick your flavour, go deep, and leave a little room for surprise. Because that’s the beauty of a holiday to Australia. It’s not just a destination. It’s an adventure where the unexpected is half the fun!  

Let’s Match You to Your Perfect Australia Holiday