50 Most Famous Australian Landmarks (100% worth a visit)
Located south of Indonesia and northwest of New Zealand, Australia is the oldest and most isolated continent in the world. With 24 million people spread over 7.69 million km², Australia is also the 6th largest country in the world, and one of the countries with the lowest density!
Australia fascinates for many reasons: the immensity of its land, the locals hospitality, the breathtaking landscapes between the Pacific and Indian oceans, the beaches, the unique nature and biodiversity, the aboriginal culture… There’s so much to do and see that discovering it all would be the work of a lifetime!
Do you know what are the most famous Australian landmarks?
Here is the list of the 50 Australian famous landmarks, natural and man made included!
The Full List of The Top 50 Australian Famous Landmarks
There are 2 types of landmarks in Australia: the man made and natural landmarks. Find out the full list of the top 30 landmarks by category below, and 20 more for the bravest readers!
🏛 Man made Australian landmarks:
- Sydney Opera House
- Sydney Harbour Bridge
- Sydney Tower Eye
- Bondi Beach Rock Pools
- Grand Pacific Drive
- Gold Coast
- Story Bridge
- Australian War Memorial
- Port Arthur
- Gordon Dam
- Kuranda Scenic Railway
- Great Ocean Road
- Sovereign Hill
- Broome & the Kimberley Region
- The Ghan Train
🏝 Australian natural landmarks:
- Great Barrier Reef
- Fraser Island
- Daintree National Park
- Whitsundays
- Kakadu National Park
- Uluru (Ayers Rock)
- 12 Apostles
- Blue Mountains
- Lord Howe Island
- Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park
- Freycinet National Park (Wineglass Bay)
- Ikara-Flinders Ranges (Wilpena Pound)
- The Pinnacles Desert
- Karijini National Park
- Lake Hillier – Pink Lake
🔍 More Australia famous landmarks:
- Queen Victoria Building
- Snowy Mountains – Mount Kosciuzko
- Byron Bay
- Glass House Mountains National Park
- Big Red Sand Dunes
- Paronella Park
- Flinders Street Railway Station
- Melbourne Cricket Ground
- Grampians National Park
- Remarkable Rocks
- Pildappa Rock
- Litchfield National Park
- Kings Canyon
- Tiwi Islands
- Mount Wellington
- Bay of Fires
- MONA
- Kalbari National Park
- Turquoise Bay
- Penguin Island
So here is the answer to “What are the most iconic Australian landmarks?”. If you want to know more about each of these places, keep reading below!
Man made Australian Landmarks
Although Australia is mostly known for its natural wonders, there are some incredibly famous Australian monuments you can’t miss when visiting the country.
Let’s discover the top 15 Australian man made landmarks now👇
1. Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is the most iconic Australian landmark, and one of the most distinctive architectural work of the 20th century.
Located on Sydney Harbour, the Opera House has become the symbol of the city, and it’s the most recognizable building in Australia. Some see it as a shell, others as a sailboat facing the ocean.
Designed by the Danish architect Jørn Utzon in 1957, the construction took 15 years to complete and cost over $100 million! Today, you can visit the Opera during a guided tour or a performance.
2. Sydney Harbour Bridge
Connecting Milsons Point to The Rocks, the Harbour Bridge is, after the Opera House, the 2nd symbol of Sydney. It’s one of the best Australian iconic landmarks.
The bridge was built in 1932, and because of its shape, it have been called by the Sydneysiders the Old Coat Hanger since then. It’s the largest bridge in the world with a a width of 50 meters.
There are several ways to visit the bridge: by car from one shore to the other, by bike on the west side; on foot on the east side, and finally, by climbing it! You’ll have an unforgettable experience by climbing the bridge as you’ll be able to have a unique view of the city from the sky!
3. Sydney Tower Eye
Completed in 1981, the Sydney Tower Eye is the tallest building in the city with a height of 305 meters.
The building offers an incredible panoramic view over Sydney on its top, at the Observation Deck which is 260 meters above the ground level. If you want to get vertigo, you can try the Skywalk, an outdoor glass-floored platform,
Composing the Sydney skyline, the building has been built to withstand earthquakes thanks to a water tank located on the top, and acting as a stabilizer.
4. Bondi Beach Rock Pools
Bondi Beach is THE most famous beach and one of the best Australia’s famous landmarks. Located at 15min drive from Sydney city center, it’s a must if you’re in town.
The beach is known for its beautiful waves which make it a top spot for surfers, but also for its rock pools that create a unique landscape attracting all the photographers and tourists of the planet.
Once you’ve discovered Bondi, head to the Iceberg (saltwater pool) to join the walk to Coogee. This walk along the coastline will offer you beautiful views over the beaches of Tamarama and Bronte, and if you’re lucky, you might even see whales and dolphins!
5. Grand Pacific Drive
The Grand Pacific Drive is one of the most famous routes in Australia, and in the world. Starting from the Royal National Park located 1 hour drive from Sydney, the route goes along the coastline for 140 km up to the town of Kiama, through Wollongong and Shellharbour.
The route serves several natural wonders and offers breathtaking lookouts over them, including Stanwell Tops and Sea Cliff Bridge.
If you want to do a road trip in Australia, the Grand Pacific Drive is one of the best options as you’ll be able to enjoy both city attractions as well as nature attractions: wine tasting, bathing or snorkeling in turquoise waters beaches, exploring the rainforest…
6. Gold Coast
With 300 days of sunshine every year, the Gold Coast is one of the most popular destinations in Australia. And not only for its climate and its magnificent beaches.
Located 1 hour south of Brisbane and stretching over an area of more than 400 km, the Gold Coast offers an incredible choice of activities: whether you’re nature or city, natural parks or amusement parks, sport or chill, the Gold Coast offers a wide range of activities.
Surfers Paradise is the most famous district of the Gold Coast. Ideal for partying or going for a drink, it’s also the perfect place for shopping.
7. Story Bridge
Story Bridge is the biggest bridge in all Australia! Completed in 1940, it’s now the most iconic landmark in Brisbane.
The bridge connects the 2 shores from the famous Kangaroo Point to Fortitude Valley. You can cross the bridge by walk, which I recommend if you want to enjoy one of the best Brisbane view.
If you are more adventurous, you can climb the bridge and get thrills and spills!
8. Australian War Memorial
The Australian War Memorial (AWM) in Canberra is Australia’s most visited history museum. More than a museum, it has become the place where Australia honors soldiers killed in conflicts around the world.
Located across Lake Burley Griffin from Parliament, this Byzantine-style memorial is dedicated to all soldiers from the colonial period to the present day. Inside the memorial, a museum traces Australia’s military history through exhibits.
In the middle of the courtyard, you can admire the memorial pond in the center of which burns an eternal flame. Landscaped gardens stretch along both sides of the pond.
9. Port Arthur
Located in Tasmania 60km from Hobart, Port Arthur is the most visited attraction in the island, and one of the most famous historical landmarks in Australia.
Although fires ravaged the site in 1895 and 1897, the site is really worth a visit especially because of its story as the Australian version of Alcatraz.
Port Arthur was established as a lumberyard in 1830, and became in 1833 a penal colony for Australian prisoners with heavy sentences. Closed in 1877, Port Arthur is now listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site.
10. Gordon Dam
Located about 2,5 hours from Hobart in the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park, Gordon Dam is the most stunning man made landmark in Tasmania.
To visit Gordon Dam, you’ll take the Gordon River Road, a very sinuous road offering extraordinary panoramic views.
Once there, you’ll be impressed by the lake formed by the 140 meters high dam. You can go down the steps of a staircase to walk on the top of the dam, or try abseiling.
11. Kuranda Scenic Railway
This 100-year old train is a very popular attraction near Cairns. The Kuranda Scenic Railway offers a fabulous 2-hour trip through the most ancient rainforest in the world!
From the train, you’ll have breathtaking views over the dense forest and several waterfalls including the famous Barron Gorge.
The 34km train goes from Cairns to the picturesque village of Kuranda, that you absolutely need to visit if you have time.
12. Great Ocean Road
Visiting the Great Ocean Road is without a doubt an unforgettable experience to have during a trip in Australia. It’s one of the most beautiful roads in the world!
Almost 250 km long between the towns of Torquay and Warrnambool in the southwest of Victoria, the Great Ocean Roads winds along the coastline to take your breath away. The most popular spots are the famous Twelve Apostles in Port Campbell National Park, Loch Ard Gorge and the Bay of Martyrs.
If you’re in Melbourne, you can try a day trip on the road as it’s only 80min drive, but you really need 3-4 days there to enjoy it at best.
13. Sovereign Hill
Sovereign Hill is a reconstructed mining town located in Ballarat, 1.5 hour drive from Melbourne, Victoria.
Founded in 1850, you can explore the historic sites and the beauty of the Victorian architecture, and play a gold digger by trying your luck at the gold sand wash.
This site offers you a full immersion in the life of the Australian pioneers: costumes, carriages, everything is there!
14. Broome & the Kimberley Region
Between idyllic beaches and red-orange land, Broome is a town located in Western Australia, more than 2,200 km north of Perth.
If there’s one thing you shouldn’t miss in Broome, it’s the famous 22 km long beach, Cable Beach. The camel ride on this beach is a must-do in Western Australia.
Broome is part of the Kimberley region, known for its wilderness and dramatic landscapes. Cape Leveque is a highlight of this region, combining red rock, white sand and turquoise water.
15. The Ghan Train
The Ghan is one of the longest rail journeys in the world, along with the Trans-Siberian Railway and the Orient-Express. The Ghan Train covers 2,979 km in 4 days/3 nights (54 hours).
The train starts from Darwin in the northernmost part of Australia to Adelaide in the southernmost tip of Australia (or the reverse). It crosses the Red Centre and goes through the cities of Alice Springs and Katherine.
The Ghan is a unique experience: life on board, fabulous service, incredible landscapes of the Outback… You’ll definitely love this journey through Australia, even if it’s quite expensive.
Australian Natural Landmarks
There are so many natural gems to explore in Australia that this list can’t be exhaustive. We’ve chosen the 15 most remarkable and visited natural spots that make Australia famous.
Let’s discover this top natural Australian landmarks list now 👇
16. Great Barrier Reef
Often called the “wonder of the world” and listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site since 1981, the Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef on the planet! It extends over 2,300 km and has 900 islands and over 2,900 reefs!
From the city of Cairns to the Whitsunday archipelago, whether by plane or by cruise, for a day or a week, discovering this gem is a wonderful experience to do at least once in a lifetime! It’s the most famous Australian natural landmark.
You can access the Great Barrier Reef from many cities such as Cairns, the main gate to the reef, but also from Townsville and Port Douglas.
17. Fraser Island
Fraser Island is located off the coast of Hervey Bay, about 300 km north of Brisbane, in Queensland. This island has huge dimensions for a sandy island: 1,840 km² in area, 25 km wide, and 123 km long. It’s the largest sandy island in the world!
The fauna and flora of this island are unique in the world. You’ll discover clear water lakes and beaches in which swimming is a true delight, beautiful places throughout your stay where you’ll alternate walking, swimming, and well-deserved rest!
Among the best spots on the island: Maheno Shipwreck, the Pinnacles, Lake McKenzie or Champagne Pools.
18. Daintree National Park
Located on the northeast coast of Queensland about 100 km north of Cairns, the Daintree Rainforest is known as one of the oldest rainforest on the planet. It’s the most famous and most visited park in Australia.
Listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site, the Daintree National Park is home to thousands of unique plant and animal species, including crocodiles, cassowaries, frogs, bats and more!
Travel along the Daintree River coast to Cape Tribulation, the only place in the world where the rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef! Exploring this beautiful region where the connection with nature is stronger than anywhere else is a wonderful experience.
19. Whitsundays
Located in the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Queensland, the Whitsundays is a must-see site when coming to Australia. Thousands of tourists go there every year, but there are so many islands forming the archipelago (74 islands!) that you won’t be bothered by the crowd.
The landscapes are breathtaking and unique in the world: beaches and strips of white sand; warm, crystalline, emerald and turquoise waters warmed by a tropical sun, multicolored fishes and corals… Enough to make everyone want to go!
Airlie Beach is the most famous starting point to explore the Whitsundays archipelago, but Hamilton Island‘s Whitehaven is the most beautiful beach not to be missed.
20. Kakadu National Park
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981, the Kakadu National Park has been continuously occupied for 40,000 years. The biggest national park in Australia is home to the remains of hunter-gatherers and fishermen from the Neolithic period to today’s Aborigines.
Therefore, it’s a unique place in the world, only 250 km from Darwin in the Northern Territory. Made of escarpments, cliffs, waterfalls and waterholes, the park is home to a very diverse fauna: thousands of species including insects, freshwater fish, amphibians, sea crocodile, snakes, and over 280 species of birds.
If you visit the park, make sure to avoid wet season and don’t miss Ubirr and Nourlangie, the most renowned aboriginal spots in the park.
21. Uluru (Ayers Rock)
This huge rock formation, located in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, is one of the most famous landmark of the Red Centre. Indeed, the Uluru National Park will introduce you to the aboriginal culture, its origins, and why this place is sacred for this community. Don’t climb on this rock, it is sacred for the Aboriginal people!
Simply admire the sunrise or sunset, which according to the hours transforms the color of the rock in different shades of red, orange, and yellow.
Around Uluru you have a lot of other things to see, including The Olgas (Kata Tjuta) and Kings Canyon.
22. 12 Apostles
The 12 Apostles are one of the most important spot of the Great Ocean Road. Part of the Port Campbell National Park in the state of Victoria, the 12 Apostles are amazing limestone towers that rise to over 45 meters above sea level.
Their formation dates back 10 to 20 million years: it’s the erosion that has isolated these limestone towers from the high cliffs that face them. Even today, the wind and the ocean continue to shape these rock formations. So don’t be surprised to find only 8 of them when you arrive as the others have collapsed since the site was discovered.
It’s at sunrise and sunset that these rock formations planted in the middle of the waves present their most beautiful face. It’s one if the most photographed sites in Australia.
23. Blue Mountains
Located in NSW 2 hours northwest from Sydney, the Blue Mountains National Park is a sandstone mountain range stretching over 1,436 km² and reaching an altitude of 1,112 meters.
The Blue Mountains are carved by deep gorges reaching a depth of almost 1,000 meters in some places! Climb to the top, to Echo Point or Three Sisters, for a breathtaking view of the gorges, between cliffs and waterfalls to cross.
When visiting, make sure not to miss Katoomba and Wentworth Falls, very famous spots in the park. Also, you’ll be able to get close to some animals such as possums or kookaburras.
24. Lord Howe Island
Listed as a World Heritage Site since 1982, Lord Howe Island is located 2 hours flight from Sydney and 600km from Port Macquarie. Lord Howe is an island lost in the heart of the Pacific Ocean, it’s the ideal place to relax and chill.
Born from an underwater volcanic activity at a depth of more than 2,000 meters and surrounded by the world’s southernmost coral reef, its crystal clear waters are full of marine species and rare protected corals.
With only 400 visitors per day, Lord Howe is an exclusive and natural paradise island, perfect for a romantic getaway or a family vacation.
25. Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cradle Mountain National Park stretches over 160,000 hectares in Tasmania. With lakes, glaciers, rainforests and abundant wildlife, this park is a great Australian landmark and must be on your list of places to see.
The park offers many breathtaking hikes, from simple to very challenging, short or long. Among the best places to visit in the park: Crater Lake Glacier, Dove Lake or Lake St Clair.
The best time to visit Cradle Mountain is in the summer, especially in December and January, when the valleys are in bloom. However, the temperatures remain cool even at the foot of the mountain.
26. Freycinet National Park
Located in the east of Tasmania, this national park offers an unforgettable experience. Granite cliffs surrounded by turquoise colored bays and white sandy beaches make this place a heaven on earth. It’s here that the famous Wineglass Bay can be found.
Beyond these incredible landscapes, the Freycinet is home to countless animal and plant species unique in the world. Indeed, you’ll have the chance to see wombats, dolphins, quolls, whales and many others.
Don’t miss the many hikes with exceptional views. With plenty of places to camp, you can spend several days enjoying the beauty of the area.
27. Ikara-Flinders Ranges
Located 450km from Adelaide in the Outback, Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park is one of Australia’s greatest hiking destinations. The region is known for its natural beauty, its ties with the natives and its fantastic bush walks.
The trails here are as huge as the park. The most famous hike is the ascension of St. Mary Peak, the highest peak in the ranges at 1,171 meters, which reveals a panoramic view of the natural amphitheater formed by Wilpena Pound.
As it’s a bit too far away to go there on a day trip, you’ll need to spend at least one night to fully enjoy the park.
28. The Pinnacles Desert
Located on the Turquoise Coast 250km from Perth, the Pinnacles Desert is a natural curiosity in the heart of Nambung National Park. It’s one of the best Western Australian landmarks you can find.
The limestone formations offer a surprising landscape. The stones aren’t man-made: the current shape of these rocky peaks is the result of a millenary erosion. The highest and sharpest stones reach up to 4 meters. Geologists believe that these formations are about 30,000 years old.
Although the park can be visited all year round, the desert is at its most beautiful in spring, when the wildflowers and acacias bloom, and especially at sunrise and sunset.
29. Karijini National Park
Another jewel in the north of Western Australia, the Karijini National Park is a must-see for all those who come to visit Australia and have time to venture into the Western Desert. It’s a region of complete beauty and wilderness and an absolute must-see park.
When you arrive there, you’ll feel like you’re in a western movie with red rock canyons, waterfalls, caves and natural pools where you can immerse yourself, waterfalls flowing into impressive gorges, multiple unforgettable treks to do.
At night, it is also a great place to relax while watching the starry sky.
30. Lake Hillier – Pink Lake
Lake Hillier is a salt lake located on Middle Island, the largest island of the Recherche Archipelago in Western Australia.
This lake is one of the only ones on the planet with an incredible bright pink color. Seen from the sky, it contrasts with the blue of the ocean, the white sand of the coastline and the green of the surrounding eucalyptus forests. Not only does this landscape compose an extraordinary postcard, but the color of the lake remains a mystery to scientists.
With its 600 meters length, Lake Hillier is also the largest pink lake in the world. Discovered by Matthew Flinders in 1802, the lake is known to be one of the most spectacular lakes on the planet.
So, here are the 30 major Australian landmarks to put in your bucket list. But I’m not done yet!
Keep reading to discover 20 more wonderful spots that could’ve been in the top 30 above 👇
More Australia Famous Landmarks
Australia is too big to keep the list under 30! We’ve added 20 top Australian landmarks you should visit if you’re around, breakdown by state.
Let’s jump to it!
Landmarks in New South Wales
- Queen Victoria Building
- Snowy Mountains
- Byron Bay
Read more here: Most Famous Landmarks in New South Wales
Landmarks in Queensland
- Glass House Mountains National Park
- Big Red Sand Dunes
- Paronella Park
Read more here: Most Famous Landmarks in Queensland
Landmarks in Victoria
- Flinders Street Railway Station
- Melbourne Cricket Ground
- Grampians National Park
Read more here: Most Famous Landmarks in Victoria
Landmarks in South Australia
- Remarkable Rocks
- Pildappa Rock (Wave Rock)
Read more here: Most Famous Landmarks in South Australia
Landmarks in Northern Territory
- Litchfield National Park
- Kings Canyon
- Tiwi Islands
Read more here: Most Famous Landmarks in Northern Territory
Landmarks in Tasmania
- Mount Wellington
- Bay of Fires
- MONA
Read more here: Most Famous Landmarks in Tasmania
Landmarks in Western Australia
- Kalbari National Park
- Turquoise Bay
- Penguin Island
Hoorray! You’ve made it to the end of this list of Australian landmarks 🔥
I have one last bonus for you, just below 🙂
Australian Landmarks Map
Here is our map of the 50 Australian landmarks listed on this post. To get it, simply click on the image below to open it in Google Maps. Then click on the “star” icon to save it to your own maps.
Other Australia’s Famous Landmarks
Want to discover more famous Australia landmarks? Well, I have other posts that you might like!
Find the best landmarks in Australia by state:
- Famous landmarks in New South Wales
- Famous landmarks in Queensland
- Famous landmarks in South Australia
- Famous landmarks in Northern Territory
- Famous landmarks in Victoria
- Famous landmarks in Tasmania
Find the best landmarks in Australia by city:
- Famous landmarks in Sydney
- Famous landmarks in Brisbane
- Famous landmarks in Darwin
- Famous landmarks in Cairns
- Famous landmarks in Adelaide
- Famous landmarks in Wollongong
- Famous landmarks in Hobart
I hope you could’ve made your list of the must-see places in Australia thanks to these guides. Don’t hesitate to comment below if this is the case, I would be very pleased to read your feedback!
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Whenever you plan your tour gives you fun moments. A journey with specific locations affords double a laugh because the entirety is managed. When you’ll Australia for a time, for visiting stunning Landmarks in Australia, you must have the following lovely places in mind. These destinations give you freshness in your soul.
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