Australia for First Timers

Every place below is pinned on the interactive map with its exact location. You can browse it for free, and copy the whole map into your own Ikuzo account to adapt it to your trip.

Sydney

Sydney Opera House

Australia's most famous building, best seen from the water or Circular Quay. Book a guided tour inside or enjoy a sunset drink at Opera Bar.

Sydney Harbour Bridge

Walk across the eastern footpath for free harbour views, or book the BridgeClimb to stand on top. Milsons Point on the north side has the best photo angles.

Bondi Beach

Sydney's most famous surf beach. Swim between the flags and check out the Icebergs ocean pool at the southern end.

Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk

Spectacular 6 km clifftop walk past Tamarama, Bronte and Clovelly beaches. Allow 2 to 3 hours and bring sunscreen.

The Rocks

Sydney's oldest district right under the Harbour Bridge, with cobbled lanes, historic pubs and weekend markets.

Darling Harbour

Lively waterfront precinct with the aquarium, museums and plenty of restaurants. Nice for an evening stroll.

Taronga Zoo

Take the ferry from Circular Quay, then the Sky Safari gondola up the hill. Koalas and kangaroos with the city skyline behind them.

Manly Beach

The Manly ferry ride from Circular Quay is an attraction in itself. Relaxed surf beach with a pine lined promenade.

Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

Free harbourside gardens next to the Opera House. Walk out to Mrs Macquarie's Chair for the classic view of the Opera House and bridge together.

New South Wales

Three Sisters (Blue Mountains)

Iconic sandstone peaks viewed from Echo Point in Katoomba, about 2 hours from Sydney by train. Late afternoon light on the cliffs is beautiful.

Scenic World

Ride the steepest passenger railway in the world down into the Jamison Valley, then return by cableway. Rainforest boardwalk at the bottom.

Hunter Valley

Australia's oldest wine region, around 2.5 hours from Sydney. Base yourself in Pokolbin for Semillon and Shiraz tastings at the cellar doors.

Byron Bay

Laid back surf town at Australia's easternmost point. Walk the Cape Byron track to the lighthouse, whales pass by between June and November.

Melbourne & Victoria

Federation Square

Melbourne's main gathering place opposite Flinders Street Station, home to ACMI and the Ian Potter Centre. A good base for exploring the laneways.

Hosier Lane

Melbourne's most famous street art laneway, the murals change constantly. Two minutes from Federation Square.

Queen Victoria Market

Historic open air market for produce, hot jam doughnuts and souvenirs. Closed Mondays and Wednesdays, with a night market on Wednesdays in summer.

St Kilda Pier

A wild colony of little penguins lives in the breakwater at the end of the pier. Come around sunset, it is free, and keep flashes off.

Twelve Apostles

Limestone sea stacks rising from the Southern Ocean, the highlight of the Great Ocean Road. Come at sunrise or sunset to avoid the tour buses.

Loch Ard Gorge

Dramatic gorge named after an 1878 shipwreck, just minutes past the Twelve Apostles. Stairs lead down to the sheltered beach.

Phillip Island Penguin Parade

Hundreds of little penguins waddle up the beach at sunset every night. Book tickets in advance, about 2 hours from Melbourne.

Brighton Bathing Boxes

82 colourful Victorian bathing boxes on Dendy Street Beach, an easy train ride from the city. Morning light is best for photos.

Queensland

Great Barrier Reef (Cairns)

Day trips to the outer reef depart from the Reef Fleet Terminal in Cairns. Book a snorkelling or diving tour, the outer reef sites have the best coral.

Daintree Rainforest

The oldest tropical rainforest on Earth. Cross the Daintree River on the car ferry and keep an eye out for cassowaries.

Cape Tribulation

Where the rainforest meets the reef. Walk the beach and boardwalks, but no swimming here because of crocodiles and stingers.

Whitehaven Beach

Seven kilometres of pure white silica sand in the Whitsundays, reached by boat or scenic flight. Do not miss the Hill Inlet lookout.

Airlie Beach

Lively gateway town for Whitsundays sailing trips, with a free swimming lagoon on the foreshore.

Surfers Paradise

The Gold Coast's famous high rise beach strip, great for a first surf lesson. Theme parks and nightlife nearby.

South Bank Parklands

Brisbane's riverside parklands with a free lagoon style pool, gardens and restaurants facing the city skyline.

K'gari (Fraser Island)

The largest sand island in the world. Join a 4WD tour to Lake McKenzie, 75 Mile Beach and the Maheno shipwreck.

Red Centre

Uluru

Australia's sacred red monolith. Walk the 10 km base loop early in the morning, then come back for the sunset viewing area.

Kata Tjuta

36 giant red rock domes about 45 minutes from Uluru. The Valley of the Winds walk is the highlight, start early to beat the heat.

Kings Canyon

The 6 km Rim Walk in Watarrka National Park passes sheer cliffs and the Garden of Eden waterhole. Start at dawn, the first climb is steep.

Alice Springs Desert Park

A great introduction to desert wildlife and Aboriginal culture at the foot of the MacDonnell Ranges. The nocturnal house is a highlight.

West & South

Kings Park

One of the largest inner city parks in the world, with sweeping views over Perth and the Swan River. Famous wildflower displays in spring.

Rottnest Island

Car free island a short ferry ride from Fremantle. Hire a bike, swim at the Basin and meet the famously smiley quokkas.

Margaret River

Premium wine region three hours south of Perth, also loved for its surf breaks, caves and craft breweries.

Adelaide Central Market

One of the largest fresh food markets in the southern hemisphere, trading since 1869. Closed Sundays and Mondays.

Kangaroo Island

Wildlife haven with sea lions at Seal Bay, Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch. Ferry from Cape Jervis or a short flight from Adelaide.

Barossa Valley

Australia's most famous wine region, an hour from Adelaide. Old vine Shiraz at Seppeltsfield, Penfolds and dozens of cellar doors.

Tasmania

MONA (Museum of Old and New Art)

Provocative underground art museum, best reached on the camouflage ferry from Hobart's waterfront. Closed Tuesdays.

Wineglass Bay

A perfect crescent of white sand in Freycinet National Park. The lookout is an easy 1.5 hour return walk, continue down to the beach if you have time.

Cradle Mountain

Tasmania's most iconic peak in World Heritage wilderness. The Dove Lake circuit takes about 2 hours, watch for wombats near the boardwalks.