Most backpackers and travelers will pay a visit to beautiful Australia once or twice in their lifetime. With 8.7 million visitors in 2017, it’s one of the most visited continents in the world. Rainforests, desserts, mountains, beaches, cliffs, reefs, dunes and more, Australia has it all. Down Under is by far one of my favorite places in the world and the perfect destination for traveling by yourself.
But we all know about Bondi Beach, Fraser island, The Twelve Apostels and the stunning Great Barrier Reef. We think there are a few roads less traveled you should know about..
Western Australia
Most backpackers fly directly into Melbourne or Sydney and travel along the Eastcoast but the Westcoast is something you shouldn’t miss out on. It’s the side of Australia where the sun sets into the sea, where you can swim with whale sharks and it has less tourists.
- Coral Bay
Coral Bay is a tiny town on the coast, 1,200 kilometres north of Perth. It’s a special spot because it’s full of marine life. Whale sharks come to the area between March and June and from June to October you can watch the migration of the Humpback Whales. It’s not a town full of restaurants and café’s so you should go here to unwind and enjoy the stunning nature. - Rockingham
Another great lesser known spot in Australia is Rockingham. I swam here with wild dolphins. You simply head out to sea, jump in the water and watch them play. No pool, no touching, no trained animals. You just enjoy these beautiful creatures, A must do! - Rottnest Island
Just offshore from Perth, you will find this small lesser known island. Go here for snorkling, swimming or sunbathing. You can rent a bungalow for the night and there is even a small centre. It’s also home to the quokka, a small wallaby-like marsupial. - Dunsborough
I arrived in Dunsborough about 9 years ago but I still remember it as it was yesterday. I had never seen such a long stretched beach without people on it! The water is crystal clear and the people here are super friendly. You can also find the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park here, where you can spot some of the tallest trees in Australia. Enjoy coastal walks, whale watching and at night you can visit plenty of the pubs and wine bars. It’s a few hours drive from Perth and close to Margaret River.
The stunning colors of Dunsborough, western Australia. Photo credit: @arigoestowonderland
Northern Territory
If you want to experience the real Australia, you should definitely visit the Northern Territory. Endless roads without seeing one person except for a couple of kangaroos. The spiritual and sacred land of the Aboriginals has more to offer than Uluru.
- Devils Marbles
The name is already cool enough to check these babies out! If you go to the Northern Territory you probably visit Uluru and Alice Springs but most people forget about the Devils Marbles. The round stone balls are a special sight and of spiritual significance to the traditional Aboriginals. The rocks are million of years old and due to erosion they have turned into giant boulders. It’s possible to camp on site and enjoy the unusual shapes at sunrise.
The spectacular Northern Territory
This spectacular natural sinkhole is something that reminds us of a scene from Avatar
South Australia
This part of Australia is famous for it’s wine regions, Adelaide and Kangaroo Island, but there are a few hidden treasures that are lesser known but certainly deserve your attention.
- Lake Bumbunga
This lake is used to extract salt from and turns pink during some seasons. It’s located in an area that is lesser known in Australia so you could say that this Instagramable pink lake deserve a spot on our list! - Umpherston Sinkhole
This spectacular natural sinkhole is something that reminds us of a scene from Avatar. The Umpherston sinkhole as once a normal limestone cave located at Mount Gambier, that was formed by the corrosion by seawater waves. The sinkhole was naturally created when the chamber’s roof collapsed. It’s now home to a beautiful garden that you can visit.
Lake Bumbunga Source
The amazing Umpherston Sinkhole Photo credit: @dubstamatic
Australia’s Eastcoast
Visited by most, but some area’s are still overlooked. Here are 5 amazing lesser known spots in Australia’s East Coast that you will love!
- Moreton Island
If you plan to visit Brisbane, you might as well take a day trip to Moreton Island. This protected sand island is the smaller and lesser known sister to the popular Frasier Island. Known for it’s steep dunes, it’s perfect for sand-boarding and spotting shipwrecks. - Noosa Everglades
When I arrived in Noosa, it immediately felt like I was in another climate. You will arrive in the tropics and you can enjoy some fantastic beaches and forest walk. One thing that not every traveler knows about, is the Noosa Everglades. One of Queensland best kept secrets. Take an adventurous canoe trip or camp into the wilderness. The everglades are gaining popularity fast, so be quick before it’s becoming a tourist attraction. - Brooms Head
It’s one of those places you go to for total relaxation. It’s perfect for surfers and only an hours drive from Byron Bay! It’s often overlooked because of the popular destinations surrounding Brooms Head but this untouched paradise is worth the extra stopover and perfect for a few days camping near the beach. - Tin Can Bay
This seaside village is tiny but has one thing that people come back for. The humpback Dolphin. Travelers and locals get an unique opportunity to hand feed and interact with these rare dolphins. It’s done with great care as they are a protected species. You can also enjoy the wonderful beaches, campsites and terrific seafood. You can also rent houseboats, take a beach drive or visit one of the lively markets. You’ll be surprised about the amount of backpackers that haven’t heard of this place. Don’t be one of those people 😉 - Somersby Falls
I’ve gotten this inside tip from a local Aussi, so you know it has to be a hidden treasure! Somersby Falls is a picnic area with a stunning waterfall as your main view. Like all great parks in Australia, the location has several bbq’s lined up with picnic tables surrounded by rainforest and beautiful walking tracks. It’s located on the central coast just 1,5 hours from Sydney.
The Noosa Everglades
It’s more than you can ever expect it to be, one reason being, that there are so many new places to discover..
Enjoy it Mate!
Elke
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