Cape Mentelle

Margaret River Region

　　Offers a cellar door, wine tours and tastings (with optional and food pairings), petanque, and an outdoor cinema in summer. This Margaret River winery is one of the originals from 1970. ...

Waradah Australian Centre

Blue Mountains

　　Formerly providing a light introduction to Aboriginal culture, this popular attraction near Echo Point has disappointingly now focused its regular 30-minute live shows more on colonial mythmaking and totally bypasses contemporary issues. The short film has more of an Indigenous focus but is still disappointing. Better is the gallery that...

Blue Mountains Cultural Centre

Blue Mountains

　　It's a captivating experience to walk through the main display here, with a satellite image of the Blue Mountains beneath your feet, mountain scenery projected on the walls and ceiling, and bush sounds surrounding you. The neighbouring gallery hosts interesting exhibitions and there's a great viewing platform. There's also a...

Scenic World

Blue Mountains

　　This long-time favourite, the Blue Mountains' most touristy attraction, offers spectacular views. Ride the glass-floored Skyway gondola across the gorge and then take the vertiginously steep Scenic Railway, billed as the steepest railway in the world, down the 52-degree incline to the Jamison Valley floor. From here you can wander...

Echo Point

Blue Mountains

　　Echo Point's clifftop viewing platform offers a magical prospect of the area's most essential sight, a rocky trio called the Three Sisters, sacred to the Gundungurra people. Warning: the point draws vast, serenity-spoiling tourist gaggles, their idling buses farting fumes into the mountain air. Arrive early or late to avoid...

Penguin Parade

Great Ocean Road

　　One of Victoria's major tourist draws, this evening parade of little penguins (Eudyptula minor) showcases the world’s smallest, and probably cutest, penguins. The newly built multi-million-dollar complex includes interactive displays and amphitheatres that hold up to 3800 spectators who come to see the little fellas just after sunset as they...

Quay Street

Rockhampton

　　This historic streetscape, where grand sandstone Victorian-era buildings face the broad Fitzroy River, is Rockhampton's most beautiful area. You can pick up leaflets that map out buildings of particular note from the visitor centre. ...

Mt Archer

Rockhampton

　　The highest peak in the Beserker Range and the focus of a 4250-hectare national park, this mountain (604m) has walking trails weaving through eucalypts and rainforest abundant in wildlife. A brochure to the park is available from Rockhampton visitor centre. ...

Rockhampton Art Gallery

Rockhampton

　　Founded in 1967, this great regional gallery owns an impressive collection of modernist Australian paintings, including works by Russell Drysdale, Arthur Boyd, John Brack and Sidney Nolan. You'll also see a rotating collection of pieces by Aboriginal artists, significant British and Japanese works, and photography by the Queensland Evolve collective....

Kershaw Gardens

Rockhampton

　　Just north of the Fitzroy River, this excellent botanical park showcases Australian native plants and is a great spot for a picnic or play with the kids. Its attractions include the 9m-high adventure playground Wyatt's Wonder Web (originally designed for New York's Central Park), and a 200mm-deep watercourse that mimics...

Archer Park Rail Museum

Rockhampton

　　Housed in a handsome heritage-listed railway station dating to 1899, this museum is a labour of love, telling the station’s story through photographs, artefacts, 'speaking' mannequins, and the enthusiasm of the curator, happy to relay the history of the regional railways. You can climb aboard the locomotive or ride the...

Dreamtime Cultural Centre

Rockhampton

　　The stories of the local Darumbal people and Torres Straits islanders are well-conveyed here. Self-guide through exhibits such as 'The Vanishing Culture of the Sandstone Belt' or – better yet! – join an excellent, 90-minute, hands-on tour with knowledgeable guides and learn about the significance of rock paintings found in...

Capricorn Caves

Rockhampton

　　Riddling the Berserker Range some 24km north of Rockhampton, this vast cave complex is one of the Capricorn Coast's foremost attractions. Technically not subterranean (they were formed by water working on the limestone of an ancient reef, thrust upward by tectonic pressure) they contain cave coral, stalactites, dangling fig-tree roots...

Botanic Gardens

Rockhampton

　　These Heritage-listed gardens, begun in 1873, are a beautiful escape from often-sweltering Rockhampton, with tropical and subtropical rainforest, landscaped gardens and lily-covered lagoons. The formal Japanese garden is delightfully restful, there's a cafe, and the small, well-kept zoo has koalas, lion-tailed macaques, Asian small-clawed otters, dingoes, chimpanzees, a walk-through aviary...

Pea Soup

Port Fairy

　　More attractive than it sounds, Pea Soup is a lovely little sheltered beach that's popular with families. ...

East Beach

Port Fairy

　　Safe for swimming, East Beach has a surf life-saving club and small waves to suit beginners. ...

Port Fairy History Centre

Port Fairy

　　Housed in the old bluestone courthouse (complete with mannequins acting out a courtroom scene), this museum has shipping relics and old photos. 　　By appointment you can visit the nearby Mott's Cottage – one of the oldest buildings in town (c 1843). ...

Battery Hill

Port Fairy

　　Located across the bridge from Port Fairy's picturesque harbour, Battery Hill is worthy of exploration, with cannons and fortifications positioned here in 1887 to protect the town from the then perceived threat of Russian warships. Keep an eye out for the black wallabies that reside here. It was originally used...

Griffiths Island

Port Fairy

　　Where the Moyne River meets the ocean, Griffiths Island is home to a protected short-tailed shearwater (mutton-bird) colony; they descend on the town each October and stay until April (dusk is the best time to visit) before commencing their extraordinary 15,000km northern migration to Alaska. The 3km circuit makes for...

Basalt Wines

Port Fairy

　　Just outside Port Fairy is this family-run biodynamic winery that does free tastings in its tin shed, with a glass atrium so you can enjoy the views. There are tasty tapas dishes too, such as locally smoked eel or gin-cured ocean trout, as well as regional cheeses, charcuterie and locally...

Wishart Galley

Port Fairy

　　Port Fairy's best gallery, set in a historic bank building, is run by the former curator of the Warrnambool Art Galley. The multi-room space exhibits contemporary works by local and national artists. It also has a bar, which runs weekends and most days in summer. ...

Wharf

Port Fairy

　　Back in the 1850s the town's port was one of the busiest in Australia, serving as the main departure point for ships heading to England laden with wool, gold and wheat. Today there's still plenty going on at this charming marina, from luxury yachts to the weather-worn fishing boats moored...

Infinity

Surfers Paradise

　　Lose the kids for an hour (literally) in this walk-through maze, cunningly disguised with elaborate audiovisual displays. ...

Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets

Surfers Paradise

　　The beachfront plays host to many stalls selling the usual array of fashion, accessories and artworks, plus photographs and homewares. ...

Budds Beach

Surfers Paradise

　　Budds Beach is the narrow, riverside beach on Surfers Paradise's Nerang River. It's great for kids and beginner stand-up paddleboarders. 　　Go Vertical Stand Up Paddle offers lessons. ...

SkyPoint

Surfers Paradise

　　For an eagle-eye view of the coast and hinterland, zip up to this 230m-high observation deck near the top of Q1; at 322m, it's the world's tallest residential building. Save money on Friday and Saturday nights when it turns into a cocktail bar from 8pm to 11pm (admission $10). You...

Reefworld

Hervey Bay

　　In operation since 1979, this small family-run aquarium is popular for its interactive fish-feeding sessions at 11am and 2.30pm. You can also take a 30-minute dip with their catsharks, whalers, cod, turtles and other species – come in the morning for best visibility. ...

Urangan Pier

Hervey Bay

　　This historic pier (c 1913–17), jutting nearly 1km into the Great Sandy Strait, makes for a fine stroll where you may spot a pod of dolphins or snap a serene sunset. It's also a top place to drop a line. ...

Wetside Water Park

Hervey Bay

　　On hot days, this watery playground on the foreshore can't be beaten. There’s plenty of shade, gorgeous old trees, a cafe, fountains, tipping buckets and a boardwalk with water infotainment. Paid attractions include a waterslide ($6 for 10 slides) and a wave pool ($7 per person). ...

Fraser Coast Cultural Centre

Hervey Bay

　　Home to both the Fraser Coast Discovery Sphere and Hervey Bay Regional Gallery, this boldly designed cultural centre is landmarked by 'Nala', the 20-tonne humpback-whale sculpture that 'breaches' 12m into the air from its forecourt. Especially enjoyable for kids, the Discovery Sphere educates visitors about the Unesco-listed Great Sandy Biosphere...

Naninga Lookout

Yulara

　　Good views of the Rock from within the resort. ...

Imalung Lookout

Yulara

　　A lookout with OK views from the heart of the resort grounds. ...

Wintjiri Arts & Museum

Yulara

　　A fascinating overview of local natural and cultural history, with plenty of artworks, an artist-in-residence and an excellent small shop. It's up the steps, just north of reception for the Desert Gardens Hotel. ...

Field of Light

Yulara

　　This extraordinary installation by artist Bruce Munro will be open until at least 31 December 2020. It consists of over 50,000 poppylike stems topped with lit, frosted glass, with Uluru as a backdrop. Appropriately it's known as 'Tili Wiru Tjuta Nyakutjaku' by locals, which means ‘looking at lots of beautiful...

Conway National Park

Airlie Beach

　　This serene national park encompasses the Conway Peninsula, once the hunting grounds of the Giru Dala and still home to large swaths of lowland tropical rainforest, remote mangroves, rocky uplands, and pandanus and paperbark woodlands. The day-use area, plus two car parks, 7km, 8km and 11km east of Airlie Beach,...

Big Banana

Coffs Harbour

　　Built in 1964, the Big Banana started the craze for ‘Big Things’ in Australia. Admission is free, with charges for associated attractions, such as ice skating, toboggan rides, minigolf, the waterpark, plantation tours and the irresistibly named 'World of Bananas Experience'. Beyond the kitsch appeal there's really little to see,...

Park Beach

Coffs Harbour

　　A long, lovely stretch of sand backed by dense shrubbery and sand dunes, which conceal the buildings beyond. ...

Little Diggers Beach

Coffs Harbour

　　Naturists let it all hang out at Little Diggers, an unofficial nude beach, just inside the northern headland. ...

Diggers Beach

Coffs Harbour

　　Diggers is popular with surfers and good for beginners, with swells averaging 1m to 1.5m. Access is via a turn-off from the highway near the Big Banana. ...

North Coast Regional Botanic Garden

Coffs Harbour

　　Immerse yourself in the subtropical surrounds of the greenhouses, sensory gardens and lush rainforest of these botanic gardens. The 8km Coffs Creek Walk passes by, starting at the pool on Coff St and finishing near the ocean. ...

Forest Sky Pier

Coffs Harbour

　　Wind your way through banana plantations on the 10-minute drive from Coffs Harbour to Sealy Lookout in the Orara East State Forest. A short cantilevered walkway juts out 15m above the forest with views sweeping across to Coffs and the surrounding hinterland. There are a few walking trails in the...

Jetty Beach

Coffs Harbour

　　This sheltered beach, with its picturesque jetty, is protected by a breakwater, creating calm swimming conditions. It's a quick walk from nearby restaurants. ...

Muttonbird Island

Coffs Harbour

　　The Gumbaynggirr people knew this island as Giidany Miirlarl (Place of the Moon). It was joined to Coffs Harbour by the northern breakwater in 1935. The walk to the top (steep at the end) provides sweeping vistas. From late August to early April it's occupied by thousands of wedge-tailed shearwaters...

Three Sisters

Broken Hill

　　The Blue Mountains' essential sight is a rocky trio called the Three Sisters. Just an hour outside of Sydney, they stand at over 2953ft (900m) and a 1640ft (500m) trail from the main Echo Point lookout platform leads to more lookouts and a bridge across to the first Sister. They...

Perc Tucker Regional Gallery

Townsville

　　Contemporary art gallery in a stately 1885-built former bank. Exhibitions focus on north Queensland artists. ...