Australia is a beautiful continent rich in natural landscapes, diverse land and marine life, and a centre for world-class architecture and innovation. It’s no wonder that Australia holds 19 landmarks in the UNESCO World Heritage list. We’ve sorted out our top World Heritage sites in Australia you can’t miss – from stunning coastlines, cultural and historical sites, and geological wonders
1. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
At the top of the UNESCO World Heritage list is Uluru, an immense monolith at the heart of Central Australia and Kata Tjuta a series of rock domes located west of Uluru. It sits in isolation amidst the red sand of the Australian outback. Not only is it geologically fascinating, it also remains to be the most important cultural landscape to the Aboriginal people, one of the oldest human societies in the world.
2. Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is a stunning display of nature and the world’s richest coral reef ecosystem consisting of 400 types of coral, 1500 species of fish, and 4,000 types of mollusk. At least 1.5 million visitors experience this 2,000 km coastline for its captivating islands and stunning marine life.
3. Sydney Opera House
An architectural wonder that formally opened in 1973, this marvel of creativity and innovation sits within a remarkable water landscape at the heart of Sydney. Renowned for its achievements in engineering and architecture, the Sydney Opera House remains to be one of the most pictured landmarks of Australia.
4. Shark Bay
Another biologically rich island, Shark Bay boasts of the largest and most diverse seagrass beds in the world and home to five endangered species. For holiday goers, it offers 1,500 km of dazzling coastline, clear blue lagoons, peninsulas, hidden bays, white sand beaches, and limestone cliffs.
5. Fraser Island
The largest sand island in the world remains to be an exceptional site with shifting sand dunes, rainforests, and majestic freshwater lakes. It is unlike any other sand island as plant life is still extremely abundant due to the presence of fungi that acts as food for plants. Panoramic views and scenic natural landscape make it a perfect nature lover’s destination.
6. Australian Convict Sites
One of the latest additions to the World Heritage list are 11 different convict sites scattered across Australia. This is in recognition of Australia’s extraordinary history from its penal colonial past to its transformation into a democratic nation. These convict sites serve historical value to the past and to the present of the country.
7. Lord Howe Islands
Isolated from the Australian continent, the last in our UNESCO World Heritage list is the Lord Howe Island group, a stunning example of an island borne out of volcanic activity. Located 600km northeast of Sydney, it is voted one of the top 10 island destinations in the world, a paradise in the truest sense. It offers one of the best ocean panoramic views and jaw dropping spectacles known to man. Interested to know more about Uluru? Check out our blog posts on The Mystery Behind Magical Uluru and What to do in Uluru for a Day. Travel to Uluru and check out our tour page for amazing experiences in Uluru!
