Australia has the most wonderful array of attractions you can possibly imagine to be found on one island. There’s a plethora of natural attractions, tourist attractions, historic attractions, and metropolitan and outback attractions that it will take a very big website to include them all. But that’s the challenge for me as the Editor of the Australia – Travel & Culture site.

So this article is going to touch on five of the most popular attractions in Australia. These attractions will be elaborated on in future articles. Watch this space.

Five most popular attractions is a big call, but I think I’ve been able to narrow it down from my original list of 56.

First up, is Sydney, the capital city of the state of New South Wales. Sydney is considered the main entry point into Australia (especially from the Pacific Ocean) and offers an overabundance of attractions for the visitor. The Opera House, Darling Harbour and the Sydney Harbour Bridge are all situated within a kangaroo hop from each other and all are recognised around the world. Darling Harbour not only houses the Powerhouse Museum but also the Marine Aquarium. The beaches of Sydney are also known the world over. Beaches such as Bondi, Manly and Cronulla just have to be experienced. Adjacent to Sydney is the mountain retreat area called the Blue Mountains and they are very worthy of a visit.

My second choice would be the Red Centre or heart of Australia in the Northern Territory. Here you will experience the most incredible landscape on earth and visit two of the most unique natural structures in the world – Uluru (used to be called Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (used to be called The Olgas). These giant structures have been known to exist for 750 million years. Once in the Red Centre travellers can choose to visit many natural wonders such as the King’s Canyon and its hot springs and Ormiston Gorge.

Whilst in the Northern Territory visitors can spend time in the Kakadu National Park which is located not far from the capital city of Darwin. This is my third choice. This park is truly one of the most unique natural beauty and extensive biodiversity attractions in Australia and is one of only a few places that have been World Heritage listed for both its cultural and its natural values. This park warrants an extended visit of 2-3 days to really get a feel for the wetlands environment, the amazing wildlife (including crocodiles that want to eat you) and birdlife.

As my fourth choice I select the northern Queensland city of Cairns and the adjacent Great Barrier Reef. This reef is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and boasts the most breathtaking beauty of the world’s largest coral reef. As a visitor to the reef you will have to opportunity to scuba dive (if you have the expertise) or snorkel your way around the reef, taking in the fascinating abundance of marine life and coral cays. You will also have the chance to see the most pristine hurt-your-eyes white beaches and tropical vegetation. Back in Cairns you also have the option to travel west into the hinterland of the Atherton Tablelands (the greenness is intriguing) and slightly north the famous Daintree National Park which is considered the rain forest with the biggest variety of plant per square meter, on the planet!).

My final choice is Tasmania. That little island to the south of the mainland of Australia. It might be small but it packs a big bang for your buck. Tasmania boasts a very important convict history and still has convict settlements standing from the first arrival in 1790. The natural environment is a very big surprise, with mountains and lagoons, beautiful farming country and spectacular views dotted all around the island. Some say Tasmania is the last undiscovered land (it has a number of National Parks that are closed to visitors, but many that are open for all to see).

That’s my selection for this article. Of course there’s many, many more attractions I’d like to bring to your attention in future articles.