Watch the likes roll in with the country’s most photo-ready sights.
Deconstructed breakfasts and over-styled selfies certainly work but nothing attracts instant Instagram gratification more than Australia’s most brilliant vistas. From iconic bucket list destinations to less-explored natural wonders, the country’s most picture-perfect attractions are guaranteed to set your feed alight.
1. BridgeClimb Sydney, NSW
You can capture the Sydney Harbour Bridge from countless angles but getting professionally snapped atop the coat hanger as the Sydney Opera House dangles in the distance is a coveted Instagram post on anyone’s wish list.
Sign on for BridgeClimb Sydney at dawn or dusk to experience both a carpet of twinkling lights and sensational sun shifts during the single journey.
2. Luna Park, NSW
While you’re flooding your feed with Sydney standouts, head to Luna Park Sydney in Milsons Point for an astonishing Sydney Harbour Bridge vantage point.
Venture to the harbour’s edge towards the rear of the amusement park and you’ll capture the bridge, Opera House and the park’s rainbow-hued Ferris Wheel in the one frame. Visit early in the morning to beat crowds and limit scattered tourists littering your lens.
3. Elephant Rocks, William Bay National Park, Western Australia
One of Western Australia’s most dramatic natural marvels, Elephant Rocks in William Bay National Park consists of several enormous oval-shaped boulders, resembling a herd of elephants rising out of crystal-clear waters.
Get there early to score a spot in the William Bay Road carpark which is just a five-minute walk from the beachfront show. In terms of mapping out your trip, it’s about 14 kilometres southwest of Denmark in WA.
4. Bondi Icebergs Pool, NSW
No filters are required here. Even on the gloomiest days, Bondi Icebergs Pool is one of Australia’s most arresting eyefuls as ocean waves crash up against the 50-metre adult lap pool and slowly fizzle around the adjoining 25-metre section.
It’s a spectacular collision of blue and white and every shade in between. You’ll score a killer aerial view up on Notts Avenue at the southern end of Bondi Beach even if it’s cluttered with sightseers and Bondi to Bronte coastal walkers. The pool is so huge down below, you can’t miss it.
5. Lucky Bay, Esperance, WA
Move over, Whitehaven. Australia’s whitest beach is Esperance’s Lucky Bay and better still, it’s home to resident kangaroos, making it the most loveable beach scene in the country.
The water itself is sparkling turquoise, throwing another level of spectacular into your selfie, but it’s all about the local roos at this stunning stretch of sand so time your visit to dusk or dawn. Although they can be spotted during the rest of the day, they’re mostly active at night so you’ll spy more if you’re strategic.
6. Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park, Coober Pedy, SA
Dishing out daily desert sunrises and sunsets to stir up your senses, the Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park in Coober Pedy is picture-perfect from wherever you’re standing.
Sprawling out over almost 15,000 hectares and flushed with canyons, mountains, domes and other extraordinary geological marvels, the wonder must be seen to be believed. To add further fascination, more than 60 unique flora species dot the park and our most iconic wildlife roam free.
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7. Hosier Lane, Melbourne, Victoria
Showcasing street art at its mightiest, Hosier Lane in Melbourne’s CBD is a well-trodden pit-stop that should be thanked for its part in cementing Melbourne as Australia’s culture capital.
No matter where you point your lens, brilliant bursts of graffitied colour from local and international artists provide illuminating photos on every feed. Just brace yourself for should-to-shoulder crowds if you’re visiting on a weekend or during lunch hour.
8. Crawley Edge Boatshed, Perth, WA
A haunting sight that could easily pass as art if framed on a wall, Crawley Edge Boatshed in Perth is a huge hit amongst Instagrammers.
Better known as the Blue Boathouse, it’s a 1930s restored shack that juts out at the end of a jetty over the Swan River. Stand at the foot of the jetty on dry land to snap the ultimate shot, encompassing the river’s still waters and this eerie, beautiful old structure.
9. Brighton Beach Boxes, Vic
A sunny queue of 82 adorable pop colour bathing boxes adorns the sandy shores of Dendy Street Beach in Brighton, with one of the itty-bitty structures even sporting the colours of our nation’s flag.
Melbourne’s Brighton Beach Boxes, which were built more than 100 years ago, attract visitors all year round for their traditional timber frames, multi-coloured weatherboard facades and corrugated iron roofs. Your only difficulty will be picking your favourites to snap and post.
10. Dove Lake, Cradle Mountain, Tasmania
Offering uninterrupted views of Tasmania’s Cradle Mountain, Dove Lake is a magical body of water surrounded by unspoilt wilderness.
Spectacular walking tracks are on hand to help you explore the glacially carved lake and its surroundings in full but there’s utterly enchanting scenery everywhere, particularly at the old boat shed which serves as an other-worldly prop for Instagram fodder.
You can drive to Dove Lake but parking is limited so most people travel via the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre’s regular shuttle buses.
11. Lake Hillier, Middle Island, WA
You’ll feel as though you’ve stepped onto another planet when you first spy Lake Hiller on Middle Island, off the southern coast of WA, but the great news? The sensational fairy floss-hued lake is swimmable.
You won’t find many wading because the salt concentration is ridiculously high but if you do get out to the remote Instagram hot spot, feel free to dip your toes in to secure a selfie of your dreams.
12. Uluru, Red Centre, Northern Territory
Australia’s spiritual heartland is breathtaking and no photograph will ever do Uluru justice. However, Instagram likes to have a crack. The 3.6-kilometre-long natural structure looks terrific on social media, serving as one of the country’s most recognisable bucket list sightings.
The bonus in being there? Uluru is tremendously moving. Travel up from the airport or Alice Springs and spend as much time as possible exploring the dusty rock and the neighbouring rock formations at Kata Tjuta.
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13. Bommie Deck, Hamilton Island, Queensland
For the ultimate holiday cocktail-in-hand bragging rights, head straight to Bommie Deck at sunset for an incredible shot against Hamilton Island’s glistening waters.
One of Hamilton Island’s best things to do, soaking up the luxe life at this spectacular outdoor bar located right near the marina provides instant high society vibes. Part of Hamilton Island Yacht Club, Bommie Deck is the envy-inducing island backdrop you’ve always wanted. Get there before the sun starts to sink to secure a table.
14. The Maheno shipwreck, K’gari, Qld
A captivating piece of history crumpling up on one of the country’s most pristine beaches, the Maheno shipwreck on K’gari is extraordinary. Decaying on the shore since the luxury vessel’s fateful demise during a cyclone in 1935, the Maheno’s vast shape and form can still be spied in sensational detail, creating a dramatic coastal scene that’s begging to join your Insta grid.
15. Twelve Apostles, Great Ocean Road, Vic
While we’re talking at-sea drama, don’t miss a chance to wind your way around Victoria’s Great Ocean Road for a glimpse of the Twelve Apostles.
Located a four-and-a-half-hour drive from Melbourne, the famous rock formations are said to be around 20 million years old but all seven of the remaining limestone stacks remain as bewitching as ever. For the grandest of vantage points, get to the viewing platform right before Castle Rock at the southern end of the masterpiece.
16. Burleigh Hill, Gold Coast, Qld
Capturing everything the Gold Coast is famous for, Burleigh Hill at Burleigh Heads provides a sweeping view of the coastline including Surfers Paradise’s signature skyscrapers, dramatic headlands and awesome surf action.
Take the coastal walk through Burleigh Head National Park from Tallebudgera Creek, one of the Gold Coast’s most beautiful swimming spots, and arrive like a local before finding a spot on the grass to soak up the good life.
17. Lake MacDonnell, Eyre Peninsula, SA
Visit on a clear day to spy one of the most incredible pools of water in the country. Lake MacDonnell in South Australia is yet another gob-smacking bubble gum-hued lake located 45 minutes from Ceduna Airport via car.
A magical result of high salt concentration and salt-hungry algae, the Instagram hot spot fluctuates its state of pink but no matter when you visit, you’re sure to spy something entirely out of the ordinary.
18. Wallaman Falls, Tropical North Queensland
We strongly urge you to chase waterfalls at Queensland’s Girringun National Park where you’ll find Wallaman Falls, Australia’s tallest single-drop cascade. Towering high at 268 metres, the majestic sight is about 170 kilometres north-west of Townsville and cars can access the waterfall through park roads. For a great vantage point, drive to the Wallaman Falls lookout after turning left on Blackbraes Road.
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