The 10 most Instagrammed places in Australia

Steve Madgwick Steve Madgwick
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Every wondered where the most Instagrammed places in Australia are? We did, so we asked those in the know at Instagram to find the most-tagged travelled-to destinations in this wide brown land.

1. Sydney Opera House

No surprise here. The Opera House is the centrepiece of the most populous city in the country with a benchmark New Year’s Eve celebration of global significance – just like number one on our sister titles’ ‘10 Most Instagrammed Places in the World’ list.

 

Other events like the million-people-drawing Vivid light festival will see the sails long illuminated in this list.

2. Darling Harbour, Sydney

On the other side of Sydney’s CBD, Darling Harbour is still first or second stop on many international tourists’ itineraries for a spot of harbourside dining and shopping, even if local visitors have plateaued recently.

 

Watch this space when the current redevelopment – which includes the demolishment of Entertainment Centre – is complete, particularly given its proximity to entertainment and foodie hubs like Chinatown.

3. Surfers Paradise Beach, Gold Coast

Let’s just say that Surfers Paradise has never topped our best beach in Australia list, yet, but the Gold Coast’s beach-de-résistance certainly attracts its share of digital natives.

 

Family holidays and the Instagram (and Snapchat) frenzy of Schoolies will help keep Surfers near the top of this Instagram wave.

4. Bondi Beach, Sydney

Sydney’s most famous beach destination for a generation was destined to pop up its head here.

 

Of course, backpackers and ever-changing trendy restaurants, cafes and bars beef up Bondi’s Instagram credential, but it’s the beach and blue sky that still feature in most Grams. The classic shot across the Bondi Icebergs is one of our faves.

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5. Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)

A winter full of AFL and perhaps the most famous cricket game in the world, the Boxing Day test, during summer bring ‘The G’ into Instagram focus.

 

Consequently the MCG feed is more for sport worshippers than travel dreamers, with a slew of at-the-game selfies and ‘duallies’ of punters in their battle dress of choice.

6. Sydney Harbour

Even when you’re not facing the other two harbour icons on this list, the Opera House or the bridge, there are a million places and spaces that will forever see Sydney Harbour in this top 10 in Australia, if not the world.

7. Sydney Harbour Bridge

How many angles can you Gram the Coathanger from? On top on a bridge climb, from the air in a seaplane, directly underneath from an old ferry or from innumerable spaces from afar, from Taronga Zoo to The Rocks.

 

Not surprisingly one of our demographics’ more popular vantage points is from directly opposite in the Opera Bar, wine in hand.

8. St Kilda Beach, Melbourne

Without doubt, St Kilda attracts the artiest variety of images in this list, thanks to its bo-ho by the beach vibe.

 

Expect lots of tattoo shots, foodie Grams among the beach shots and Insta-images of Luna Park’s unhinged-looking clown (see: The St Kilda You Always Wanted to Meet).

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9. The Grounds of Alexandria, Sydney

The fact that Sydney’s busiest (if not trendiest) coffee precinct in the barely post-industrial inner-city suburb of Alexandria makes the list may surprise some.

 

To understand, stand outside the Grounds of Alexandria on a Saturday morning and marvel at the hive of people and traffic buzzing around this coffee-driven collective of utterly Instagrammable spaces.

10. South Bank, Brisbane

South Bank is still Brisbane’s river-side meeting place of choice (see Hip Hood: South Bank).

 

It has evolved over the past few years, moving on from just a sometimes-rowdy outdoor space to a multi-faceted and personalitied part of Brisbane’s persona with growing cultural cred.

 

That’s why it’s Brisbane’s favourite Instagram subject.

 

MORE… The 10 Most Instagrammed Places in the World

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Steve Madgwick

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8 Northern Territory secrets the locals don’t want you to know

    Lee Mylne Lee Mylne
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    Summer transforms the Northern Territory into a lush paradise of colour and life, as a visit during the ‘low-season’ reveals secrets the locals willingly share.

    Waterlilies bloom, floodplains are alive with birdlife, waterfalls are gushing, and everywhere the green is dazzling. Summer in the Top End and the Red Centre is a kaleidoscope of unexpected wonders that delight and surprise visitors. Of course, the locals know only too well that the Northern Territory low season is often the best time to see and experience this amazing part of Australia.

    Here are some of the reasons why savvy travellers – avoiding the crowds – are discovering a new dimension to the Territory. Remember that you’ll need a Parks Pass to visit national parks.

    1. Take a dip in the Florence Falls waterhole

    Wander through savanna woodland and monsoon forest to discover the perfect place to cool off – the waterhole at the base of spectacular Florence Falls in the magnificent Litchfield National Park, just 90 minutes’ drive from Darwin. The falls flow year-round but are most spectacular during the summer. Camping is available nearby but bookings are essential and must be made online before you visit.

    Surrounded by lush forest, a woman cools off in Florence Falls, just one of many incredible things to do in the Northern Territory.
    Cool off beneath the cascading waters of Florence Falls. (Image: Joshua Griffin)

    2. Wind down at Buley Rock Hole

    Another popular local swimming spot in Litchfield National Park is Buley Rock Hole, open year-round. This is a great place to wind down after exploring everything the park has to offer, including towering termite mounds. Wade through the rock pools, soak up the scenic bush or just lie back and relax as the cool water rolls over you.

    Buley Rockhole, Litchfield National Park
    Let the cool water wash over you. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    3. Tour the Tiwi Islands

    The Tiwi Islands, a scenic 80km flight from Darwin across the narrow Clarence and Dundas Straits, reveal a different side to the Territory, with their own distinctive culture. Take a day tour with Tiwi by Design to visit Bathurst Island and learn about creation stories, the Mission days, World War II history and the islanders’ obsession with AFL!

    Take a ‘behind-the-scenes’ tour of Tiwi Design’s screen-printing workshop and pick up a great souvenir in the form of art. Choose from contemporary or traditional Tiwi designs and a wide range of work including carvings, paintings, pottery, printmaking, bark paintings and tunga (bark baskets).

    A creative moment shared inside Tiwi Design’s screen-printing space.
    Take a peek inside Tiwi Design’s screen-printing studio. (Image: Tourism NT)

    4. Dine in Darwin

    Foodies are spoilt for choice in multi-cultural Darwin. Try Sri Lankan flavours at Ella by Minoli, where Masterchef contestant Minoli De Silva creates delectable dishes, or head to Charlie’s of Darwin for gin-tasting, cocktails and more. Bowls of fragrant laksa, excellent coffee, fresh vegetables and authentic crafts are all part of a weekend visit to Darwin’s Parap Markets, Rapid Creek Markets and the Nightcliff Markets.

    Prefer to catch your own dinner? Book a Top End fishing charter to bag a barramundi – and from October register for the annual Million Dollar Fish competition. Hooking one of the tagged barra released each year in waterways across the Territory could win you up to $1 million.

    A bowl of Laksa.
    Eat your way through multicultural Darwin. (Image: Tourism NT)

    5. Up close with Uluṟu

    The magnificent monolith Uluṟu is even more magical when the summer rains fall. When it rains on The Rock, the locals come out to watch – consider yourself lucky if that happens when you visit. Waterfalls cascading off the sides of Uluṟu is a sight that relatively few tourists see.

    There’s so much to do at Uluṟu, from guided walks to learn the stories of the Aṉangu people and the ancient landscape they live in to scenic flights for a bird’s-eye view or a leisurely walk around the base of Uluṟu. Book ahead to spend the evening wandering through the Field of Light installation by Bruce Munro.

    A closer look at Uluru and uncover its ancient stories, sacred sites, and striking natural beauty – one of the most iconic things to do in the Northern Territory.
    Discover the details that make Uluṟu truly sacred. (Image: Tourism NT)

    6. Drive the Red Centre Way

    From Alice Springs, take an epic road trip along the Red Centre Way, taking in Uluru and Watarrka National Park, home to the magnificent Kings Canyon. Allow at least a week to drive through the red heart of Australia by 4WD, a little longer on the sealed road by 2WD vehicle, travelling through ochre deserts, palm-lined valleys and dramatic gorges. Stop off at waterholes for a refreshing dip along the way.

    Kings Canyon offers hiking options for all levels of fitness, from the three-hour Rim Walk atop soaring sandstone walls to the gentler Kings Creek Walk. Either way, you’ll have breathtaking views.

    SEIT Outback Australia is a small group touring specialist offering exciting, adventurous, exclusive and specialised iconic, pioneering and cultural touring in the Red Centre of Australia, giving you the time to learn, absorb and relax in the heart of Australia.<br /><br />This innovative tour company focuses on providing clients with the ultimate interpretive touring experiences with a range of products and customised touring itineraries for small groups and bespoke private charters.<br /><br />The company bases its philosophies from the key words of Spirit, Emotion, Intellect and Task (SEIT).
    Drive through Australia’s heart. (Image: Outback Australia Tours)

    7. Take a walk at Kata Tjuṯa

    Head out early to tackle the Valley of the Winds Walk at Kata Tjuṯa. This natural wonder, also known as The Olgas, is a labyrinth of soaring ochre domes that glow golden at sunrise and sunset (the walk may be closed during the middle of the day as temperatures rise).

    Walking trails range from easy to longer, more difficult tracks. At the Kata Tjuṯa dune viewing area, take in the panoramic view of the domes. The longest of the trails is the Valley of the Winds Walk, a 7.4km circuit that winds between the domes and through creek beds. It’s moderately difficult and steep in places, but offers stunning views – and occasional encounters with kangaroos.

    The Valley of the Winds Walk at Kata Tjuta is one of the most awe-inspiring things to do in the Northern Territory, especially at sunrise when the domes glow golden.
    Step into the golden light of Kata Tjuṯa. (Image: Tourism NT)

    8. Explore Tjoritja/West MacDonnell Ranges

    Tjoritja/West MacDonnell National Park lies 135km west of Alice Springs, with many fascinating natural features to beguile visitors. The ‘West Macs’ formations include chasms, gorges and waterholes – take your swimsuit for a dip at Ormiston Gorge waterhole, open year-round. The Ormiston Pound Walk is a three to four-hour circuit that leaves from the visitor centre and loops back along the gorge via the main waterhole. Other places of interest in the park include Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm, Ellery Creek Big Hole and Glen Helen.

    Soaking in the serenity of Ormiston Gorge, these two travellers enjoy one of the most scenic things to do in the Northern Territory.
    Take the plunge at Ormiston Gorge waterhole. (Image: Joshua Griffin Litchfield)

    Start planning the NT road trip of a lifetime at northernterritory.com