20 best resorts in Australia – which one to choose for recreation, photo, description, map
Australian resorts are attractive for tourists. And not only amazing sandy beaches with developed infrastructure. The country has many untouched corners of nature, where national parks are organized. In natural conditions, wild animals live there, which can be observed. And the climate of the continent is quite favorable: with the exception of a short rainy season, the weather is favorable for swimming and sightseeing.
Sydney
This city is a great place to relax. Nature itself attracts tourists from various countries here:
- In the east, Sydney is washed by the waters of the Pacific Ocean. The shores are intricately indented, there are many cozy places for swimming or water sports in the bays. The most popular is Bondi Beach: it is immortalized in many films and TV shows. And Excelsior, Balmoral and Shark are great places to stay with children. Surfers enjoy catching waves at Tamarama Beach.
- To the west, the city is surrounded by the Blue Mountains. A national park is organized here, on the territory of which koalas, representatives of the cat family, kangaroos, giraffes, rare and endangered species of birds live. All animals can be observed and studied their habits.
- The Hawkesbury River flows north of Sydney. Those tourists who are tired of a beach holiday or a cultural program should go on an amazing fishing trip.
- Fans of mountain walks will appreciate the beauty of the Voronora plateau.
🏨 🚕 Individual transfer from the airport to the hotel and more
Of the natural attractions, Port Jackson Bay is of interest, part of which, Sydney Harbor Bay, is the largest natural harbor in the world. An extensive program awaits fans of cultural recreation. You can visit historical sites, climb the city bridge, spend the night in a bar or club. You can relax at any time of the year, but lovers of beach activities should come here in January-February: during these months, the water in the ocean is warmest (+24-26 degrees).
Melbourne
This city confidently holds the title of cultural capital of the country. It regularly organizes international exhibitions, concerts and sports competitions. It is Melbourne that hosts Formula 1 participants. Therefore, those who choose a vacation with a rich cultural program will not be bored here. But lovers of a long-awaited vacation on the beach will also find suitable conditions in Melbourne: many kilometers of sandy areas are located here.
Some of them are closed from penetrating winds, while others, on the contrary, attract tourists with high waves. Such areas of the water area are to the liking of surfers. The shores of Port Philip Bay are the most loved by guests and local residents: it is great to sunbathe on the coastal sand, and the entry into the ocean is gentle. But it is important to remember: the local waters are cool, because cold currents pass close to the coast. The maximum temperature is +22 degrees. But the tan is excellent: the air on the coast is humid and warm. And surfers choose territories far from Melbourne.
They are ready to travel 80 km from the center of Melbourne to catch a wave in Ports, Sorrento and Paradise. The ideal time to visit Melbourne is from October to April. During this period, the water in the ocean is warm, and the air on land is dry and comfortable. In such weather, it is pleasant not only to swim in the ocean, but also to see the sights.
Brisbane
The city is located 25 km from the Tasman Sea, but the remoteness from the beaches gives it additional charm. Tourists can see many interesting things in Brisbane:
- The metropolis was built up quite chaotically, so now modern buildings and structures of colonial times are intricately combined here.
- Brisbane has several botanical gardens. In them, among the endemics, plants brought from other continents have taken root and feel great.
- The city offers tourists a varied cultural program. The Art Gallery regularly hosts exhibitions of the best artists from Australia and other countries. And in the mini-theater of the planetarium there are performances on a space theme.
- The Brisbane River, flowing through the city, twists intricately, forming amazing bays and bays. A walk on a boat or yacht will allow you to see the historical part of the city and leave an unforgettable experience. And lovers of exotic travel will be happy to ride on the CityFerry or CityCut ferries, which are the hallmarks of the city.
- Fans of gastronomic tours will appreciate the West End. In the local cafes and restaurants, not only national cuisine is served, but local artists also arrange debates.
- There are many shopping centers and boutiques in Brisbane, where products are sold not only by famous, but also by emerging designers of the country.
If you still want to swim in the waves of the Tasman Sea, then you should drive to the mouth of the Brisbane River on a commuter train. There are many sandy islands in Moreton Bay, near which dolphins and whales swim. Jeep rides are offered along the coast. Here is one of the largest wineries in the country. Excursions with tasting of local wines are popular with guests of the city. You can visit Brisbane throughout the year, but the months from October to April are recognized as the best.
gold coast
The Gold Coast is located near Brisbane. This is a whole system of successive sections of the coast. Each of them has its own characteristics that should be considered when choosing a place to stay:
- The center of the Gold Coast is Surfers Paradise. This place is a surfer's paradise. Lovers come here to catch waves from all over the world. The ocean here is quite rough, so beginners should be careful. Surfers Paradise is eagerly visited by lovers of active sports. For swimming, areas fenced with a net are allocated. This measure protects against the attack of poisonous jellyfish. Surfers Paradise is democratic: here you can rent an apartment for any budget. Young people willingly come to this part of the coast: bars and restaurants work in Surfers Paradise in the evenings and at night. But it is important to remember: the hotels are so densely packed that in the afternoon there is too much shade on the shore.
- The fashionable part of the Gold Coast is Main Beach. Here the infrastructure is of a high class, which is reflected in the price. There are few hotels and they are quite expensive, but tourists who come to Main Beach are willing to pay for privacy and tranquility. Among the cultural entertainments, the World of the Sea park is popular.
- Broad Beach offers service at affordable prices. The choice of hotels is quite wide, so it is not difficult to settle. There are no problems with food: bars and restaurants are built at every step, inviting guests to taste kangaroo steak. There is a casino on Broad Beach where those who wish try their luck. And shoppers will appreciate the huge shopping center.
Tired of a beach holiday, you should visit the UNESCO-listed natural heritage sites located near the Gold Coast: Lamington National Park and Fraser Island. And driving a little further, you can explore the amazing city of Brisbane.
Great Barrier Reef
This unique coral formation is a natural heritage site and is listed by UNESCO. The reef stretches along the coast of Australia for 2500 km, and its width is not the same: in the north it is 2 km, and in the south – 150.
There are hotels and beaches of different categories on the coral islands, so before traveling to the Great Barrier Reef, you should study the features of some resorts:
- On Bedarra, tourists are invited to stay in separate villas. Each has its own beach, and a stunning panorama opens from the windows. Guests are offered scuba diving, horseback riding, water skiing, tennis courts. For visiting guests there is a restriction: age over 15 years. Bedarra is an expensive island for holidays.
- Danka has excellent infrastructure: there is a beauty salon, a laundry. Children enjoy spending time in the kids' club, while adults are encouraged to go scuba diving or participate in a fishing tournament. The hotels of the island are quite democratic: families with children are accommodated here. In addition, the oldest rainforests on earth have been preserved on Danka. Horse riding along shady paths will be remembered for a long time.
- Heron Island is the southernmost part of the Barrier Reef. Here is a unique nature: the coast is strewn with white sand, corals are bright and juicy. When scuba diving, you can watch the amazing animals that inhabit the coastal waters. And biology lovers are offered trips to ornithological reserves. Hotels are presented for every taste, and the food in bars and restaurants is tasty and inexpensive.
- Holidays on the Lizard are among the most expensive. The staff of local hotels creates the most comfortable conditions for guests: as a result, the price of services is high. Here is the cleanest coast of white sand, and those tired of the sun and the ocean are offered tennis courts, bars, restaurants, diving, helicopter rides.
- Hyman Island is private property. Newlyweds often come here for their honeymoon. It has excellent infrastructure designed to make your stay on Hayman unforgettable. Wide beaches allow lovers to find secluded places.
- Pollution fighters will appreciate Hamilton Island. Here comfort is combined with ecological principles of housekeeping.
On the Great Barrier Reef is a village of local residents. Excursions are made here, which are interesting not only for ethnographers.
Adelaide
This is a clean, cozy city, which combines multi-storey modern buildings and old houses of 1-2 floors. The streets of Adelaide are perfectly clean, the facades of the buildings have been updated. It's nice to walk around the city. Mount Lofty is located within the city limits: this is the highest point of Adelaide. And around are picturesque vineyards, which grow raw materials for local wines.
By the way, in the market and in shops, tourists are invited to taste drinks. And at night, events are held where guests are treated to local cuisine. Business card – Kangaroo Island. This is a national park where sea lions and kangaroos live in natural conditions. Trophy fishing is allowed here.
Adelaide is surrounded by white sand beaches, but because of the currents, the water in the ocean is quite cool: even in summer it heats up to only +18 degrees, so few dare to swim without a wetsuit. But sunbathing on the cleanest coast is quite comfortable. And surfers enjoy catching the wave. The rest of the guests are offered tennis courts, horseback riding, yachting and a golf course. The most pleasant time to visit Adelaide is from October to April. At this time, precipitation is minimal, and the air temperature is comfortable.
cairns
This city is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. And tourism contributes more to the Cairns budget than traditional sugar cane farming. There are no natural beaches within the city limits. The coast is swampy, muddy, there are a lot of algae on it. Such a recreation area is visited exclusively by pelicans: there is enough food for them. And for tourists there is a special place for swimming: Laguna. It is located on the territory of the Esplanade amusement park and is separated from the ocean by a net that protects against poisonous jellyfish. And the sand on the shore of the Laguna is bulk.
Guests are offered a wide variety of entertainment:
At night Cairns offers bars and restaurants with an interesting program and a delicious menu. And on Walsh Hill, farmers' fairs are held with traditional attractions.
Perth
Perth began to develop actively after significant mineral reserves were discovered in its vicinity. Local residents, having become rich in the extraction of nickel, gold and diamonds, invested part of their funds in construction. Now the city is a leader in holding festivals, conferences, exhibitions and concerts. Exceptional conditions have been created for guests and participants of events.
The beaches are designed to spend all your free time on them: fine soft sand, clear azure ocean water, a flat bottom free from algae. The coast is surrounded by green shady groves, so there is enough natural shade here. But you should be careful: the sun is too bright, and the air is dry, so it is easy to get burned.
And lovers of excursions will be happy to see:
Family tourists will enjoy a walk along the banks of the Swan River, which forms gentle bends. And in small restaurants, excellent cooking dishes from seafood and fish. Fans of outdoor activities will appreciate the Northbridge area: here the fun begins in the evening and continues until the morning. Perth can be visited throughout the year. But it should be remembered that the swimming season lasts from October to April, and in June and July it is cool here and it often rains.
Fremantle
This city is located two dozen kilometers from Perth and is part of it, but residents consider it a separate settlement. The highlight of Fremantle is the preservation of 19th and 20th century architecture. The buildings have been completely restored (and some have been reconstructed). At the confluence of the Swan River into the Indian Ocean, there is a many-kilometer sandy coast. And the water is crystal clear and slightly salty: the presence of river flow affects.
Here is a great beach holiday for single tourists and couples with children. Fishing is excellent at the mouth of the Swan, with both marine and freshwater fish. But lovers of cultural recreation will also find interesting places in the town: just drive through it on a free orange bus (Fremantle Cut). The 25-stop route starts at the train station (built in the 19th century) and runs throughout the city. In one trip you can see all the interesting places.
Fremantle Cut gives away free maps of the city and surrounding area. If you walk to the lighthouse, you can admire the amazing sunset. And in the Boat Harbor there are restaurants and bars serving fish and seafood dishes. It is best to come to Fremantle from October to April: at this time it is warm here, it is pleasant to swim in the ocean and walk around the city.
Canberra
Canberra is an amazing combination of urban development and wilderness. On the territory of the city there are streams, swamps, eucalyptus groves, meadows, savannah areas. All this is preserved and inscribed in the landscape of Canberra. In the center is the artificial lake Burley Griffin. It not only added sophistication to the urban landscape, but also protected the center from flooding. The reservoir is named after the author of the project, according to which Canberra was built up, Walter Burley-Griffin.
The architecture of the young capital is interesting and unusual:
Not far from the center, on Black Mountain, is the National Botanical Garden. Here is a rich collection of endemics and plants brought from all over the world. But Canberra is also a mountain resort. It is surrounded by the Snowy Mountains, where tourists from all over the world come to ski. Thredbo Center has excellent infrastructure. It welcomes guests from June to September.
Darwin
Tourists who like to relax among untouched nature choose Darwin for their vacation. And there are reasonable explanations for this:
- Darwin has the largest crocodile farm in the country. In addition to crocodiles, snakes, lizards, and birds live on it.
- The city is home to the largest Kakadu National Park in the country. It has a lot of greenery, animals live in natural conditions. It is here that you can see the oldest rock paintings.
- The Aboriginal Cultural Center recreates the living conditions of the indigenous local population.
- Darwin's wineries produce excellent wine that can be tasted in shops and markets.
- Local beers are not inferior to German and Czech ones.
Restaurants in Darwin have a varied menu. Guests are offered dishes of meat, vegetables, poultry. Australian cuisine is interesting and unusual: you can try seemingly incompatible ingredients. It is best to relax in Darwin from May to October: at this time it is warm here, and there is little rainfall. In November, the rains begin, and the temperature drops.
But it's important to remember: Darwin has no nearby beaches. Therefore, supporters of marine recreation will be disappointed.
Banberry
The city is located at the mouth of the Colli River. It attracts tourists with many kilometers of sandy stretches of the coast, where you can sunbathe, swim and surf. Banbury is a port city. Its old pier is a popular place for tourists. It is interesting to see the church of St. Mark, built in the 19th century, and the center of King. The markets sell products made from local pearls, silver and gold jewelry, souvenirs made by the natives.
Brum
Today, Broome is a quiet place where beach and active holidays are perfectly combined. And in the 19th century it was a center for pearling: the largest pearl was caught in the local waters. Over the next 100 years, the main revenue to the budget was income from the sale of sea pearls. Broome is known for its 22 km long white sandy beach.
The water here is clear and warm, swimming is pleasant. The coast got its name (Cable Beach) in honor of the telegraph wires laid along it. Here is the usual infrastructure for Australia: rental of sun umbrellas and sun loungers. In order to have a snack, you should leave the territory. On Cable Beach you can surf, ride jet skis. But you should know: nudists love this coast, so a vacation here can be shocking.
Broome has many attractions:
In the evening it is interesting to stroll along Carnarvon Street. Here are concentrated restaurants, cafes and souvenir shops. And on Town Beach you can see a unique full moon: the night star is reflected from the ocean, and it seems to observers that they see a staircase to the sky. It is best to come to Broome from late April to mid-October: it is warm here, the ocean is warm, and there is no rain.
Port Douglas
Port Douglas received a rebirth in the 80s of the twentieth century after people relaxing here appreciated the beauty of Four Mile Beach. The tourism industry immediately responded to this by building the Sheraton Hotel. Today, Port Douglas receives its main income from tourism.
You will not be bored in the city:
- Tourists make excursions to the Great Barrier Reef. Here they study underwater landscapes and marine life.
- Four Mile Beach is convenient not only for swimming and sunbathing, but also for surfing and kiting.
- Colorful carnivals and festivals will appeal to the most demanding guests.
- An amazing place where the Mossman River falls like a waterfall into the Mossman Gorge attracts guests.
- Daintree Rainforest National Park will appeal to fans of eco-tourism.
- Bloomfield Valley will surprise you with a system of waterfalls.
And in the city itself, it is worth visiting the Shipwreck Museum. Here are exhibited the wreckage of ships that crashed on the reefs.
Newcastle
Newcastle is the oldest port in the country still in operation. But at the same time the city is the tourist center of Australia. Lovers of beach holidays, active entertainment, and eco-tourism come here. Connoisseurs of clean and wide coastlines will appreciate Stockton. Desert territories stretch to Nelson Beach. And the most visited is Bar Beach. Unfortunately, it can get crowded during the high season. Nobby Beach is located near the train station and is considered safe for vacationers. Fans of eco-tourism should visit Barrington Tops National Park.
Here, platypuses and reptiles live on the territory preserved in its original form. Around Newcastle there are wineries that work on local raw materials. They regularly arrange tastings of the best wines for tourists. It is interesting to take a walk to Nobby Island. It is noteworthy that it is connected to the mainland by an isthmus, poured by convicts in the 19th century. From here you have a great view of Stockton Beach and the harbour. In order to see the whole city, you should climb to the top platform of the observation tower. By the way, some tourists find it similar to a giant reproductive organ.
Townsville
Townsville is a place that attracts divers and surfers from all over the world. There are amazing underwater landscapes, and the ocean is constantly worried. The proximity of Magnetic Island additionally intrigues tourists.
In Townsville, guests are offered both traditional and unusual entertainment for Australia:
There are no problems with food in the city: you can have a bite to eat in countless cafes, restaurants and eateries on the street. The dishes are delicious and varied.
Tasmania
Tasmania is an amazing island that has kept nature almost untouched. This is especially attractive for tourists. More than 50% of the island's territory is occupied by relict forests. The forests are home to koalas, possums, wombats and the Tasmanian devil, which is listed in the International Red Book. And on the island there are picturesque waterfalls, pristine lakes and endless fields of lavender, the raw materials of which are used by numerous perfume factories. Beach lovers will enjoy the purest sandy stretches of the coast.
Here you can not only swim and sunbathe, but also engage in water sports (surfing, kiting). Fans of excursions will be happy to visit Port Arthur, whose convict prison is a UNESCO cultural heritage site. An ethnographic exposition is open in Davenport, which tells about the life of the indigenous population of Australia. The best time to visit Tasmania is from November to April. The ocean is warm, there is no rain, so swimming and sightseeing is quite comfortable.
byron bay
In the recent past, Byron Bay was a small whaling village. Then the secluded beaches were chosen by hippies. And now it is a great place for a relaxing holiday near the gentle ocean. At the beginning of the 20th century, sand was mined in the city, which caused enormous damage to nature. But after 1970, when the mines closed, people and animals began to develop the abandoned territory. Dolphins often swim in the bays, fountains of whales are visible on the horizon. And the coastal waters of Byron Bay have been chosen by surfers: there are constant high waves.
The main attraction of the town is the lighthouse. It rises above the beach of Byron Bay, and from its observation deck offers an amazing panorama. Active tourists travel along a hiking route that passes through the mountains and descends to the beach. Byron Bay hosts ethnographic festivals, craft and agricultural fairs. Divers regularly organize competitions. And next to the town is the Nightcap National Park, on the territory of which the beautiful Mignon Falls is located.
Margaret River
This place should be chosen by those tourists who are used to combining beach holidays and active activities. Margaret River is a city with excellent beaches, clean coastline and numerous fairs. The surroundings are occupied by vineyards, the raw materials of which are used by local wineries (there are more than two hundred of them).
Margaret River produces excellent wines:
The products have won Australian and international awards. The coast is indented with bays, and in the rocks there are interesting caves with numerous halls – a paradise for divers. Surfers enjoy catching the wave, which is exactly what is required here. And lovers of virgin nature will be happy to visit the eucalyptus forests.
Alice Springs
The city is located in central Australia. It was founded to serve the Adelaide-Darwin telegraph line. Today it is one of the tourist centers of the country.
Guests of Alice Springs are attracted by:
The main attraction of the city is Ayers Rock. This is a sacred place for the Australian Aborigines: they find spiritual harmony here. The best time to visit Alice Springs is from May to September. At this time, agricultural fairs, wine and food festivals, rodeos and camel races take place in the city.