Australia, a country famed for its stunning landscapes and balmy climate. The country draws millions of visitors every year, but what makes it such a great place to visit? This article takes a look at a few great Australian destinations, to give you an idea of what’s on offer.

Canberra

We start with the obvious first choice, Australia’s fantastic capital city, Canberra. The city’s name comes from the regions aboriginal roots, translating as ‘meeting place’, and has served as the symbolic home of all Australians for generations now. The city is located in the northern part of the Australian Capital Territory and has a slightly cooler climate than other parts of the country. This cooler feel makes it an idea sporting destination, well known for its sailing, fishing, cricket, football and cycling. Visitor highlights in the city include the Australian War Memorial and Hall of Memory, which features one of the world’s largest mosaics, as well as the stunning National Gallery with its beautiful lakeside setting.

The Red Centre

The other iconic Australian destination has to be its ‘Red Centre’. The country is largely divided into several areas, with the region known as the Northern Territory being home to the iconic bright red deserts. Sitting at the centre of this region is the famous rock formation, Uluru, a giant red stone monolith. The regions’ stunning natural scenery is a big draw to visitors, well known for its unique topographical appearance; the landscape was formed over 800 million years ago, created by layers of sediment at the bottom of an inland sea that covered central Australia. The area is also known for having had an Aboriginal population for more than 30,000 years, with their ancient tradition of rock painting still being practiced today.

Sydney

We finish with one of Australia’s most famous cities, the impressive Sydney. With its iconic Opera House and Harbour Bridge, Sydney is one of the first things that comes to mind when thinking of Australia. The city is located on the East coast, in an area famed for its blue skies throughout the year, and has been the centre for Australia’s tourism for many years now. Other than the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, popular city highlights include The Rocks, one of the oldest parts of the city; the Sydney Aquarium, one of the largest marine aquariums in the world; and the fascinating Australian National Maritime Museum, a great destination to learn about Australia’s maritime past.