This post was last updated on 2024 September 21
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I was feeling a little envious while reading a few year-end recaps by some other travel bloggers who’d been to 10, 20, god knows how many countries this year. That feeling immediately dissolved when I finished compiling photos for this post, highlighting all of the most beautiful places in Australia I had the fortune of laying eyes on during my year on the Australia work and holiday visa.
I’m always going to champion quality over quantity, slow travel over country-counting travel, focusing more of my energy on enjoying one place at a time rather than diluting it across several. I definitely stayed true to that mantra this year by exploring just one country over 12 months. I knew I was crazy for Australia after my year studying abroad here, but returning 8 years later for Round 2 has really deepened my love and appreciation for this glorious nation. If San Francisco is my city soulmate, then Australia is unequivocally my country soulmate.
I look at these Australia photos and all I can think is, my god, this country is unbelievable. I’m thrilled to have seen so much of it and excited at the idea of being able to explore Australia even more thoroughly next year, hopefully getting to check out some spots that have thusfar flown under my radar.
Planning a trip to Australia?
These are the sites I use and recommend for booking travel:
ACCOMMODATION IN AUSTRALIA: I always search on Booking.com for accommodation, as their Genius loyalty program offers 10-20% discounts and free breakfast/upgrades for certain hotels.
FLIGHTS TO AUSTRALIA: When researching flights, I always check Skyscanner first because it pulls in flight options across all airlines and saves you the trouble of searching each airline individually. When booking flights via Skyscanner, I always book directly with the airline rather than one of the third party options.
CAR RENTAL IN AUSTRALIA: When renting a car on your travels, check DiscoverCars.com for the best deals.
ACTIVITIES IN AUSTRALIA: If you’re looking to book tours or other organized activities on your travels, GetYourGuide and Viator both offer myriad options for fun things to do all around the world (think: sailing trips, cooking classes, city walking tours, and more).
TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR AUSTRALIA: Unless you can easily afford to pay for huge unexpected medical bills, DON’T TRAVEL WITHOUT TRAVEL INSURANCE! These days, I usually buy the Safety Wing nomad insurance, as it’s very affordable and caters to digital nomads with a monthly subscription option. I’ve also been a longtime World Nomads user, and will still use them if I need more comprehensive insurance (e.g. for adventure activities) or if I am visiting the US (Americans aren’t eligible for Safety Wing’s US add-on option).
ESIM / SIM CARDS FOR AUSTRALIA: When traveling overseas, I always purchase an eSIM from Sims Direct for the country I’m going to, activate it before I depart, and as soon as I arrive I am automatically connected to the local network and can easily find my way to my accommodation. No need to to buy a local SIM card at the airport; eSIMs are fully electronic and don’t require you to take out your old SIM.
LUGGAGE: I am currently a July luggage girl (July Australia / July US). They offer a lifetime warranty, which I have used multiple times now – and every time, they have sent me a brand new replacement suitcase without hassle. I recommend their Checked Plus if traveling with 32kg/70lb of luggage (note: many airlines do not allow bags this heavy!), the Checked if traveling with 23kg/50lb of luggage, and the Carry On Light (Expanded) which is super lightweight and really helps you stay within the 7kg carry-on limit that many Aussie airlines enforce. Click to read my full review of July luggage.
Without further ado, here are the 35 most beautiful places in Australia that I experienced over the past 12 months:
Sydney Harbour
READ MORE: 21 of the Best Views of Sydney // Sydney Harbour Walk: Mosman to Cremorne // Sydney Harbour Walk: Watsons Bay & South Head // Sydney Harbour Walk: Manly to Spit
South Molle Island
READ MORE: I Got Naked On South Molle Island
The Great Barrier Reef From Above
READ MORE: Highlights From A Great Barrier Reef Scenic Flight
Whitehaven Beach
READ MORE: My Chilled Out Whitsundays Sailing Trip
Sydney New Years Eve Fireworks
READ MORE: The Best View of the New Years Eve Fireworks
Freycinet National Park, Tasmania
READ MORE: A Very Unplanned Tasmania Roadtrip
Binalong Bay & Bay of Fires, Tasmania
READ MORE: A Very Unplanned Tasmania Roadtrip
Tasman National Park
READ MORE: A Very Unplanned Tasmania Roadtrip
The Overland Track
READ MORE: Highlights From The Overland Track
The Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk
READ MORE: Sydney Coastal Walk: Bondi to Coogee // All The Things I’ll Miss From Living On Bondi Beach
Royal National Park
READ MORE: A Guide To Hiking The Royal National Park Coastal Track
Palm Beach
READ MORE: A Day Trip To Sydney’s Northern Beaches
12 Apostles, Great Ocean Road
READ MORE: Highlights From A Great Ocean Roadtrip
Loch Ard Gorge, Great Ocean Road
READ MORE: Highlights From A Great Ocean Roadtrip
Bay of Islands, Great Ocean Road
READ MORE: Highlights From A Great Ocean Roadtrip
Sandringham Beach
READ MORE: Cycling Melbourne is the Best Way to See This City
Sunset From a Mountain in the Grampians
READ MORE: Highlights From A Melbourne to Perth Roadtrip
Planning a trip to Australia?
These are the sites I use and recommend for booking travel:
ACCOMMODATION IN AUSTRALIA: I always search on Booking.com for accommodation, as their Genius loyalty program offers 10-20% discounts and free breakfast/upgrades for certain hotels.
FLIGHTS TO AUSTRALIA: When researching flights, I always check Skyscanner first because it pulls in flight options across all airlines and saves you the trouble of searching each airline individually. When booking flights via Skyscanner, I always book directly with the airline rather than one of the third party options.
CAR RENTAL IN AUSTRALIA: When renting a car on your travels, check DiscoverCars.com for the best deals.
ACTIVITIES IN AUSTRALIA: If you’re looking to book tours or other organized activities on your travels, GetYourGuide and Viator both offer myriad options for fun things to do all around the world (think: sailing trips, cooking classes, city walking tours, and more).
TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR AUSTRALIA: Unless you can easily afford to pay for huge unexpected medical bills, DON’T TRAVEL WITHOUT TRAVEL INSURANCE! These days, I usually buy the Safety Wing nomad insurance, as it’s very affordable and caters to digital nomads with a monthly subscription option. I’ve also been a longtime World Nomads user, and will still use them if I need more comprehensive insurance (e.g. for adventure activities) or if I am visiting the US (Americans aren’t eligible for Safety Wing’s US add-on option).
ESIM / SIM CARDS FOR AUSTRALIA: When traveling overseas, I always purchase an eSIM from Sims Direct for the country I’m going to, activate it before I depart, and as soon as I arrive I am automatically connected to the local network and can easily find my way to my accommodation. No need to to buy a local SIM card at the airport; eSIMs are fully electronic and don’t require you to take out your old SIM.
LUGGAGE: I am currently a July luggage girl (July Australia / July US). They offer a lifetime warranty, which I have used multiple times now – and every time, they have sent me a brand new replacement suitcase without hassle. I recommend their Checked Plus if traveling with 32kg/70lb of luggage (note: many airlines do not allow bags this heavy!), the Checked if traveling with 23kg/50lb of luggage, and the Carry On Light (Expanded) which is super lightweight and really helps you stay within the 7kg carry-on limit that many Aussie airlines enforce. Click to read my full review of July luggage.
Sunset & Sunrise at Lucky Bay, Cape Le Grand National Park
READ MORE: The Luckiest Bay in Australia
The Night Sky On Hinchinbrook Island
READ MORE: 20 Stunning Photos From Hinchinbrook Island
Sunset at Zoe Beach, Hinchinbrook Island
READ MORE: 20 Stunning Photos From Hinchinbrook Island
The Perth Coastline
READ MORE: FIFO, Beaches, and Other Interesting Things About Perth
The Basin, Rottnest Island
READ MORE: Visiting Perth? Get Thee To Rottnest Island!
The Margaret River Coastline
READ MORE: Bingeing on Beaches and Wine in Southwest Australia
Sunset at Canal Rocks
READ MORE: Bingeing on Beaches and Wine in Southwest Australia
Two Peoples Bay, Albany
READ MORE: Bingeing on Beaches and Wine in Southwest Australia
The View From El Questro Homestead
READ MORE: Random Notes On Working in the Outback
Mac Micking Pool, El Questro Gorge
READ MORE: El Questro Gorge Hopping in the Kimberley
Emma Gorge, El Questro
READ MORE: El Questro Gorge Hopping in the Kimberley
Wandjina’s Window & The G-Spot, El Questro
READ MORE: Hitting the G-Spot (and Wandjina’s Window)
The Night Sky From Saddleback Ridge, El Questro
READ MORE: The Down Under Report: Month 9 of 12
View Over Lake Argyle
READ MORE: Surprise! Lake Argyle is Actually Pretty Rad
Litchfield National Park
READ MORE: The Down Under Report: Month 9 of 12
The View From Port Phillip Estate
The Tip Of The Mornington Peninsula
READ MORE: Why The Mornington Peninsula Is The Best Weekend Trip From Melbourne
Dromana Beach, Mornington Peninsula
Planning a trip to Australia?
These are the sites I use and recommend for booking travel:
ACCOMMODATION IN AUSTRALIA: I always search on Booking.com for accommodation, as their Genius loyalty program offers 10-20% discounts and free breakfast/upgrades for certain hotels.
FLIGHTS TO AUSTRALIA: When researching flights, I always check Skyscanner first because it pulls in flight options across all airlines and saves you the trouble of searching each airline individually. When booking flights via Skyscanner, I always book directly with the airline rather than one of the third party options.
CAR RENTAL IN AUSTRALIA: When renting a car on your travels, check DiscoverCars.com for the best deals.
ACTIVITIES IN AUSTRALIA: If you’re looking to book tours or other organized activities on your travels, GetYourGuide and Viator both offer myriad options for fun things to do all around the world (think: sailing trips, cooking classes, city walking tours, and more).
TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR AUSTRALIA: Unless you can easily afford to pay for huge unexpected medical bills, DON’T TRAVEL WITHOUT TRAVEL INSURANCE! These days, I usually buy the Safety Wing nomad insurance, as it’s very affordable and caters to digital nomads with a monthly subscription option. I’ve also been a longtime World Nomads user, and will still use them if I need more comprehensive insurance (e.g. for adventure activities) or if I am visiting the US (Americans aren’t eligible for Safety Wing’s US add-on option).
ESIM / SIM CARDS FOR AUSTRALIA: When traveling overseas, I always purchase an eSIM from Sims Direct for the country I’m going to, activate it before I depart, and as soon as I arrive I am automatically connected to the local network and can easily find my way to my accommodation. No need to to buy a local SIM card at the airport; eSIMs are fully electronic and don’t require you to take out your old SIM.
LUGGAGE: I am currently a July luggage girl (July Australia / July US). They offer a lifetime warranty, which I have used multiple times now – and every time, they have sent me a brand new replacement suitcase without hassle. I recommend their Checked Plus if traveling with 32kg/70lb of luggage (note: many airlines do not allow bags this heavy!), the Checked if traveling with 23kg/50lb of luggage, and the Carry On Light (Expanded) which is super lightweight and really helps you stay within the 7kg carry-on limit that many Aussie airlines enforce. Click to read my full review of July luggage.
