Favourite Australian Tourism Destinations

301 days ago

Knowing which Australian destinations are popular among foreigners is one thing, but visiting and experiencing the spots locals prefer will give you a look into the best the country has to offer. The nightlife and beaches surrounding Sydney rate high on everyone’s list, as do the Noosa holiday weekends, which are bound to create unforgettable memories.

Check out this list of the most popular Australian holiday destinations among locals when planning your next vacation Down Under:

1. Port Douglas

Port Douglas, in the north of Queensland, has become one of the most popular spots for vacationing Australians, because it is so close to the Great Barrier Reef, and the rainforests at Cape Tribulation. Families can spend a week just getting to know these marvels of nature. After you’ve spent the day hiking and swimming with marine life, there is every type of accommodation imaginable located in the area, from dazzling resorts to informal caravan parks.

2. Noosa Heads

No trip to the Sunshine Coast is complete without a stop in Noosa. Australians love this sophisticated little Shire. Whether you are looking for world-class cuisine, high-end boutique shopping, or nightlife, it all takes place in this smallurban centrein the Sunshine Coast. During the day, activities are centredon Main Beach, but when the sun goes down, everyone congregates on the bustling HastingsStreet.

3. Cairns

Up on the tip of North Queensland lies Cairns, a city renowned for its fabulous barrier reef (a World Heritage site), as well as its rainforests and attractive city culture. Cairns is growing steadily in popularity among Australians ‘in the know’, because no matter what you decide to do in the sunshine, there is always the Cairns Esplanade to come back to at night. Enjoying a dinner on the pier and watching the sun make its fabulous descent are what you can expect from a holiday in Cairns.

4. Bribie Island

This vacation spot is getting more popular by the year, with developments springing up and new holiday apartments being built, all the time. Australians know Bribie Island as one of the most beautiful and picturesque places off the Queensland coast. If you enjoy exploring pristine forestry and wandering along the undisturbed beaches, Bribie Island is the place to go on your next holiday. It is located north of Brisbane, close to Noosa.

5. Sydney and its Suburbs

Though it might seem counter-intuitive, locals love going to Sydney and its surrounding suburbs while on holiday. It’s a great opportunity to get a mix of culture, nightlife, and stunning beaches, all in a relatively small radius. Places like Bondi Beach are difficult to top, with laidback locals, white sandy beaches, and celebrity sightings; you can find it all in the course of an afternoon at Bondi. Surfers might love it the most, but any beachgoer will appreciate Bondi.

Hitting the top tourist spots can be fun on a vacation, but going where the locals go, is even better. After all, most visitors travelling to Australia will prefer to interact with locals. Try these five spots to mingle with the locals on your next trip to Australia.