Lonely Planet's Ultimate Australia Travel List

Aerial view of Heart Reef on the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland's Whitsundays. — Aerial view of Heart Reef on the Great Barrier Reef, one of the top 500 experiences.

One positive thing Covid has given Australian travellers is the impetus to get out and explore their own country. Even though our borders have now opened to international travel, there’s still some nervousness about making overseas travel plans. No longer is the Outback somewhere to go once Paris, Rome and New York have been ticked off the bucket list.

Now, every cashed up (and not so cashed up) Aussie is heading to the Bungle Bungles, Kakadu, or the Great Ocean Road. Almost everyone in my inner circle is either in the Northern Territory right now, just returned or just about to go. Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Australia Travel List couldn’t come at a better time, really.

Lonely Planet's Ultimate Australia Travel List.

This wonderfully enticing and beautifully illustrated book lists the top 500 experiences and sights across Australia that shouldn’t be missed. Some are hidden gems – places and attractions that many people might never have heard of. Others are iconic attractions like the Great Barrier Reef, the Daintree and Kakadu.

Uluru is ranked number one – no surprises here, no-one could visit Australia’s spiritual heart and not be overwhelmingly moved by the experience. Also listed are world-class cultural collections, bush and coastal walks, meandering drives, and places of historical significance like the Tree of Knowledge and Quinkan Rock Art.

Uluru, in the Northern Territory, came in at number one.

Some are amazing landscapes like Ningaloo Reef and the Painted Desert, some are sporting experiences like the Australian Open, some are man-made achievements like the Snowy Hydro Scheme, and some are memorable food and wine experiences like the Coonawarra wineries, Maggie Beer Farm, and Adelaide Central Market. Some are crowd-pulling events like Canberra’s Floriade and Vivid Sydney (featured on our pages just recently).

Aboriginal rock art in Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory.

So how did Lonely Planet come up with this incredibly comprehensive list? Its writers, editors, designers, and cartographers were asked to reveal their favourite spots and experiences, and from there it is somewhat vague. According to the book’s introduction, the scores resulted from “hundreds of votes cast and a bit of mathematical alchemy, as well as a keen eye on sustainability practices”.

Whatever the method, it’s a gorgeous book with lots of inspiration and practical tips for anyone wanting to get out and explore. Adding to the list are 10 guest entries by well-known identities revealing their top five places. And a particularly nice touch is that there are five beautiful artworks created by artists from the Central Australian Maruku Arts Project, acknowledging the history and knowledge held by the traditional owners of the land.