When a trip to Australia comes up, most of us will have the Sydney opera house, Uluru, and the Great Barrier Reef in mind. But Australia is more than this. There are secret destinations in the land down under that will leave you awestruck. These are Australia’s best-kept secrets that only the keen and the curious will discover. But lucky for you in the spirit of adventure we have done all the heavy lifting and have unearthed some of them for you. On your next trip to Australia visit them and see what many have not seen before.
But as always when wanting to explore somewhere you will need a means of movement and a car is the most ideal one. There are many car hire options in Australia with many international companies like hertz, Alamo, and Thrifty all available. The 14cars.com website will be helpful when you want to compare the different car rental companies in terms of prices and terms before settling on one. When for example you are looking for a car hire in Gold Coast, it will give you the car hire operators available, their locations, and the rates they offer. If you are looking to rent a cheap car then this is your go-to website.
Moreton Island, Queensland
Only a short 60-minute boat ride from Brisbane is Moreton Island, one of the hidden gems in Australia. It’s home to one of the largest and most spectacular man-made reefs known as the Tangalooma Wrecks. Often frequented by backpackers and locals from around Brisbane, Moreton Island can not only be visited for a day roadtrip but also an overnight stay to be able to appreciate it fully.
Some of the activities you can carry out here include sandboarding on the spectacular sand dunes, swimming, and feeding dolphins at sunset. Snorkeling, diving, and kayaking around the Tangalooma Wrecks are also must-do activities for water sports lovers.
The Tangalooma wrecks are a collection of 15 sunken vessels that were created to breakwater in the 1960s.
The Grotto, Victoria
Another Gem tucked away in Port Campbell is the Grotto. It is a unique rock formation formed after years and years of wind and water erosion. Part-cave, Part-Cliffside, and part blow hole can be viewed from a platform above the beach. From the beach, you can look through the archway and get a better look at the smooth rock pools within it. There are panels along the way giving information on how the Grotto was formed in detail. If you are traveling along Victoria’s coastline, then this will be a great off-beat destination to visit.
Karijini National Park, Western Australia
This is a National Park in Western Australia. It will give you that first-hand feeling of how life in the Outback is. Thanks to the fire stick farming technique of the Aboriginal people the flora and fauna within Karijini are thriving.
The Breakaways, Southern Australia
These random chains of mountains are located on the outskirts of a town known as Coober Pedy in the Australian Outback. They are a perfect place for a stop on your way to Uluru from Adelaide. The views are just jaw-dropping. Stay in one of the underground dugouts to get that unique Mars-like landscape feel.
Cape Range National Park, Western Australia
Located near the town of Exmouth on the west coast of Australia is Cape Range National Park. Boasting spectacular gorges and beautiful sandy beaches, this place is a must-visit. You can enjoy snorkeling on the coral reef or go for a swim at Turquoise bay that is truly a paradise.
Bicheno, Tasmania
Bicheno is surely one of the best beach towns you can find in Australia. Its sandy beaches are the highlight of the town. You can stroll on the beach as you unwind or seat and enjoy the beauty of the penguins that call the beach home as they go about their business.
Blue Mountains waterfalls, NSW
The Blue Mountains is known for its sandstone cliffs, vast and extensive bushland, and large impressive waterfalls. Some of the waterfalls include the terrace falls in Hazelbrook which get their name from the stone terraces the falls tumble on. The spectacle is a good sight for taking photos.
Nitmilk National Park
If you are in the Northern Australia territory and seek to visit an off-beat destination, then this is your place. It features breathtaking views of the Katherine gorge and spectacular waterfalls.
Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia
For water sports lovers, then this hidden gem is for you. The Ningaloo Reef boasts coral reefs that are more pristine as compared to those of the Great Barrier Reef. With the reef starching 260km it’s one of the biggest hidden gems in Australia. If you want to see a flourishing underwater world, then this is your place.
Shark Bay, Western Australia
Shark bay is a little-known bay boasting of friendly Dolphins. You can kayak in its pristine blue waters or swim in the shallow waters and let dolphins come to you. There is also a little lagoon you can observe wildlife from.
Conclusion
Apart from the well-known attractions in Australia, there are also these hidden gems that are not so well known. As we have noticed some of them are remote and in difficult-to-reach places and you may need to hire a car. You can download an app for hiring a car like the 14cars.com app and get yourself one for this trip. you can then hit the road and visit these off-beat locations.