Sign In

15 Natural Wonders Across Australia Beyond Great Barrier Reef

15 Natural Wonders Across Australia Beyond Great Barrier Reef

Australia has quite a reputation for its wildlife, but have you ever wondered about its natural landmarks? The Land Down Under boasts some of the world’s most unique natural formations; a few aren’t anywhere else in the world. Here are 15 of the most gorgeous one-of-a-kind natural wonders in Australia:

Great Barrier Reef

Sea turtle swimming close to a reef
Photo credit: Chad Taylor via Unsplash.

Talking about rare natural wonders without mentioning Australia’s Great Barrier Reef would be impossible. It is the world’s largest coral reef system, encompassing about 900 islands and spanning close to 2900 individual reefs. The vibrant coral reefs of the Great Barrier Reef make it a delight for every diver, but it’s also a haven for marine species; the Great Barrier Reef is home to 4000 types of mollusks and about 1500 species of fish. It is also the place to go whale watching or turtle watching.

Lake Hillier

Photo credit: Depositphotos.

Lake Hillier is a rarity for one main reason: its waters are a vibrant pink instead of your usual electric blue or teal. Pink lakes gets their appearance from a unique collection of halobacteria, algae, and microbes that color it pink. It also has almost as much salt as the Dead Sea, making it one of the only bodies in the world that isn’t suitable for swimmers. Since its sensitive nature makes swimming impossible, you can take a helicopter ride to explore the lake.

Uluru

Photo credit: Photoholgic via Unsplash.

This might be the most iconic destination in Australia; Uluru is a massive natural sandstone monolith in the heart of the Northern Territory. Uluru isn’t just an ordinary mountain; its vibrant vermillion color makes this towering rock stand out even more. Uluru is a sacred site for indigenous Australians, who visited its ancient caves to study intricate carvings and cave paintings formed by inhabitants centuries ago.

The Wave Rock

Photo credit: levkr via Canva Pro.

Australia is a hub for surfers, so Mother Nature had to pull a few strings to create this destination. The Wave Rock is a geological formation in Hyden, Western Australia, that resembles a massive water wave. The inward curves of the Wave Rock owe to centuries of layering, causing the granite to settle in this unique shape after experiencing intense chemical weathering by groundwater passing through the base.

The Twelve Apostles

Photo credit: Vicky Ng via Unsplash.

Just off the shore of Port Campbell National Park lie stacks of naturally occurring limestone formations protruding from the waves toward the sky above. Although twelve limestone stacks are prominent (hence earning the name), there are close to thirty of these formations. Interestingly, the continuous erosion by the sea is dramatically reducing their number, so this might be the only natural destination in Australia that might not survive the upcoming few decades.

Kangaroo Island

Photo credit: Tourism Australia via Canva Pro.

We know all about Australia and the Kangaroos, but the species majorly inhabit Kangaroo Island. Kangaroo Island is perfect for tourists who want to observe the animals, but you’ll also find numerous wallabies, koalas, sea lions, and even elusive echidnas. Kangaroo Island’s shore invites several migratory and native birds, making it an excellent spot for bird lovers. The island also boasts stunning natural formations like the Remarkable Rocks, which tower over the coast.

Wollemi National Park

Photo credit: Glen_Pearson via Canva Pro.

Although Australia is home to quite a few national parks, what makes Wollemi special is its unique diversity of plants and animals. It is particularly famed for the Wollemi Pine, one of the world’s oldest and rarest tree species. Wollemi Pine belongs to a 200-million-year-old plant species and is one of only three surviving species. The critically endangered plant is found only in Australia. Apart from the Wollemi, the national park also hosts anglophones, banksias, eucalypts, and waratahs.

The Bungles Bungle

Photo credit: simonkr via Canva Pro.

The Bungle Bungle Range in Kimberley, Western Australia, is marked by dramatic cone karst formations, visible from afar for their striped brown hues. Bungle Bungle Range is extremely unique because its geographical formations, ecosystem, and climate aren’t found anywhere else in the world. Its banded domes are a stunning sight, making its multiple hiking trails worth the exercise.

Daintree Rainforest

Photo credit: Manny Moreno via Unsplash.

You wouldn’t expect a rainforest in Australia, and that’s part of what makes the Daintree Rainforest a wonder to explore. But this destination in Queensland is unique for a couple of reasons: Its dense vegetation and towering trees create a unique ecosystem, allowing thousands of species of flora and fauna to thrive. Daintree Rainforest is also a World Heritage Site; it contains Mossman Gorge, part of which is the world’s oldest, continuously surviving rainforest.

K’gari 

Photo credit: Kathleen Banks via Unsplash.

About 250 kilometers from Brisbane lies an island composed vastly of sand, stretching over 120 kilometers. K’gari (formerly known as Fraser Island) is the world’s largest sand island, known for dramatic dune formations. K’gari’s natural landscapes have earned it a place on the World Heritage List, as its wide-open beaches and sand blows delight travelers. K’gari’s Lake Mackenzie is infused with natural tea tree oil, making it a haven because of its healing properties.

Mount Augustus

Photo credit: Samantha Haebich via Canva Pro.

Ever wonder what the biggest rock in the world is like? Take a look at Mount Augustus, which earns the title. Mount Augustus is twice Uluru’s size and is estimated to have been about 1650 million years old, making it one of the few historical landmarks that stand unscathed. Mount Augustus is a sacred spot for the local Wajarri people, who call it Burringurah. They would visit its natural springs and pools during drought in ancient times.

Wilpena Pound

Photo credit: JohnCarnemolla via Canva Pro.

Multiple mountain ranges standing on the edge of the desert near Flinders Range create Wilpena Pound, a natural geological formation that resembles a crater. Because of the surrounding mountains and its general isolation, Wilpena Pound is a natural amphitheater where most tourists love to bellow to hear their voices echo. Wilpena Pound also has a unique ecosystem because surrounding ridges isolate it from the environment, preventing external elements from interacting.

Shark Bay

Photo credit: Narayan Mukkavilli via Canva Pro.

Home to 28 shark species, Shark Bay in Gascoyne, Western Australia, naturally gets most of its fame for its diverse marine species. This World Heritage Site also has a massive population of dugongs (some 11,000) and frequently welcomes humpbacks. But here’s another reason Shark Bay isn’t like any other in the world: it has hundreds of stromatolites, natural reef formations created by cyanobacteria. Shark Bay’s stromatolites are considered among the oldest in the world, making it an ancient relic.

Horizontal Falls

Photo credit: Sheila C via Unsplash.

A nature preserve in Kimbolton, Australia, Horizontal Falls gushes through two massive gorges. It is formed naturally as seawater from some of the world’s largest tidal movements rushes between the gorges, eventually landing into a vast deep pool. Horizontal Falls even earned David Attenborough’s attention, who called them one of the world’s greatest wonders because the falls reverse their direction with every change in the tide.

The Nut

Photo credit: Rebecca Walsh via Canva Pro.

Located in Stanley, Tasmania, the Nut is a volcanic plug surrounded by bright blue waves. The Nut gets its name from its unique shape, but some believe it’s also a shortened version of Moo-Nut-Re-Ker, its aboriginal word. The Nut is quite steep (over 150 meters), so it’s only suitable for experienced climbers. But don’t worry; a chair lift operates there, so you’ll be able to catch dramatic views.

More articles about nature

A woman sitting on a mountain. Behind her is a lake.
Travel Writer | Website | More Posts

Emese Maczko is a travel blogger behind Eco Lodges Anywhere. Having explored several destinations around Europe, the US, Indonesia, and Australia, and resided in Germany, the United Kingdom, and Luxembourg, Emese possesses a keen understanding of diverse cultures and an appreciation for the beauty of each destination she visits. She advocates for sustainable travel and ecotourism.