Know Before You Go: Australia Tours

Australia is the world's sixth-largest country, and its wildlife and landscapes vary dramatically from one region to the next. Travelers can explore tropical rainforest, coral reefs, ancient deserts, wetlands, rugged coastlines and island wilderness—all within a single country. Because many species are found only in specific habitats, visiting multiple regions offers the best opportunity to experience Australia's remarkable biodiversity.

Tropical North Queensland

Stretching from the Great Barrier Reef to the Daintree Rainforest and Atherton Tablelands, Tropical North Queensland is one of Australia's most biologically diverse regions. Here, coral reefs, ancient rainforest and mountain forests support an extraordinary range of wildlife found nowhere else on Earth.

Why Should I Go to Tropical North Queensland?

• Explore the Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef system

• Search for southern cassowaries in the Daintree Rainforest

• Look for platypuses and tree kangaroos in the Atherton Tablelands

• Snorkel among sea turtles, reef fish and rays

• Experience one of the oldest tropical rainforests on Earth

Kakadu National Park

Covering nearly 8,000 square miles in Australia's tropical north, Kakadu National Park is one of the country's most important protected areas. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it combines wetlands, floodplains, rivers, woodlands and sandstone escarpments with a rich Aboriginal cultural heritage dating back tens of thousands of years.

Why Should I Go to Kakadu National Park?

• Cruise wildlife-rich wetlands and billabongs

• Look for saltwater crocodiles and abundant birdlife

• Visit ancient Aboriginal rock art sites

• Learn from Indigenous guides about traditional land management

• Explore one of Australia's largest national parks

Uluru & Kata Tjuta

Rising from the red sands of Australia's Red Center, Uluru and Kata Tjuta are among the country's most recognizable natural landmarks. These formations hold deep cultural significance for the Anangu people and offer insight into Australia's desert ecosystems.

Why Should I Go to Uluru & Kata Tjuta?

• Experience Australia's Red Center landscapes

• Learn about Aboriginal culture and traditions

• Walk among the domes of Kata Tjuta

• Observe desert wildlife and native plants

• Enjoy exceptional stargazing beneath dark Outback skies

Kimberley & Purnululu National Park

The Kimberley is one of Australia's most remote wilderness regions, known for sandstone ranges, deep gorges, waterfalls and ancient Aboriginal cultural sites. Within Purnululu National Park, the distinctive Bungle Bungle Range rises from the surrounding landscape in a maze of striped sandstone domes.

Why Should I Go to the Kimberley?

• Explore the Bungle Bungle Range in Purnululu National Park

• Discover one of Australia's most remote wilderness regions

• Visit dramatic gorges, canyons and rock formations

• Learn about Aboriginal culture and history

• Experience vast landscapes far from major population centers

Kangaroo Island

Located off the coast of South Australia, Kangaroo Island is one of the country's premier wildlife destinations. Its isolation has helped protect native species and create a refuge for animals that have declined elsewhere.

Why Should I Go to Kangaroo Island?

• Observe Australian sea lions at Seal Bay

• Look for koalas, echidnas and kangaroos

• Search for the rare glossy-black cockatoo

• Visit rugged coastlines and dramatic rock formations

Learn about habitat restoration and wildlife conservation

Great Ocean Road & Cape Otway

The Great Ocean Road follows one of Australia's most spectacular stretches of coastline, combining towering sea cliffs, limestone formations, temperate rainforest and abundant wildlife.

Why Should I Go to the Great Ocean Road?

• View the Twelve Apostles and other coastal rock formations

• Walk through temperate rainforest and eucalyptus forest

• Search for koalas, wallabies and native birds

• Learn about conservation projects protecting local wildlife

• Experience dramatic Southern Ocean scenery

Tasmania

Separated from mainland Australia by Bass Strait, Tasmania protects some of the country's most intact wilderness. The island is known for its temperate rainforests, alpine landscapes and species found nowhere else in Australia.

Why Should I Go to Tasmania?

• Search for Tasmanian devils and quolls

• Look for platypuses, wombats and echidnas

• Explore Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park

• Walk through ancient forests and alpine landscapes

• Discover one of Australia's strongest conservation success stories