Two Aussie attractions feature in top 50 most beautiful places in the world

Australia has been recognised not once, but twice in this year’s ’50 Most Beautiful Places in the world’ list, with both the Great Barrier Reef and Uluru highlighted as must-see attractions across the globe.

The two incredible sights in the Land Down Under placed in the top 20 by Big 7 Travel, going up against some of the most stunning places around the globe including Banff National Park in Canada and Cappadocia in Turkey. The list was collated by looking at Pinterest data for the ‘most beautiful places in the world’ pins, the most liked photos on Big 7 Travel’s Instagram page and suggestions from eager travellers.

Torres del Paine National Park in Chile took home first place on the list, followed by the remote Faroe Islands in the North Atlantic Ocean in second and Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming in third. But Australia’s gorgeous destinations didn’t place too far behind with the Great Barrier Reef landing sixth place and Uluru coming 12th – and it’s easy to see why.

They are among the most popular places to visit in the Land Down Under and amid the outbreak of Covid-19 – with international travel off the cards – are top destinations and experiences for Aussies looking to explore their own backyard. If you’re yet to visit these wonderful places, or loved them so much you want to go back again, Travel at 60 has some incredible deals on offer for short and longer experiences.

Great Barrier Reef

A trip up the east coast of Australia is a firm favourite for Aussies who love the beach, sunshine and warm weather. And you could experience this too on an epic 12-day journey from Sydney, right up to the lush, reef-lined shores of Cairns.

You’ll venture to the beautiful coastal town Coffs Harbour, the busy and beautiful Gold Coast, famous Fraser Island, Rockhampton, Hamilton Island, Mission Beach and lastly Cairns. Throughout the journey you’ll have the opportunity to snorkel in the incredibly stunning Great Barrier Reef, taste premium wines in the Hunter Valley and even tour a remote Rockhampton cattle station.

Meanwhile, if you’d rather see the sights of the Great Barrier Reef from the sea, you can’t go past the fabulous 10-night expedition cruise with marine scientists. It’s truly a once in a lifetime opportunity as you join the experts to explore the region and learn all about the annual migration of the dwarf Minke whales. There’s even an opportunity to swim eye-to-eye with these magnificent creatures.

Or, if you don’t have quite as much time for a holiday, the four-night Cairns and Great Barrier Reef adventure could be the way to go. On this short but sweet adventure you’ll have plenty of time to soak up the warmth of tropical Queensland in Cairns while you relax and unwind or fill your days with sightseeing of the city and surrounds.

A full-day cruise to the Great Barrier Reef is included in this incredible package, with the freedom to choose which day suits you best. Other options are to head up to Kuranda and visit the local markets or even visit the beautiful Daintree Rainforest. There’s really so much to see and do!

Uluru

Australia’s Red Centre couldn’t be any more different to the east coast of Australia, with red dirt for kilometres on end and the ocean hours upon hours’ drive away. But, it’s still just as stunning!

If this part of the country is on your bucket list you could experience the quintessential Northern Territory on a thrilling road trip from Uluru to Darwin. The 10-night outback journey offers the ultimate experience, with an opportunity to learn about the traditions of the local Indigenous people along the way as you marvel at the incredible sights and scenery.

Travelling the Sturt Highway, you’ll witness the transition from desert reds to the rocky escarpments and lush greens of the tropical north. You’ll visit the Devils Marbles and Wycliff Wells, walk the path of adventure on the Kings Canyon Rum and cruise Katherine Gorge while learning about the culture of the Jawoyn. But, perhaps the highlight of the trip for many is watching on as the sun sets over Uluru as you sip on sparkling wine.

Or, for something unique (and a much-loved experience by many), you could hop on The Ghan and travel right from Adelaide in South Australia to the Red Centre. The eight-day journey begins in Adelaide and takes you all the way to Alice Springs for an experience unlike any other on the planet. With beautiful natural wonders to see and rich history to learn, the unique itinerary is both exciting and educational as you learn the Dreamtime stories of the local Aboriginal people and marvel at the changing colours of Uluru at sunset.

But, if a short break is more up your alley you can experience the best of the Red Centre on a four-day roundtrip from Uluru. On this journey you’ll explore all that the region has to offer including an Uluru sunrise, a Kata Tjuta sunset and visits to Kings Canyon and Walpa Gorge. The active adventure includes a lengthy 10.5 kilometre gentle walk around Uluru and a slightly more challenging hike at Kata Tjuta – so there will be plenty of opportunities to take some incredible photos!