Introduction
Australia is home to some of the most stunning and diverse natural wonders in the world. From soaring mountain peaks to crystal clear waters, Australia has it all. We’ve put together a list of Australia’s 100 greatest natural wonders so you can explore them all from the comfort of your own home.
Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is a vast collection of coral reefs, some of which are visible from outer space. It’s the largest living structure on Earth and one of Australia’s most famous natural wonders. The Great Barrier Reef has been around for millions of years and has grown to be over 2,300 miles long (3,700 kilometers). It’s home to more than 1,500 species of fish as well as turtles, whales and dolphins–and it’s also home to humans!
The first people who visited this incredible place did so hundreds or even thousands of years ago by canoeing along its shores or sailing across its waters in ships made from wood logs lashed together with vines called “canoes.” Today we know much more about how amazing this place truly is thanks in part because scientists have studied it closely over time using satellite images taken from outer space!
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
Uluru is the second largest monolith in the world and an Aboriginal word for “meeting place.” It was formed about 350 million years ago, when lava flows from nearby volcanoes formed a hard cap on top of softer rock below it. Over time, erosion has carved out an enormous hole in Uluru’s base; its circumference is more than 8 kilometers (5 miles).
Uluru is sacred to the Anangu people who have lived near or on it since time immemorial; they view Uluru as their ancestor and link with past generations through ceremonies held there every year at sunrise and sunset during July-September (the dry season).
Kakadu National Park
Kakadu National Park is in the Northern Territory, Australia’s largest national park. It is home to many species of wildlife and has been nominated as a World Heritage Site.
The Murray River
The Murray River is the largest river in Australia, flowing through four states. It’s 1,500 km long and has a rich history of exploration and settlement by Aboriginal people for at least 30,000 years. The river was first discovered by Europeans in 1829 when Charles Sturt sailed up the Darling River from its confluence with the Murray River to reach Lake Alexandrina (now Goolwa).
The Murray flows through several towns along its banks including Mildura and Swan Hill; these towns are popular tourist destinations for boating, fishing or swimming on hot summer days. The Murray cod is Australia’s largest freshwater fish species; it can grow up to 2 metres long!
Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge
Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge are two of Australia’s most iconic landmarks, and each is a must-see for tourists. The Sydney Opera House is a performing arts centre that can be found on Bennelong Point in the city of Sydney, New South Wales. It was designed by Danish architect Jorn Utzon and opened in 1973 after nearly 20 years of construction. The building features an oval-shaped auditorium with 1,500 seats as well as smaller venues for dance performances, concerts or lectures–it’s one of Australia’s most popular tourist destinations!
The Harbour Bridge connects the central business district with North Sydney across Port Jackson (also known as Sydney Harbour) via an arch span between Balmain Peninsula (in Western Australia) and Dawes Point at Kirribilli Point on Sydney Cove; it carries rail lines as well as vehicular traffic between these two points
Penguin Parade, Phillip Island Nature Reserve
Penguin Parade is located on Phillip Island, a small island off the coast of Victoria. The town of Cowes is the best place to watch penguins at dusk and dawn.
Phillip Island Nature Reserve was established in 1871 by Thomas Anstey Guthrie (the first owner of what would become Penguin Village). It covers an area of over 1,000 acres and is home to over 100 different species of wildlife including koalas, kangaroos and wallabies as well as many types of birds including ducks and pelicans! This reserve provides sanctuary for these animals so that they can live free from human interference – making it one of Australia’s most unique nature reserves!
The Twelve Apostles, Great Ocean Road, Victoria
The Twelve Apostles are a collection of limestone stacks off the shore of the Port Campbell National Park, located on Victoria’s Great Ocean Road. They are remnants of an ancient coastline that was once part of an island in Bass Strait.
The Twelve Apostles is one of Australia’s most famous landmarks and attracts more than 1 million visitors each year to see these majestic rock formations up close.
Dinosaur World, Queensland
Dinosaur World is a must-visit for any dinosaur enthusiast. Located in Queensland, Australia’s oldest and most famous fossil site contains some of the most complete dinosaur skeletons ever found. It’s also home to one of the world’s largest Tyrannosaurus rex fossils–a 20-meter (65-foot) long specimen that weighs more than 7 tons!
If you’re planning on visiting Dinosaur World, be sure not to miss out on their impressive collection of full-size animatronic prehistoric creatures including an adult T-Rex, Triceratops and Velociraptor; plus over 25 other life size models including Stegosaurus and Brachiosaurus.
The park is open daily from 9am until 5pm but closed during January due to extreme weather conditions (average temperature around 14 degrees Celsius). Tickets cost $29 AUD per person if purchased online or $32 AUD if purchased at the gate (children under 4 are free).
Grampians National Park (Victoria)
Grampians National Park is a national park in Victoria, Australia. It covers an area of approximately 6,000 hectares and is located approximately 160 km west of Melbourne.
The park consists primarily of sandstone cliffs and gorges with no surface water but does have many permanent waterholes underground. These are important refuges for numerous species including the mountain pygmy possum, southern brown bandicoot and rabbit-eared rock wallaby.
Atherton Tablelands (Queensland)
The Atherton Tablelands is a plateau in North Queensland, Australia. The highest elevation on the tablelands is 1,160 metres (3,810 ft). It is located about 300 km inland from Cairns and it’s the largest town on the tablelands. The population of Atherton is around 13,000 people who live there year round or visit for holidays during summer months when temperatures are cooler than other parts of Australia’s tropics.
The area became popular when gold was discovered nearby in 1876 by Chinese prospectors who had come overland from Cooktown via Port Douglas following information provided by local Aboriginal guides who knew where to look because they’d been collecting gold nuggets since before white settlers arrived in Australia!
Rainforests of Cape Tribulation (Queensland)
The rainforests of Cape Tribulation are home to many species of animals and plants. The trees in these forests are also very diverse, with different types found all over the world.
The Kimberley (Western Australia)
The Kimberley is a large remote area in Western Australia. It’s home to many species of wildlife and Aboriginal tribes, who have lived there for thousands of years.
The natural wonders of the Kimberley include beautiful beaches filled with white sand and crystal clear waters; tall mountains with jagged peaks; deep gorges that cut through rock formations like knife blades; waterfalls tumbling down over cliffs into pools below; caves filled with stalactites and stalagmites formed over thousands of years by dripping water from above; colourful reefs teeming with marine life just off shore from sandy beaches where you can swim or surf if you’re feeling brave enough (or maybe just relax on your towel).
These 100 natural wonders allow you to explore the world without leaving your home!
These 100 natural wonders allow you to explore the world without leaving your home!
You can see these wonders without having to travel far away. You don’t have to go very far away either, just a few steps outside your front door. And if you’re feeling like an adventure, there’s nothing stopping you from exploring them on foot or by car–or even taking a boat ride across some of our country’s most beautiful waterways!
Conclusion
The list of Australia’s 100 Greatest Natural Wonders is a great way to explore the world without leaving your home!
