10 Hidden Wonders To Discover Around Australia

From spots to seek serenity in nature to mind-blowing landscapes and a new kind of tourist trail, these unique destinations and experiences are icons in the making that are hiding in plain sight.

This article is part of our 100 Australian Wonders series. Throughout the series, we explore our nation’s wonders across culture, nature, food, islands and many more. We hope it inspires your own exploration of Australia’s many wonders.

1. Rowley Shoals, WA

Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

Look down on Rowley Shoals from above and you might find sunlight catching on the somewhat-secret ecological treasure, scattering sequins over the sea.

Some 300 kilometres north-west of Broome, Rowley Shoals Marine Park is characterised by spectacular intertidal and subtidal coral reefs, exceptionally rich and diverse marine fauna and pristine waters.

The intertidal reefs, which comprise Clere, Imperieuse and Mermaid, are set about 30 to 40 kilometres apart. Pack your bathers: the shallow sparkling lagoons are popular with snorkellers thanks to the clarity of the water, colourful coral and abundant marine life.

an aerial view of the Rowley Shoals Marine Park — Rowley Shoals Marine Park is characterised by spectacular intertidal and subtidal coral reefs. (Image: Tourism Australia)

2. Hawkesbury River, NSW

Travelling with: Imogen Eveson

Sitting on the balcony with the Hawkesbury River unspooled in front of you like molten silk, watching the colours change as the light fades over the ridges, it’s hard to imagine the centre of Sydney is little over an hour away.

view from Calabash Bay Lodge on Hawkesbury River — Calabash Bay Lodge sits on the Hawkesbury River. (Image: Pablo Veiga)

The luxurious water-access-only Calabash Bay Lodge at a magnificent crook of the river provides total immersion into this other world. This is a place that slows your heart rate and enlivens your soul. You’ll find a boat and kayaks to untether and take out on the water at a most leisurely pace. And dinner cooked by a private chef to retreat back to in the evening.

a boat on the jetty at Calabash Bay Lodge — Brave the river and captain your own boat. (Image: Nicholas Watt)

Book the Ultimate Hawkesbury Pearler’s Package to experience all of this plus a private tour of Broken Bay Pearl Farm’s local oyster leases and ‘shellar door’ to learn the secrets of pearl and oyster harvesting on the river.

Famed two-hatted restaurant Berowra Waters Inn is just a few oar strokes away, too.

the interior of Calabash Bay Lodge on Hawkesbury River — Check into this luxe river lodge on Hawkesbury River. (Image: Pablo Veiga)

3. Swan River Trails, WA

Travelling with: Fleur Bainger

Sometimes, wonders are right under our noses. Take Western Australia’s Swan River Walk Trail, an 11-kilometre loop that circles both sides of the river in Perth’s CBD and its bookending bridges.

It’s packed with surprises, like how many waterbirds call from various nature ponds. Or the way you can spot jellyfish while cycling over the Causeway Bridge (a new, dedicated pedestrian and cycle bridge is set to open later this year) and how much public art dots the landscape.

Look out for the building-sized frillneck lizard and towering silver bird depicting first European contact by Noongar artist, Laurel Nannup.

Other eye-opening tracks include the two-kilometre-long Jenna Biddi Yorga loop in riverside Bicton, which follows an Aboriginal Dreaming trail. Or the Wadjemup Bidi, which traverses all of Wadjemup (Rottnest Island), itself known to Whadjuk Noongar people as a resting place of the spirits.

the Swan River Walk Trail in Western Australia — Take Western Australia’s Swan River Walk Trail. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

4. Litchfield’s swimming holes, NT

Travelling with: Megan Arkinstall

Litchfield National Park, just 90 minutes from Darwin, is an ancient landscape of thundering waterfalls that cascade into emerald pools, perfect for waterhole-hopping and doable in a day.

a waterhole at Surprise Creek Falls, Litchfield, NT — Surprise Creek Falls flows into two huge rock pools. (Image: Tourism NT/@75vibes_)

Travelling south from Darwin via Cox Peninsula Road, you’ll pass the swimmable Walker Creek, which carves through ancient rock, and Wangi Falls, which has a large plunge pool and grassy area. From here, loop up Litchfield Park Road to Florence Falls, a waterhole fed by twin falls, and Buley Rockhole, a series of shallow rock pools and deep plunge pools.

Return to Darwin via Batchelor, refreshed from your day of wild swimming (in designated areas only). Or linger longer in the park’s southern reaches, where the 4WD-only Reynolds Track leads to Sandy Creek and Surprise Creek Falls, two lesser-visited waterholes with camping facilities.

swimming in a waterhole at Surprise Creek Falls — Dip into a waterhole fed by the twin falls. (Image: Tourism NT/@75vibes_)

5. Australia’s hot springs

Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

The healing benefits of bathing in hot springs – balneotherapy – have long been documented. In addition to the fact these thermal pools are likely to be at the edge of nature, with breathtaking backdrops, the actual act of soaking in mineral-rich waters serves to soothe aching muscles and calm busy minds.

Test the theory everywhere from Peninsula Hotsprings and the Mornington Peninsula’s newest sanctuary, Alba Thermal Springs & Spa, as part of a road trip along the new Great Victorian Bathing Trail.

And elsewhere in the country: from the warming waters of Talaroo Hot Springs in outback Queensland to Witjira-Dalhousie Springs in South Australia.

a couple about to head in for a dip at Peninsula Hot Springs — Soak in the mineral-rich waters of Peninsula Hot Springs. (Image: Ben Savage)

6. Bundanon, NSW

Travelling with: Imogen Eveson

Cradled by the soft folds of the Shoalhaven landscape, Bundanon is artist Arthur Boyd’s legacy: a wildlife sanctuary set on 1000 hectares that inspired much of his work and that he and wife Yvonne gifted to the nation in 1993. When the long-held dream of embedding an art museum in the landscape was realised in 2022, it marked the start of a new chapter.

the Shoalhaven landscape in Bundanon — Bundanon is an art museum embedded in a wild sanctuary. (Image: Adrian Lander)

Bundanon is many things, and best visited to be understood. Head here to see thought-provoking exhibitions, visit Arthur Boyd’s old paint-daubed studio and stately homestead, and the locavore cafe led by chef Douglas Innes-Will.

Arthur Boyd at Bundanon — Visit Arthur Boyd’s old paint-daubed studio. (Image: Bundanon Archive)

The word Bundanon means ‘deep valley’ in Dharawal and Traditional Owners are consulted on everything from land management to cultural connection.

Absorb it all thoroughly with an overnight stay at the architecturally designed Bridge, which acts as a window to this ancient and absorbing landscape.

See the Fantastic Forms installation in Bundanon. (Image: Zan Wimberley)

7. Noosa Everglades, Qld

Travelling with: Katie Carlin

Cast off at sunrise to witness the ‘river of mirrors’ at its most spectacular. That’s when you’re likely to see osprey take flight as you glide through a blanket of waterlilies past ancient tea tree forests on the banks of the Noosa Everglades – one of only two everglades systems on Earth.

an aerial view of the lush landscape at Noosa Everglades — Be surrounded by lush hinterland at Noosa Everglades. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

The pristine network of waterways is home to 40 per cent of Australia’s bird species and overlaps the Noosa and Great Sandy UNESCO Biosphere reserves, making it one of the world’s most pristine environments.

Explore it onboard a river cruise with Everglades Eco Safaris or kayak with Kanu Kapers, both award-winning ecotourism operators on the Sunshine Coast.

the trees along the banks of Noosa Everglades, Qld — Cruise along the Noosa Everglades. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

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8. Bungle Bungle Range, WA

Travelling with: Imogen Eveson

Purnululu National Park’s World Heritage-listed Bungle Bungle Range erupts 300 metres out of grassy plains and is unlike anything you’ve ever seen: a cohort of bizarre beehive-shaped karst sandstone domes striped in black and orange, thanks to age-old stains, iron oxidisation and black algae.

exploring Bungle Bungle Range in Purnululu National Park — Purnululu National Park’s World Heritage-listed Bungle Bungle Range. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

The ancient range was carved into shape more than 20 million years ago (from deposits that date back some 360 million years).

an aerial view of the karst sandstone domes in the Bungle Bungle Range, Purnululu National Park — The Bungle Bungle Range is dotted with bizarre beehive-shaped karst sandstone domes. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

And while seeing it from above on a scenic flight is a must-do, getting up close at ground level with a Gija guide from Kingfisher Tours is to truly feel and understand this remarkable living landscape.

exploring the Cathedral Gorge in Purnululu National Park — Get up close to Cathedral Gorge, a natural amphitheatre of red rock within the Bungle Bungle Ranges. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

9. Royal Exhibition Building Dome Promenade, Vic

Travelling with: Jo Stewart

Melbourne’s UNESCO Heritage-listed Royal Exhibition Building is often admired from afar. But visitors were finally welcomed to experience the incredible Dome Promenade and vistas of Melbourne’s skyline in 2022, a view unseen by most for 100 years.

Apart from being an architectural triumph, this grand landmark, completed in 1880, holds a wealth of significant stories crucial to Melbourne’s cultural and social history.

Book a tour to get a rare perspective of this enduring wonder that’s dominated inner Melbourne’s streetscape since its early days.

a woman standing inside Royal Exhibition Building Dome Promenade, Vic — Take in the grandeur and allure of the Royal Exhibition Building. (Image: Eugene Hyland/ Museums Victoria)

10. Arnhem Land, NT

Travelling with: Imogen Eveson

Covering vast tracts of Australia’s northern fringes, Arnhem Land is a destination rich in First Nations cultures, rare wildlife and breathtaking scenery that needs to be experienced to be understood. A stay at one of three unique wilderness lodges is a good place to start.

Seven Spirit Bay is hidden on the Cobourg Peninsula, a scallop-edged finger of West Arnhem Land that uncurls into the Arafura Sea north of Kakadu and forms part of Garig Gunak Barlu National Park. With spectacular views of the glittering bay it rests above and adventures on tap into the surrounding environments of eucalypt forests, billabongs, mangroves and turquoise seas, a stay here is a highlight of any Outback Spirit tour through Arnhem Land.

At Davidson’s Arnhemland Safari Lodge, the headline attraction is the abundance of rock art galleries at the at Awunbarna (Mt Borradaile), which you’ll explore with the legendary camp as your base.

And in Northeast Arnhem Land, on an island off the coast of Nhulunbuy on Yolngu Homelands, Banubanu Beach Retreat offers a tropical-paradise getaway layered with a rich cultural experience.

Keep reading our 100 Australian Wonders series; from road trips, outback and cultural wonders to foodie wonders and many more.

Video credit: Tourism Australia

From coast to mountains, hiking in Gippsland offers a stunning array of landscapes, with trails that take you deep into the region’s heritage.

I step out onto the sand and it cries out underfoot. Kweek! I take another step and there’s another little yelp. Screet! Picking up the pace, the sounds follow me like my shadow, all the way down to the water. It’s obvious how this spot got its name – Squeaky Beach – from the rounded grains of quartz that make the distinctive sounds under pressure.

For many, Wilsons Promontory National Park is the gateway to Gippsland, and the best way to explore it is by walking its network of hiking trails, from coastal gems such as Squeaky Beach through to the bushland, among the wildlife. But it’s still just a taste of what you’ll find on foot in the region.

Venture a bit further into Gippsland and you’ll discover the lakes, the rainforest, and the alpine peaks, each changing with the season and offering summer strolls or winter walks. Just like that squeaky sand, each step along these trails has something to tell you: perhaps a story about an ancient spirit or a pioneering search for fortune.

The best coastal hikes in Gippsland

sunset at Wilsons Promontory National Park — Wilsons Promontory National Park is a sprawling wilderness with many coastal bushland trails. (Image: Mark Watson)

Wilsons Promontory National Park (or ‘The Prom’, as you’ll end up calling it) is an easy three-hour drive from Melbourne, but you might ditch the car when you arrive, with much of the park’s 50,000 hectares accessible only by foot. From the inky water of Tidal River (dyed dark purple by abundant tea trees), I like the easy walks along the coast, among lichen-laden granite boulders, to golden beaches and bays.

a couple on Mount Oberon — Panoramic views from the summit of Mount Oberon. (Image: Everyday Nicky)

The trail to the panoramic views at the summit of Mount Oberon is a bit harder, up steep timber and granite steps, but it’s a popular 6.8-kilometre return. The more remote hikes are found through the open banksia and stringybark woodland of the park’s north, or along the multi-day Southern Circuit, which ranges from about 35 to 52 kilometres, with sunrises and sunsets, kangaroos and cockatoos, and maybe even whales.

a golden sand beach at Wilsons Promontory National Park — Walk ‘The Prom’s’ golden sand beaches. (Image: Tourism Australia/Time Out Australia)

You might also see whales on the George Bass Coastal Walk, even closer to Melbourne on the western edge of Gippsland. This dramatic seven-kilometre trail along the clifftops takes in sweeping views of the wild ocean, occasionally dipping down from grassy green hills to coastal gullies and a secluded beach. It also now links into the Bass Coast Rail Trail for an extra 14 kilometres.

Over at the eastern edge of Gippsland, in Croajingolong National Park, you can wander along the lakeshores beneath koalas and around goannas (I keep my distance since one chased me here!). For those who are even more adventurous, the park is also the starting point for the 100-kilometre Wilderness Coast Walk, usually done over seven days.

the Croajingolong National Park, Gippsland — Wander along the lakeshores in Croajingolong National Park. (Image: Tourism Australia)

The best bush hikes in Gippsland

the Baw Baw National Park — The alpine heath of Baw Baw National Park. (Image: Everyday Nicky)

Deep in the Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine at Walhalla, mining guide Richard tells me how this small town in the mountains east of Melbourne boomed when prospectors found gold here in 1862. These days, you’ll find most of the town’s treasure – its heritage – above ground, with the Walhalla Tramline Walk a wonderful way to explore it.

Just seven kilometres long, the walk takes you through decades of Gold Rush history, following the original rail trail from lush bushland to the mining sites, and through the charming village of just 20 residents with its wooden cottages and old shopfronts adorned with turn-of-the-century advertising posters. Blazing a trail where trailblazers once opened up the region, this is also the starting point for the 650-kilometre Australian Alps Walking Track.

Nearby, Baw Baw National Park has walks through gnarled snow gums and alpine heaths that show off the colourful wildflowers in summer and the pristine carpet of white in winter. Several trails are perfect for snowshoes, including a 45-minute route from St Gwinear up to vast views across the Latrobe Valley.

Further up into the mountains, the Toorongo and Amphitheatre Falls Loop Walk is an easy 2.2-kilometre path that serenades you with the sound of flowing water as you pass mossy rocks and tree ferns en route to two sets of waterfalls cascading over boulders in the remote wilderness.

The best cultural hikes in Gippsland

the Mitchell River National Park, Gippsland — Hike the Mitchell River National Park. (Image: Parks Victoria/Grace Lewis)

Across a pool in a natural sandstone amphitheatre, deep within a cave behind a waterfall, it’s said the Nargun has its lair. A fierce creature, half human and half stone, that abducts children and can’t be harmed by boomerangs or spears, the story of the Nargun has been told around the campfires of the local Gunaikurnai people for generations.

As a culturally significant place for women, hikers are asked not to go into the Den of Nargun, but a 3.4-kilometre loop walk leads you through a rainforest gully to the entrance where you can feel the powerful atmosphere here in Mitchell River National Park, along Victoria’s largest remaining wild and free-flowing waterway.

the bee-eaters at Mitchell River National Park — Bee-eaters at Mitchell River National Park. (Image: Parks Victoria/Grace Lewis)

The Den of Nargun is part of the Bataluk Cultural Trail, a series of important traditional Gunaikurnai sites through central Gippsland. Another location is Victoria’s largest cave system, Buchan Caves Reserve, with trails to important archaeological sites of human artefacts up to 18,000 years old. The FJ Wilson Interpreted Walk includes the naturally sculpted white limestone steps of the 400-metre-long Federal Cave, while the Granite Pools Walk goes among tall timber and moss-covered gullies.

the ancient rainforest of Tarra-Bulga National Park — The ancient rainforest of Tarra-Bulga National Park. (Image: Josie Withers)

Also important to the Gunaikurnai people is Tarra-Bulga National Park, known for its ancient myrtle beeches and enormous mountain ash trees. Just 40 minutes return, the Tarra Valley Rainforest Walk offers a taste of this verdant landscape, while the Grand Strzelecki Track takes you deep into the lost world of forest giants on an epic 100-kilometre trail rich with tradition.

A traveller’s checklist

Staying there

the WildernessRetreats in The Prom — Wilderness Retreats in The Prom. (Image: Christian Pearson)

Wilderness Retreats in Wilsons Promontory offers glamping-style tents with luxurious queen beds. Star Hotel is a reconstruction of a Gold Rush-era hotel from 1863 in the heart of heritage Walhalla. Caves House is a historic three-bedroom house with views over the Buchan River.

Eating there

the Carrajung Estate, Gippsland — Enjoy a post-hike lunch at Carrajung Estate. (Image: Everyday Nicky)

Kilcunda General Store serves great coffee and meals of local produce at the George Bass Coastal Walk. Alpine Trout Farm is located near Toorongo Falls in Noojee. Fish for your own lunch and barbecue it with the provided cookware.

Carrajung Estate is a short drive from Tarra-Bulga National Park. The winery’s restaurant offers a seasonal menu of regional ingredients and you can stay at The Lodge.

a seafood feast at Carrajung Estate, Gippsland — The table is set for a seafood feast at the estate.

Video credit: Tourism Australia

10 hidden wonders to find around Australia

From spots to seek serenity in nature to mind-blowing landscapes and a new kind of tourist trail, these unique destinations and experiences are icons in the making that are hiding in plain sight.

1. Rowley Shoals, WA

2. Hawkesbury River, NSW

3. Swan River Trails, WA

4. Litchfield’s swimming holes, NT

5. Australia’s hot springs

6. Bundanon, NSW

7. Noosa Everglades, Qld

8. Bungle Bungle Range, WA

9. Royal Exhibition Building Dome Promenade, Vic

10. Arnhem Land, NT

Keep reading our 100 Australian Wonders series; from road trips, outback and cultural wonders to foodie wonders and many more.

Qantas releases over 170,000 discounted regional fares from $99

The 10 best Aussie beach towns for an easy coastal getaway

Australia’s top 10 historic towns worth exploring now

The 10 Aussie towns made for nature lovers and adventure seekers

From coast to bush: these are Gippsland’s best hikes

From coast to mountains, hiking in Gippsland offers a stunning array of landscapes, with trails that take you deep into the region’s heritage.

The best coastal hikes in Gippsland

The best bush hikes in Gippsland

The best cultural hikes in Gippsland

A traveller’s checklist

Staying there

Eating there

From spots to seek serenity in nature to mind-blowing landscapes and a new kind of tourist trail, these unique destinations and experiences are icons in the making that are hiding in plain sight.

1. Rowley Shoals, WA

2. Hawkesbury River, NSW

3. Swan River Trails, WA

AI Prompt

4. Litchfield’s swimming holes, NT

5. Australia’s hot springs

6. Bundanon, NSW

7. Noosa Everglades, Qld

8. Bungle Bungle Range, WA

9. Royal Exhibition Building Dome Promenade, Vic

10. Arnhem Land, NT

Keep reading our 100 Australian Wonders series; from road trips, outback and cultural wonders to foodie wonders and many more.

Qantas releases over 170,000 discounted regional fares from $99

The 10 best Aussie beach towns for an easy coastal getaway

Australia’s top 10 historic towns worth exploring now

The 10 Aussie towns made for nature lovers and adventure seekers

From coast to mountains, hiking in Gippsland offers a stunning array of landscapes, with trails that take you deep into the region’s heritage.

The best coastal hikes in Gippsland

The best bush hikes in Gippsland

The best cultural hikes in Gippsland

A traveller’s checklist

Staying there

Eating there