Looking for views that will sweep you off your feet? The Land Down Under has you covered. Endlessly vast and utterly beautiful, Australia has some of the world’s most epic landscapes. Editor Lucy Sara-Kelly picks out some of our favourites.

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The Whitsundays are no ordinary islands. Here you’ll find sweeping white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters and luxurious resorts. But that’s not all, the islands have one more card up their sleeve: the Great Barrier Reef. Snorkel around the Whitsundays and you’ll glimpse an assortment of colourful corals and marine life (including, if you’re lucky, dolphins and sea turtles).

Uluru, located in Australia’s boundless desert interior, is one of the country’s most recognizable landmarks. This vast sandstone monument – a sacred place for the local Anangu people – towers above the surrounding landscape. It’s an awe-inspiring sight, made even more extraordinary if you visit at sunset or during heavy rainfall (when, on rare occasions, waterfalls form along the rockface).

Think the Whitsundays have the whitest sandy beaches in Australia? Think again. The lesser-known gem of Esperance, on the south-west coast, takes that title. This is Australia at its most picture-perfect: wild kangaroos lounge on the beaches while turquoise waters lap against the shore. If you’ve got some cash to splash, take a helicopter ride to nearby Middle Island to see Lake Hillier, a dazzling bubblegum-pink lake.

You’ve probably heard of the Great Barrier Reef, but have you heard of the Ningaloo Reef? Over on Australia’s west coast you’ll find a sparse coastline that, from first glance, might not look like much. But don your snorkel and dive underwater and you’ll enter another world. Down-under, beautiful lagoons and blooming coral gardens teem with wildlife (we’re talking whale sharks, manta rays, humpback whales, turtles…the list goes on).

An idyllic town on Australia’s east coast, Byron Bay is big on outdoor adventure. And for good reason, this scenic area is a natural playground. Gorgeous beaches host local surfers and sunbathers, while sporty families hike along the coastal path to Byron’s famous lighthouse. Away from the waves, Byron’s hinterland beckons with secluded rainforests and plunging waterfalls.

Oft-overlooked Tasmania is home to one of Australia’s most beautiful alpine areas: Cradle Mountain. The serrated peaks of this hulking mountain watch over a landscape of shimmering glacial lakes and blushing alpine moors. Whatever season you visit in you’re in for a treat – though the snow-dusted winter months might just be the most magical.

A good view and a glass of wine: it’s a hard offer to turn down. Head to the Hunter Valley for some of Australia’s best vineyards and views (think rolling hills and kangaroos occasionally bouncing by). Over 150 wineries call this beautiful area home – all of which serve up top-notch local bottles. Cheers to that.

Road-trip fans, this one’s for you. Swooping around Australia’s southern tip, the Great Ocean Road has enough epic views to fill an entire photo album. You’re probably familiar with the image of the Twelve Apostles (striking limestone stacks located just off the coast) here, but the area has a lot more to offer than these eroded columns. Check out the majestic Loch Ard Gorge, the scenic Hopetoun Falls and the far-from-home California redwoods in Otway forest.

Australia may be known for its beautiful natural landscapes, but this country also has its share of urban wonders. Case in point: Sydney Harbour. Here you’ll find two of the city’s most famous sights: the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Architectural masterpieces, these two icons are on nearly every postcard in Sydney – and no wonder.

Just north of Cairns lies the world’s oldest tropical rainforest. This ancient realm once covered Australia in its entirety and some of the earth’s earliest plants can still be found here. There are numerous ways to explore the forest: float down the river on a raft, wander along raised boardwalks through the tree canopy or take a guided tour to learn about the area from the Indigenous Kuku Yalanji perspective.

Picture Australia and landscapes like Mungo National Park probably don’t come to mind. In this desert park otherworldly, sculptured lunettes tower over dry river basins and sand dunes roll for miles on end. This lunar landscape is also rich in history: the oldest human remains in Australia were uncovered here and the site remains important for the Ngyiampaa, Mutthi Mutthi and Southern Paakantyi people.

Fed up with simply dreaming of paradise? Jump on a plane to Lord Howe Island and you’ll find the real thing. Welcoming just 400 visitors at a time, this tiny island off Australia’s east coast is an escape like no other. Sunbathe on sandy beaches without a soul in sight, snorkel around untouched coral reefs, play a round of golf on one of the world’s most scenic courses: Australia’s idyllic island is waiting.

A wonderland of waterfalls and red rock gorges, this national park is a must-visit for outdoor enthusiasts. Located in Western Australia, Karijini National Park features some of the region’s best inland swimming spots (picture pools of crystal clear freshwater hidden away from the crowds) – they’re the perfect place to relax after a day hiking around the gorges.

When Sydney locals need a dose of nature they head to the Blue Mountains. This rugged region – so-named for the blue haze that forms on the horizon – is a vast area of sandstone escarpments, rolling bushland and soaring Eucalyptus trees. Viewpoints can be found all around the cliff edges, but you’ll want to venture down into the valley to get up-and-close with nature.

An oasis off the coast of Australia, Fraser Island is real bucket list territory. This is the world’s largest sand island and the only known place on earth where a rainforest has grown from sand. Regardless of its titles, Fraser Island is simply a beautiful place to explore. Visitors can venture through crystal clear creeks, shaded by giant fern trees, or bathe in the jacuzzi-like Champagne Pools on the beach.

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