Australia is what you could call a bucket list destination. It’s somewhere nearly everyone I’ve ever met has said, “I would love to go there one day.” And why not? You see images of the Great Barrier Reef and Uluru and get sucked into its beauty.
But not every destination is, in my opinion, worth adding to your list. These overrated and underrated Australia destinations may cause controversy, but be sure to weigh in with comments.
Overrated Places in Australia
Uluru
Before readers pick up their pitchforks, hear me out. While I was captivated by the sunset over Uluru, it looks exactly how you think it’s going to: a big monolith coming out of nowhere in the middle of the desert. The size is impressive, but I was significantly more impressed with Kata Tjuta, “The Olgas,” or the lesser-known sister of Uluru.
Although it’s not the same place, I’m including Alice Springs under this umbrella since most tours for Uluru depart from there. Don’t spend more than a day there if you can help it as there truly is not much to do.
Fraser Island
Fraser Island and I didn’t see eye to eye from the beginning. I hated everything that was supposed to be fun about it: the camping, the 4×4 driving, the dingos, the sand. A lot of my experience couldn’t be helped, namely the rain and the people, but I definitely think the sand island is an overrated destination on the East Coast party circuit.
Kangaroo Island
It was probably because I took a day trip, but I didn’t see a single kangaroo on Kangaroo Island. My tour included stops in overrun touristy cafes and I saw a birds of prey show I could have seen back home. The only thing I really enjoyed was a trip to the Remarkable Rocks. Perhaps had I stayed more than one day I would have been able to see what all the fuss was about.
Surfers Paradise
It wasn’t exactly my kind of paradise. For me, Surfers Paradise was more like the Jersey Shore or Las Vegas, very tacky and over-the-top. It rained the entire time, I’m not into nightclubs and everyone seemed to be missing a layer of clothing.
Underrated Places in Australia
Brisbane
Most people told me to skip Brisbane when planning my East Coast itinerary, saying there was nothing really to do there. But I was pleasantly surprised with Brissy, as the Queensland sun finally decided to make an appearance after weeks of constant rain. I liked the homey feel of my hostel and the neighborhood it was located in.
Adelaide
When an Adelaide bartender told me he paid half the rent I paid back in Sydney, I couldn’t believe it. While I feel that Adelaide is less hip than Melbourne, it had a lot of great things to offer, namely the annual Fringe Festival.
Cape Tribulation
In regards to Tropical North Queensland, Cairns gets all the glory. And maybe rightfully so. It’s the hub for scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef, bungy jumping and treks further into the rainforest. But for me, Cape Tribulation wins on charm. I took a tour that was a part of a package I had already booked, which included two nights in one of the most remote destinations in Australia. I learned why they call it a rainforest, saw crocodiles, emus, kangaroos and cassowaries up close, and found one of the few places safe to swim.
Newcastle
It’s hard to include Newcastle since I consider it to almost be part of Sydney. It’s accessible by public transportation, but it was my first stop on my Greyhound journey. I probably spent a day too long there, but I wanted to ease into things. Luckily, Newcastle is as laid back as it gets. The pubs are old and worn in and the coastline is stunning.
You’ll notice that I didn’t comment on every single destination I visited in Australia. I thought I would leave a few places alone or felt there wasn’t enough to say one way or the other. I left Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra out because I could argue either way about each one.
I certainly agree that Surfer’s Paradise is overrated. Like you I found it very tacky. The Sunshine Coast is far superior.
Whilst it is highly promoted and has many good things, Sydney in my view is overrated whilst Melbourne is maybe the most underrated major city in the Southern Hemisphere.
Totally agree on Adelaide! I absolutely loved it, and wish that I had more time to explore the wine region surrounding it (especially the pushbike trail that you can take to several wineries!). Super underrated, and South Australia is one of the most beautiful and unspoiled regions in Australia.
Alas, I still haven’t made it to Australia, despite having so many friends in Sydney and Melbourne. Will keep these in mind for when I eventually make it there!
Omg Canberra that place makes me laugh, nothing to do.
Love your honesty Caroline, and totally agree about the underrated destinations on your list! Perhaps the overrated ones may make a different impression on a different day, who knows :)
I totally agree with you in Adelaide and Cape Trib! Loved both of them and I tell everyone who is headed to Cains to get out of town ASAP and head there. Wish I had spent more time in ADL!
I didn’t even hit Surfers, based on what you said and what everyone else told me, I knew I’d hate it. Good call.
Yeah, if you had spent more time in KI, you would have liked it more and if you had done a tour, I don’t think Fraser would have been as bad. Those 4×4 drives looked like hell and once you added it all up, the tours come out to the same price, minus the hassle. But the rain, that sucks, especially tooling around yourself! EKK!!
Seems your experiences were made good or bad by the weather and the group you were with. Thus not making them good or bad you just judged them entirely wrongly.
Fraser – the most fun in aus possible
Brisbane – fuck all to do
Being from Australia I think I’m qualified to comment ;)
I think an underrated spot is the Sunshine Coast. It’s the same distance north of Brisbane as the Gold Coast is south, but much better and only 1% of the tourists.
Great spot and great beaches. It’s quite a big area so there is plenty to see.
Nicole, I agree 100% with you. I love Bribie Island and Noosa.
Australia is still on my bucket list. The Fringe Festival sounds fun.
I didn’t think that Fraser island was overrated.It was natural ,the creeks, lakes,etc were crystal clear and 97 percent of the vegetation grows out of the sand.The only bad thing about it is that it has become too commercial.
As a proud former-Novocastrian, I was wounded to see you say that Newcastle is basically part of Sydney haha. I’m glad you loved how laid back it is, though. Brownie points!
I totally agree with you. Brisbane is a good place to visit. Many things to do and to see in Brisbane such as Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Botanical Gardens, and many more.