Amazing Australia: Photographic tour of the vast country with some of the most breathtaking landscapes on earth  

By Ryan Lipman

Published: 21:03 EST, 20 June 2014 | Updated: 01:45 EST, 2 July 2014

Australia's natural beauty is unrivalled and its diverse and spectacular landscapes lure millions of tourists each year.

From its picturesque white sand beaches, to sweeping deserts and stunning rainforests, it is complemented by unique native wildlife not found anywhere else on earth.

A series of breathtaking Australian Geographic photos show off some of the country's most famous icons, including the most remote locations, World Heritage listed sites and national parks.

 

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The collection of photos is a visual journey capturing some of the most amazing locations on earth - hidden gorges, the site of the world's oldest cremations and rock formations with deep connections to Indigenous communities.

Adding to Australia's allure is that there are such extremities within one continent - it is considered the driest inhabited on earth but is also home to lush rainforests, vast bushland and thousands of kilometres of coastline.  

Then there is the eternal allure of some of the world's best beaches with pristine white sand and one of the best scuba diving sites on the planet.

Australian icon: The World Heritage-listed Uluru is the biggest monolith on Earth. It is located in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in the Northern Territory and is a sacred landmark of the Anangu Aboriginal people

Australian icon: The World Heritage-listed Uluru is the biggest monolith on Earth. It is located in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in the Northern Territory and is a sacred landmark of the Anangu Aboriginal people

Canyoners Ken Eastwood (rear) and Vanessa Simmonds take on Rocky Creek Canyon, towards the south of Wollemi National Park, NSW. The route starts with several dimly lit swims and climb-downs, followed by a waterslide. Located 80km north-west of Sydney, Wollemi National Park covers more than 500,000 square kilometres and is home to 235 bird species, 46 mammals and 55 butterflies. Though much of it is impenetrable to all but the most intrepid bushwalkers and climbers, there are plenty of opportunities for trekking, camping, canoeing and kayaking

Canyoners Ken Eastwood (rear) and Vanessa Simmonds take on Rocky Creek Canyon, towards the south of Wollemi National Park, NSW. The route starts with several dimly lit swims and climb-downs, followed by a waterslide. Located 80km north-west of Sydney, Wollemi National Park covers more than 500,000 square kilometres and is home to 235 bird species, 46 mammals and 55 butterflies. Though much of it is impenetrable to all but the most intrepid bushwalkers and climbers, there are plenty of opportunities for trekking, camping, canoeing and kayaking

Stunning: Whitehaven Beach, located in the Whitsunday Islands, Queensland, is often rated the best beach in the world, due to its white sand, which is considered purest on earth

Stunning: Whitehaven Beach, located in the Whitsunday Islands, Queensland, is often rated the best beach in the world, due to its white sand, which is considered purest on earth

The Daintree, with Cape Tribulation at its heart was named for British geologist and photographer Richard Daintree, whose prospecting work in the area in the 1860s helped open up the tropical north. Daintree National Park begins about 70km north of Cairns and continues north from the Daintree River to the Bloomfield River, a distance of 70km. The steep McDowall Range forms the western boundary to the Cape Tribulation section

The Daintree, with Cape Tribulation at its heart was named for British geologist and photographer Richard Daintree, whose prospecting work in the area in the 1860s helped open up the tropical north. Daintree National Park begins about 70km north of Cairns and continues north from the Daintree River to the Bloomfield River, a distance of 70km. The steep McDowall Range forms the western boundary to the Cape Tribulation section

Morning mist covers the Tom Groggin campground area on the banks of the upper Murray River, Kosciuszko National Park in Victoria

Morning mist covers the Tom Groggin campground area on the banks of the upper Murray River, Kosciuszko National Park in Victoria

Ferocious: Australia is known for its unique wildlife, but one of the most impressive is the saltwater crocodile, found in the estuaries of northern Australia

Ferocious: Australia is known for its unique wildlife, but one of the most impressive is the saltwater crocodile, found in the estuaries of northern Australia

Outback sunset: An iconic Aussie windmill is highlighted against the red sunset of outback Northern Territory, along Lasseter's Highway

Outback sunset: An iconic Aussie windmill is highlighted against the red sunset of outback Northern Territory, along Lasseter's Highway

Naree in flood: Eucalyptus coolabah dot Naree station, a property found roughly 180km north-west of Bourke in north-western NSW. In 2008 they were photographed blooming after record floods on the Murray Darling Basin, but after some our hottest weather on record in 2013 they are now dotting a mudflat

Naree in flood: Eucalyptus coolabah dot Naree station, a property found roughly 180km north-west of Bourke in north-western NSW. In 2008 they were photographed blooming after record floods on the Murray Darling Basin, but after some our hottest weather on record in 2013 they are now dotting a mudflat

Shipwreck: The Yongala was one of several coastal trading ships that serviced Australia's major ports. It sank in 1911, off the coast of Townsville, with 122 people lost. Today, even as it lies submerged and slowly corroding 15-30m underwater, the ship remains something special. Since becoming a gravesite more than 100 years ago, the Yongala has evolved into a unique artificial reef, now regarded as one of the world's greatest scuba diving experiences

Shipwreck: The Yongala was one of several coastal trading ships that serviced Australia's major ports. It sank in 1911, off the coast of Townsville, with 122 people lost. Today, even as it lies submerged and slowly corroding 15-30m underwater, the ship remains something special. Since becoming a gravesite more than 100 years ago, the Yongala has evolved into a unique artificial reef, now regarded as one of the world's greatest scuba diving experiences

Breathtaking: A full moon rises at sunset over Mungo National Park, in the NSW Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area. The park is home to the famous 'Mungo Man', the world's oldest human cremation

Breathtaking: A full moon rises at sunset over Mungo National Park, in the NSW Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area. The park is home to the famous 'Mungo Man', the world's oldest human cremation

Jatbula waterfall: The 17-Mile falls on the Jatbula Trail, Northern Territory. The trail runs through the south-western corner of 2928 square kilometre Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Park, which is owned by its traditional custodians, the Jawoyn people. This smaller southern neighbour of Kakadu offers its own distinctive spectrum of environments, from monsoon rainforests to savannah to spectacular gorges

Jatbula waterfall: The 17-Mile falls on the Jatbula Trail, Northern Territory. The trail runs through the south-western corner of 2928 square kilometre Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Park, which is owned by its traditional custodians, the Jawoyn people. This smaller southern neighbour of Kakadu offers its own distinctive spectrum of environments, from monsoon rainforests to savannah to spectacular gorges

Surfing dolphin: The animal rides the waves at Thistle Cove, Cape Le Grand National Park, Esperance, Western Australia

Surfing dolphin: The animal rides the waves at Thistle Cove, Cape Le Grand National Park, Esperance, Western Australia

The Pinnacles: Almost an alien moonscape, the Pinnacles in Nambung National Park, Western Australia, near the town of Cervantes, are actually limestone formations

The Pinnacles: Almost an alien moonscape, the Pinnacles in Nambung National Park, Western Australia, near the town of Cervantes, are actually limestone formations

Fraser Island is the world's largest sand island and is home to the many perched lakes, which are filled with rainwater, not groundwater. The World Heritage-listed island sits off the coast of Hervey Bay in Queensland

Fraser Island is the world's largest sand island and is home to the many perched lakes, which are filled with rainwater, not groundwater. The World Heritage-listed island sits off the coast of Hervey Bay in Queensland

Mt Warning: In the middle of the Twee Valley, on the NSW northern coast, looms 1156m Mt Warning, or Wollumbin - the relic core of the Tweed Volcano. During its three-million-year reign, this 30km-wide landform was the main outlet for lava ebbing and flowing from a hotspot below the earth's crust. Yet for the local Bundjalung people, Wollumbin is both sacred ground and a spiritual force. In their tradition, only select people are permitted on the mountain and its influence endures as a source of lore and law, gathering and ceremony, echoing across many hundreds of generations

Mt Warning: In the middle of the Twee Valley, on the NSW northern coast, looms 1156m Mt Warning, or Wollumbin - the relic core of the Tweed Volcano. During its three-million-year reign, this 30km-wide landform was the main outlet for lava ebbing and flowing from a hotspot below the earth's crust. Yet for the local Bundjalung people, Wollumbin is both sacred ground and a spiritual force. In their tradition, only select people are permitted on the mountain and its influence endures as a source of lore and law, gathering and ceremony, echoing across many hundreds of generations

White-lipped tree frogs (Litoria infrafrenata), are the world's largest tree frogs and are native to northern Queensland. They reach up to 14cm long

White-lipped tree frogs (Litoria infrafrenata), are the world's largest tree frogs and are native to northern Queensland. They reach up to 14cm long

The Flinders Ranges stretch from Crystal Brook near Port Pirie in southern South Australia more than 400km to Arkaroola in the north. The ranges provide a glimpse into the history of time, with thousands of years of rich Aboriginal heritage giving a spiritual meaning to the surrounding physical features. A rustle in the bushes may reveal an elusive and endangered yellow-footed rock wallaby or an emu leading its chicks to the creek bed

The Flinders Ranges stretch from Crystal Brook near Port Pirie in southern South Australia more than 400km to Arkaroola in the north. The ranges provide a glimpse into the history of time, with thousands of years of rich Aboriginal heritage giving a spiritual meaning to the surrounding physical features. A rustle in the bushes may reveal an elusive and endangered yellow-footed rock wallaby or an emu leading its chicks to the creek bed

Abundance of life: Hardy Reef on Queensland's Great Barrier Reef is located off the coast of Airlie Beach, in the Whitsunday Islands. The World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef stretches more than 2300km and is home to 600 coral species, more than 100 species of jellyfish, 3000 varieties of molluscs, 500 species of worms, 1625 species of fish, 133 varieties of sharks and rays, and more than 30 species of whales and dolphins

Abundance of life: Hardy Reef on Queensland's Great Barrier Reef is located off the coast of Airlie Beach, in the Whitsunday Islands. The World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef stretches more than 2300km and is home to 600 coral species, more than 100 species of jellyfish, 3000 varieties of molluscs, 500 species of worms, 1625 species of fish, 133 varieties of sharks and rays, and more than 30 species of whales and dolphins

Deimatic display: Crossing Australia's tropical woodlands in the northern part of the country during or just after the wet season, offers an excellent chance of spotting frill-necked lizard. Also referred to as a frill-necked dragon, the animal's throat display is an impressive sight. The lizard stands on its hind legs, gapes widely to reveal some very impressive teeth and inflates its large frill by means of two U-shaped bones in the throat area. The behaviour is used for territorial displays, to scare off predators, and also during courtship

Deimatic display: Crossing Australia's tropical woodlands in the northern part of the country during or just after the wet season, offers an excellent chance of spotting frill-necked lizard. Also referred to as a frill-necked dragon, the animal's throat display is an impressive sight. The lizard stands on its hind legs, gapes widely to reveal some very impressive teeth and inflates its large frill by means of two U-shaped bones in the throat area. The behaviour is used for territorial displays, to scare off predators, and also during courtship

Red sand dunes: The Simpson Desert is Australia's fourth largest desert and extends into the Northern Territory, Queensland and South Australia. The red colour comes from the high levels of iron oxide in the sand

Red sand dunes: The Simpson Desert is Australia's fourth largest desert and extends into the Northern Territory, Queensland and South Australia. The red colour comes from the high levels of iron oxide in the sand

The land before time: The 135km Cape-to-Cape runs between Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin along Australia's most south-westerly coastline of Western Australia. Much of the track winds over dunes composed of limestone less than 2 million years old. The rock beneath, and that exposed at most headlands, is largely ancient granitic gneiss, a type of metamorphic rock, that is between 600 and 1500 million years old

The land before time: The 135km Cape-to-Cape runs between Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin along Australia's most south-westerly coastline of Western Australia. Much of the track winds over dunes composed of limestone less than 2 million years old. The rock beneath, and that exposed at most headlands, is largely ancient granitic gneiss, a type of metamorphic rock, that is between 600 and 1500 million years old

This Tasmanian devil is being raised in a 'Devil Ark', a 500ha breeding facility at Ellerston station, just north of Barrington Tops National Park in NSW. Tasmanian devils are being wiped out by a facial tumour disease which could see them extinct in 15 to 25 years if nothing is done. This insurance population may one day be released back into the wild

This Tasmanian devil is being raised in a 'Devil Ark', a 500ha breeding facility at Ellerston station, just north of Barrington Tops National Park in NSW. Tasmanian devils are being wiped out by a facial tumour disease which could see them extinct in 15 to 25 years if nothing is done. This insurance population may one day be released back into the wild

Eighty Mile Beach on Western Australia's northern coast lies just south of Broome and north of Port Hedland. Its pristine conditions attract many fishermen and it is also an important area for migratory birds. The beach is actually about 220km and it's the longest stretch of uninterrupted beach in Western Australia

Eighty Mile Beach on Western Australia's northern coast lies just south of Broome and north of Port Hedland. Its pristine conditions attract many fishermen and it is also an important area for migratory birds. The beach is actually about 220km and it's the longest stretch of uninterrupted beach in Western Australia

The rich, warm tones of tea-coloured Seal Creek in Crojingolong National Park are the result of forest tannins leaching into the waters upstream. Croajingolong National Park protects 100km of eastern Victorian wilderness coast

The rich, warm tones of tea-coloured Seal Creek in Crojingolong National Park are the result of forest tannins leaching into the waters upstream. Croajingolong National Park protects 100km of eastern Victorian wilderness coast

Burning cane field: Traditionally, from June-December, cane farmers would set their fields ablaze in a harvesting process, to burn off dry leaves and chase out vermin. The practice is rarely done these days, as more environmentally friendly techniques have taken over

Burning cane field: Traditionally, from June-December, cane farmers would set their fields ablaze in a harvesting process, to burn off dry leaves and chase out vermin. The practice is rarely done these days, as more environmentally friendly techniques have taken over

Dingo pups at Moomba, Strzelecki Track, South Australia. Genetic data shows dingoes may have originated in southern China, travelling through mainland southeast Asia and Indonesia to reach Australia between 4,600 and 18,300 years ago

Dingo pups at Moomba, Strzelecki Track, South Australia. Genetic data shows dingoes may have originated in southern China, travelling through mainland southeast Asia and Indonesia to reach Australia between 4,600 and 18,300 years ago


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I've been to many places in Western Australia, both on and off the beaten track, and have also been to most of the bigger cities and have loved all of it. There is so much more I'd like to see, especially in the Northern Territory and in the centre. It's all so fascinating and diverse even though it does take a long time to get anywhere, especially from Perth. I also like that I live in one of the most isolated cities in the world.

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Love this country since i went over there last year to see my sister, now planning to go next year if i can !

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Awesome!!!!

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Amazing pictures.............beautiful country.................cheers

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Fantastic place, shame about the people.

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They are our close relatives. In fact, as an ex Pat, I find the Australians to be more like the English in the 1950s when I was a small child than they are now. That's probably because there are very few truly English people in England nowadays.

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You're not here though so there's some hope for us.

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Yeah it's beautiful - just a shame that the majority of average working class Aussies will never see any of it because they can't afford to travel in their own country - can't afford time off and it's too expensive.

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Isn't this true for all the working people of the world.

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See it while you can. The Abbott government are intent on digging everything up, chopping things down & selling it to the cheapest bidder; with a tidy little sum for themselves in the bargain. They are currently trying to REMOVE 74,000 hectares of pristine Tasmanian wilderness from the World Heritage List; the Great Barrier Reef could be officially listed as in danger at the next meeting of the World Heritage Committee due to plans to build the world's largest coal port, dredging & dumping the waste in the ocean. No to mention winding back environmental regulations "cutting the green tape" in order to speed up development approvals.

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Sounds like this country, governed by greedy people who have no interest in the long haul and only lining their own pockets. No Statesmen left these days.

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Yeah the distances are mind boggling. I bought a 20 year old car in the outback of Victoria - drove it to Melbourne (about 130 miles) on ferry to Tasmania and all around there and Bruny Island. Back by ferry to Melbourne ... drove to Cairns (3,000 miles) ...Few years later drove same car from Cairns to Perth (5,000 miles) took 9 days sleeping in the back of the car and the only road across the Nullarbor still had 200 miles of dirt road with large holes and rocks = 20mph driving for 200 miles. That is the bit they don't tell you about, and isolation once out of the cities you are on your own, might not see a soul for days. Those with money of course can go by helicopter.

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The Nullharbor road has been tarmacked for many years and is better than most roads in the U.K. I have been across it several times and although it can be boring it can also be wonderful. Take all the food water and fuel you can carry the "road houses are a real rip off.

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Too bad about the people living here and not appreciating what surrounds us. Smile people instead of bitching, road rage and drunken brawls.

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To get the feeling of distance and space I went by train from Sydney to Brisbane. Wondered why evryone else had pillows and rugs: it took 14 hours overnight. If you went 14 hours by train in Britain you'd fall off the end. Once you've seen hectares of eucalyptus trees, you can relax...

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