REVEALED: Aussies’ ultimate domestic travel bucket list

Beautiful Underwater photography of a Green Turtle
By Travel Weekly


New research has revealed the ultimate Australian travel bucket list as voted by those who know it best: Aussies.

A survey conducted by Rentalcarprotection.com.au asked 1,000 Australian residents about their attitudes towards the country’s famous landmarks and if they have visited them or not.

The research found that while 70 per cent of Aussies recommend visiting the Great Barrier Reef to travellers, only one third (33 per cent) said they have actually visited the destination themselves.

The reef was followed closely by the Sydney Opera House with 66 per cent recommending the iconic building, and 63 per cent pointing tourists in the direction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Australia’s top must-see locations, as recommended by locals, are listed below:

  1. Great Barrier Reef (70 per cent)
  2. Sydney Opera House (66 per cent)
  3. Sydney Harbour Bridge (63 per cent)
  4. Great Ocean Road (56 per cent)
  5. Uluru/Ayers Rock (55 per cent)
  6. Bondi Beach (50 per cent)
  7. Blue Mountains National Park (50 per cent)
  8. Whitsundays (45 per cent)
  9. Byron Bay (37 per cent)
  10. Kakadu National Park (35 per cent)

Just like the reef, many Australians haven’t been to the locations they would recommend to visitors. Just 15 per cent of Aussies said they have been to Uluru, and despite 45 per cent of Aussies pointing people in the direction of the Whitsundays, only 24 per cent have experienced it for themselves.

However, 87 per cent said they would like to see the Great Barrier Reef in the future, 82 per cent want to travel to Uluru, and 79 per cent have plans to visit the Whitsundays.

The survey also questioned residents where they would like to visit beyond their borders. Neighbours New Zealand took first place on Aussies’ list of must-see countries, with 58 per cent putting it on their bucket list. North American countries were also a popular choice, with the US (52 per cent) second, and Canada (51 per cent) third.

Aussies’ top 10 bucket list countries are listed below:

  1. New Zealand (58 per cent)
  2. United States (52 per cent)
  3. Canada (51 per cent)
  4. Japan (50 per cent)
  5. United Kingdom (50 per cent)
  6. Italy (46 per cent)
  7. France (41 per cent)
  8. Greece (38 per cent)
  9. Spain (32 per cent)
  10. Fiji (29 per cent)

Other inclusions on Australians’ bucket lists were Nepal, Yemen, and Madagascar.

Latest News