With Australia Day being celebrated this week, I wanted to publish a couple of Australian-focused posts. I have been missing my home country a little bit lately, probably because I am in desperate need of a Vitamin D boost.

So here is a compilation of the best photos I’ve taken across Australia (mainly the East Coast) in recent years. I also added a brief description as to why I love the photo and the place so much. One of the best things about Australia is that it really is a diverse country. We have beaches, rainforests, incredible marine life, snowy mountains and excellent cities. Australia has it all.

Photos to inspire you to visit Australia

1. Bondi Beach

When I visited Bondi Beach on the first day of 2016, I was seriously blown away. I didn’t realise Australia’s most popular beach had water this clear and turquoise. It was like I was in the Caribbean, not a surf beach in Australia. Bondi Beach is probably already on your bucket list, and I can happily say it’s worth the hype.

2. Historic Hobart

I was so happy to finally tick Hobart off my Australian bucket list. Hobart is a small city but has beautiful architecture you’re unlikely to see anywhere else in Australia. It’s also a very short flight from Melbourne if you need another excuse to visit!

3. St Kilda

I didn’t visit St Kilda in Melbourne enough. But this winter’s day, in particular, was absolute perfection. We ate sweets, walked through the market, down the pier and along the beach.

4. Radical Bays

You know there’s going to be just a few photos from my Magnetic Island home, right? Radical Bay is only accessible by foot or four-wheel drive, as the road is completely filled with holes. But your reward is this beautiful, and isolated, bay.

5. Kangaroos

It took me a while to get this shot at Bonorong Sanctuary near Hobart, but this guy was very patient with me. What a champ. But seriously, Australia has some pretty unique native animals. I have held a couple of joeys (baby kangaroos) in my time and they are quite adorable.

6. Melbourne

Oh yes, my former home. I took this photo when I was still new to the city. Walking along the Yarra River from Docklands to Federation Square was one of my favourite things to do. On a sunny day, a Melbourne city walk can’t be beat.

7. Brisbane

This photo is from Kangaroo Cliffs, looking towards Brisbane CBD. I enjoyed my weekend break in Brisbane last year. The weather was perfect and I got to catch up with many friends.

8. Great Ocean Road

Another beautiful looking beach in Australia! I am so glad I did a trip along the Great Ocean Road. This is another place worthy of being on your bucket list.

9. Mount Wellington

Mount Wellington was definitely a highlight of my trip to Hobart. The visibility was incredible and I got to see snow for the first time in Australia. I thought that was pretty cool indeed.

10. Icons

Oh hello there, you beautiful bridge you. A trip to Sydney isn’t complete without walking around The Rocks and taking photos of the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. The Rocks is also a very photogenic and historic suburb.

11. Koalas

Koalas are probably my favourite Australian animal, although wombats are pretty cute as well. Fun fact: they’re related. Anyway, fortunately for me my parents live in an area known for its koala population, so I don’t have to go far to spy these guys in the wild.

12. Street art spotting

Wandering aimlessly through Melbourne city’s various laneways and alleys is honestly a worthwhile activity. I saw these guys making new art in Hosier Lane, Melbourne’s most popular street art lane. I also recommend visiting Fitzroy, which is a haven for random artworks.

13. Man-made beaches

Streets Beach in Brisbane is Australia’s only inner-city, man-made beach. It’s such a unique idea, and you better believe it’s filled with people on summer weekends. I love the combination of skyscrapers, tropical palm trees and a beach. This is Australia.

Read More – The Best Places to Visit in Australia as a Solo Traveller

14. Adelaide

Adelaide is a totally underrated destination to visit in Australia. I went there on a long weekend from Melbourne as it’s a super short flight away. It has beautiful beaches, lots of free attractions and cool places on its doorstep.

15. Sunsets

I’m not kidding, this is the colour of some of the sunsets I’ve witnessed in Australia. This is from Horseshoe Bay on Magnetic Island. INSANE.

16. Island hopping

Yes, there are other awesome islands in Australia apart from Magnetic Island. Moreton Island is off Brisbane’s coast and this photo was captured during an excellent day trip I did with my work colleagues at the time. Snorkelling the Tangalooma Wrecks was most certainly a highlight.

17. Luna Park

This photo was taken at Luna Park on New Year’s Eve in 2015. I love the colours of the amusement park and setting sun, combined with that bridge again. The park’s Ferris wheel has excellent views across to Darling Harbour.

18. Ice cream every day

Because a lot of places in Australia are quite warm year-round, having an ice-cream a day is okay (in my opinion). This was taken in spring in North Melbourne after an awesome day checking out a local festival. Melbourne is most definitely not one of those places with summer weather all the time.

19. Gorgeous gorge

Loch Ard Gorge was probably the biggest surprise for me along the Great Ocean Road. I’d seen photos before, but they did not do this gorge justice. It’s a beautiful spot next to the Twelve Apostles, but swimming is not recommended due to strong currents. I was happy to admire it from the shore.

20. Home

Finally, another favourite photo from my home on Magnetic Island. It’s too pretty not to include it just a few times in this post. It may be small, but it offers a lot to visitors.

So there it is, 20 photos from across Australia. Looking back, most of them include water, but we are an island continent, so I think this is justified. I hope 2017 is the year you get to experience this beautiful country for yourself.

Follow along: Facebook | Twitter | Bloglovin’ | Instagram | Pinterest