Australia’s Hidden Gems
With the rise of travel bloggers and TikTok hotspots going viral, the once-undiscovered gems of the world are fast becoming uncovered. In 2024, over one in five travelers will seek local experiences when traveling.
We want to uncover Australia’s most hidden gems, from The Drip Gorge in New South Wales to Stokes Bay, found on Kangaroo Island in South Australia; life down under is filled with undiscovered natural beauty.
Similar to our Hidden Gems Report, we will analyze hidden gem attractions in Australia, using Tripadvisor and collecting search data for those with the top reviews to reveal the most treasured spots.
From Brisbane to Sydney, the travel and luggage experts at Bounce have revealed the best-hidden gem attractions across Australia, so you can discover local favorites and avoid the tourist traps.
The Australian states with the most hidden gems
The Northern Territory has the highest percentage of hidden gems in Australia
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- Northern Territory
Percentage of hidden gems: 8.47%
The Northern Territory is Australia’s vast federal territory famed for its Outback desert landscapes, including its arid Red Centre where the iconic sandstone monolith Uluru lies. Other points of interest include the red rock domes of Kata Tjuta and the sculpted cliffs of Kings Canyon in Watarrka National Park. Remote Alice Springs is the gateway to the Red Centre desert and offers several hidden gems, including historical sites, Aboriginal art galleries, and the Olive Pink Botanic Gardens. - Tasmania
Percentage of hidden gems: 4.82%
The island state of Tasmania, Australia, encompasses the main island of Tasmania, the 26th largest island in the world, and the one thousand surrounding islands. Tasmania is the hidden gem of Australia, whether you’re traveling for the amazing colors of the painted cliffs on Maria Island, Mount Wellington in Hobart, or the ancient pines and glacial lakes at Cradle Mountain. - South Australia
Percentage of hidden gems: 4.77%
South Australia is in the southern central part of the country and covers some of the most arid parts of Australia. The dramatic outback landscapes are home to some of the country’s most spectacular scenery, such as The Flinders Ranges, Limestone Coast, and Murray River. Some notable gems include the impressive Umpherston Sinkhole, a naturally formed limestone cave, and Seal Bay, where you’ll find yourself surrounded by adorable seals lazing on the sand.
The Australian cities with the most hidden gems
Adelaide is the Australian city home to the most hidden gems
- Adelaide, South Australia
Percentage of hidden gems: 7.99%
Adelaide may not be the biggest city, but it has plenty of hidden gems tucked away, ready for the grand reveal when you least expect it. Right in the centre of Adelaide lies a little pocket of Japan, the Adelaide Himeji Garden. Designed in two Japanese styles, the garden grounds showcase a serene lake, ornate gates, and stepping stones designed specifically for mindfulness. South Australia’s unique maritime history can be found along the Garden Island Ships’ Graveyard Maritime Heritage Trail. The ‘graveyard’ contains 25 abandoned barges, ferries, sailing ships, and steamers, which were disposed of in the shallow waters of Port Adelaide between 1909 and 1945. - Adelaide Hills, South Australia
Percentage of hidden gems: 6.74%
Adelaide Hills, a rugged area east of Adelaide in South Australia, scored second with 6.74% of hidden gem attractions. Adelaide Hills centers on the mountain and busy city of Mount Barker. It is well known for its cool-climate wines and is home to quaint and tranquil towns, incredible produce, and superb vistas. Crafers is one of the oldest settlements in the area, and it is the gateway to Mount Lofty Summit, the majestic peak of the Adelaide Hills; providing spectacular views across the city skyline. Uraidla sits in a close pocket of Adelaide Hills and is nestled amongst the vineyards. It is a great base for exploring many of the Hills’ great wineries. - Darwin, Northern Territory
Percentage of hidden gems: 6.29%
Darwin, the capital of Australia’s Northern Territory, recorded 21 hidden gems, equivalent to 6.29% of its attractions. Darwin is a gateway to the massive Kakadu National Park. Its popular waterfront area has several beaches and green areas, including Bicentennial Park. Visitors can discover East Arnhem Land and Australia’s raw and rugged coastline by water on an exclusive charter. The tour allows you to fly into the homelands to venture deep into Australia’s ancient backyard, known as one of the country’s greatest untouched wilderness areas. On the edge of town, the secret watering hole known as Katherine Thermal Hot Springs is fed by the Katherine River and allows travelers to enjoy the plunge pool, usually all to themselves.
The most searched hidden gems in Australia
Toowoomba is the most popular hidden gem in the country, with 937,500 annual searches
- Toowoomba
Annual searches: 937,500
Toowoomba, a city in the Darling Downs region of southern Queensland, was the most popular hidden gem destination, with 937,500 searches in the last twelve months. Some include Ravensbourne National Park, which is home to towering red cedars and rainforest. Nearby Crows Nest National Park features an eucalypt forest, granite boulders, and Crows Nest Falls. Toowoomba is the perfect place to explore on foot, with plenty of surprises to be found, and visitors can head to Redwood Park at dusk, where you’ll be greeted by an incredible sight; seeing fireflies come out and light up the park. - Lord Howe Island
Annual searches: 735,100
Lord Howe Island is a tiny island in the Tasman Sea east of Port Macquarie, known for its sandy beaches, subtropical forests, and clear waters. The island is home to seabird colonies, such as masked boobies. Despite its tiny size of just 11km long and 2km wide, there are plenty of things to see at this hidden gem, including hiking up Mount Gower, a very steep and exposed track that is not for the faint of heart. Snorkeling is also popular on this island, which sits on the southernmost coral reef in the world, so there is some exceptional diving to be done. Visitors have even spotted turtles in the crystal clear lagoon near Erscott’s Hole. - Kangaroo Island
Annual searches: 723,500
Kangaroo Island is fast becoming a must-see destination, and tourists worldwide are discovering its spectacular coastline and untouched beauty. There are plenty of local Kangaroo Island secret spots, including the Pelican Lagoon Marine Sanctuary, which was named by British explorer Matthew Flinders after its large population of pelicans. It is South Australia’s oldest marine protected area and is a nature photographer’s paradise, with wallabies and kangaroos grazing on the shores around sunset.
The Western River Wilderness Protection Area on the northwestern coast follows a quiet and secluded path to Billy Goat Falls, a beautiful waterfall that normally flows in winter but has sometimes flowed as early as January and all through autumn, winter, and spring. The return 4.2-kilometre hike takes walkers through regenerating bushland and across the creek before descending into a spectacular valley of She-oak trees.
TripAdvisor’s best-hidden gem attractions in Australia
Panorama Garden Estate is Tripadvisor’s top-rated hidden gem in Australia
- Panorama Garden Estate, Borneo, Victoria - 95.89% of excellent reviews
The Panorama Garden Estate in Borneo, Victoria, is a privately owned 55-acre garden and wildlife reserve with panoramic views for over 100 kilometers across Bass Straight and Port Phillip Bay. Located on the Mornington Peninsula, just a one-hour drive from Melbourne, the estate has introduced more than 20,000 plants and 80,000 tonnes of rock with 18 separate garden areas, including lakes, streams, and waterfalls.
There are many animals to see, including rare albino kangaroos, wallabies, and alpacas, as well as native and pet birds like peacocks, amis, geese, and parrots. The Panorama Garden Estate is the number one thing to do in Borneo, according to Tripadvisor, with 95.89% of reviewers rating it excellent. - The Kangaroo Sanctuary, Alice Springs, Northern Territory - 95.27% of excellent reviews
The Kangaroo Sanctuary in Alice Springs is the home of Brolga, the star of Kangaroo Dundee, which follows the exciting lives of rescued kangaroos and other wildlife. The center is a sprawling wildlife sanctuary for rehabilitating baby and adult kangaroos, offering guided sunset tours to learn about and celebrate the iconic Red Kangaroo. Visitors can meet the show’s characters along a walk through the sanctuary’s 188-acre wildlife reserve. The sanctuary has been listed as the #1 of 69 things to do in Alice Springs and also received the Travellers’ Choice Award 2020, thanks to its 95.27% excellent-rated reviews. - Ernest Hill Wines, Nulkaba, New South Wales - 93.69% of excellent reviews
Ernest Hill Wines in Nulkaba, New South Wales, is a family-owned premium Hunter Valley wine producer. Ranking as the #1 of 9 things to do in Nulkaba and receiving the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award 2024, Ernest Hill Wines has become famous for its multiple international award-winning wines and tours.
The winery in the Picturesque Hunter Valley has been praised for its excellent outdoor tasting experiences. It is proud to be inclusive, pet-friendly, family-friendly, and accommodating to groups. Visitors can also take advantage of its picnic spot and enjoy stunning views overlooking the vineyard, with kangaroos grazing under the trees.
Cody Candee, CEO and Founder of Bounce, comments on Australia’s hidden gems:
“There are plenty of hidden gems waiting to be discovered across Australia, and some of the lesser-known ones are only just beginning to be uncovered on social media. Of course, some of these spots can be found in highly populated areas such as Sydney, Perth and Byron Bay. But there are also plenty more untold secrets in Australia’s vast and diverse outback regions.
The Australian Outback is a place like no other on earth, an endless sea of red sand beneath your feet. By venturing out into the middle of the country, you can experience the adventure of a lifetime. What's more, the Outback offers a range of budget-friendly experiences for travelers. I highly recommend visiting the Cape York Peninsula in Northern Queensland and the Eyre Peninsula’s Lake MacDonnell, which is the country's most intensely pink lake, owing to its high salt concentrations. By driving along Watermelon Avenue, you can cruise the ultra-instagrammable road between the bubblegum-hued lake and the neighbouring blue-green waters.
Most backpackers fly directly to Melbourne and travel along the East Coast, but destinations along the West Coast, such as Perth, have some unmissable wonders. With fewer tourists and the only side of Australia where the sun sets into the sea, it is filled with hidden gems. Coral Bay, a tiny town on the coast, is a special spot because of its marine life and untouched nature. Rockingham is also an idyllic city where you can swim with wild dolphins and watch them play.
When you’re exploring Australia’s natural beauty and rare finds, you don’t want your luggage to get in the way. When visiting a new location, it’s advisable to use luggage storage so that you can experience everything the area has to offer without worrying about your belongings.”
Methodology
Tripadvisor was used to find the number of hidden gems in each Australian state. By taking the total attractions, we were able to find the percentage of hidden gems. New South Wales and Victoria had these results capped at 10,000.
The ten most populated Australian cities, according to World Population Review, were used to find the number and percentage of hidden gems in each city using Tripadvisor. This data is correct as of 06/08/2024.
Using articles from Time Out, A Nomad’s Passport, and Australia.com, we built a list of 70 hidden gem attractions and landmarks across Australia. For each, we then collected the number of searches in Australia between August 2023 and July 2024 using Google Keyword Planner.
To find Tripadvisor’s best-hidden gems in Australia, we used Tripadvisor to find the total number of reviews for each attraction and the number of ‘excellent’ rated reviews to find the percentage.
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