We all know about the numerous world class Australian attractions such as Sydney Opera House, the Great Barrier Reef and Uluru/ Ayer’s Rock. Yet, this vast and hugely varied country has a lot more wildly exciting places to see that you have probably never heard of.
When you head Down Under for a trip or to start a new life, here are a few of the alternative attractions not to miss out on.
Ball’s Pyramid and the Rare Insect
If you dream of getting off the beaten track then the jagged, otherworldly Ball’s Pyramid is sure to get you excited. This is what is left of what was once a giant volcano, jutting out into the Pacific Ocean in Lord Howe Island Marine Park.
It is over 560 metres high, making it the highest volcanic stack on the planet. The size and remoteness of Ball’s Pyramid aren’t the only interesting things about it, though, as it is also home to arguably the rarest insect on Earth.
The Lord Howe Island stick insect – commonly known as walking sausages- were thought to be long extinct until scientists discovered a group of them living here. Some people go climbing here and if you plan to emigrate to Australia from the UK then it could make for a very special weekend destination.
The Pink Lake Hillier
The only ways you can view the stunning Lake Hillier are on a helicopter or on a cruise. Either way, when you first see it appear on the horizon you will be blown away by the fact that it is a vibrant pink colour.
This isn’t an optical illusion, as the water is pink even when you take a sample of it out of the lake. It is believed to take on this colour due to an organism that lives in this lake in the Recherche Archipelago of Western Australia.
Surprisingly, Lake Hillier is considered safe to swim in, although finding a way to get close enough to do this is going to be a bit of a challenge for you.
The Ghost Tour in Melbourne
Not all of the best and strangest attractions in Australia are about natural beauty and wildlife. A trip to the cool city of Melbourne will give you a chance to feel all creepy as well.
A central part of the charm here is the famous Haunted Bookshop, which is a wonderful place to start to find out about the occult, tarot cards and lots more in an atmospheric setting.
After this, the Haunted Melbourne Ghost Tour also kicks off from this store. This is a 2 hour stroll round the darkened city streets and pubs that informs terrified visitors of ancient murders, betrayals and general mayhem.
The Incredible New Life of SS Ayerfield
The SS Ayerfield was a cargo freighter that was left to rust in Homebush Bay in the suburbs of Sydney. What has happened since then is astonishing, as a floating forest has sprung to life on board the abandoned vessel.
If you are going to look jobs in Australia for UK citizens with Sydney as a base then a trip out to visit the SS Ayerfield is something that you simply have to do at some point. It might not be as world famous as some of Sydney’s top attractions but it will take your breath away when you first see it.
The mangrove trees have taken over the ship so thoroughly that you will be left wondering how on Earth it is still floating.
The Newnes Railroad Glow Worm Tunnel
The peculiar case of the Newnes railroad tunnel is a spectacular example of a man-made structure being turned into something incredibly different by nature. This abandoned railway tunnel is 400 metres long and is now home to a huge colony of glow worms.
The twist in this dark tunnel and the creek that runs through it makes this the perfect habitat for the glow worms to thrive in. It really is a spectacular sight when you reach the glow worms and see how they light up the interior with their own, magical light.
The Newnes Railroad tunnel is most easily reached from Lithgow in New South Wales. It is a remote location and you can expect to come across the likes of wombats and kangaroos on the road along the way.
Don’t limit yourself to just the huge and most well-renowned tourist attractions when you visit Australia. There are plenty of other weird and wonderful sights that will leave you feeling a great deal of love and respect for this country and the delights it is home to.
