Janice R. Andrews
Australia and Oceania have some of the most beautiful scenery and culture sites in the world. Many of them are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. A lot of people know about famous places like the Sydney Opera House, but there are also many other beautiful places that not many people know about. These 15 islands in Australia, New Zealand, and other parts of the area are real gems that should get more attention.
1: Levuka, Fiji
Levuka was once the colonial capital of Fiji. It is now a cute port town that mixes native Fijian culture with European colonial buildings in a beautiful way. It is nestled between coconut and mango trees, showing how two different cultures can live together in a unique way.
2: The Carlton Royal Exhibition House and Gardens in Melbourne, Australia
This spot honors the International Exhibitions of 1880 and 1888 in Melbourne. It was built by the great Joseph Reed and is a work of art. Its architecture has elements of the Renaissance, the Gothic style, and the Byzantine style, making it a truly unique masterpiece.
3: The Sydney Opera House in Australia
The Sydney Opera House is famous all over the world, but its unique form still draws people in. Its shell-shaped building, which opened in 1973, is a famous example of 20th-century design.
4: Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in Australia
This park is in the middle of Australia and is famous for Uluru, a huge sandstone hill, and the nearby Kata Tjuta rock formations. This park is not only a natural wonder, but it is also a holy place for the Aboriginal Anangu people.
5: Shark Bay, Western Australia
Shark Bay is a safe place for sea life that is in danger, like humpback whales. It is a natural gem because of its clear seas, rare species, and seagrass beds.
6: The Phoenix Islands Protected Area in Kiribati
The Phoenix Islands have an amazing marine environment with rare fish, corals, and birds. They are the biggest marine protected area in the world.
7: “Macquarie Island, Tasmania, Australia”
Macquarie Island is in the Southern Ocean and is famous for its unique rock forms, which are caused by tectonic action that brings the Earth’s mantle to the surface. Wildlife, like seals and birds, love it there.
8: New Zealand’s sub-Antarctic islands
These islands are a safe place for rare birds and sea mammals to live. Some of the last environments in the world that haven’t been changed much can be seen on the islands, like Auckland and Campbell.
9: “Te Wahipounamu, New Zealand”
The Maori people see this area as a sacred place because it has fjords, jungles, and mountain peaks all mixed together. It is a UNESCO wonder because of how beautiful it is and how rich the ecosystem is.
10: The Tasmanian Wilderness in Australia
It’s one of the world’s biggest tropical jungles, with an area of more than 1 million hectares. Its wide range of plants and animals gives tourists a chance to experience nature as it really is.
11: Budj Bim, Australia
The Gunditjmara people were very creative. They built a complex aquaculture system in the volcanic landscape, which is one of the best ways to farm fish in the world.
12: The “Wet Tropics” of Queensland, Australia
This World Heritage site is a must-see for nature lovers because it has lush jungles full of rare species like the southern cassowary and old plants.
13: Purnululu National Park in Australia
This park has beautiful natural features like beehive-shaped domes that were formed over thousands of years by weathering and erosion. It is home to the impressive Bungle Bungle Range.
14: The lagoons of New Caledonia
The bays cover a large area of water and are home to many types of coral reefs and rare species. They are some of the best places in the Pacific to swim and dive.
15: Australia’s Kakadu National Park
Kakadu gives you a look into old culture and nature. It is famous for its Aboriginal rock art and wide range of plants and animals. People and animals alike love the marshy environments that make up the area.
These UNESCO World Heritage places are must-sees for adventurous tourists because they are both beautiful and important culturally. There is a lot to see and do in Oceania, from old scenery to rich ecosystems to awesome buildings.
