NewsBite

The Great Barrier Reef is made up of over 900 coral-fringed islands. This complex ecosystem is home to a number of plant and animal species, including sea turtles, 1500 species of tropical fish, manta rays, reef sharks and incredible coral. Picture: Matt Munro/Lonely Planet
1/12The Great Barrier Reef is made up of over 900 coral-fringed islands. This complex ecosystem is home to a number of plant and animal species, including sea turtles, 1500 species of tropical fish, manta rays, reef sharks and incredible coral. Picture: Matt Munro/Lonely Planet
Australia’s true alpine region, the Snowy Mountains form part of the Great Dividing Range, which straddles the New South Wales–Victoria border. This region is synonymous with horse riding thanks to Banjo Paterson’s famous poem, ‘The Man from Snowy River’. Picture:: Faraz Mirzaagha
2/12Australia’s true alpine region, the Snowy Mountains form part of the Great Dividing Range, which straddles the New South Wales–Victoria border. This region is synonymous with horse riding thanks to Banjo Paterson’s famous poem, ‘The Man from Snowy River’. Picture:: Faraz Mirzaagha
Recognised as a wetland of international importance, the Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park is a diver’s paradise on the Limestone Coast. Pressure forcing freshwater to the surface has created an underwater cave made up of sculpted limestone walls. Picture: Kaohanui | Shutterstock ©
3/12Recognised as a wetland of international importance, the Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park is a diver’s paradise on the Limestone Coast. Pressure forcing freshwater to the surface has created an underwater cave made up of sculpted limestone walls. Picture: Kaohanui | Shutterstock ©
The safest way to see a croc in the Northern Territory is with a visit to Darwin’s Crocosaurus Cove. For brave visitors there is the not-very-reassuringly-named Cage of Death, where a transparent cage is lowered into the crocs’ pool. Picture: Cape Coconut/Shutterstock
4/12The safest way to see a croc in the Northern Territory is with a visit to Darwin’s Crocosaurus Cove. For brave visitors there is the not-very-reassuringly-named Cage of Death, where a transparent cage is lowered into the crocs’ pool. Picture: Cape Coconut/Shutterstock
The baobab trees of the Kimberley are very well adapted to the extreme climate of the region. In the wet season they take in as much water as their trunks can store. In the dry season they shed their leaves to reduce transpiration. Picture: bmphotographer/Shutterstock
5/12The baobab trees of the Kimberley are very well adapted to the extreme climate of the region. In the wet season they take in as much water as their trunks can store. In the dry season they shed their leaves to reduce transpiration. Picture: bmphotographer/Shutterstock
Mt Buffalo National Park › Near the town of Bright, Mt Buffalo National Park is a year-round adventure playground. The ski chalet at the top, built by the state government in 1910, was Australia’s first ski resort. There are 90km of hiking trails across its rocky outcrops plus climbing and hang-gliding. Picture: Ain Raadrik
6/12Mt Buffalo National Park › Near the town of Bright, Mt Buffalo National Park is a year-round adventure playground. The ski chalet at the top, built by the state government in 1910, was Australia’s first ski resort. There are 90km of hiking trails across its rocky outcrops plus climbing and hang-gliding. Picture: Ain Raadrik
The heart of the Tarkine, an as-yet-unprotected but extraordinarily precious wilderness in northwest Tasmania, is inaccessible except by boat or 4WD, allowing creatures such as the giant freshwater lobster to survive in its pristine rivers. Credit: Kazuki Yamakawa | Shutterstock ©
7/12The heart of the Tarkine, an as-yet-unprotected but extraordinarily precious wilderness in northwest Tasmania, is inaccessible except by boat or 4WD, allowing creatures such as the giant freshwater lobster to survive in its pristine rivers. Credit: Kazuki Yamakawa | Shutterstock ©
This archipelago of 265 coral-fringed islands, located 130km off the Pilbara coast of northwest Australia, is a 580sq km marine park. Visitors can camp on six islands; other islands in the group are turtle hatcheries or were used by the British for atomic weapon tests in the 1950s. Picture: Salty Wings/500px
8/12This archipelago of 265 coral-fringed islands, located 130km off the Pilbara coast of northwest Australia, is a 580sq km marine park. Visitors can camp on six islands; other islands in the group are turtle hatcheries or were used by the British for atomic weapon tests in the 1950s. Picture: Salty Wings/500px
One of Australia’s iconic and much-loved ‘big things’, the giant red lobster stands proud here in the town of Kingston SE. These kitschy oversize outdoor sculptures can be found dotted around the country and are an essential photo pit stop on road trips. Picture: Photodigitaal.nl/Shutterstock
9/12One of Australia’s iconic and much-loved ‘big things’, the giant red lobster stands proud here in the town of Kingston SE. These kitschy oversize outdoor sculptures can be found dotted around the country and are an essential photo pit stop on road trips. Picture: Photodigitaal.nl/Shutterstock
The World Heritage Blue Mountains region delivers natural scenery of epic proportions. The sandstone plateau features guilles, waterfalls and lookouts. The name comes from the eucalyptus oil of the trees that cloaks the mountains in a blue-purple haze. Picture: Craig Holloway/500px
10/12The World Heritage Blue Mountains region delivers natural scenery of epic proportions. The sandstone plateau features guilles, waterfalls and lookouts. The name comes from the eucalyptus oil of the trees that cloaks the mountains in a blue-purple haze. Picture: Craig Holloway/500px
Winter brings snow to Victoria’s Alps. Ski, snowboard, or toboggan at resorts such as Falls Creek, Mt Hotham, Dinner Plain and Mt Buffalo. An ice axe and crampons are often needed to cross Razorback Ridge, linking Mt Hotham and Mt Feathertop. Picture: Neal Pritchard Photography/Getty Images
11/12Winter brings snow to Victoria’s Alps. Ski, snowboard, or toboggan at resorts such as Falls Creek, Mt Hotham, Dinner Plain and Mt Buffalo. An ice axe and crampons are often needed to cross Razorback Ridge, linking Mt Hotham and Mt Feathertop. Picture: Neal Pritchard Photography/Getty Images
These limestone pinnacles were formed when the wind scoured sand from the land 30,000 years ago. Thousands punctuate the desert 200km north of Perth. Visits timed for the wildflower bloom from August to October will witness new life rising from the sand. Simon Bradfield/Getty Images
12/12These limestone pinnacles were formed when the wind scoured sand from the land 30,000 years ago. Thousands punctuate the desert 200km north of Perth. Visits timed for the wildflower bloom from August to October will witness new life rising from the sand. Simon Bradfield/Getty Images
More related stories

Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/lifestyle/sa-weekend/gallery-lonely-planets-beautiful-world-australia/image-gallery/8fe71363a253cd6e4835eaf7b257ba8d