Australia’s No.1 tourist landmark is NOT the Opera House, Great Barrier Reef or Uluru

ONLY one Aussie attraction has made it into the world’s top 20 - and it’s not the Sydney Opera House, Great Barrier Reef or Uluru.

Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar, is among the big hits with international tourists.

THE Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge only ranked second and third best.

And neither the Great Barrier Reef nor Uluru made the top 10.

No, it turns out Australia’s top landmark is the Australian War Memorial, according to the latest rankings from TripAdvisor, based on the opinions of travellers from across the world.

The Canberra attraction was the only Australian entry in the world’s top 20.

Recent visitors to the Australian War Memorial, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Prince William and Catherine with Rear Admiral Ken Doolan AO RAN (Ret’d). Picture: Gary Ramage

In a list dominated by some of the world’s most recognised wonders - including Machu Picchu, the Taj Mahal and Angkor Wat - the Australian War Memorial ranked an impressive No.17.

The site’s collection of artefacts and touching tributes, along with its free entry, earn high praise among TripAdvisor reviewers.

“I’m not a great one for museums but this was spellbinding and very moving,” wrote reviewer compost51 from Leeds in the UK. “Reading the personal stories of loss and courage were humbling.”

“We spent 1 and half days there, STILL not long enough because there is so much to see, and stuff you really need to see more than once,” wrote RanDan261 from Perth.

Australian War Memorial marketing manager Kate Still said being noted in the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice awards was an honour.

“Australians and visitors from around the world are commemorating the World War I centenary activity and are increasingly visiting the memorial, one of the world’s great museums, as a central point for those commemorations,” she said.

Review: A visit to the Australian War Memorial

And it’s not just Australia’s architectural attractions earning kudos across the world.

The nation is also home to one of the world’s most impressive parks, with Kings Park and Botanic Garden in Perth ranking No.6 in the world.

Kings Park & Botanic Garden in Perth has been named the best park in Australia.

The park’s views and open space are a hit with TripAdvisor reviewers.

“Having travelled widely I have to say that I can’t stay away from Kings Park. Such a beautiful place and the views across the city, particularly at night are simply breathtaking,” wrote SimonHat from Middlesbrough in the UK.

WA minister for the environment and heritage Albert Jacob said it was great that tourists were enjoying the garden overlooking inner-city Perth.

“Kings Park is a place of inspiration, relaxation, recreation and wonder; something we proudly share with interstate and overseas visitors,” he said.

Top 10 Travellers’ Choice Australian landmarks

Top 10 Travellers’ Choice world landmarks

1. Machu Picchu, Peru

2. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

3. Taj Mahal, Agra, India

India’s most famous landmark, the Taj Mahal, comes in at No.3 on the international list.

4. Great Cathedral and Mosque, Cordoba, Spain

5. St Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City, Italy

6. Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia

7. Bayon Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Bayon Temple in Cambodia is one of the two Cambodian landmarks to make the top 10 list.

8. Church of Our Saviour on Spilled Blood, St Petersburg, Russia

9. Gettysburg National Military Park, Gettysburg, USA

10. Ancient City Walls, Dubrovnik, Croatia

11. Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar

Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar, is among the big hits with international tourists.

12. Lincoln Memorial and Reflecting Pool, Washington DC, USA

13. Petra World Heritage Site, Wadi Musa, Jordan

14. Great Wall at Mutianyu, Beijing, China

15. Ancient City of Ephesus, Selcuk, Turkey

The ancient city of Ephesus in Turkey is among the many historical landmarks on the list.

16. The Alhambra, Granada, Spain

17. Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia

18. Siena Cathedral, Siena, Italy

19. Milan Cathedral (Duomo), Milan, Italy

20. Basilica of the Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain

Top 10 Travellers’ Choice Australian parks

Top 10 Travellers’ Choice world parks

1. Stanley Park, Vancouver, Canada

Stanley Park in Vancouver is the best park in the world according to TripAdvisor reviewers.

2. Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, USA

3. Central Park, New York City, USA

4. Millennium Park, Chicago, USA

5. High Line, New York City, USA

6. Kings Park & Botanic Garden, Perth, Australia

7. Park Guell, Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona’s Park Guell doesn’t rate as highly as Perth’s Kings Park.

8. Ibirapuera Park, Sao Paulo, Brazil

9. Retiro Park (Parque del Retiro), Madrid, Spain

10. Luxembourg Gardens, Paris, France