The Most Exotic Destinations in Australia

It's understandable that in a nation as huge as Australia, with such a vast and diverse ecological and historical legacy, there would be a few spots considered outliers when it comes to an exotic destination on a global scale. From the ochre-red desert around Uluru and the snowy peak of Cradle Mountain to the white beaches of the Whitsunday Islands and the pink lakes of Western Australia, Australia is a country as diverse as it is beautiful. Here are some of these outliers:

Alice Springs

Alice Springs, buried away in the heart of the desolate yet gorgeous Australian outback, is the place to go if you want to learn about Australian aboriginal culture by day and rock the casino tables by night. While some might take offense in the casino shutting down relatively early, you can easily find a casino online. Sunset or dawn helicopter flights above the West MacDonnell Ranges are among the most memorable experiences offered to travelers.

Cairns, Queensland

The city dubbed as the Great Barrier Reef's Gateway is as beautiful as you'd imagine. It is home to the Skyrail and an exquisitely scenic Railroad between Cairns and Kuranda, which provides a bird's-eye perspective of a tropical rainforest canopy. Alternatively, for stunning views closer to sea level, take a Daintree Riverboat, which includes a lunch break at a covered riverbank garden. Take a seat at the Salt House restaurant on Marina Point in the evening, where you'll not only discover wonderful food but also one-of-a-kind panoramic views of Cairns' waterfront.

Cradle Mountain

Take a trip to one of the few remaining uncharted green pastors in the world. At the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, you'll find one of the most natural forest-based terrains in Australia, and arguably the world. Hiking around the tranquil blue waters of Dove Lake provides the greatest perspective of the jagged Cradle Mountain, except the summit, of course.

Lake McDonnell

Lake McDonnell is a stunning pink salt lake located 15 kilometers south of Penong on the road to Point Sinclair. On clear days, the lake's high salt content gives it the appearance of a salmon pink lake. Pink Lake is on one side of the causeway, Green Lake is on the other, and Blue Lake is farther down across the tiny bridge. The Pink Lake is created by Dunaliella Salina, salt-loving algae, and halobacteria, bacteria that emit carotenoid red pigments, which color the water brilliant-pink.

The Pinnacles

An unmatched stretch of land located near the town of Jurien Bay in Western Australia makes up The Pinnacles. They're an arrangement of limestone formations, strange rocks that were assembled 30,000 years ago and still stand out against the naked dirt.

All this just proves that Australia is more than just beautiful beaches, the Sydney Opera House, and kangaroos. And it's past time we ditched the clichés and saw Australia for what it truly is: a dynamic and colorful country!