Down Under Tours’ Top 10 Australian Icons
Photo credit: Tourism Tropical North Queensland
The Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is the peak of natural beauty. Home to the world’s largest coral reef system, stretching across 900 islands and over 2300 kilometres, the reef was selected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981 and is considered one of the seven natural wonders of the world. That’s why we consider it to be at the top of the list of Australian icons.
Explore how to choose the best Great Barrier Reef tour for your next holiday today!
Crocodile Dundee
“You call that a knife? THAT is a KNIFE…”
The man, the legend. Paul Hogan took the world by storm with the release of Crocodile Dundee in 1986. The film was the highest-grossing Australian film of all-time at the time of its release, and the second-highest grossing film at the US box office for that year. Paul Hogan became the unofficial face of Australia and Mick Dundee has been associated with the Australian outback ever since.
Uluru
Ayers Rock. Credit to AAT Kings
Also known as Ayers Rock, Uluru, is a true Aussie icon. The site is sacred to the local Aboriginal people, the Pitjantjatjara Anangu, and the area is home to several springs, waterholes, caves and ancient paintings. According to the Aṉangu nation, creator beings travelled the land in a process of creation and destruction, forming the landscape that we see today. Uluru is an official UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to 21 native mammals, including the Red Kangaroo and the black-flanked rock-wallaby.
Check out AAT Kings’ Red Centre Discovery Tour for your next trip to Uluru!
The Big Pineapple
Australia loves their big tourist attractions and the Big Pineapple is no different. Found on the side of the Nambour Connection Road in Woombye, Queensland, the heritage-listed attraction is loved by those road-tripping north of Brisbane. The surrounding area is home to a 23-hectare pineapple plantation, but over time the pineapple structure itself has become the town’s claim to fame.
Cape Tribulation & The Daintree Rainforest
Australia is known for its majestic coastlines and the most breathtaking beach of them all is found at the very top of Australia at Cape Tribulation. The beautiful greens of the rainforest, and the deep greenish blues of the water is separated by perfectly white sand. You can get lost for hours hiking through the forest or lose track of time relaxing by the water. This is a must-see for all that visit our great country.
Learn more about Down Under Tours’ Cape Tribulation tours today!
Donald Bradman
How can you go past “The Don” when you’re listing Australian icons? Sir Donald Bradman brought hope to our great nation at the height of The Great Depression and his achievements have him rightly considered as one of the best sportsmen of all-time. The boy from the bush took Australia, and the cricketing world, by storm by the age of 22; retiring with a formidable test average of 99.94.
Ned Kelly
Edward, better knows as “Ned”, Kelly is another icon that needs no explanation to the everyday Aussie. He was the Victorian Government’s most wanted criminal for the murder of three policemen during the days of lawless frontiers (akin to the American Wild West). During his execution he left Australia with the nation’s unofficial catchphrase – “Such Is Life”. Ever since he has been a cultural phenomenon which led to a film outlining his life story – starring Heath Ledger, Orlando Bloom and Naomi Watts.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge
Photo Credit: AAT Kings
Every New Year’s Eve the Sydney Harbour Bridge gets showcased all over the world with its amazing firework display. Today, there are guided trips across the bridge every day and everyone from Jamie Oliver to Oprah has climbed it. However, in the 1950s there were reports of renegade bridge climbers who would scale the structure by night.
Want to learn more? Check out AAT Kings’ page on the history of the bridge!
Cathy Freeman
In 2000, Sydney was the centre stage for the Olympic Games. It was there that the world saw the brilliance and talent of our beloved Cathy. Kicking off the event in spectacular fashion by lighting the Olympic torch, she lived up to her hype by bringing home gold in the 400 metres. Since then she has been extremely active in the media and in founding her own charity – The Cathy Freeman Foundation. She even has a park named in her honour – The Cathy Freeman Park!
Kuranda
Photo Credit: Kuranda Scenic Rail
The journey to this village in the rainforest is almost worth the trip in and of itself. You can choose to drive through the scenic rainforest, get an aerial view of the Daintree from Cableway, or take the famous railway. Once you arrive, there is plenty to see and do as Kuranda is the perfect combination of exploration and relaxation.
Explore Down Under Tours’ Kuranda tours today!
