Australia is a small continent in the south pacific, situated between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, and with terrains of desert and rocky canyon, clear blue sea waters lined with white sandy beaches, rain forests, and the Great Barrier Reef, one of the wonders of the world.

There are as many varied outings and activities as the terrain and geographical location of Australia itself, which you can explore via plane, boat or car hire. A complete overview of the top ten attractions can be found at Planetware. For the country's official tourism website, including events, destinations, and things to do, see Australia. For a listing of attractions by area and type, visit Travelmate.

While there are a host of other locations with fascinations of their own, the beautiful country of Australia offers these as must-see attractions.

In Sydney, explore the historic rocks of the original convict colonies, visit the hundreds of shops, and either have a picnic or dine in courtyard cafes or 5-star restaurants with a view. Take an online look at The Rocks.

Sydney Harbor offers yacht cruises, kayaking, opera, botanical gardens, and much more. Find out more at Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, and Sydney Visitor's Bureau.

The Taronga Zoo in Sydney features exhibits of native animals as well as an Asian Rainforest exhibit. Transport to the zoo by bus or ferry and view the exhibits by cable car. Plan your trip and more at Taronga Zoo.

In Queensland lies the top tourist sites of Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef, and Whitsundays, a collection of 72 islands situated within the Reef. Check out the list of Brisbane attractions at Brisbane Visitor's Bureau. Unbelievable extreme sports and other adventures along the Gold Coast are listed at Gold Coast Attractions. For the Sunshine Coast, view a video of activities at Sun Coast Attractions and book a tour at Storyline Tours. Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef adventures range from wreck and reef dives to backpack excursions and bird watching. Attractions can be seen at Cairns, Cairns E-guide, and Cairns Great Barrier Reef.

In Victoria lies the well-known city of Melbourne. Located on the southwest coast of the country, attractions include both cultural and scenic destinations. Melbourne sits on the Yarra River and offers multi-cultural cuisine, shopping, water sports, and historic museums. Find them at Visit Victoria. The Yarra Valley hosts wineries, steam engine tours, forests and villages, and a wildlife sanctuary complete with waterfalls. Plan your visit at Yarra Valley-Dandenongs. For Mornington Peninsula visitors there is cliff climbs, swimming with dolphins, wineries, and golf courses. See a complete list at Mornington Peninsula. Phillip Island is a sanctuary in nature, offering koalas, waterbirds, and fairy penguins for viewing in the wild. The Australian Grand Prix Circuit is also located here. For a list of attractions, visit Phillip Island.