13 of the Most Unusual Places to Visit in Australia
Looking for ideas of weird places in Australia and unique things to do during your trip before you arrive in Australia? Be sure to add a few of the weird and unique places in Australia to your list! Australia has a wealth of interesting and unusual places to visit. From the natural illusion of Wave Rock, the brilliant pink waters of the Pink Lakes to the gravity-defying display of Horizontal Falls. These unique attractions are bound to wow even the most serious of adventurers.
Whether you are a backpacker looking to travel Australia in a campervan or travelling as a family, we have put together a list of 13 of the best “unusual” places to visit that you will want to include in your road trip itinerary!
What makes a place unusual to visit?
So what exactly makes a place odd or unusual to visit? Many things may classify a spot as odd or unusual, including odd shapes, structures, interesting history in Australia, weird names, interesting people and so on. In our opinion, it’s often the strange and odd attractions that are the most memorable. Plus, they often make for a fantastic photo opportunity! Let’s dive into the top 13 most unusual places to visit in Australia on your upcoming campervan trip:
1. Wave Rock, WA
Wave Rock is an iconic Western Australia destination, and one of Australia’s most recognisable landforms. Perfectly described by its name - it really is a wave rock! Standing 15 metres from the ground, and over 100 metres long, this giant rock looks like a giant multi-coloured granite arching wave about to crash over you. Standing at its base, this rock gives the illusion that you are surfing a wave and provides a unique backdrop for some entertaining photos. Just three hours inland of Mighty branch in Perth, this is a great addition to a WA road trip.
2. Coober Pedy, SA
Coober Pedy is an outback town best known as Australia’s opal capital. So what is so quirky about this town, you may wonder? Well, the opal mines aren’t the only things that are underground in this town. Here you can descend beneath the cool rock to discover a labyrinth of underground shops, hotels and houses. Here you can choose to stay at the local caravan park or treat yourself to a night beneath the earth’s surface in one of these unusual living quarters. Located seven hours from the Mighty Alice Springs branch, this is the perfect addition to a Red Centre adventure.
3. Wycliffe Well, NT
Talk about weird places in Australia; Wycliffe Well may just take the cake. This unassuming petrol station in the middle of the Northern Territory outback may just appear to be like any other gas station…that is, until you notice the green aliens and spaceships decorating every corner of the place. Head inside to see the hundreds of newspaper clippings documenting the UFO sightings in the area dating back to well before World War II. Located four hours from the Mighty Alice Springs branch, this is the perfect extraterrestrial addition to a Red Centre road trip.
4. The Pinnacles, WA
Imagine life on another planet with a visit to the Pinnacles. The Pinnacles are unique limestone structures that formed over 25,000 years ago. Formed by the receding tides and coastal winds, what remains is a stunning landscape filled with pillars jutting out of the desert sand. Located in Nambung National Park, just two hours north of the Mighty branch in Perth, this is the perfect addition to a Western Australia road trip itinerary.
Pink Lakes are a sight to behold and a bucket list experience when travelling around Australia. These lakes are really as they sound - a vivid pink caused by the growth of microscopic algae.
Two of the must-visit lakes in South Australia include Lake Hart and Lake Macdonnell. Lake Hart is located on the way to Lake Eyre and is the perfect addition to a South Australia and Northern Territory outback adventure. Alternatively, if you find yourself on the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia, be sure to check out Lake Macdonell. This lake in particular, is known for its contrasting pink lake on one side and the blue-green lake on the other. Truly one of the most unique places in Australia. Both are easily accessible from the Mighty Adelaide branch in South Australia.
6. Nimbin, NSW
Nimbin is the alternative lifestyle capital of Australia. Whether it’s sitting down for breakfast at a local cafe or parking up at the edge of the rainforest with mountain views - this is the ultimate hippie escape. Just two hours south of Brisbane Mighty branch, this is a great addition to an east coast Australia road trip.
7. The Devil’s Marbles, NT
Devil’s Marbles are often ranked highly among the best things to do in Australia, and for good reason. These precariously balanced boulders look to have appeared from thin air, amongst the otherwise flat desert landscape. To see these in their full glory, be sure to stick around for sunset. Watch as these otherwise dull granite boulders light up in a red-ochre glow with the disappearing sun. There is even a local campground that you can park up at for the night to truly experience the magic of one of the top weird places in Australia.
8. Totem Pole, TAS
The Totem Pole in Tasmania is a natural rock formation in the shape of a narrow pole. Whether you are an avid rock climber looking to take on this challenging climb, or simply want to marvel at this unique structure, this is a must-do when in Tasmania. Just under two hours from Hobart Mighty branch, it's easy to squeeze into a weekend adventure or a longer Tasmanian road trip.
9. Horizontal Falls, WA
Located just a short flight from Broome, is the Horizontal Falls. This is undoubtedly one of the most unusual natural wonders in Australia. The falls are formed by a shift in tides rushing through the McLarty Range, and give the appearance of a horizontal waterfall. Best of all, you can join a tour and ride the waterfall for yourself!
10. Undara Lava Tubes, QLD
Named from the aboriginal word meaning ‘long way’, Undara Lava Tubes are, in fact just that - the longest lava tube cave system in the world! What was once home to a steady flow of lava, is now a home for evergreen vine thickets and local wildlife. Joining a tour to explore these caves is a must when hiring a campervan in Cairns, as it’s just a short three-hour drive inland from the Cairns Mighty branch.
11. Wolfe Creek Crater, WA
Marvel at the zone of destruction at the famed Wolfe Creek Crater. This crater is the second largest crater in the world, measuring 880 metres wide and 60 metres deep. Whether you’re a hiker looking to walk along the crater rim or just want to see this in person it’s a must-do when picking up a campervan hire from Darwin Mighty branch and traversing west through the Kimberly region.
12. Squeaky Beach, VIC
Do you love the satisfying crunch and squeak of dry sand beneath your toes? Well then, you will not want to miss a chance to walk along Squeaky Beach. Located in Wilsons Promontory, the sand on this unique beach is made up of rounded grains of quartz, making a satisfying squeak as you walk along the beach and take in the rugged beauty of this iconic granite coast landscape. Just three hours from the Melbourne Mighty branch, it’s a no-brainer for a stop on your trip around Victoria.
13. Umpherston Sinkhole, SA
Umpherston Sinkhole, also known as the ‘sunken garden’, is a magical oasis located in South Australia. What was once a cave has, over time, sunk through the limestone to form this strange and unique sunken garden. Located just five hours from the Adelaide Mighty branch, this is the perfect addition to a South Australia road trip.
Keen to take the path less travelled?
There are plenty of weird places in Australia that are well worth a visit. Be it pretending to surf on a rocky wave or marvelling at the precariously balanced Devil’s Marbles, at least a few of these unique places in Australia deserve a place on your upcoming campervan trip.
