Written by Scarlett Murray,
31st July 2024

From swimming to skiing to surfing, discover top locations to buy a home in Australia to enjoy an active lifestyle. 

At the time of writing, Australia ranks fifth on the medal table at Paris 2024. Australia is particularly successful at swimming, which has yielded their highest number of medals in their history.

You may be quietly seething as Australian athletes succeed against ones from your country. Or you may be inspired by the athletes of the country you hope to call home. Either way, Australia has a reputation and is demonstrating it in this Olympics, for being an outdoorsy, athletic nation.

For many, a move Down Under is inspired by a desire to be outside in the sunshine more. The country offers excellent sporting facilities and abundant opportunities for hiking and cycling. Here, we’ve compiled a list of the best locations for specific outdoor activities.

Surfing: Surfer’s Paradise, Gold Coast

Surfers Paradise aerial view of the coastline on the Gold Coast one of Australia's best beach destinations

Your new slice of paradise?

With a name that is as on then nose as can be, Surfers’ Paradise on the Gold Coast that is world-famous for its surfing. Locally known as “Surfers”, it has brilliant, consistent waves all year round. Since the 1920s, the suburb has been developed into an idyllic location populated by high-rise buildings with glamorous hotels, restaurants and shops.

Discover more about life on the Gold Coast. 

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Skiing: Thredbo, New South Wales

WInding thredbo road in Snowy mountains national park leading to THredbo town popular ski resort Australia. Beautiful sunny winter day with snow

The route to Thredbo…

Definitely not an Olympic sport for Paris 2024, or one that one would really associate with Australia, but skiing is a thing in Australia. Thredbo is the best place for it, taking Australia’s most prestigious ski resort for an incredible seven years in a row. Here, you’ll find the country’s longest and most exhilarating runs but also has plenty of gentler, family-friendly options too. In the summertime, Thredbo is superb for hiking, rock climbing, cross-country cycling and music events.

Golfing: The Royal Melbourne Golf Club, Victoria

Established in 1981, The Royal Melbourne Golf Club is one of the country’s premier golf clubs. It boasts two world-famous courses, with a total of 36 holes. This club is the preferred venue for major golfing events in Australia.. Black Rock is also home to Half Moon Bay, which, as you might suspect, is a beautiful beach resembling a half moon.

Cycling: Central West, New South Wales

According to Australian Cycling Tours, the Central West Trail that links charming rural towns like Mudgee, Dundeoo, Gulgong and Duboo.  If you prefer city life, travel company YHA has identified Melbourne in Victoria as Australia’s best city for cycling. The city’s grid-like structure and its relatively flat landscape make it easier for the expanding cycle lanes to fit in.

Hiking: Grampians National Park, Victoria

Adventurous brave young man sitting on a high cliff edge rock at the top of the Boroka Lookout view at the The Grampians National Park (Gariwerd), Victoria, Australia

Grab your walking boots…

Australia offers an incredible range of routes for hikers, from lengthy coastal walks to dusty countryside to mountains. Grampians National Park is a breathtaking nature reserve and part of the Gariwerd Aboriginal cultural landscape. Its highest peak is Mount William (1,167 metres), which has extraordinary vistas. You can also see stunning waterfalls and cross paths with an array of Australia’s wildlife, from kangaroos to emus to wallabies.

Discover the beauty of regional Victoria. 

Rock climbing: Blue Mountains, New South Wales

A World Heritage listed site, the beautiful Blue Mountains are situated 100m above sea level, and are known for their sandstone rock, with routes along 58 different crags. Aside from rock climbing, the Blue Mountains make for a perfect destination for hiking, visiting quirky small towns and enjoying a sky-high picnic.

Swimming: Stokes Bay, Kangaroo Island

Stokes Bay on Kangaroo Island, South Australia

Stunning Stokes Bay.

The best spot for a swim is a hard competition in Australia, as swimmers really are spoiled for choice. Stokes Bay was voted the best in Australia in 2023. It is special because it is surrounded by massive boulders, once you pass them, you come across a stunning, tranquil white sandy beach. Plus, it has a gigantic rock pool, which has shallow waters, perfect for kids.  Kangaroo Island lies 13km off the coast of mainland southwest Australia. It is a top location for wildlife spotting. You can spy Kangaroos, walk among sea lions, and swim with wild dolphins.

Download your free viewing trip guide. 

Finally, you might also like:

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