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Best desert destinations in Oceania

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Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park
Sacred Red Rock and Majestic Domes
8.4
In 1985 the Anangu people received title to this land and leased it back to the government. Kata Tjuta is a group of 36 rock domes. The Valley of the Winds is a walk with two lookout points. The park was listed by UNESCO in 1987 for both its natural and cultural value.
Highlights:
  • 🌅 Experience Uluru’s mesmerizing sunset color changes
  • 🥾 Hike the Valley of the Winds trail at Kata Tjuta
  • 🪨 Walk the base trail around the sacred Uluru rock
Western Australia
Sunset dunes and crystal coastlines
9.2
Near the town of Cervantes in Nambung National Park, thousands of limestone pillars rise from yellow sand. The tallest reach about 3.5 metres. They formed from ancient seashells that broke into lime rich sand and blew inland as dunes. How the pillars formed is still debated by scientists.
Highlights:
  • 🐠 Dive into the Great Barrier Reef's vibrant coral gardens
  • ⛵ Sail around Rottnest Island, spotting adorable quokkas
  • 🪨 Explore the iconic rock formations at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
Victoria
Diverse Landscapes and Cultural Richness
8.3
Deep sand and low mallee heath cover much of Little Desert National Park. The park is in the Wimmera region of this state, about 375 kilometres west of Melbourne. It has low rainfall of about 480 millimetres a year. The park is an Important Bird Area for malleefowl and diamond firetails.
Highlights:
  • 🛍️ Explore the vibrant Queen Victoria Market with local produce and crafts
  • 🚗 Drive along the spectacular Great Ocean Road to see the 12 Apostles
  • 🌺 Visit the Royal Botanic Gardens for lush landscapes and exotic plants
North Island
Geothermal Wonders and Māori Culture
8.6
Rangipo Desert is a stretch of volcanic ash and pumice on the central plateau of this island. It looks like a desert even though it gets 1,500 to 2,500 millimetres of rain a year. The Desert Road across it is part of State Highway 1 and reaches 1,074 metres at its summit.
Highlights:
  • 🌃 Walk along Auckland’s Sky Tower observation deck
  • 🧙‍♂️ Visit Hobbiton and stroll through the Shire movie set
  • 🔥 Explore the geothermal wonders of Rotorua’s hot springs and geysers
Uluru
Majestic sandstone monolith under endless skies
Since 2019 climbing Uluru has been banned. Visitors now walk around its 9.4 kilometre base instead. The rock is 348 metres tall and most of its bulk is underground. Iron oxide in the sandstone gives it a red colour that glows at dawn and sunset.
Highlights:
  • ✨ Take a guided night tour to see stars overhead
  • 🚶‍♂️ Walk the base trail and spot ancient rock art
  • 🌅 Witness sunrise over Uluru from the viewing platform
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