The Backyard Bucket List: Australia’s Top Travel Hidden Gems

It’s time to dust off your bucket list in 2022 because GoSee has crunched the data to reveal the true top hidden gems in Australia and they’re sure to ignite your wanderlust!

It’s been two years since we really dared to dream of travelling. Our wanderlust has been bottled up in our saved ‘bucket list’ Instagram folder… until now.

To celebrate the rebrand of Webjet-owned GoSee, a comparison site for car and motorhome rentals worldwide, and a new year of travel opportunities, GoSee’s travel experts have pulled together the ultimate Backyard Bucket List - encouraging Aussie’s when the time is right to ‘GoSee’ the hidden gems that await on our very own doorstep. 

Analysing data from Atlas Obscura, a global travel community and database of the world’s most wondrous places, GoSee has uncovered the most coveted and popular, but least visited locations around the country - revealing a list of Australia’s true top hidden gems that are just waiting to be discovered!

With endless natural wonders, a rich history and a diverse landscape it’s perhaps no surprise that attractions in the nature (44%) and historical and cultural (37%) categories dominate the list, with Lake Hillier in Western Australia taking the crown for Australia’s top hidden gem. 

But Western Australia doesn’t take all the glory. NSW had the highest number of hidden gems in the top 100 claiming 27 of the top spots, while VIC and SA came in close second and third boasting 17 and 15 spots respectively. 

The Top 10 True Hidden Gem Locations in Australia:

1. Lake Hillier - WA

2. Glow Worm Tunnel, Helensburgh - NSW

3. Gippsland Lakes Bioluminescence - VIC

4. Paronella Park - QLD

5. Glow Worm Tunnel, Newnes - NSW

6. Redwood Forest Tree Art - VIC

7. Ball’s Pyramid - Lord Howe

8. SS Ayerfield - NSW

9. William Ricketts Sanctuary - VIC

10. The Witches Garden - VIC

“GoSee’s vision is to equip travellers with everything they need to make memories and connect them to the people and places they love,” says CEO Darren Linton. “We know people are itching to get back out and travel, and the Backyard Bucket List is just one way we can help travellers spend more time exploring what’s on offer in their own backyard.

“Slower DIY trips have been increasing in popularity, and while international travel has been limited in recent years, there are so many incredible locations on our own doorsteps. Last month, car rental demand was up 130% year-on-year as we saw more and more people keen to get out and enjoy all that Australia has to offer, and looking at this list it’s easy to see why!” said Linton.

So, if you’re ready to ‘GoSee’ the marvels that await in your very own state, or just over your neighbour’s fence, the Backyard Bucket List shares the locations that few have actually witnessed but that promise a spectacular experience if you’re adventurous enough to make the trip!

If there’s a certain type of adventure that captures your imagination, some of the top hidden gems from each Backyard Bucket List category include…

Top 3 awe-inspiring natural hidden gems:

1. Lake Hillier - WA

2. Glow Worm Tunnel Helensburgh - NSW

3. Gippsland Lakes Bioluminescence - VIC

Top 3 fascinating historical & cultural hidden gems:

1. Paronella Park - QLD

2. SS Ayerfield - NSW

3. William Ricketts Sanctuary - VIC

Top 3 most weird & wacky hidden gems:

1. Magnetic Hill - SA

2. Gnomesville - WA

3. Crocodile Harry's Underground Nest Dugout - SA

Top 3 coolest hidden gem activities to check out:

1. Ashcombe Maze - VIC

2. Cage Of Death - NT

3. Melbourne Glowgolf Docklands - VIC

Top 3 tastiest food & drink gems:

1. The Butterfly Room - SA

2. Lillipad Cafe Sydney - NSW

3. Queen Adelaide Restaurant - SA

Check out GoSee’s full Backyard Bucket List here and discover the top true hidden gems broken down by every state! Add these goodies to your own 2022 bucket list and let’s look forward to getting out to ‘GoSee’, go explore and go adventure Australia!