Australia offers some of the most diverse diving and wildlife experiences in the world—from the tropical Great Barrier Reef to the temperate waters of New South Wales, where leopard sharks and grey nurse sharks congregate.
I’ve been diving Australia since 2010 and now call the country home. These are my top recommendations.
Top Destinations
Byron Bay
Home to Julian Rocks, one of the best temperate shark dives in the world. Leopard sharks, grey nurse sharks, manta rays, and turtles year-round.
Best for: Shark lovers, underwater photographers, intermediate divers.
Wildlife Watching in Arakwal National Park, Byron Bay
Wildlife-Watching at Binna Burra, Queensland
In Photos: The Birds of Eagleby Wetlands, QLD
Wildlife Watching at Maleny on the Sunshine Coast
Planning Your Trip
Best Time to Visit
- Byron Bay: Year-round, but June–November for grey nurse sharks, December–May for leopard sharks
- Great Barrier Reef: June–October (dry season, best visibility)
What Makes Australian Diving Unique
Australia sits at the meeting point of tropical and temperate waters, creating unique marine ecosystems. You’ll find species here that exist nowhere else.
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