{"id":4167,"date":"2017-11-07T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-11-06T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/?p=4167"},"modified":"2020-04-02T05:34:34","modified_gmt":"2020-04-01T19:34:34","slug":"natural-wonders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/australia\/natural-wonders\/","title":{"rendered":"WOW! 12 natural wonders you\u2019ve gotta see"},"content":{"rendered":"

The world is full of incredible natural wonders, and many of them are closer than you might think. Here are 12 you\u2019ve gotta see.<\/p>\n

1. The Great Barrier Reef<\/strong><\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n

You knew it\u2019d be on here, didn\u2019t you? It\u2019s easy to get blas\u00e9 about a natural wonder when it\u2019s in your own backyard, but that doesn\u2019t change how amazing it is. Made up of more than 3000 individual reef systems, the Great Barrier Reef is the world\u2019s largest living structure and the only one visible from space. Despite its size, the reef is vulnerable to climate change and pollution, and many Aussies (particularly in Cairns<\/a> and Port Douglas<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 towns that rely on the reef for tourism) are fighting to protect it for the future.<\/p>\n

2. The Grand Canyon<\/strong><\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n

The Grand Canyon is massive. No, really \u2013 it\u2019s mind-blowingly, jaw-droppingly, eye-poppingly huge. It\u2019s also super windy, which is kinda scary when you\u2019re standing near the edge. Las Vegas<\/a> is an ideal home base for a Grand Canyon trip, as it\u2019s the pick-up point for heaps of daytrips<\/a>, scenic helicopter flights<\/a>, and multi-day side-trips. If you\u2019ve got the time, a three-day trip to the Grand Canyon, Zion, Horseshoe Bend, and Monument Valley<\/a>\u00a0is unforgettable.<\/p>\n

3. Salar de\u00a0Uyuni<\/strong><\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n

Bolivia\u2019s Salar de Uyuni is the world\u2019s largest salt flat and it\u2019s like something out of a sci-fi movie. Every rainy season (December-April), the plains flood, and the clear skies and still water create an otherworldly mirror effect. In the dry season (May-November), the water evaporates, leaving behind an endless sea of white salt crystals. Salar de Uyunican may seem like another planet, but visiting is easier than you might think. Fly into La Paz<\/a>, then hop on a bus or train to Uyuni<\/a>.<\/p>\n

4. The Gokyo Lakes Trek<\/strong><\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n

Forget Mount Everest. OK, don\u2019t forget it \u2013 it\u2019s pretty amazing. But if you want to explore the Everest region without the crowds (yep, crowds<\/em>), spend fewer nights at high altitude, and take in views few people will ever see, the Gokyo Lakes Trek is just the ticket. Most expeditions start from Kathmandu<\/a>, \u2018though you\u2019ll need to fly into Lukla to start your trek. Heads up for nervous flyers \u2013 the tiny mountainside runway is a doozy.<\/p>\n

5. Aurora borealis<\/strong><\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n

What causes aurora borealis, aka the northern lights? Magic. Also solar flares, which release charged particles that collide with the atoms and molecules in our atmosphere, creating little bursts of light called photons. But mostly magic \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n

Whatever the cause, the resulting lightshow is spectacular and there are heaps of amazing places to see it. Some of the best include Fairbanks<\/a>, Alaska; Reykjavik<\/a>, Iceland; Yellowknife<\/a>, Canada; Shetland<\/a>, Scotland; and Lapland<\/a>, Finaland. Alternatively, head to Stewart Island<\/a>, NZ, or even Hobart<\/a>, Tasmania\u00a0to see the southern version, Aurora Australis.<\/p>\n

6. Eisriesenwelt<\/strong><\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n

Located in Werfen<\/a>, Austria, about 40km south of Salzburg<\/a>, Eisriesenwelt is the world\u2019s largest ice cave and a serious must-visit. With tours, a lift, and even a cable car, this winter wonderland is surprisingly accessible, even for families (\u2018though it is a decent walk). Make sure you rug up, \u2018cause the temperature inside the cave is usually below freezing. I mean, it is<\/em> an ice cave\u2026<\/p>\n

7. Uluru<\/strong><\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n

We\u2019d be failing as Aussies and<\/em> travel gurus if we forgot this one. Uluru is Oz\u2019s spiritual and geographical heart, and you really have to visit to understand how special it is. It\u2019s a 20min drive from Yulara, where most visitors stay, and easy to get to on your own if you like to do your own thing. But if you want to learn more about the local Anangu culture and Uluru\u2019s significance as a sacred site, a small group tour like this one<\/a> is the way to go.<\/p>\n

8. Mount Kilimanjaro<\/strong><\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n

Located in Tanzania, near the border of Kenya, Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest dormant (phew!) volcano in Africa and a must-climb for many hikers and adventure travellers. But if climbing isn\u2019t your thing (or if you\u2019re worried about harming Kilimanjaro\u2019s fragile ecosystem), there are plenty of other ways to enjoy the region. Go on a safari tour of Mount Kilimanjaro National Park, or spend some time exploring exciting Arusha<\/a>. Get there by flying into Kilimanjaro International Airport<\/a> or Arusha Airport<\/a>.<\/p>\n

9. The Champagne Pool<\/strong><\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n

Wai-O-Taupo in Rotorua<\/a> more than lives up to its \u201cthermal wonderland\u201d title, and the first site on many visitors\u2019 lists is Lady Knox Geyser, which erupts at 10.15am every day. But the Champagne Pool is our personal fave. Its vibrant green and orange colours are created by deposits of arsenic and antimony sulphides (science!), while the bubbling is caused by carbon dioxide, similar to a glass of Champagne (\u2018though probably not as tasty). While you\u2019re in town, make sure you also check out the bubbling, hissing Craters of the Moon. They\u2019re something else!<\/p>\n

10. Zhangye Danxia Landform<\/strong><\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n

Look at those colours! It might look like we\u2019ve gone mad with Photoshop, but it\u2019s just the spectacular Zhangye Danxia Land form in the Sun an and Linze counties of China. It\u2019s beautiful all year round, but the best time to visit is summer (June-September), when it\u2019s warm enough to stay out for sunrise and sunset (\u2018though with minimum temperatures around 10\u00b0C, you\u2019ll still need a decent jacket). L\u00e1nzh\u014du<\/a> is the nearest airport, so be sure to take a few days to stay in town and try the signature dish \u2013 L\u00e1nzh\u014du beef noodles.\u00a0Yum!<\/p>\n

11. The Snowdonia Mountains<\/strong><\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n

Not everyone who visits the UK makes it to Wales, which should be a crime, because Wales is stunning. Hire a car<\/a> to go castle-hopping (there are more than 100 to explore), but save time for a detour through the Snowdonia Mountains<\/a>. The snow-capped peaks, craggy shale rocks, and green-and-gold foliage make it feel like a set from a fantasy epic. Pro tip: Visit in spring, when the mountains are covered in a haze of pink and purple blooms.<\/p>\n

12. Iguazu Falls<\/strong><\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n

You know how people used to think the earth was flat and you could sail over the edge? If that were true, it\u2019d look like this. Smack on the border between Brazil and Argentina, the Iguazu Falls are the largest waterfall system in the world. They\u2019re jaw-dropping from any angle, but if you really want to get how massive they are, a scenic helicopter flight<\/a> is the way to go. A hike through the Iguazu National Park is also a must-do \u2013 it\u2019s home to toucans, jaguars (eek!), capybaras, and howler monkeys.<\/p>\n<\/i> Plan your next holiday <\/a>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The world is full of incredible natural wonders, and many of them are closer than you might think. Here are 12 you\u2019ve gotta see. 1. The Great Barrier Reef You knew it\u2019d be on here, didn\u2019t you? It\u2019s easy to get blas\u00e9 about a natural wonder when it\u2019s in your own backyard, but that doesn\u2019t …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":4261,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[740],"tags":[],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4167"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4167"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4167\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4296,"href":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4167\/revisions\/4296"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4261"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4167"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4167"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4167"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}