The Ultimate 50 Things to Do in Australia

Bridge Over River In Sydney

2min read

Published 31 May 2018


Share


  • Australia may be big, but our Travel Experts know it better than anyone - which is where this epic list comes in. Escape the tourist horde and really get under the skin of the Land Down Under with these top 50 activities and excursions, perfect for your Australia holiday:

rs-snorkelling-gbr-shutterstock146018921.jpeg
rs-snorkelling-gbr-shutterstock146018921.jpeg
rs-snorkelling-gbr-shutterstock146018921.jpeg

1. Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland

There are plenty of ways to see the reef – from above in a helicopter, from the sandy bottom while scuba diving, or from within a glass helmet on the underwater OceanWalker experience, with Quicksilver Cruises. But none are as accessible, as immersive, as snorkelling. Simply grab flippers, goggles and your snorkel and take the plunge, gazing down as an aquatic wonderland opens up beneath you. Keep an eye out for elegant turtles, giant Maori wrasse and clown fish (aka Nemo), to name a few.

Make the most of your time underwater (and with the fishes) on our Great Barrier Reef in Depth Journey.

shutterstock_94357903.jpeg
shutterstock_94357903.jpeg
shutterstock_94357903.jpeg

2. Climb Sydney Harbour Bridge in Sydney in New South Wales

Easily Australia’s most recognisable landmark, the Sydney Harbour Bridge is something you’ve just got to see when visiting Sydney. You can see it from many spots throughout the city, but for the best view you can’t beat climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge. BridgeClimb Sydney offers a number of climbing experiences including a sampler climb, twilight climb and even night climb. The most popular experience is the day climb which will see you walk up 1,332 steps to the top of the bridge, with the help of expert Climb Leaders. Once at the top you’ll enjoy 360-degree views of Sydney before venturing down again. All together the climb takes around 3.5 hours.

The BridgeClimb is included in a number of our holidays including our Sydney & The Great Barrier Reef Journey.

RS-HERO-109060-Sounds-Of-Silence-Uluru-Kata-Tjuta-National-Park-CREDIT-Tourism-NT.jpeg
RS-HERO-109060-Sounds-Of-Silence-Uluru-Kata-Tjuta-National-Park-CREDIT-Tourism-NT.jpeg
RS-HERO-109060-Sounds-Of-Silence-Uluru-Kata-Tjuta-National-Park-CREDIT-Tourism-NT.jpeg

3. Try the Sounds of Silence dinner or Bushmans' Breakfast at Uluru, Northern Territory

Whether you’re a night owl or an early bird, glimpsing Uluru in the golden hours of dawn and dusk is unmissable. At the Sounds of Silence dinner, you’ll enjoy sunset canapes with the mighty icon ahead of you, before enjoying a meal by starlight, lulled by tales of the night sky and the rock's Aboriginal roots. Rise early for the Bushman’s Breakfast to catch Uluru before the crowds, and gaze on as its ever-changing face shifts from that of a black shadow to a russet-hued giant.

Our Northern Territory in Depth itinerary includes the Sounds of Silence dinner, as well as a day exploring this sacred Aboriginal site.

Twelve-Apostles-VIC_EXT_LARGE.jpeg
Twelve-Apostles-VIC_EXT_LARGE.jpeg
Twelve-Apostles-VIC_EXT_LARGE.jpeg

4. Drive the Great Ocean Road in Victoria

With coastal highways dotted with charming towns, Australia is made for a road trip holiday. And no stretch of road is more scenic and spectacular than the Great Ocean Road in the south eastern state of Victoria. Officially beginning in the beachside town of Torquay, the drive follows the coastline south and along to Allansford. Highlights along the picturesque stretch include the limestone Twelve Apostles formations (be sure to visit before midday to avoid the crowds), Bells Beach, The Otways where you can take in rainforest scenery, as well as Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve where you can see koalas, kangaroos and emus. Check out our Great Ocean Road holiday.

RS-Quokka-on-Rottnest-shutterstock_508277311.jpeg
RS-Quokka-on-Rottnest-shutterstock_508277311.jpeg
RS-Quokka-on-Rottnest-shutterstock_508277311.jpeg

5. Take a quokka selfie on Rottnest Island in Western Australia

The quokka selfie craze may have been around since 2015, but there’s no sign of its popularity diminishing. A snap with this cute, furry, happy-looking marsupial will definitely top off your Western Australia photo album… but, beyond the trend, it's an amazing experience to actually see these adorable animals up close on Rottnest Island, home to 12,000 of the pint-size critters. Now that’s a wildlife encounter worth writing home about.

Embark on our South West Highlights holiday and you’ll go a Discover Rottnest Island tour, complete with lunch and – hopefully – a mob of quokkas for you to pose with.

shutterstock_47131756.jpeg
shutterstock_47131756.jpeg
shutterstock_47131756.jpeg

6. Cruise Wineglass Bay in Tasmania

Small and separate from Australia’s mainland, Tasmania is a haven of natural wonders and wildlife, and is said to have some of the cleanest air in the world. Its star attraction in terms of nature is Wineglass Bay within Freycinet National Park. Shaped in a curve like a wine glass (hence the name), the bay features the winning combination of sapphire coloured water and pure white sand, landing it on many ‘best beaches in Australia’ lists. Within and around the bay there are plenty of activities to take part in. including bush-walking, rock climbing and sea kayaking. Our favourite way to take in the landscape though is on a cruise where you can also spy a range of wildlife including penguins, dolphins, seals and whales. Browse our Tasmania holidays.

RS-Wilpena-Pound-shutterstock_127906865.jpeg
RS-Wilpena-Pound-shutterstock_127906865.jpeg
RS-Wilpena-Pound-shutterstock_127906865.jpeg

7. Explore Flinders Ranges National Park and take in the scenic Wilpena Pound, South Australia

A natural amphitheatre covering nearly 20,000 acres, Wilpena Pound is an impressive sight. From above, you’ll capture its grand scale and, from the ground, you’ll be entranced by its undulating hills and crags. This, and Flingers Ranges National Park where it resides, is where Australian bushwalking really comes to life. You can choose from 13 great hikes here, but our favourite for a challenge is St Marys Peak. It’ll take you a good seven hours and the going will get tough as you climb upwards, but the Wilpena Pound vistas at the summit are ample reward.

Search for wallabies and emus on foot and take to the skies on a scenic helicopter flightseeing tour of Wilpena Pound on our South Australia in Depth holiday.

RS-2-Barrier-Reef-Matt-Munro-Lonely-Planet.jpeg
RS-2-Barrier-Reef-Matt-Munro-Lonely-Planet.jpeg
RS-2-Barrier-Reef-Matt-Munro-Lonely-Planet.jpeg

8. View the Heart Reef on a helicopter from Hamilton Island in Queensland

There are plenty of spots that look impressive from above Australia, but none more so than the iconic Heart Reef. A helicopter or seaplane is the best way to see this romantic coral composition, and make out its shape. It’s also the only way to see it; visitors are unable to snorkel or dive here because the waters around the reef are fiercely protected. It’s the crown jewel, the epicentre and, quite literally, the beating heart of the Whitsundays.

Soar over the Heart Reef, Hardy Lagoon and the white wisps of Whitehaven Beach on our Queensland Wildlife & Nature holiday.

shutterstock_510663208.jpeg
shutterstock_510663208.jpeg
shutterstock_510663208.jpeg

Australia has many culinary moments you won’t want to miss; fine dining in Melbourne, incredible coffee in Sydney, fantastic wine in South Australia, brunch in Byron Bay. But if we had to recommend just one single dining experience to you, it would be a simple barbecue enjoyed by the beach. Most of Australia’s popular beaches are lined with public parks featuring playgrounds and open barbecues, and these are the perfect places to enjoy lunch before or after a swim. Contrary to popular belief (and iconic TV advertisements), a ‘sausage sizzle’ is the classic Australian barbecue signature, which involves serving a barbecued sausage folded in a slice of buttered bread and topped with barbecued onion and ketchup.

10. Sample Australian wines in the Yarra Valley in Victoria

One of Australia’s premier wine regions, we love the Yarra Valley not only for its wine but also for its accessibility and scenery. Located around an hours’ drive east from Melbourne, the Yarra Valley is best known for producing Chardonnay and is home to over 70 wineries and cellar doors. For the ultimate experience in the region we recommend staying overnight and rising early for a sunrise hot-air balloon ride over the Yarra Valley, followed by a Champagne breakfast and day of local wine tasting. You can enjoy this experience on our Boutique Victoria Journey.

rs-day-9-the-ghan-northern-territorycredittourism-nt.jpeg
rs-day-9-the-ghan-northern-territorycredittourism-nt.jpeg
rs-day-9-the-ghan-northern-territorycredittourism-nt.jpeg

11. Sip wines in Margaret River, Western Australia

12. Ride The Ghan through South Australia and the Northern Territory

13. Watch the Penguin Parade on Phillip Island, Victoria

...loading
Flight Centre

© Flight Centre (UK) Limited, Registered in England No. 02937210.

* 0800 calls are free for landlines and mobiles. 0333 calls are included within inclusive minutes package on mobiles, otherwise standard rates apply. 0844/0845 calls are 7p/pm plus your local carrier charge. Prices are per person twin share, correct as at the date of publication, subject to change and may be higher/unavailable for certain dates. Airfares are economy on specified airlines from London, unless otherwise stated. For full booking conditions visit Booking Conditions. Some of the flights and flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. But ATOL protection does not apply to all holiday and travel services listed on this website. We will provide you with information on the protection that applies in the case of each holiday and travel service offered before you make your booking. If you do not receive an ATOL Certificate then the booking will not be ATOL protected. If you do receive an ATOL Certificate but not all the parts of your trip are listed on it, those parts not listed will not be ATOL protected. Please see our booking conditions for information, or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.caa.co.uk.