If there’s one thing we fully deserve after having experienced the pandemic years, it would be an amazing adventure (or more, fingers crossed!) to make up for the ones we’ve missed. Especially if you’re craving a good ol’ road trip, or perhaps excited to experience extraordinary sights and activities you’ve never seen or tried - make sure to put Australia on your travel bucket list!
With a ton of incredibly fun things to do in the great Australian outdoors from snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef to exploring native Australian wildlife, or even going on a romantic hot air balloon ride in Yarra Valley… The choices are almost endless with a diverse selection of wonderful things to do starting from these 23 incredible outdoor things to do in Australia. Enjoy!
1. Go Snorkelling/Diving at the Great Barrier Reef (Queensland)
Photo: Tourism Port Douglas and Daintree
One of the seven wonders of the world, and the world’s largest coral reef system, the Great Barrier Reef is definitely one for the water babies - or for those who’ve always wanted to explore the beauty of the underwater kingdom.
Imagine a relaxing day snorkelling among vibrant corals alongside gliding sea turtles and schools of fish… You can easily spend a couple of hours and more lazily swimming through the water as you take in all of the glorious underwater sights!
PS: The Low Isles is one of the best places to access the Great Barrier Reef.
2. Visit Quokkas, the happiest animals on earth at Rottnest Island (Western Australia)
Photo: Tourism Australia
With a reputation for being the world’s happiest animals, here’s where you can visit the quokkas at Rottnest Island! Located off the coast of Perth, this island is a protected nature reserve with plenty of wildlife to observe, as well as gorgeous white sand beaches (63 beaches and 20 bays in total!) where you can swim and snorkel in.
But aside from other activities available on the island, if you’re here mostly to visit the quokkas - just remember to move slowly to avoid appearing like a threat and scaring them. Most importantly, respect the wildlife, and do remember not to touch or feed the quokkas as human food is bad for their health!
3. Watch Baby Turtles Hatch at Heron Island (Queensland)
Photo: Virgin Australia
If there’s one cool once-in-a-lifetime (or more, if you’re lucky) activity we’d highly recommend - it would be to plan a visit to watch baby turtles hatch and witness their journey to the shoreline around Queensland.
The best time to visit and catch the hatching would be between January to March at Heron Island or the Great Barrier Reef, significant nesting locations for the Green Turtle and Loggerhead Turtle! (Turtles typically lay their eggs between November to January, with hatching beginning six to eight weeks later.)
PS: When you’re there, do keep a distance from the babies and turn off the flash on your cameras/phones to avoid startling them as they make their way to the shoreline!
4. Explore the Wildlife at Kangaroo Island (South Australia)
Photo: South Australian Tourism Commission
Perfect for wildlife lovers, make your way over to Kangaroo Island located off the mainland of South Australia. With over a third of the island protected through nature reserves, there’s a huge variety of native wildlife to observe here.
From kangaroos to sea lions, koalas and different species of birds, there’s plenty to explore. For starters, head over to Seal Bay Conservation Park and check out Australia’s third-largest sea lion colony, or visit the little penguins at Penneshaw Penguin Centre!
5. Go on a Romantic Sunset/Sunrise Tour at Uluru (Northern Territory)
Photo: Tourism Australia
Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock is an almost otherworldly locale to visit with its stunning views. Featuring one of the world’s largest sandstone monoliths, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site with over 30,000 years of indigenous history - Uluru is famous for its iconic blazing facade.
Go on a sunset or sunrise tour here and witness a natural light show as the rust orange of the rocks morphs into an incredible burning red along with the rising and setting of the sun. There are plenty of viewpoints and dinner with a view available as well, to top it all off!
PS: The most popular viewing platform to watch the sunset from is Talinguru Nyakunytjaku!
6. Enjoy Water Sports and Sun Tan at the Beaches (Gold Coast)
Photo: Tourism Australia
One of the best things to do in life is to go to the beach, choose the perfect spot to lay out your mat, lay down, and simply bask in the golden rays of the sun. Of course, this moment can be made even better if you’re sunbathing at one of the gorgeous beaches around the Gold Coast.
And if you’re looking for something to get your heart pumping with excitement, feel free to join in on one of the watersports activities available at the beaches too.
7. Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge (Sydney)
Have you ever climbed a bridge? If your answer is no, here’s your chance to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge - an extraordinary experience if we do say so ourselves. It’s not too difficult a climb if you’re worried about that, and the climb to the summit takes around two to three hours with truly incredible views waiting for you at the top.
8. Go River Rafting at Franklin River (Tasmania)
Photo: Tourism Australia
Looking for an adrenaline-pumping activity to do? How about river rafting at Franklin River in Tasmania? This legendary river spans about 100km and runs deep into the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.
Make your way down the waters and enjoy the sights, sounds and smells, and don’t forget to check out other highlights including Rock Island Bend, the Lost World and the Kutikina Aboriginal Cave!
9. Hop on a Hot Air Balloon Ride in Yarra Valley (Melbourne)
Photo: DeBortoli
If you’ve never experienced a hot air balloon ride, here’s your chance to try this romantic and unforgettable ride in the sky. Gently float up and get a bird’s eye view of the wineries and beautiful Yarra Valley in Melbourne.
You can also take in the gorgeous sunrise from the horizon as you bask in the beautiful landscape - we highly recommend going early in the morning just before sunrise and planning your visit during autumn for the best views.
10. Take a Hike Through Booroomba Rocks at Namadgi National Park (Canberra)
Photo: Tourism Australia
One of Canberra’s most popular bush walks, take a hike through Booroomba Rocks, a 2.5km hike which will take approximately one and a half hours to complete. This is where you can expect beautiful viewpoints along the nature trail, complete with incredible views of Canberra at the highest peak!
11. Cruise in the Water and Watch Playful Dolphins at Jervis Bay (New South Wales)
Take in all the happy vibes at Jervis Bay as you cruise in the water and watch the bottlenose dolphins play before you.
With over 100 to 120 dolphins in the Jervis Bay dolphin population, it’s an awe-inspiring sight to catch them gliding alongside you in the stunning turquoise waters!
12. Enjoy a Sunset Dinner and Stargaze at The Pinnacles (Western Australia)
We might not all be able to go to the moon but we can at least visit The Pinnacles with its incredible moon-like landscape. Take in the beauty of the sunset and marvel as the stars come out in full twinkling wonder.
Afterwards, it’s time for dinner at a traditional Western Australian tavern with a hearty meal ready for you. Then finish up your tour with a quick stopover at Yanchep National Park with caves, native bush and koala colonies to explore!
13. Learn about the Tasmanian Devils and Cute Wombats at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary (Tasmania)
This is where you can come up close to native wildlife at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary with different tours available depending on what you prefer. The General Admissions ticket will enable you to explore the sanctuary freely, while the Night Tour will allow you to observe the wildlife (and Tasmanian Devils!) with your guide.
There’s also the Private Premium Tour where you can enjoy a sparkling wine when you arrive before proceeding to meet and learn more about different Tasmanian species such as kangaroos, wombats, sugar gliders and more!
14. Watch Cute Penguins Return to Nest at Phillip Island (Melbourne)
Have you ever observed penguins closely and noticed the famous penguin butt waddle? (Google it. It’s actually a thing!) It’s one of the cutest things we’ve seen, and here’s where you can catch it at Phillip Island, a quick day trip from Melbourne - as you watch the penguins return home to nest!
It’s always an unforgettable experience watching our favourite animals in their natural habitats and Phillip Island is undoubtedly a great place for penguin lovers to put on your itineraries.
15. Skydive Over the Great Ocean Road (Victoria)
Are you one to seek thrills, or looking to do something you’ve never done before? Skydiving over the Great Ocean Road in Victoria is a stunning experience for both thrill seekers and people looking to cross something off your bucket list.
With highly trained tandem diving masters ensuring your safety, experience freefalling over spectacular views of Victoria when you take the plunge from 15,000 feet in the air. Marvel at lush views of the coastal bush and farmland, and enjoy the adrenaline rush of this sky-high adventure!
16. Sandboard Down the Sand Dunes at Port Stephens (New South Wales)
How’s this for something different? Instead of snowboarding, here’s where you can try your hand (or feet) at sand boarding at Port Stephens! Showcasing Australia’s largest coastal sand dunes, have fun sliding down the sand dunes and exploring the sand dune ecosystem, as well as Birubi Beach, one of Australia’s best beaches.
17. Indulge in a Wine and Cheese Tour at Hunter Valley (New South Wales)
Looking to sample some wine and cheese? Look no further than the gorgeous Hunter Valley region with the perfect wine and cheese tour from Sydney. Make your way through the scenic countryside of Hunter Valley Gardens Village, and enjoy a delectable serving of food, cheese, chocolates and boutique wines. Sounds like the perfect day in the making!
18. Relish a Day of Relaxation at Mornington Peninsula Hot Springs (Victoria)
Imagine lowering yourself into the warm embrace of a hot spring and feeling your aches dissolve away into the healing waters. That’s just what awaits you at Mornington Peninsula Hot Springs - an incredibly relaxing time complete with great views.
It’s the first natural thermal mineral springs bathing and day spa facility in Victoria, and you’ll get to take in the panoramic cliff-top coastal views from Murray’s Lookout!
19. Wade Into the Water and Savour Freshly Shucked Oysters at Eyre Peninsula (South Australia)
Here’s where you can feast on creamy freshly shucked oysters when you go on an oyster farm tour at Eyre Peninsula! First, you’ll see how oysters are grown, then wade into the water to the Salt Water Pavilion farm tour deck for your seafood tasting - with native Angasi and Coffin Bay Pacific oysters taking the spotlight.
Alongside the oysters, you’ll also get to enjoy tucking into sumptuous platters of fresh Australian seafood as well as a bottle of refreshing champagne!
20. Cruise Through Katherine Gorge and See Freshwater Crocodiles (Northern Territory)
There’s plenty to do when you go on a cruise through the Katherine Gorge. First up, check out the freshwater crocodiles, then explore rugged landscapes and thundering waterfalls at Nitmiluk National Park.
And if you love a refreshing dip in a waterfall, move on to Edith Falls for a soak in the natural falls (if the weather permits!). Finally, close out your tour with a visit to the Nitmiluk Visitor Centre where unique souvenirs are available for purchase.
21. Visit Kuranda Village and Experience Unique Aboriginal Customs and Traditions (Queensland)
Something more for those interested in history, culture and off-beat activities, this particular tour gives you plenty of bang for your buck - as you ride an Army Duck, the famous Skyrail cable car, hop on a scenic train into the Kuranda Rainforest, and more.
There’s much to see and do from the stunning panoramic views from the train and cable car ride, to exploring the beautiful village of Kuranda where you will experience aboriginal customs and traditions!
22. Experience an Aboriginal Live Theatre Show, Throw a Boomerang and More (Queensland)
Instead of water sports, hiking or other usual outdoor activities, consider going for the Spirits of the Red Sand Aboriginal Live Theatre Experience for a glimpse of a different side of Australia.
Here, your Aboriginal guides will take you on an exciting journey through time where you’ll join an Aboriginal smoking ceremony, learn their traditional dances, throw a boomerang, and watch the locals play the digeridoo!
23. Indulge in a Hearty Australian-style Dinner at a 19th Century Australian Village (Queensland)
How do you feel about an immersive and interactive night where you’ll get to learn more about the history and beauty of Aboriginal people at a 19th-century Australian Village? At this live ‘roving theatre’ complete with indigenous song and dance, and a hearty Australian-style 3-course char-grilled dinner and dessert - it’s an experience to try at least once!
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