Australia offers a wide range of experiences for both locals and tourists alike.
From epic adventures to laid-back experiences, there’s no shortage of things to fill up your Australia bucket list. Whether you’re a thrillseeker in search of some heart-pumping activities or just wanna chill but brill time, there are heaps of must-dos and famous places in Australia to experience!
Here’s a rundown of the most iconic Australian landmarks and activities you must visit at least once in your life:
New South Wales
1. Byron Bay Surf Lesson
2. Helicopter Flight Tour in Sydney Harbour
3. Southern Lights Scenic Flight
4. Blue Mountains Scenic World
5. Hunter Valley Gourmet Food and Wine Tour
Victoria
6. Phillip Island’s Penguin Parade
7. Great Ocean Road Tour
Queensland
8. Great Barrier Reef Diving Tour
Northern Territory
9. Alice Springs Early Morning Hot Air Balloon Experience
10. Uluru Base and Sunset Tour
Western Australia
11. Whale Watching Cruise in Coral Bay
12. Pinnacle Desert Sunset and Stargazing Tour
13. Pinnacle Desert Explorer with Lancelin Sandboarding
Tasmania
14. Tasmania and Port Arthur Day Tour
New South Wales
1. Byron Bay Surf Lesson
Learn the A to Zs of surfing from the best instructors in Byron Bay!
There are two things Byron’s known for: swoonworthy Hollywood celebs and golden beaches. If you’re planning to catch some waves but don’t know how to surf don’t worry, you can join a Byron Bay surf crash course. On this two-hour lesson, a professional instructor will guide you through the basics of surfing and all the necessary techniques needed to conquer the ocean. In no time, you’ll be standing on your board and hanging ten!
2. Helicopter Flight Tour in Sydney Harbour
Make sure to snap some pics for the ‘Gram!
Whether you’re a Sydneysider or from out of state, catch Australian landmarks in Sydney the best way possible: up above the sky from a helicopter!
Embark on a scenic helicopter flight in Sydney Harbour, and see panoramic views of the Sydney Opera House, Taronga Zoo, Bondi Beach, and the Sydney Harbour Bridge on just one ride. There are different experiences to choose from: you can even fly by night to see Sydney after dark!
3. Southern Lights Scenic Flight
Enjoy this otherworldly view on this Southern Lights flight!
Did you know you can watch one of the polar lights right here? Tick this off your Australia bucket list as you witness the captivating Aurora Australis, aka the Southern Lights, illuminate the sky aboard a Qantas Dreamliner!
On this dreamy flight that departs from Sydney, you’ll fly over the Southern Ocean to get to the Aurora Zone. Expert astronomers and professional photographers will also be with you throughout the journey to teach you about these gorgeous natural phenomena and help you photograph the light display in the best way possible.
4. Blue Mountains Scenic World
Witness the beauty of the Blue Mountains from an amazing vantage point inside Scenic World. Credits: @scenicworld_aus
With this all-access pass, you can enjoy easy admission to Scenic World’s essential activities: the Scenic Skyway, Walkway, Cableway, and Railway. These experiences offer breathtaking views of iconic Australian nature landmarks, including Jamison Valley, Katoomba Falls, the Three Sisters, and Mt Solitary.
5. Hunter Valley Gourmet Food and Wine Tour
Bring the whole family to enjoy a bountiful feast at Hunter Valley.
No Australia bucket list would be complete without an entry (or entries!) dedicated to foodie adventures. While you’re in NSW, don’t miss out on Hunter Valley’s wine and dine tours that take you through rolling vineyards and delicious Aussie cuisine.
On this gourmet getaway day tour, you’ll be dining on the freshest local produce for brekky and lunch, paired with the region’s finest wine selections. If you’ve always wanted to try kangaroo meat, then this tour gives you a chance for it!
Check out our self-drive itinerary if you’re planning to go on a road trip from Sydney to Melbourne!
Victoria
6. Phillip Island’s Penguin Parade
At Phillip Island Nature Park, you can choose to watch the parade from different viewing platforms.
There are heaps of things to do in Victoria, but make sure you don’t miss seeing cute penguins at the Penguin Parade at Phillip Island!
A two-hour drive from Melbourne, Phillip Island is home to other famous places in Australia, such as the Chocolate Factory, Koala Conservation Reserve, and Churchill Island. But, the quintessential activity in this nature island is to catch the adorable Little Penguins waddling home up close at Phillip Island Nature Park.
7. Great Ocean Road Tour
Revel in nature when you travel along 243 kilometres of the Great Ocean Road. Credits: @kate__fox
Up for some great coastal views? Head on to this Great Ocean Road tour, which runs in reverse than most ocean road tours, so you get to skip the crowds!
Your journey starts in St Kilda Road and drives through the 243-kilometre Australian National Heritage. Some of the places you’ll stop by are the limestone wonder 12 Apostles, the Shipwreck Coast—where you can find the Loch Ard Gorge—and Kennett River for some koala encounters.
Planning to self-drive to Melbourne? You can go on your own road trip with this Great Ocean Road self-drive itinerary:
Queensland
8. Great Barrier Reef Diving Tour
The Great Barrier Reef has a lot of colourful creatures in store for you. Credits: @dive_down_under
Did you know you can visit Nemo and Dory’s home? Add Great Barrier Reef to your bucket list!
Cross this Australian landmark off your bucket list to experience five hours of reef time and to explore the treasured World Heritage Site. Spend a day aboard a luxurious superyacht from Cairns, which will take you to two exclusive reef sites where you can snorkel or scuba dive to see colourful coral cays, fish, and other marine creatures!
Northern Territory
9. Alice Springs Early Morning Hot Air Balloon Experience
Start your day right with a hot air balloon ride over Alice Springs.
Wanna appreciate the entirety of the Australian Outback, aside from the usual bushwalks and drive alongs? Try a hot air balloon ride from Alice Springs!
Witness the Outback from up above while you float gently aboard a hot air balloon. This adventure starts early in the morning, so you get to watch the daybreak transform the desert and rock formations with golden hues. Afterwards, you can enjoy light refreshments and take home a certificate of your experience.
10. Uluru Base and Sunset Tour
Discover more about Aboriginal culture through the Uluru and Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre. Credits: @cbear73
Immerse yourself in Aboriginal culture and history from landmarks and anecdotes when you set off on a sunset tour around the base of Uluru.
Together with a local skipper, find out why this sandstone formation is significant to Indigenous Australians as you explore sacred sites and landmarks around the area, like the Kuniya Walk, where you can see the beautiful Mutitjulu Waterhole. You’ll also be visiting the Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre to view some of the original ceramics, artworks, and woodworks that showcases the spiritual culture of the Anangu.
Western Australia
11. Whale Watching Cruise in Coral Bay
Round up the whole fam for an exciting whale watching cruise.
Venture through Western Australia’s hidden gem, the Ningaloo Reef, and catch sight of the majestic giants of the ocean on this whale-watching cruise in Coral Bay!
Incredible close encounters with diverse marine creatures await you, especially from March to June when the migrating whale sharks head over to Ningaloo during the coral spawning season. On this three-hour cruise, be on the lookout for whale sharks breaching, rolling, and tail slapping. You might even see turtles, dolphins, and dugongs along the way!
12. Pinnacle Desert Sunset and Stargazing Tour
Be mesmerised by the desert’s moon-like landscape! Credits: @evittacoboh
No need to be a trained astronaut to reach for the stars! This Pinnacle Desert tour gives you an out-of-this-world experience as you explore the desert’s moon-like landscape and gaze upon the star-dotted night sky after dark.
Travel from Perth to this world-renowned desert and enjoy some of the scenic Australian landmarks along the way, like the Yanchep National Park, where you can befriend its resident ‘roos and cuddly koalas. For the ultimate Aussie experience, you’ll be having dinner at a traditional Western Australian tavern in Cervantes before heading back for the stargazing session at Pinnacle Desert.
13. Pinnacle Desert Explorer with Lancelin Sandboarding
Feel the thrill as you sandboard down the Lancelin Sand Dunes. Credits: @_lord_morsey_
In the mood for marina vistas and sandboarding escapades? This day tour from Perth takes you to more Australian landmarks in Western Australia.
Your first stop will be at the charming Sorrento Quay Hillarys Boat Harbour, where you can shop for souvenirs before travelling to the Lancelin Sand Dunes. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to try sliding down powder white sands. This trip concludes with a visit to the Pinnacle Desert before returning to Perth.
Tasmania
14. Tasmania and Port Arthur Day Tour
Wander around Port Arthur for a day!
Cap off your Australia bucket list with a visit to good ol’ Tassie, a mecca of rugged wilderness and outdoor adventures. If you only have a day to explore the island, we recommend visiting Port Arthur!
Travel back in time on this tour around Port Arthur, which was considered an “inescapable prison” during its heyday. Now a World Heritage Site, Port Arthur is open to visitors who want to walk along its iconic prison walls and listen to anecdotes and trivia about this former convict site.
Want to explore more famous places in Australia? Fire up your road trip playlist, because we have self-drive itineraries for you to follow!
