Top Things to Do When You Visit Australia
Australia – also popularly called the Land Down Under – is among the most spectacular
countries that you’ll ever visit thanks to its rich culture, delicious food, hospitable people,
vibrant cities, and natural beauty.
When you visit Australia, there’s no end to what you can see and experience. That’s why it’s not surprising that this country is always included on people’s travel bucket list. And you should add it to yours too!
Here are some of the fun and interesting activities that you can do when you’re in Australia.
Experience Lord Howe Island
Lord Howe Island is already like a small country of its own, but it’s still part of Australia (just a 2-hour flight from Sydney). This group of isolated oceanic islands in the Tasman Sea is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It has spectacular geology, amazing coral reefs, and a rich plant, bird, and marine life (some of which are endemic). According to experts, 75% of Lord Howe Island’s original natural vegetation is untouched.
Be one of the 400 visitors that are allowed at any one time to see the beauty of this incredible island. You can surf, kayak, snorkel, hike, and watch the sea turtles on Lord Howe Island.
Full-Day Trip in the Tropical North Queensland
There’s so much to witness and experience in the Tropical North Queensland region. From
Cairns to Cape Tribulation, you can enjoy diving, snorkeling, and hiking.
There are two sites protected by the UNESCO World Heritage in Tropical North Queensland, namely the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. The former is touted as the oldest living rainforest in the world, while the latter is considered as the world’s largest coral reef system.
The best ways to explore the marine scene in the Great Barrier Reef are through snorkeling and diving. You can also have day cruises via a boat, catamaran, or schooner. In the Daintree Forest, you can hike or take a guided tour to explore its abundant flora and fauna.
Meet with Great White Sharks Up Close and Personal in Port Lincoln
It’s indeed an unforgettable experience to dive with the great white sharks. Don’t worry about getting devoured by these sea creatures, though, since you’ll be inside an aluminum cage that has sufficient oxygen provided by a hose.
Just a 1-hour flight from Adelaide, you can meet up with great white sharks in Neptune Island (70 kilometers off Port Lincoln), where you can join in guided tours in the care of the
Adventure Bay Charters and Calypso Star Charters.
Besides diving with great white sharks, you can also have a tour of the Ningaloo Reef and
swim freely with the harmless giant whale sharks.
Visit the Pinnacles Desert
The Pinnacles Desert is situated on Western Australia’s Turquoise Coast, which is 250
kilometers north of Perth. This place is famous for its ancient limestone formations that seem eerily out of this world. Visiting the Pinnacles is like entering an alien world that you only see in movies.
You can also see wildflowers and natural vegetation in this desert. Then, there are secluded white-sand beaches and fishing villages nearby. If you like fishing activities, you can visit Cervantes, a fishing village where you can find, catch, and eat delicious food fishes.
Drive along the Great Ocean Road
Are you looking for a unique road trip? If yes, you should include the scenic Great Ocean Road in your travel bucket list.
The Great Ocean Road is an iconic coastal road that stretches for 243 kilometers along the windswept southeastern Australian coast between Torquay and Allansford – two of the most popular towns in the state of Victoria.
You can drop by at Torquay Beach, visit the friendly town of Lorne, see the grazing kangaroos on the Anglesea Golf Club, and witness the amazing limestone stacks of the Twelve Apostles. It’s also a must to see the whales in Warrnambool and hike through the abundant rainforests in Otway National Park.
For a 3-hour drive, you can enjoy these majestic sceneries. While on the road,
send top-up to your smartphone to ensure that you have enough mobile data to post your pics on social media.
Sail Around Whitsunday Islands
With the amazing scenery, friendly winds, and calm seas, you’ll surely have a wonderful
sailing expedition around the Whitsunday Islands. The 74 islands comprising this famous
tourist spot can provide you with moments of awe and admiration of Nature’s beauty.
There are several companies in the area that offer a yacht or boat for rent for you to sail the Whitsunday Islands. You can hire a captain or maneuver the sea vessel by yourself, provided that you undergo a safety briefing and respond to the company’s radio message to ensure your current location and your destination.
Ride a Cruise Ship Around the Kimberley
The Kimberley region is famous for its vast swathes of wilderness, semi-arid savannah,
astonishing gorges, rugged ranges, complex river systems, and largely secluded coastline.
And all these amazing views can be taken in while you’re on a cruise ship.
You can find several ship companies that offer luxury cruises around the Kimberley. These
cruise ships have opulent accommodation and gourmet meals for their guests.
White Water Rafting in the Franklin River
Also known as the wild west coast of Tasmania, the Franklin River indeed lives up to its
nickname. This major perennial river is just 150 kilometers from Hobart, and it’s a perfect
place for those with intrepid hearts.
You can enjoy white water rafting in the Franklin River while absorbing the impressive natural wonders along its 125-kilometer long stretch. Later in the evening, you can also camp on its banks to take a rest.
Ride a Hot Air Balloon in Canberra
The capital of Australia is famous for a lot of things, but for hot air balloon enthusiasts, it’s
just the best place in the world. It’s because Canberra is blessed with atmosphere and
weather conditions that are just perfect to fly a hot air balloon.
Canberra celebrates a hot air balloon festival that draws in thousands of international
balloonists every March. During the festival, you can see the sky filled with different styles,
shapes, and colors of hot air balloons.
Explore the Laneways of Melbourne
Your visit to Melbourne is not complete without entering one of the many small bars lining
the city’s colorful laneways. In these bars, you can satisfy yourself with local delicacies and
alcoholic beverages.
Try one of the local cocktails like the Smoky Rob Roy at the well-known Eau de Vie bar. You can also enjoy a drink in bars, such as Shebeen, Bar Americano, and Lily Blacks.
Ski or Snowboard on the Great Dividing Range
The outback, the reefs, and the beaches – many people associate Australia with these natural wonders. But what’s relatively less known is that the country also has the world’s fifth-longest land-based mountain range.
The Great Dividing Range is perfect for people who have a penchant for the outdoors. Here you can do hiking, snowboarding, and skiing. This mountain range has downhill ski slopes that many local and international skiers and snowboarders love.
Have a Good Time in Sydney
There are so many interesting things to enjoy in Sydney, Australia. Of course, there’s the
Sydney Harbor Bridge and the Opera House. Besides these two famous landmarks, there are also beaches, surfing spots, parks, and five-star restaurants in the famed city.
If you need to dip in the water or bask in the sun, you can go to Bondi Beach or Manly Beach. For entertainment and good eats, just take a walk and explore King’s Cross and Darling Harbor.
Participate in a Food and Wine Festival
Australia has many food and wine festivals, and one of these festivities in the Western
Australia Gourmet Escape, which is celebrated in November every year. Many activities
happen during this time of the year, such as cooking classes, wine tasting, food bazaar, and concerts.
You can enjoy the celebration more if you’re in the Margaret River, a small town south of
Perth. Here you can find beaches, restaurants, and wineries.
Enjoy the Rides on Gold Coast’s Amusement Parks
Bring out the inner child in you and visit the theme parks on the Gold Coast. In this
metropolitan region, you can find Wet n’ Wild, Sea World, White Water World, Dreamworld,
and Warner Bros Movie World. Aside from the rides, you can also enjoy the beautiful beaches on the Gold Coast.
Take a Food Trip Around Tasmania
In Tasmania, there are a lot of local delicacies and gastronomic delights that you can enjoy.
One of the best eats that you shouldn’t miss here is the fresh Tasmanian oysters. The bagels and doughnuts are also a must-try in Hobart’s Farm Gate Market. Then, visit Richmond to try its chili camembert and triple cream brie.
Takeaway
Australia is sure to give you many unforgettable memories of your visit. With its natural
wonders, vibrant cities, friendly locals, delicious foods, and rich culture, you won’t run out of activities to do when you visit this country known as the Land Down Under. So, if I were you, it’s a must to include Australia in your travel bucket list.
