What to Do in Australia: The Ultimate Guide to Down Under Adventures

Australia offers travelers an incredible array of experiences across its vast and diverse landscape. From pristine beaches and ancient rainforests to vibrant cities and the expansive outback, deciding what to do in Australia can be overwhelming. This comprehensive guide highlights the unmissable experiences that showcase the best of this remarkable country.

City Explorations

Sydney’s Iconic Experiences

When pondering what to do in Australia, Sydney often tops the list. Begin with the Sydney Opera House, where you can take a behind-the-scenes tour or attend a performance in one of the world’s most recognizable buildings. The Sydney Harbour Bridge offers both spectacular views and adventure—climb to its summit for panoramic vistas or enjoy a more relaxed perspective from a harbor ferry.

Bondi Beach embodies Australia’s beach culture, with golden sands, turquoise waters, and a vibrant atmosphere. Walk the scenic coastal path from Bondi to Coogee, stopping at smaller beaches and ocean pools along the way. For a local experience, explore the historic Rocks district, where cobblestone streets house boutique shops, weekend markets, and excellent restaurants.

Melbourne’s Cultural Treasures

Melbourne’s appeal lies in its distinctive character and cultural depth. Explore the famous laneways like Hosier Lane and AC/DC Lane, where street art transforms ordinary walls into ever-changing galleries. The city’s café culture is renowned worldwide—discover hidden coffee shops in Degraves Street or Flinders Lane.

The National Gallery of Victoria houses impressive collections of both Australian and international art, while the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) offers insight into Australia’s sporting passion. For a unique perspective, take a hot air balloon ride over the city at dawn or visit the Eureka Skydeck for 360-degree views.

Brisbane’s Subtropical Charms

Brisbane’s year-round pleasant climate makes outdoor activities a highlight. Explore the South Bank Parklands, where man-made beaches offer city swimming with skyline views. The Brisbane River defines the city—kayak its waters or take a CityCat ferry for a scenic journey.

Just outside the city, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary provides ethical wildlife encounters, where you can meet koalas, kangaroos, and other Australian creatures. For panoramic views, climb the Story Bridge or hike to the summit of nearby Mount Coot-tha.

Natural Wonders

Great Barrier Reef Adventures

The Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest coral reef system, represents one of Australia’s most extraordinary natural treasures. When considering what to do in Australia, experiencing this underwater wonderland is essential. From Cairns or Port Douglas, take a day trip to the outer reef for snorkeling or diving among colorful coral gardens and tropical fish.

For a more immersive experience, stay on one of the reef islands like Heron Island or Lady Elliot Island, where you can snorkel directly from the beach. Helicopter tours offer a breathtaking perspective of the reef’s vast scale and stunning patterns. For non-swimmers, semi-submersible vessels and underwater observatories provide alternative ways to marvel at the marine ecosystem.

Uluru and the Red Centre

The spiritual heart of Australia lies in the Red Centre, where Uluru (Ayers Rock) stands as a powerful cultural symbol. Witness the changing colors of this massive monolith at sunrise or sunset, when the rock appears to glow with an inner fire. A guided tour with Indigenous custodians offers deeper insights into the cultural significance of this sacred site.

Nearby Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) features 36 massive rock domes, with walking trails through the Valley of the Winds providing spectacular views. Kings Canyon, with its 300-meter-high sandstone walls and ancient palm forests, offers one of Australia’s most rewarding day hikes along the rim walk.

Tasmania’s Wilderness

Tasmania presents Australia’s most pristine wilderness experiences. Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park offers world-class hiking trails, from the challenging six-day Overland Track to shorter walks around Dove Lake. The Bay of Fires dazzles with orange-hued granite boulders against white sand beaches and turquoise waters.

For a historical perspective, visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Port Arthur Historic Site, a former convict settlement that provides stark insights into Australia’s colonial past. Wildlife enthusiasts should explore Maria Island, where wombats, Tasmanian devils, and kangaroos roam freely without predators.

Unique Experiences

Aboriginal Cultural Connections

Understanding Indigenous culture is essential when considering what to do in Australia. In Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, Aboriginal-guided tours reveal ancient rock art galleries dating back thousands of years. At the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park near Cairns, interactive performances and demonstrations showcase traditional dance, music, and hunting techniques.

In Western Australia’s Kimberley region, the Bungle Bungle Range in Purnululu National Park features distinctive beehive-shaped rock formations with deep cultural significance. Indigenous-owned tours provide access to restricted areas and share Dreamtime stories about the landscape.

Wildlife Encounters

Australia’s unique wildlife offers unforgettable experiences. On Kangaroo Island, watch sea lions basking on pristine beaches and kangaroos grazing at sunset. In Western Australia, swim alongside whale sharks (the world’s largest fish) at Ningaloo Reef between March and July.

Penguin parades on Phillip Island provide delightful evening entertainment as hundreds of little penguins return from the sea. For platypus sightings, visit Eungella National Park in Queensland, one of the best places to spot these elusive monotremes in the wild.

Iconic Road Trips

Road trips reveal Australia’s diverse landscapes at a leisurely pace. The Great Ocean Road in Victoria winds along dramatic coastlines, passing the famous Twelve Apostles limestone stacks. Australia’s longest shortcut, the Savannah Way, stretches 3,700 kilometers from Cairns to Broome, traversing tropical rainforests, savannah plains, and the rugged Kimberley.

For desert adventures, the Gibb River Road cuts through the heart of the Kimberley, with gorges, waterfalls, and swimming holes offering refreshing breaks from the red dust. The Grand Pacific Drive from Sydney features the spectacular Sea Cliff Bridge, which curves out over the ocean.

Culinary Delights

Food and Wine Regions

Australia’s food scene has evolved into a world-class culinary destination. The Barossa Valley in South Australia produces exceptional Shiraz wines, while nearby McLaren Vale specializes in Grenache and Mediterranean varieties. Cellar door tastings offer intimate experiences with winemakers and their craft.

The Margaret River region in Western Australia combines premium wineries with stunning coastlines and forests. Beyond wine, visit the Yarra Valley for artisanal cheeses, the Tamar Valley for cool-climate wines, and the Hunter Valley for semillon and shiraz traditions.

Seafood Experiences

Australia’s extensive coastline provides exceptional seafood. In Tasmania, oyster farms offer freshly shucked delicacies straight from the water. The Sydney Fish Market, the largest in the Southern Hemisphere, provides both retail and dining experiences with just-caught seafood.

For a unique culinary adventure, join a mud crab hunting expedition in the Northern Territory, where guides teach traditional hunting methods before cooking your catch on the beach. In Port Lincoln, South Australia, the “seafood capital” offers tuna tours and fresh local catches.

Outdoor Adventures

Water Sports

Australia’s relationship with water extends beyond beaches. White water rafting on the Tully River in Queensland provides adrenaline-pumping rapids through rainforest scenery. For a more relaxed pace, kayak through the ancient mangrove forests of Kakadu National Park, spotting crocodiles and bird life.

Surfing enthusiasts will find world-class breaks at Bells Beach in Victoria and Margaret River in Western Australia. For a unique perspective, try sea kayaking in Tasmania’s Freycinet Peninsula, where you can paddle into secluded coves inaccessible by land.

Hiking and Trekking

Australia’s diverse landscapes offer hiking experiences for all levels. The Larapinta Trail in the Northern Territory stretches 223 kilometers through the MacDonnell Ranges, with dramatic gorges and ridgetop views. In New South Wales, the Blue Mountains offer numerous trails with stunning vistas of eucalyptus forests and sandstone cliffs.

For coastal scenery, the Great South West Walk in Victoria combines forest, river, and ocean landscapes over 250 kilometers. Tasmania’s Overland Track presents a challenging six-day journey through alpine meadows, ancient rainforests, and glacial mountains.

Conclusion

When considering what to do in Australia, the options seem limitless across this vast and varied continent. From cultural experiences and natural wonders to culinary adventures and outdoor activities, Australia rewards travelers with authentic, memorable experiences. Whether you’re seeking relaxation on pristine beaches, adventures in ancient landscapes, or connections with the world’s oldest living culture, Australia offers something for every traveler’s dream itinerary.