27 Top Things to Do in Australia to Add to Your Trip

What Should I Do on My Trip to Australia?

One of the hardest aspects of planning a vacation is deciding which tours and attractions to select; especially in Australia where the options are seemingly endless!

Australia is one of the most diverse countries in the world, along with one of the most popular destinations for tourists.

With everything from world-class wine regions to stunning scenery to vibrant cities, the choices for what to see and do in each individual destination can become overwhelming.

Don’t worry, About Australia is here to help!

We have summarized the best tours and attractions in all of Australia’s most popular cities to make planning your trip to Australia as simple as possible.

Browse our suggestions below for things to do in Australia.

From finding Nemo at the Great Barrier Reef to watching the sun paint Uluru in fifty shades of red, the Australia packs more bucket-list adventures than you can dream of.

But here’s the real secret – it’s not just about the bucket-list spots.

It’s about the stories you’ll collect, the locals you’ll meet, and those pinch-me moments that will stick with you forever.

Check out our ultimate list of the top 27 things to do in Australia while on vacation:

Jump into an underwater rainbow world and get up close to over 1,600 kinds of fish and hundreds of coral at the iconic Great Barrier Reef.

Visit between June and November when the water’s clearest and jellyfish are scarce. Head to Cairns or Port Douglas for the best jumping-off points.

Great Barrier Reef Vacation Packages: We make planning your trip to Australia easy with customizable vacation packages that include flights from the U.S., hotels, tours, and transfers. Check out our trip packages featuring tours to the Great Barrier Reef!

You have to check out this unique, architectural beauty. Those white sails have been turning heads since 1973. Join a one-hour tour (they run from 9am to 5pm) to peek behind the scenes, or better yet, catch one of the Sydney Opera House shows they put on throughout the week.

Want the full scoop? Book a backstage tour at 7am to see where and how the magic happens.

Want to feel like you’re on top of the world? The BridgeClimb Sydney takes you over 439 feet high for amazing 360-degree views of Sydney Harbour.

Pick from sunrise, day, or night climbs – each one is different but equally amazing. Just throw on the gear they give you and get ready for a slow but steady 3.5-hour adventure.

Standing over 1140 feet high (that’s taller than the Eiffel Tower!) in the Northern Territory, this massive red rock is sacred to the Anangu people.

Head out at sunrise or sunset to watch this famous landmark change from deep rust to glowing red. Reserve a spot at the Sounds of Silence dinner event for a magical evening under the Outback night sky.

Join an Aboriginal guide at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park who’ll share the rock’s ancient tales and history on a walk around this natural landmark.

Experience the road trip of a lifetime on this famous stretch along Victoria’s coast. Pull over at the Twelve Apostles, massive limestone stacks rising from the ocean.

Stop at cute towns like Torquay and Apollo Bay, or pause to explore the trails and treetop walks of Great Otway National Park.

Give yourself 2-3 days to explore to soak it all in. If you’re lucky, you might spot whales between June and September.

Want to get cozy with Australia’s cutest animals? Head to Queensland – it’s the only state where you can actually hold a koala!

Try Lone Pine Sanctuary near Brisbane, where you can snap pics with these sleepy cuties. For fans of Steve Irwin, a stop at Australia Zoo is a must. Located in the Sunshine Coast, this world famous wildlife park was founded by the Irwin family and continues Steve’s legacy of conservation and rehabilitation.

Grab some special food pellets for the kangaroos and hand-feed them. Just show up early morning or late afternoon when these guys are most active.

Want to catch some waves at Australia’s most famous beach? Hit up Bondi in Sydney – it’s a total must-do. If you’re new to surfing, grab a lesson right on the beach.

Not feeling Bondi? Try the golden beaches of Gold Coast (Surfers Paradise is a favorite), Byron Bay, or Manly Beach in Sydney.

Just keep an eye on those red and yellow flags, and watch out for rip currents!

Want to taste some of Australia’s best wines? Hit up Barossa Valley in South Australia for mind-blowing Shiraz or head to Hunter Valley just outside of Sydney for fabulous Semillon.

Skip the driving hassle and book a tour for a full wine-tasting experience. Ask your About Australia Travel Advisor for our top rated tour favorites.

Hit the vineyards between February and April when the grapes are being picked. Most spots offer free tastings, and many have awesome restaurants where you can grab lunch with your wine.

Just two hours from Sydney, you’ll find some of Australia’s most stunning walks at Blue Mountains National Park.

The Three Sisters rock formation steals the show, but there’s so much more. Hit up the Grand Canyon track or hop on the Scenic World cable car for amazing valley views.

Keep your eyes peeled – you might spot ancient Aboriginal rock art along the trails. Be sure to stick to the marked paths and grab a map before you head out!

Coffee lovers, Melbourne’s got your fix! Duck into hidden laneways like Degraves Street, where tiny cafes serve up perfect flat whites. The weekend brunch scene is ablaze here, with locals packing into artsy spots that double as galleries.

Melbourne is the place to skip the chains and try the local joints. Most baristas here are total coffee nerds who can tell you exactly where your beans came from.

Step into the oldest rainforest on Earth! The Daintree is packed with unique flora and creatures you won’t find anywhere else.

Take a guided walk through the canopy, where you’ll spot tree kangaroos and cassowaries if you’re lucky.

The local Aboriginal people have called this place home for thousands of years, and they’ve got amazing stories to share about every plant and animal you’ll see.

Head over between May and September when it’s not too wet and muggy.

Want to relax in tropical paradise? Jump on a boat and cruise the Whitsunday Islands. The water’s so blue it looks unreal, and the white sandy beaches rival the Maldives.

For the adventurous, join an overnight sailing trip. Watching the sunset from deck while anchored in a quiet bay is pure magic.

And you’ve got to visit Whitehaven Beach! The swirling white sand and turquoise water is simply enchanting.

Head to Phillip Island to watch tiny fairy penguins waddle home from the ocean at sunset. These little guys put on the cutest parade every night!

Grab your tickets early – lots of visitors from around the world flock here to watch the penguins. And pack a warm jacket, as the evening sea breezes can get chilly. Ask your About Australia Travel Advisor about including this experience in your trip.

Fun fact: these are the smallest penguins in the world!

As soon as you step into Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park in Tasmania, you’ll be greeted by the jaw-dropping peaks of Cradle Mountain towering over the crystal-clear waters of Dove Lake.

This place is a total paradise for nature lovers, with tons of walking trails for all fitness levels. If you’re just starting out, take a stroll around Dove Lake and keep an eye out for the cute wildlife – you’ll spot wombats and pademelons just hanging out.

The ancient rainforests and alpine heath make the perfect peaceful backdrop to soak up the raw beauty around you.

Step into Australia’s past at Port Arthur, where the stone walls tell chilling stories from the 1800s. This old prison site in Tasmania is very well-kept, from the eerie prison cells to the ruins of the church.

Grab the night ghost tour if you’re brave – the guides share spooky tales that will make your hair stand up.

Ready to eat your way through Oz? Hit up Melbourne, Adelaide or Sydney for some tasty local food tours.

In Melbourne, the Queen Victoria Market is the quintessential farmer’s market packed with fresh, local produce. In Adelaide, the Central Market highlights artisan products and gourmet treats made with local ingredients.

From fruits as big as your head to freshly baked goods, these cities serve up the best of Australia on a plate. Grab a morning tour to catch the markets in full swing, and come hungry – you’ll want to try everything!

This bucket-list experience that lets you get up close and personal with these gentle giants of the ocean. You can usually catch them chilling in the warm waters of Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia from April to July when they’re on their annual migration. These massive fish can grow up to 40 feet long, and swimming next to one is something you’ll never forget.

The vibrant coral reefs and all sorts of colorful marine life around Ningaloo make for an incredible backdrop as you watch these graceful creatures filter-feed on plankton.

If you go for a guided tour, you’re not only keeping things safe and eco-friendly, but you’ll also have a much better shot at swimming with these stunning animals in the wild.

Wandering through Melbourne’s laneways feels like diving into a vibrant secret world packed with eye-popping street art, cozy cafés, and quirky shops.

These narrow alleys, dotted with cool murals and funky graffiti, are perfect for just strolling around and stumbling upon some local talent and culture.

From the buzzing vibe of Degraves Street to the artsy feel of Hosier Lane, each laneway has its own unique flavor, showing off Melbourne’s amazing diversity and creativity.

Want to see Australian animals living their best life? Head to Kangaroo Island, where sea lions snooze on pristine beaches and echidnas waddle through untouched bush.

The local guides know just where to spot fuzzy koalas napping in gum trees and kangaroos hopping through fields at dawn.

Watching these creatures in their own backyard beats any zoo visit hands down! Ask your About Australia Travel Advisor about the best Kangaroo Island tours to fit in your vacation.

Kakadu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, spans almost 8,000 square miles in Australia’s Northern Territory. This massive park is a patchwork of lush rainforests, cascading waterfalls, rocky gorges, and wetlands adorned with pink-and-white water lilies.

You can really take a step back in time here, too, with over 5,000 rock art sites that have been around for about 20,000 years. Local Aboriginal guides are on hand to share stories about this incredible ancient art and the rich indigenous culture.

Kakadu’s ecosystems are teeming with wildlife. Encounter prehistoric saltwater crocodiles in the wetlands or spot numerous bird species like the comb-crested jacana.

Cable Beach, nestled in Australia’s northwest, offers much more than just its soft sandy shores. It’s famous for breathtaking sunsets that paint the skies in deep crimson hues. A sunset camel ride here is the perfect way to soak in the stunning scenery while enjoying a unique experience.

Check out how we spent 4 days in Canberra, with visits to many of the spots featured in this blog post!

From the coral-studded waters of the Great Barrier Reef to the red heart of the outback, Australia serves up adventures that you’ll never forget.

So what are you waiting for? Whether you’re a foodie, adrenaline junkie, or nature lover, Australia’s got your name written all over it!

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