What To Do In Australia
Australia is a vast continent. With the best will in the world and all the holiday time you can save, it is such an enormous and diverse country you’ll never see all there is to see. As well as being simply huge, Australia takes a long time to get too and even when you are there, many of its most spectacular locations involve difficult traveling over long dusty distances. That makes visiting this ancient country a once in a lifetime for most of us. So what are the must-see attractions and the places you really, really should make the time to visit and do in Australia? We can offer these suggestions simply because there is so much.
1. Discover And Explore Islands
The best and the most adventurous thing to do in Australia is exploring its islands. Australia is a beautiful continent with at least 74 islands you can explore on your own. You simply hire a boat and go where you will. This is bareboating and it is a very satisfying experience. The serene environment of these islands provides a true escape from everyday life. Most of the islands are completely unoccupied for complete privacy free from the hustle and bustle of cities and urban life. Even if you don’t know anything at all about sailing you can enjoy bareboating since there are companies that not only provide a private yacht but also give sailing and safety instruction. They also stay in contact with you via radio.
2. Fishing And Beaches
One of the main attractions of Australia is its secluded white beaches and fishing villages. You can relax and enjoy the secluded beaches, beautiful views of a tranquil ocean and marvel at the array of wildflowers along its inshore edges. You can also fulfill any craving you have for an ocean saltwater fishing adventure and can savor freshly caught fish cooked on the beach.
Along the Turquoise Coast of Western Australia, is the Pinnacles Desert and it attracts many tourists with its ancient limestone pillars that resemble extraterrestrial tombstones. Whether you choose to explore the whimsical beauty of desert or go for sailing to explore ocean life or choose to spoil yourself with both, the breathtaking Australian coastline is a must-visit.
3. New Year’s Eve
The best place to enjoy New Year celebrations is at Sydney Harbour. It is famous for its spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks celebration. They are rehearsed and well planned and you will be utterly captivated by its beauty and expert execution.
People from around the world gather at Sydney Harbor to enjoy New Year fireworks that are rehearsed at 9 pm with the real thing exactly on midnight. There are multiple options for excellent viewing including boat rides, water view hotels, nearby parks and organized paid events.
4. Kakadu National Park
Kakadu National Park is an enormous home for unique and rare reptiles and wild animals where visitors can take a cruise ride to explore indigenous species in natural habitats. It’s especially popular towards the end of the year when most of the reptiles cram into the wetlands as the flowers come into full bloom.
Kakadu also has sites where visitors can view in situ aboriginal artwork dating back to prehistoric times. It’s an awe-inspiring reminder of how ancient the continent of Australia is.
5. Cape Naturaliste And Cape Leeuwin
If you are in Australia and want to explore truly spectacular scenery then another must is to take the 120-mile drive from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin in Western Australia. You drive through a national park between a stunning coastline and verdant vineyards. Although you would be reasonable to think it is hardly possible, in spring, its beauty becomes multifold when a wealth of wildflowers come into bloom.
6. Underwater World
If you love outdoor water activities then Australia is the best place to swim and dive with sharks. You can enjoy the underwater world with white sharks around you from the security of an aluminum cage or swim in the open ocean with whale sharks. It is a thrilling and memorable adventure and a must-have experience.
7. Turtle Nesting And Hatching
Observing nesting and hatching sea turtles is a mesmerizing. If you are in Australia during the nesting and hatching season from November to March there are four places you can visit, the Mon Repos Conservation Park in Queensland and the tiny islands of Lady Elliot, Heron, and Lady Musgrave to catch a sight of these two incredible windows into a turtle’s life cycle. Usually, after January, the hatchlings begin emerging from the sand to find their way to the sea by moonlight. It is not only a treat for the eyes but it’s uplifting for the soul and an amazing learning experience.
8. Explore Snowfields
Australia has one of the best snowfields in the world. You can enjoy a good number of snow activities including snowshoeing and dog sledding. It also has the world’s third-longest mountain range running parallel with a coast, the Great Dividing Range. It is a huge area known for its snowy slopes. These ski slopes are best for winter skiing and snowboarding along the gum tree boundaries.
9. Fly Over Lake Eyre
Lake Eyre is without a doubt, one of the most beautiful places in Australia. It is 5900 square miles of the natural lake surrounded by desert. The best way of taking in this stunning vista is to fly over it. You can hop on a plane at various points around the lake. The lake is its full bloom in spring when it is flooded and colorful watery home to many birds including pelicans, banded stilts and silver gulls. But if you cannot make the scenic flight in the spring the lake is equally mesmerizing in the dry season when there is no water but instead a dazzlingly white salt lake surrounded by low the red dunes of the desert with a beauty all of its own.
10. Franklin River Rafting
No visit to Australia is complete without a visit to the freshwater coast of the Franklin River. Tourists enjoy rafting trips and exploring the banks of this 125-kilometer river that is naturally pure water.
Other Attractions In Australia
- Fit in a chance to explore the street art of Melbourne. The graffiti alley and other laneways around Hosier Lane showcase world-class graphic art and are a treat for any art lovers.
- The longest beach in Australia is Ninety Mile Beach and you will feel you’ve missed out if you haven’t enjoyed a BBQ party or night camping on this amazing beach.
- Australia is also famous for its high-end malls and who doesn’t love shopping? Don’t forget to pay a visit to Queen Victoria Market or Chadstone in Melbourne, the biggest mall in the world and its neighbor Westfield Mountain Gate to satisfy your shopping needs.
- Skyscrapers offer the best view of any city. So, if you are in Australia, particularly in the beautiful city of Melbourne spend a few bucks and shed a couple of pounds and climb a skyscraper for a jaw-dropping view of the city.
- Penguins are lovely and surprisingly, Australia is home to some of them. So it’s a must-visit to the coast at sunset in South Australia to watch the fairy penguins come in and roost but further out to the islands to see Kings, Rockhoppers or Royals.
- If you are in Australia then visit Luna Park. It’s a mesmerizing place with a hall of mirrors and a rickety roller coaster that test your nerves and tricks your senses. Don’t forget the ghost train to get everything from this fun and fabulous otherworldly experience.
Whether you go for getting stuck into the great Australian outdoors watching weird yet wonderful wildlife on a raft, on your ski boots or in a fishing kayak, you’ll regret not spending time in a modern Australian city and vice versa. When you are enjoying your own walkabout, you still want to meet human Aussies and experience the uniqueness of Australian culture. Outback and city are two very different Australian beasts. So when you are planning your trip of a lifetime Downunder, factor in plenty of time, sunscreen and water bottles and have the time of your life experiencing both.
