When travelers start researching things to do in Australia, they quickly realize just how vast and varied the country is. Australia truly offers an incredible range of experiences for travelers with all kinds of interests.
Because of its size, Australia isn’t a destination where you can see everything in one trip. The most rewarding experiences come from choosing a few places thoughtfully and allowing time to truly experience them. Whether that means exploring a vibrant city, spending time in nature, or enjoying an adrenaline-pumping experience, how you shape your trip matters just as much as what you include.
Below are some of the most memorable things to do in Australia, from iconic experiences to deeper connections with the country’s landscapes and culture.Consider this inspiration rather than a checklist. The best Australia trips are built around pace, priorities, and the kind of experience you want to have.
Iconic Things to Do in Australia
Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge
It’s only fitting that I start this post with item #1 from my personal bucket list – climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge! This iconic experience takes place morning, noon, and night, so you can choose the time you’d like to see the harbour and the city skyline. You could also choose the BridgeClimb Burrawa experience, where an Indigenous Storyteller serves as a guide and shares stories of Australia’s First Nation’s People as you climb. The BridgeClimb is absolutely incredible, and it is my top recommendation for any client visiting Sydney.
Things to Know About the BridgeClimb experience: It sounds a lot more intense than it actually is! There are a couple of ladders, but the slope of the bridge is gentle. It feels like you’re walking up and down steps with a slight incline. You’re securely harnessed the entire time, supported by well-trained staff equipped to support climbers who are nervous about heights.
Scuba Dive in the Great Barrier Reef
If you’re looking for one of the most unforgettable things to do in Australia, scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef belongs near the top of the list. The reef is massive, colorful, and full of life, and being out on the water makes the whole day feel like an experience, not just an activity.
This is also the first place I ever went scuba diving, which is part of why I love recommending it. It’s an incredible introduction to diving, and it’s hard to beat the feeling of seeing the reef up close for the first time.
Things to Know About Diving the Great Barrier Reef: You don’t have to be an experienced diver to enjoy this. Many operators offer intro dives for beginners, and snorkeling can be just as rewarding if diving isn’t your thing. I recommend planning for at least one full-day outing on the water, and if you have the time, doing two days gives you a better chance of great conditions and a more relaxed experience overall.
See The Country By Luxury Train
There is something so glamorous to me about a luxury train journey, and Australia is home to several of them.
The Ghan has been crossing the Australian outback since 1929, and it can take you from Darwin to Adelaide, or vice versa. Stops vary by direction of travel, but may include the desert city of Alice Springs, and Katherine, “where the Outback meets the tropics.”
The Indian Pacific travels between Perth on the Indian Ocean, all the way across the continent to Sydney on the Pacific Ocean. Stops may include the World-Heritage listed Blue Mountains (I highly recommend the Scenic World experience), food-and-wine-lovers’ paradise Adelaide, and the mining town of Kalgoorlie.
The Great Southern travels between Brisbane and Adelaide. Stops may include the wine region Hunter Valley (one of my favorite places!), Australia’s capitol Canberra, and cosmopolitan city of Melbourne.
Things to Know About the Luxury Train Experiences: All classes of service include regionally inspired meals, premium Australian wines, and curated off-train experiences. Platinum service offers added privacy, elevated dining, and lounge access, while Gold Twin cabins provide a comfortable and social way to experience the journey.
Dine Under The Stars in the Australian Outback
Uluru and Kata Tjuta Domes in the Australian Outback are not to be missed! They are culturally significant to the Anangu people, and they’re stunning in their beauty. Pictures can never do these sites justice. In fact, Uluru’s color appears to change throughout the day as the sun reflects off of it from different angles.
One of the most unique ways to view Uluru specifically is to partake in an outdoor dining experience. Ayers Rock Resort offers several options:
Tali Wiru, meaning ‘beautiful dune’ in the local Anangu language, is an incredible dining event under the vast Australian sky. Guests are greeted with a didgeridoo performance while enjoying canapés and sparking wine. You’ll then enjoy a gourmet four-course meal prepared using native ingredients. An indigenous storyteller infuses magic into the evening by sharing more about the culture, history, and spirit of the sacred land as you dine.
Sounds of Silence is another wonderful option. It also begins with canapés, sparkling wine, and a didgeridoo performance, but from there the experience differs. Guests enjoy a three-course buffet meal. As the sun sets, the focus shifts to the stars. You’ll see the Southern Cross, the Milky Way, and more. (When my husband and I attended this dinner, we viewed Saturn through a high-powered telescope. We could see its rings. It was an incredibly unique experience.)
Things to Know About the Dining Experiences: Tali Wiru is more intimate and culturally focused, with a plated meal and a smaller guest count. Sounds of Silence is larger and more astronomy-focused, with a relaxed, social atmosphere.
Nature & Wildlife Experiences in Australia
Explore the Daintree Rainforest
At over 180 million years old, the Daintree is the world’s oldest continuously surviving tropical rainforest. (Yes, it’s even older than the Amazon.) It plays a critical role in Australia’s biodiversity and is home to an incredible range of plant and animal species.
It’s hard to describe what it feels like to be surrounded by nature this ancient and alive. You really do have to experience it for yourself. While exploring the rainforest, you can visit Cape Tribulation, where “the reef meets the rainforest,” the only place in the world where two UNESCO World Heritage sites come together. You might take a crocodile-watching cruise along the Mossman River or wander through the lush landscapes of Mossman Gorge.
Things to Know About Visiting the Daintree: This is a wonderful experience to pair with a reef trip, since both are located in tropical North Queensland. Guided experiences are especially valuable here for spotting wildlife and learning more about the ecosystem. It’s also a place that truly rewards slower pacing. Spending a couple of nights rather than treating it as a quick stop makes the experience far more immersive.
Spot Wildlife on Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island is one of the best places in Australia to experience wild animals in their natural habitat. Its separation from the mainland has created unique ecosystems and helps preserve a quieter, less crowded environment for wildlife.
This is a place where wildlife encounters can happen at any moment. You might see kangaroos hopping along the roadside, spot koalas tucked into eucalyptus trees, or watch sea lions rest along the rugged coastline. The landscapes are striking, with dramatic cliffs, secluded beaches, and wide-open spaces. The whole island feels wonderfully removed from it all.
Things To Know About Visiting Kangaroo Island: Wildlife isn’t the only draw here, and you could easily spend a few days exploring. Beyond animal encounters, you can visit local honey and lavender farms, taste locally made gin, or add a little adventure with activities like sandboarding or an ATV ride.
See Australia’s Pink Lakes
Australia is home to several naturally pink lakes, and seeing one in person feels almost surreal. The color comes from a combination of algae and salt-loving bacteria. Depending on the conditions, the lakes can range from pale blush to a vivid bubblegum pink.
One of the most well-known examples is Lake Hillier, which sits alongside deep blue ocean and white sand, creating a striking contrast that barely looks real in photos, let alone in person. Other pink lakes can be found throughout South Australia and Western Australia, each with its own shade and setting. Experiencing one is a reminder of how visually surprising Australia can be.
Things to Know About Visiting the Pink Lakes: This is an experience where good planning makes all the difference. Some pink lakes are best seen by scenic flight, while others can be accessed by road and explored up close. The color intensity changes depending on the season, time of day, and weather, so flexibility is important.
Cruise Through Katherine Gorge
Katherine Gorge is part of Nitmiluk National Park and is made up of a series of deep gorges carved by the Katherine River over millions of years. Towering sandstone cliffs rise above calm water, creating a landscape that feels both powerful and peaceful at the same time.
Experiencing the gorge from the water gives you a real sense of its scale. As you cruise through, the scenery changes with every bend in the river. The quiet allows you to truly take it all in. It’s a striking contrast to the red deserts nearby, and one of those places that leaves a lasting impression.
Things to know about visiting Katherine Gorge: This experience works especially well as part of a Northern Territory itinerary and pairs naturally with time in and around Uluru. You can explore the gorge in a few different ways, from scenic cruises to walking trails, depending on your comfort level and the time of year. Visiting during the dry season typically offers the best conditions and the easiest access.
Food, Wine, and Relaxation to Enjoy in Australia
Taste Your Way Through the Barossa Valley
Barossa Valley is one of Australia’s most celebrated wine regions, known for bold reds, excellent food, and strong history. Here, wine tasting feels unpretentious but deeply rooted in tradition.
One of the things I love most about the Barossa is how experiential it feels. You can enjoy long lunches paired with local wines, visit small producers, and even taste wines that are decades old. At places like Seppeltsfield Winery, you can sample a fortified wine from the year you were born, which is a unique way connect with the region’s history, and your own!
Things to know about visiting Barossa Valley: This is a region that rewards slower pacing. The experience here is richer when you allow time for conversations, long meals, and unhurried tastings. The Barossa isn’t about checking boxes. It’s about enjoying the present moment.
Slow Down on Rottnest Island
If you’re looking for something completely different, visit Rottnest Island, just off the coast of Perth. The island is entirely car-free, which immediately changes how it feels to be there.
Getting around by bike or on foot sets the tone. Days are all about swimming in clear water, stopping at quiet beaches, and taking breaks when you feel like it. While you’re there, you’ll likely see the native quokkas, which add a playful and uniquely Australian touch to the experience.
Things to Know About Visiting Rottnest Island: Rottnest works well as a day trip, but an overnight stay allows you to experience the island after most visitors have left.
Experience In-Water Oyster Dining
With such a vast coastline, Australia has quite the seafood culture. Few experiences capture that connection quite like in-water oyster dining. In select coastal regions, you can wade into pristine waters, shuck oysters straight from the source, and taste them just moments after they’re harvested.
Experiences like these are offered in places such as Tasmania and Coffin Bay, where cold, clean waters produce some of the country’s most celebrated oysters. Standing in the water, learning about the growing process, and tasting oysters with nothing more than lemon is incredibly grounding. It’s not about a polished dining room or elaborate presentation. It’s about place, freshness, and slowing down long enough to appreciate it.
Things to Know About In-Water Oyster Experiences: This is less about formal dining and more about immersion. You’ll likely be wearing waders or boots, and the experience is often guided by the farmers themselves. It’s a wonderful fit for travelers who enjoy food with a story behind it and moments that feel quietly special.
How I Think About Planning A Trip to Australia
Australia is one of those destinations where thoughtful planning makes a noticeable difference. Because Australia is so large and so varied, the choices you make early on shape how the entire trip feels. As an Aussie Specialist, I stay up to date on the experiences that truly deliver, and how to design trips that flow rather than overwhelm.
Why Fewer Things to Do in Australia Often Lead to a Better Trip
Two of the biggest mistakes I see when people start planning Australia are trying to do too much and trying to cover too much ground. With so many incredible things to do in Australia, it’s tempting to overpack days and keep adding destinations.
The reality is that many of the iconic experiences we’ve just talked about are best savored, not rushed through. They each deserve a day (or more!) to truly enjoy them. Sure, you could structure every moment of every day, but then your focus shifts to what’s next, where you need to be, and when you need to arrive, rather than fully enjoying where you are.
Trying to hit highlights across multiple regions can also add more stress than enjoyment. Long travel days, frequent flights, and constantly changing hotels can make even the most exciting experiences start to feel tiring.
Australia rewards restraint. Fewer regions, chosen intentionally, almost always lead to a more relaxed and fulfilling trip. When you give yourself time to settle into a place, the experience feels deeper, more enjoyable, and far more memorable.
Starting With What Matters Most
Rather than building an itinerary around a checklist, I start by understanding what experiences matter most to the traveler. Is it a specific bucket-list moment? Wildlife? Food and wine? Time outdoors? A sense of adventure? Or a good balance of several things?
Once those priorities are clear, the rest of the trip comes together more naturally. It’s clearer which regions make sense, how much ground to cover, and what can be left for a future trip. This approach also makes it easier to let go of ideas that sound appealing but don’t truly support the experience you’re hoping to create this time around.
Where the Right Stay Elevates the Experience
In Australia, where you stay often becomes part of the experience itself. Thoughtfully chosen accommodations put you directly into the landscapes you’ve come to see and can reduce the need for constant day trips.
When possible, I love incorportating properties from the Luxury Lodges of Australia collection because they’re designed to immerse you in their surroundings. Silky Oaks Lodge allows you to wake up surrounded by rainforest rather than commuting into it. A stay at Qualia provides Great Barrier Reef access in a way that feels serene and unhurried. And on Kangaroo Island, Southern Ocean Lodge places you right on the coastline, where wildlife sightings occur daily.
These types of stays don’t just feel special. They also simplify logistics, reduce travel fatigue, and help the trip feel more cohesive overall.
Matching Your Itinerary to Your Travel Style
No two Australia trips should look the same. A couple seeking adventure will have very different priorities than a family traveling with kids or travelers focused on food and wine.
Understanding travel style helps determine not only which regions make sense, but how long to spend in each place and what kind of experiences to include. It influences whether the trip feels energetic or restorative, structured or open-ended, and ultimately whether it feels like your kind of Australia.
Australia is the kind of destination that stays with you long after you return home. When it’s planned with intention, it’s not about how many places you’ve been, but how deeply you experienced each one. Whether you’re drawn to iconic sights, time in nature, food and wine, or moments that simply allow you to slow down, the most memorable trips are shaped around what matters most to you.
If Australia has been on your mind and you’re starting to imagine what your own trip could look like, I’m always happy to help you think through the possibilities. With the right pacing and thoughtful choices, an Australia journey can feel expansive without being exhausting—and truly unforgettable. And if you’re not sure yet about whether to work with a travel advisor for your trip to Australia, you may find this helpful.
Post originally published in June 2023 and updated in February 2026.
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