Bucket List Experiences in Australia

Australia has no shortage of incredible experiences for people with all kinds of interests. Today I’m highlighting three stand-outs. If any of these activities pique your interest, I would LOVE to help you plan your dream trip. Click here to get started.

1. 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 you’ll need to climb, but the slope of the bridge is gentle. It feels like you’re walking up and down steps with a slight incline. You’re made to feel very secure, and you’ll be strapped into the bridge at all times during the climb. Also, it’s ok if you’re afraid of heights. The BridgeClimb staff is well-trained to support you through the whole experience.

2. 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 hearty breakfasts and two course lunches, premium Australian wine, beer, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverages, and unique off-train experiences.

Platinum service includes private airport transfers, exclusive access to the Platinum Club, four-course dinners, and an option to choose a double or two twin beds. By day, the cabin is transformed into a private lounge with premium seating, ottomans, and a moveable table.

Gold twin service includes two-course lunches, three course dinners, upper and lower berths. By day, the berths are transformed into a three-seat sofa.

3. 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 a more intimate dining experience capped at 20 guests. The meal will be served at your table, and the evening’s program is more culturally focused. Sounds of Silence is a larger experience with many more guests. The three courses are served buffet-style, so you’ll be moving around a bit more. The evening’s program is more focused on astronomy.