Top 10 things to do in Australia

Big and beautiful Australia has a lifetime of things to do – and considering that for many people going Down Under is a once-in-a-lifetime trip, it can be difficult to know what to choose. We could go on forever with our list of Australia activities, but we’ve settled on 10. What’s on your top 10 things to do in Australia? Here’s ours...

#10

Helicopter over the Bungle Bungles

The Purnululu National Park is home to an amazing mountain range called the Bungle Bungles. Once considered to be one of the most difficult of Australia’s natural sites to view, the range is now highly accessible – and no way of viewing the rust-coloured domes is more impressive than a helicopter flight over the top.

#9

Hop over to Kangaroo Island

Kangaroo Island is around 45 minutes from the mainland of South Australia by ferry. It’s a paradise for wildlife fans and bird watchers, with hundreds of species including cockatoos, stilts, seals and the iconic, eponymous marsupial. It’s within very easy travelling distance of Adelaide, so if you’re staying in this city for a few days, it’s well worth taking the time out to visit. Even if you don’t think that nature watching sounds like your kind of thing, you should still take the opportunity to have a look. The animals here are truly captivating and their story is sure to enthral.

#8

Witness the Penguin Parade

The Penguin Parade takes place on Phillip Island just off the coast of Victoria. It takes a little while of patient waiting and is over in a matter of minutes – but it’s a spectacle that will stay with you for a lifetime. The colony of Fairy Penguins, which numbers over 32,000, waddle up the beach every evening and draw crowds to watch them do it. The penguins are easily startled so quiet is required for them to make the journey – but sit patiently and they’ll gather the fortitude to make the trip eventually.

#7

Stay on a family-run working cattle farm

Australia has a number of farm retreats that make for a very different experience from your usual days in Australia. Henderson Park is one of them; a working cattle farm with more than 1,200 cattle on its grounds. You can enjoy the opportunity to relax and take in the farm’s picturesque landscape, or you can get involved with the day-to-day activities of running such a huge property.

#6

Vineyard tours

Swan Valley in Western Australia is the country’s oldest wine growing region. And, as you might expect, it is home to a huge number of vineyards and many of them offer tours and wine tasting – for wine fans it’s something of a haven. The Windy Creek Estate is a constant favourite as they have a wide range of wines for tasting, all made from grapes that are grown on the plantation. Some of the vineyards offer a cheeseboard while you’re tasting your wines, which is a nice touch.

#5

Bask in the sunshine of Whitsundays beaches

Bordering the Great Barrier Reef, the Whitsundays are a collection of 74 islands. Their prime location would make them a fantastic option just as a base for scuba diving trips to the Reef – but the Whitsundays have charms of their own. There is no other word for it; the beaches here are stunning. Perfect lines of sugary white sand stretch out in front of you as the sun’s rays beat down – utter heaven.

#4

Take a road trip

Australia is a truly enormous country and the roads stretch out for seemingly limitless miles. This makes it the perfect place for a road trip – partly because there is so much to see but also because no two road trips will ever be the same. There is the famous Great Ocean Road if you’re looking for a well-known, spectacular route, or you could chose the relatively uncharted territories of Western Australia for something a little more adventurous.

#3

Climb Sydney Harbour Bridge

Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of the iconic symbols of Australia, and you can enjoy amazing experience and a jaw-dropping view by climbing it. The climb itself isn’t actually as taxing as you might imagine – it’s very high, but the incline is never too steep. The view from the top is a stunning panorama of the whole of Sydney. It won’t be particularly suitable if you’re not comfortable with heights and you’ll be stopped from climbing if you’re too drunk – but for everyone else it’s a very cool once-in-a-lifetime experience.

#2

Watch the sunrise over Uluru

Australia is a country of myriad impressive natural sights, but arguably the most impressive is Uluru. Found in the arid centre of the country, you may well know it by its common name of Ayers Rock. It is a huge sandstone formation that towers over the rather flat surrounding landscape and it’s now considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The best way to see Uluru in all of its glory is to get up early and head for the side parallel to the sunrise.  The riveted orange rock glints as the sun hits it and makes for a beautiful sight. It’s on our bucket list – so why not add it to yours?

#1

Scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef

There really is nothing quite like the Great Barrier Reef. To give you a sense of scale, the entire Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is almost twice the size of the United Kingdom. Teeming with impressive and usual sea life it’s a true haven for underwater enthusiasts. Whether you’re a scuba diving veteran or just a beginner to the sport, it’s an amazing place to swim amongst the coral reefs.