The Top 20 Things to Do in Australia

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Australia has adventure activities for everyone to enjoy, from spectacular island getaways to close-up encounters with the myriad of wildlife on land and in the oceans. Here is The Top 20 Things to Do in Australia to help you decide where you will go on your next adventure. This list is according to the Australia.com website.

1. Island Hop in the Whitsundays


If you're looking for pristine beaches, water sports, sailing, snorkelling, and diving, then this is the destination for these and other adventures, The Whitsundays in Queensland. With calm seas and 74 islands to discover, including 69 that are not inhabited, you can charter a yacht or relax on one of the many tours available. This is one of the top spots to enjoy The Great Barrier Reef too.

One of Australia's favourite holiday spots, more information is available on The Whitsundays website.

2. Ride a Luxury Train Across Australia


If you're a train buff then travelling on The Ghan from Adelaide to Darwin (or vice versa) is one of the world's most renowned rail journeys. This adventure takes you through Australia's vast interiors from the tropical rainforests at the Top End - Darwin to the deserts of the Red Centre and along the rugged mountains of the Flinders Ranges, Australia's diverse beauty will astound you.

For more information on a Ghan train voyage, visit the Australia.com website .

3. Sunbathe with Kangaroos at Lucky Bay


Australia has many pristine white sandy beaches and Western Australia is known to have some of the best, one of which is Lucky Bay where you can lie next to a kangaroo enjoying the sun as much as you do. It is a sheltered bay where you can swim, snorkel, fish, surf, and launch small boats. This idyllic spot is in Esperance, 720km east-southeast of Perth, WA's capital city. You will take many photos of the iconic kangaroos regularly sunning themselves on this gorgeous beach. Be sure to stay a friendly distance away, kangaroos are wild animals and can be unpredictable.

For more information on visiting the kangaroos at Lucky Bay, go to the Australia.com website .

4. Cruise The Kimberley


The Kimberley Coast is in Western Australia and boasts true wilderness and two billion years of natural history. An expedition cruise around this isolated area allows an up-close look at the rocky shores, ochre-coloured gorges, amazing waterfalls, and rivers. There is much to see and do as you explore one of the world's true wilderness areas, all while cruising in the comfort of a luxury cruiser.

The Kimberley Quest is just one of the luxury cruises available, check it out on their website.

5. Swim with Unique Marine Life


One day I'd like to swim with dolphins, this adventure is on my bucket list. The place I'm considering doing this is in Port Stephens, NSW. Dolphins are my pick to swim with but there are experienced tour guides that will help you swim with other marine life, like - humpback whales, and whale sharks, or swim with cheeky sea lions. Darwin offers adrenaline junkies a cage dive with crocodiles, or the Eyre Peninsula allows you to swim with great white sharks.

The Australia.com website has some information or check out what's on offer in Port Stephens on this website.

6. Visit the Locals in Cradle Mountain


The World Heritage-listed Cradle Mountain National Park in Tasmania is where you will find Tasmanian Devils and other animals like Wombats and the Spotted-Tail and Eastern Quolls, which are both threatened. Devils@Cradle shows you these shy creatures characterised by a muscular build, black fur, pungent odour and a keen sense of smell. You will hear their loud and disturbing screech before you see them. You can visit Cradle Mountain all year round and experience the seasonal change in colours during autumn.

The Australia.com website has some information but to find out more about Cradle Mountain go to their website here.

7. Connect to First Nations History in The Red Centre


Outback Australia is vast and would take months to explore. The spiritual heart of the outback is the Uluru-KataTjuta National Park, in the Red Centre. Do this trip to learn about the Aboriginal culture and how Uluru along with 36 other rock domes are part of Kata Tjuta, an area sacred to the Anangu people. You may also experience, Wintjiri Wiru, a drone light show sharing Dreaming stories above Uluru.

The Australia.com website has more information about this Top 20 trip.

8. Watch Turtles Hatch in Queensland


This adventure has been ticked off my bucket list, I had the pleasure of seeing turtles hatch at Mon Repos Turtle Centre near Bundaberg and it was an amazing experience. A guide took us to the Mon Repos Conservation Park at sunset in February, the hatchlings leave their nest during mid-January to early February. We were allowed to hold the hatchlings, but as this was years ago, check whether you are still allowed to do this here.

Other islands in Queensland to see turtles are Lady Elliot, Lady Musgrave and Heron Island.

9. Explore Melbourne's Laneways


Whenever I visit Melbourne, I seek out the laneways for my caffeine hit and explore all the colourful ones in the inner city. This is a must-do when you visit Melbourne, there are lots of hidden bars, hole-in-the-wall cafés, diverse and interesting restaurants, and of course, fashion - browse through the one-of-a-kind fashion boutiques. Melbourne is known as the fashion capital of Australia, with a vibrant cultural scene and trendsetting high-end boutiques.

Find out more about Melbourne's Laneways here and also on the City of Melbourne website.

10. Drive The Great Ocean Road


Victoria has one of the most scenic coastal drives The Great Ocean Road where you will find the Twelve Apostles, a collection of limestone stacks off the shore of Port Campbell National Park. There will be spectacular surfing beaches and kangaroos can be seen in the wild too. Sunsets at the Twelve Apostles' lookout can be magical. A few days' drive is recommended to enjoy the lush forests and waterfalls of Otway National Park. If you drive during May-July or August-November, you can do a spot of whale watching from the historic town of Warrnambool.

See more about this trip at the Australia.com website.

11. Visit Lord Howe Island


World Heritage-listed Lord Howe Island has a limit of 400 visitors, so if you're looking for a peaceful holiday, this one is for you. Although secluded, the island is only two hours flying time from Sydney or Brisbane. Here you will enjoy pristine green landscapes, remarkable geology, natural coral, lush undisturbed vegetation, and rare wildlife.

See more about Lord Howe Island at the Australia.com website.

12. Embrace Tiwi Culture


If you enjoy exploring places out of the ordinary, then The Tiwi Islands, north of Darwin can be a special experience. This thriving culture of mainly Tiwi descendants, many of who work with colourful textiles, weavings and paintings. Also, as a fishing hotspot for barramundi, there are multi-day tours for fishing enthusiasts.

See more about The Tiwi Islands at the Australia.com website. If you are interested in the fishing trips, go to this website.

13. Hot Air Balloon above Canberra


Australia's capital, Canberra, is in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). Known for its museums and galleries as well as being close to the NSW ski fields, Canberra is also where you can go on a Hot Air Balloon ride. If you go when the Canberra Balloon Spectacular is on in March, you will be in for a colourful balloon show. Enjoy amazing views over Lake Burley Griffin and Parliament House.

If you're going to Canberra, take a look at these balloon flights on the visitcanberra.com.au website.

14. Spot a Smiling Quokka


Rottnest Island off the coast of Western Australia has some friendly locals you can encounter. Quokkas are marsupials only found in WA, so book your trip to Rottnest Island to see one of these cuties and their cheeky smiles. Take lots of pics but remember, there is no touching or feeding them.

See more about the famous Quokkas at the Australia.com website.

15. Snorkel or Dive The Great Barrier Reef


I'm surprised to see this lower on the list, I would put this easily in the Top 5 things to do in Australia. Having visited The Great Barrier Reef a few times and seen many clown fish, amazing corals and turtles, this is a place I will keep visiting. The vibrancy of the reef needs to be seen by snorkelling or diving it. Magnificent colours of the coral formations, giant clams, sea turtles and stingrays, and the myriad of tropical fish, can all be seen at the world's largest coral reef. There are even nocturnal dives available.

To experience the magnificence of The Great Barrier Reef, go to the Australia.com website.

16. Climb The Harbour Bridge


The Sydney Harbour Bridge is an iconic landmark and along with The Opera House, it is visited by many tourists. Experiencing the Bridge Climb is a must-do when you see Sydney. I did this climb a few years ago with my family. We did a sunset climb and it was an awesome experience. Another adventure ticked off my bucket list, it is something I will do again if the opportunity comes up. Seeing Sydney from the top of the bridge is something you have to experience, the 360-degree views are spectacular.

You can book with BridgeClimb at their website.

17. Go Waterhole Hopping


This trip takes us to the Northern Territory again where the red desert gives way to pristine waterholes throughout the landscape. Experience untamed landscapes as you hike or drive through the Top End to reach majestic waterfalls, thermal springs and relax in the pools of ancient canyons.

Experience the difference of the Territory, find out more at the northernterritory.com website.

18. Gaze out at the Three Sisters


A leisurely drive from Sydney, The Blue Mountains is a retreat for many Sydney-siders and home to creatives like artists, writers and filmmakers. A popular landmark, The Three Sisters is a rock formation representing three sisters from an Aboriginal Dreaming story stating they were turned to stone. One of the best ways to view them is from Echo Point Lookout, where you can also start many hikes through bushland giving more vantage points of the formation. I have had many trips to this area having seen the formation from many angles and watched the colour changes depending on the season.

To experience this formation or if you visit in winter, you may see snow, go to the Australia.com website.

19. Chase Crocodiles in the Northern Territory


The saltwater crocodile is the world's largest reptile and you can see one (or more) of these beasts as you cruise the billabongs of the Northern Territory. Or take an airboat through the Kakadu floodplains. Whichever way you choose to do this adventure, trained pros are showing you the crocs up close and safely. Croc-spotting season is from November to April.

For more information on croc tours, see the northernterritory.com website.

20. Meet Wildlife on Kangaroo Island


Kangaroo Island is off the coast of South Australia, a place where any nature lover can enjoy abundant wildlife like koalas, kangaroos, sea lions and seals. A highlight will be wandering among the Australian sea lion colony at Seal Bay, or you can take a leisurely walk on the beach to encounter the wildlife living on Kangaroo Island.

Information about getting to Kangaroo Island is on the Australia.com website.

So there it is, The Top 20 Things to Do in Australia, which one (or more) will you choose for your next adventure?


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