101 Things To Do in Australia

Great Barrier Reef (Flikr Credit to Picsie74)

Image by Picsie74

26. Bondi Beach, Eastern Australia: A visit to one of the most famous beached in the world located in the suburbs of Sydney. A pristine sandy beach , one km long and the clear turquoise ocean will certainly not disappoint. 

27. Munda Biddi Trail, WA: A haven for cyclists with a 1,000 km trail which cuts its way through the forest of western Australia; on completion (November 2012) this will be one of the largest cycle trails in the world.

28. Australia Day, Sydney: Festivities and frivolity take over Sydney’s streets on 26th January to celebrate the country’s independence. There are BBQ’s, fireworks and dance.

29. Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, Sydney: In Late February or early March, the gay and lesbian community come together for a flamboyant celebration, the highlight of which is the Oxford Street parade.

30. Harbour Cruise, Sydney: What better way to admire Australia’s architecture than a coastline tour of the city?  Snap away at the Opera House before a stop off at the Fish Market or Aquarium.

31. Ku-Ring-Gai Chase, Sydney: Take a stroll through the cliffs and estuaries down a path to the Aboriginal Heritage Track.

32. Great Ocean Road, Victoria: A drive down the Great Ocean Road, the curling coastline passing by, paddle in rock pools or bathe in the afternoon’s sun before enjoying the sunset over delicious fish and chips.

33. Cunningham Pier, Victoria: A picturesque seaside town, re-live your childhood aboard the seafront carousel. 

34. Skiing, Victoria: In the winter season, both alpine and cross-country skiing is available for powder bunnies and fitness fanatics, while the summer months offer mountain biking.

35. Bungee Jumping, Queensland: With views of the sweeping landscapes of Cairns , Surfers Paradise and Airlie Beach, bungee jumping is a popular thrill-seeking activity in Queensland. 

36. Cuddle a Cheetah, Canberra: At the National Zoo and Aquarium , there is a range of interesting animals, including Australia’s largest collection of big cats.  Pay extra to touch the animals.

37. Whale Watching, Byron Bay: The easternmost point of Australia is home to hump back whales and dolphins in June and July. 

38.Carnarvon Gorge, Capricorn Coast: Carved over millions of years by the Carnarvon Creek , the 200m high and 30km long national park is now a floral haven where spectacular life has flourished, sheltered by the jagged rock.

39. Freycinet National Park, East Coast: A bush walker’s paradise, this reserve is home to wallabies, wild flowers, wattlebirds and cockatoos with numerous long hikes available.

40. Ningaloo Marine Park, Coral Coast: Protecting the Bundegi Reef, the marine park is abundant with life; humpback whales, dugongs, manta rays and sharks.

41.Tiwi Islands, Northern Territory: North of Darwin, the Tiwi Islands are a well-preserved aboriginal village.  Organise a day’s tour to discover their burial poles, art and textile products.

42.Valley of the Giants, Western Australia: Marvel at the ‘tingle trees’ on a canopy walk through the forest.  With the highest point of the Tree Top Walk a tall 40m and the bridge designed to gently blow in the breeze to mimic the trees themselves, vertigo sufferers should steer clear.

43. Wujal Wujal, Queensland: For rough roaders, braving the steep, wet roads of the Bloomfield Track, passing through the Wujal Wujal Aboriginal community is a must.

44. Naracoorte Caves: This half a million year old treasure was featured in David Attenborough’s BBC Life on Earth series.

45. Be a postman for a day, Nr Sydney: Take a ride aboard the Hawkesbury River Boat Postman where the crew and guests travel between islands, delivering goods to a commentary on each island’s history.

46. Most haunted house, New South Wales: Stories of a mystery man hovering outside a window and light beaming from the windows long before electricity, the Monte Cristo Homestead is Australia’s most haunted house. Enter if you dare.

47. Dalhousie springs: Before crossing the Simpson Desert, make a splash in the Dalhousie Springs, where a number of unique species of fish enjoy the water’s warm temperatures, reaching 43 degrees.

48. Dinosaur Stampede, Queensland: 3300 footprints of extinct dinosaurs have been preserved, showing the hunt of Ornithopods and Coelurosaurs by a Therapod.

49. Surf at Byron Bay: Byron Bay is one of Australia’s premier surfing spots on the east coast. It would be rude to visit and not hit the ocean.

50. People-watch at a coffee house on Bourke Street, Melbourne: Renowned for its coffee, Melbourne is arguably the best place to watch Australian street activity.

Sydney Opera House (Flikr Credit to Marmarwhit)

Image by Marmarwhit

51. Explore the rainforests conditions of the Blue Mountains: Easily accessible from Sydney, exploring the rainforest climate of the Blue Mountains is not to be missed while you’re within distance.

69. Melbourne Eureka Tower: Previously the world’s tallest building the 78 storey giant gives the best residential views of Melbourne – Dubai has now taken over this with the Princess tower.

70. The site of the Skylab crash: In 1979 the US Space station, Esperance. Crashed in Australia, which only resulted in America being charged $400 by the authorities for littering.

71. Sleep in underground war bunkers in Possum Park: They used to hold ammo and weaponry during WWII and now they are wartime-styled bedrooms, souvenir shops and tea rooms.

72.  21st June Mid-Winter Dinner: In the Australian Antarctic Territory you can enjoy a 13 course traditional meal, but make sure you wrap up, temperatures can plummet to -40°

73. Salt Lake Eyre: The world’s largest salt lake that hardly ever contains water. It attracts a variety of wildlife including Dingos. The best way to view it is from the air.

74. Karijini National Park: Gorges galore in this spectacularly scenic national park. There are walking trails through and around the gorges that range from gentle to practically suicidal.

75. Shark Bay: This two-pronged peninsular is a World Heritage Site which, apart from being a place of splendid natural beauty, is also famous for its vast population of dugongs.

Salt Lake Eyre (Flikr Credit to Joybelle007)

Image by Joybelle007

76. The Pinnacles: These limestone formations, sprouting like a fossilised forest out the rippled sands of Nambung National Park, are something of a mystery, but well worth a look.

77. Wave Rock: This extraordinary natural rock formation takes the shape of a giant wave (about 14m high) curving up and about to break. It is formed of solid granite and it is about 130 million years old.

78. Nullarbor Plain: This vast, lifeless region in southern Australia covers 200,000 km² and is the largest piece of limestone in the world. You can cross it by road or rail.

79. Keep River National Park– Sitting in the Northern Territory right on the border with WA, Keep River National Park is affectionately known as the ‘mini’ Bungle Bungles, which can be seen on foot.

80. Litchfield National Park: Somewhat overshadowed by Kakadu National Park, its larger and more famous neighbour, Litchfield, with its waterfalls and swimming holes, is more favoured by the locals.

81. Devils Marbles: This boulder field, deep in the Northern Territory, seems to ignore the usual laws of physics: the red rocks are rounded, just like marbles, and balanced in the most peculiar way.

82. Wolfe Creek: The filming location for one of the most gruesome horror films ever made (Wolf Creek) only attracts the bravest souls. It is incredibly remote and a 4x4 is needed to reach it.

83.  Kings Canyon: This epic gash in Australia’s red heart is a place of humbling grandeur. There is a walking trail into the canyon itself and one, which takes you up and around it.

84. Skydive in Coff’s Harbour: There isn’t much to do in this east coast town, except throw yourself out of a plane! The beach-views are priceless.

85. Take the ferry to Manly, Sydney: The suburb just seven miles across the harbour feels a million miles away from Sydney’s bustling centre, and the beach is ideal for people watching.

86. Drive a 4x4 on Fraser Island: A must-do on the east coast, join a convoy on this island made entirely of sand, and test your driving skills in the dunes.

87. Hang out with the hippies in Nimbin: This village is something of a tourist trap, but an experience nonetheless – think lots of rainbow flags and curious-smelling cigarettes...

88. Live like a millionaire in Port Douglas: Port Douglas is the tropical playground of wealthy retirees and affluent families. Pretend you’re one of them as you dip into the (bath temperature) waters of Four Mile Beach.

89. Check out Brisbane’s urban beach: On a city break? That doesn’t mean you can’t dip your toes into some sand while you’re at it. Brisbane’s urban beach is the perfect retreat from the stifling city heat.

90. Sail around the Whitsundays: Stay out at sea for a couple of nights and visit the world-famous Whitehaven Beach, with its pure white silica sand.

91. Go horse riding on Kurrimine Beach: Half an hour north of Mission beach, is the more secluded, undeveloped Kurrimine Beach.

92. See the Josephine Falls at Wooroonooran National Park: Home to Queensland’s two highest mountains and the beautiful Josephine Falls, this lush park is a tropical haven.

93. See a movie under the stars in Darwin’s Deckchair Cinema: From Hollywood blockbusters to art house flicks; this outdoor theatre is a novel way of spending a warm summer evening.

94. Visit the Neighbours set, Melbourne: Good news folks, Karl Kennedy is still around, and you might spot him on your tour of the Neighbours set! Keep an eye out for Harold too, of course.

95. Volunteer with a conservation group, Tasmania: More than 600 species of flora and fauna in Tasmania are under threat, so do your bit to protect them (including Tasmanian devils) by volunteering on the island.

96. Take a free exercise class in Cairns: The outdoor pool and waterfront exercise classes in Cairns are free to the public; join the locals and shake your stuff at a sunset Zumba class .

97. The Newcastle coastal walk: Another fairly calm east coast town, with a dramatic coastline dotted with outstanding beaches. Walk for hours along the cliffs to earn your fish and chips.

98.Watch the Melbourne cup: Join the sports mad Aussies in November and have a flutter on the horse races. The city comes alive with excitement, and you can spend your winnings in the jam-packed pubs.

99. Walk around Uluru (Ayers Rock): Take a guided walk around the base of Uluru at sunrise, where you will learn about its history and how important it is to the aboriginal people.

100. Experience the Cage of Death, Darwin: Forget swimming with sharks, how about a face-to-face encounter with some deadly crocodiles? Head to Crocosaurus Cove if you dare.

101. Test your fear of heights on the Skyrail: Spanning over seven kilometres of tropical rainforest, this journey will give you a unique perspective of Queensland.

 

Image by Picsie74

Kings Canyon (Flikr Credit to picsie74)