What are the first few things that come to your mind when you hear the word Australia? The moment I hear Australia, there are so many things that come to my mind such as Opera House, kangaroos, Melbourne cricket ground, and my friend Eva (who keeps inviting me over, ever since she has shifted there a few years ago). I am definitely looking forward to visiting Australia soon. What about you? What do you think about this isolated continent?
Even though you may have not visited a place, sometimes you have a desire to travel there at least once in a lifetime. There is no denying the fact that some Australian cities are the most desirable and enviable destinations in the world. If you ever get a chance to visit Australia, which cities would you like to explore – Sydney, Brisbane, Darwin, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide or Tasmania? Most of my friends insist on Sydney and Melbourne but we all have our personal favorites. But I just can’t pick one, I would like to see them all and why not?
Recently, when I was asked to list down my favorite things around Australia, I instantly replied, “ I want to see the kangaroos, koalas, and wombats in their natural habitat. I wish to drive around the spectacularly scenic coastal road around the Great Barrier Reef. Of course, I am looking forward to eating there because when it comes to gastronomy, Australia is unmissable. And as a blogger, I would love to travel around to find stories around its diversity, indigenous culture, street art and much more.”
Now, this was a quick answer on my end but what if you had to plan a trip to Australia right away. Have you made your bucket list? I had started working on finding some cool places and things to do in and around Australia. Let me share it with you so that you do not miss on some of the most popular touristy things as well as offbeat hidden secrets.
Below, I have listed down 13 things that you should do on your trip to Australia with the help of Australia tourism and my friends.
Before planning your trip, it is vital to be aware of the weather of that place. There are four more seasons across the country and a wet and dry season in the tropical north. Then there are winters and of course, the popular summers. November to April is cyclone season and it can greatly affect your trip. So, it is advisable to plan your Australian tour packages ahead with this information.
1. There is something very unique about the Great Barrier Reef. Not only it is listed among the seven wonders of the Natural World, but it is also known as the world’s largest living structure of corals. It is an ecosystem that is made up of 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands.
2. Find out about “Australian Outback”. I was unfamiliar with this term for a long time until I read about it in a magazine. This isn’t a particular region but the intermittent unoccupied spaces and endless empty stretches that exists in pockets across the country. Outback is beyond the coastal strip and the bush area. The outback is in abundance and known for its wild inhabitants. Koalas and kangaroos are found in these regions.
3. Street art ranks top on my list. Graffiti street art in Australia is very popular among the locals and the tourists. I would definitely keep a day to explore the colorful alleys of Australia where one can find the best murals and graffiti. The blast of colors makes the streets and alleys look alive and kicking all the time.
4. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the beautiful Blue Mountains National Park lies 81 kilometers west of Sydney and is a popular day trip from the city. The other highlights of this park are the towering sandstone rock formation called the ‘Three Sisters,’ Scenic Cableway, and Scenic Walkway. Hiking, rock climbing, and mountain biking are all popular things to do in the park.
5. Cape Grim Baseline Air Pollution Station is on my bucket-list. I would love to breathe the cleanest air in the world at least once. The northwestern tip of Tasmania is believed to receive the cleanest air due to its unique geographical location. Also, Cape Grim Station is known for its study on climate change and atmospheric pollution.
6. Fraser Island is one of the world’s most unusual island. It is not only the largest sand island in the world, but it is the only place on the Earth where tall rainforests grow on sand dunes. It has a wide range of flora and fauna that includes, eucalyptus woodland, mangrove forests, and a wide range of birds and animals. One can even spot humpback whales and dingoes.
7. Australia is definitely a treat for all the wine lovers. Being the fourth largest wine exporter in the world, Australia boasts of 60 wine regions. If you love visiting vineyards, you should definitely plan a weekend getaway with Australia Tourism to Yara Valley, the Dominique Portet Winery with its French-style cellar door, known for its sparkling wines.
8. Some of the saltiest lakes have turned pink in color. Studies have revealed that several factors like high salinity, lack of rainfall, increased temperature and sunlight come together to create the pinkish water shade. Australia is home to these pink lakes. When in Melbourne, you should definitely visit these pink lakes.
9. I have seen the Switzerland Alps and I would also like to see the Australian Alps.. There aren’t many places in the world where you’ll find snow-covered gum trees on a downhill ski run, but in the Australian Alps, there are plenty. You can also enjoy a number of food and wine trails in the Australian Alps.
10. Devil’s marbles are one of the most eye-popping sights, featuring massive balls made of granite. If you are driving from Darwin and Alice Springs, you are likely to stumble across a geographical wonder. The Marbles can be found in the traditional land of the Warumungu, Kaytetye, Alyawarra, and Warlpiri peoples, who refer to the Marbles as Karlu Karlu.
11. While lamb roast and Aussie barbecue will definitely be savored, I am really looking forward to tasting traditional and local foods like Lamingtons (sometimes referred to as national cake), Vegemite, fairy bread, Tim tams and more.
12. During autumn in Australia, whale groups like humpbacks and orcas migrate from the cold waters of the Antarctic up to the more temperate waters of Australia. If you are traveling during that time, then you can experience watching the whales swimming and frolicking near the shores.
Quandong nut is an edible seed.
13. Australia’s mystical Uluru, the rust-red rock, leaves everyone awestruck. The common name is Ayers Rock, named after Sir Henry Ayers by William Gosse in 1873. However, the Aboriginal name for the rock, Uluru, is its official name. This red monolith is considered sacred by the Anangu tribe of Aboriginal people and it should be definitely on your Australian tour packages. Many people think that Uluru is the largest single chunk of rock on the planet. However, it isn’t true as Mount Augustus in Western Australia is actually the largest monolith.
So, if you want to make your holidays memorable, the above-mentioned places should be definitely on your list.
A lot of these are on my list as well! I haven’t made it to the land down under just yet, since tickets from where I live are extremely expensive. But I can’t wait to go and check out Fraser Island, go star-gazing with Uluru, and snag a selfie with a Quokka on Rottnest Island! I also heard that there’s a road in the Outback that is the longest straight road in the world…and I’d love to drive it and test out the car’s alignment! Haha. I hope you have a blast!
I am just back from my Australian adventure actually and enjoyed reading your post. I did manage to see some koalas and kangaroos though not as much in the wild as I would have liked to. I went diving in the Great Barrier Reef but was slightly disappointed with the reef and sea life I came across, I feel it is a bit hyped up. I enjoyed my dive in the Philippines a lot more. It was a pity that I could not make it to Blue Mountains National Park- it was a rainy day!
I went to Australia a few years back and definitely agree that the Blue Mountains should be on the list. It’s such a beautiful place with great hiking routes (although gets steep the closer you get to the three sisters rocks). The street art in Melbourne was awesome too. I just loved that city! Great post, with some great suggestions!
I haven’t been to Australia yet and a lot of these are on my must-see list. I watched the movie “Tracks” which was about a girl’s solo journey through Australia’s Outback, I’ve wanted to do the same ever since. I’m also a huge snorkeler and would love to see the Great Barrier Reef up close. Reminder to wear sunscreen that’s reef safe!
You know where I learnt about the outback? From the cartoon “Koala brothers” that my little one is so fond of. So, we are going to see the outback for sure. And the koalas! And the kangaroos! I am fond of everything cultural and local. So, street art tops my list. And some yummy Lamingtons for sure.
Australia is an amazing country that never stops to amaze me. I discover something new with every next visit. I’ve already done 5/13 things on this list but would love to try the rest too.
I lived in Melbourne for a year and in Sydney for a month and got so much in love with natural wonders of Australia. The Australian wildlife is exotic and cannot be found out anywhere in the world. When we were going to remote places, sometimes we used to figure out Koala hanging out on the branches of trees and even once kangaroos crossed out while driving. These were the enchanting memories, I have for this place. You have truly listed all this in your post.
Australia is my great travel dream. I want to make it happen next year
Been to Australia twice for over two months, yet I could barely scratch the surface. There’s so much to see there. Australian outbacks and Barrier Reef were one of my favourites. Wines are fantastic in Australia. I also love Australia for its sporting culture.
This is a great list and it’s got me all excited on your behalf! I still haven’t made it down to Australia yet but I’ll happily live vicariously through you 🙂 Top of my list are definitely the outbacks, Blue Mountains and of course Fraser Island!!!