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Things to Do in Australia
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Plan language: EnglishMost popular attractions in Australia
Things to do in Australia are abundant and varied, from exploring the Sydney Opera House with its distinctive sail-like design to diving the vibrant coral ecosystems of the Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest reef system. The rugged beauty of the Twelve Apostles offers dramatic coastal views along the Great Ocean Road, a must-experience by any nature lover.
1. Sydney Opera House
Sydney
Striking waterfront landmark offering world-class concerts and dramatic architecture. Walk the forecourt, take a backstage tour, or photograph the white sails at sunset.
Quick facts: Sails-shaped white shells catch and scatter sunrise and sunset light, giving the exterior a different color story every hour. About 1,056,000 hand-glazed ceramic tiles from Sweden wrap the roof, and up close they reveal a subtle checkerboard of glossy and matte surfaces.
Highlights: Architect Jørn Utzon walked away during the political fallout of the 1960s, and decades later his original sketches helped shape restorations that brought hidden design details back to life. Step into the main concert hall and over 10,000 organ pipes and wooden surfaces produce low notes you can feel in your chest, a thunder-like vibration that surprises first-time listeners.
2. Great Barrier Reef
Cairns
Iconic sandy beach and lively surf culture on Sydney's eastern shoreline. Walk the coastal clifftop path, swim between the flags at patrolled sections, and relax at seaside cafés.
Quick facts: More than 3,000 individual reefs and coral cays form a living mosaic, sheltering over 1,500 species of fish and 400 types of coral. Snorkelers often spot green turtles, manta rays and neon parrotfish weaving through coral tunnels, while bird colonies and dugongs add unexpected sights above and below the surface.
Highlights: Mass coral spawning turns shallow reefs into milky clouds of millions of eggs and sperm, and divers report a faint pineapple scent with plumes stretching for hundreds of meters. Elders and local rangers still use customary star charts and seasonal signs to time care practices, cataloguing more than 50 marine species by traditional names and passing those names down to younger stewards.
3. Uluru
Yulara
Witness one of the world’s most spectacular natural wonders. Experience stunning color shifts and ancient Indigenous stories etched in stone.
Quick facts: A massive sandstone monolith towering 348 meters above the plain captivates with its fiery glow at sunset. The rock changes colors throughout the day, appearing red to deep violet as sunlight shifts.
Highlights: Uluru's base hosts ancient rock art galleries, featuring stories and laws of the Anangu people passed down for thousands of years. The sounds of local wildlife and the scent of desert flowers create a sensory experience unlike anywhere else.
Have you heard of free walking tours?
After traveling to 30+ countries, there's one thing I wish someone had told me from day one, and it completely changed how I experience new cities.
Free walking tours. Yes, actually free. No credit card needed. No catch.
Local guide, 2-3 hours
Major sights, hidden gems, local stories
100% tip-based
Guides earn only tips, so they give their absolute best
You tip what feels right
At the end, just tip whatever you feel is right
I've done these in dozens of cities and they've been the highlight of almost every trip. If you're visiting Australia, do this on your first day. You'll thank me later.
4. Twelve Apostles
Port Campbell
Experience dramatic cliffs and striking limestone stacks by the sea. Watch colorful sunrises and spot peregrine falcons nesting high above.
Quick facts: These towering limestone stacks rise majestically along a rugged coastline, shaped by relentless waves over millions of years. The number of visible stacks has changed over time due to natural erosion, currently standing at eight towering formations.
Highlights: Sunrise paints the limestone with vibrant oranges and pinks, creating a breathtaking spectacle against the roaring ocean backdrop. Visitors can catch a rare glimpse of the nesting peregrine falcons that find refuge among the cliffs, adding a thrilling wildlife encounter to the scenic views.
5. Bondi Beach
Sydney
Catch epic waves and golden sands. Dive into a lively beach scene filled with surfers, swimmers, and stunning coastal views.
Quick facts: Waves here attract surfers from all over the world, with the beach stretching about one kilometer along the coast. Lifeguards watch over swimmers from iconic red and yellow flags, ensuring safety amid the powerful surf.
Highlights: Spot the daily dophin sightings near the shore; these friendly guests often swim alongside surfers early in the morning. The Bondi to Coogee coastal walk offers jaw-dropping cliff views and vibrant street art, perfect for a scenic adventure.
6. Daintree Rainforest
Daintree
Explore an ancient world where primal forests and rare creatures await. Walk above the canopy and dive into vibrant wildlife encounters at every turn.
Quick facts: Imagine a place where ancient ferns and giant trees tower overhead, some older than the dinosaurs themselves. Home to over 430 bird species and the elusive cassowary, wildlife spotting is like stepping into a living documentary.
Highlights: Feel the thrill walking on a suspension bridge above the lush canopy, with sunlight dappling through leaves that are millions of years old. Rare plants like the giant fan palm grow here, creating a jungle scene straight out of an adventure movie.
7. Kakadu National Park
Jabiru
Discover a vast wilderness alive with wildlife and rich culture. Walk through stunning landscapes and ancient rock art that tell timeless stories.
Quick facts: Over 20,000 square kilometers make this one of the largest national parks in Australia, housing around 280 bird species and 117 mammal species. The area blends spectacular landscapes like wetlands, rivers, and sandstone escarpments with ancient Aboriginal rock art sites dating back over 20,000 years.
Highlights: Experience the vibrant floodplains lighting up during the wet season, transforming the park into a lush oasis attracting thousands of magpie geese. Explore Ubirr, where ancient rock art galleries showcase dynamic depictions of now-extinct megafauna alongside ancestral stories.
8. Kangaroo Island
Kingscote
Wildlife abounds with unique species and stunning rock formations. Encounter rare animals and breathtaking coastal views on an unforgettable island escape.
Quick facts: Over 50% of native wildlife species found here are unique to the island, including the rare Kangaroo Island Dunnart. The island also boasts one of Australia's largest populations of wild koalas, alongside colonies of little penguins and sea lions.
Highlights: The island is famous for its striking pink granite rock formations at Remarkable Rocks, sculpted by centuries of wind and sea spray. Kangaroo Island offers a rare chance to spot elusive wildlife like glossy black cockatoos and echidnas in their natural habitats.
9. Blue Mountains National Park
Katoomba
Explore breathtaking cliffs and lush forests that refresh your spirit. Experience stunning vistas, vibrant wildlife, and peaceful hiking trails.
Quick facts: The park is known for its dramatic sandstone cliffs and waterfalls, shaped over millions of years by ancient rivers. Home to the world's steepest railway and vast eucalyptus forests, it's a nature lover's playground with abundant wildlife.
Highlights: Watching the sun cast golden hues over the famed Three Sisters rock formation creates a mesmerizing spectacle. Explore Jamison Valley's network of trails and discover tranquil fern gullies that offer a cool retreat on warm days.
10. Visit a local historic village
Step back to lively 19th-century village life with real actors and cobblestone streets. Experience hands-on crafts and carriage rides that make history pop!
Quick facts: Visitors can stroll through alive scenes of daily 19th-century village life with actors in period costumes bringing stories to life. Over 40 original buildings, from a bakery to a blacksmith shop, line the charming streets.
Highlights: Catch the dramatic horse-drawn carriage rides that clatter over authentic cobblestones, echoing sounds of the era. Artisan workshops offer hands-on craft demonstrations, like candle making, that truly immerse you in the past.
Where to Stay in Australia
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Popular Cities in Australia
Traditional Sweet Dishes
Pavlova
A crisp meringue shell with a marshmallow-like center, topped with whipped cream and fresh fruit, Pavlova is a national favorite and is often claimed by both Australia and New Zealand as its invention, though Australians widely celebrate it as a signature dessert.
Lamingtons
These sponge cake squares are dipped in chocolate and rolled in desiccated coconut, and they are so beloved that lamington drives and bake sales are a common fundraising tradition across Australia.
ANZAC Biscuits
Originally made to send to soldiers during World War I because the ingredients keep well, ANZAC biscuits are an oat and golden syrup cookie that has become a symbol of remembrance on Anzac Day.
Traditional Savory Dishes
Meat Pie
A hot hand-sized pastry filled with minced meat and gravy, the meat pie is a quintessential Australian comfort food, commonly enjoyed at sporting events and bakeries from coast to coast.
Sausage Roll
Flaky pastry wrapped around seasoned sausage meat, the sausage roll is a bakery staple and party classic, with Australians consuming millions every year at bakeries and gatherings.
Vegemite on Toast
Vegemite is a salty, umami-packed yeast extract spread first made in 1922, it is an iconic Australian breakfast item that many Australians spread thinly on buttered toast.
Traditional Beverages
Flat White
The flat white is a coffee drink with velvety microfoam and a stronger coffee to milk ratio than a latte, it emerged in Australia in the late 20th century and has since spread worldwide.
Bundaberg Ginger Beer
Brewed in Queensland and sold in distinctive stubby bottles, Bundaberg ginger beer is a popular non-alcoholic brewed soft drink known for its strong, real ginger flavor.
Lemon, Lime and Bitters
Often shortened to LLB, this refreshing mix of lemonade, lime cordial and a dash of bitters is a ubiquitous and beloved non-alcoholic drink served in cafes and bars across Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions about Australia
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Most popular day trips
Sydney
Harbour city with Opera House, Harbour Bridge and beaches.
Blue Mountains
Dramatic sandstone cliffs, eucalyptus forests and lookouts.
Rent a car in Australia
Getting there
Airports
Train stations
NSW TrainLink services to Sydney and regional routes
Sydney Trains, NSW TrainLink, interstate connections
V/Line, interstate rail and coach services
From Canberra Airport take a taxi, rideshare or frequent shuttle to the city center.
Click to get eSim for Australia
The easiest and most affordable way to get mobile internet wherever you travel.
Visa & entry
New Zealand
Most other countries; many travellers require an ETA or visitor visa
Check ETA/eVisitor eligibility online and apply before travel.
Comments (8)
Loved the coast but felt pricey for what you get, lots of tourist traps near main attractions. We spent more on food than planned.
Friendly people and safe vibe, even solo felt fine. Beaches crowded in high season, so consider shoulder months for calmer days.
Skip the main tourist strip for meals, walk two blocks inland to find cheaper, better restaurants. Eat where locals line up for takeaway.
Snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef was beautiful, but parts showed bleaching. Go for conservation tours, not mass operators.
Melbourne coffee and laneways legit, food scene kills it. Weather flips fast though, pack layers and expect a rainy afternoon.