Things to do in Australia
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FEATURED
Great Western Safari Northbound
21 days (Perth)
by Intrepid
Chill out on a Perth beach, Swim in turquoise rock pools at Karijini , Encounter dolphins in Monkey Mia, Tour through the wilds of Western Australia, Visit the…Not LP reviewed
from USD$4,080 - All things to do
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Healesville Sanctuary
One of the best places in southern Australia to see native fauna, this wildlife park is full of kangaroos, dingoes, lyrebirds, Tasmanian devils, bats, koalas, eagles, snakes and lizards. The Platypus House displays these shy underwater creatures that you'll rarely see in the wild, and the exciting Birds of Prey presentation (noon and 2pm daily) features huge wedge-tailed eagles and owls soaring through the air.
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Tallarook Reef Trips
Tallarook Reef sails to Tongue Reef in just under two hours (maximum 25 passengers).
The unrelenting surge of visitors to the Reef off Port Douglas has impacted on its general condition, and although you'll still see colourful corals and marine life, it has become patchy in parts. Reef trips generally include reef tax, snorkelling and transfers from your accommodation, plus lunch and refreshments. Add around A$200/around A$180 for an introductory/certified dive.
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Bronte Beach
A winning family-oriented beach hemmed in by sandstone cliffs and a grassy park, Bronte lays claims to the title of the oldest surf lifesaving club in the world (1903). Contrary to popular belief, the beach is named after Lord Nelson, who doubled as the Duke of Bronte (a place in Sicily), and not the famous literary sorority. There’s a kiosk and a changing room attached to the surf club, and outdoor seating near the coin-operated barbecues.
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Skyrail Rainforest Cableway Day Trip from Cairns
by Viator
Enjoy the tranquility of the rainforest as you soar above the canopy aboard the Skyrail on a day trip to Kuranda from Cairns. Choose from a variety of options…Not LP reviewed
from USD$153.30 -
Kings Park & Botanic Garden
The green hilltop crown of Kings Park & Botanic Garden is set amid 4 sq km of natural bushland. The garden boasts over 2000 Western Australian plant species, which bloom during the September Perth Wildflower Festival. The architect-designed Lotterywest Federation Walkway (admission free; 9am-5pm) is a broad 222m-long, glass-and-steel structure that allows you to walk among the treetops – it’s a highlight.
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Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
A 35-minute bus ride south of the city centre, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is set in attractive parklands beside the river. It is home to 130 or so koalas, as well as kangaroos, possums and wombats. The koalas are undeniably cute and most visitors readily cough up the $16 to have their picture taken hugging one.
To get here catch bus 430 ($4.70, 43 minutes, hourly), which leaves from the Queen St bus station. Alternatively, Mirimar II cruises to the sanctuary along the Brisbane River from North Quay, next to Victoria Bridge. It departs daily at 10am, returning from Lone Pine at 1.45pm.
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Mount Wellington Descent Cycling Tour departs Hobart
2 hours 30 minutes (Departs Hobart, Australia)
by Viator
Rising to a height of 1270 metres, The Mt Wellington Descent is by far the most fun and exciting activity if you only have limited time in Hobart. This…Not LP reviewed
from USD$78.21 -
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Aviation Museum
Darwin’s aviation museum, about 10km from the centre, is one for military aircraft nuts. The centrepiece is a mammoth B52 bomber, one of only a few of its kind displayed outside the USA, which has somehow been squeezed inside. It dwarfs the other aircraft, which include a Japanese Zero fighter shot down in 1942 and the remains of an RAAF Mirage jet that crashed in a nearby swamp. Free guided tours commence at 10am and 2pm.
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South Bank Parklands
This beautiful smear of green park, skirting the western side of the Brisbane River, is home to cultural attractions, fine eateries, small rainforests, hidden lawns and gorgeous flora. The standout attractions here are Streets Beach, a funky artificial beach resembling a tropical lagoon, and, behind the beach, Stanley Street Plaza, a renovated section of historic Stanley St, with shops, cafes and a tourist information centre.
On the eastern edge of the parklands is the Queensland Maritime Museum, which has a wide-ranging display of maritime adventures (and misadventures) along the coast. It's worth shelling out a little extra to tour the dry dock – the museum highlight is…
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East Point Reserve
North of Fannie Bay, this spit of land is particularly attractive in the late afternoon when wallabies emerge to feed and you can watch the sun set over the bay.
Lake Alexander, a small, recreational saltwater lake, was created so people could enjoy a swim year-round without having to worry about box jellyfish. There's a good children's playground here and picnic areas with barbecues. A 1.5km mangrove boardwalk leads off from the car park.
On the point's northern side is a series of WWII gun emplacements and the small but fascinating Darwin Military Museum. Video footage of Darwin Harbour being bombed is a sobering reminder of Australia's only wartime attack.
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Poseidon Reef Trips
The family-run Poseidon Reef suits fast day divers.
The unrelenting surge of visitors to the Reef off Port Douglas has impacted on its general condition, and although you'll still see colourful corals and marine life, it has become patchy in parts. Reef trips generally include reef tax, snorkelling and transfers from your accommodation, plus lunch and refreshments. Add around A$200/around A$180 for an introductory/certified dive.
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Old Melbourne Gaol
This forbidding monument to 19th-century justice is now a museum. It was built of bluestone in 1841, and was a prison until 1929. The tiny, bleak cells display plaster casts of some of the 130-plus people who were hanged here, a chilling 'by-product' of the era's obsession with phrenology. The last sound that legendary bushranger Ned Kelly heard was the clang of the trap here in 1880. His death mask, armour and history are on display. Book through Ticketekto join a Ghost Seekers Tour or go on the Hangman's Night Tour. Evening events are not recommended for children under 12.
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Casa Asturiana
Tapas is flavour of the decade in Sydney, but this atmospheric eatery under the monorail in Sydney’s chico Spanish Quarter predates the current trend. Order up plates of delicious seafood, meat and vegetarian titbits, washed down with a rough rioja, sangria or Asturian cider. If you’re in the mood for a cazuela (baked fish fillet), paella or even some weekend flamenco, you’re in luck.
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Australian National Botanic Gardens
Spread over 90 invigorating hectares on Black Mountain's lower slopes are these beautiful gardens, devoted to the growth, study and promotion of Australian floral diversity. While enjoying the gardens' tranquillity, take the Aboriginal Plant Use Walk (1km, 45 minutes), which passes through the cool Rainforest Gully. The Eucalypt Lawn is peppered with 600 species of this quintessential Aussie tree.
The visitors centre and bookshop is the departure point for free guided walks. Nearby is Hudsons in the Gardens, a pleasant cafe with a verdant aspect.
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Montague Foodstore
This sunlit café is the friendly, corner store gone gourmet. The Montague serves a range of breakfasts and lunches, incorporating its own breads, jams and relishes. The croque-monsieur (French-style toasted ham and cheese sandwich) will keep you going for days, or, if you insist on a healthier option, the wattle-seed granola is really good. Filled baguettes, salads, cakes and daily specials round out the selection.
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Ochre Restaurant
Red Ochre’s certainly creative with its dishes: expect goodies such as emu and vermicelli spring rolls, Australian antipasto, crocodile wanton and salt-and-native-pepper crocodile and prawns. It sounds good and it is good. The Australian game platter is $48 per person, while a slice of amazing wattleseed pavlova or quandong pie with macadamia crumble costs $14. Not sure if it’s Australian, but chocolate slut is also on the menu.
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Sarti Restaurant Bar
There’s a lot of ciao bella schmooze going on, but the menu doesn’t just flirt – it delivers. A joyful mix of the knowingly modern and rustically nostalgic: wild harvested venison is prettily parsed with pickled beetroot, celeriac puree and crispy beets or a perfect pistachio panna cotta is embellished with salted popcorn. Or a plate of pasta ($24) on the terrace makes for a soothing city lunch.
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Tiagarra
The absorbing displays here tell the story of Aboriginal culture in Tasmania from the time humans first crossed over the land bridge that's now under Bass Strait. There's a soberingly frank assessment of the decimation of Aboriginal society and culture at the time of European invasion. Outside, you can follow a trail around the headland to see Aboriginal rock carvings (petroglyphs); some are more than 10,000 years old.
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Walls of Jerusalem National Park
This isolated Central Plateau national park, part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, features glacial lakes and valleys, alpine flora and the rugged dolerite Mt Jerusalem (1459m). It’s a favourite of experienced bushwalkers with a lust for challenging, remote hiking. The most popular walk here is the full-day trek to the ‘Walls’; you can also camp in the park. National park fees apply.
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Bathers’ Pavilion
Spanish Mission–style architecture, harbour views and outstanding food collide at one of Sydney’s most enduringly popular restaurants. The seasonal menu focuses on produce from small local providers, with plenty of seafood; there’s also a full vegetarian menu. Under the same roof, Bathers’ Café opens for breakfast at 7am, serving equally scrumptious fare (including delicious pizza) at more democratic prices.
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Cafe Zest
This cafe-gallery fills a tiny crack between buildings, but its laid-back vibe and brilliant breakfasts more than compensate for any shortcomings in size. Baguettes and bagels are crammed with creative combos, or banish your hangover with some ‘Hells Eggs’: two potted eggs with tomato, capsicum and rosemary salsa, topped with grilled cheese and Tabasco sauce. Great coffee, arty staff, and vegetarian specials too.
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Cronulla
Cronulla is a beachy surf suburb south of Botany Bay, it’s looong surf beach stretching beyond the dunes to the Botany Bay refineries. It’s an edgy place, with dingy fish-and-chip shops, insomnious teens and a ragged sense of impending ‘something’, which in 2005 erupted into racial violence. The ’70s cult novel Puberty Blues captured the local teen scene.
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Isthmus Of Kra
This is where the local business community 'does lunch'. Specialising in Thai and Nonya cuisines, the Isthmus of Kra is a chance for business execs to show the clients they take to lunch how cosmopolitan their tastes are. The blue dumplings (dyed with butterfly-pea flowers) are sure to impress. In the evening, take some friends and choose from one of three banquet options. It's a good idea to book.
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Beaches
Up the coast, the beach options are varied and less crowded with fun beach breaks for surfing at Coledale and Bulli beaches and reef breaks at Sharkies (also at Coledale) and Headlands.
While Sharkies Beach is something of a misnomer in light of the minimal risk of meeting a finned friend here, surfers have occasionally come face to face with the odd humpback whale surfacing close to shore.
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Adelaide Botanic Garden
Meander, jog or chew through your trashy airport novel in these lush city-fringe gardens. Highlights include a restored 1877 palm house, the waterlily pavilion (housing the gigantic Victoria amazonica) and the fabulous steel-and-glass arc of the Bicentennial Conservatory, which recreates a tropical rainforest. Free 1½-hour guided walks depart the Schomburgk Pavilion at 10.30am daily.
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