12 Best Things To Do in Australia
Everything You Need To Know About Planning an Australian Vacation
By Hayley Simpson | Published: July 21, 2023 | Updated: February 12, 2026
Australia is a vast continent, encompassing beautiful beaches, sensational surf breaks, cosmopolitan cities and wacky wildlife. With this in mind, it can be difficult to determine the best things to do in Australia. So, our Aussie expert is here to share the top 12 things to do in Australia on vacation.
Key Takeaways: What To Do in Australia on Vacation
- ● Dive Into the Great Barrier Reef: Discover the world's largest reef system and living structure, stretching for over 1,400 miles off the Queensland coastline.
- ● Explore the Outback: Uluru — or Ayers Rock — is the Outback icon, at over 550 million years old.
- ● Head to Sydney: Visit Circular Quay, where you can climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge and enjoy a drink in the shadow of the Sydney Opera House.
- ● Hit the Surf: Make sure not to miss Bondi Beach in Sydney, Noosa in Queensland and Bells Beach in Victoria — where Aussie surfing began.
- ● See the World's Largest Sand Island: This is the world's largest sand island, so sink your feet into the white sand or go on an off-road four-wheel drive adventure along its wide shoreline.
- ● Meander Melbourne: Australia's cultural and sports capital boasts exceptional coffee, street art, sports stadiums and museums.
- ● Encounter the Animals: Approximately 80% of Australian animals, including Kangaroos and Koalas, are found nowhere else in the world.
- ● Drive the Great Ocean Road: Drive along 150 miles of gorgeous Victorian coastline and explore the 12 Apostles, a collection of limestone sea stacks.
- ● Visit World-Class Wine Regions: South Australia's Barossa Valley is famous for its bold red wines like shiraz, grenache and cabernet sauvignon.
- ● Witness the Whitsundays: Take a trip to Whitehaven Beach, which is frequently listed as one of the world's most beautiful beaches.
- ● Explore Kakadu National Park: Australia’s largest national park is a living cultural landscape, home to ancient Aboriginal rock art, wetlands alive with birdlife and sweeping escarpments.
- ● Daintree National Park: The Daintree is the world’s oldest rainforest and one of its most biodiverse.
- ● Book a cruise to Australia to jump into the most unique cultural and natural highlights the region has to offer.
1. Visit Nemo On The Great Barrier Reef
2. Explore The Outback
3. Set Your Sights On Sydney
4. Hit The Waves
5. Step Foot On The World's Largest Sand Island
6. Meander Melbourne
Similar to Sydney, there are endless things to do in Melbourne, Australia. Where Sydney brings the sunshine and surf, Melbourne is Australia's cultural and sports capital. Start your morning with a coffee from Dukes Coffee Roasters, then enjoy wandering down art-adorned laneways, eating dim sum in Chinatown, shopping along Chapel Street, watching the sunset from the Melbourne Skydeck or attending an AFL (Australian Football League or rugby) match at the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Grounds), Australia's largest sports stadium.
To soak in some of the cultures, visit the Melbourne Museum, where the Forest Gallery houses living trees and the Melbourne Gallery tells the story of the city and Phar Lap, a famous racehorse. To wrap up the evening, tour an exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) International or enjoy a live theater performance.
7. Enjoy An Iconic Aussie Animal Experience
Among the most unique things to do in Australia is visit the furry, scaly, feathery and downright strange locals. Approximately 80% of Australian animals are found nowhere else in the world. While you can see them at places like the Australia Zoo, there are unique animal experiences in the wild.
See wombats in Kangaroo Valley (we promise it's not a joke), share a beautiful beach with kangaroos at Lucky Bay or follow in Chris Hemsworth's footsteps to get your quokka (a plant-eating marsupial mammal about the size of a cat) selfie on Rottnest Island. Finally, swim with whale sharks — the world's largest fish and the sea's gentle giants — off Ningaloo Reef.
