Australia is a vast unique country full of beauty, unique landscapes, thousands of kilometres of stunning coastlines and places to visit. Have you put together your Australian Bucket List yet? If not, let us help you and if you have already, maybe we can inspire you to add a few more from our A – Z of the Best Australian Bucket List Experiences.
Related reading: Top Australia Cities and Towns for your Next Staycation
Let’s go!
A – Alice Springs 30 Minute Hot Air Balloon Ride
Float gently over the Australian Outback, the MacDonnell Ranges and the desert on your 30-minute hot air balloon ride. After landing you can enjoy tropical fruit and celebrate with sparkling wine. A hot air balloon ride at sunrise is one of the top things to do in Australia.
Book your exhilarating experience here
For the latest accommodation deals in Alice Springs – find out more information here
B – Broome Camel Ride at Sunset
Enjoy the sunset at beautiful Cable Beach on a 1-hour camel ride. Watch the sun sink into the Indian Ocean as you ride in the camel train by the water’s edge. Have the staff take photos for you as you feed your camel a carrot at the end of the ride.
Find out the latest accommodation deals in and around Broome here
Find out more Things To Do in Broome
C – Cradle Mountain Day Tour from Launceston
Get back to nature on a full-day, small group tour of Cradle Mountain National Park. Go for walks in the temperate rainforest, enjoy lunch at the historic Waldheim Chalet, and more.
D – Daintree Rainforest Mossman Gorge and Cape Tribulation
The tour includes:
Visit the stunning World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest, the Mossman Gorge, and Cape Tribulation on this day trip from Cairns or Port Douglas. Enjoy a Daintree River cruise and a tasty lunch.
Find out the latest hotel deals in Port Douglas here
Find out the latest hotel deals in Palm Cove Here
E – Skydeck Tickets With Optional Edge Experience Melbourne
Observe Melbourne from the Southern Hemisphere’s highest viewing deck, the Melbourne Skydeck. Add a virtual reality experience or step out onto the Edge and be suspended over transparent glass.
Find out more on the latest accommodation deals in Melbourne here
F – Fitzroy Island Full Day Trip
If you are on a budget this is the best way to explore Fitzroy Island from Cairns departing at 9 am from the Cairns Marina on board the Fitzroy Island Ferry. Fitzroy Island is an unspoilt tropical paradise of rainforest and beaches within the calm sheltered waters of the Great Barrier Reef. Fitzroy Island is a National Park, discover spectacular walking trails, abundant marine life, and local wildlife.
Your tour includes:
- Return ferry tickets for the 45-minute journey
- 6 hours on the island
- Specify whether you would like to order a hot or cold lunch on booking (extra costs)
- Activities include snorkelling, glass-bottom boat tours, kayaking, island adventures and much more.
- Departure time 9.00 am
If you want to stay on Fitzroy Island find out more details here
Related reading: Where to stay in Palm Cove
G – Great Barrier Reef Sailing Cruise
One of Australia’s top bucket list experiences is sailing around the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland.
Your tour includes:
- full-day Great Barrier Reef Sailing Cruise with visits to two outer reef locations
- snorkelling tuition
- hot and cold tropical buffet lunch
- guided snorkel tour
- morning tea with coffee tea and muffins
- afternoon tea with a cheese platter
- scuba diving demonstration
- wetsuits in winter and stinger suits in summer
Extras not included:
- reef levy fee
- transfers
- introductory and Certified scuba diving
Timings: check-in at 7.15 am for an 8.00 am departure, return at 5.00 pm from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal
Find our deals on accommodation in Cairns here
H – Hunter Valley NSW Hot Air Balloon Flight
Soar high over the Hunter Valley and its vineyards at sunrise on a hot air balloon flight. Included in this incredible Hunter Valley experience is a gourmet champagne breakfast at the Peterson House Winery & Restaurant.
Duration: 1-hour balloon flight
Find out the latest Hunter Valley accommodation deals here
I – Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk
A 1.5-hour walk through the Illawarra Rainforest 45 m high above the rainforest floor. Outstanding views over the Illawarra escarpment. Suitable for all ages. Don’t forget your camera.
Open weekends only from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm – last entry at 3.00 pm. Allow 1 hour for your visit.
Looking for boutique accommodation nearby in Moss Vale – check out The Nunnery Boutique Hotel here
Check out more accommodation in Bowral in the Southern Highlands here
J – Jervis Bay NSW Whale Watching Tour
Experience a whale-watching cruise from mid-May to mid-November. Witness the majestic beauty of migrating humpback whales. Enjoy fantastic scenery and commentary along the way.
Find out more information on the latest accommodation deals in Jervis Bay here
Jervis Bay can be included in a road trip from Sydney to Canberra via the South Coast of NSW.
K – Kangaroo Island Full-Day Tour from Adelaide
Return travel from Adelaide and Glenelg by coach and ferry to Kangaroo Island. This is a popular Adelaide experience. Visit Seal Bay Conservation Park for a guided beach walk, enjoy a two-course lunch at Vivonne Bay Bistro, visit Flinders Chase National Park including visits to Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch, at Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park see the kangaroos and koalas. Additional costs are holding a koala.
Tours depart at 6.45 am from Adelaide Central Bus Station 85 Franklin Street Adelaide and return at 10.40 pm.
Find out the latest accommodation deals in Adelaide here
L – Lane Vineyard: Gathering Experience
Take a seat and enjoy a miniature wine tasting that showcases the harmony between The Lane Vineyard’s estate wines and restaurant menu. Discover the flagship Estate range thoughtfully paired with an amuse-bouche by the chef. Take in the views of the Mount Lofty Ranges as you enjoy wine and the beautiful estate.
Find out information on accommodation deals in Adelaide here
Related reading – 6 of the Best Barossa Valley Winery Accommodation
M – Murray River Highlights and Luncheon Cruise
Relax on this luncheon cruise along the historic Murray River. Discover the unique landscape and make a stop to visit Melba’s Chocolate Factory and Woodside Cheese Wrights on the way back.
Find out more information on the latest accommodation deals in Echuca here
N – Ningaloo Reef – Whale Shark Swim and Catamaran Cruise
Explore Ningaloo Reef on a 55 ft sailing catamaran. Swim with whale sharks and come face to face with many marine life including dugongs, sea turtles, dolphins, tropical fish and even manta rays. Snorkel equipment is included.
Enjoy complimentary transfers from your accommodation in Exmouth and morning and afternoon tea and a buffet lunch.
Tours operate from March through to July.
Find out the latest information on accommodation deals in Exmouth here
O – Otway National Park – The Apostles and the Great Ocean Road
A Melbourne Bucket List experience is taking a full-day tour from the city where you can hike through the ancient rainforest of the Great Otway National Park, view in awe the 12 Apostles and travel the Great Ocean Road. During the day tour a visit to Kennett River, Apollo Bay and Bells Beach completes a full day of exploration touring the Great Ocean Road.
The tour operates daily except Wednesdays.
Related reading: Where to Stay in Melbourne
P – Phillip Island Penguins Day Tour
Discover some of Australia’s most well-loved creatures on a bus tour from Melbourne to Phillip Island to see the beloved Penguin Parade. See the best of Victoria’s nature and wildlife at the Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park, getting up close to its animals and learning about them.
During the day, get up close and personal with the friendly residents of the Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park, where you can hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies, have your photo taken with a koala, and learn about the conservation of these lovable native animals. While at the sanctuary, see some lesser-known, but equally adorable, endangered species, including the Southern Bettong, Eastern Quolls and rare Fluffy Gliders.
Visit the stunning Cape Woolamai surf beach (time permitting) and the Nobbies before arriving at Summerland Beach for the nightly Penguin Parade. Home to Victoria’s largest colony of little penguins, Summerland Beach provides a spectacular backdrop to the world-famous Penguin Parade. Watch as hundreds of little penguins make their way across the beach and through the sand dunes to their burrows. Come and enjoy the beauty and native wildlife of Phillip Island and make this a journey to remember.
Related reading: Where to Stay in Melbourne
Q – Queen Victoria Flavours of Australia’ Food Tour
Explore Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne on a guided tour and taste some of the most delicious foods of Australia. Enjoy an early-access tour and beat the crowds, so you can enjoy the most unique flavours of the market and chat with the friendly local vendors.
Begin your Queen Victoria Market adventure by indulging in an exquisite selection of Australian cheese at a multi award-winning delicatessen. There is nothing else like it in on this planet and we guarantee, you’ll remember it forever! As the market stirs to life with the morning buzz, connect with the passionate local vendors whose stories & love for their produce will ignite your senses.
Continue your walk through the vibrant stalls of the Dairy Hall, soaking up the sights, smells, and tastes of spices, teas, freshly baked bread, edible tree bark, artisan oils, and more before moving into the Meat & Seafood section. Here you’ll recreate a recipe from a Masterchef TV judge that blends the earth with the sea and literally ‘pops’ in your mouth.
Next, head to the fruit and vegetable sheds where you’ll witness a honey experiment that’s the ‘bees knees’, before tasting some unique flavour combinations with a native Australian nut at its core. Finish your tour with a Melbourne coffee fix in a gorgeous local providore/café by day that segues into a European-inspired cocktail bar by night. Cheers to that!
Find out more information here on the latest accommodation deals in Melbourne
R – Rottnest Island – Perth Day Tour Including Bike and Snorkel Hire
Travel by ferry from Perth to Rottnest Island departing at 8.45 am and returning at 5.00 pm from the Barrack St Jetty in Perth. Your day tour includes:
- Ferry tickets
- Rottnest Island Admission Fees
- All snorkelling equipment
- Bike hire with helmet
- Hotel transfers
- Swan River Cruise with commentary from Perth only
- Guided quokka walk
- explore the secluded bays and wonderful beaches
- see fish and colourful marine life
- have a picnic lunch
- Take a tour up to Oliver Hill on the Captain Hussey, view relics to the Rottnest Museum, Lomas Cottage and Pilot Boat House
- Splash and slide on the floating aqua park in Thomson Bay
Find out information here on accommodation deals on Rottnest Island
Find out the latest information on accommodation deals in Perth here
S – Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb
A top bucket list Sydney experience is a Sydney Harbour Bridge climb. Book tickets direct here.
Are you looking for accommodation in Sydney? Find out more here.
T – Taronga Zoo sydney – top bucket List Sydney experience
If you haven’t been to Taronga Zoo in Sydney now is the time to visit. its location on the Sydney Harbourfront is the best in the world. One of the best exhibits for that Sydney photo is the Giraffe enclosure. Watch the koalas sleep and eat in their own special enclosure and watch the antics of the meerkats and more.
There are various ways to visit Taronga Zoo:
Taronga Zoo and Ferry Pass with Sky Safari – book here
Taronga Zoo General Admission Tickets – book here
Taronga Zoo Entry and Return Ferry Combo – book here
Find out more about hotels in Sydney here
U – Uluru Morning Guided Base Walk With Breakfast
Our Australian Bucket List experience when we can travel again is the Uluru Sunrise Base Walk with breakfast.
Departing 1 hour before sunrise to head to Uluru for a 10.5 km guided base walk. After breakfast, we visit the Kuniya Piti a sacred Uluru site where we learn about the Anangu, the inhabitants of Uluru and their beliefs, laws and stories.
We will then embark on the Mala Walk and visit the Kantju Gorge before heading along the Lungkata Walk and visiting the Mutitjulu Waterhole.
Your tour finishes around 11.00 – 11.30 am.
Book your Uluru experience here
If you need accommodation in Uluru check out the latest deals and availability here
If you need accommodation in Alice Springs check out the latest deals and availability here
V – Victor Harbour Southern Ocean Adventure Cruise
A 90-minute wildlife and whale discovery tour from Victor Harbour in South Australia. The Duck Ship departs from Granite Island Causeway to north Granite Island, Seal Rocks, Wright Island and The Bluff, West Island and then returns back. Along the way, you will see New Zealand Fur Seals, Australian Sea Lions, seabirds, dolphins and whales (when in season).
Daily departures at 11.00 am and 2.00 pm from the Main Wharf, 1 Esplanade, Victor Harbour
Book your Victor Harbour experience in Australia here
If you need accommodation in Victor Harbour – click here for the latest deals and availability
W – Wirra Wirra Lunch and McLaren Vale Winery Tour
Visit the Wirra Wirra Vineyards in McLaren Vale, one of the popular wineries in the McLaren Vale region. There you will enjoy a 3.5-hour wine tasting and a 2-course lunch. You will also learn about the techniques that Wirra Wirra use in their winemaking. The tour also includes tasting five of Wirra Wirra’s best wines complemented with a regional chocolate platter.
Operates Monday to Friday at 11.00 am.
Looking for accommodation in the Mclaren Vale region – click here for more details
Need accommodation in Adelaide – check out the latest deals here
X – XXXX Brewery and Alehouse Tour
For the top Brisbane Experience enjoy a XXXX Brewery and Alehouse Tour where you can enjoy tasting several beers from the 135-year-old brewery. Learn the history and the process behind making Queensland best beers.
Tours run for 90-minutes six days a week; Monday to Friday at 11.00 am, 1.00 pm, 3.00 pm and 5.00 pm and Saturdays at every half hour from 11.00 am to 2.00 pm.
Book your beer experience here
Want to experience more things to do in Brisbane? Check out 100 things to do in Brisbane here.
Need accommodation in Brisbane – find out about the latest deals and availability here
Y – Yarra Valley Hot Air Balloon Flight
What could be better than a bucket list adventure soaring over the Yarra Valley at sunrise in a hot air balloon? An option is to enjoy the gourmet champagne breakfast at Balgownie Estate.
Tours depart from Balgownie Estate 1.5 hours before sunrise.
Book your once in a lifetime Yarra Valley experience here
Would you like to stay in the Yarra Valley – find out more about accommodation deals and availability here
Z – Zoo General Admission Tickets at Australia Zoo
Purchase your tickets in advance for Australia Zoo and skip the queues.
Australia Zoo is one of the top Sunshine Coast attractions and is known as Australia’s top zoo.
Highlights:
- The Crocoseum – Check out our resident Masters of Ceremonies doing their thing during the wildlife shows, as well as a whole host of crazy and hilarious characters
- Tiger Temple – Home to our majestic Sumatrans and Bengal tigers, the Tiger Temple provides an amazing opportunity for you to get up-close with these magnificent big cats
- Africa – Crikey! It’s as wild as life gets at Australia Zoo’s new open range exhibit – Africa. Stage one is now open and you can see the only multi-species African exhibit in Queensland
- Witness the wonderful team of vets as they treat and rehabilitate injured, sick or orphaned wildlife at Wildlife Hospital, one of the largest and busiest wildlife hospitals in the world
Do you need accommodation in Brisbane? Click here for the latest deals and availability.
Conclusion
We hope you have enjoyed the best things to do in Australia. What will be your next bucket list experience? Australia has so many fun things to do and more activities and adventures are added each year.
Please share with your family and friends and we would love to hear from you if you have enjoyed any of our experiences.
More travel inspirations for your next Staycation in Australia:
Join us on our Facebook Group for more travel inspirations.
We are also on Instagram – subscribe here.
Join our Youtube Channel here.
We are on Pinterest. Are you? Join our Staycation in Australia travel boards here.
