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Home/Destinations/Australia & New Zealand/Australia/Travel Guide/Top 5 Australian Bucket List Travel Experiences

Top 5 Australian Bucket List Travel Experiences

Australia is a top bucket list destination for all types of travellers. Blessed with abundant natural beauty, stunning beaches, and unique wildlife, the country beckons nature enthusiasts, honeymooners, and families by the droves. A road trip along the scenic Great Ocean Road, endless walking and cycling trails, and enthralling 4WD safaris ignite the adventurer in you. Australia's major cities offer awe-inspiring architecture, a multicultural vibe, and mouth-watering culinary experiences. With a wide range of accommodations to suit all budgets, Australia is accessible to travellers from all over the world.

When planning your Aussie vacation, you may want to include these travel experiences, which routinely feature on bucket lists.

Woman sitting out in the meadows in Australia feeding wild Kangaroos
Woman sitting out in the meadows in Australia feeding wild Kangaroos

1. The Great Barrier Reef

No surprises here! The Great Barrier Reef's breathtaking coral gardens, diverse marine life, and vibrant underwater world make it immensely popular among locals and tourists alike. On a day cruise, you can dive, snorkel, or marvel at the corals in a glass bottom boat. Use Cairns as a convenient base for your reef adventures and for exploring other popular spots like Michaelmas Cay, Mooe Reef, Green Island, and Hastings Reef.

2. Kuranda Scenic Railway

The Kuranda Scenic Railway is a tourist railway service operating along the Cairns to the Kuranda rainforest village via Freshwater. It passes by spectacular rainfalls and into the stunning Barron Gorge. Rising from the sea level to over 1,000 ft (304 m), the journey offers breathtaking views of the lush rainforest and natural beauty. Kuranda station is famous for its tropical gardens and historic charm. It is one of the most photographed railway stations globally.

3. Brisbane

The capital of Queensland offers a wide range of relaxing and exciting activities. Stroll around South Bank Parklands, the city's premier lifestyle and cultural destination, visit the Queensland Museum, walk along the picturesque Brisbane Riverwalk, picnic at New Farm Park, kayak down the Brisbane River, and scale the Story Bridge on an adventure climb. Visit the Australian Zoo, set up by Terri Irwin and the late Steve Irwin, Crocodile Hunter, and feed wild dolphins by hand at Tangalooma Island Resort.

Uluru Dawn Northern Territory
Uluru Dawn Northern Territory

4. Red Centre in the Northern Territory

An Aussie outback experience at the Red Centre, consisting of Alice Springs, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, and Kings Canyon region, is not to be missed. Witness the gorgeous outback sunsets, explore ancient Aboriginal culture, take a sunrise camel ride, camp under the stars, marvel at the incredible red rock formations of Uluru and Kata Tjuta, and spend a night at the Field of Light with a sunset bush BBQ dinner. 

5. Sydney Icons: The Sydney Harbour Bridge & Sydney Opera House

You can't visit Australia and not see Sydney Harbour. The Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of the iconic landmarks in the city. Make sure to climb to the top for stunning views of the city. Enjoy a drink at a waterfront bar, soaking in the harbour views and electric atmosphere around you. Do what tourists and locals love: take a ferry ride and enjoy the sights along the way. Another Australian icon, the Sydney Opera House, is located to the south side of the harbour, east of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. You can join a harbour sightseeing cruise to view the iconic building or take a tour of the building to explore its world-famous design and learn about its history.

Remember, these are just a few of the many activities you can enjoy on a trip to Australia. Explore Goway's Australia vacations to find one that suits your requirements.

What do the experts say?

Erin Hutchinson

Erin Hutchinson

Destination Specialist
Learn More About This Expert
Tasmania is under the radar for many travelers, but it’s great for hikes, natural landscapes and now modern art!
Erin Hutchinson

Erin Hutchinson

Destination Specialist
Learn More About This Expert
Sydney and Melbourne are a great combination for first-time visitors to Australia, with Brisbane, Adelaide and/or the Outback added in, depending on how much time you have. Returnees should take in Perth, Darwin and the Kakadu National Park area and/or Tasmania if they can, plus spend some time in the cities they loved the first time around
Erin Hutchinson

Erin Hutchinson

Destination Specialist
Learn More About This Expert
It might sound cliche, but you really can visit year-round. Australia is a big country, so there is always somewhere with amazing weather!
Alice Teramoto

Alice Teramoto

Destination Specialist
Learn More About This Expert
Goway’s trips to Australia are not stock itineraries. We can put together trips of a few weeks or a few months, allowing you to see as much of the land Downunder as you can. And we offer a mix of travel options, from self-drives to train journeys to long stays.
Alice Teramoto

Alice Teramoto

Destination Specialist
Learn More About This Expert
Goway has partnerships with many unique inns and hotels in Australia. Among the most memorable are Qualia on Hamilton Island, Longitude 131 at Uluru and Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island.

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