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Things to do in Australia

With its imitable mix of nature, culture, and laid-back coastal cool, there's far more to Australia than koalas and kangaroos—although they're pretty great, too. The cosmopolitan style and iconic cityscape of Sydney and its opera house don't compromise the quality of Bondi Beach, a hotspot for both surfing and sunbathing. In Melbourne, the cutting-edge culinary scene and nearby vineyards are top draws for foodies, while in Cairns, opportunities to spot wildlife in tropical rain forests or the Coral Sea abound. If you're a thrill seeker, climb Sydney Harbour Bridge, take a hot-air balloon over Alice Springs, or go scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef. Nature lovers, on the other hand, might prefer to visit Adelaide's Kangaroo Island, watch dolphins at Port Douglas, or snorkel alongside tropical marine life on Fraser Island. And, if you're after unique and spectacular sights, you'll be spoilt for choice in the Land Down Under; natural wonders and World Heritage sites include the Twelve Apostles on the Great Ocean Road, Ayers Rock in Uluru (best seen on a sunrise tour), and the imposing Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains. And if that's not enough, flightseeing tours of the Whitsunday Islands, excursions to Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory, and a ride on Melbourne's colonial tramcar restaurant should also be added to your Aus itinerary.

Top 15 attractions in Australia

#1

Great Barrier Reef

Great Barrier Reef

14,804

Encompassing roughly 3,000 individual reefs and dotted with almost 900 islands and coral cays (small sandy isles), Australia's Great Barrier Reef is one of the world’s most unforgettable natural treasures. Snorkelers and certified divers flock here to see the unparalleled array of marine life.More

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#2

Sydney Harbour

Sydney Harbour

8,355

With the iconic silhouette of the Sydney Opera House and the dramatic arch of Sydney Harbour Bridge etched against a backdrop of the glittering ocean and soaring skyscrapers, Sydney Harbour is Australia’s quintessential postcard image. The harbor, the natural heart of Sydney, features more than 150 miles (240 kilometers) of coastline lined with golden beaches, lush gardens, and vibrant neighborhoods.More

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#3

Sydney Opera House

Sydney Opera House

11,144

A world-class performing arts venue and iconic Australian landmark, the Sydney Opera House—with its distinctive Jorn Utzon design—defines the Sydney Harbour district. Distinguished by soaring halls with a white ceramic–tiled exterior shaped to evoke the sails of a yacht, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a must-see Sydney attraction and a popular stop on most city tours.More

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#4

Sydney Harbour Bridge

Sydney Harbour Bridge

10,747

Few sights are as instantly recognizable as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the grand centerpiece of Sydney Harbour and one of Australia's most photographed landmarks. The historic structure dates to 1932 and is among the world's largest steel arch bridges. It's also an important transport hub, linking downtown with the north shore, Manly, and Sydney's northern beaches.More

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#5

Brisbane River

Brisbane River

2,982

The Brisbane River winds its way through the heart of the city, from the neighborhoods of South Brisbane all the way to Moreton Bay. The river is also a center of local life, and residents and visitors alike enjoy the many waterfront parks and landmarks, riverside walks, and sightseeing cruises.More

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#6

Featherdale Wildlife Park

Featherdale Wildlife Park

7,479

Located just outside Sydney, Featherdale Wildlife Park is home to one of the largest collections of Australian wildlife anywhere in the world. Visitors can see and learn about the park’s 1,700 native Aussie critters, including koalas, kangaroos, echidnas, saltwater crocodiles, emus, and some of the world’s most venomous snakes.More

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#7

Great Ocean Road

Great Ocean Road

4,361

One of the world's most famous driving routes, Victoria's Great Ocean Road offers scenic surprises at every fork in the road. In signature Australian style, endless stretches of white sandy beaches are flanked by dense pockets of rain forest, charming coastal towns, and canopies populated by koalas.More

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#8

Swan River

Swan River

3,407

The liquid heart of Perth, the Swan River touches many of the city’s neighborhoods on its way to the Indian Ocean. The river passes through the Swan Valley wine region, Perth’s Central Business District and affluent suburbs, and the port city of Fremantle, and there are lots of recreational opportunities on the banks and in the water.More

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#9

Lake McKenzie

Lake McKenzie

3,002

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Fraser Island (K’gari, the largest sand island in the world, is filled with natural wonders and Lake McKenzie is one of its most wonderful. Also known as Boorangoora, the strikingly blue water of Lake McKenzie makes it the most visited of the island’s freshwater lakes and its most popular swimming location.More

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#10

Bondi Beach

Bondi Beach

3,224

As Australia’s most famous beach—and the star of its own reality TV show, Bondi Rescue—Bondi Beach delivers with its crescent of golden sand, crashing waves, and crowds of bronzed sunseekers. Just minutes from downtown Sydney, this is the spot to work on your tan, hit the waves, sip cocktails at a beachside bar, or hike along coastal cliffs.More

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#11

Moreton Island

Gheebulum Kunungai (Moreton Island )

879

With its miles of sun-bleached sandy beaches, towering dunes, shimmering lagoons, and pockets of wild bushland, Gheebulum Kunungai (Moreton Island) feels a world away from nearby Brisbane. A national park and among the largest sand island in the world, Moreton Island makes for a perfect day trip when you want to get in touch with nature.More

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#12

Rottnest Island

Rottnest Island

1,577

Fringed with rocky coves, white sandy beaches, and sun-soaked shores, Rottnest Island’s natural pleasures are numerous—whale-watching, snorkeling, hiking and wildlife spotting along the coast, and taking in the ocean sunsets. At less than an hour from Perth, Rottnest Island, or “Rotto,” makes for an idyllic retreat from the city.More

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#13

Uluru (Ayers Rock)

Uluru (Ayers Rock )

1,815

A gigantic monolith of rust-red rock looming over the desert plains of the Australian Outback, Uluru (Ayers Rock) is more than just a postcard icon—it’s the cultural, spiritual, and geographical heart of Australia, one of its most impressive natural wonders, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.More

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#14

Tamborine National Park

Tamborine National Park

808

Located in the Gold Coast Hinterlands, Tamborine National Park is known for its natural beauty, rich biodiversity, and breathtaking views over the Gold Coast and the Pacific Ocean to the east and the Scenic Rim to the west. Queensland’s first national park, Tamborine is a popular destination for locals and visitors alike.More

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#15

Bruny Island

Bruny Island

4,069

Less than an hour from the Tasmanian capital and yet a world away from the busy streets of Hobart, Bruny Island draws a steady stream of weekenders from the mainland. North and South Bruny, joined by a long narrow isthmus, are a wildlife haven of jagged cliffs and golden beaches swirling with seabirds. Both are dotted with sleepy villages and tranquil guesthouses, and offer activities including hiking, fishing, and slurping fresh-from-the-ocean oysters.More

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People Also Ask

What is Australia famous for?

Australia is a country famous for its unique and often dangerous wildlife, endless supply of sand beaches, the famous Great Barrier Reef, beautiful red deserts, cosmopolitan cities, relaxed attitude, and fondness for beer and barbecue.

What should you not miss in Australia?

In a country as large and remote as Australia, there’s never enough time to see everything. Places in Australia not to miss include the Great Barrier Reef, the city of Sydney, Victoria’s surfing-friendly coast, and Red Centre attractions such as Uluru and Kata Tjuta.

What is the number one tourist attraction in Australia?

The number one attraction in Australia, in terms of visitors, is the Sydney Opera House, which opened in 1973 and sees more than 10 million visitors a year. The sail-like space is cited as a masterpiece of 20th-century architecture.

What activities is Australia known for?

Popular activities in Australia take advantage of the country’s size and natural resources. Top visitor pastimes include surfing at its beaches, snorkeling and diving in the Great Barrier Reef, and road tripping through the Outback.

What are things you can only do in Australia?

Only in Australia can you get a selfie with a quokka on Rottnest Island, share a deserted beach with kangaroos at Lucky Bay, learn about Aboriginal traditions and culture in the Red Centre, and explore the world’s largest reef at the Great Barrier Reef.

Which part of Australia is most beautiful?

Australia’s diversity is one of its greatest features, but many would say that the most beautiful part of Australia is northern Queensland, owing to the picture-perfect shores of Whitehaven Beach (and others), the endless rainforest of the Daintree, and the famous underwater marvels of the Great Barrier Reef.