5 must do’s in Australia – Are you eager to travel around Australia? And want to make it an unforgettable journey? Then I have some great tips for you. Everyone knows that Australia is known for the Sydney Opera House, The Great Ocean Road and the Uluru (Ayers Rock), but Australia is so much more.
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What to do in Australia
I have listed 5 fun activities spread throughout the different states of Australia, which I don’t think you should miss. Here we go, let’s travel to Queensland first.
1 – Snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef (Queensland)
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the most beautiful places in Australia, perhaps even in the world. In the east of Australia, near Cairns, but also for example in Airlie Beach, you can book several tours by boat to the Great Barrier Reef. During such a great tour there are several snorkelling moments to admire this enchanting underwater world. When the weather is clear it is really a fairytale. So many beautiful fish, it’s amazing to see.
I experienced this myself in 2012 when we departed from the port of Airlie Beach on a Catamaran. An experience for life. Although it wasn’t the sunniest weather for us and I didn’t have a good underwater camera at the time, I was already very surprised by what I saw swimming by. I will definitely go back again because I think snorkelling at the Great Barrier Reef is never boring. If you are also going to travel along the east coast of Australia, don’t forget to do this. Highly recommended!
2 – Wetland Cruise in the North of Australia (Northern Territory)
The Northern Territory is known for its national parks, but also for the many rivers that run through it. So is the Mary River, located a 1.5-hour drive from Darwin.
On this long river, you can make a Wetland Cruise, where you can stand eye to eye with crocodiles. I did the Sunset Cruise where you leave at half past 5 in the afternoon to enjoy the Australian wetlands for 2 hours.
A beautiful 2-hour tour where you can spot a lot of different water birds and where there is also a good chance that you will spot crocodiles. I found it myself one of the most beautiful tours I have done in recent years. For 2 hours you sit in amazement looking away and dreaming away through the impressive nature along the Mary River.
3 – Experience the Breakaways at sunset (South Australia)
Coober Pedy in South Australia is known for the extraction of opal and for its many underground dwellings such as houses, accommodations, shops and even churches. Due to the lack of trees and the roughness of the surroundings you really feel like you are in the outback.
But what many people don’t know are the Breakaways (or Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park). The Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park is a 25-minute drive from downtown Coober Pedy and is an absolute must-visit. If you go to the Breakaways, go around sunset just like us. We got this tip from a local, which we were very happy with afterwards. The spectacle of the sun with the mountains is really phenomenal. What a beautiful landscape!
Tip: to visit the Breakaways you don’t have to book a tour, provided you have a car.
4 – Sandboarding at Port Stephens (New South Wales)
Do you fancy a little more action and adrenaline? Then sandboarding might be for you. This is possible in several places in Australia, but I’d like to tip you around Port Stephens. Besides the fact that Port Stephens is a very nice place to stay, there are also beautiful dunes, where you can sandboard very well.
There are different heights of which you can board, so you can build it up slowly. Always make sure you have enough water with you and protection from the sun. Have you ever sandboarded?
Learn more about sandboarding in Port Stephens
5 – Hiking through the Adelaide Hills (South Australia)
The Adelaide Hills is an area I first became acquainted with at the end of last year. At a 15 minute drive from the centre of Adelaide, you will find this huge nature reserve.
We have chosen to hike towards Mount Lofty, the highest point of the Southern Mount Lofty Ranges. But you can also choose to go up on a mountain bike tour. Prepare for a tough climb, especially the last part you feel good in your legs.
Is hiking and mountain biking too sporty for you? Then you can also choose to discover Adelaide Hills in a different way. The area is also known for its wine and is regarded as Australia’s best wine-producing region. If you’re a wine lover, don’t miss a Winery Tour with Tastings.
More travel tips
50 top things to do in Sydney, Australia
What to do in Adelaide: our tips and experience
Darwin: the most beautiful places along the coast of Darwin
Cooinda Lodge Kakadu: sleeping in the middle of nature!
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Reporter Jesper
Exploring the world is something I love to do. My love for travel is huge. Discovering other cultures, being surprised by impressive landscapes, I love it! I like to be on a journey with my camera in my hands, to capture the most beautiful places in Australia and the world. On this travel blog I share my travel experiences with you. Will you travel with me?