Things to Do in Australia

Located within Windjana Gorge National Park, the Lillimooloora ruins are all that are left of the Lillimooloora Homestead and Police Station.

Built in 1884, the sandstone ruins are all that remains of the Lillimooloora Homestead. Lillimooloora became famous in the 1890s as a battle erupted in the Kimberly over the rights to the Bunuba lands. As white settlers took over land for farming purposes, the local Aboriginal people were forced into labour as their hunting grounds and sacred sites were destroyed. 

In 1894, an Aboriginal tracked named Jandamarra "Pigeon" shot and killed a white policeman, stole arms, and freed 17 Aboriginal prisoners, becoming an outlaw who fought against the European settlers for three years before he was killed at Tunnel Creek. 

Today, the police station remains only as four ruined sandstone walls and a floor of uneven flagstones. Sitting on a plain with cliffs rising behind them, the ruins seem out of place in the wild surroundings, giving visitors a sense of the struggle felt by settlers as they tried to conquer the land, and the local Aboriginal people as they tried to save it.

Everyone knows that the Australian mainland has swaths of wide-open desert, but it’s the southern coast of Kangaroo Island that has the most impressive system of sand dunes. Here, in the area known as “Little Sahara,” wind-sculpted dunes and shifting white ridgelines stretch out for a full square mile, with the tallest dunes rising to over 250 feet above the nearby ocean.

For as naturally gorgeous as they appear, however, the real fun in Little Sahara is in climbing the dunes, taking in the view, and then flying down the soft white slopes while strapped to a sandboard or toboggan. Much like snowboarding or riding a sled, sandboarding provides an adrenaline rush without the icy hard landing, and you can make tracks down the side of a dune in only your bathing suit or board shorts. Sandboards, however, aren’t the only tracks that you’ll find imprinted on the dunes, as early morning visitors will often find wildlife has left behind footprints in the night. Since the sea of sand dunes is devoid of shade and the sun can be scorching in summer, it’s only a short drive to Vivonne Bay and its famously turquoise waters. Not only can you cool down at one of Australia’s nicest beaches after a visit to Little Sahara—but also wash off all of the sand from high-speed tumbles in the dunes.

One of the best places to spot native Australian animals is the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, which has been devoted to wildlife conservation since 1927. As well as being the oldest and largest koala sanctuary in the country with more than 130 resident koalas, the sanctuary is home to kangaroos, wombats, emus, dingoes, Tasmanian devils, and platypus.

The easiest way to visit the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is on a half- or full-day tour from Brisbane, and options include a standard entrance pass or one with extra wildlife experiences. For added value, opt for a Gold Coast Attraction Pass, which includes activities such as Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, jet boating, and whale watching; or combine Koala Sanctuary admission with a Brisbane sightseeing tour or Brisbane River cruise. 

The koala sanctuary is 7 miles (11 kilometers) southwest of central Brisbane, about 15 minutes away by road. Local buses and taxis run to the sanctuary, and you can also visit by boat from Brisbane on an 80-minute cruise along the Brisbane River. Onsite parking is free, and there’s a taxi stand at the main entrance.  

The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is open daily, year-round. Given its busy daily schedule of talks and events, it’s best to plan your day in advance. High temperatures and large crowds mean you may need to allow more time when visiting in summer, but that’s when seasonal events and demonstrations are more frequent. 

Lone Pine offers add-on wildlife experiences for additional fese, allowing visitors to interact with the park’s animals under the supervision of experienced handlers. Animal lovers can pose for a photo with a koala, take a dingo for a walk, hand-feed kangaroos, or handle a python. There’s also the chance to feed local barn animals at the sanctuary, which works under the regulations of the Queensland National Park and Nature Reserve Office. Additional highlights include zookeeper talks and demonstrations, a bird of prey flight show, a sheepdog display, and an open-air cinema in summer.

A visit to Western Australia wouldn’t be complete without an adrenaline-infused ride across the Lancelin Sand Dunes. Rolling hills of textured, white sand provide the landscape for your next sand surfing adventure. Thrill seekers rejoice, these dunes span more than a mile (2 kilometers) — the largest in Western Australia! Navigate the steep sand bumps and curves in a dirt bike, off-road vehicle or sandboard. Once you make it to the peaks you’ll bask in panoramic views of Lancelin, including vast farmland, sweeping sand dunes and refreshing coastline. Visit during dawn or dusk for killer scenery.

The famous wax museum, Madame Tussauds, with its incredibly life-like wax figures of famous people, can be found all over the world. Sydney was added to the list when this location opened its gates in 2012.

Now, Australians and visitors from all over the world can take the opportunity to stand next to their favorite glitz and glamour star. From TV personalities, famous sport players, musicians, actors and A-List celebrities to world leaders, scientists and the key players in world histor –the wax museum lets visitors meet a wide range of personalities from different fields and time periods. 

 

In addition to international celebrities such as Angelina Jolie, Barack Obama and Michael Jackson, Madame Tussauds in Sydney also makes an effort to include local personalities. The history zone is filled with founders and well-known names from the times of colonial Australia. In addition, next to Kylie Minogue, you can also find the stars of the Australian sports and media scene. 

Reaching depths of nearly 700 feet, not only is Lake St Clair the deepest lake in Australia, it may very well be the most beautiful. Set at an elevation of 2,400 feet, this cobalt lake and its forest-lined shores make up the aquatic pearl of Tasmania’s Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park. The distant peak of Mt Olympus towers above the shoreline as visitors dip their toes in the cool waters,. Though not as tall as the park’s Mt Ossa (which, at 5,400 feet, is the tallest mountain in Tasmania), the jagged spire of Mt Olympus manages to dominate the lakeshore’s skyline.

Besides the lake, the entire area is famous for housing some of the best hikes on the island. The six-day Overland Trail has its southern terminus here at Lake St Clair, and hikers who have just completed the 40-mile trail are often found on the ferry that crosses from Narcissus Bay to Cynthia Bay. Travelers just visiting for the day can spend an hour walking the lakeshore trails or tackle a six-hour backcountry journey into the surrounding Tasmanian wilderness. Since track conditions change frequently, the first stop should always be at the informative Lake St Clair Visitor Center, where not only will you get information on current trail conditions and closures, but also find exhibits on early settlers and original Aboriginal inhabitants. At the end of your hike, fire up the BBQ at the Cynthia Bay campground, wash your feet in the refreshing waters and watch as the fading afternoon sun drapes Mt Olympus in shadows.

Northwestern Tasmania has some of Australia’s most stunning wilderness scenery, although much of it is only accessible by hiking for multiple days at a time. At spectacular Leven Canyon, however, just minutes from the town of Nietta, experiencing this miraculous, mountainous majesty is as easy as taking a 20 minute stroll through pristine Australian bush. Located in Leven Canyon Reserve, Leven Canyon is a forested cleft that drops nearly 1,000 vertical feet to the Leven River below. At Cruickshanks Lookout, walk from the parking lot out to a platform that hangs out over the canyon, and offers a sweeping, panoramic view of the Leven Canyon Basin. Straight ahead is Black Bluff, a tree-covered mountain that at 4,400 ft. is often snowcapped in winter, and while visitors with even the slightest fear of heights might get nervous out on the platform, the epic view and fresh mountain air make the entire experience worth it. To complete the loop trail back to the car, continue on the aptly named Forest Stairs, where nearly 700 stairs link up with a trail that loops its way back to the parking lot. For a completely different vantage point, hike the Canyon Floor walk to the rushing Leven River, where you can continue on for 30 more minutes to the scenic Devil’s Elbow. Here you’re immersed in a wilderness setting that’s virtually remained untouched, and only a moderate 1 hour stroll away from where you parked. You’ll also find tracks to cascading falls and all-day trails to the summits, so whether you’re an avid, outdoorsy hiker or simply in search of a stroll, Leven Canyon is a wilderness site that travelers of all ages can enjoy.

Part of Australia’s Gondwana Rainforests, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lamington National Park is a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers. Covering 77 square miles (200 square kilometers), it’s known for its rich biodiversity, ancient trees, over 500 waterfalls, and more than 100 miles (160 kilometers) of hiking trails.

 

The two most accessible sections of Lamington National Park are Binna Burra and the Green Mountains. Nature lovers will revel in the park’s diverse flora and fauna, while adventure seekers will delight in the many ways to play at the park. 

Go on a guided full-day or overnight tour to get the most out of the park. Most tours start in Brisbane or the Gold Coast and stop at nearby attractions such as Mt. Tamborine and Gallery Walk. Take to the trees in a canopy walk, climb up even higher to get a bird’s-eye view, hike along one of the park’s many trails, or go swimming near a waterfall. Younger visitors will enjoy activities like bird feeding or learning to throw a boomerang.

 

 

Lamington National Park is located in the Gold Coast Hinterland, 62 miles (100 kilometers) south of Brisbane. The best way to visit is by car or as part of an organized tour by 4WD or minivan. Both sections of the park are located west of Nerang. Binna Burra is a 25-mile (40-kilometer) drive via the town of Beechmont, while the Green Mountains section is 35 miles (57 kilometers) via Canungra.

 

Lamington National Park can be visited any time of year, but the weather during the Australian spring (September through November) and autumn (March through May) is the most pleasant—warm but not wet. Expect the most rainfall during summer (December through February). Winter (June through August) temperatures can dip to freezing levels.

 

Known for its rich biodiversity, Lamington National Park is home to over 160 bird and numerous other species. Look for king parrots, cockatoos, sooty owls, pale-headed and crimson rosellas, red-browed treecreepers, yellow and black male bowerbirds, Australian brush-turkeys, Albert’s Lyrebirds, elf skinks, Lamington freshwater crays, giant barred frogs, and diamond pythons.

With its waterfalls, waterholes, and lush rain forests, Litchfield National Park has no shortage of spectacular scenery. Just a short drive from Darwin, it’s also known for its magnetic termite mounds that tower up to 7 feet (2 meters) tall. These sculptural cairns were built by termites.

 

It's possible to take in the highlights of Litchfield National Park on a day trip from Darwin. Most tours include photo opportunities at Wangi Falls and Florence Falls, a visit to the Cathedral and Magnetic Termite Mounds, and chance to swim at the Buley Rockhole. Many day trips also include a crocodile-spotting cruise along the Adelaide River or lunch at Litchfield Café.

 

Devote a couple of days to Litchfield to have more time to hike, spot wildlife, visit the Blyth Homestead museum, and camp out in the rain forest. Multi-day tours from Darwin often include a tour of Top End, including Kakadu National Park, Arnhem Land, and Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge).

 

 

Litchfield National Park is in the Northern Territory, about 60 miles (100 kilometers) south of Darwin. There’s no public transport to Litchfield, so it’s best to join a guided tour unless you have your own transport. By road, the easiest entry point is via Batchelor. In the dry season, access is also possible through Cox Peninsula Road.

It’s possible to visit Litchfield National Park year-round, but the most popular time to visit is during dry season (May to October). Wet season (November to April) offers impressive views, with the waterfalls at their most powerful, but high water levels also mean many 4WD tracks are closed and some attractions are inaccessible.

 

Litchfield has plenty of photo-worthy scenery, but it's the waterfalls—cascading from the Tabletop Range sandstone plateau—which really draw the crowds. Don’t miss Wangi Falls, a large fall and swimming spot; Florence Falls, surrounded by monsoonal forest; and Buley Rockhole, where you can lounge in rock pools as if in a cool Jacuzzi. The hike to Tolmer Falls is full of photo opportunities and wildlife sightings.

Leura, sometimes called the “Jewel in the Mountains Crown,” is a small Blue Mountains village located about 60 miles (100 kilometers) west of Sydney. Smaller than neighboring Katoomba, with a quaint, cherry tree lined town center called the Leura Mall, the village exudes mill-town charm. There are cafes, bakeries, antiques shops, and high-end boutiques, with brightly colored flowers decorating the streets.

Visitors often stop in Leura for a relaxing lunch while sightseeing in the Blue Mountains, The village is packed with dining and shopping options, and is also home to its own bush walks like the Leura Cascades, Leura Forest, Gordon Falls, and Sublime Point, which leads to a luxury golf course. Visitors can also stop by the Everglades Gardens, a lovingly maintained 1930s Heritage Trust site with a grotto pool and teahouse.

Leura is located in the Blue Mountains about 60 miles (100 kilometers) west of central Sydney. The villa can be reached by car: it’s about a 90-minute drive or a 2-hour train ride on the Blue Mountains Line from Sydney’s Central Station.

Laura offers different activities and local festivals throughout the year. The popular, annual Garden festival and village fair take place in October.

The Three Sisters is an ancient rock formation located in the Blue Mountains National Park in the town of  Katoomba, just a short drive or train ride from Leura. The towering trio of stones has a mythical dimension: An Aboriginal Dreamtime legend tells of three sisters who lived in the Jamison Valley, fell in love with three brothers from a rival tribe, and were forbidden to marry. Visitors can access the landmark via Echo Point.

Explore the rugged, wind-swept vistas and expansive beach views at one of Western Australia’s most renowned spots for exploration, Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park. Situated west of Busselton, visitors flock to this natural playground for its raw beauty and accessibility for activities in nature. Moss-covered waterfalls, stalagmite-filled caves and curving sands create a welcome environment for every kind of traveler.

Get your paddle on at infamous surf breaks like Smith Beach, or drop a line at the fishing hole, Moses Rock South. Epic views and panoramic scenery make the park an ideal place for bushwalking, trail hiking and cycling; afterwards, take a rest and stay awhile at the Boranup Campground. Travelers can snorkel above white sand at Cosy Corner or even try abseiling in the Calgardup Cave. For the more laid-back traveler, simply get lost wandering among the limestone and granite headlands.