Choose from 646 Fun Things to Do in Australia
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Magnetic Termite Mounds
Across fields in northern Australia stand these tall magnetic termite mounds standing up to two meters high. As a habitat created by termites, they’re strategically built to face away from the hot sun and keep temperatures cool. Inside are complex and fascinating architecture and networks of arches, tunnels, chimneys, and various chambers. Thousands of termites live in a single mound and are known to last anywhere from fifty to one hundred years — which can also be the lifespan of one termite queen. Looking at the mounds it’s hard to believe such a small insect could create such a large, elaborate dwelling for itself.
There are several types of termite mounds, and in this case ‘magnetic’ refers to the way they are aligned (in conjunction with the earth’s magnetic field.) How the termites are able to consistently determine the north-south orientation to avoid the heat is unknown, and these structures remain a bit of a natural phenomenon.
Practical Info
Located in Litchfield National Park, the first grouping of termite mounds can be found 17 kilometers from the eastern boundary of the park. Litchfield is about an hour and a half’s drive from Darwin. The natural sites are free to access.
Address: Litchfield Park Road, Litchfield Park, Litchfield NT 0822, Australia
From $ 73
Maru Koala and Animal Park
Phillip Island is famous for its wildlife, but Maru Koala and Animal Park allows you to kickstart the animal adventures before even arriving on the island. Located on the Victorian mainland just a 15-minute drive from Phillip Island, the park is home to Tasmanian Devils, koalas, dingos, and kangaroos, while also offering sheep shearing, a dinosaur playroom, and mini golf on a pirate ship (from $9).
Hear how the park helps raise orphaned animals for release back into the wild, and learn tidbits about Australian wildlife during the hourly talks with park keepers. Although not offered by Viator, add-on encounters with koalas, dingoes, snakes, and lizards can be purchased onsite for an additional fee (from $20). Once you’ve finished visiting with the animals, relax at the on-site Homestead Bistro or play a round of mini golf before continuing on to Phillip Island and the wildlife experiences beyond.
Practical Info
Maru Koala and Animal Park is a convenient stop en route to Phillip Island, as it's 1.5 hours by car from Melbourne and 15 minutes from the bridge to Phillip Island. Visitors can bring their own cameras, and the park is both wheelchair- and stroller-accessible. Weekends can be crowded with local families, so try to visit on a weekday.
Address: 1650 Bass Highway, Grantville, Victoria 3984, Australia
Hours: Daily 9:30am–6pm
Admission: Adults $20, children (4–15) $11
From $ 124
McLaren Vale Wineries
McLaren Vale is an area just outside Adelaide towards the coast which is renowned for the wine it produces. With 76 cellar doors to visit, it's worth spending at least a day exploring, if not a weekend. And it's not just wine, the local foodies are passionate about what their kitchens produce.
When you've eaten and sipped your fill, there are many other things to do including bushwalking, heading to the surf beach, following the Art Trail, going fishing, horse-riding, cycling or just sitting on a cliff watching the sunset.
Practical Info
McLaren Vale Winery is 40 minutes by road from Adelaide and only minutes drive from the coast. The best way to see the region is by organised tour or hiring a car.
Address: McLaren Vale 5171, Australia
Admission: Free
From $ 44
Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
The largest stadium in the Southern Hemisphere and one of the most famous sporting venues in Australia, Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is more than a Melbourne landmark. The legendary stadium has hosted the Olympic Games, the Commonwealth Games, the annual Boxing Day Test Match, and Australian Football League (AFL) Grand Final.
The Basics
Attend one of the regular AFL games and cricket test matches for the most atmospheric experience at Melbourne Cricket Ground. A guided tour takes you behind the scenes, including the player’s dressing rooms, the cricketers’ viewing room, the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) Long Room and Library, and gives you access to views of Melbourne from the City Terrace.
Don’t miss the on-site National Sports Museum where you can learn more about the history of the MCG, admire priceless Aussie sports memorabilia, visit the AFL and cricket halls of fame, and take part in fun interactive activities.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Although some tickets are available daily on a first-come first-served basis, it’s best to book match tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.
- Tours must be booked in advance.
- On-site facilities include drinking water fountains, free Wi-Fi, ATMs, restrooms, and a selection of bars and food vendors in each stand.
- All entrants to the grounds are required to undergo security checks, and large bags and suitcases are not permitted.
- Each stand has wheelchair accessible areas and facilities, but advance booking is recommended.
How to Get There
Melbourne Cricket Ground, located east of Downtown Melbourne, is about a 10-minute walk from Federation Square. Regular trams run from the city center, and the closest train stations are Jolimont and Richmond.
When to Get There
The MCG hosts AFL games in the winter months (March–September), culminating in the AFL Grand Final in September; cricket matches are held in summer (September–April). Tours are only available on non-match days, and only ticket holders can access the National Sports Museum on match days, although it’s best to avoid the grounds entirely on match days, as spectators overrun the entire area.
The Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Precinct
Olympic Park, Melbourne Park, and Yarra Park make up the Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Precinct. The MCG, the Punt Road Oval, and the National Sports Museum are in Yarra Park. Olympic Park holds the 30,000-capacity AAMI Park, the Olympic Park Oval, and the Holden Centre. Melbourne Park has the Rod Laver Arena music venue and home to the Australian Open, Melbourne Arena (mostly used for national basketball and netball games), the Margaret Court Arena, and the Melbourne Park Tennis Complex.
Address: Brunton Avenue, Yarra Park, Jolimont, Melbourne 3002, Australia
Admission: Varies
From $ 19
Melbourne Chinatown
Technically, over 5,000 miles separate Melbourne from the Chinese city of Shanghai. When standing on the corner of Swanston Street, however, in Melbourne’s CBD, and looking west down Little Bourke Street past rows of Chinese shops, it’s easy to forget you’re still in Australia—rather than Shanghai itself. With the lone exception of San Francisco, Melbourne’s Chinatown is the oldest of its kind in the entire Western world. Established in 1851 by laborers in Victoria’s gold rush, Melbourne’s Chinatown has thrived as the center of the city’s Chinese community. Walking beneath the towering red arch that marks the Chinatown entrance, the smell of dumplings and Sichuan cuisine seems to waft, lift, and rise above each narrow alleyway entrance. While once notorious for its opium and brothels, modern Chinatown is known for its food and colorful, cultural cuisine. Haggle with a vendor selling bright pink dragon fruit or cups of steaming green tea, and feast on miniature dim sum plates full of classic Cantonese flavor. If you ever come up for air between meals, visit the Chinatown Visitor Center and accompanying Chinese Museum, which explores the Chinese community’s history from gold miners up through today.
Practical Info
Melbourne’s Chinatown rests between the corners of Swanston and Spring Street. It’s a short walk from Melbourne’s CBD, and while the area is always a buzz of activity, late January or early February are packed during Chinese New Year. For sights, the Chinese Museum is open daily from 10am-5pm.
Address: Melbourne VIC, Australia
From $ 51
Melbourne Central Shopping Centre
Visiting Melbourne Shopping Center is a trip that can literally take days. Even if you spent only 10 minutes in each of the 300 shops, it would still take over 50 hours before the shopping was through. Granted—while it’s impractical to visit every shop—there’s still the time it takes to visit the sights within the center. Take, for example, historic Shot Tower—a bullet making facility from 1889 that’s housed within the shops. To protect the original structure from crumbling, an enormous, 20-story, cone made of glass protects the entire tower—a feat of architectural engineering that’s the largest of its kind in the world. While exploring the maze of eateries and shops, be sure to keep an eye on the time as it approaches the top of the hour. Every hour, on the hour, the famously oversized Marionette Watch sounds a version of “Waltzing Matilda,” an old bush ballad that’s considered the unofficial national anthem of Australia.
Practical Info
The Melbourne Central Shopping Center is open 10am-7pm on Saturday-Wednesday, and from 10am-9pm on Thursday and Friday. Admission is free, although parking is pricy at $14/hour in the 880 stalls. To save money on parking costs, the tram or train are conveniently linked directly beneath the center.
Address: Swanston St & LaTrobe St, Melbourne VIC, Australia
Hours: Open 10am-7pm Sat-Weds, 10am-9pm Thursday and Friday.
From $ 56
Manly SEA LIFE Sanctuary
Not to be confused with the Sydney SEA LIFE Aquarium in Darling Harbour, the Manly SEA LIFE Sanctuary on Sydney’s North Shore has recently undergone a name change (from Oceanworld Manly) and has gained a number of new attractions.
A new breeding habitat called Penguin Cove was opened in late June 2012 and now houses a small population of cute Little Penguins. As an endangered population that live and breed on Sydney’s busy natural coastline, the penguins in Penguin Cove are provided a safe place to raise their young and be observed by visitors.
Another big attraction that sets Manly SEA LIFE apart from its Darling Harbour cousin is its ‘Shark Dive Xtreme.’ Thanks to a large colony of non-aggressive but fearsome looking Grey Nurse Sharks, this dive is an opportunity to swim amongst the marine life cage-free!
If that doesn’t whet your appetite, Manly SEA LIFE Sanctuary has an underwater viewing tunnel for close up but dry views of sharks, sting rays, turtles and other marine life. There are also a number of interactive rock pools where you can clearly see all the weird and wonderful undersea creatures that call Sydney Harbour their home.
The easiest and most fun way to get to the Sanctuary is on a ferry from Circular Quay to Manly Wharf.
A new breeding habitat called Penguin Cove was opened in late June 2012 and now houses a small population of cute Little Penguins. As an endangered population that live and breed on Sydney’s busy natural coastline, the penguins in Penguin Cove are provided a safe place to raise their young and be observed by visitors.
Another big attraction that sets Manly SEA LIFE apart from its Darling Harbour cousin is its ‘Shark Dive Xtreme.’ Thanks to a large colony of non-aggressive but fearsome looking Grey Nurse Sharks, this dive is an opportunity to swim amongst the marine life cage-free!
If that doesn’t whet your appetite, Manly SEA LIFE Sanctuary has an underwater viewing tunnel for close up but dry views of sharks, sting rays, turtles and other marine life. There are also a number of interactive rock pools where you can clearly see all the weird and wonderful undersea creatures that call Sydney Harbour their home.
The easiest and most fun way to get to the Sanctuary is on a ferry from Circular Quay to Manly Wharf.
Address: West Esplanade, Manly 2095, Australia
Hours: Open daily: 10am-5:30pm (closed Christmas Day)
Admission: Adults: $24; Children: $12
From $ 37
Melbourne Cruise Port
Australia’s second largest city, Melbourne is also its cultural capital, with a plethora of museums, galleries and theaters, as well as expansive parklands and attractive Victorian-era buildings. Home to the Australian Open tennis tournament and the Melbourne Cup horse race, the city is also a jumping off point to visit the Great Ocean Road or the penguin colonies on Phillip Island.
How to Get to Melbourne
Your ship will dock at Station Pier in Port Melbourne. The tram station is about a five minute walk from the pier and, from there, it is about a twenty minute ride into the center of Melbourne. Taking a taxi is another option and should cost about $20.
One Day in Melbourne
Begin your exploration of Melbourne by hopping on the free Circle City tram, which makes an hour-long loop around the city center. Then, head to Federation Square, where you will find numerous galleries, shops and cafes surrounding the square, as well as the city’s Visitor Center. Spend an hour or two around the square and then head up to the Eureka Skydeck for jaw-dropping views around the city. If you’re feeling adventurous, step out on the Edge, a glass cube extending from the skydeck that will give you a view 935 feet straight down!
How you spend the rest of your time in Melbourne will depend a lot on your interests. You might get a taste of Australian and Aboriginal art at the National Gallery of Victoria before heading to the State Library of Victoria and the St. Paul Cathedral. Or, make your way to the quirky suburb of St. Kilda to ride the rollercoaster at Luna Park, stroll along the pier and soak up some sun on St Kilda Beach. Others may enjoy simply walking by the Yarra River and exploring the Royal Botanic Gardens or the Melbourne Zoo.
Shopping aficionados will also want to check out Little Collins Street, Collins Street, Brunswick Street and the Queen Victoria Market.
How to Get to Melbourne
Your ship will dock at Station Pier in Port Melbourne. The tram station is about a five minute walk from the pier and, from there, it is about a twenty minute ride into the center of Melbourne. Taking a taxi is another option and should cost about $20.
One Day in Melbourne
Begin your exploration of Melbourne by hopping on the free Circle City tram, which makes an hour-long loop around the city center. Then, head to Federation Square, where you will find numerous galleries, shops and cafes surrounding the square, as well as the city’s Visitor Center. Spend an hour or two around the square and then head up to the Eureka Skydeck for jaw-dropping views around the city. If you’re feeling adventurous, step out on the Edge, a glass cube extending from the skydeck that will give you a view 935 feet straight down!
How you spend the rest of your time in Melbourne will depend a lot on your interests. You might get a taste of Australian and Aboriginal art at the National Gallery of Victoria before heading to the State Library of Victoria and the St. Paul Cathedral. Or, make your way to the quirky suburb of St. Kilda to ride the rollercoaster at Luna Park, stroll along the pier and soak up some sun on St Kilda Beach. Others may enjoy simply walking by the Yarra River and exploring the Royal Botanic Gardens or the Melbourne Zoo.
Shopping aficionados will also want to check out Little Collins Street, Collins Street, Brunswick Street and the Queen Victoria Market.
Port Information
English is the official language in Melbourne, but it is spoken with a distinctively Australian twist. The currency is the Australian dollar and ATMs are widely available throughout the city. The port area is fairly quiet, although there is a large store selling coffee and snacks.
Address: Australia
From $ 79
Mary River Wetlands
The vast Mary River Wetlands, located in Australia’s Northern Territory, are home to massive saltwater crocodiles, abundant bird life and massive barramundi (Asian sea bass).
The Arnhem Highway crosses five floodplains, which are prime habitat for brolgas, egrets, black-necked storks, sea eagles and magpie geese, between Darwin and Jabiru. Yet, most visitors find it more enjoyable to experience the Mary River Wetlands from the water. Airboat rides explore the Mary River floodplains and lush monsoon forests, offering a rare chance to spot the area’s abundant bird life, introduced water buffalo and native monitors and wallabies in the plentiful paperbark forests. Adelaide River cruise hosts dangle bait to draw saltwater crocodiles into view and high out of the water.
For self-guided visitors, it is also possible to view these powerful reptiles from a viewing platform at Shady Camp. Other places to explore include the Brian Creek Monsoon Forest, North Rockhole, and Couzens Lookout. In the dry season, it’s possible to explore many unsealed roads in a standard vehicle; however, in the rainy season a 4WD is recommended.
Sport fishermen come from all over to land the famed barramundi, renowned for its good fighting ability. Landing a 100-pound barramundi isn’t easy, but casting a line at Shady Camp, Corroboree Billabong, or in the Adelaide River provides the best opportunity.
Practical Info
The Mary River Wetlands are located 110 km southeast of Darwin. Most tours originate in Darwin; however, a number of options are also available in Corroboree Billabong, Point Stuart and Mary River Park.
Address: Darwin, Australia
From $ 104
Melbourne Museum
Melbourne Museum provides a great experience for adults and children alike. A series of permanent exhibitions relating to the culture, history and the environment of Melbourne and Victoria are housed in several galleries including a lush Forest Gallery, an Aboriginal gallery and a Children’s area.
Exhibitions include Science and Life, Melbourne Story, Evolution, Mind and Body, and many more. Get to see bones and displays of Australia’s mega fauna (giant animals), experience the Dinosaur Walk, Bugs Alive!, Amazing Animals and The Human Body.
Temporary exhibitions run about twice a year and cover a variety of themes. The Museum also houses a good café, an IMAX center and – the museum’s most popular object – a taxidermy original of Australia’s most famous racehorse, Phar Lap.
Housed in a striking building with a huge glass façade, Melbourne Museum is not immediately visible if you approach from the CBD as it stands behind the impressive Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton Gardens.
Exhibitions include Science and Life, Melbourne Story, Evolution, Mind and Body, and many more. Get to see bones and displays of Australia’s mega fauna (giant animals), experience the Dinosaur Walk, Bugs Alive!, Amazing Animals and The Human Body.
Temporary exhibitions run about twice a year and cover a variety of themes. The Museum also houses a good café, an IMAX center and – the museum’s most popular object – a taxidermy original of Australia’s most famous racehorse, Phar Lap.
Housed in a striking building with a huge glass façade, Melbourne Museum is not immediately visible if you approach from the CBD as it stands behind the impressive Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton Gardens.
Practical Info
Melbourne Museum is an easy walk from Parliament train station or any tram stop along Nicholson, Victoria or Rathdowne Streets.
Address: Australia
Hours: Open daily 10am-5pm. Closed on Christmas and Good Friday.
Admission: Varies
From $ 39
Maritime Museum of Townsville
Prior to the advent of rail in Australia, Townsville was an outpost in Northern Queensland that could only be reached by sea. Ships and lightkeepers were essential to the region’s connection with the rest of the world, and this small museum in central Townsville explores the area’s lengthy past with ships, sailors, and the sea. Shaped like the bow of the SS Yongala—a passenger ship that mysteriously sank off the coast in 1911—the museum features a fascinating exhibit on the SS Yongala itself, from its construction in England to its service in Australia and its discovery in 1958. History buffs will also find the historic Bay Rock Lighthouse, which was originally built on Magnetic Island in 1886. It was one of Queensland’s first lighthouses, and was manned by lightkeepers until tragedy struck in March of 1920. Today the dome of the original lighthouse is on display at the museum, nearby a boat shed that houses a lifeboat that was used in the film Australia. The main attraction of the museum, however, is the fleet of model ships, which are fantastically detailed and constructed using the same designs as the originals. The HMAS Townsville is also docked in the creek outside the museum—a haven of maritime history and heritage in the heart of bustling Townsville.
Practical Info
The Townsville Maritime Museum is right in the middle of Townsville’s strip of popular cafés and restaurants. It’s an easy and informative visit when touring Townsville on foot.
Address: 42-68 Palmer Street, South Townsville, Queensland, Australia QLD 4810, Australia
Hours: Open daily 10am-3pm
Admission: Adults: $6; Children: $3
From $ 41
Mammoth Cave
Hidden away in an ancient marri forest and dripping with stalactites and stalagmites, Mammoth Cave is a mesmerizing sight. The limestone cave is one of the largest in the Margaret River region, located in Western Australia’s Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park.
The Basics
Uncover Mammoth Cave’s fascinating history on a self-guided audio tour, following the boardwalk circuit through the 1,640-foot-long (500-meter) cavern. Highlights of the cave include unique rock formations like the Karri Forest Flowstone and the Mammoth Shawl, all dramatically illuminated by slats of natural light. The cave also boasts fossilized remains of animals from 35,000 years ago.
Day tours of the Margaret River region from Perth often include a visit to Mammoth Cave alongside regional attractions such as the Busselton Jetty, Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, or wine tasting at the Margaret River wineries. Combination tickets are available for Mammoth Cave, Jewel Cave, Lake Cave, and Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Mammoth Cave is ideal for fans of fossils and all things cave, and for families with children.
- Wear comfortable shoes and bring a light sweater—it can get cool inside the cave.
- The cave’s first chamber is accessible to wheelchair users and strollers.
How to Get There
Mammoth Cave is located in Forest Grove, around 9 miles (4 kilometers) southwest of the town of Margaret River—about a 15-minute drive. There’s no public transportation to the cave, so you’ll need your own vehicle or to join a guided tour.
When to Get There
The cave is open daily all year-round. The busiest time to visit is during the summer months of January and February, when an early-morning or late-afternoon visit is best for avoiding the crowds.
Archaeological Finds at Mammoth Cave
It’s not just the striking topography that draws the crowds to Mammoth Cave. The cave hit headlines in the early 1900s when archaeologists uncovered the fossilized remains of ancient Australian megafauna, including Tasmanian tigers and giant kangaroos, that have been extinct for thousands of years.
Address: Caves Road, Forest Grove WA 6285, Australia
Admission: Varies
From $ 13
Melbourne Aquarium
All things fishy swim inside the Melbourne Aquarium, right beside the Yarra River in central Melbourne. The focus is on creatures from the Southern Ocean. Penguins are a particular highlight, along with other Antarctic creatures. Those who dare swim with the sharks, while more gentle creatures swim in the coral atoll, rock pools, mangroves and billabongs.
Creatures from around Australia swim in the River to the Reef exhibit, while Weird and Wonderful highlights nature’s variety – from Nemo clownfish to scuttling crabs and UV-lit transparent sea jellies. Another star attraction is the creepy Oceanarium, with its viewing fishbowl filled with gray nurse sharks, stingrays and turtles.
Creatures from around Australia swim in the River to the Reef exhibit, while Weird and Wonderful highlights nature’s variety – from Nemo clownfish to scuttling crabs and UV-lit transparent sea jellies. Another star attraction is the creepy Oceanarium, with its viewing fishbowl filled with gray nurse sharks, stingrays and turtles.
Practical Info
Melbourne Aquarium is an easy stroll from either Flinders Street Station or Southern Cross Station. Trams run along Flinders Street, including the free Tourist Shuttle, dropping you outside the aquarium. You can also walk across the Yarra River to reach here from the Crown Entertainment Complex.
Address: Corner Flinders and King Streets, Melbourne 3000, Australia
Hours: Open 9:30am - 6pm every day
Admission: Adult: AU$32.50 Child (3-15yrs): AU$18.50
From $ 31
Mamu Tropical Skywalk
With 2.5km of forest walkways, a cantilevered viewing platform and a 37-meter high observation tower, the Mamu Tropical Skywalk is for many visitors the highlight of the Wooroonooran National Park. Built in 2006, the easily accessible attraction offers the chance to discover the rainforest from the ground up, following the information boards through the dense jungle and listening to audio commentary on the elevated walkway.
As well as enjoying dramatic views over the North Johnstone River gorge from the observation tower, visitors have the chance to get up close to the park’s wildlife. This is one of few remaining rainforests in the world growing on basalt soils and its unique ecosystem is home to an abundance of forest dragons, cassowary, birds and butterflies, as well as rare animals like musky rat-kangaroos and white-tailed rats, and a huge variety of wildflowers and trees.
Practical Info
The Mamu Tropical Skywalk is located in the Palmerston Section of the Wooroonooran National Park in Queensland and is open daily from 9.30am-5.30pm. Admission is AU$20 for adults, AU$10 for children.
Address: Wooroonooran National Park, Innisfail QLD 4860, Australia
Hours: Daily 9:30am -5:30pm
Admission: Adults: AU$20; Children: AU$10
From $ 102
Margaret River
The Margaret River region is Western Australia’s food, wine, surfing, and leisure playground. It’s also one of the most scenic and lush regions in the state, graced with a mix of coastline, forest, vineyards, and farmland. Wine-loving visitors have more than 140 Margaret River wineries to choose from—its vintages are compared to those of Bordeaux in France—and the area also attracts surfers, whale watchers, spelunkers, and beachgoers to its nearby coastal landscapes.
The Basics
With so much to do (and so much wine to drink), Margaret River rewards those who linger. During a multi-day tour of the region from Perth, lasting anywhere from two to four days, you might go wine tasting during a winery tour, watch a sheep-shearing demonstration, cruise the Nornalup Inlet, take in the views from the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, tour the vast Mammoth Cave, or climb above the treetops in the Valley of the Giants. If you’re pressed for time, you can catch the highlights on an action-packed day trip from Perth.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The Margaret River wine region is a must-visit for wine lovers and foodies.
- Choose between a full-day or multi-day tour through the region.
- Day trips to Margaret River from Perth can last upwards of 13 hours.
How to Get There
Margaret River is located about 3.5 hours by road from Perth. While it’s possible to catch a charter flight or bus from Perth to Margaret River, the easiest way to get there is by car or guided tour.
When to Get There
While year-round sunshine means the Margaret River area is almost always pleasant, the best time to visit is during the dry season, between April and September, when it’s not too hot. Area surfing is at its best in April, while whale watching peaks in Australian spring (autumn in the northern hemisphere).
It’s Not All About the Wine
Margaret River wineries might produce some of the world’s best wines, but there’s more to drink in the area than fermented grapes. Start your day with a cappuccino from a local coffee roaster, and spend the afternoon with some beer tastings and brewery tours. Many area breweries also produce their own ciders and craft spirits.
Address: Bussell Highway, Margaret River 6285, Australia
Hours: Open daily
Admission: Free
From $ 159
Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve
There’s more to Queensland’s Sunshine Coast than suntans, surfboards, and shoreline, although given the wealth of white sand beaches and places to bake in the sun, it’s easy to see why the forested interior can sometimes be overlooked. At the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve, travelers are reminded how Queensland’s interior has an endemic beauty of its own. These hills that rise behind the Glass House Mountains were once covered in rainforest—parts of which are still visible on the reserve’s 135 acres. Stroll along miles of wooden boardwalk past red cedar and ginger, and listen for the mating call of green catbirds and they flit high in the treetops. While silently strolling the shaded trails, keep an eye out for red-legged padmelon as they scurry and forage through the underbrush. These small wallabies have lost much of their habitat due to surrounding deforestation, although still survive on this small refuge that’s been called an “ecological island.” There are playgrounds and barbecues for family outings as well as an education center, or simply sit at the small café to enjoy a tea in the forest.
Practical Info
The Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve is located one hour from Brisbane, one hour from Noosa, and 30 minutes from the Sunshine Coast. The education center is open from 9am-5pm from September-May, 9am-4pm from June-August, and the rainforest trails are open for hiking during regular daylight hours. While there is no official admission to the reserve, a gold coin donation is graciously accepted.
Address: 148 Mountain View Road, Maleny QLD 4552, Australia
From $ 81
Maheno Shipwreck
The Maheno Shipwreck sits starkly rusting against the pristine sands of Cathedral Beach, a majestic and haunting site. The S.S Maheno was built in 1904 in Scotland and was originally a world-class luxury liner. She became a hospital ship in the Mediterranean during WW1 after which she was purchased for the run between New Zealand and Australia.
In 1935, while being towed to Japan for scrap metal, a cyclone blew her ashore onto Fraser Island. Luckily, there were only a few crew members on board, who tried unsuccessfully to free her. Since then, three and a half stories of the ship have been buried below the sand.
After being used for bombing practice during WW2, the Maheno was in pretty bad shape and has since rusted away. Still, she is an impressive site and is occasionally used as a kooky, lopsided wedding venue.
In 1935, while being towed to Japan for scrap metal, a cyclone blew her ashore onto Fraser Island. Luckily, there were only a few crew members on board, who tried unsuccessfully to free her. Since then, three and a half stories of the ship have been buried below the sand.
After being used for bombing practice during WW2, the Maheno was in pretty bad shape and has since rusted away. Still, she is an impressive site and is occasionally used as a kooky, lopsided wedding venue.
Practical Info
Visitors are not allowed to touch the wreck but it is possible to get a very good close-up look.
The wreck sits on the beach north of Happy Valley. It’s accessible only by 4WD, just find the beach on the west coast and keep heading north, the Maheno will be on your right.
The wreck sits on the beach north of Happy Valley. It’s accessible only by 4WD, just find the beach on the west coast and keep heading north, the Maheno will be on your right.
Address: Cathedral Beach, Fraser Island, QLD, Australia
From $ 141
Manly Beach
Straddling the peninsula of North Head on Sydney Harbour, the town of Manly is Sydney’s most popular seaside resort. It offers the best of both worlds, with calm harbor beaches on one side and wild ocean waves on the other.
Linking the two is The Corso, lined with cafes and restaurants. Along with swimming, surfing, wining and dining, Manly’s most popular attraction is of course Oceanworld, on Manly Cove Beach on the harbor side of the town. Sharks and rays swim overhead curving walkways, or you can don a wetsuit and go diving with these monsters of the deep (if you dare!).
Manly is surrounded by gorgeous beaches linked by scenic seaside walkways. Boating, kayaking, surfing and cycling are popular pastimes in summer, while winter is a good time to visit the historic former quarantine facility Q Station or take a North Harbour walk to Shelly Beach or The Spit.
Practical Info
Manly is on the northern side of Sydney Harbour, on North Head guarding the entrance to the harbor. Manly Cove is on the harbor, while North and South Steyne beaches are washed by the Pacific Ocean and lined by Norfolk pines.
Manly Cove is 7 nautical miles from Circular Quay by ferry, the time-honored and most fun method of travel. It’s 30 minutes one way by ferry and a speedy 15 minutes by Jetcat. To get here by car takes at least an hour from central Sydney, so ditch the car and take the ferry!
Address: The Corso, Sydney 2095, Australia
Hours: Open daily
Admission: Free
From $ 33
Mala Walk
Walk alongside the imposing form of Uluru to the Kantju Gorge and waterhole, on land held sacred by the Anangu indigenous people. The Anangu have walked this land for thousands of years, and once held religious ceremonies here. They believe that the shape and physical features on this section of the monolith represent the activities of the Mala (or rufous hare wallaby), which they see as one of their ancestral beings, during the time of the Tjukurpa (creation time).
The sheer cliffs of Uluru look amazingly different from every angle, and scroll through a vast array of colours as the sun moves across the desert sky. You will never tire of looking at this incredible figure, as it is always changing. If you’re lucky enough to be visiting during heavy rain you will see quite a show, since small streams and waterfalls cover Uluru, transforming it into a completely different natural wonder.
Though the walk can easily be self-guided, a free ranger-guided tour will provide much more insight into the ways of the Anangu, their rock art, and the story of the Mala. These tours can be accessed all year round, by meeting a ranger at the Mala Walk sign at either 8am from October to April, or 10am from May to September.
This is one of the shortest walks at Uluru, covering a 1km stretch of its west side.
The sheer cliffs of Uluru look amazingly different from every angle, and scroll through a vast array of colours as the sun moves across the desert sky. You will never tire of looking at this incredible figure, as it is always changing. If you’re lucky enough to be visiting during heavy rain you will see quite a show, since small streams and waterfalls cover Uluru, transforming it into a completely different natural wonder.
Though the walk can easily be self-guided, a free ranger-guided tour will provide much more insight into the ways of the Anangu, their rock art, and the story of the Mala. These tours can be accessed all year round, by meeting a ranger at the Mala Walk sign at either 8am from October to April, or 10am from May to September.
This is one of the shortest walks at Uluru, covering a 1km stretch of its west side.
Practical Info
Uluru is best visited from the nearby town of Yulara, which can be reached on one of several airlines that have direct routes from Sydney. A shuttle bus operates between the airport, Yulara, Uluru, and Kata Tjuta. It’s complimentary when taken from the airport to Yulara, but getting to Uluru and Kata Tjuta attracts a fee. Coach tours operate from Alice Springs, which will include a visit to Uluru and Kata Tjuta.
Visitors to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park must pay an entrance fee and observe park opening hours, which vary from month to month throughout the year.
Visitors to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park must pay an entrance fee and observe park opening hours, which vary from month to month throughout the year.
Address: Ayers Rock, Australia
From $ 73
Marina Mirage
With big-name designers, gourmet restaurants and a dramatic waterfront location, just moments from the dazzling Palazzo Versace hotel, the Marina Mirage is the Gold Coast’s most glamorous shopping complex. Extensively redeveloped in 2008, the luxurious mall is home to more than 80 boutiques, from high street favorites like French Connection and United Colors of Benetton, to designers like Guess, Calvin Klein, Hermes and Tommy Hilfiger.
As well as the clothing, accessories and jewelry boutiques, there’s a range of fine dining options overlooking the waterfront, including award-winning restaurants and cafés like Omeros Bros, Vanitas and the Max Brenner Chocolate Bar. That’s not all – there’s also a day spa and beauty salon, a farmer’s market held twice a month and a scenic waterfront promenade from which to view the marina’s glitzy yachts and cruise ships.
Practical Info
Marina Mirage is located at Main Beach on the Gold Coast. The shopping mall is open from 10am-6pm daily, while restaurant opening times vary.
Address: 74 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach, Queensland QLD 4217, Australia
Hours: Shopping mall: 10am-6pm, restaurants till late
From $ 26