Things to Do in Australia

The eastern Sydney suburb of Watson’s Bay is more than just a charming fishing town—it’s also home to one of the most stunning views found anywhere in all of Sydney. At the cliff top viewpoint known as the “The Gap,” walkers are treated to a 360° panorama of Sydney’s Harbor and coastline. For all of its natural beauty, however, The Gap has a somewhat morbid history that is occasionally more famous than its view. In 1857, the Dunbar sailing ship was aiming for the Sydney Harbor entrance, but misjudged the entry point and was shipwrecked on the rocks.

All of the 122 passengers aboard perished in the grisly wreck, except for one sailor who would end up tending a lighthouse along Australia’s coast. The Gap is also infamously known for its high number of suicides, with hundreds of Australians having leapt from the cliff to the icy waters below.

Thankfully, this famous Southern Head promontory is working to reduce the number of deaths, and most people who visit The Gap today have come for the hiking and views. Take a walk on the cliff front trails and inhale the smell of the ocean, all while listening to the powerful surf crash thunderously on the rocks below. Nearby, the South Head Heritage Trail runs to the entrance of magnificent Sydney Harbor, and Manly Beach and the Sydney skyline are all visible from the cliff top overlook. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, head back into Watson’s Bay for some authentic fish and chips, and listen to seagulls as they squawk in the streets of this luxurious fishing town suburb.

The Tasmanian devil is known around the world, and while the cartoon character of the same name may have helped it gain popularity, few will ever get the opportunity to see a real Tasmanian devil. Taranna Wildlife Park is trying to change that.

Also known as the Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park, visitors here can learn what endangered devils are really like. The size of a small dog, these carnivorous marsupials are dwindling in population due to a devastating disease. Staff members at Taranna educate guests about the ongoing efforts to help save the devils at presentations and feedings throughout the day. And Tasmanian devils aren’t the parks only residents—visitors can hand-feed kangaroos or watch Tasmania’s only free-flight bird show.

Tallavera Grove is home to one of many family-owned boutique vineyards, with arguably the best view in the Hunter Valley. Estate wines produced here are award-winning, many receiving five stars (so perhaps a tasting is in order.) The tranquility of the green hills surrounding the vines offers a relaxing place to taste some of the area’s best wines. Within a small microclimate with slight seasonal changes that are different from the rest of the valley, Tallavera Grove wines offer something a bit different from the rest.

In addition to Hunter Valley wines, Tallavera Grove offers tastings from vineyards of Orange and Wrattonbully regions as well. The winery is known for its beautiful, Tuscan-inspired cellar door, dramatic scenery, and of course, fine wines. The drive to the vineyard is worth a visit alone. A bistro on site offers dining options as well.

While it may be located back in the hills of the rugged Gold Coast hinterland, Tamborine Mountain Distillery is a place that despite its size and location competes with some of the world’s largest and most well known distilleries. In 2014 alone, this small pot distillery garnered 300 awards for their brand of spirits and liqueurs, from vodka and schnapps to brandy, gin, and fruity eaux de vie. Proud of their small batch, small scale vibe, the distillery has purposely kept their driveway too narrow for large-scale buses, choosing instead to focus on small, person-to-person visits. While visiting the distillery to sample the products, hear how this family moved from Tasmania and began to run their own fruit farm, eventually fermenting and distilling the fruit their family of four couldn’t eat. Now, after 20 plus years of taking fruit and turning it into spirits, the distillery produces nearly every flavor of liquor imaginable. Try a refreshing limoncello or one of the flavored vodkas, or go all in with a shot of absinthe before sampling the toffee liqueur. If you find a particular style you like, the gift shop sells everything from bottles to shot glasses and visitor souvenirs, and cocktail enthusiasts will be blown away by this small pot still in the hills.

Self-guided walking tours through the observatory explore astronomy, meteorology, timekeeping and archaeology, and visitors can also travel through the observatory’s rich past by checking out the impressive array of informative exhibits. The facility’s world-class planetarium is a popular spot to visit, but the opportunity to view the night sky through a telescope is a one-of-a-kind treat. The oldest working telescope in Australia opens up the skies for guests, who can catch a glimpse of double stars, the moon and even planets.

Take to the trees of Queensland, Australia, in a thrilling eco-walk. Set among 30 acres (12 hectares) of private rain forest next to Cedar Creek on Mt. Tamborine, the 0.9-mile (1.5-kilometer) Skywalk features forest-floor trails, high-tech elevated steel walkways, and a cantilever bridge 98 feet (30 meters) above the rain forest floor.

 

Visitors begin their adventure on an elevated walkway through the middle and upper canopies of the rain forest, then descend gradually to the lower canopy and the cantilever bridge, and finally return to the starting point along the rain forest floor. Highlights along the walk include small waterfalls, a butterfly lookout, rock pools, and spectacular views over the rain forest and creek. Comprehensive displays at the Eco Gallery describe the flora and fauna of the rain forest.

 

The Skywalk can be visited independently. Some visitors combine a visit to the Skywalk with a full-day tour of other attractions on Mt. Tamborine, such as a glowworm-cave tour or shopping for unique arts and crafts at Gallery Walk. Foodies and wine and beer lovers will want to try locally made cheese, chocolate, wine, and craft beers.

 

 

Located in the Gold Coast Hinterinutes from Brisbane airport. For those not visiting as part of a tour, from Brisbane, take the Beenleigh North exit (exit 34) on the M1 highway; from the Gold Coast, take the Oxenford exit (exit 57).land, the Skywalk is about 45 minutes from Surfers Paradise and 60 m

 

The Skywalk is open daily year-round. Visit during the summer (January to March) to see the rain forest at its most lush. Visit between October and March for the butterfly season.

 

For those that can’t get enough of the rain forest, there are a number of hikes to suit different fitness abilities. Try the easy hikes to Curtis Falls, Cedar Falls Lookout, or the MacDonald Circuit. Those who are moderately fit should set their sights on Witches Chase Track, Witches Fall Circuit, or the Cameron Falls Circuit. Hikers looking for a challenge should try the Joalah Circuit.

Built in the 1880s, this sandstone structure is the political powerhouse of the city, housing the Sydney City Council chamber and the offices of the lord mayor, the deputy lord mayor and the city’s councilors. But what catches the eye of most visitors is the building’s Sydney Town Hall Grand Organ, the world’s largest pipe organ. Two-hour guided tours include a look at Centennial Hall, the Lady Mayoress’s Rooms, the Reception Room and the former site of the Old Sydney Burial Ground, in addition to a stop at the world-famous organ.

The Sydney Jewish Museum serves as a moving tribute to Australia’s Jewish community. It’s devoted to telling the story of the city’s Jewish history and heritage, from the population’s first arrivals in 1788 to the almost 30,000 survivors who started new lives in Australia after World War II and the Holocaust.

Join a guided tour or explore the museum on your own, spending as long as you like delving into its many exhibitions, multimedia displays, and historical artifacts.

Sydney Jewish Museum is located on Darlinghurst Road, a short walk from Kings Cross and Oxford Street in central Sydney. 

The museum is open every day except Saturday, all year round. To make the most of your visit, arrive in time for the daily guided tours at 12pm or 1pm. During the week, large school groups often visit the museum in the mornings, so it’s best to visit in the afternoon. 

The museum’s three main areas include fascinating exhibitions such as “Culture and Continuity: Journey through Judaism” and “Serving Australia: The Jewish Involvement in Australian Military History.” The main focus, however, is on the Holocaust, with a vast exhibition that details the atrocities of the Nazi regime and its far-reaching effects, as well as the future of human rights in Australia. 

Situated on the edge of 1.6 million hectares of World Heritage Listed woodland, the Tahune AirWalk overlooks the Huon River, offering an aerial view of Tasmania’s southern forests. The treetop walkway is a steel structure that’s as high as 45 meters in places.

There are a number of paths to the AirWalk, all of which are clearly signposted. The Swinging Bridges Track features two steel cable foot-bridges that cross both the Huon and Picton Rivers. This track is a loop circuit that will take you an hour or so to complete. Alternatively, the Huon Pine Walk is an easier 20-minute walk across flat ground and boardwalks.

For the more adventurous, the Eagle Hang Glider will be sure to get your heart rate up. It’s a 250-meter cable that glides over the Huon River, allowing you to reach speeds of up to 40 kilometers per hour.

In addition to the Bridge Climb, there is a cheap alternative to get the famous view from the top of town on the Sydney Harbour Bridge–the Pylon Lookout. The bridge walkway leads to the South East Pylon and to the entrance of the lookout, from where 200 steps lead up to the viewing platform located 285 feet (87 meters) above sea level.

From here enjoy fantastic panorama views of the Opera House, Circular Quay and the two arches of the Harbour Bridge. You'll also be able to observe the daring bridge climbers. 

 

The Pylon Lookout doesn't only consist of the viewing platform though, but is made up of three levels of exhibits. A visit to the small museum located inside the Pylon is included in an admission ticket and includes information about the history and construction of the bridge, including the dangerous working conditions of the riveters, stonemasons and riggers who constructed it. Hear incredible stories, such as the tale of a worker who survived a fall from the bridge, and watch a film that features the building process and artifacts that were crucial to the accurate construction of one of Australia’s most famous icons.

Sydney Tower Eye rises 1,000 feet (309 meters) into the sky, and at twice the height of the Harbour Bridge, it's Sydney’s tallest structure. Designed by Australian architect Donald Crone, construction was finished in 1981, and the tower was soon after opened to the public. If the air is clear, you will be able to see as far as the Blue Mountains, which sit about 50 miles (80 km) away. But even if there is haze in the air, the tower offers a full 360-degree view of Australia’s biggest city, from the golden beaches and the ferries shuttling commuters across the blue harbor to a new perspective of the famous Opera House and the Central Business District below. This high up, Sydney is a jumble of houses and the parks are nothing but tiny green spots. 

 

If you count yourself as brave enough, you can sign up for the adrenaline-fueled Skywalk. After taking a breath test to prove they aren't under the influence, visitors are suited up in a jumpsuit and harness belt to enjoy the tower's famous view with nothing but glass below and the wind all around.

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 the world’s largest steel arch bridge. It’s also an important transport hub, linking downtown Sydney with the north shore, Manly, and the area’s northern beaches.

Whether you walk beneath it, drive over it, or climb up it, you simply can’t miss the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and most city sightseeing tours include at least a glimpse of the iconic bridge. Walking and biking tours afford impressive panoramic city views from the bridge, while a Sydney Harbour cruise provides plenty of photo opportunities. Adventurous types can scale the summit on a Sydney BridgeClimb or even soar overhead on a helicopter tour.

Sydney Harbour Bridge is located in the heart of Sydney Harbour, opposite the Sydney Opera House, and can be reached by foot from anywhere in downtown Sydney. Pedestrian access to the bridge starts from Circular Quay in The Rocks or Milsons Point in North Sydney.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge is always open, but it can get busy, especially during rush hour. To beat the crowds, visit at sunrise or after dark, when the bridge is dramatically illuminated. For the most spectacular photo opportunities, time your visit for sunset or visit during Sydney’s legendary New Year’s Eve celebrations, when the bridge forms the focal point of the epic fireworks display.

Using 52,800 tons of steel, it took 1,400 people more than eight years to build the Sydney Harbour Bridge. In addition to being one of the tallest bridges of its kind, it’s also the sixth-longest bridge in the world, measuring an impressive 3,770 feet (1,149 meters) long. Today, nearly 200,000 vehicles and foot passengers pass over the bridge daily.

The Sydney Opera House, a world-class performing arts venue and iconic Australian landmark, defines the Sydney Harbour in the heart of the city. Designed by Danish architect Jorn Utzon, the structure is a masterpiece of late 20th-century architecture, despite challenges that plagued the 15-year project before it was formally opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1973. 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. 

 

The Sydney Opera House is a highlight of any city tour or harbor cruise, and it’s well worth an up-close look, too. It’s best explored as part of a guided tour, either a guided walking option that hits highlights of the building's history and architecture or an in-depth tour that goes backstage to concert halls, green rooms, and studios usually off-limits to visitors. Given that this is a functioning performance venue, visitors can also experience the Opera House by attending a show, whether pairing a theater performance with dinner as part of an evening package, or dining along the waterfront before a night of ballet.

 

 

Located on Bennelong Point at the waters of Sydney Cove and Farm Cove, the Sydney Opera House is just a few minutes’ walk from Circular Quay and its ferries, trains, and buses. The site is easy to spot from around Sydney Harbour and from the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

 

Shows and performances  run year-round at the Opera House, and with more than 2,500 of them taking place each year, you’re likely to find one during your visit. For a special experience, time your trip during the Vivid Sydney festival, when the Opera House exterior becomes the canvas for colorful light displays.

Towering over the Derwent River and dramatically illuminated at night, the Tasman Bridge has long been one of Hobart’s most memorable landmarks. Built in 1964, the five-lane bridge runs for 1.4km across the river, connecting the central business district with the eastern suburbs, and forming part of the long-distance Tasman Highway.

Despite its status as a city landmark, the Tasman Bridge is perhaps most notorious for its collision with the MV Lake Illawarra bulk carrier In 1975 – an accident that caused extensive damage to the bridge, the sinking of the ship and several fatalities, becoming known as the ‘Tasman Bridge Disaster’. Today, a memorial plaque honors the tragic victims, while the sunken vessel provides an unusual attraction for scuba divers.

At the park, visitors can wander through the scenic stretches of well-kept boardwalk that winds through protected wetlands or settle the score in a match at the world-class tennis center. Bikes and Segways are available for hire, which makes exploring the grounds just a little more manageable. The Urban Jungle Adventure Park, with its high ropes course, is a popular stop for families and thrill-seekers, and weekend archery clinics help travelers hit the bull’s-eye. Travelers can explore the park solo or hire a guide for an in-depth Olympic experience.

Bondi beach might be Sydney’s most headline-grabbing beach, but another local favorite is right nearby – Tamarama Beach. The small bay stretches just 80 meters along the coast and it’s an idyllic setting, with its golden sands framed by rugged sandstone headlands and lush parks. 

Tamarama has long had a reputation as one of the city’s most exclusive beaches and its young, fashionable crowds has earned it the nickname ‘Glamarama’ among locals. The consistent surf and big breaks also make Tamarama a top choice for adventurous surfers, but with dangerous riptides at both sides of the bay, swimmers are advised not to venture outside of the marked safe zones.