Choose from 889 Fun Things to Do in Australia And The Pacific
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Fort Denison Island
What is now a popular destination for history buffs once served as a defense facility that kept watch over the bay. Fort Denison Island, located northeast of the Royal Botanic Gardens, was where some of the most gruesome acts against convicted felons took place.
Today, travelers can wander the grounds of this recently restored island and see the gibbet where criminals were hanged. Explore the fort built to protect the island from invaders and climb the historic Martello Tower, the only one of its kind in the country. The island is home to an informative museum, as well as a number of landmarks that illustrate its dark and violent past.
Practical Info
Fort Denison Island is about one kilometer from the Opera House. Matilda and Captain Cook ferries head to Fort Denison daily and depart from Circular Quay at wharf six. Tickets cost less than $20 and include the park entry fee and admission to the museum, but travelers must pay extra for tours and admission to the tower.
Address: Fort Denison Island, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Hours: Daily; ferries do not operate Christmas Day
From $ 33
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum
The Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum is home to one of Australia’s most prominent shipwreck collections and is set in a 19th-century village overlooking Victoria’s Shipwreck Coast. More than 180 shipwrecks have occurred along the coastline here, including the famous Loch Ard disaster. The Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum documents these, and educates visitors of the maritime heritage of both the Shipwreck Coast and the Great Ocean Road.
Come nightfall, the Flagstaff Hill village puts on a spectacular show using special effects to bring the tragic story of the Loch Ard wreck to life. ‘Shipwrecked' is an outdoor sound and laser show that sails nightly, with dinner and show packages available.
Practical Info
The Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum is located at 89 Merri Street in Warrnambool, Victoria. It’s open daily from 9am until 5pm with last admissions at 4pm. The ‘Shipwrecked’ evening show runs nightly at dusk, with show times varying depending on the time of year. The show runs for approximately 70 minutes.
Address: 89 Merri Street, Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia, Australia
From $ 13
Fremantle Prison
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Western Australia’s oldest buildings, Fremantle Prison is an important reminder of Australia’s convict history. Built in the 1850s by the very convicts who inhabited its cells, the prison was notorious for its deplorable conditions and brutal capital punishment.
The Basics
Visitors of Fremantle Prison can choose from five tour options, such as guided tours that take them on a walk through the prison buildings, including the main cell block, exercise yards, and the gallows. For the adventurous, it’s even possible to explore its underground tunnel network or take an eerie evening tour by torchlight. You can also prepurchase a downloadable self-guided audio tour.
Many travelers opt to visit as part of a half- or full-day tour from Perth, often in combination with other Fremantle attractions, such as the fishing harbor, Fremantle Markets, and Maritime Museum, home to the America's Cup-winning yacht, Australia II.
Things to Know Before You Go
- General admission to the prison’s Visitor Centre and exhibition area is free, but the prison itself can only be visited as part of a guided tour.
- On-site facilities include paid parking, restrooms, a gift shop, and a café.
- Wear comfortable shoes—prison tours require a lot of walking and the ground is uneven in some places.
- Fremantle Prison is wheelchair accessible, but certain tours and areas (for example, the underground tunnels) are not suitable for those with limited mobility.
How to Get to There
Fremantle lies 12 miles (19 kilometers) southwest of central Perth, at the mouth of the Swan River. Trains run from Perth to Fremantle every 10 minutes, and it’s an around 30-minute journey by bus or car (ample parking is available on-site). For the most scenic route, take the ferry from Perth’s Barrack Street Jetty to the Fremantle port, from where it’s a short walk or taxi ride to the prison.
When to Get There
Fremantle Prison is open daily, and tours run regularly. Evening tours operate Wednesdays and Fridays only. To combine a visit with the famous Fremantle Markets—just a 5-minute walk from the prison—visit on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.
History of Fremantle Prison
Officially opened in 1855, Fremantle Prison held convicts and criminals for nearly 140 years, remaining in use until 1991. Between 1850 and 1868, it held nearly 10,000 convicts, many of whom were brutally treated. Flogging was legal in the prison until the 1940s. Fremantle was also the only prison in Western Australia with legal capital punishment; 43 men and one woman lost their lives to the gallows.
Address: 1 The Terrace, Fremantle WA 6160, Australia
From $ 22
Fitzroy Island
Forty-five minutes by boat from Cairns, Fitzroy Island has been many things — a Chinese Quarantine Station, a Mission School, a WWII coast-watch station...and today it’s all about its natural features — tropical rainforest and a fringe coral reef, part of the Great Barrier Reef system, where you can dive and snorkel in among green sea turtles, clown fish, and parrotfish.
A continental island that separated from the mainland in the last Ice Age over 8,000 years ago, Fitzroy Island covers just 4km — 97% of which is National Parkland that you can wander through on the walking trails through the forest and along the coast. The rest of the island is all about the white sand beaches, and on the sheltered western end you’ll find the island’s accommodation, a restaurant, Foxy’s Bar, and a conference and wedding venue. There’s also a diving school on the island, and options to go on glass bottom boat tours, SUP boarding, ocean trampolining, and kayaking. A relaxed walk is to the old lighthouse on the northwest point. On a clear day, from here you can look out past Cape Grafton to the Frankland Islands.
Practical Info
Eighteen miles from the mainland, it’s possible to stay overnight on Fitzroy Island or you can just head out there on a day trip. To reach the island from Cairns, head to the Reef Fleet Terminal to take the high-speed 45-minute ferry, which departs at 9am.
Address: Australia
From $ 62
Franz Josef Glacier
One of New Zealand’s most photographed natural wonders and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Franz Josef Glacier serves up a dazzling landscape of snow-smothered peaks, rocky gorges, and icy waterfalls, feeding into the Waiho River.
The Basics
The glacier is easily accessible on a day tour from Franz Josef village and popular activities include a glacier valley walk, a kayaking excursion around Lake Mapourika, or an ATV ride along the West Coast, often combined with a visit to the Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary or the Franz Josef Glacier Hot Pools. For the most incredible views, soar over the Southern Alps on a helicopter flight or touchdown to enjoy heli-hiking along the glacier.
Things to Know Before You Go
- It can get chilly on the mountaintops even in summer, so bring a jacket, as well as sunscreen, suitable hiking boots, and plenty of water.
- The glacial landscapes are constantly changing and icefalls and flash floods are common, so it’s best to visit with a guide.
- Some tours and scenic flights over the Franz Josef glacier are wheelchair accessible—check with your tour operator in advance.
How to Get There
The Franz Josef Glacier is located in the Westland Tai Poutini National Park in the Southland Region of New Zealand’s South Island. The main access point is the Franz Josef Glacier Village, around two hours south of Greymouth, and 3 miles (5 kilometers) from the terminal face of the glacier.
When to Get There
The glacier is accessible all year round, but the high season runs from November to March, when the milder temperatures are ideal for hiking and helicopter tours. Although much colder (average temperatures are 41–57°F/5–15°C), the weather in winter is less changeable, making for some even more impressive scenery, plus you’ll typically find far fewer crowds.
The Natural Wonders of Te Wahipounamu
The Franz Josef glacier is part of the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Te Wahipounamu, which encompasses the neighboring Fox Glacier, and the national parks of Aoraki/Mt. Cook, Fiordland, Mount Aspiring, and Westland Tai Poutini. The West Coast glaciers are just a small part of the dramatic landscapes that await—adventurers can enjoy scenic flights over glacier country, take heli hikes in the mountains, explore underground ice caves, or hike the summit of Mt. Cook.
Address: Franz Josef, New Zealand
Admission: Free
From $ 56
Fitzroy Gardens
Fitzroy Gardens is one of several gardens established during the nineteenth century with a mind to creating and preserving green spaces within the city.
Hugging the eastern side of the CBD, Fitzroy Gardens is seen as the finest garden in the city’s large collection of green spaces, which include Flagstaff, Treasury, Carlton, Alexandra Gardens and the Kings Domain. Dominated by sweeping avenues of English Elms, and full of deciduous and native Australian trees, Fitzroy Gardens looks particularly beautiful in autumn (April to June).
Points of interest within the gardens include Captain Cooks Cottage (transported from England in 1934), a fairy tree, a model Tudor village and a conservatory that exhibits stunning floral displays throughout the year.
Free-guided tours of Fitzroy Gardens take place every Wednesday at 12.30pm. To get to the gardens on foot, walk east from Spring Street until you reach Lansdowne Street (which forms the gardens western edge) or alternately catch a tram along Flinders Street into Wellington Parade.
Hugging the eastern side of the CBD, Fitzroy Gardens is seen as the finest garden in the city’s large collection of green spaces, which include Flagstaff, Treasury, Carlton, Alexandra Gardens and the Kings Domain. Dominated by sweeping avenues of English Elms, and full of deciduous and native Australian trees, Fitzroy Gardens looks particularly beautiful in autumn (April to June).
Points of interest within the gardens include Captain Cooks Cottage (transported from England in 1934), a fairy tree, a model Tudor village and a conservatory that exhibits stunning floral displays throughout the year.
Free-guided tours of Fitzroy Gardens take place every Wednesday at 12.30pm. To get to the gardens on foot, walk east from Spring Street until you reach Lansdowne Street (which forms the gardens western edge) or alternately catch a tram along Flinders Street into Wellington Parade.
Address: Fitzroy Gardens, East Melbourne, VIC 3002, Australia
From $ 41
Fox Glacier
The striking Fox Glacier is one of the most accessible glaciers in the world and offers dazzling views of the river of ice as it travels through the valley into the temperate rainforest below. The glacier, along with Franz Josef glacier, moves at ten times the speed of other glaciers around the world and it constantly shifts as it advances, creating spectacular scenes of ice cliffs and crevasses.
Fox Glacier is the longest glacier in New Zealand at 8 miles (13 kilometers) long and is surrounded by striking mountains 10,000 feet (3,000 meters) high. The glacier has been advancing since 1985.
Practical Info
Over 1,000 people visit the glacier daily, a third of those that visit Franz Josef. It is possible to climb the glacier or take helicopter flights, weather permitting.
The drive from Queenstown is around six hours so many people stay in the town at Fox Glacier and there are two bus companies that drive the route daily. It is a small, remote town but there are plenty of tourist beds available.
Address: Fox Glacier, New Zealand
Admission: Free
From $ 247
Freycinet National Park
One of Tasmania’s most popular coastal holiday spots, Freycinet National Park is backed by the pink-tinged granite outcrops known as the Hazards.
Low-lying coastal heathland frames views of blue sea and sand throughout the park, with the Hazards looming large in the distance. Bushwalkers head here to follow coastal trails along the peninsula’s secluded coves, and the park is a popular holiday camping spot for families.
The park’s white-sand beaches are beautiful but top marks always go to perfectly formed Wineglass Bay, which often appears in travel top 10s as one of the world’s most gorgeous beaches. It really does have a circular wineglass shape, fringed by white sand and untouched bushland.
Birdwatchers come to Freycinet to spot seabirds, and you might see cockatoos, wattlebirds and wallabies on the two-hour return walk to the lofty lookout over Wineglass Bay. It’s an often steep incline with steps, or you can follow the wheelchair-friendly boardwalk at Cape Tourville for less-exhausting but still stunning views of the bay.
Boating and fishing are other popular activities, along with rock climbing, sea-kayaking, swimming at the Friendly Beaches and snorkeling at Sleepy Bay and Honeymoon Bay.
Low-lying coastal heathland frames views of blue sea and sand throughout the park, with the Hazards looming large in the distance. Bushwalkers head here to follow coastal trails along the peninsula’s secluded coves, and the park is a popular holiday camping spot for families.
The park’s white-sand beaches are beautiful but top marks always go to perfectly formed Wineglass Bay, which often appears in travel top 10s as one of the world’s most gorgeous beaches. It really does have a circular wineglass shape, fringed by white sand and untouched bushland.
Birdwatchers come to Freycinet to spot seabirds, and you might see cockatoos, wattlebirds and wallabies on the two-hour return walk to the lofty lookout over Wineglass Bay. It’s an often steep incline with steps, or you can follow the wheelchair-friendly boardwalk at Cape Tourville for less-exhausting but still stunning views of the bay.
Boating and fishing are other popular activities, along with rock climbing, sea-kayaking, swimming at the Friendly Beaches and snorkeling at Sleepy Bay and Honeymoon Bay.
Practical Info
The main settlement in Freycinet National Park is Coles Bay, the place to go for food, drink, shopping and national park information at the visitor center.
Freycinet is around 200km (125 miles) from Launceston and Hobart on Tasmania’s east coast. The peninsula dips south from Coles Bay along Great Oyster Bay, running parallel to the towns of Swansea and Little Swanport.
Freycinet is around 200km (125 miles) from Launceston and Hobart on Tasmania’s east coast. The peninsula dips south from Coles Bay along Great Oyster Bay, running parallel to the towns of Swansea and Little Swanport.
Address: Coles Bay Road, 7215, Australia
Admission: Adults: $12
From $ 97
Flagstaff Gardens
Established atop a hill in central Melbourne in 1862, Flagstaff Gardens is the city’s oldest park. Covering 18 acres, on a nice day you’ll see plenty of office workers lounging on the lawns during their lunch breaks. And given the park’s location next door to Queen Victoria Market, a picnic made up of goods from the nearby food stalls is a popular option.
Named after a flagstaff that was erected in 1840 to signal ships into Melbourne port, as you wander through the park you’ll see sculptures and memorial statues, flower and rose beds, leafy eucalyptus, paths lined with avenues of elms for shade, and Moreton Fig trees native to eastern Australia. Look out for local wildlife, including possums, too.
And in the northern corner, you’ll see the local bowling lawn and, for sporty types, along the William Street side of Flagstaff Gardens there are tennis courts which also double as volleyball, handball, and netball courts. Just next to the courts, the electric barbecues are especially busy come summertime. And for a fine example of Melbourne’s extravagant buildings built during the boom years of the Victorian Gold Rush, check out the Melbourne Mint building. Built in 1862 in the Renaissance revival style, it’s just across the street from Flagstaff Gardens and is now home to the Royal Historical Society of Victoria.
Practical Info
The closest station to Flagstaff Gardens is Flagstaff railway station, at the southeast corner of the park.
Address: West Melbourne, Victoria 3003, Australia
From $ 51
Fitzroy River
The Fitzroy River runs for 733 km through the Kimberly region of Western Australia and is of large importance to the local Aboriginal people. Known to the traditional inhabitants as Mardoowarra, the river and its floodplains have spiritual, cultural and medicinal significance to the Nyikina, Walmadjari and Konejandi peoples, as well as ecological significance.
Many of the Kimberly’s tourist attractions lie on the Fitzroy River. Geikie, Diamond and Sir John Gorges, and the Fitzroy Crossing are the most famous. The Fitzroy River is home to many native species including acacia trees, bream and fresh and saltwater crocodiles, as well as being one of the last places the endangered freshwater sawfish is found.
The Fitzroy River is a popular fishing and camping spot near both Broome and Derby. Fitzroy Crossing is the gateway to attractions such as Tunnel Creek and Windjana Gorge National Parks, and as such is a place many visitors to the Kimberly pass through, and Geikie Gorge National Park is one of the most visited attractions in the area. The Fitzroy River meets the ocean in King Sound, which lies midway between Broome and Derby.
Practical Info
The Fitzroy River is located in the West Kimberly, and accessible from Fitzroy Crossing, Broome and Derby. It flows through Geikie Gorge and can also be seen at Willare crossing and the permanent Margaret River pool.
Address: Willare, WA, Australia, Australia
From $ 199
Flinders Chase National Park
Covering the Western end of Kangaroo Island, Flinders Chase National Park is one of Australia’s most diverse wildernesses. Boasting an intricate network of trails and boardwalks, the park showcases both natural and historic sights.
Popular experiences include visiting the wind sculpted Remarkable Rocks, or the Admirals Arch which stretches over the powerful ocean that shaped it. Also located along the coastline is the Cape Borda Lightstation. Explore by yourself or take a guided tour of the lighthouse and cemetery – the midday tour includes the firing of a restored signal cannon.
The Flinders Chase Visitors Centre provides extensive information about the park, including the best places for wildlife viewing. A colony of New-Zealand fur seals lives on the rocks surrounding Admirals Arch. The Breakneck River Hike offers prime bird watching opportunities, whilst the shorter Platypus Waterholes Walk crosses the habitats of platypus, wallabies, geese, echidnas, goannas and more. The short Cliff Top Hike from the Cape Borda Lightstation ends in a stone lookout that offers prime position for spotting migrating whales from May through October.
Popular experiences include visiting the wind sculpted Remarkable Rocks, or the Admirals Arch which stretches over the powerful ocean that shaped it. Also located along the coastline is the Cape Borda Lightstation. Explore by yourself or take a guided tour of the lighthouse and cemetery – the midday tour includes the firing of a restored signal cannon.
The Flinders Chase Visitors Centre provides extensive information about the park, including the best places for wildlife viewing. A colony of New-Zealand fur seals lives on the rocks surrounding Admirals Arch. The Breakneck River Hike offers prime bird watching opportunities, whilst the shorter Platypus Waterholes Walk crosses the habitats of platypus, wallabies, geese, echidnas, goannas and more. The short Cliff Top Hike from the Cape Borda Lightstation ends in a stone lookout that offers prime position for spotting migrating whales from May through October.
Practical Info:
The Flinders Chase National Park is open 24/7, and the Visitors Centre operates from 9-5. A day pass is $10 for adults and $6 for children, with options available for extending your pass and accommodation. The park is 110km from Kingscote and is accessible by car.
Address: Flinders Chase National Park, Flinders Chase, SA 5223, Australia
Hours: Open 24/7 but day visitors are requested to leave the park by sunset.
Admission: Adult: $10 (2 Day Pass $15). Child: $6 (2 Day Pass $9)
From $ 156
Flinders Street Station
Flinders Street Station is Melbourne’s most historic train station and a major transportation hub. Built in 1854, the station still features remnants of the past like the large clock on the facade, stained glass windows, and old-school flip displays for train departures. The station allows travelers to shuttle between the outer suburbs and the heart of Melbourne with ease.
The Basics
Flinders Street Station proudly stands as a reminder of the past in the middle of Melbourne. A majority of city walking tours commence here (or at the iconic Federation Square across the street). Explore Melbourne’s hidden gems, including nearby Degrabest Street, or take a step back in time with a historic tour to learn more about the station and city’s past. For those who want a more in-depth overview of Melbourne, consider booking a private tour.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Flinders Street Railway Station is a must-visit for those interested in Melbourne’s history.
- Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the station and on every platform.
- The station features wheelchair-accessible bathrooms and phones. There are also tactile paths for those with impaired vision.
How to Get There
Every train, and virtually tram, in Melbourne stops at Flinders Street Station, making it the most important transportation hub in the city. The station stretches for a few blocks from Swanston Street to Elizabeth Street, and is easily walkable from the main streets of Melbourne’s Central Business District (CBD). The station is located directly across from Federation Square, the city’s main meeting point.
When to Get There
Thousands of commuters flood the station every day for work, so visit outside of rush hour to avoid excessive crowds.
Flinders Street Station in the Past
With its iconic yellow facade and green dome, the station was built to be used for more than just transportation. The upper floors of the complex feature an abandoned ballroom with space for 400 guests, a now-neglected gymnasium, as well as a childcare facility used by mothers who were visiting the city. After the railroad romance ended in the mid-20th century, these facilities were closed off to the public
Address: Corner Flinders and Swanston Streets, Melbourne 3000, Australia
Admission: Free
From $ 20
Fremantle Round House
This historic 12-sided building was built in 1831 and is the oldest public building in Western Australia. Travelers can tour this unique architectural destination and learn about the original settlement, as well as how this iconic building was once used to house local lawbreakers.
Visitors can learn about this building’s colorful past and also get an up close look at the famous Whaler’s Tunnel—the oldest underground tunnel in Western Australia. Completed in 1838, the original tunnel spanned some 64 meters, but today measures just 46. And while the 1 p.m. sound call that once rang out daily to alert ships on sea to the official time no longer occurs, travelers can sometimes catch a reenactment ceremony put on by some of the Fremantle Volunteer Heritage Guides.
Practical Info
The Fremantle Round House is located at the end of High Street on Arthur Head and overlooks the Indian Ocean and Bathers Beach. The building is open from 10:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. daily and entry is donation based.
Address: Captains Lane, Fremantle, Western Australia 6160, Australia
Hours: 10:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. daily
Admission: Free, donations welcomed
From $ 27
Gantheaume Point
The glorious red cliffs at Gantheaume Point contrast starkly with the bright blue water to create a spectacular scene, especially at sunset as the rock glows red.
To its the north is Cable Beach, and to its south is a small fishing beach that in summer is covered in sand balls rolled by millions of tiny sand crabs.
Beneath the lighthouse is Anastasia’s pool. It was carved out of the rock by the lighthouse keeper so his arthritic wife could comfortably bathe in the waters each day.
It would seem that not only humans appreciate the beauty of Gantheaume Point as it was also popular with dinosaurs who created a trackway at the point which can still be seen today. At very low tides it is possible to see the tracks of nine different types of dinosaur, both herbivores and carnivores.
Practical Info
Only the first bus of the day visits Gantheaume Point (at approximately 7:55am) and there is no bus service back to town. While this makes it perfect for a morning stroll back to town along Cable Beach about 3 mi (5 km) back, it makes taxis necessary unless you have a car.
Address: Guantheaume Point Road, Broome, Australia
Admission: Free
From $ 66
Fremantle Markets
With a history dating back to 1897 and a far-reaching reputation, the Fremantle Markets are among the most famous of their kind in Western Australia, and the lively weekend markets are equally popular with locals and tourists. Housed in a striking Victorian market hall, restored in the 1970s, the legendary markets feature more than 150 stalls split between two sections – The Yard and The Hall.
Visiting the Fremantle Markets is an experience in itself, with huge crowds turning out each weekend, and an array of street entertainers, artists and musicians providing entertainment. This is the place to buy fresh farmer’s produce, organic delicacies and artisan foods, or feast on tasty street food. It’s not just food on sale either – the eclectic stalls include clothing and accessories by local and upcoming designers; unique art and handicrafts; great value cosmetics and toiletries; and a myriad of souvenirs.
Practical Info
The Fremantle Markets are located on South Terrace in central Fremantle and are open Friday from 8am to 8pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 6pm.
Address: Corner South Terrace & Henderson Street,, Fremantle, Western Australia 6160, Australia
Hours: Fri: 8am-8pm, Sat-Sun: 8am-6pm.
From $ 109
Fremantle Arts Centre
Travelers in search of Australian history, culture and traditions will find all this and much more at the Fremantle Arts Centre in Western Australia. This popular destination attracts as many locals as it does visitors, thanks to a long list of exhibits, events, class offerings and outdoor concerts. Lovely gardens and a quiet café offer up the perfect spot to enjoy a bit of sunshine and relaxation, and the Sunday music sessions are free to the public and attract a diverse crowd. Travelers say the modern art displays and picturesque landscapes make this an essential stop on any visit to Western Australia.
Practical Info
The Fremantle Arts Centre is located at 1 Finnerty Street in Fremantle, Western Australia. It is open daily from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. It is located just west of the Inner Harbour near the John Curtain Performing Arts Centre.
Address: 1 Finnerty St, Fremantle, Western Australia 6160, Australia
Hours: Open daily from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
From $ 20
Fleurieu Peninsula
The Fleurieu Peninsula is a region of South Australia that lies just to the south of Adelaide and prides itself as a place of both adventure and culture. Encompassing the towns of Victor Harbour, Mount Compass, Rapid Bay, Willunga and others, the peninsula has a lot to offer; a host of the historic river and coastal towns celebrate their history with markets, heritage steam trains and some of the country’s finest antique stores.
Adventure on the Fleurieu Peninsula comes from the bike paths, the self-drive adventures, the coastal hiking and the conservation parks within the region. Visitors come here to see little penguins come ashore and to watch whales migrating off the coast. Sailing on Lake Alexandria is a popular activity, as is getting under the waves and seeing some of Australia’s best diving, including the HMAS Hobart. The peninsula is also home to one of South Australia’s best wine regions; McLaren Vale and its world-famous Shiraz are among the wines that hail from here.
Practical Info
The Fleurieu Peninsula is close enough to Adelaide to visit on a day trip. It’s just over 40 miles (70 km) from the city center to Normanville, or 53 miles (85 km) to Victor Harbour–a driving time of about an hour and a half. There are plenty of places to visit on the peninsula, but Victor Harbour offers a good base for exploration.
Address: Australia
From $ 340
Franz Josef Glacier Hot Pools
The South Island of New Zealand is truly a land of enchanting fire and ice. Already known for the snowcapped Southern Alps and glaciers which lap their down the mountains, it’s also an island of geothermal undercurrents which bubble up in steaming hot springs.
In the township of Franz Josef—located five hours from Queenstown on the wet, wild West Coast—the hot springs are actually a little bit different than those which are found elsewhere on the island. Unlike spring water which is heated by the Earth and emerges from a natural vent, the hot pools in Franz Josef instead use water which is sourced from the nearby glacier. This pure, fresh, frigid water is then artificially heated to approximately 100° and routed into six different pools. Combined with its setting in the middle of the rainforest, this is a serene escape from the adrenaline-fueled tourism which is so prevalent in the west coast hamlet.
Sit back and relax in the steaming pools after a morning of trekking on the glacier, and feel the warmth return to limbs which have spent hours scrambling across ice. Share the pools with other travelers beneath a canopy of 100 ft. tall trees, or splurge and reserve your own private pool where you can commune with the sounds of the forest.
The Franz Josef hot pools are only open in the afternoon, although on a misty evening when the clouds roll in off the ocean this is the perfect place to escape the coastal chill.
Address: 69 Cron Street, Franz Josef Glacier, South Island 7886, New Zealand
Admission: Varies
From $ 340
Gallery Walk
For many travelers to the Gold Coast hinterland, a trip to the interior means hiking, birding, or searching for thundering falls. In the case of Tamborine Mountain, however, a small town on an elevated plateau of about 1,700 feet, visitors travel from all over the Gold Coast for the chance to shop at the Gallery Walk. On this festive, shop-lined, action-packed strip, visitors will find over 70 stores full of crafts, clothing and art, as well as restaurants, wine shops, cheese shops, chocolate shops, coffee shops, and houses for tea. Peruse the boutiques for everything from crystals to original, Aboriginal art, or pick up imports like Nepalese scarves or fine, German made clocks. Given the number of visitors about town, it’s also common to find talented musicians performing out on the street, and if you’re completely smitten with the entire experience and one day isn’t enough, a number of charming bed and breakfasts are just a short walk away.
Practical Info
Tamborine Mountain and the Gallery Walk are located one hour from the Gold Coast and a little over an hour from Brisbane. Weekends, as expected, are busier than weekdays, and you’ll want to devote an entire day for the drive and time to explore.
Address: 142 Long Rd, Eagle Heights, Queensland, Australia QLD 4271, Australia
From $ 82
Flemington Racecourse
Melbourne’s historic racecourse has been the city’s premier horse racing venue since it first opened in 1840 and plays an important role in the history and identity of Melbourne and its people.
A hive of activity during Melbourne’s Spring Racing Carnival in November each year, Flemington Racecourse (or ‘Flemington’ as it is more commonly called) is best known as the venue for the Melbourne Cup, the city’s internationally renowned horse race that attracts over 100,000 visitors each year and is the world’s richest turf race.
Owned and run by the VRC (Victoria Racing Club), Flemington hosts racing events throughout the year and is recognised by the Victoria Heritage List as the most significant racing heritage site in Australia.
Situated on the Maribyrnong River, Flemington has clear views of the city skyline and a rose garden that is believed to be the biggest in the southern hemisphere. There is a heritage center and a shop onsite and walking tours are available daily during business hours.
Flemington Racecourse is located 6km northwest of the CBD on Epsom Road. The No. 57 tram (departing Elizabeth Street) provides the most direct access to the racecourse.
A hive of activity during Melbourne’s Spring Racing Carnival in November each year, Flemington Racecourse (or ‘Flemington’ as it is more commonly called) is best known as the venue for the Melbourne Cup, the city’s internationally renowned horse race that attracts over 100,000 visitors each year and is the world’s richest turf race.
Owned and run by the VRC (Victoria Racing Club), Flemington hosts racing events throughout the year and is recognised by the Victoria Heritage List as the most significant racing heritage site in Australia.
Situated on the Maribyrnong River, Flemington has clear views of the city skyline and a rose garden that is believed to be the biggest in the southern hemisphere. There is a heritage center and a shop onsite and walking tours are available daily during business hours.
Flemington Racecourse is located 6km northwest of the CBD on Epsom Road. The No. 57 tram (departing Elizabeth Street) provides the most direct access to the racecourse.
Address: Australia
From $ 27