Things to Do in Australia And The Pacific

Enjoy a quintessential Australian wildlife experience – in the dark – by taking a nocturnal tour at Moonlit Sanctuary Conservation Park.  Revealing mysterious nocturnal creatures that visitors seldom see, the eco-conscious crew at the Moonlit Sanctuary Conservation Park offer both day and night viewing sessions.

Your wildlife encounter may include patting koalas, feeding wallabies and watching for dingos and snakes by day, before searching for quolls, owls and sugar gliders in the moonlight.

Sprawled across 10 hectares of bushland at the top of the picturesque Mornington Peninsula, the Moonlit Sanctuary Conservation Park is just outside of Melbourne and makes an easy daytrip for groups, tourists and locals alike. Best of all, you can leave feeling like you’ve not only encountered Australian wildlife in natural environments, but also helped to support the conservation and education programs run by Moonlit Sanctuary.

Near the northeast coast of the North Island is Mount Tarawera, the volcano responsible for a massive eruption that destroyed the famed, naturally occurring Pink and White Terraces and buried three Maori villages, including Te Wairoa, in 1866. The volcano is currently dormant, but visitors can book several different guided tours of the mountain, ranging from helicopter, 4-wheel drive vehicles and mountain bikes.

The area around Mt. Tarawera is breathtaking in its beauty and captivating in its thermal characteristics. Nearby are both the Geothermal Wonderland of Wai-O-Tapu and the Te Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley near Te Puia, the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute. At Tarawera's foot is Lake Rotomahana, which offers numerous recreational activities including fishing, water skiing and boating.

In addition to Lake Rotomahana, Mt. Tarawera's eruption formed many others, as the rift and domes formed from the explosion dramatically altered the surrounding landscape. In fact, the blast was so massive that its ash could be seen as far away as Christchurch, nearly 500 miles to the south. The resulting topographic challenges have created some of the most exhilarating bike trails in the world.

The highest point in the aptly named Mt Lofty Ranges, Mt Lofty is a luxurious place to get sweeping views of Adelaide and out onto the Indian Ocean.

The views aren’t all there is to Mt Lofty. A comprehensive visitors centre, shop, and fully licensed café are situated on the mountain’s summit, giving visitors information on the area, a place to shop for souvenirs and a beautiful place to eat lunch.

Mt Lofty isn’t just about views – even if you can see all the way out to Kangaroo Island on a clear day. Though only a short drive from the CBD, the area around Mt Lofty is covered by bushland. Mt Lofty is surrounded by the Cleland Conservation Park on one side, and hosts its own botanic garden in which visitors can see a host of native Australian plants and the wide variety of birdlife that is drawn to them.

Getting off the summit, hiking and mountain biking are popular ways to take advantage of the mountain’s relative wilderness. The 8km Waterfall Gully loop is one of the most popular walks – though with a fair amount of ups and downs it’s not for the faint-hearted. A loop of the 1,200km Heysen Track takes hikers from the base of the mountain to the summit over a much more manageable 8km. Downhill biking is a much less strenuous way to enjoy the mountain and cycle all the way back into the city centre.

The highest peak in New Zealand, the magnificent Mt. Cook (Aoraki) stands 12,349 feet (3,764 meters) tall.

The Maori name Aoraki means "cloud piercer" and its striking beauty makes it one of the island's finest mountains. Of New Zealand’s 27 mountains over 8,400 feet (3,000 meters) 22 of them are in this mountain range offering a spectacular display of snow-capped peaks and lush rainforested slopes.

The mountains glacial lakes are popular with people wanting to fish and sail while the rest of the mountain offers horse riding, 4x4 safaris, scenic flights and excellent mountain climbing for experienced climbers. Sir Edmund Hillary reached the summit of Mt. Cook in 1948 before climbing Everest in 1953.

The Tasman Glacier falls down the east side of the mountain with the Hooker Glacier falls to the west. It is possible to take guided skiing trips on Tasman Glacier while Hooker Glacier offers some excellent walking tracks.

Don’t miss the chance to stay in New Zealand’s most famous hotel, the Hermitage.

In prime position with fabulous views of Mount Cook, there’s been a hotel on this site since 1884. Several incarnations later, the current building dates from the late 1950s, with a new multistory wing which was added in the past decade.

A visit is a must even if you’re not staying here. The hotel has a well-regarded restaurant, offering a la carte, buffet or informal cafe-style dining. And, of course, a drink with mountain views at the bar, beside a crackling fireside, is another essential Mount Cook experience.

One of the best places to get your bearings in the city of Wellington is from the Mount Victoria Lookout.

The panoramic views stretch from the harbor islands all the way to planes taking off and landing at the airport south-east of the city center.

Mount Victoria is 196 meters (642 feet) high. The lookout is topped by a triangular memorial to Antarctic explorer Admiral Byrd.

Marking the southern border of Daintree National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Mossman Gorge is one of the most popular places to experience the world’s oldest rain forest. Dating back more than 130 million years, the dense forest and scenic river gorge harbor a rich biodiversity and provide a stunning backdrop for hikers and swimmers.

The Basics

Guided or self-guided hikes set out from the Mossman Gorge Visitor Centre, and the marked trails offer a series of walks ranging from 10 to 45 minutes. Highlights include the elevated boardwalks of Baral Marrjanga, the Rex Creek suspension bridge, and the chance to swim at natural swimming holes along the Mossman River. 

Most tours to the Mossman Gorge run from Cairns or Port Douglas, and a full-day tour typically includes other activities such as a cruise along the Daintree River or a visit to Cape Tribulation. A popular choice is a Dreamtime walk led by an indigenous guide, which offers fascinating insight into the region’s cultural heritage and Kuku Yalanji people.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Temperatures can reach over 86°F (30°C) in the summer months, so be sure to pack sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses, as well as insect repellent, comfortable shoes, and your swimsuit.
  
• The Mossman Gorge is a UNESCO conservation area, so stick to the boardwalks and follow the rules to avoid disturbing the natural environment.
  
• The Mossman Gorge Visitor Centre has restrooms, a shop, a café-restaurant, car parking, and shuttle buses.
  
• Fast currents and flash floods are common along the Mossman Gorge, and swimming is recommended only for strong swimmers under the supervision of a guide.  
  
• The Mossman Gorge Centre and the Baral Marrjanga rain forest boardwalk are wheelchair accessible.
  

How to Get There

The Mossman Gorge is located in the southern stretch of Daintree National Park, 15.5 miles (25 kilometers) west of Port Douglas. The closest town is Mossman, 3 miles (5 kilometers) away. Daily coach transfers run between Port Douglas and the Mossman Gorge Centre, from which shuttle buses run into the park. 

 

When to Get There

The most popular time to visit the Mossman Gorge is during the dry season (April to October), when the weather is cooler and less humid, but it’s best to make an early start to avoid the crowds. Visiting in the wet season (November to March) can be even more interesting for wildlife lovers, with plants and flowers in full bloom. However, swimming in the river is most dangerous at this time of year.

Wildlife-Spotting in the Mossman Gorge

The Mossman Gorge and the surrounding Daintree Rainforest are home to over a third of Australia’s mammals, more than 430 bird species, and many rare and endemic species, making it a paradise for nature lovers. Sought-after sightings include ringtail possums, tree kangaroos, Boyd Forest Dragon, and spotted-tail quolls, as well as platypus, echidna, and swamp wallaby. Bird sightings might include brush cuckoo, cassowary, dusky honeyeater, and common noddy. The plant life is equally impressive, with strangler figs, fan palms, and maple silkwood, as well as rare species such as white hazelwood shrub and backscratcher ginger.

A jagged pinnacle towering over paradise, Mount Otemanu demands attention from visitors to Bora Bora. Although French Polynesia island is known more for its overwater bungalows than its towering vertical cliffs, the view of this ancient volcano above the turquoise lagoon casts a siren call to the adventurous. Unlike that of its neighbor Mount Pahia, the summit of Mount Otemanu is insurmountable due to its precarious rocks (picture a real-life drip castle); however, a smattering of seductive options for exploring the peak from both above and below make up for the limited hiking opportunities.

Visit Queensland’s first national park on Mount Tamborine, in the Gold Coast Hinterland region, to enjoy the natural wonders of eucalypt forests, palm groves, prehistoric volcanic rock outcrops and lush subtropical waterfalls.

Mount Tamborine National Park originated with the protection of the Witches Falls and has since expanded across the Tamborine plateau and surrounding foothills. Popular national park activities include walking the many mapped and marked bush trails, spotting Australian brush-turkeys and listening for the call of the threatened Albert’s lyrebird.

Once you’ve explored the natural wilderness of Mount Tambourine National Park, be sure to indulge in the boutique beers, local wines and specialty crafts from the Tambourine Mountain township, which is known as a luxury getaway destination and hang gliding hotspot.