Things to Do in Australia And The Pacific

The Rainforestation Nature Park is 100 acres of pristine World Heritage rainforest situated just half an hour’s drive from Cairns.

Here, visitors can get involved with nature by taking a ride through the tropical rainforest on an Army Duck Rainforest Tour, where an experienced guide will explain about the tropical plants and wildlife in the park. Elsewhere, the Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience will provide an insight into Aboriginal culture, with demonstrations in traditional-style dwellings.

Visitors can also get up close to native Australian animals within the Koala and Wildlife Park, where trained and enthusiastic wildlife keepers will lead their guests along boardwalks that enable close-up encounters of crocodiles, dingoes, wombats, snakes, kangaroos, and wallabies.

This pleasant trail can be reached from city center, but its waterfront views, open fields and quiet surroundings lend a country feel that’s hard to find in most urban settings. Linear Park offers visitors an ideal setting for afternoon sunbathing, relaxing picnics, or even a dip in the River Torrens. The trail, which wraps past the Adelaide Festival Center, Convention Center and the local zoo, is perfect for a leisurely stroll or a recreational bike ride.

Riddell Beach is one of Perth’s more beautiful beaches, characterized by soaring cliffs and rocky outcrops. It was named for an unfortunate captain who was murdered when his crew mutinied near the beach. Today, the beach is much more peaceful than its namesake. A long stretch of golden sand, Riddell Beach is a great place to get away from the town without having to actually travel too far.

The area is dotted with rusty orange rocks that contrast with the perfectly turquoise water of the Indian Ocean. Riddell Beach is an unpatrolled beach, but its relatively calm waters do make for great swimming provided swimmers have safety in mind. The beach itself is up to 300 meters wide at low tide, and covered in sandstone rocks.

Riddell Beach is incredibly popular with photographers and walkers. It’s also great for searching the rock pools that form when the tide goes out. Riddell Beach is a more interesting, and much less crowded version of Cable Beach.

Just a half-hour ferry ride from Auckland, Rangitoto Island offers active travelers an adventurous escape from the city. This 600-year-old dormant volcano boasts stunning panoramic views of Auckland and a selection of rugged walks both up and around the island, most of them suitable for people of all fitness levels.

Rangitoto Island, in the middle of Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf, is popular with hikers: the easy summit track offers stunning views of the Auckland landscape, and it’s a short walk from the summit to Rangitoto’s striking lava caves. For snorkelers, on the northern side of the island is Wreck Bay, a ship graveyard with wrecks dating back to 1887. Rangitoto is connected to nearby Motutapu Island by causeway, and both islands are home to a wide range of native plants and animals. Rangitoto’s summit track cuts through the world’s largest pohutukawa forest, and birds such as saddleback and kaka live around the summit and in the forest.

You can explore Rangitoto with a guided half-day 4WD or kayaking tour from Auckland. Alternatively, experienced paddlers can kayak to Rangitoto from Auckland; there are rental companies around the city. For easy summit access, ride a “road train” (tram pulled by a tractor) to the top of the island.

 

Rangitoto Island is accessible only by boat. Catch a public ferry from Auckland to Rangitoto, anchor your private boat in Islington Bay, or join a guided tour to the island.

It’s best to visit Rangitoto when the weather is good and the skies are clear: inclement weather can obstruct the perfect views of Auckland—and you risk injury on some of the more rugged tracks. Try visiting on a weekday, as Rangitoto is popular with local weekenders.

It’s possible—and wonderful—to spend the night on Rangitoto or Motutapu. New Zealand’s Department of Conservation has two private baches (holiday houses), Bach 114 and Bach 78, that travelers can rent for the night. If you’d rather sleep under the stars, there’s a beachside campsite at Home Bay on Motutapu Island.

Today, 4WD enthusiasts flock to Double Island Point for wild off-road adventures, while hikers and wildlife lovers often find themselves combing the wooded trails of Great Sandy National Park, located along the south side of town. Visitors also love boating in Tin Can Bay, where wild dolphins play. But the more adventurous may find themselves paragliding over the crystal clear waters of this relatively untouched coastal destination or skydiving near its pristine shores.

The Sydney suburb of Rose Bay is one of the city's hottest outdoors and nature regions, with many opportunities for water-related activities. Though it's just four miles (seven kilometers) outside the central business district, Rose Bay can feel somewhat rural and wild with a population of under 10,000 people. That's, perhaps, why it's such a sought-after neighborhood. In fact, actor Russel Crowe is one of those 10,000 residents.

Of course, it's the nature that draws a host of people to Rose Bay every day. Most of those who head out to this eastern suburb do so in search of some sports activity; the area is host to two top-notch golf courses, plenty of tennis courts, a worthy beach and even sailing and jet-skiing.

Moreover, Rose Bay is home to some great shopping, and there are a host of attractions as well. Within the district itself, places like Rose Bay Cottage, Fernleigh Castle and the Convent of Sacred Heart all draw in their fair share of tourists.

The world’s largest living coral reef aquarium is located on Queensland’s Tropical Far North coast in Townsville and serves as the ultimate way to experience the natural wonder of the Great Barrier Reef without getting wet.

Reef HQ is the National Reef Education Centre for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, which translates to mean that Reef HQ is designed to show off the best of the Great Barrier Reef and educate visitors about this marvelous ecosystem. Reef HQ opened in 1987 as the vision of Dr Graeme Keller, who wanted to make the reef both accessible and affordable in order to spread awareness of conservation and get public support in protecting the Great Barrier Reef.

Reef HQ showcases the rare and extraordinary features of the Great Barrier Reef—one of the world’s richest and most diverse ecosystems in the world. Alongside exhibits of the reef, Reef HQ is involved heavily in reef research programs and runs a turtle hospital to rehabilitate sick and injured turtles.

The white-water rafting on the North Island of New Zealand is considered some of the world’s best. This wild river to the south of Rotorua has 8.5 miles (14 kilometers) of raging rapids that are consistent for most of the year. Visitors can splash, bounce, and paddle their way down the Rangitaiki River with a guide.

 

About 96 miles (155 kilometers) long, the Rangitaiki River is the longest river in the North Island’s Bay of Plenty. Most of the rapids are Class III and IV, offering excitement even for experienced rafters. Those looking for a more laid-back experience can opt for a scenic paddle over Class II rapids. The middle section of the river provides a relaxing flat-water area. Guided trips are available for different skill levels.

 

 

Rafting trips usually begin in Murupara (about 45 minutes from Rotorua); the base is located between Rotorua and Taupo in the Bay of Plenty region. Round-trip transportation from centrally located hotels or the Rotorua airport is usually included with a guided rafting tour.

 

Most rafting excursions offer pickup before 12pm and include a safety briefing, introduction to paddling, and plenty of time to slip into a wetsuit and gear up. River trips operate year-round.

 

While most of the emphasis on a rafting trip is on navigating the rapids safely, be sure to take time to soak up the natural surroundings of the Rangitaiki River Valley. You’ll pass cascading falls in the river gorge fronted by sheer rock walls, and a magnificent shoreline draped in lush forest.

Lush greenery and rolling hills dotted with twisting vines create a picturesque backdrop for sipping some of Yarra Valley’s finest wines. Rochford Wines, located just an hour’s drive from Melbourne, offers first­-class vino, a top­-notch culinary experience and panoramic views of the iconic Great Dividing Ranges. Meander through the winery’s sprawling vistas to visit the on-­site art gallery and retail shop. Try a tasting from Rochford’s cellar door or dine at the winery’s award­-winning restaurant Isabella’s at Rochford.

An oasis of natural beauty located in the heart of Victoria’s wine country, Rochford is known for hosting a range of events, concerts and functions. The winery boasts activities to suit all tastes— from hot air ballooning and segway tours to wine and cheese pairings.

Australia is a nation that was founded by convicts, and the oldest prison in modern Australia is Tasmania’s Richmond Gaol. Constructed in 1825, it’s the only remaining jail in Tasmania where it’s still possible to tour the life of a 19th-century convict. Step inside a dark cell that was used for solitary confinement, and feel firsthand why the tiny space was known to trigger insanity. Stand inside the outdoor courtyard where morning floggings were held, and look at the infamous “cat-o-nine-tails” that was used to administer the lashings. According to some, the Richmond Gaol is still haunted by the ghosts of former convicts, and reports of moans and cold chills are much more common than you’d think. Despite the strength of its original design, the gaol was quickly overcrowded to the point of abject misery, and multiple phases to expand the jail were constructed over 15 years. As the shipments of convicts ceased from overseas, the gaol turned into a holding cell for citizens of petty crime, before eventually falling into disrepair in the middle of the 1920s. Today, as a restored and revitalized historic site that’s one of Tasmania’s best, visitors can not only witness the horrors that convicts had to endure, but also are given a dramatic reminder of why to stay out of jail.

Queensland's Port Douglas features a true rain forest atmosphere, and at the Rainforest Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary, visitors can experience the kaleidoscope of color that wildlife brings to the forest. This eight-acre sanctuary is broken up into four different wilderness habitats–woodland, wetlands, rain forest, and savanna—and showcases the critters who call them home.

Gaze at a blue-and-orange-hued cassowary or the colorful lorikeets and parrots before scouring the savanna for Lumholtz's tree-kangaroos, which are only found in the tropics. Watch the eyes of a freshwater croc as it casually cruises the waters, or search for koalas high in the trees.

Sanctuary staff members lead guided, supervised feeding tours throughout the day and also host educational talks and presentations on the animals' fascinating characteristics. The wildlife sanctuary is very active in conservation, breeding, and rehabilitation. Upgrades for visitors include the after-dark Wildnight nocturnal tour (from $30), a Breakfast with the Birds experience (from $26.50), Lunch with the Lorikeets (from $28), and Picnic With the Parrots ($40).

Fancy a bit of fishing on your trip to Phillip Island? At the Rhyll Trout and Bush Tucker Farm, visitors have the chance to catch their own lunch and dine on rainbow trout. Just grab a rod, reel, and a bucket of bait, and head to one of the two fishing holes to see what you can hook. The outdoor area is for “trophy hunters” in search of a prize-sized catch, whereas children and beginners will have better luck at the indoor “rainforest pool.”

With a fresh rainbow trout in hand, choose from three different options on how to enjoy your fish: BBQ the trout yourself on the grills, have a resident chef prepare the fish for you, or have the fish cleaned and boxed up to enjoy back at home later. After fishing, take a walk through seven acres of traditional “bush tucker” and crops, and learn about dishes the Koori people would make using food sourced only from the wild. What’s more, in addition to being entertaining and informative, the farm is lauded for its sustainability and commitment to traditional practices. This is a fun stop for the adults and kids when visiting Phillip Island, and it’s a day you can say you truly provided food for the entire family. 

Fur seals aren’t usually the first thing that comes to mind when you think of New Zealand’s capital, but here at coastal Red Rocks Reserve just minutes outside of the city, colonies of large, bachelor seals can be found from May-October. Having lost the battle to become breeding males at the fur seal colonies on the South Island, these males swim up across the Cook Strait to winter on Wellington’s coast.

Even in summer when seals aren’t around, the rugged trail leading out to the reserve offers sweeping views of the shoreline, where on the clearest of days you can see snowcapped peaks that rise from the neighboring South Island. The reserve gets its name from the reddish-hued rocks that dot the slippery coast, which are layers of ancient pillow lava formed over 200 million years ago. It’s the small deposits of iron ore that give the rocks their coloring, but ancient Maori believe the navigator, Kupe, spilled blood on the rocks when a paua, or abalone, suddenly clamped on his hand. The trail is also accessible to cyclists, joggers, and off-road drivers, and is the perfect way to connect with nature before spending a night on the town.

Insider's Tip: The best days to visit the reserve are those with very little wind.

In the Coal River Valley, the historic town of Richmond is one of the most popular visits in Tasmania. Known for its 19th-century Georgian buildings and cottages that are today home to galleries and teashops, boutiques and museums, the small town is half an hour from Hobart by bus.

Richmond began life in the 1820s as an important military staging post and convict station that linked Hobart with Port Arthur. Known for its excellent restaurants and for its wines grown in the fertile soils nearby, wine-tasting tours of the surrounding vineyards are a popular daytrip. 

The town’s most popular photo stop has to be the picturesque Richmond Bridge. The oldest stone bridge in Australia, it looks straight out of Stratford-upon-Avon, but it was actually built by Tasmania’s convict workers in 1825. 

Richmond also has its own detailed model village of how the town may have looked in the early 19th century. Other popular visits include Australia’s oldest gaol, Grannie Rhodes’ Cottage, Richmond’s wildlife park, and the St John the Evangelist church, which, being built in 1837, is the oldest Roman Catholic church in the country. Other gentle activities to do in the town include boating on the lake and discovering the wooden-walled Richmond Maze.

It’s rare to see New Zealand’s ground-dwelling kiwi birds in the wild. Yet at the Rainbow Springs Nature Park in Rotorua, you can observe kiwis in their natural habitat and learn about conservation efforts to reintroduce them to the native bush. The Kiwi Encounter, a nocturnal enclosure, allows for easy viewing of this elusive national icon. 

While kiwi birds are undoubtedly the highlight of a visit to Rainbow Springs, you can see—and hear—more than a dozen other bird species in free-flight aviaries. Discover the cheeky behaviors of alpine parrots, meet a hand-reared kea bird, and see cockatoos and kakas. In addition, discover reptiles like the primordial tuatara, which dates back to the dinosaurs. A popular attraction is the Big Splash, a 9-minute water ride past animatronic dinosaurs, moas, and other extinct species. Riders learn about New Zealand’s biodiversity while the boat jettisons at high speed to create towering plumes of water.

Many visitors opt for a guided tour of the nature park to learn about native flora and fauna as well as the impact of introduced predators on these animal populations.

 

Rainbow Springs Nature Park is located on Fairy Springs Road, seven minutes north of Rotorua along the west shore of the lake. Parking is available, and public bus service from the center of town stops right outside the park. 

The park is opening from 8:30am to 5:30pm daily (last entry at 5pm) year-round. Forty-minute guided tours depart every half hour until 4:30pm. The Big Splash is available from 9:30am to 5pm.

Due to invasive predators, only five percent of wild kiwi birds will survive to adulthood. Proceeds from admission to Rainbow Springs help to fund programs to raise these native birds from incubation up through release. Your additional sponsorship allows Kiwi Encounter to increase kiwi survival rates up to 70 percent by protecting reared chicks and maintaining their health in the on-site breeding program.