Things to Do in Australia And The Pacific

Visit Tamaki Maori Village to experience Maori culture and society as it existed in pre-European New Zealand. Through performing arts, you’ll see, hear, and feel the Tamaki brothers’ vision for an immersive tour into the traditional Maori way of life. Live the stories, travels, battles, and rituals of the Maori as New Zealand was settled.

 

Located about 20 minutes from Rotorua, Tamaki Maori Village provides a powerful cultural performance and dining experience to show you who the Maori people are and to let you walk with them into the past. Packages include a 2- to 3-hour tour, in which your guide explains pre-European rituals (such as the powhiri welcoming ceremony), demonstrates the meeting house and interactive village in native forest, and serves a traditional Hangi feast (food cooked underground on hot stones). You even have the option to stay overnight.

Visits to Tamaki Maori Village are included in many day trips from Tauranga as well as multi-day excursions from Auckland. Packages often include the village plus Waitomo Caves, the Hobbiton movie set, and points of interest in Rotorua.

 

 

The evening tour runs a bus that collects you in the early evening, around 5:30pm, from your Rotorua accommodation or from the Tamaki Heritage Experiences office at 1220 Hinemaru Street in the central city. The bus also returns along the same route at about 9:30pm. There’s plenty of space to park if you’re driving.

 

The village is open seven days a week, so to miss the crowds, consider attending on an off-peak day, like a Sunday or Thursday. Tours can be busy, depending on the season, but numbers are usually well-managed. In summer, most of your experience will be during daylight hours, while in winter, the sun sets in the late afternoon—your experience can be quite different!

If uninspired hotel rooms are starting to wear thin, consider spending the night at Tamaki Maori Village. Arrive for the afternoon and evening experience before settling in near a campfire to hear traditional Maori myths and oral histories. At the end of the night, enjoy a relaxing spa in the bush before settling into bed in the whare moe (sleeping house).-

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 one notable exception to the vineyards and plains surrounding Hastings, craggy Te Mata Peak rises 1,300 feet (396 meters) above sea level and offers sensational views. Set just south of Napier and Hastings, Te Mata Peak is renowned for its sweeping, 360 degree views, which stretch from the coastline out to the farms that ring the towns of Hawke’s Bay. While it’s easy to drive to the summit, many visitors choose to hike on the network of forested trails, all of which are well maintained and marked with colorful signs.

Enjoy the scent of towering Redwoods and fresh mountain air, before emerging onto the windswept peak that’s steeped in Maori legend. Guided cultural tours of the mountain explain a bit of its past, and offer insight on the history, people, and beauty of North Island's Hawke’s Bay.

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.

Taieri Gorge Railway isn't just a way of getting from Dunedin to Pukerangi. It’s an experience in itself. The train travels through the Central Otago landscape of hills and gorges, pastureland and forests. It follows part of the route of the historic Otago Central Railway, constructed in the late 19th century during Otago’s Gold Rush.

 

The Taieri Gorge Railway is a scenic way to travel to Pukerangi and Middlemarch in Central Otago, or return to Dunedin on the same day for a relaxing and interesting day out. Along the way, hear live commentary narrating the history of the area, including exciting stories from the Otago Gold Rush. The observation carriage allows for the best views—just keep your arms in as you pass through tunnels that were built by hand more than 100 years ago.

 

Visitors can enjoy a ride on the Taieri Gorge Railway on its own or as part of a day of sightseeing in and around Dunedin. Combined day trips often include a tour of Dunedin city or a trip to spot wildlife out on the Otago Peninsula.

 

 

The Taieri Gorge Railway leaves from the Dunedin Railway Station, in central Dunedin. It’s a short walk from the Octagon.

 

In the summer (October to April), there are two trains daily, at 9:30am and 2:30pm from Dunedin. They run every day of the year, except Christmas Day. In the winter (May to October), there is just one train per day, leaving Dunedin at 12:30pm from Monday to Saturday, and 9:30am on Sundays. In both seasons, trains terminate at Pukerangi from Monday to Saturday and continue to Middlemarch on Sundays.

 

The Taieri Gorge Railway is one scenic train journey in New Zealand, but it’s far from the only one. You can travel quite extensively around New Zealand by train. The Coastal Pacific train travels from Picton to Christchurch, the TranzAlpine from Christchurch to Greymouth, and the Northern Explorer from Wellington to Auckland.

Located on the Aupouri Peninsula, Te Paki is the northernmost region in New Zealand and hosts one of the nation’s most diverse ecosystems. It’s home to rare–and endangered–flora and fauna, such as the giant flax snail and Bartlett’s rata tree. 

Ranging from coastal dunes to tall forest, through both wetlands and shrublands, Te Paki is home to a surprising variety of ways to get in some outdoor fun. The east coast of the peninsula is sheltered, with sandy beaches and rocky headlands that provide great places to scuba dive, snorkel and fish. The west coast is more exposed and home to the golden sand dunes of 90 Mile Beach. Along this stretch of coastline, it’s not only possible to catch waves from a number of classic surf breaks but also to carve up the steep dunes on a sandboard. Prior snowboarding experience is recommended, but sand tobogganing and body boarding are great options for beginners.

The three-day, 30-mile (48-km) Te Paki Coastal Track hike takes in the entire coastline from Spirits Bay to Te Paki Stream, where it joins the 90 Mile Beach. Several shorter hikes, including the Pandora Track and Rarawa Beach Walk, are available for visitors not keen on spending multiple days on the trail.

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.

Centrally located in the Bay of Plenty and home to a deep water harbor, the port of Tauranga is a popular cruise hub with over 85 ships arriving every year. The port is actually located in the township of Mt Maunganui, a laid-back beach town set 4.3 miles (7 km) from the streets of downtown Tauranga. In addition to serving as the home base for visitors arriving by cruise, the port is also offers convenient access to day trips to Rotorua, where steaming geysers and geothermal wonders make for an otherworldly landscape.

From the cruise ship dock at Salisbury Wharf, it’s only a five-minute walk into Mt Maunganui. While many cruise lines provide shuttles to the town's i-SITE Visitor Information Centre, all of Mt Maunganui's main attractions are within a 10-minute radius of the cruise port. To reach Tauranga, you can either take a 20-minute ride on the Bay Hopper bus, or cut the drive to only 10 minutes by hopping in a private taxi. If you'd like to continue traveling by water, use the ferry service available between Salisbury Wharf and the Tauranga waterfront.

Visitors with a day at the Port of Tauranga have two different options for how to spend the day: Explore the communities of Tauranga and Mt. Maunganui, or take a shore excursion to the city of Rotorua. 

For those who choose to stay in town, start the day by grabbing a bite at a café in Mt. Maunganui. This is “surf city” for the Bay of Plenty, and the beach town vibe and consistent waves create an artsy and laidback community. Follow the road north towards “The Mount” beach for a look at the shoreline and surfers, and those who are feeling particularly fit can make the climb to the top of “The Mount.” This 750-foot promontory offers panoramic views looking out over the beach and back towards the city of Tauranga, and it’s the perfect place to stretch your legs and enjoy an hour-long hike. After you’ve soaked up the Maunganui beach scene, head to The Strand in downtown Tauranga for the dining, entertainment, and shops.

While Tauranga might be one of the fastest-growing cities in New Zealand, a visit to the historic Brain Watkins house provides a glimpse of 19th-century New Zealand. Constructed out of native kauri wood, the house is still in the exact same order as it was over 130 years ago.

For those heading to Rotorua, the shore excursion to the geothermal playground will likely occupy the whole day. Given Rotorua’s large population of Maori, try to find a tour which combines the thermals with a visit to a Maori marae.

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.