Things to Do in Australia And The Pacific

All roads in central Townsville eventually lead to The Strand. As the city’s most beautiful and popular beach, The Strand is the sparkling centerpiece of Townsville’s golden coast. Even better, it has twice been voted “Australia’s Cleanest Beach” for its tidy, modern facilities. Take a jog on the walking paths that weave along the coast, or plan an afternoon barbecue or picnic on the park’s expansive lawn.

Fishermen gather at the northern end, in front of Kissing Point Fort, as bathers wade in the famous Rock Pool that faces out to sea. If it’s “stinger” season for Queensland’s box jellies, the section of beach just south of the pool has stinger nets and lifeguards. Waves are rarely an issue here, and it’s easy to simply float on your back and feel the sun on your face. For an extended trip when walking The Strand, make the climb up to Kissing Point Fort, where views stretch out to Magnetic Island and the vast Pacific beyond. The passenger ferry to Magnetic Island also departs from The Strand, and families will enjoy the large waterpark that’s perfect for children. Add in roadside cafés and restaurants just steps from the manicured grounds, and it’s easy to see why the famous Strand is the most happening place in town.

When visiting New Zealand’s Milford Sound, you’d be forgiven for driving straight through from Te Anau and simply just wanting to get there. After all—Milford Sound is one of the world’s most stunningly scenic areas, and it’s hard to bottle the excitable urge to get there as fast as you can. As it turns out, however, the journey to famous Milford Sound is all a part of the experience, and the Milford Road is lined with hikes, viewpoints, and scenic adventures. One of these stops is known as “The Chasm,” where wooden boardwalks weave through the rain forest amidst a canopy of ferns. After only a couple of minutes on the trail, the sound of waterfalls thundering in the distance gradually begins to get louder, until the Cleddau River is powerfully splashing beneath your feet. From the bridge overlooking The Chasm, you’ll notice a series of massive rocks that are riddled with oversized potholes, which have been naturally formed by water swirling in circles within the canyon. Over the course of thousands of years, the swirling water has created these smooth depressions and holes in the rocks, which only add to the impressive nature of this short, but worthwhile hike.

The Three Sisters is an ancient rock formation located in the Blue Mountains National Park in the town of  Katoomba. The towering trio of stone has a mythical dimension in the Aboriginal Dreamtime legend about three sisters who lived in the Jamison Valley and fell in love with three brothers from a rival tribe whom they were forbidden to marry.

Today the landmark is a popular destination, and a trip to Echo Point—a viewing and access point for the Three Sisters— is an easy day trip from Sydney. Visitors can walk down a very steep and winding staircase of about 800 steps past the rock formation and connect with other walking trails at the bottom of the valley.

The Three Sisters rock formation is located at Echo Point in the town of Katoomba. The spot is easily accessible by car or train. From Sydney, it’s about 90 minutes by car, or a 2-hour train journey on the Blue Mountain Line. Many tours also include transportation to the Three Sisters.

The Blue Mountains National Park is always open to the public, although some parts of the park may occasional close due to bad weather. The Echo Point Visitor center is open daily; check the website for up-to-date hours.

Visitors to the Three Sisters will find themselves a short drive or one train stop away from the charming village of Leura. With family-run cafes, bakeries, gift shops, and food stores, Leura offers a taste of small town life in Australia. There are a number of casual and higher-end dining options, making it a great lunch stop during a day of sightseeing.

Recently refurbished, the Toitu Otago Settlers Musuem is a fascinating look at the life and times of Dunedin’s early settlers. Because of its sheltered, deep water port and fertile coastal plain, Dunedin was one of the South Island’s earliest places where Europeans settled. Arriving by boat in 1848, European settlers—predominantly Scottish—slowly began to build a community in the coastal Otago frontier, which exploded into hyper-growth when gold was found in the hills. From the time of the gold rush in 1861, Dunedin continued to serve as the center of life in Otago and the Southland, all of which is on display in this massive downtown museum. Aside from exhibits on European settlers, visitors will also find info relating to native South Island Maori, as well as a look at how Dunedin was New Zealand’s “First Great City.” At the Smith Gallery, look in the eyes of early settlers through the stunning collections of portraits, all of which feature early settlers from pre-1864.  You’ll also find newer, more modern exhibits on Dunedin in the digital age, and this one of the city’s best activities on a cold or rainy day.

The Tiwi Islands sit about 50 miles off the north coast of Darwin in Australia’s Northern Territory, and the chain is made up of 11 individual isles. The largest are Melville – the second largest island in Australia behind Tasmania – and Bathurst, the fifth largest of Australia’s islands.

It is believed that this string of islands has been inhabited for the past 7,000 years by the Tiwi people, which led to them being named an Aboriginal Reserve in 1912. Like at Arnhem Land, another Aboriginal Reserve, visiting these islands requires an invitation or an escort, as well as a permit. The islands are governed mostly by the Tiwi Aboriginal Land Trust and the Tiwi Land Council.

The island communities are renowned for their art, particularly for their wood carvings of birds. Fabric creations are also common and made in a similar fashion to Indonesian batik prints. 

The wilderness of the Tiwi Islands is not to be outdone by that on the Northern Territory mainland -- Melville Island is particularly known for its swimming holes at Taracumbie and Tomorapi Falls, and the islands are full of charming secluded waterfalls and dense rainforest areas.

The Nobbies Centre offers a front row seat to nature’s powerful drama. Marooned out on the western end of Victoria’s Phillip Island, the Nobbies is a spot where the jagged rocks are met by the fury of the sea. The area is best known for the 16,000 fur seals that make their home on the rocks, and the spring season from October-January is when males fight to claim their territory and mothers feed their young. Above the rocks and crashing surf, hundreds of sea birds float and glide on gusty currents in the sky—almost to the point that their avian cloud can partially block out the sun. 

A series of boardwalks and lookout points leads from the center to the coast, although the seals are rarely close enough to be seen with the naked eye. Instead, it’s the power of the wind, waves, and sea spray that offers immediate drama. When a storm rolls in off the Southern Ocean and encounters the slippery rocks, the walls of whitewater furiously exploding are reason enough to visit. If the wind is whipping up a chill, escape to the confines of the educational center and warm up with a coffee or tea, and keep your eyes peeled for Little Penguins that burrow under the boardwalk. While the Centre itself is a quick visit, it’s the sweeping views from the coastal boardwalk that make this a visitor favorite.

Tiritiri Matangi Island is an open wildlife sanctuary devoted to the protection of local endangered species. The island is tightly controlled to keep out predators such as cats and mice, which hunt fragile bird species, including the tiny kiwi birds you’ll see running around the island.

With about 80 species of birds, Tiritiri Matangi is a must-see for birdwatchers, and the air is rich with varieties of birdsong rarely heard on the mainland. Guided walks can help you spot and identify the various types of birds, and you can find the trailheads of walking tracks at the visitor center. The Kawaura Track winds through coastal forest and 1,000-year-old pohutukawa trees, while the Wattle Track leads to the oldest working lighthouse in New Zealand. Head to Hobbs Beach, just a short walk from the ferry dock, to take a swim and spy on blue penguins in their nesting boxes.

Often overshadowed by their more famous neighbor, the mighty Ayers Rock (Uluru), the Olgas (Kata Tjuta) are part of the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Uluru–Kata Tjuta National Park. This natural wonder, comprising 36 domed red rocks looming up from the desert plains, is a spectacular sight and one of the highlights of Australia’s Red Centre.

The best views of the Olgas are from the Kata Tjuta Dune viewing platform, especially at sunrise. Sunset visits are popular as well. Hikers can follow the Walpa Gorge walk (about a 1-hour circuit that passes between the two main domes) or the more challenging Valley of the Winds trail (a 3-hour circuit). 

Day tours depart from Ayers Rock, Yulara, or Alice Springs, and often include a visit to nearby Uluru, a stop at the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre, or an Aussie-style barbecue in the Outback. Choosing a multi-day tour means you can travel farther into the desert to visit Kings Canyon or Lake Amadeus, enjoy camping beneath the desert stars, and experience the Olgas at sunrise and sunset. Adventurous travelers can also take a desert camel ride, an ATV safari, or a helicopter or fixed-wing scenic flight.

The Olgas are located in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, around 25 miles (40 kilometers) and a 40-minute drive west of Uluru. The closest accommodation and restaurants are the Ayers Rock Resort in Yulara, a 45-minute drive; the nearest major town, Alice Springs, is an over 5-hour drive. Regular flights run to Ayers Rock Airport and Alice Springs Airport, while cars and buses arrive via the Northern Territory’s scenic Red Centre Way.

The Olgas are visitable year-round. May through September offer cooler weather that’s better suited for hiking and sightseeing tours. In summer (December to March), when temperatures can go above 100°F (38°C), it’s best to plan activities before 11am. Try to visit at sunrise or sunset, when the changing light casts colorful hues over the rocks.

Volcanic activity some 550 million years ago formed the Olgas, 36 enormous domed rocks made from the same arkose sandstone as Uluru. The domes stretch over a massive 12-mile (20-kilometer) area, and the highest peak—Mount Olga—is much higher than Uluru at 1,790 feet (546 meters). The OIgas are traditionally known by their indigenous name, Kata Tjuta, which means “many heads,” and the site remains of great cultural and spiritual importance to the Anangu people.

Tongariro National Park earned dual UNESCO World Heritage status for its combination of Maori cultural and natural features. Located on the central North Island, the park offers visitors several options for exploring the volcanic terrain. If you want to shorten the multi-day Tongariro Northern Circuit, a New Zealand Great Walk, then consider the popular Tongariro Alpine Crossing day hike.

Those who tackle the 26-mile (43-kilometer) Northern Circuit must make Great Walk reservations and book hut (or campsite) tickets in advance. Typically, hikers opt for the 12-mile (19-kilometer) Tongariro Alpine Crossing. The moderately challenging route takes you past lava flows, volcanic craters, and the Emerald Lakes (or optional side trip to the summit of Mt. Ngauruhoe). Alternatively, explore easier nature trails or see Tongariro National Park from above by helicopter. Two of New Zealand’s largest ski resorts are located on Mt. Ruapehu.

Equidistant from Auckland and Wellington on the North Island, Tongariro National Park is easily reached via paved roads. The Northern Explorer scenic railway stops at National Park station, or shuttle bus service—departing from National Park Village, Taupo, Turangi, or the Base Camp or Ketetahi parking lots—can take you to Whakapapa Village and the hiking trails, 

The Great Walks season typically runs from mid-October until the end of April. The track can get crowded, so it’s best to arrive early in the day and take your time. Before setting out, be sure to check the latest forecast, as the weather is changeable in every season and can reach extremes of cold and wind, even in summer. 

New Zealand’s oldest national park lies at the end of a 1,550-mile (2,494 kilometer) string of volcanoes. The UNESCO-listed area is sacred to the Maori people as a connection point between earth and sky. Also within the park, the Pihanga Scenic Reserve includes Lake Rotopounamu, Mt. Pihanga, and the Kakaramea-Tihia Massif. The reserve is especially significant to the Maori people, who celebrate the love between Pihanga—considered a powerful female mountain—and her equally strong male counterpart, Tongariro.

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.

In the grand scheme of human development, gaming consoles and video games seem too young to be part of history. The reality, however, is entire generations of travelers were born after video games were invented, and some of the early gaming consoles really seem very…old. Enter Perth’s Nostalgia Box Museum, a collection of vintage gaming consoles dating all the way back to the Magnavox Odyssey—released in 1972. Try your hand at classic Pong or channel Sonic the Hedgehog, before choosing your driver as Donkey Kong in a fast-paced session of Mario Kart.

Though not all consoles are connected for playing, over 100 historic video game consoles are spread throughout the museum, where adults can quickly revert to their youth while playing their favorite games, and new generations will be amazed at just how far we’ve come.

Insider's Tip: Some of the consoles can often get crowded, so visit around opening time to maximize the time you can spend on the various consoles.

Towering above the town of Stanley on Tasmania’s northern coast, “The Nut” is a coastal, tabletop hill that rises steeply up from the shore of Stanley’s golden sands. Since much of the land around Stanley is flat, the 500 ft. “Nut” offers visitors a view of the northern Tasmanian coast, where it’s sometimes possible to see wild penguins as they roll and splash in the surf. Keep an eye out for scurrying rabbits and curious Australian padmelons, as you make the steep, 30-minute climb up the 1.8 mile trail. For hikers with any mobility issues, a chairlift operates throughout the day that makes it easy to summit The Nut and experience the view from the top. You’ll find multiple lookouts facing each direction, whether staring north across an ocean that’s flecked with whitecaps and waves, or gazing down on Stanley township where clapboard homes and carless streets give the feel of a coastal fishing village where time slinks slowly on by.

The Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park offers a fascinating insight into Australia’s diverse Aboriginal heritage. Visitors can discover the 40,000-year history of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and experience the Tjapukai people’s arts, traditions, and foods.

 

Most visitors arrive at Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park from Cairns, and there are plenty of options for half- and full-day tours. Standard entrance tickets include access to the Creation Theater, where Aboriginal folklore and myths are brought to life; the Cultural Village, which hosts traditional corroboree celebrations, live music, and dance shows; and plenty of fun interactive activities. A night visit is even more atmospheric with a lakeside fire ceremony, spectacular cultural show, and a delicious buffet dinner all included.

 

For the best value, combine your visit with a city tour of Cairns, nearby family attractions such as Hartley's Crocodile Adventures, or a thrilling ride on the Kuranda Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, which starts right next door to Tjapukai.

 

 

Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park is a short drive north of Cairns off Captain Cook Highway, next to Smithfield Station of Kuranda Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Visitors can take advantage of an hourly shuttle service to and from Cairns, the northern beaches, and Port Douglas. Bus 123 also runs to the park from Cairns or else it’s a short taxi ride from the town center.

 

Tjapukai is open daily year-round and, like most Cairns attractions, it’s busiest on weekends and during the summer holidays (December–January). Shows, demonstrations, and interactive workshops are repeated morning and afternoon, so it’s best to arrive either at opening or before 2pm to enjoy all the activities, while night visits start from 7pm.

 

There are plenty of fun ways to get involved at Tjapukai. Sample bush tucker (foods native to Australia) at the Cultural Village, try your hand at spear- and boomerang-throwing, learn to play the didgeridoo, and dance around the campfire. Additional bookable activities include a guided tasting and demonstration of bush foods, native plants, and natural medicines; and a traditional handicrafts workshop involving boomerang painting, weaving, and jewelry making.