Australia is an amazing country, but it’s far. From basically every other country. A lot of people ask me what are the reasons to visit Australia when it’s so far? I mean, there’s other beaches, right? Of course.
But really, Australia has a lot to offer. More than beaches. And no, the animals are not going to kill you. I’ve compiled the ultimate bucket list to make you want to visit Australia like yesterday.
For those of you who don’t know, my husband and I lived in Australia for 3 years. I made a “bucket list” before we went and I’ve been reflecting on how much we’ve accomplished. We have done everything on the original list and then some.
If you’ve ever wanted to visit Australia, this is for you. 150 reasons why you need to get there.
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After decades of traveling, there’s 3 companies I tend to use over and over and recommend to everyone:
Reasons to Visit Australia
4. Fly over the Whitsunday Islands
5. Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef
6. Find Quokkas on Rottnest Island
7. Visit Margaret River (for wine and more!)
8. Taste Wine in Barossa Valley
9. Hold a Koala
10. Feed Kangaroos
12. Visit Daintree National Park
13. Spend New Year’s Eve in Sydney
14. Attend White Night in Melbourne
15. Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge
17. Four Wheel in Francois Peron National Park
18. Drive from Broome to Darwin via the Kimberleys
19. Drive from Cairns to Port Douglas
20. Go Canyoning in the Blue Mountains
21. Drive to Cape Tribulation
22. View Cradle Mountain
23. Visit the Port Arthur Goal on the Coast of Tasmania
24. Set Foot on Wineglass Bay in Freycinet National Park
25. View the Amazing Colors of the Bay of Fires
26. Drive from Adelaide to Melbourne
28. Do the Grand Pacific Highway Drive from Sydney to Cairns
29. Watch the Sunrise in Byron Bay
30. Kayak with Dolphins in Byron Bay
31. View the Glass House Mountains
32. Play in the Snow in the Victorian Alps
33. Drive the 75 Mile Beach Highway on Fraser Island
34. Watch the Sunset at the 12 Apostles on the Great Ocean Road
35. Visit the Big Banana in Coffs Harbour
36. Go Crab Catching
37. Swim in Lake McKenzie on Fraser Island
38. Get arrested at the Old Melbourne Goal
39. Have Breakfast with the Koalas on Hamilton Island
40. Drink Champagne on Whitehaven Beach
41. Find Koalas in the Wild on the Great Ocean Road
42. Kayak through the City of Melbourne
43. Catch Some Tennis at the Australian Open
Top Tip:
Book in a visit to Eureka Tower to view the courts from above!
44. Watch some “Footy” at the MCG
45. Hike in the Second Oldest National Park in the World: Royal National Park
46. Ride the Kuranda Train Near Cairns
47. Over Eat at the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival
48. See the Penguin Parade on Phillip Island
49. Watch a Pelican Feeding
50. Climb to the Top of King’s Canyon
52. Find a Wild Dingo on Fraser Island
53. Watch the Sunset over Shell Beach
54. Hike Cape Range National Park
55. Eat Cake on Acland Street in St. Kilda, Melbourne
56. Search for Penguins on the St. Kilda Pier
58. Get Jealous of the Giraffe’s View at the Sydney Zoo
Top Tip:
Book zoo tickets ahead of time so you don’t have to wait in a long line
59. Have the Best Coffee in Fitzroy, Melbourne
60. Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride over Melbourne
Top Tip:
This is the only city in the world that you can do this
so make sure you book it in!
61. Celebrate Christmas in the Summer
62. Feed the Nocturnal Animals at the Moonlit Sanctuary Near Melbourne
63. Taste Whiskey at the Timboon Distillery in Victoria
64. Take in the Street Art on Hosier Lane, Melbourne
Top Tip:
Book a Laneway tour of Melbourne so you don’t miss any of the fun streets and alleys
65. Visit the Myer Christmas Windows
66. Sunbathe Next to the Beach Houses on Brighton Beach, Melbourne
67. Spend the Night in an Old Gaol in Mount Gambier
68. Walk Among the Lavender Fields in Launceston, Tasmania
69. See the Prettiest Sinkholes in Mount Gambier
70. Dig for Opals in Coober Pedy
71. Give Kisses to a Baby Kangaroo at an Orphanage
72. Get Terrified of the Clown at Luna Park
73. Have Dinner on an Iconic Melbourne Tram
74. Hike Through Alligator Gorge
75. Witness the Longest Mountain Range in Australia: Flinders Ranges
76. Hang Out with the Lemurs at the Melbourne Zoo
Top Tip:
Book a multi-attraction pass to save time and money!
78. Zip Line Through the Ottway Rainforest
79. Relax in the Hot Springs on Mornington Peninsula
80. Visit the Native Australian Plants at the Cranbourne Gardens
81. Have Cheese, Wine, and Chocolate in the Yarra Valley
82. Drink a Cocktail on a Rooftop Bar
83. See the Sydney Opera House from the Water
84. Take the Gibson Steps at the 12 Apostles
85. See the “London Bridge” that has Fallen Down on the Great Ocean Road
Top Tip:
Don’t have time to drive yourself?
Book a tour along the Great Ocean Road with the sunset
and mark off a lot of this list!
86. Catch an Outdoor Movie in the Summer
87. Hang with Kangaroos on Pebbly Beach
88. Navigate Garden Mazes on the Mornington Peninsula
89. Go Night Kayaking on Moreton Island
90. Watch the Monkeys in the Free Park in Launceston, Tasmania
91. Be Amazed by Tassie’s Turquoise Waters
92. Frolic Among Tulips at the Spring Festival
93. Listen to the Sand Squeak on Squeaky Beach in Wilson’s Prom
94. Fly Over Phillip Island
95. Learn (or try) to Play a Didgeridoo
96. Ride Puffing Billy through the Dandenongs
Top Tip:
Pair this with a tour to Philip Island Penguin Parade and the Brighton Beach boxes
to mark even more off your bucket list!
97. Do the Brighton Beach to St. Kilda Beach Walk
98. Get Educated at the Melbourne Library
99. Chase Waterfalls Along the Great Ocean Road
101. Catch a Play in Melbourne
102. Visit only Aussie Animals at the Healesville Sanctuary
103. Surf on Wave Rock
104. Feel Small at Loch Ard Gorge Along the Great Ocean Road
105. Hike in Bungle Bungle National Park
106. Drive from Perth to Exmouth
107. Experience Melbourne Nightlife
108. Try to Keep Your Food Away from the Kookaburra
109. Fly Overtop the Rainforest in Kuranda
110. Shop the Sunday Market in St. Kilda
111. Find Cheap Souvenirs at the Largest Outdoor Market in the World: The Queen Victoria Market
112. Count the Tiny Shells that Make Up Shell Beach
113. Visit the Jenolan Caves
114. Buy Fresh Fish as the Market in Sydney
115. Have a Crazy Shake in One of Melbourne’s Laneways
116. Float Down Yardie Creek Gorge
117. Snorkel the Crystal Clear Waters on Turquoise Bay in Cape Range National Park
118. Hold a Baby Crocodile in Cairns
Top Tip:
Book a St. Kilda Walking tour to learn more about the area!
120. Enjoy the Peaceful City of Perth
121. Stay in the Following Cities: Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Darwin, Adelaide, & Brisbane
122. Watch the Sunset Over the Opera House in Sydney
123. Take a Ferry to Manly, Beach
124. Enjoy the Beauty of the Sydney Harbour
125. Feast in Chinatown
126. Watch Street Performers in Sydney or Melbourne
127. Marvel at the Height of the Ellenborough Falls
128. Learn about the Aboriginal Culture
129. Explore the Rugged Waterfalls in the Kimberleys
130. Photograph the Fraser Island Shipwreck
131. Go from the Beach to the Vineyards on Mornington Peninsula
132. Camp in the Grampians
133. Visit the West MacDonnell Ranges & Cool off in the Natural Water Holes
134. Ride a Tram in Melbourne
135. See Heaps of Wild Wombats in Wilson’s Prom
136. Enjoy at Least One Melbourne Festival
137. Place a Bet at the Crown Casino in Melbourne
138. See Rain on Uluru
139. Find a Dingo in the Snow at Mount Buffalo
140. See Termite Mounds as Tall as You in Western Australia
141. Visit Shark Bay Coastal Reserve
142. Hang Out on Bondi Beach
143. Feel Like You’re on Another Planet at the Pinnacles in Western Australia
144. Hike Pt. Nepean National Park
145. Learn About Anzac Day at the Shrine of Remembrance
146. Have a Beer at the Carlton Brewery
147. Visit a Winery in the Fall
148. Witness Amazing Sand Sculpting
149. Go Glamping
150. Rent a Funky Caravan and Drive Your Heart Out
What about you? Have you ever been to Australia or want to go? What would you add?
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