Top Australia & the Pacific Attractions & Museums - page 2

Gain entry to the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute at Te Puia on a guided tour of this geothermal hot spot. Take a walking path up to steaming vents, boiling mud pools and erupting Pohutu Geyser at Te Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley; observe the emblematic kiwi bird; and discover Maori traditions at the cultural center. Upgrade to include a cultural performance of Maori song and dance, including the warlike ‘haka.’ Showtimes are available several times a day during admittance.

Get a behind-the-scenes look at Perth's Optus Stadium, which opened in 2018. You'll have the chance to see the coaches' and locker rooms, and admire views of the Swan River and Perth city skyline from the arena's highest point. Plus, see memorabilia depicting the sports history of Western Australia.

Visit the world’s largest koala sanctuary, which is located an easy 20-minute drive from downtown Brisbane. Home to more than 100 koalas as well as more than 70 other animal species, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary offers multiple ways to learn about native Australian wildlife. Enjoy experiences such as watching koalas and hand-feeding kangaroos and wild lorikeets under staff supervision. See platypus, sheepdogs, and birds of prey in action.

Treat your senses to a fun challenge at the Odyssey Sensory Maze in Queenstown. Your admission ticket gives you access to the maze, which generally takes 20-30 minutes to complete, although you can spend as much time as you like. Find your way through dark spaces and physical obstacles created by lighting, sound, and room design. An ideal activity for older kids and adults of all ages.

Book advance tickets to Willowbank Wildlife Reserve for guaranteed kiwi sightings and up-close access to native New Zealand species. Booking Willowbank Wildlife Reserve tickets online combines the convenience of advance planning with the flexibility to arrive at any time of day, making it easy to fit this wildlife experience into a full day of travel or sightseeing.

If you plan to visit one cave in Western Australia, Mammoth Cave offers the easiest access to millennia of history, nestled in the serene setting of a karri forest. With this audio-guided tour, explore fascinating caverns at your own pace while learning about the cave’s ancient formation and the more than 10,000 fossils found inside. A headset and MP3 player are provided, along with audio commentary in five languages.

Observe more than 20 native bird species—including New Zealand’s famous kiwi—with admission to Kiwi Birdlife Park in central Queenstown. See wildlife shows, nature exhibits, and daily keeper presentations, and catch a rare sight of the flightless kiwi in a darkened enclosure that mimics a nocturnal environment. Your admission ticket is valid for the entire day so you can explore the park at your own pace.

Get up close to Australia’s native wildlife at the award-winning Wildlife Habitat in Port Douglas. Spot kangaroos and koalas as you wander through the wetlands; tiptoe past crocodiles in the savannah; meet nocturnal critters under a starry sky in nocturnal habitat; then take in views of the rainforest from the treetop canopy walk. Upgrade to include breakfast with the birds or “swimming” with the crocodiles.

SkyPoint Observation Deck, located atop the iconic Q1 building in the heart of Surfers Paradise, offers breathtaking 360-degree views of the Gold Coast from 230 metres above sea level. As Australia’s only beachside observation deck, SkyPoint delivers a truly unique experience, showcasing the coastline, city skyline and hinterland in one spectacular panorama. SkyPoint’s Bar + Bistro is open daily from breakfast through to dinner, allowing guests to enjoy the views from sunrise to the city’s night lights. Operating Hour Changes: • Wednesday 17th June: Open from 7:30am, last entry 2:00pm, closing at 2:30pm • Saturday 27th June: Open 7:30am, last entry 2:30pm, close 3:00pm • Tuesday 28th July: CLOSED SkyPoint is a must-do Gold Coast experience, popular with visitors and locals of all ages and abilities alike. Please note: SkyPoint is closed on ANZAC Day and Christmas Day.

Head to the Milky Way Glowworm Cave to learn facts about the luminous worms’ lifecycle that most guidebooks miss on this guided tour. Descend into the dark depths of the cave with your handheld flashlight and see the cave’s craggy ceiling lit up as bright as the sky at night. A longer premium tour option offers more time and information for photography enthusiasts.

Sydney Opera House has launched its first ever Architectural Tour, revealing the story behind the creation of Utzon’s masterpiece. You will hear how visionaries, idealists, architects, engineers, pragmatists and artists together built this architectural and engineering masterpiece form our most experience and knowledgeable guides.

Learn about Antarctic landscapes, wildlife, and explorers with convenient pre-purchased tickets to the International Antarctic Centre in Christchurch. Brave a harsh Antarctic storm, learn about life on remote Scott Base, and check out adorable little blue penguins. Enjoy Hägglund rides (height restrictions apply) and 4D shows, and enter the “cuddle zone,” where you can meet fluffy huskies that explorers historically used to pull their Antarctic dog sleds.

Art, craft, and culture-loving travelers will enjoy this guided tour of a New Zealand jade (pounamu) carving studio. Learn about the cultural significance of jade to the local Maori people, and about traditional and contemporary designs. Get the chance to meet jewelry artists and to see them at work. Choose a piece of jade to string and keep as a memento.

Treat yourself to a relaxing spa experience at adults-only Lake Rotorua hot pools, where pre-booking admission gets you access to acidic and alkaline pools, a reflexology walk, and a hot pool with views across the lake. It’s a serene and soothing alternative to the all-ages Rotorua spas, and includes plenty of spa time to ensure you never feel rushed.

Learn about the New Zealand native bird, the kiwi, with admission to the Franz Josef Wildlife Center. Tour the largest kiwi hatching facility on the South Island and opt to include a Backstage Pass Tour, where you'll get 30 minutes of access behind the scenes. Your ticket also includes access to the West Coast storytelling areas and an interactive glacier exhibition. Buy your passes in advance to guarantee your admission to this popular attraction, great for all weather and all times of year.

As one of Melbourne’s top attractions, tickets for the Melbourne Skydeck can sell out fast—especially at prime times such as sunset. Secure your chosen time slot by prebooking your admission ticket for the skyscraper in advance, so that you can soak up panoramic views of the city when it suits you.

Try your hand at mind-bending games and puzzles at Puzzling World in Wanaka. This prepaid admission ticket lets you plan your vacation in advance and have guaranteed admission to this popular attraction. Try out the world's first 3D Great Maze, visit the illusion rooms, and test your problem-solving skills.

Take an aerial journey on the Christchurch Gondola to the Port Hills crater rim and Mt. Cavendish summit. At the summit complex—revamped since the 2011 earthquake—you’re rewarded with views of the cityscape, the Canterbury Plains, and Lyttelton Harbour. Return tickets are included. Upgrade to include punting by flat-bottomed boat on the central-city Avon River.

Take a break from sightseeing or daily life and enjoy an interactive and immersive art experience at Metartworld, the largest metal art gallery in Australia. Ideal for all ages, admire more than 200 metal artworks and make your way through the mirror mazes in the starry night exhibition. Paid workshops available.

Learn more about Cairns' unique culture and history at the interesting Cairns Museum. This ticket saves you time, so you can straight into the museum and check out its interactive exhibits. There are family friendly displays that all members of the family can enjoy, plus refreshing air conditioning when the heat of tropical North Queensland gets too much.

Spend a day immersed in the animal kingdom at the Melbourne Zoo. Encounter native species including koalas, wombats, and kangaroos, and local Victorian species such as indigenous penguins and seals splash. Also admire mighty Asian pachyderms at the Trail of Elephants, elegant African zebras and giraffes in open-air habitats, the energetic primates at Lemur Island, an elevated orangutan exhibit, and more.

The site of over 130 executions since it opened in 1841, the Old Melbourne Gaol is one of the city’s most popular museums. Ensure entry even over busy periods, such as weekends, Easter, and the Australian summer vacation, by booking tickets in advance. Once you’re there, follow in the footsteps of notorious outlaw Ned Kelly and discover the tragic stories that brought criminals to their doom.

Guarantee your entry to New Zealand’s only castle with admission to Larnach Castle and Gardens, where you find beautiful antiques, dramatic architecture, and gorgeous views across the Otago Peninsula. Learn the story of the castle’s founding family and pause to explore a collection of native New Zealand plants. Pre-booking your tickets ensures a smooth visit, with the flexibility to explore at your own pace.

Feel like you’re on top of the world and soak up the incredible views from the roof of the Optus Stadium during this thrilling stadium tour. A great way to enjoy an amazing bird’s-eye view of the field of play, on a behind-the-scenes stadium tour and visit the Western Viewing Deck. Perfect for sports fans and lovers of architecture and adventure, this small-group tour is suitable for children over the age of 10.