Top Australia & the Pacific Attractions & Museums - page 3

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.

If there's one thing people associate with New Zealand, it’s sheep, so make your trip to Rotorua complete with a visit to the Agrodome. Interact with the wooly animals during and educational and family-friendly farm tour experience that includes sheep-shearing, wool-spinning, and sheep dog demonstrations.

Embark on a journey through time and space with this ticket to the Dark Sky Experience at Lake Tekapo. No need to wait until after dark to admire the night sky at this indoor exhibition which draws on Māori astronomy and recent discoveries to tell the story of our skies. This kid-friendly attraction is ideal for families, with multimedia exhibits and hands-on activities offering something to do for everyone.

Gain entry to the National Kiwi Hatchery in Rotorua with this guided tour and ticket combo. Learn about New Zealand's renowned conservation program as you take a tour of the hatchery which has successfully hatched over 2,600 kiwi chicks. After a guided experience, explore the interactive kiwi burrow where you can see the life cycle of a kiwi from egg to burrow. Children under 5 years old cannot participate in this experience.

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.

Get away from the rowdy crowds on the Sunshine Coast and make some new feathered friends in the heart of Queensland with this unique hinterland experience. Enjoy interactive encounters with native and exotic birds in the walk-through aviaries at Maleny Botanic Gardens. Meet cockatoos, macaws and more and get one-of-a-kind photo opportunities with these friendly birds – on your hand, on your head, and against the backdrop of the scenic Glass House Mountains.

Make the most of your time in Auckland with skip-the-line access to the Auckland War Memorial Museum (also known as the Aukland Museum). Housed in a beautiful heritage building, the museum's three floors showcase New Zealand's diverse culture, rich heritage, and its role as a place of remembrance for those who sacrificed their lives in war.

Soak up spectacular aerial views of Melbourne with a visit to Melbourne Skydeck—the highest viewing platform in the Southern Hemisphere. Look out toward Port Phillip Bay and the rolling Dandenong Ranges in the distance. Thrill-seekers can upgrade to experience "The Edge"—a moving, glass-bottomed cube that hovers over the city streets 88 floors below, or opt for dinner and drinks packages for a special visit.

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.

See the crocodiles close up, but safely, on this group river cruise in Adelaide. You can sit either on the open top deck, or the enclosed bottom deck. Both have great views of the crocodiles. There are bathrooms on board, so no need to worry there. You’ll see crocodiles leaping out of the river into the air, so make sure your cameras are charged.

Make the most of the pristine night skies over the Mackenzie Basin with this observatory experience tailored for first-time stargazers. Watch the night sky through one of Cowan’s Observatory’s telescopes, finding stars, constellations and other hidden secrets with the help of one of the observatory’s knowledgeable astronomy guides. With discounted tickets for visitors aged 17 and under, this is a great way to introduce children to the wonders of the Milky Way.

Visit the Bell Tower, one of the largest musical instruments in the world, located in the heart of Perth in vibrant Barrack Square. Also known as the Swan Bells, the bell tower contains twelve bells made in the 14th century for St Martin-in-the-Fields church in London's Trafalgar Square. Learn how the bells came to Australia, discover the art of bell ringing, and soak in panoramic views of the city, Swan River and Elizabeth Quay from the open-air Observation Deck.

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.

Stand on the spot where New Zealand’s founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi, was signed in 1840. Find out how this document was forged with admission to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Your day pass is valid for two consecutive days and includes an informative guided tour, an introductory film, a cultural performance, and full access to the historic site.

Visit two of the most popular wildlife venues in the Cairns area with this combo admission to the Kuranda Koala Gardens and Birdworld. Aussie animals are renowned for various reasons—from adorable (koalas) to elusive (wombats). You’ll have the chance to see an array of wildlife. Some activities are an additional fee.

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.

Bundaberg Rum is one of Australia’s most famous spirits, produced in the Queensland town of Bundaberg since 1888. On this tour, explore behind the scenes of the working rum distillery and sample the legendary rum on a guided tour. See the Molasses Well, peek into the Barrel House, and learn the secrets of how rum is made, plus enjoy access to the interactive Bundaberg Rum Museum.

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.

Seeing the Sydney Opera House from the outside is impressive—but most visitors never glimpse what happens behind the scenes. This backstage tour takes you through the Stage Door and into areas normally reserved for performers and staff, including rehearsal spaces and dressing rooms. Hear insider stories about the productions that bring the venue to life, then finish the experience with breakfast in the Green Room.

Enjoy a close encounter with Australia's native animals at the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, located on the Gold Coast. Your ticket includes admission to the park plus daily keeper presentations and animal shows. Admire critters such as the kangaroo, Tasmanian devil, koala, wombat, echidna, and reptiles that live in natural-style bush and rainforest habitats. Walk through the stunning 5-acre forest of the Lost Valley and see unique flora and wildlife such as lemurs, red pandas, capybaras, and other exotic reptiles.

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.

Located on the shoreline of Sydney Harbour, Sydney Taronga Zoo is home to thousands of fascinating animals, including Australian natives such as the koala, kangaroo, and platypus. Check the schedule for daily keeper presentations, or book an animal encounter or guided tour (own expense) for a more in-depth experience.

Spot Aussie icons and exotic beasts on a thrilling family-friendly day out at the Serengeti-themed Werribee Open Range Zoo. Hop on an open-window bus for a safari tour and get up close to the wildlife. Then, explore the rest of the park on foot and at your leisure, visiting the different animal enclosures, enjoying zookeeper talks and presentations throughout the day, or making the most of the playgrounds.

This fascinating tour will introduce you to the ancestral lands of the Koolin nation and teach you about Aboriginal traditions. You won’t have to worry about getting lost, as an Aboriginal guide will accompany you around Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Garden. Enjoy learning about indigenous plants and trees, and their uses for food and medicine.