Things to do in  Australia & the Pacific

Fans of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films won’t want to miss a visit to the Hobbiton Movie Set—the real-life recreation of The Shire, one of the primary settings from the movies based on J.R.R. Tolkien's novels. Set amid the lush hills of Matamata on New Zealand’s North Island, the purpose-built set features the original Hobbit Holes™, sets, and props from the movies.

Encompassing almost 3,000 individual reefs and dotted with 900 islands and coral cays (small sandy isles), Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is one of the world’s most unforgettable natural treasures. Snorkelers and certified divers flock here from all over to see the unparalleled array of marine life.

With the iconic silhouette of the Sydney Opera House and the dramatic arch of Sydney Harbour Bridge etched against a backdrop of the glittering ocean and soaring skyscrapers, Port Jackson, more commonly known as Sydney Harbour, is Australia’s quintessential postcard image. It is the natural heart of Sydney, featuring more than 150 miles (240 kilometers) of coastline lined with golden beaches, lush gardens, and vibrant neighborhoods.

The Mirror Lakes are a collection of small lakes in South Island’s Fiordland National Park. As the name suggests, when the air is still their surface acts somewhat like a mirror, reflecting the Earl Mountains surrounding them. The short walk to the lakes is a popular way to break the journey between Te Anau and Milford Sound.

Located just outside Sydney, Featherdale Wildlife Park is home to one of the largest collections of Australian wildlife anywhere in the world. Visitors can see and learn about the park’s 1,700 native Aussie critters, including koalas, kangaroos, echidnas, saltwater crocodiles, emus, and some of the world’s most venomous snakes.

A world-class performing arts venue and famed Australian sight, the Sydney Opera House—with its distinctive design by Danish architect Jørn Utzon—defines the Sydney Harbour district. Distinguished by soaring halls with a white ceramic–tiled exterior shaped to evoke sails, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a must-see Sydney attraction and a masterpiece of 20th-century architecture.

With its jagged sea cliffs, plunging glacial valleys, and thundering waterfalls, it’s easy to see why Milford Sound is one of New Zealand’s most visited natural wonders. The headline act of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Fiordland National Park is a vast coastal wilderness, fringed by ancient forests and home to fur seals, bottlenose dolphins, rare black coral, and Fiordland crested penguins.

Sprawling along New Zealand’s southwest coast, Fiordland National Park represents the country at its most photogenic: jagged mountains, rugged glacial valleys, and glittering fjords. This UNESCO World Heritage Site harbors some of New Zealand’s most impressive natural wonders, including Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, and Lake Te Anau, as well as rare Fiordland penguins, dolphins, seals, and sea lions.

Phillip Island is brimming with memorable wildlife experiences, but its headline act is the nightly Penguin Parade. Each night at dusk, thousands of little penguins—the largest colony in Australia of the world’s smallest penguin breed—can be seen along the shores of Summerland Beach, waddling back to their beachside burrows after a day at sea.

Few sights are as instantly recognizable as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the grand centerpiece of Sydney Harbour and one of Australia’s most photographed landmarks. The historic structure opened in 1932 and is among the largest steel arch bridges in the world. It’s also an important transport hub, linking downtown with the north shore, Manly Beach, and Sydney’s northern beaches.

With dramatic limestone formations, gigantic stalactites and stalagmites, and a subterranean river, New Zealand's Waitomo Caves hold adventure at every turn. This underground cave system is one of the best places in New Zealand to spot tiny glowworms, and the glittering creatures provide a magical backdrop to the caves' natural wonders.

With its powder-white silica sands, gleaming turquoise waters, and fringe of lush rainforest, it’s little surprise that Whitehaven is one of Australia’s most photographed beaches. Stretching for almost 3 miles (5 kilometers) along the coast of Whitsunday Island, it’s a magnificent sight and an idyllic spot for swimming and snorkelling.

With a stark profile and dramatic location, Mitre Peak’s bare summit towers 5,551 feet (1,692 meters) above Milford Sound. The flanks of Mitre Peak drop steeply into the water, affording spectacular views of the mountain, whether you’re cruising past the base, kayaking in Milford Sound, or swooping by on a scenic flight.

Carving its way through the Southern Alps, the Tasman Glacier (Haupapa) is the largest glacier in New Zealand and a highlight of Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. It’s also stunning—pristine white snow and ice at the glacier’s peak give way to craggy rocks and debris at the bottom, where glacier melt meets the silver waters of Lake Tasman.

Editor's note: Parts of the Great Ocean Road remain in recovery after flooding in early 2026. See official sources for the most up-to-date information, and use caution when driving and walking in the area. Victoria’s Great Ocean Road offers scenic surprises at every turn. In signature Australian style, dense pockets of rainforest, charming coastal towns, and canopies populated by koalas flank endless stretches of white, sandy beaches. While driving yourself grants you more independence, it does mean you can’t spend as much time gazing at the scenery. Organized tours let you focus on the sights rather than the road.