Things to do in  Australia & the Pacific

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 glittering ocean and soaring skyscrapers, Port Jackson (aka 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Located just outside of Sydney, Featherdale Wildlife Park is home to the largest collections of Australian wildlife anywhere in the world. You can see and learn about the park’s 2,000 native Aussie critters, including koalas, kangaroos, echidnas, saltwater crocodiles, emus, and some of the world’s most venomous snakes. The park also helps to protect more than 60 threatened native species.

Phillip Island is brimming with things to do, but its headline act is the nightly Penguin Parade. Come 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. To limit interference with this spectacular tradition, spectators wait for the little creatures from grandstands, viewing platforms, and enclosures.

Surrounded by mountains and shrouded in legend, the crystal waters of Lake Wakatipu make up the longest lake on New Zealand's South Island. For travelers seeking adventure activities—from fishing to catamaran cruises—a day on Lake Wakatipu is arguably the highlight of any trip to Queenstown and the Otago region.

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.

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.

With dramatic limestone formations, towering stalactites and stalagmites, and an underground river, New Zealand's Waitomo Caves offer a memorable experience for the whole family. This underground cave system is one of the best places in New Zealand to spot glowworms, whose shimmering lights create a magical atmosphere. Visitors can explore by boat, join cave walking tours, or even opt for a more adventurous activity such as abseiling or tubing.

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.