Australia & the Pacific attractions

Plunging from lush jungle into crystal-clear pools, these Savai’i waterfalls stay cool on the island’s hottest days. Bring a bathing suit to swim in its primary basin, flanked by volcanic rocks and greenery. The big waterfall and main swimming area are all visual drama, while smaller pools linked by walking trails reward exploration.

Tables overflow with a colorful bounty of tropical fruits, fresh fish, and prepared foods at this bustling market, which serves as a hub for Savai’i commerce. Salelologa Market offers a real-world glimpse into daily Samoan life and doubles as a great spot for souvenir shopping, with lower prices on handicrafts, clothing, and carvings than at many Upolu shops.

When waves surge into the Alofaaga Blowholes (Taga Blowholes) in southwest Savai’i, seawater channels hundreds of feet into the air, often accompanied by earth-shaking booms. To showcase the ocean's power, locals throw coconuts into the holes made by the rapidly cooling lava rock. As the shells blast skyward, onlookers cheer.

Once known as Sandalwood Island, Vanua Levu is the second-largest Fiji island, and home to impressive dive spots. The variety of marine life is so spectacular that Jean-Michel Cousteau even built a resort here. While not the best island for lazy beach days, Vanua Levu is a less touristy option, and ideal for active souls who love to snorkel, hike, and dive.

This cattle station (ranch in Australia’s “Red Centre” is bigger than the state of Rhode Island. Curtin Springs is a welcome, comfortable stop on the road leading west toward Uluru/Ayers Rock. Most travelers who stay here use it as a base for exploring Uluru, Kata Tjuta, and Kings Canyon, ,thereby escaping higher prices and crowds found near the rock.

The Enchanted Adventure Garden is a family-friendly park on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. General entry includes access to hedge mazes, giant brain-teaser puzzles, a canopy walk, tube slides, and more. They also offer a “tree surfing” high ropes course, and ziplining. There are attractions here for all ages and abilities.

Set amid the natural wonders and wildlife reserves of Phillip Island, A Maze'N Things offers a fun alternative for a family day out. The small-scale theme park is packed with interactive exhibitions and activities, including mind-bending illusions, a gigantic maze, a minigolf course, and plenty of games, puzzles, and challenges to keep all ages entertained.

Established in 1844, Penfolds is perhaps Australia’s defining wine brand, and these Adelaide Hills vineyards are where it all began. Besides cellars, wine-making operations, and tasting rooms, the site is home to the original Grange cottage where the founders lived, an award-winning fine-dining restaurant, and an informal eatery.

Part of Walpole-Nornalup National Park, the Valley of the Giants is a forest of towering tingle trees that are unique to this southwestern region of Western Australia. The forest draws visitors with its Tree Top Walk, an elevated walkway that provides bird’s-eye views of the lush landscape.

Covering more than 3,700 acres (1,500 hectares) and featuring more than 500 free-roaming animals, Monarto Zoo is Australia’s largest open-range zoo. Along with Aussie favorites such as wallabies and Tasmanian Devils, the zoo is home to Australia’s largest herd of giraffes, as well as lions, rhinos, cheetah, and meerkats.

Offering more than 50 rides and attractions, Dreamworld is Australia’s largest theme park and one of the most popular Gold Coast family attractions. With big-thrill rides, live shows, the adjoining WhiteWater World water park, and animal residents—including tigers, koalas, and crocodiles—there’s something to entertain all ages.

Perth’s principal Anglican cathedral, St. George’s Cathedral was consecrated in 1888 and sits on St. George’s Terrace in the Perth Central Business District (CBD. The red brick and limestone Gothic Revival structure is an architectural heritage landmark as well as an active church that attracts both locals and visitors.

The Taieri Gorge Railway isn’t just a way of getting from Dunedin to Pukerangi: It’s an experience. The train travels through the Central Otago landscape of hills, deep gorges, pastureland, and forests. It follows part of the historic Otago Central Railway route, constructed in the 19th century during Otago’s Gold Rush. Plus, it leaves from the beautiful neo-Gothic Dunedin Railway Station, a major Dunedin attraction.

As Australia’s biggest waterpark, WhiteWater World boasts more than 140 rides, slides, and attractions. Highlights include the Cave of Waves wave pool; the Pipeline Plunge splash zone; The Rip family raft ride; and The Wedgie, a 5-story power slide that runs along a translucent pipe and barrel.

Run by volunteers, this museum aims to preserve Broome’s heritage and history by giving sweeping overviews of life in the area, from the Australian Aboriginal era to World War II and beyond. Exhibits here include information on Broome’s pearling industry, a history of domestic life in the isolated town, and the impact and effects of cyclones in the region.

Widely considered one of the world's top diving sites, the SS Yongala provides a fascinating and colorful array of sea life alongside an interesting history. In March 1911, the SS Yongala sank off Cape Bowling Green, near Townsville, in a cyclone. All 122 people on board died, and the ship settled at a depth of 49–82 feet (15–29 meters).

Though it’s right next to the wildly popular Blue Lake, the Green Lake—or Rotokakahi—is a privately owned lake that isn’t open to swimming, fishing, or boating. It is sacred to the Te Arawaiwi (tribe), who are the area’s original Maori inhabitants, because the lake was the site of important battles and numerous sacred burial grounds.

Rising from the coastline of western Tasmania like soft, shapeshifting mountains, the Henty Dunes comprise a series of wind-sculpted pinnacles with sweeping views of the shoreline. The dunes extend for some 9 miles (15 km along the coast, and the tallest reach heights of nearly 100 feet (30 meters.

With a maze of mine shafts and tunnels descending to depths of up to 748 feet (228 meters), the Central Deborah Gold Mine is Australia’s deepest underground mine tour. Visit the former gold mine to experience the below-ground world and to gain insight into Australia’s historic gold mining industry.

Jervis Bay National Park, on the South Coast of New South Wales, is a beautiful crescent of white sand and turquoise sea. Visitors come to enjoy a picnic, swim or snorkel, go fishing, walk the coastal tracks, and watch migrating humpback whales in the winter.

With exhibitions focusing on natural history, anthropology, and cultural heritage; the Queensland Museum is a celebration of everything that makes Queensland unique. Fun and engaging for all ages, it’s crammed with interactive exhibitions, while the adjoining Sciencentre offers a hands-on approach to discovering science.

With more than 150 species from Australia and beyond, Wing's Wildlife Park is a great place to see wildlife up close. Here, you can learn about meerkats, watch Tasmanian devils devour their lunches, feed fish—or wombats—and go on a personalized guided tour led by a ranger.

Set amid the rolling vineyards of Melbourne’s Mornington Peninsula, Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm is a family-owned farm that also grows raspberries, cherries, and blueberries. The farmstead is also home to a cafe that serves decadent strawberry desserts and a gift shop where you can buy jam, ice cream, and freeze-dried fruit.

Experience Cairns like a local by visiting Rusty’s Markets, a farmers’ market that’s considered one of the best in Australia. What started in 1975 as a sparse handful of stalls has ballooned into a long-running and beloved weekend marketplace. Every Friday through Sunday, more than 180 vendors gather to sell a range of goods.

Linking Adelaide city center to the historic beachfront suburb of Glenelg, the Glenelg Tram is a relic of a public transport network that once spanned the entire city. Attractive red heritage trams are available for charter and occasionally during special events, but almost all trams that run the scenic route are modern.

Perched along the wild and rocky south coast of the Wilsons Promontory National Park, this 19th-century lighthouse is a historic landmark and a beacon for ships crossing the Bass Strait. It’s also the southernmost settlement of mainland Australia. Accessible only on foot, you'll take an overnight hike to reach the remote Wilsons Promontory Lighthouse, where spectacular views await.

Located right in the middle of Auckland’s downtown, St. Patrick’s Cathedral stands in stark contrast to the modern city skyline. Founded in 1841 along with Auckland itself, the Catholic cathedral has seen modern-day Auckland literally grow up around it. Today, about 2,500 parishioners gather there for weekly Mass each Sunday morning.

With sprawling grounds that include a lake, grotto, children’s garden, fernery, and orchard, the Rippon Lea Estate is a beautiful Victorian enclave, mansion, and farm created by the Sargood family. You can tour the elaborate home, stroll the gardens, have lunch in the tea room, and shop the nursery and gift shop.

The perfect antidote to busy days exploring the great outdoors of Fiji, Sabeto Hot Springs and Mud Pool offers a natural spa experience. Surrounded by lush foliage, visitors can soak in hot springs, coat themselves in therapeutic mud, and have a relaxing massage. This Fijian oasis provides the perfect blend of relaxation combined with an idyllic setting.

Port Auckland is a cruise port and commercial cargo shipping terminal set in Waitemata Harbour. Located at the top end of New Zealand's North Island, Auckland is the country's largest and most cosmopolitan city. Considered one of the world’s most livable cities, it sits on an isthmus surrounded by volcanic hills and is easy to explore.