Australia & the Pacific attractions

Within Northern Queensland’s Wooroonooran National Park, Behana Gorge is a fun place to hike and swim in the refreshing Clamshell Falls. It’s popular with in-the-know locals but is less visited by tourists. So pack your walking shoes, a bathing suit, and plenty of water, and discover the delights of Behana Gorge.

Located in downtown Papeete, Vai'ete Square (Place Vai’ete) is a nice place to take a relaxing waterfront stroll during the day. At night, however, the atmosphere becomes much more lively as colorful food wagons (roulottes) offering local cuisine and decadent desserts open to the masses.

Perched on the southern tip of the North Island, New Zealand’s capital is an important center for arts and culture, and a popular stop-off for cruise ships. From CentrePort Wellington, it's easy to explore the treasure-filled Te Papa (Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa), the Zealandia wildlife sanctuary, and more.

The South Wharf may be a small area south of downtown Melbourne, but it packs a punch. The area presents as a modern destination, and its roots go back to the time when tall ships filled the harbor. Cargo sheds of yesteryear have new life as hip restaurants and bars, alongside global retailers and the city’s busy convention center.

Tahiti is not overflowing with historic monuments, which makes Papaeari (or Papeari) stand out even more. It is the island’s oldest village, settled sometime between AD 400 and 500, and is also known by art lovers for its association with Paul Gauguin, who lived in the area. The setting is ideal for relaxing and enjoying island life on the quieter southern coast.

A pathway winds through the lunar-like landscape of this geothermal area, leading you past steaming vents and geysers, and gurgling mud pools. Previously dormant, the Craters of the Moon fizzed to life in the 1950s after underground water levels were altered by the activity of a nearby power station.

Dunedin’s Tūhura Otago Museum boasts one of the most extensive collections of curiosities in New Zealand. Almost 1.5 million items span antiquities, insects, Māori taoka (treasures), and European paintings. There’s something to appeal to everyone at this large and lively museum. And the icing on the cake is that it’s free to visit.

The postcard star of Auckland’s skyline, Auckland Harbour Bridge, is an architectural landmark and a vital transport link connecting downtown Auckland with the North Shore. But for the most magnificent views over Waitemata Harbour, driving over the bridge just won’t cut it—instead, join an Auckland Harbour Bridge Climb and walk to the very top of the bridge at 210 feet (64 meters).

Located a short walk from where the Waikato River meets Lake Taupo, the Taupo Museum holds the history and culture of the Taupo region for visitors to learn and experience. The museum and art gallery’s many exhibits tell the stories of the local Maori tribes, the town’s early industrial years, and the volcanic origins of the lake itself.

At Orana Wildlife Park in Christchurch, visitors will get chance to come face-to-face with gorillas, orangutans, giraffes, and lions. You might even enjoy a rare sighting of New Zealand’s national bird, the kiwi, the In fact, more than 70 exotic species can be found at the only open-air wildlife park in the country.

Tucked into The Rocks, Sydney’s oldest neighborhood, the Susannah Place Museum is a row of four terraced homes that housed working-class families from 1844 to the 1980s. Now a museum, the restored homes—incorporating an original corner shop—let visitors chart the lives of some of Sydney’s earliest and poorest residents.

Byron Bay’s reputation as one of Australia’s surf hot spots is in large part thanks to The Pass and surfers flock to the beach from all around the globe. Fringed by white sands, rock pools, and the bush-covered headlands of Cape Byron; it’s a scenic spot for strolling, surfing, and snorkeling.

Travel back in time to South Australia’s opal boom days at Coober Pedy’s Old Timers Mine and Museum, an underground museum, mine, and cave home complete with eerie waxworks of a 1920s family. See fossils and opals in the mining tunnels, sift through piles of rubble for stray opals, and shop all things opalescent in the underground gift store.

Perched on the edge of Lake Jindabyne in the Australian Alps, Snowy Valley is a popular ski resort near the snowfields of Kosciuszko National Park. When the snow melts, Jindabyne becomes a summertime outdoor resort, offering fishing, mountain biking, whitewater rafting, and horseback riding.

A bustling, modern entertainment complex, Cockle Bay Wharf sits on the Darling Harbour waterfront in the heart of Sydney. Venues span the gamut from 3-story superclub Home and the Sydney outpost of Ibiza’s Café del Mar brand to cafés, bars, cabaret, a steakhouse, a seafood restaurant, and even a dessert bar.

A tribute to Adelaide’s sister city, Himeji in Japan, the Adelaide Himeji Garden incorporates two classic styles of Japanese garden design. The minimalist rock-and-sand garden is raked daily for maximum serenity. The tranquil lake garden features lush greenery, stepping stones, statues, a traditional bamboo water tube, and more. It's perfect for lunch, reading, or meditation.

A low-lying valley in the Flinders Ranges, with gum trees where yellow-footed rock wallabies hop, the Brachina Gorge carries a map of geological time in its striated rock formations. Travelers driving the Brachina Gorge Geological Trail can see the mark of a meteorite impact, fossilized early life forms, and layers of rock from 500–800 million years ago.

A warren of shops, cafés, and restaurants, Nurses Walk is a narrow laneway in Sydney’s historic The Rocks neighborhood. Like nearby Surgeons Court, its name honors the people who worked in a hospital on this site. Plaques celebrate pioneers including Lucy Osburn, who was trained by Florence Nightingale and is considered the founder of modern nursing in Australia.

Sitting just north of Perth’s central business district (CBD, Northbridge is the city’s main cultural precinct and one of its top dining and nightlife districts. From the museums and theaters of the Perth Cultural Centre to the many restaurants and bars, not to mention Perth’s tiny Chinatown, Northbridge draws locals and visitors looking for an evening of entertainment.

If driving along a golden sand highway and wild camping against a backdrop of dunes, rainforest, and ocean sounds like your kind of adventure, then Teewah Beach checks all the boxes. Stretching for more than 25 miles (40 kilometers along the coast, it’s the highlight of the Great Beach Drive and part of the Great Sandy National Park.

The Sky Tower, at 1076 feet (327 meters), is the tallest building in New Zealand, and a distinctive part of Auckland’s skyline. As well as enjoying city views from the observation decks, visitors can jump 629 feet (192 meters) from the outside of the building, reaching speeds of 55 miles (88 kilometers) per hour.

One of the country’s largest water parks, Wet’n’Wild is the ideal way to cool off from the blazing Australian sun. Colorful water slides rise around you, lazy rivers flow, and private cabanas offer a respite from the action. It’s the ideal destination for anything from a fun family vacation to a first date or a summer day with friends. Whether you crave the rush of a plunging water slide or just want to bob in the wave pool, the park caters to everyone.

Central Otago is full of gold-mining history and relics, and Macetown is one of the most intact old mining towns in Otago. History enthusiasts will enjoy exploring the old Department of Conservation-administered historic reserve, perhaps even panning for gold in the Arrow River. Be prepared for a rugged adventure, however you choose to get there.

Centered on the Star Casino, The Star Sydney is a landmark entertainment complex on the shores of Sydney’s Darling Harbour. A club, a spa, a theater, three hotels, and a wealth of bars and restaurants surround the signature casino—with games from slots to baccarat—and private gaming areas reserved for elite members.

Whether sightseeing in central Brisbane, strolling along the Southbank, or going out in the West End, the CityCat Ferry is the quickest and most convenient way to avoid traffic and get around Brisbane. The fleet of high-speed catamarans run along the Brisbane River and provide a scenic way to travel between Brisbane’s top attractions.

At the mouth of the Derwent River, the tranquil coastal neighborhood of Sandy Bay is one of Hobart’s most sought-after residential neighborhoods. Sandy beaches, boat-filled piers and a lively arts community offer a change of pace for travelers escaping the bustle of downtown. It’s also a good choice for rented accommodation outside of the central business district.

Cascades of mineral-rich water tumble into steaming bathing pools at this outdoor thermal spa. As well as a garden filled with native flora, the complex encompasses a manmade geothermal site with silica terraces, blue-and-green steam pools, a geyser, and replica Maori huts.

Couples book months in advance to tie the knot at the quaint, nondenominational chapel of St Mary’s by the Sea in Port Douglas, and it’s easy to see why. Surrounded by palm trees and manicured lawns, the white timber chapel was built in 1914 with picturesque stained-glass windows and views of the sea.

The Living Reef, the star attraction of Daydream Island in the Whitsunday Islands, is home to over 100 species of marine fish, coral, and invertebrates such as starfish, sea cucumbers, and crabs. The artificial reef is a microcosm of the Great Barrier Reef. Visitors can either go snorkeling or stay dry in the underwater observatory.

During the heyday of Broome's pearling industry, the pearlers (many from China, Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Europe) would arrive back on shore cashed up and head to the opium dens, billiard halls, and brothels of Chinatown to let loose. The vibrant neighborhood remains the multicultural heart of Broome.