Australia & the Pacific attractions

Perched on the north coast of the Dudley Peninsula, the port town of Penneshaw is the gateway to Kangaroo Island. If you’re arriving on the island by ferry from Cape Jervis, this will be your first port-of-call, but the lively seaside town is more than just a travel thoroughfare—it’s also renowned for its beachside colony of Little Penguins.

Just inland from the coastal town of Batemans Bay, the Clyde River National Park on New South Wales’ South Coast is a relaxed spot for camping, kayaking, swimming, and fishing. The river widens and meanders as it reaches the ocean, providing about 5.5 miles (9 kilometers) of waterfront area within the national park.

At Platypus House, get a close-up look at Tasmanian platypuses and echidnas, two uniquely Australian “monotreme” mammals. Learn about their biology at the center, and watch the animals play in a natural environment set on the Tamar River.

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.

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.

Take to the trees of Queensland, Australia, in a thrilling eco-walk. Set among 30 acres (12 hectares) of private rain forest next to Cedar Creek on Mt. Tamborine, the 0.9-mile (1.5-kilometer) Skywalk features forest-floor trails, high-tech elevated steel walkways, and a cantilever bridge 98 feet (30 meters) above the rain forest floor.

One of many wineries on the Bellarine Peninsula raising the Geelong wine region’s promising reputation, Bennetts on Bellarine combines a casual atmosphere with stunning bay views. On a large open-air deck, you can enjoy wine tastings of shiraz, sauvignon blanc, and sémillon, paired with a menu crafted around local produce and woodfired pizzas, plus occasional live music.

With a huge range of resident critters, from native Australian animals to exotic species, the National Zoo & Aquarium in Canberra has plenty for wildlife lovers to get excited about. In addition to housing Australia’s most extensive collection of big cats, it also has the largest inland saltwater tank in the country.

Thrill-seeking travelers are never short of attractions in New Zealand, and Queenstown’s Nevis Swing is certainly one of the most thrilling. The jumping-off platform is located 524 feet (160 meters) above a river. After a 229 foot (70 meter) free-fall, you’ll swing in a 984-foot (300-meter) arc. Jump solo or tandem, forwards, backwards, or upside down.

The 1,014-foot (309-meter) Sydney Tower is one of the most prominent buildings on the Sydney skyline and a city favorite for its panoramic views. The revolving SkyFeast restaurant on the 82nd floor provides slowly changing views alongside an extensive buffet of Australian and international fare. Locals visit for special occasions, while it's also a popular stop on Sydney sightseeing itineraries.

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.

Australia’s only rain forest dining experience invites travelers for an evening of food and entertainment under the stars in one of the world’s oldest rain forests. The multi-course meal, highlighting ingredients from the rain forest, is served by candlelight to the sounds of live acoustic guitar or Aboriginal music and storytelling.

Trinity Beach offers a tropical getaway within easy access of the city of Cairns. Popular with locals from the suburban community of the same name, the laid-back Trinity Beach features crystal clear waters, a sandy stretch of beach, paved walkways that wind past lush gardens, and almond trees cast shade from the strong sun.

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.

Whether you see it, hear it, or smell it first, approaching the bustling Auckland Fish Market is always an exciting experience. Here along Auckland’s bustling waterfront, fishermen returning to the docks come to sell their fresh catches at auction, and diners come to feast on fish that was literally caught that morning.

Macquarie Wharf is one of the primary cruise ship terminals in the Port of Hobart and is considered the gateway to the Southern Ocean. The wharf has three dedicated berths with cruise ship passengers arriving at Terminal No. 2, which, with a waterfront location in downtown Hobart, is within easy walking distance of many city sights.

History chugs to life at the Workshops Rail Museum—affectionately known as The Workshops—in Ipswich, Queensland. As the site from which the state’s first train ran over 145 years ago, the museum celebrates the social, technical, and cultural impacts of rail transport and travel on Australia. Exhibits cover the introduction of diesel trains, great Australian rail journeys, and more.

Open since 1898, the Perth Zoo is a top family destination in the city, home to all the Australian animals that visitors love to see, as well as species from Africa, Asia, and South America. Go from the bush to the rain forest to the savannah in one day, and learn about the zoo’s breeding for conservation program.

Burramoko Ridge (Hanging Rock) in New South Wales’ Blue Mountains is a dramatic rocky bluff with sweeping views across the forest-covered Grose Valley. It’s about 3 miles (5 kilometers) from the trailhead, near the town of Blackheath, so hiking or mountain biking are the only ways of getting there. The medium-difficulty hiking trail takes about 2 hours to complete.

Running 455 miles (733 kilometers) through Western Australia, the mighty Fitzroy River is of large importance to the local Aboriginal people. It also passes some of Kimberley’s top attractions, including the Geikie, Diamond, and Sir John gorges, and the outback town of Fitzroy Crossing—the gateway to Tunnel Creek and Windjana Gorge national parks.

With an elevated walkway, a cantilevered viewing platform, and a 121-foot (37-meter) high observation tower, the Mamu Tropical Skywalk is a highlight of Wooroonooran National Park in Queensland, Australia. Enjoy dramatic views over the North Johnstone River gorge and the surrounding rainforest as you walk across the 33-foot (10-meter) cantilever and get an up-close look at the park’s wildlife and foliage.

Just south of Derby in the Kimberley region of Western Australia is a large, hollow boab tree known as the Boab Prison Tree. A popular tourist attraction, the tree is said to have been used in the late 19th century as a lockup for Aboriginal Australian prisoners traveling to Derby, although there is no evidence to support this story.

Known for its marine life, reefs, and diverse kelp forests, Tinderbox Marine Reserve in southern Tasmania is an off-shore area of protected waters across the D'Entrecasteaux Channel from Bruny Island. The reserve’s diverse marine ecosystem and proximity to shore make it an inviting destination for recreational diving.

Jacob's Creek is a global wine brand and the oldest commercial winery in the Barossa Valley. Given its prestigious lineage, it's no surprise that the Jacob's Creek Visitor Center offers guests wine tastings, gourmet picnic lunches on the estate grounds, a café, education around the winemaking process, and accommodations.

Motu Tapu is a private castaway island off the coast of Bora Bora. Accessible only to guests at the Conrad Bora Bora resort, it’s an unspoiled and beautiful spot.

In the eastern reaches of the Yarra Valley, the Blue Lotus Water Garden has 14 acres (5.5 hectares) of gardens, lakes, and wetlands, blooming with colorful lotus flowers and water lilies. A fun attraction for the whole family, it’s also home to horticultural marvels such as the golden lotus and a 2000-year-old Japanese flower.

Located atop the Wellington Botanic Garden, the Space Place at Carter Observatory is full of interactive exhibits to help visitors young and old learn about our little galaxy. Spend the day exploring the universe. Then at night, look through the observatory’s historic Thomas Cooke telescope and see stars and planets in incredible detail.

Found on Queensland’s Gold Coast, this 9,000-square-foot gallery is filled with exhibits that are equal part fascinating and head-scratching. Whether you attempt to navigate the expansive mirror maze, dive into an immersive experience at the 7D Moving Theatre (which blends movies and video games), or check out the many Australia-themed exhibits, visiting Ripley’s will help you get to know the weirder side of Australia.

When the seafaring Maori people arrived in New Zealand from other Pacific islands, they used the stars to navigate across the vast Pacific Ocean. Today, visit Auckland’s Stardome Observatory & Planetarium to study the same stars of the southern hemisphere, nearly 1,000 years after those first Polynesian explorers landed ashore.

Stretching from To'Ata Square to Vaiete Square, Paofai Gardens (Waterfront Esplanade) are ideal for scenic strolling. Watch boats sail by as you enjoy snacks from vendors selling fresh juices, popcorn, and French pastries, who enhance the Parisian feel of the park.