Australia & the Pacific attractions

The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden is on Mt. Tomah in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney. Previously known as the Mt. Tomah Botanic Garden, the 69-acre (28-hectare) garden is set within a UNESCO-listed area at around 3,280 feet (1,000 meters) and contains local and international plants and views of the Blue Mountains.

The hustle and bustle of Auckland is mere miles from lush forests and stunning landscapes. The Waitakere Ranges, a short drive northwest of the city center, are home to a regional park full of dense native bush, running rivers, and enchanting waterfalls. Enjoy numerous walking trails and incredible views of Auckland and the Tasman Sea.

In Litchfield National Park in Northern Australia, you’ll come across a strange sight. Hundreds of 6-foot (2-meter) flat, broad structures clutter a wide, bare plain. The monuments are not man-made—they belong to Magnetic Termites, so named because the construction of their mounds aligns with the compass.

Spanning two city blocks and boasting more than 300 retailers across five levels, Melbourne Central is a prime shopping destination in downtown Melbourne. It features a historic shot tower once used to create lead bullets, surrounded by a 20-story glass cone. A museum about the structure is found behind the R M Williams shop.

Surrounded by rugged mountain landscape that seems to reach up from the water, Cook's Bay is one of the main tourist areas in Moorea (it's here that cruise ships come to moor their boats). The area is home to restaurants, shops, and hotels, but it’s still relatively sleepy and laid-back—this is Moorea, after all!

From fantastical costumes and prosthetics to large-scale props and weaponry, 3D models, and animatronics, New Zealand’s Weta Workshop is a one-stop-shop for movie special effects. Most famous for their Academy Award-winning work on theLord of the Rings films, the studio has also worked on films includingGodzilla,Avatar, andSpiderman.

Built in Victorian Romanesque style in 1898, the sumptuously-decorated Queen Victoria Building is Sydney’s most impressive shopping destination: a stained-glass central dome looks down on balconied floors linked by grand staircases. Originally the site of the Sydney Markets, today the complex offers stores that range from stationers and tailors to coffee shops.

Signal Hill is a 1,289-foot (393-meter) hill in North Dunedin with a lookout providing sweeping views over the city and Otago Harbour. As well as being a popular place to drive or walk up, Signal Hill is one of Dunedin’s premier destinations for mountain biking, with trails available for a range of experience levels.

Boasting a prime location on the banks of the Yarra River, Melbourne Southgate is a shopping, eating, and entertainment complex. As well as offering one of the most diverse shopping experiences in the city, Melbourne Southgate is just a few minutes walk from Flinders Street Station and Arts Centre Melbourne.

Owned and operated by the Anangu, the traditional owners of Ayers Rock (Uluru, the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre offers a place for visitors to discover the myths, legends, and cultural heritage of Australia’s most famous monolith. Just south of the UNESCO-listed landmark, the cultural centre is filled with art galleries, fascinating exhibitions, and multimedia displays.

The Arataki Visitor Centre is the official gateway to the Waitakere Ranges, a lush stretch of mountains nestled between Auckland and New Zealand’s west coast. Staffed by knowledgeable park rangers and full of informative displays, the center is a perfect place to prepare for your hiking or camping trip through the lush Waitakere forest.

Eucalyptus oil was once Australia’s first global export but has seen its industry decline worldwide. On Kangaroo Island, however, South Australia’s only eucalyptus distillers still operate out in the bush. With rusting relics scattered about the property and eccentric tastes, the family-run Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Oil Distillery still churns out the sweet-smelling elixir.

Part of the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Gondwana Rainforests, the startling landscapes of Springbrook National Park are among the many highlights of Queensland’s Gold Coast Hinterlands. Carved out by an ancient volcano, the rugged plateau is now a natural wonderland of forested gorges, jagged cliffs, and cascading waterfalls.

Enjoy a bird’s-eye view from more than 1,640 feet (500 meters) above sea level on the Christchurch Gondola. Take in 360-degree views of the Christchurch cityscape set against a scenic backdrop of the Canterbury Plains, Southern Alps, and Banks Peninsula. It’s a not-to-be-missed experience for visitors of all ages.

Cairns Aquarium is the only aquarium in the world to exclusively showcase aquatic life from Australia’s Tropical North Queensland, a region that borders the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics rain forest, both UNESCO World Heritage sites. Family-friendly and fun, the aquarium is home to 71 different exhibits of marine life.

Amid the hilly suburbs of Queens Domain, the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens offer an idyllic stretch of greenery, dotted with tree-lined walkways, lily ponds, and flower-filled conservatories. Dating back to 1818 and stretching over 35 acres (14 hectares; it’s one of Australia’s oldest botanical gardens.

The beating heart of Scenic Rim town Tamborine Mountain, Gallery Walk boasts more than 60 arts and crafts shops, galleries, boutiques, and candy stores. Highlights include the Tamborine Mountain Distillery, the airy Gallery Café, and eco-friendly and alternative stores.

Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures introduces visitors to Australia’s most famous reptiles (and other native species) through an informative and educational day out. Visitors can observe crocs on a cruise through a lagoon mimicking the creatures’ natural habitat and learn how crocodiles are sustainably farmed.

Until the 1970s, Ponsonby had a reputation as a crime-ridden corner of Auckland. Now it’s one of the most fashionable inner-city districts. Known for its restaurants and cafés, boutiques, bookshops, clubs, and bars—and the art galleries that line Ponsonby Road—this vibrant neighborhood also offers plenty of art hotels.

Set on the Swan River’s north shore, Elizabeth Quay is a waterfront entertainment hub filled with green spaces and esplanades, eateries, and public artwork. The quay is located in Perth’s central business district, and is a great starting point for exploring the rest of the city.

Cape Bruny Lighthouse towers over the dolerite cliffs of Cape Bruny, Tasmania. First lit in 1838, it’s the second-oldest lighthouse in the state. Its lights have been dimmed for more than 25 years, but visitors can now enter the lighthouse on a guided tour, which offers panoramic views of the rugged South Bruny coastline.

Showcasing contemporary art alongside antiquities, the largely subterranean Museum of Old and New Art (Mona) draws primarily from the private collection of owner David Walsh. A must for visitors to Tasmania, Mona is a provocative and engaging place to spend a few hours or even the night.

Auckland’s Albert Park is one of the most centrally located parks in the city, and travelers staying in or exploring the CBD are sure to find their way there at some point. With a significant Maori and European history and views of central Auckland’s tallest buildings, it’s a great place for a picnic lunch and a stroll.

Offering sweeping views over Alice Springs and the MacDonnell Ranges, Anzac Hill is named for its war memorial commemorating World War I ANZAC (Australia and New Zealand Army Corps) soldiers. Known to Aboriginal people as Untyeyetweleye or Atnelkentyarliweke, the hill plays a role in the Caterpillar Dreaming and Corkwood Dreaming stories.

On the southwestern tip of Kangaroo Island, Admirals Arch offers one of the island’s most photo-worthy views. Framed by the jagged arch of an ancient cave—carved out of the sea cliffs by centuries of pummeling surf—the vast swaths of blue ocean and cloud-free skies are even more magical at sunset.

The coastal outcropping of Wilsons Promontory is Australia’s southernmost point. Towering granite peaks and white-sand beaches dominate the scenery in the area known as The Prom by locals. Look out for kangaroos, koalas, and penguins in this remote-seeming area that's not far from Gippsland.

Located in the Blackheath area of the Blue Mountains, Govetts Leap is considered one of the most scenic overlooks in the national park, offering sweeping views over Grose Valley and the 590-foot (180-meter) Bridal Veil Falls. The Blue Mountains Heritage Centre is nearby, and several popular walking trails begin from the lookout.

The magnificent Cataract Gorge, a river gorge on the South Esk River right at the edge of Launceston, offers a wealth of outdoor recreation that feels a world away from the city. The reserve is home to the First Basin outdoor swimming pool, the world’s longest single-span chairlift, and a Victorian-era landscaped garden.

Kangaroos might be the star of the show on Kangaroo Island, but the Aussie icons aren’t the only animals to call the island home. At Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park, you’ll find more than 600 animals and 150 different species, including native Australian creatures such as koalas, wallabies, echidnas, cassowaries, and little penguins.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Royal Exhibition Building and surrounding Carlton Gardens were built for the 1880 International Exhibition. Designed by Joseph Reed, the building is an eclectic, photogenic piece of architecture. The site still houses a range of exhibitions today, including the Melbourne International Garden and Flower Show.