Top Australia Art & Culture in 2026

Enjoy a more relaxed experience of Melbourne than you’d get in a traditional tour vehicle on a walking tour that provides the ultimate introduction if you're visiting for the first time. You’ll stop to hear tales and trivia that you’re unlikely to find in the guidebook about top Melbourne attractions such as Federation Square, Hosier Lane, Old Melbourne Gaol, and much more.

The Sydney Opera House is easy to admire from the outside, but the story behind its design is harder to piece together. Join a guided tour of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed building to learn how it came to be. Afterward, sit down to lunch or an early dinner at your choice of on-site restaurants.

Let us take you on a tour to one of Australia’s most ancient and beautiful places, Kakadu National Park. At Cahills Crossing lookout spot Saltwater Crocodiles in their natural habitat! Travel through World Heritage Listed Kakadu National Park on a guided walking tour to explore the 20,000 years old rock art and the amazing views from Ubirr rock. For an additional cost you can also add in an optional "Jumping Crocodile Cruise" (option WKDC-B).

Lose yourself in a sea of color at ArtVo, an interactive art space in The District Docklands, a short distance from the Melbourne CBD. As visitors explore more than 100 paintings across 11 themed zones, they are encouraged to touch and interact with the art. Take a selfie against angel wings or a backdrop of the Eiffel Tower. Staff is on hand to help orient you and provide creative inspiration.

Relax in the healing waters of the Peninsula Hot Springs on this day trip out to the Mornington Peninsula from Melbourne. Including return transport from the city, along with priority entrance to the Bath House at the Peninsula Hot Springs, you can opt for either a morning or a sunset and twilight experience—where you’ll catch the golden hour glow illuminating the remote and rugged scenery surrounding this world-class geothermal spa.

Experience the delights of Victoria’s wine country on this Yarra Valley wine tour from Melbourne. With an informative wine guide, you’ll visit four popular wineries, which may include Balgownie Estate, Soumah Yarra Valley, Greenstone Vineyards, and Yering Farm. Enjoy plenty of tastings as well as a winery lunch while you learn about winemaking in Australia and admire the picturesque landscapes.

Access parts of the Australian Sports Museum that are usually off limits during a tour of the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. Enjoy an exclusive glimpse into the inner sanctum of the MCG as you walk on the pitch and enter changing rooms used by cricket legends throughout the years. Plus, admission to the Australian Sports Museum is included.

Uncover the secrets of Sydney’s heritage on this 90-minute guided walking tour of The Rocks. Enjoy amazing views over Sydney Harbour while your guide leads you along shady laneways and cobbled courtyards to some of Sydney’s earliest buildings, including Cadman’s Cottage and the Garrison Church. Small groups of no more than 20 guests walk approximately two kilometres at a leisurely pace, uncovering stories of the area’s convict past and waterfront history.

Short on time? Marvel over the star attractions of Australia’s Red Centre on a half-day tour from Ayers Rock. Witness the dazzling sunrise over sacred Uluru from the Talinguru Nyakunytjaku viewing platform and learn about the rock’s spiritual importance to the Anangu indigenous people. Then, embark on a guided hike through the red desert of the Walpa Gorge and get up close to the magnificent domed rocks of Kata Tjuta (The Olgas).

Bundaberg Rum is one of Australia’s most famous spirits, produced in the Queensland town of Bundaberg since 1888. On this tour, explore behind the scenes of the working rum distillery and sample the legendary rum on a guided tour. See the Molasses Well, peek into the Barrel House, and learn the secrets of how rum is made, plus enjoy access to the interactive Bundaberg Rum Museum.

Take a leisurely river cruise from Brisbane to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary on this two-in-one, time-saving tour. This half-day tour departs from bustling Southbank and cruises along the Brisbane River with views of iconic landmarks on the way to Lone Pine. Upon arrival, enjoy ample time to view the animals, from koalas and platypus to kangaroos and more.

From natural landmarks to Aboriginal culture, this day trip from Perth through Western Australia’s wheat belt area introduces you to the regional history and geological beauty that lie outside the city. Visit York, the oldest township in Avon Valley; Wave Rock and Hippo’s Yawn, unusual rock formations; Mulka's Cave, an ancient Aboriginal sacred site; and make a stop for tea in a quaint country town. You may see wildflowers in bloom from the coach between September and November.

Learn all about gold and the Western Australian gold rush of the 1890s during a one-hour tour of the Perth Mint. One of Western Australia’s oldest heritage sites, the Perth Mint features multimedia presentations, historic images and artifacts, and a dazzling array of pure gold that includes natural gold nuggets and a solid gold bar. Learn more than you would on a self-led tour of this interesting site.

Book a 1- or 2-day pass on a Hobart hop-on hop-off bus tour for an easy way to explore the city's top attractions at your own pace. Travel by double-decker red bus to 20 stops around the city, where you can hop off whenever you wish to visit the places that interest you. Alternatively, opt to stay onboard the bus for the full loop.

Immerse yourself in the natural wonders and eventful history of Tasmania on a 6-hour boat tour from Strahan. The first-class catamaran ensures comfort from beginning to end. Cruise through Hell’s Gates, then enjoy a guided visit on Sarah Island, which once housed the island’s most notorious penal settlement. Enjoy a delicious lunch on board the ship, then continue your adventure with a boardwalk tour through the UNESCO listed Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park.

Short on time in Sydney but want to see the city’s top sights without juggling transport yourself? This half-day sightseeing tour solves that with a carefully planned route covering highlights such as the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Bondi Beach, The Rocks, Paddington, and scenic Mrs Macquarie’s Point. With live commentary along the way, you enjoy a relaxed, efficient introduction to Sydney’s landmarks in just a few hours—without the hassle of planning it all yourself.

Sydney’s highlights are spread across the harbor, and covering them on foot can take hours. This guided cycling tour lets you see more in less time while staying active. Pedal past icons such as the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, along with hidden corners and local favorites, as your guide shares insights into the city’s history and culture.

Seeing the Sydney Opera House from the outside is impressive—but most visitors never glimpse what happens behind the scenes. This backstage tour takes you through the Stage Door and into areas normally reserved for performers and staff, including rehearsal spaces and dressing rooms. Hear insider stories about the productions that bring the venue to life, then finish the experience with breakfast in the Green Room.

Acclaimed artist Bruce Munro was so inspired by Ayers Rock (Uluru) that he created the Field of Light, an illuminated installation that channels the spiritual energy Munro felt during a visit the Australia’s Red Desert. Observe the radiant display and watch a magical sunrise at Ayers Rock (Uluru) on this tour, which includes hotel pickup and drop-off. As you watch the sun rise majestically over the iconic Australian landmark, you’ll enjoy tea and coffee in the observation area and listen to commentary from your guide.

Join a hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour by double-decker bus to discover the highlights of Sydney and Bondi Beach. Enjoy unobstructed views and recorded onboard commentary as you travel along two routes to top destinations including the Harbour Bridge, Opera House, Darling Harbour, and Bondi Beach. Go in-depth wherever you like by hopping off the bus to explore. Experience the city’s most noteworthy attractions at your own pace.

Secure your seat at one of Sydney’s most iconic venues and experience opera in an accessible, easy-to-understand format. Enjoy a concert at the Sydney Opera House—a UNESCO World Heritage–listed landmark—featuring beloved classics such as Puccini’s “Nessun Dorma,” Bizet’s “Au fond du temple saint,” and Rossini’s “Largo al factotum.” With English and Simplified Chinese subtitles provided, it’s an easy way to enjoy world-class opera, even if it’s your first time.

Understanding Sydney’s layered history can be difficult without local context, particularly in areas shaped by both Indigenous heritage and European colonies. This guided pub walking tour explores The Rocks, an area with deep cultural significance, through stories connected to its long-standing pubs. Walk between venues with a local guide, enjoy four included drinks, and learn how social gathering places reflected changing communities over time.

Reaching the Puffing Billy railway in the Dandenong Ranges takes some sorting from central Melbourne, especially without a car. Ride out with transport arranged, then board the heritage steam train through the ranges, with the open-sided carriages that the line is known for. At the Lakeside Visitor Centre, walk around Emerald Lake Park and stop for food (own expense) before returning.