A popular and convenient spot for exploring the Great Barrier Reef, Reefworld consists of two giant pontoons floating over sheltered Hardy Reef—one of the thousands of small reefs that make up the Barrier Reef. From here, you can snorkel and dive year round and discover the colorful corals and abundant marine life that call these waters home.
Australia’s toothy residents are the stars of the show at Crocodylus Park, a research, conservation, and education center in the Northern Territory. The park is home to crocodiles from around Australia and the world, as well as monkeys, marmosets, big cats, wallabies, kangaroos, and birds.
Extending from 30 minutes outside Hobart to southernmost Australia, the scenic Huon Valley is known as Tasmania’s apple orchard. The Huon Highway follows the Huon River through the area, passing vineyards, cider makers, and a series of small villages along the way. Huonville makes a popular base for exploring Tasmania’s far south.
A series of small coral cays, the Low Isles lie just off the coast of Port Douglas on the edge of the UNESCO-listed Great Barrier Reef. The hard and soft corals in the waters are a habitat for tropical fish, reef sharks, and sea turtles, creating excellent conditions for snorkeling and diving.
Coastal Queensland is home to an amazing array of sea life and ecosystems, and the SEA LIFE® Sunshine Coast aquarium is the perfect place learn more about it. The aquarium features penguins, seals, sharks, turtles, and much more. It even has one of Australia’s largest collections of jellyfish.
Travelers with kids in tow won’t want to miss a stop at the Big Banana Fun Park. In New South Wales’ coastal resort town of Coffs Harbour, this amusement park has enough attractions to keep everyone happy. Its giant walk-through banana is one of Australia’s first “big things” (giant novelty structures).
To say that Lake Argyle is huge is an understatement. Australia’s second-largest manmade lake covers an area larger than New York City and holds enough water to fill Sydney Harbour 18 times over. Formed by the Ord River Dam, it’s the lifeline of the Kimberley region and an important wildlife habitat, as well as being a popular recreation ground.
In between diving the Great Barrier Reef and hiking in the Daintree Rainforest, be sure to visit the Cairns Night Markets & Food Court to shop, eat, and even get a massage after a day of exploring. The marketplace has over 130 stalls selling everything from touristy souvenirs and T-shirts to blown glass, local honey, and Aussie leather hats.
Offering a taste of Switzerland on the opposite side of the world, Northern Tasmania’s Grindelwald Swiss Village is an actual residential village as well as a tourist destination with eateries, attractions for kids, and shopping at the Tamar Valley Resort. Built in the 1980s by a Dutch businessman, Grindelwald is modeled on a Swiss town of the same name.
Crowned by the country’s highest mountain, Mt. Kosciuszko, for which the park is named, this national park spans nearly 2,700 square miles (6,900 square km) in the southeastern corner of New South Wales. The park contains Australia's most extensive alpine region, characterized by its Snow Gum forests, glacial lakes, meadows and rivers.
With sweeping beaches, world-class surf breaks, a koala hospital, and whale-watching in season, the quiet coastal city of Port Macquarie is a popular New South Wales vacation destination. There’s plenty to do off the water, including visiting beach cafés, wineries, farmers markets, pick-your-own farms, camel safaris, and national parks.
Airlie Beach’s Coral Sea Marina is a great base for exploring the Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef if you’re arriving by boat, but you don’t need to be a sailor yourself to enjoy the precinct. It’s a popular destination while you’re in town, with a resort, restaurants, bars, and events, and it’s just a short walk from the town center.
With its combination of horse-drawn trams and elegant architectural styles, Victor Harbor is one of South Australia’s most charming seaside resorts. In a prime location along the southern coast of the Fleurieu Peninsula and within easy day-trip distance of Adelaide, it’s surrounded by surf beaches, rocky islands, and scenic coastal hikes. Wildlife lovers will also be in their element—southern right whales, sea lions, and little penguins all call the coastline home.
In the language of the local Nywaigi Aboriginal people, the Paluma Range is known as Munan Gumburu, or “misty mountains”—a fitting name for a place largely made up of dense rain forest with frequent atmospheric fog, especially in the morning. Travelers head to the park to hike, swim, and see the waterfalls.
Located at the Chadstone Shopping Centre, LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Melbourne offers the ultimate indoor LEGO® experience. Featuring 13 attractions and activities, including two rides, 11 build-and-play zones, and a 4D cinema, LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Melbourne offers a fun and educational outing for the whole family.
Possibly the next best thing to the Great Barrier Reef, the enormous tank at Townsville’s Reef HQ houses the world’s largest living coral reef within an aquarium. Enjoy close-up views of sharks, more than 150 species of fish, and around 120 species of coral—without having to get wet.
Orpheus Island, or Goolboddi in the local Aboriginal language, is a private island in the Great Barrier Reef, off the coast of tropical Northern Queensland. Most of the island is part of the Orpheus Island National Park. There are beautiful coral reefs in the shallow waters offshore from white-sand beaches. There is one luxury resort and three campgrounds to stay at.
An Adelaide original, Haigh’s has been crafting chocolate since 1915 and is still family-owned today. At their factory, just south of Adelaide city center, the Haigh’s Chocolate Visitor Centre offers free tours plus the chance to shop Haigh’s specialties, from truffles and liqueurs to their signature chocolate frogs.
Located between Surfers Paradise and Coolangatta on Queensland’s Gold Coast, Burleigh Heads is known for its beautiful clean beaches lined by scenic parkland, as well as its world-renowned surf. Laid-back and relaxed, yet full of hip and trendy dining and shopping options, idyllic Burleigh Heads has plenty to offer visitors.
Four Mile Beach is exactly that—4 glorious miles of unimpeded golden sands stretching into the distance. The long stretch of beach, backed by palm trees and with little development in sight, offers access to the calm waters of the Coral Sea, perfect for swimming. A reef offshore provides an easy snorkeling opportunity.
Red river gums tower over the wide streets of Adelaide River, a historic town on the river shore, and nothing here moves too fast. Despite its name, the Adelaide River is located in Australia’s Northern Territory and offers you a sense of Australia beyond the major cities. Whether you’re just passing through for a leisurely lunch or you’ve come specifically for the jumping crocodile cruises, the town of Adelaide River is worth a visit.
Australia’s two biggest ski resorts, Perisher and Thredbo, are located in New South Wales’ Kosciusko National Park. While each has world-class skiing and riding—along with a fun après ski scene—the two resorts have distinctive personalities. Whether you’re a first-time skier or looking for challenging terrain, here’s what you need to know.
While the stretch of Queensland coast between Mackay and Townsville may be best known for the idyllic Whitsunday Islands, Conway National Park on the mainland is another drawcard here. A haven for nature lovers, or those who relish outdoor pursuits, the parkland features rainforest-covered mountains, beautiful beaches, views of the Whitsundays, hiking and mountain biking trails, day-use areas, and spots for remote camping.
Located near the historic Anzac Bridge, the White Bay Cruise Terminal (WBCT) is a busy port and the convenient gateway to Sydney for cruise passengers arriving on smaller vessels. Use the terminal as a jumping-off point for a variety of day trips into the modern, cosmopolitan city, which offers plenty of historical, cultural, and natural attractions.
Station Pier cruise terminal serves as the gateway to Australia’s second-largest city and is located about 30 minutes from the center of Melbourne by car. But before you head straight to Melbourne CBD, spend a few hours on neighboring Melbourne Beach and explore the trendy suburb of St. Kilda.
Part of the University of Sydney, the Sydney Conservatorium of Music (or the Con, as it’s known to locals) is the preeminent music school in Australia—it was once the site of Australia’s first full orchestra composed of both professionals and students. Today, the Conservatorium provides musical education, research, and some of the city’s top performances. Plus, its music library is the largest in the southern hemisphere.
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.
Complete an open-air climb along the outside of the Q1 Resort & Spa, one of Australia's tallest skyscrapers, in the Gold Coast suburb of Surfers Paradise. As you hike, you’ll be treated to thrilling views of seemingly endless golden beach and the brilliant blue of the Pacific Ocean—885 feet (270 meters) below. During the experience, guides will share information about the surrounding buildings and sights.
Internationally popular Surfers Paradise Beach has something for all beachgoers—surfable breaks, plenty of room to lay out a towel and sunbathe, and lots of people-watching, too. In the evening there’s a vibrant nightlife scene, so if you’d like to raise a glass after a day at the beach, this is your place.
The young (and the young at heart) can interact with more than 200 exhibits divided between eight hands-on galleries and an outdoor Science Garden at Questacon. Learn how tsunamis form, feel the shake of an earthquake, gaze at the surface of a giant model of the moon, or catch a show in the on-site theater.
