A science museum focused on getting kids interested in the way things work, Scitech is home to several exhibits and experiences that appeal to young children, those in school, and adults. Features include a planetarium, films, and hands-on activities.
Learn about the history, culture, and environment of Northern Queensland at the Queensland Museum Tropics. A branch of the Queensland Museum Network, this government-run museum educates locals and visitors about this unique part of the country through permanent exhibits, temporary exhibits, talks, and tours.
The Great Sandy National Park encompasses both part of mainland Queensland and the UNESCO World Heritage site Fraser Island, the world’s largest sand island. The park is divided into two sections: the Cooloola section is situated on the coast between Noosa Heads and Rainbow Beach, and the Fraser Island section encompasses almost all of the island.
Cairns Cruise Port is one of Australia’s busiest cruise ports, set along the Coral Sea coast in northern Queensland. Located in the heart of Cairns, the port offers easy access to the city center and the Northern Beaches, but it’s also the gateway to the tropical north and the Great Barrier Reef.
The capital of the Northern Territory, Darwin is Australia’s northernmost city and a popular stop for intrepid travelers cruising the northern shores or arriving from Southeast Asia. Located in the heart of Darwin, Darwin Cruise Port offers easy access to the city center, and it’s a gateway to Australia’s impressive national parks.
Just one of Perth’s excellent beaches, Scarborough Beach is perhaps the most visited due to the many eateries and hotels that line this stretch of the city’s coast, providing more bustle than surrounding beaches. Locals and visitors gather here on sunny days to swim, surf, bodyboard, sunbathe, picnic, skate, play sports on the beach, and more.
The Mary River Wetlands are located within the Mary River National Park, in Australia’s “top end”, or northern parts of the Northern Territory. During the rainy season, the plains flood and a variety of animals, birds, and reptiles gather here, including saltwater crocodiles, water buffalo, wallabies, and more.
Arnhem Land, at the far north-east of Australia’s Northern Territory, is a huge wilderness area inhabited mostly by Yolngu Aboriginal people. Some of the most ancient rock art sites in the country can be found in Arnhem Land, as well as rainforest, woodlands, gorges, wetlands, escarpments, beaches, and rivers. Outsiders must usually visit on an approved guided tour, and have a permit to enter.
Pentridge Prison is one of Melbourne’s most significant historical sites, offering a chilling glimpse into Australia’s penal history. Operating for nearly 150 years, this former maximum-security prison once held some of the nation’s most notorious criminals. Today, the site has been transformed into a museum where visitors can walk through the original cell blocks and explore the grim realities of prison life. It’s an immersive experience that provides a unique perspective on a dark chapter of the country’s past.
The Clare Valley is a shock of green hills among South Australia’s dry, flat landscape, which stretches from Auburn to Clare. Small towns with heritage cottages, vineyards, and forests provide a backdrop for the Clare Valley’s main focus as one of the state’s oldest wine regions: eating and drinking.
The Gap and Natural Bridge are two aptly-named natural rock formations on the coast of Torndirrup National Park in Western Australia. A raised walkway across the granite cliffs offers visitors a safe route across to two viewpoints, where you can take in incredible views of the Southern Ocean below.
The large, white expanse of Lincoln’s Rock is a great place from which to admire the views across the Blue Mountains National Park’s Jamison Valley. Although the park might be better known for its vertical sandstone turrets (such as the Three Sisters), the flat Lincoln’s Rock is another favorite spot with photographers, near Wentworth Falls.
Carved into the cliffs above the Jamison Valley near Katoomba in the Blue Mountains National Park, the National Pass trail treats hikers to some of the most awe-inspiring scenery in this UNESCO-listed region. The 2.8-mile (4.5-kilometer) loop snakes through stunning ancient landscapes, lush flora, cliff-ledge paths, and hand-cut stairways to lookouts above crashing waterfalls and the spectacular valley.
The first of its kind in Australia, O’Reilly’s Tree Top Walk allows you to experience the rain forest canopy. Located next to Lamington National Park, the 590-foot-long (180-meter-long) walkway, much of which stands at 52 feet (16 meters), features nine suspension bridges and two observation decks for spectacular views.
One of the world’s largest, privately owned cool-climate gardens, Mayfield Garden extends over 14 acres (16 hectares) within a 4,940-acre (2,000-hectare) working farm. The garden offers lush scenery and many pathways, nooks, and crannies to explore. Since opening to visitors, it has also become an entertainment hub, hosting regular events.
Popular for water sports, Tasmania’s Derwent River flows 113 miles (182 kilometers) from Lake St. Clair toward Storm Bay, and shapes the landscape and port of Hobart, situated on an estuary 12 miles (19 kilometers) from the river’s mouth. Along its course, the river cuts through Cradle Mountain–Lake St. Clair National Park.
One of the southernmost of the Great Barrier Reef’s chain of islands, Lady Musgrave Island offers scenic shores, crystal-clear waters, and close proximity to some of the best diving and snorkeling on Earth. It’s a popular destination not just for travelers and adventurers but for bird-watchers—being a nesting site for seabirds and sea turtles alike.
Aussie’s most memorable creatures and critters can be found at Hobart Zoo and Aquarium, along with exotic animals and rare and endangered species from around the globe. The small family-friendly park is popular among animal lovers and provides the opportunity to see Tasmanian devils, kangaroos, koalas, and emus, without leaving Hobart.
Established to breed seahorses for the Asian market to reduce overfishing in the wild, Seahorse World in Beauty Point, Tasmania, is now dedicated to a wide range of conservation and educational efforts. All 50-plus species of seahorses are classified as endangered, and Seahorse World attempts to support seahorses around the world while providing fun, informative guided tours for visitors.
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.
The 17-mile (27-kilometer) Conway Circuit—formerly named the Whitsunday Great Walk—is a challenging 3-day hike through Queensland’s Conway National Park. The route can also be completed as a 4-hour mountain biking trail. The circuit provides an active, adventurous alternative—or addition—to more leisurely beach adventures in the nearby Whitsunday Islands.
In the heart of Hobart's waterfront area, Lark DIstillery's Cellar Door is a fantastic place to immerse yourself in the island's distilling scene. Here, you can sample a flight of specially curated whiskies from Lark's extensive collection or pick up a bottle or two to take home with you.
Located on the Stuart Highway that cuts through the middle of the Northern Territory, Karlu Karlu is a collection of ancient granite boulders in the Outback's stark landscape. Formed over millions of years and strewn across a broad valley, the red-hued boulders are especially spectacular at sunrise and sunset.
Monopoly Dreams Melbourne brings the classic board game to life through interactive challenges and themed attractions. Wander through Mr. Monopoly’s mansion, tackle a laser maze, try carnival-style games in Monopoly City, and catch a multi-sensory 4DX cinema adventure featuring Melbourne landmarks—and that’s just for starters. Families will particularly love this unique new attraction in the heart of Melbourne Central.
Immerse yourself in the culture of the Wathaurung people, the original inhabitants and Traditional Owners of Geelong (Djilang in Wathawurrung). Narana, which means to listen and understand deeply, offers a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere to learn about the world’s oldest living culture and inspire reconciliation and respect.
Flowing down from the Albert Edward Range at the south of the Kimberley region all the way to the Cambridge Gulf, the mighty Ord River is the lifeblood of the Kimberley and one of Australia’s most significant waterways. There are plenty of ways to explore the Ord River and its tributaries, which pass through two dams and two major lakes.
With its mix of Italianate and Australian Regency architecture, manicured gardens, and antique furnishings, Como House offers a glimpse into aristocratic life in 19th- and 20th-century Melbourne. Dating back to 1847, the lavish home once belonged to the Armytage family and was a popular venue for high society events.
Perth’s cruise port is in Fremantle, a port town separated from Perth by the Swan River, which empties into the Indian Ocean at the point where cruises dock. Depending on how much time you have in port, you can stay in Fremantle to enjoy its historical attractions and lively cafe and bar scene, or head into Perth for more sightseeing.
In the heart of Sydney’s Central Business District (CBD), the Strand Arcade is a Victorian-style shopping center that houses specialty stores catering to a sophisticated clientele, as well as boutique showrooms representing a selection of high-end Australian designer labels and even a restaurant.
Crater Lakes National Park encompasses two crystal-clear lakes in extinct volcanic craters, Lake Eacham and Lake Barrine. Pristine rain forest, rich in birdlife, surrounds both lakes, with walking trails for travelers to wander around them. A pair of nearly 150-foot-tall (45-meter) bull kauri trees by Lake Barrine are believed to be more than 1,000 years old.
