13 Don’t-Miss Bucket List Experiences in Australia and New Zealand
Vacationing Down Under is a big deal for many international travelers: Australia and New Zealand are a long flight from most places and with so much to see and do, it can be hard to know where to start. There are vast deserts, snow-capped mountains, beautiful beaches, ancient cultures, vibrant modern food scenes, and quirky (and infamous) wildlife aplenty. Whether you’re adventuring in Australia over several weeks, zipping around New Zealand in just a few days, or dedicating time to both Pacific powerhouses, here are 13 of the best bucket-list experiences to help you make the most of your time.
1. See the sights on a harbor cruise in Sydney, New South Wales
Sydney’s skyline is easily one of Australia’s most recognizable, and the best way to see it has to be by harbor cruise. Dinner packages are a luxurious way to savor the sights, though ferry trips to seaside suburbs like Manly are another great way to sit back and soak up views of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and beyond.
What one reviewer said: “Nice food, friendly service and excellent views! Good atmosphere with live music. Would highly recommend.” Sylvia_C, November 2025
2. Discover NSW’s great outdoors on a Blue Mountains hike
When you need a break from Australia’s urban jungle, head to the Blue Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site just west of Sydney, for a hike among forest-covered sandstone ridges. Discover waterfalls, lookouts, and mountain villages, and still be back in Sydney in time for dinner—or stay overnight to see the national park illuminated by starlight and glowworms.
What one reviewer said: “Fitting in as much as this trip did into a single day was great for me as I only had this one day to do something outside of Sydney. I really appreciated being able to include a ride down the river for the final leg of the return to Sydney.” Bruce_M, November 2025
3. Get your motor running on Victoria’s Great Ocean Road
Considered one of Australia’s most scenic road trips, the Great Ocean Road covers 413 miles (664 kilometers) of Victoria coastline, just southwest of Melbourne. Explore highlights like Loch Ard Gorge and the Twelve Apostles, or dedicate a few days to driving the whole route, stopping at rugged beaches, lush rainforest, and seaside towns along the way.
What one reviewer said: “This full day experience was amazing!! I saw incredible ocean views and rock formations, towering cliffs, a rainforest, kangaroos in the wild, parrots and cockatoos and even a koala! A wonderful added bonus that I took advantage of was the opportunity of a helicopter ride over the 12 apostles rock formation, which I would highly recommend (...)” Teresa_H, November 2025
4. Dive into marine magic on the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland
The Great Barrier Reef is a 1,430-mile (2,300-kilometer) ocean garden off of Australia’s northeastern coast. The reef is the largest in the world and is home to around 400 types of coral, 1,500 species of fish, and 4,000 types of mollusk. Boat tours depart daily from towns including Cairns and Airlie Beach, with many including snorkeling for a closer look at the natural wonder. Upgrade for a Great Barrier Reef diving adventure.
What one reviewer said: “Lovely crew, great food, great experience. Got to see lots of fish and felt like the team had thought of everything!” Sarah_P, November 2025
5. Catch a dawn or dusk light show at Uluru, Northern Territory
The Australian Outback doesn’t get much more dramatic than at Uluru. This red sandstone monolith rises 1,140 feet (348 meters) out of the desert and is believed to be around 550 million years old. It’s a spectacular sight at any time of day, but an Uluru desert experience at sunrise and sunset provide the most magical views, when the sun seems to change the color of the rockface.
What one reviewer said: “Michael was a brilliant guide this evening. Unfortunately the clouds didn’t disperse but the lightning from the storm behind us was spectacular! Michael took great care of us and was really knowledgeable.” Judith_H, November 2025
6. Go quackers for quokkas on Rottnest Island, Western Australia
In your rush to see Australia’s beloved kangaroos, koalas, and wombats, don’t overlook the extraordinarily cute quokka. Smaller than a kangaroo or wallaby but related to them, these marsupials are native to Western Australia. Although they’re endangered on the mainland, they’re thriving on Rottnest Island, a nature reserve just off the coast of Perth.
What one reviewer said: “We had a lovely time at Rottnest, our driver Cos drove very carefully and comfortably and our tour guide Eli was very knowledgeable and entertaining and gave a great commentary on the island. 10/10.” Adam_C, November 2025
7. Appreciate Australia’s Indigenous heritage on a cultural tour
The best way to learn about Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities is from the people themselves. Around 500 different First Nations groups live throughout Australia, each with their own language and culture. Wherever you’re headed in Australia, it’s a good idea to seek out a local cultural experience to help you better understand the history, diversity, and dynamics of the country.
What one reviewer said: “This tour is a must-do for anyone visiting Sydney. The knowledge we learned from our Gadigal tour guide was completely necessary for any Australia tourists due to the history of the nation, and the Aboriginal people who inhabited it for over 50,000 years. Learning about the culture and history of an indigenous tribe, in the heart of Sydney despite the massive changes to the land, felt like we were in a different world. (...)” Zoe_G, June 2025
8. Simply walk into Hobbiton in Matamata, Waikato
Fans of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies will recognize filming locations and backdrops throughout New Zealand, but a fun and easy one-stop-shop is the Hobbiton™ Movie Set near Matamata on the North Island. Take a guided Hobbiton Movie Set tour to learn about the site’s movie-making history, then refresh with a Southfarthing™ Ale at The Green Dragon Inn.
What one reviewer said: “Hobbiton is located in the middle of nowhere so it takes awhile to get there and back. But it’s definitely worth the trip! Everything was so authentic and when we were inside the Hobbit homes we were welcomed to take pictures, experience and touch anything. The caves were also a great experience! We loved gliding through the cave looking up at all the glow worms while on a boat! It was amazing!” Harold_R, November 2025
9. Be immersed in Māori culture in Rotorua, Bay of Plenty Region
Rotorua’s geothermal attractions are inextricably linked to local Māori culture, and there are many ways to experience both at the same time. Cultural tours of geothermal parks typically show you around the mud pools, geysers, and sulfur terraces and are followed by performances, storytelling, and a traditional meal cooked in an underground oven called a hangi.
What one reviewer said: “This experience was absolutely fantastic. Food was amazing. The cultural show was informative and entertaining. Absolutely loved the whole evening.” Lynette_T, November 2025
10. Soar over New Zealand’s Southern Alps on a glacier heli-tour
The Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers may be the most famous and accessible of the glaciers on the West Coast of the South Island, but they’re not the only ones. Today, scenic flights are one of the only ways to get an overview of New Zealand’s sprawling Southern Alps, with helicopter tours generally landing on at least one glacier for a more intimate glimpse. As far as New Zealand adventure sports go, this one requires little effort.
What one reviewer said: “Amazing experience! We felt very safe in the capable hands of Mark our pilot and we were impressed by the stunning views. We were very lucky with the weather and able to land on the glacier, after a couple of days with poor weather conditions.” Caz_S, November 2025
11. Travel coast-to-coast on the South Island’s TranzAlpine train
New Zealand doesn’t have many long-distance train journeys, but those it does have are spectacular. The TranzAlpine train makes crossing the Southern Alps from Christchurch to Greymouth a breeze. After chugging through the Canterbury Plains, the railway rises into the mountains, crosses the dramatic Waimakariri Gorge and passes through Arthur’s Pass National Park, before descending onto the West Coast.
What one reviewer said: “My husband and I had the most amazing day. Thank you to our tour guide/driver. He was incredible. Very informative, such a lovely guy. The snacks were very yummy and appreciated! Arthur’s Pass was well worth the visit. I would highly recommend this tour to all.” Kerry_J, November 2025
12. Marvel at mountain views on a Christchurch gondola ride
After arriving in Christchurch, a great way to get your bearings is to ride the Christchurch gondola up to the Port Hills crater rim, a mountain viewpoint set right above town. Grab a coffee or snack at the summit complex while admiring the views over the Canterbury Plains and Lyttelton Harbour or combine your visit with a stop at the Christchurch Botanic Gardens.
What one reviewer said: “Excellent adventure. The staff was helpful and friendly. The view going up was fun. We saw a bunch of sheep and two baby lambs. The view from the top is spectacular. (...)” Cheryl_W, November 2025
13. Admire the undulating landscape of Fiordland from a boat
The sight of the 5,521-foot (1,683-meter) Mitre Peak rising out of Milford Sound is undoubtedly one of New Zealand’s most iconic images. See it for yourself on a cruise around Fiordland National Park, and enjoy a close encounter with the mountain waterfalls, forests, and fauna that make the area so special.
What one reviewer said: “Beautiful scenery and a well-run tour. The operators really cared about giving a great experience. We are really happy we went out on this small boat rather than a large boat packed with people.” Wendy_D, November 2025
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