Looking for the BEST things to add to your Australia bucket list? We have put together all the best stops and places you have to see. Even if you don’t make it to every place, Australia is a top travel bucket list destination and it is brimming with iconic places to see.
Whether you road trip the island, fly over the Great Barrier Reef or see the beautiful animals and enjoy the beach, you are going to have a fantastic time.
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Australia Bucket List
1. Visit Whitehaven Beach
Considered one of the best beaches in all of Australia. Lined with perfect white sand and layers of blue ocean water as far as they eyes can see. You won’t want to miss this.
2. Explore Daintree National Park
Daintree National Park is home to a gorgeous rainforest in Queensland and is one of the country’s World Heritage Sites. You can go on hikes in the park, visit Mossman Gorge, and even go on a cruise along the Daintree River! It’s also where most of the country’s wildlife lives.
3. Rent a car and drive the Great Ocean Road
No Australia bucket list is complete without driving at least a portion of the Great Ocean Road, which is one of the most scenic routes in the country. It’s on Australia’s southeast coast and is home to many top-rated attractions and viewpoints, including the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge. It’s worth renting a car for this.
4. Day trip to Rottnest Island
To get up close to the quokka, one of Australia’s cutest animals, head to Rottnest Island. This island is truly like paradise and is filled with beaches, homes, and caves that are worth exploring. This is also one of the best places to go surfing in all of Australia. It makes a great day trip from Perth!
5. Swim next to waterfalls in Litchfield National Park
Litchfield National Park is known for its breathtaking waterfalls, and you can swim right next to them! In this park, you can also go on hikes, beautiful walks, and even go on 4WD tracks if you want. Be sure to get to Litchfield National Park early; this park, in particular, is known for getting busy, especially in the summer.
6. Catch the sunrise or sunset at Uluru
This sacred rock used to be an attraction that people could climb, but it’s now a popular place to see the sunrise or the sunset. The stone turns a beautiful orange color and truly offers one of the most breathtaking views in all of Australia. It’s located in the Outback and shouldn’t be missed.
7. Visit the Sydney Opera House
As one of the most iconic landmarks in the whole country, this Australia bucket list would not be complete without mentioning the Sydney Opera House. You could either see it from a cruise or visit it up close. Either way, it’s one landmark that shouldn’t be missed, and it’s incredibly scenic.
8. Eat at the world-famous Quay Restaurant
Known for its fine dining, Quay Restaurant is one of the top-rated restaurants in all of Australia. It’s located right in Sydney and offers a great view of the Sydney Opera House and the harbor. Peter Gilmore, a famous chef, runs the restaurant, which has been consistently ranked as one of the best restaurants in the world.
9. Surf on the Gold Coast in Queensland
While the Gold Coast is often a place that people consider a perfect spot for relaxing, it’s also known for its iconic surfing. The water here is a beautiful turquoise blue and is right next to the city of Brisbane. Be sure also to check out Broadbeach while you’re here and do some sightseeing in the area.
10. Experience the shipwrecks around Moreton Island via helicopter ride
Moreton Island is a bit of an underrated place to visit in Australia, but it can be reached easily if you visit the Brisbane area. It’s filled with tons of incredible wildlife, hiking trails, and of course, beaches. However, there are old wrecked ships called the Tangalooma Shipwrecks, which the island is famous for. Be sure to go on a helicopter ride or go snorkeling to see them!
11. Trek through Kalbarri National Park
Kalbarri National Park is home to the Kalbarri Ocean Drive, but the park itself is also worth exploring. There are tons of different hikes in the area, beautiful lakes, and rock formations that offer some of the best views in the entire country.
12. See (and pretend to surf) Wave Rock
The Wave Rock is one of the natural wonders on this Australia bucket list. It truly looks like a wave frozen in time, but it’s made out of rock! Be sure to stop by and pretend to ride the wave to get a classic photo to post on your Instagram.
13. Swim at Bondi Beach
Bondi Beach is one of the country’s most popular and famous beaches, so you’ve most likely heard of it before. It’s 100% worth visiting because it’s located in a super hipster area near Sydney. The cafes here are great, there’s an authentic surfer vibe, and Bondi Beach is a great place to go swimming.
There are tons of things you could add to your Bondi bucket list to keep you busy while visiting.
14. Go on a balloon ride in Alice Springs
If you are the adventurous type, go on a balloon ride in Alice Springs. The desert park here is outstanding and is home to tons of artwork and landscapes you won’t want to miss. Be sure to go on one in the morning to catch the sunrise.
15. Tour a vineyard in Barossa Valley
No visit to any country is complete without visiting a wine region, and Barossa Valley is Australia’s. There are tons of vineyards here, which you could visit on a tour or on your own. If you want to visit more and have a local guide, be sure to go on a tour instead.
16. Try coffee in Melbourne
Believe it or not, but Australia is known for its coffee. Be sure to stop by one of Melbourne’s best coffee shops: Dukes Coffee Roasters, Brother Baba Budan, or Patricia Coffee Brewers. Consider stepping out of your comfort zone and ordering something you haven’t ordered before. Most Australians prefer a flat white!
17. Explore The Pinnacles
Another of Australia’s natural wonders is The Pinnacles. They’re located in Western Australia and are these crazy rock formations. What’s so interesting about them is that nobody has been able to figure out how they got there! They also make a great photo backdrop.
18. See the St. Kilda penguins
The wildlife in Australia is unlike any other, so why not see some penguins for free while visiting? In Melbourne, make your way to the St. Kilda Pier, where a colony of small penguins is known to stay. This Australia bucket list wouldn’t be complete without at least mentioning the penguins!
19. Go whale watching in Queensland
While visiting Queensland, hop on a cruise and go on a whale watching tour. This is a popular activity year-round, but of course, it is more popular in the warmer seasons. Book your tickets ahead of time to ensure you can go on this great experience!
20. Climb on top of the Sydney Bridge
Did you know that you can climb on top of the Sydney Bridge? While it’s more of an activity for an adrenaline junkie, you’ll get some of the best views of the city from the top. Plus, it’s an Australia bucket list activity that you can then cross off!
21. Learn at the National Museum of Australia
When visiting any country, it’s always worth it to visit at least one museum so that you can learn a bit of history. The country’s best museum is the National Museum of Australia, which is filled with Australian relics, exhibits, and artifacts.
22. Go on a cruise in the Whitsundays
The best way to explore the Whitsundays is to hop on a cruise. You’ll get the most scenic beachy views this way! However, you could also consider renting a catamaran for a more luxury Australia bucket list experience.
23. Relax at Byron Bay
Byron Bay is easily one of the most well-known Australia bucket list destinations, and it’s for a good reason. It’s filled with trendy shops, cafes, beaches, lighthouses, and Instagram-worthy locations. Plus, the food here is fantastic!
24. Spend a day at Fitzroy Island
For a tropical getaway, make your way to Fitzroy Island. This island is small, so it’s usually not super busy. It’s also home to one of the best beaches in all of Australia and is surrounded by reefs that will make you want to go snorkeling.
25. Visit the pink lake, Hutt Lagoon
The Hutt Lagoon is one of the most photographed areas in the country because it’s a pink saltwater lake. It’s located near Perth and is entirely natural. Keep in mind that depending on the time of year you visit, the pink shade might be different.
26. Go skydiving in New South Wales
Australia is home to tons of adventurous activities, and skydiving is one of them. When visiting New South Wales, try your hand at skydiving to get some of the best views in the entire country!
27. See the animals at Kangaroo Island
This aptly named island is home to many of Australia’s native animals, including penguins, kangaroos, and koalas! The water here is also a beautiful deep turquoise blue, and you won’t want to stop walking along the coastline here.
28. Snap a photo at the Three Sisters
The Three Sisters is one of the most famous rock formations located in The Blue Mountains. It can be reached by taking a trip from Sydney and is one of the most breathtaking views. This area can get pretty busy during the day, so try to catch the sunrise for a unique perspective.
29. Visit the Great Barrier Reef
Located near Queensland is none other than the Great Barrier Reef. Even if you’ve never visited the country before, you surely know what it is! This is the biggest coral reef globally and is one Australia bucket list item that you can’t miss.
30. Take a walk around Port Macquarie
Coastal walks are some of the most fun and scenic ways to explore an area in any country that you visit, and the same can be said of Australia. The coastal walk in Port Macquarie is filled with tons of incredible viewpoints, and it can be a perfect walk to take if you pack a picnic.
31. Visit the prettiest library, the State Library of Victoria
Whether you are a fan of books or not, visiting libraries are one of the easiest ways to see a country’s architecture up close. The State Library of Victoria is huge and extremely photogenic. If you have to get any work done, this could be a great spot to do it.
32. See crocodiles in Kakadu National Park
Kakadu National Park is one of the best spots in the Northern Territory to see crocodiles. While they can be dangerous, consider going on a river cruise to see them from a distance with a tour guide safely! You could also hike on one of the many trails here.
33. Catch the Aurora Australis in Tasmania
Many people don’t know this, but Australia has its own version of the Northern Lights that is just as epic. To see them, you’ll have to head all the way to Tasmania, but the view is well worth it.
34. Try Vegemite on toast
Yes, last but not least is trying Vegemite! While the thought of eating it might scare you, know that it’s a favorite among tons of Australians and can be purchased cheaply at any grocery or convenience store.
35. Visit Lucky Bay
Ever dreamed of seeing a kangaroo? What about on a beach? Then a visit to Lucky Bay should be on your Australian bucket list. Equally as impressive, the sand of the beach is the whitest in all of Australia and shines like diamonds.
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