Adventures to Try When Travelling to Australia

Australia - vibrant cities, iconic wildlife, diverse landscapes — a continent of wonders. Be it Sydney, Perth, or Brisbane, each of these magnificent cities could easily fill an entire vacation. However, how about adding some diversity to your trip by embarking on a day trip outside these bustling cities? Enhance your vacation experience with numerous exciting adventures awaiting just for you. There are heaps of adventures to have, but we’ve gone ahead and curated a few for your consideration, based on some of the more popular regions.

Photo: Twelve Apostles, Princetown, Australia

New South Wales

When it comes to enjoying the great outdoors in New South Wales, the fabled Blue Mountains take center stage as the primary option. Just west of Sydney, this stunning mountain range is home to over 87 miles of trails, numerous quaint mountain towns and more adventure than you could hope to experience in a few weeks. Whether you spend the day enjoying a bush walk down to the valley floor, savoring a picnic in the Beyond Skyway cable car or marveling at glow worms within one of the many caves, it’s a day to remember. For those looking to venture out to sea for a fun outing, the chance to glimpse dolphins as they play in the surf right off the coast of Port Stephens is bound to delight. Or, if you prefer your day trips to be a pinch slower paced (or less of a trek), Bondi Beach is an iconic hangout spot — and the prime place to try surfing, regardless of your skill level.

Photo: Three Sisters, Cliff Drive, Katoomba NSW, Australia

Western Australia

On the other side of the country is Western Australia — the state comprising a third of the continent’s area but only 10% of its population. Put succinctly: You have room to roam here. Just off the westernmost coast is Ningaloo Reef, one of the few places in the world where you can swim with whale sharks. Equally photo-worthy is a hike across Rottnest Island, home to the ever-Instagrammable quokkas. But the star of the show in this region is the Kimberley: three times the size of England (with a population just under 40,000), Australia’s entire northwest corner is one of the world’s last wilderness frontiers. Naturally, there’s endless adventure to be found here. You could enjoy a scenic flight to sight the bizarre Bungle Bungles, or search for dinosaur footprints off the coast of Broome. Nature lovers will certainly want to embark on a tour of Narlijia’s mangroves — the chance to see the native wildlife with the context of an Indigenous guide is downright memorable.

Photo: Ningaloo WA, Australia

Queensland

Queensland is the continent’s northeast region; a land full of rainforests and surfable beaches. At the top of any bucket list is snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef; comprising 134,634 square miles, it’s a literal underwater world waiting to be discovered, colorful inhabitants and all (just be sure to wear a sunscreen that doesn’t bleach the reef!). The inland equivalent is the Daintree Rainforest — the oldest rainforest in the world at a pinch past 135 million years old. Wander through a land that time seemed to forget as entire ecosystems are housed under this expansively dense canopy (you’ll never look at nature documentaries the same way again). Finally, if you’d prefer your day trip to be a more relaxing affair, pristine beaches are as abundant as shells on a beach. Palm Cove more than earns its name thanks to the countless idyllic palms adorning the golden sand. Cape Hillsborough is another prime choice — where else can you watch the sun rise in the company of kangaroos and wallabies?

Photo: Great Barrier Reef

An ideal way to make the most of your trip to Australia is with the help of our travel advisors. Not only will you have plenty of time to experience the sights listed above, but thanks to our advisors’ professional expertise, you’ll find tour companies and guides that can truly elevate your adventures. When it comes to trusted travel guides Down Under, our agents know the lay of the land well, so we can help you choose, plan and book your cruise vacation to perfection.

Looking for a unique adventure in Australia? Contact me today!