20 Iconic Australian Experiences to Tick Off Your Bucket List
Australia is a beautiful country spanning 7.69 million square kilometers (2.97 million square miles). Due to its vast size, there are plenty of experiences to try. From watching the sunrise over Uluru to seeing kangaroos and koalas in the wild, Australia has many amazing bucket list experiences. To help you decide what experiences to add to your bucket list, here are 20 iconic Australian experiences to tick off your bucket list.
1. Go Snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is the largest living thing in the world. Spanning 2,300 kilometers (1,430 miles), the Great Barrier Reef is a giant ecosystem located off the coast of Queensland and is even visible from space. While you snorkel, you will see over 600 colorful types of hard and soft coral in addition to over 1,500 fish species, 134 species of sharks and rays, six species of marine turtles, and more than 30 species of marine mammals. The vast array of sea animals and coral you will see while snorkeling cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world, making this a great bucket list experience.
2. Watch the Sunrise and Sunset over Uluru
The Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in Northern Territory, Australia is home to Uluru, or Ayers Rock, a large sandstone rock formation. The rock, which is sacred to the Aboriginal people who live in the area, is thought to be over 700 million years old. One of the most awe-inspiring experiences in the national park is watching either the sunrise, sunset, or both where Uluru appears to change color. With several viewing platforms scattered throughout the dunes, the spectacular views can be seen by car, buses, and guided tours. The sunrise and sunset over Uluru are some of the best in the world. This bucket list experience offers beautiful views of a 348 meter (1,142 foot) tall sandstone rock.
3. Learn to Surf on the Gold Coast
On the coast Queensland, the Gold Coast offers plenty for visitors to do including two amusement parks and 57 kilometers (35 miles) of sunny beaches that are lined with city skyscrapers. The beaches are the real showstopper of the Gold Coast, offering the perfect place to spend an entire day. One bucket list experience is learning to surf on the Gold Coast. With amazing year-round waves and over a dozen surf schools, the Gold Coast is where all local Australians go to learn how to surf. You can even learn at the famous Surfers Paradise beach, and train with pro surfers. If you have ever wanted to learn how to surf, the Gold Coast is the place to hop on a board and catch a wave.
4. Hot Air Balloon Over the Hunter Valley
In New South Wales, Australia, the Hunter Valley region is home to a beautiful landscape including a river. The valley is filled with many wineries, offering picturesque views while you sip region-grown wine. But even more exciting and adventurous than a winery tour is a hot air balloon ride. There are several ballooning companies to choose from and each will provide a fantastic hot air balloon experience. A hot air balloon ride over Hunter Valley begins either before dawn to catch the stunning sunrise, or before dusk to watch the colorful sunset. The picturesque view from above in a balloon makes this a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
5. Go Swimming with Whale Sharks in Western Australia
Off the coast of Western Australia livers the largest species in the ocean, the whale shark. Unlike other sharks, these gentle giants feed on plankton and have an average size of 9.8 meters (32 feet). Because they linger near the surface of the water, you can easily go snorkeling or swimming around them. Whether you go to the more famous Ningaloo Reef or take a tour from Exmouth Bay or Coral Bay, there are many ways for you to take a once-in-a-lifetime swim in crystal blue water with the gentle giants surrounding you.
6. Camp on Mount Kosciuszko, Australia’s Highest Peak
In the Snowy Mountains in Kosciuszko National Park in New South Whales stands the mighty Mount Kosciuszko, towering at 2,228 meters (7,310 feet). The tallest mountain in Australia, Mount Kosciuszko offers an exciting trek to the summit in the snow. Once you reach the top, you can explore the caves, ride on horseback, or even snowboard down, depending on the season. If you decide to stay at the top for a while, you will be greeted with stunning views of the landscape down below. You can even camp on Mount Kosciuszko, creating a unique adventure for any explorer.
7. Watch the Aurora Australis in Tasmania
Tasmania, an island off the coast of Australia, offers a beautiful landscape of waterfalls and mountains. In addition to the stunning landscape, Tasmania offers a beautiful natural light show every night. The Aurora Australis, also known as the Southern Lights, is the lesser-known sister of the Northern Lights. However, the Aurora Australis is still just as beautiful as the Northern Lights with incredible colors of pink, purple, and green lighting up the sky and amazing light trails dancing about. This bucket list experience of the Aurora Australis cannot be missed.
8. Sail and Swim the Whitsundays Islands
The Whitsundays is in the center of the Great Barrier Reef on the coast of Queensland and is known for its stunning blue ocean, amazing white beaches, and a cluster of 74 stunning islands. Taking a sailboat trip will offer snorkeling, sunbathing, and amazing views of the ocean and islands. You can swim with the tropical fish and turtles that frequent the reefs around the islands. Visiting one of the islands in the Whitsundays, you will find yourself in perfect white sand and surrounded by beautiful blue water. You can even sleep underwater with beautiful underwater views in your room. The Whitsundays is an amazing bucket list experience.
9. Visit Kangaroo Island
An island off the coast of South Australia, Kangaroo Island is home to an abundance of wildlife. Although Kangaroo Island does have numerous kangaroos, as its name suggests, the island is also home to sea lions, koalas, and a penguin colony. With striking rock formations on the shore to towering trees in open woodland, Kangaroo Island offers plenty of nature to explore. As you drive or hike around the island, you will see all the animals in their natural, protected habitats and you can even take tours to see specific animals. The wildlife experience on Kangaroo Island cannot be replicated anywhere else.
10. Drive on the Great Ocean Road
Lining the Southern Ocean off the coast of Victoria, the Great Ocean Road is one of the world’s most scenic coastal drives, spanning 400 kilometers (249 miles). Along the way, you will discover looming cliffs, beautiful yet empty beaches, and an abundance of wildlife. Although you can travel the entire road in one day, you can also stop to immerse yourself in nature and hike along the coast. With charming fishing villages, forests, and rocky coastline, the Great Ocean Road provides spectacular views for a unique bucket list experience.
11. Do a Skydive
Although you can skydive anywhere in the world, skydiving over Australia is a unique bucket list experience. Some of the amazing locations to skydive include Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns, and Noosa. One of the more popular locations to skydive in Australia is Byron Bay in New South Wales. When you are freefalling from 4,572 meters (15,000 feet) in the air to the ground, you will see the easternmost point of Australia and see where the sea meets the land. Skydiving is perfect for any adrenaline junkie or adventurer, and diving over Australia creates a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
12. Ride a Train to the Blue Mountains
Located in New South Wales, west of Sydney, the Blue Mountains are some of the most beautiful mountains in the world. Its blue color comes from the dense eucalyptus forests that surround the mountain. To start your adventure, you can ride the world’s steepest railway into the ancient forest. Once there, you can choose from several trails that provide a scenic view of the landscape including waterfalls, sandstone tablelands, and valleys as you hike up the Blue Mountains. The scenic train ride to the Blue Mountains along with hiking the various trails make a great bucket list experience.
13. Give Sandboarding a Go
Sandboarding is a sport like snowboarding where you ride across or down a sand dune. It is one of the easier sports to try because the sand is soft, and you can choose to stand or sit. This is a popular sport in Australia due to the many sand dunes in the drier regions in the country. One cool location to try sandboarding is at the Pinnacles Desert in Western Australia. As you slide down the dunes, you will see weathered rock spires that look like something out of a Star Wars movie. Other popular locations to try sandboarding include Kangaroo Island, Stockton Dunes, and Kalbarri. Wherever you choose to sandboard, it is a unique experience to add to your bucket list.
14. Take a Coastal Walk from Bondi to Coogee
The coastal walk from Bondi to Coogee in Sydney, New South Wales is a 6-kilometer (3.7-mile) trail from Bondi beach to Coogee beach. Walking on a cliff, you will explore Sydney’s coast from beaches to parks to rock pools. This coastal walk offers stunning views of the ocean at any time of the year. In the summer, you can people watch and enjoy a refreshing swim while the winter months offers views of the humpback whale migration. Whenever you visit, the coastal walk is a great way to see some of Australia’s most popular beaches on your bucket list.
15. Climb the Sydney Harbor Bridge
Climbing the Sydney Harbor Bridge offers 360-degree views of beautiful Sydney including the Harbor, the Opera House, and even the Blue Mountains on a clear day. The bridge, which is 134 meters (440 feet) tall, can be climbed with a guide in as little as two and a half hours. Do not be intimidated though, as a more standard climb is available for all fitness levels, taking three and a half hours. If heights are not your thing, you can even climb only halfway up to still get a great view. Climbing the Sydney Harbor Bridge is an adventurous bucket list experience offering stunning views of Sydney.
16. Find Saltwater Crocodiles at Kakadu National Park
Kakadu National Park, in the Northern Territory, is Australia’s largest terrestrial national park. The stunning landscape of the park includes sandstone, rivers, and wetlands giving a home to flatback turtles, 2,000 plant species, and the famous saltwater crocodiles. When feeding time comes, the crocodiles will congregate together. Although they are amazing animals, remember to keep your distance as the saltwater crocodiles have been known to kill people who try to wade into the water. The beautiful landscape of Kakadu with the large saltwater crocodiles makes this an amazing bucket list experience.
17. Stay on Fraser Island
Fraser Island, off the coast of Queensland, is made entirely of sand and is the only sand island to house a rainforest. As the largest sand island in the world at 120 kilometers (75 miles), there is plenty to see on Fraser Island. The island includes beaches, pools, rainforest, and even shipwrecks. You can rent a 4WD and explore the island before camping under the stars at night. From seeing Lake McKenzie, a crystal-clear lake, to the SS Maheno shipwreck, there is an abundance of activities for your several-day stay. Fraser Island offers an incredible bucket list experience.
18. Do the “Tim Tam Slam”
The Tim Tam is a classic Australian snack made from two chocolate biscuits separated by chocolate cream and covered in chocolate. Although delicious on their own, Australians have a perfect upgrade for the snack, called the Tim Tam Slam, creating the perfect treat to complete any Australian experience. To create this wonderful snack, take a small bite out of one corner of the biscuit, and then bite the opposite corner. Next, using the Tim Tam like a straw, place one bitten corner in a hot beverage, such as hot chocolate or coffee, and suck until you taste the hot liquid. Finally, quickly eat the warm, melting Tim Tam. The Tim Tam Slam is a perfect Australian experience to add to your bucket list.
19. Take a Trip to Crocosaurus Cove
In Darwin, Northern Territory, the Crocosaurus Cove offers an up-close look of Australia’s deadliest reptiles, the saltwater crocodile. Whether you swim with young crocodiles or feed some of the largest saltwater crocodiles, you can marvel at these impressive creatures. If you are feeling extra adventurous, you can spend 15 minutes in the Cage of Death which plunges you into the water, filled with 200 of the largest saltwater crocodiles. This exciting, yet terrifying once-in-a-lifetime experience is a perfect bucket list addition.
20. Discover Wineglass Bay and Freycinet National Park
Located in Tasmania, Freycinet National Park is home to pink granite peaks and white sandy beaches. Additionally, the national park has one of the world’s best beaches, Wineglass Bay. With crystal blue waters and a white sandy beach, Wineglass Bay is a stunning place to relax and spend a day. If you want more of an adventure, climbing up Mount Amos will bring a challenge, but the payoff of the spectacular view of Wineglass Bay from above is worth the hike. Whether you relax at the beach or enjoy a challenging hike, visiting Freycinet National Park and Wineglass Bay is a beautiful bucket list experience.
Australia offers visitors plenty to enjoy. From relaxing beaches to adventurous hikes, to death-defying activities, there is something for everyone’s bucket list. You can hike, drive, surf, and sandboard your way through many Australian experiences while seeing incredible wildlife, beautiful natural landscapes, and popular tourist destinations. From the Tim Tam Slam to climbing the Sydney Harbor Bridge, these 20 iconic Australian experiences should be on everyone’s bucket list.
Have you tried any of these Australian experiences? Do you have any other suggestions of things we might add to the list? Make sure you add your experiences and ideas in the comments below.