5 Essential Places to Visit on an Australian Vacation

Australia's cities offer iconic landmarks, natural wonders, beautiful beaches, lively metropolises, and unique experiences. While there's an abundance of things to see and do Downunder, a classic vacation almost always includes these five essential destinations.

Melbourne

Melbourne is the country's cultural capital. You can spend an entire day exploring its famous arcades and laneways and let your hair down at its many nightlife spots. At the award-winning Moonlit Sanctuary, you can get a close look at endemic Australian wildlife, including kangaroos and koalas. On a day trip to Phillip Island, you can watch hundreds of little penguins waddle home from the ocean to their burrows at sunset.

Sydney

Historic and diverse Sydney is home to one of the world's most beautiful harbours and the iconic Sydney Opera House. You can enjoy the sun, sand, and surf at the famous Bondi Beach, explore popular spots like Surrey Hills, the Rocks, and Newton, and swing by the Art Gallery of NSW, Royal Botanic Garden, and the Australian Museum. Here with the kids? A ferry ticket takes you across the harbour where you can visit the Taronga Zoo, which is home to koalas, red kangaroos, chimpanzees, Sumatran tigers, and Asian elephants.

Cairns

Snorkelling and diving the Great Barrier Reef is one of the essential things to do in Australia. Cairns is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. It offers easy access to mountainous rainforests, including Daintree, the earth's oldest rainforest. Dip your toes in the warm waters of the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon and shop for souvenirs at the Cairns Night Market. To the north of Cairn are beaches that offer excellent swimming and snorkelling opportunities during the winter months.

Adelaide

Adelaide is a paradise for keen walkers and hikers thanks to its stunning parkland, wide boulevards, scenic hikes, coastal walkways, large public spaces, and historical architecture. The famous Barossa Valley wine country is an hour's drive from Adelaide. Hop on a tram to the pretty beach town of Glenelg or take a short flight or ferry ride to Kangaroo Island to meet koalas, kangaroos, sea lions, and seals. Adelaide hosts numerous festivals, including the world's largest cabaret festival and the Adelaide Festival, featuring music, dance, opera, and theatre.

Uluru

Uluru, formerly known as Ayers Rock, is an incredible sandstone rock formation located in the southern part of the Northern Territory of Australia. Revered by Australia's Aboriginal people, Uluru is an essential place to visit for a number of reasons. Walk around Uluru's base to enjoy the entirety of this ancient rock. Explore the Field of Light art installation, and witness the desert glow up in a multitude of shimmering and receding colors. Book a Sounds of Silence dinner, a starry dining experience atop a desert dune against the backdrop of the setting sun. Walk the domes of Kata Tjuta or challenge yourself to the 3.5-hour Kings Canyon hike. You can also try your hand at dot painting or wood carving under the watchful eyes of local Maruku artists.

Our Australian tour packages have something for everyone. Book a vacation today.