In this complete guide to the top 10 (and more) things to do in Australia, you get more than just a list. I’ve also included how to prepare, plan, and coordinate all aspects of your travel. Including flights, trains, buses/taxis, hotels, and excursions. Also provided are answers to the questions: When is the best time to visit Australia? Where should I stay in Australia? What should I pack? I’ve also sprinkled this guide with a little bit of personality and included some of my own experiences on the journey. I loved my time in Australia and would go back in a heartbeat. So, I hope that this guide helps you make lifelong happy memories in the land down under.
Disclaimer: There are some links in this article that are affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through them, we receive a small commission. This is never an extra cost to you. Thanks for your support.
Throwing it Back to the 90’s
Ever since “Shout to the Lord” came out in 1994, I’ve loved Hillsong Worship. After listening to Hillsong United’s music during my youth group years, I had it on heart to visit Hillsong Church in Australia. Every year Hillsong United records the upcoming album during their youth group’s Encounterfest. And that’s when I wanted to go. Finally, October 2009, it happened. I planned and went on an almost month-long holiday to Australia with my best friend.
Hillsong United Encounterfest 2009
Did I mention I like trains?
I might have mentioned trains once or twice in other blog posts, but train travel is a big part of who I am. It’s something I like to incorporate into all my travels. Of course, Australia was no different. Considering that I’m going this long distance, I wanted to be diligent with my time. The best way to see as much of Australia as possible was to take a train trip along the coast. Especially since it eliminates the need for a rental car. You can even include the train travel as one of the top things to do in Australia as well since it was an experience in and of itself. Starting up at Cairns, we saw The Great Barrier Reef then traveled down to see the Whitsunday Islands and then experience Brisbane, Australia. Finally, we ended at Sydney where we spent a couple of weeks to live like locals before heading home.
The Day Before I Traveled
Funny story, I went on my first date with my now husband the night before I left for my month-long excursion to Australia. Talk about timing. Australia had been on my heart for years and years that when I went I wasn’t sure I was coming back. But it turned out that the Lord had other plans for me. “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.” (Ephesians 3:20 NIV)
Our First Date
How To Plan Your Australia Trip?
With an international trip like this that has so many moving parts, coordination and planning is key. Especially in 2020, given all the changes in travel surrounding COVID-19. Research Research!! With flight restrictions, less frequent train schedules, and limited amount of people allowable on excursions, this is very important to ensure a smooth traveling experience. We are going to cover each area to make sure that you have all the information you need.
If you are leaving your car at the airport, I personally always choose The Parking Spot. Register for their rewards, because it's easy to earn free parking. I never had a problem with safety while my car was there. The shuttle bus was always easy to locate and rode regularly so you don't miss your flight.
Preparing for Travel – Paperwork
Have you noticed all the paperwork that comes with adulting? J If you are coming from anywhere other than Australia or maybe New Zealand, you WILL need a visa. In order to make sure you get the most accurate information, use your country’s embassy or immigration website. This will be especially important when it comes to the travel restrictions between countries as well. Equally as important, is your passport. Check the expiration date. Make sure your expiration date has room to spare with your travel dates. You don’t want to get caught in another country with an expired passport. If it’s cutting it close, renew. And leave enough time to send in the old and receive the new.
Preparing for Travel – Flights
If you are going at a specific time of year like me, then you may have to just pay the going rate. But if you have a little more flexibility or are looking for the future, then subscribing to Next Vacay is the way to go. For $25/year, you get international flight deals (from your nearest airport) right to your e-mail. If I had this then, I probably could’ve saved myself major money.
During the long portion of the flight, you typically get served both meals and snacks on board. You can advise the airline in advance of any food allergies. On the flight, we were served food by the airline at least every 3 hours. However, I would still bring my own snacks. But depending on what you bring, you may need to eat or dispose of it before customs.
Preparing for Travel – Australia Trains
In this itinerary, you are crossing Australian state lines going from Queensland to New South Wales (NSW), so you will need to change trains. You can use the following official websites for Queensland trains and NSW trains to coordinate train schedules and stops for your train trip. In addition, make sure you also coordinate any shuttle buses or taxis.
Preparing for Travel – Money
The Australian dollar is the official currency. So, if you are coming from any other currency, then you will need to exchange. The easiest place to exchange is at the airport. See my Montreal blog post, for more details about cash (currency exchange), credit cards, and cell phone preparations.
Preparing for Travel – Health
As a pharmacist, I’m always aware of the matter of health when traveling. I often use the CDC website as a resource. You can select the country you’re visiting to see any recommended vaccinations and other health related resources. And remember to always carry on any important medications. Depending on your originating country, you can also check your health insurance coverage for when you are traveling. Travel insurance on a trip like this is so important. It’s a safeguard for not only the actual travel portion itself, but also health related issues too.
Preparing for Travel – Kids and Families
As I made mention earlier, I was single when I went to Australia. With that being said, I typically love to do very fun, active, and kid-friendly things anyways. So, while most of my top things to do in Australia are kid-friendly, there are some things that aren’t necessarily as infant or toddler friendly. But with that in mind, I’ve included a longer list of things to do in Australia, so you can always make substitutes where needed.
Downtown Cairns
Best Time to Visit Australia
A commonly asked question is when is the best time to visit Australia? I think this depends on what you intend to do while you are there. For me in the U.S. Australia is on the other side of the globe, so our seasons to months are not the same. They have their summer during our winter months and vice versa. We traveled in October, which was their spring and had wonderful weather while we were there. I highly recommend this time. Here is a link to the Australia tourism site which lists the average high and low temperatures, seasons, as well as wet and dry seasons to help in your decision.
Sydney Harbour
What Should I Bring to Australia?
The more I travel, the less I seem to pack. At last, I’m becoming a minimalist with age. With that being said, there are some items you should not leave home without. You will need an adapter to plug things in and make sure your appliances meet the requirements. My hair straightener fried the first day, but luckily, I had a mini straightener too which was fine (pun intended). The flight (and layover) time was long from Florida to Sydney, Australia. So, be comfortable! Bring a travel pillow and wear a sweater. Wear comfortable clothes including sneakers. It may sound weird, but the sky felt close in Australia. Similarly, to the change in ceiling height in a house. So, bring sunscreen. Of course, you will need something to put it in, so here is my favorite carry-on luggage. The most important thing of all to capture your memories is a waterproof camera. The GoPro is the camera I wish I had. I am not a photographer (although working on getting better), but this will definitely be on our next water adventure.
Food in Australia
Even if I didn’t have food allergies, I would still always be talking about food. I didn’t have food sensitivities at the time of this trip, so, there won’t be restaurant recommendations. During my Australia travel, I ate a lot of pizza and Thai food. Since Australia is so close to Thailand, you can find truly authentic Thai food everywhere. It’s very fresh and typically made to order. Everyone speaks English, so there is no language barrier when describing food allergies. The two truly interesting foods I ate were kangaroo (in Sydney, Australia) and Moreton Bay bugs (in Brisbane, Australia). Both are naturally gluten and dairy free, so you would just need to ask for the preparation, sauce, or seasoning to be also. I also ate vegemite, but this is NOT gluten free. You can also read about how I ate reindeer and moose in my Alaska blog post.
Eating Kangaroo overlooking both Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge
Where to Stay in Cairns?
Sydney, Australia is the major international airport. So even though, we were starting our week-long itinerary in Cairns, Australia, we decided to take one day to slightly recover from jet lag and try to set our internal clocks to Australia time. On this first night, before we flew to Cairns, we stayed at the Mercure Sydney, Australia. Once we arrived in Cairns, we stayed at the Holiday Inn Cairns Harbourside.
You can say we were a bit jet lagged
View from our hotel room at Holiday Inn Cairns Harbourside
Breakfast View from Holiday Inn Cairns Harbourside
Things to Do in Australia
We start our itinerary in Cairns at with the number one things to do in Australia, The Great Barrier Reef. It’s considered one of the seven Natural Wonders of the World. We used Great Adventure Tours and did both a Green Island tour and the Great Barrier Reef tour. But there are a number of different ways to see and experience the Great Barrier Reef. So, I’ve included some links below.
Things to Do in Cairns
1. Snorkel (or Scuba) The Great Barrier Reef
The experience starts on the boat ride out to the platform. As you pass, you can see an array of blues and greens that you’ve never seen before. Crystal clear water gives you an easy view of the beautiful coral reefs below. It was jellyfish season, so they recommended a head to toe wetsuit for safety. The water was quite cold, so it was helpful for that too. Once underwater, the colors of the reef and fish were as surreal as the colors from above. If given the option, I could’ve stayed in the water all day.
2. Visit Green Island
Have you ever heard of a rainforest in the middle of the ocean? Well, that’s Green Island. Located within the Great Barrier Reef area, this is another must see. With family friendly activities here too like glass bottom boats and aquariums, you and the family can stay busy all day long.
Where to Stay in Airlie Beach?
And just like that, we were off and on our way to our next stop. We boarded the train and headed south through the flat farmlands of Queensland. And this is why I love train travel, because you get to see all the beautiful nooks and crannies of a place. The next segment of our journey brought us to Mantra Club Croc Airlie Beach to stay. You will need a transfer from the train station in Proserpine to Airlie Beach, which can be booked along with your train tickets. See the Preparing for Travel – Train section above for link.
3. Segway Airlie Beach
Segways are so much fun. It’s like walking, but faster. And because of this, you can see much more in a shorter amount of time. There are segway tours around the main street area of Airlie Beach as well as through the rainforest areas. So, it really depends on the type of adventure you are looking for. Michael and I also did a segway tour through Disney's Fort Wilderness which was a blast. Many of the popular things to do in Australia focus on the ocean, by doing a segway tour, you can add more variety to your activities.
4. Catamaran Cruise to the Whitsunday Islands
The colors of The Great Barrier Reef were unreal, but then my mind was blown again when I saw the Whitsunday Islands. Whites of the sand were swirled into the blues and greens of the ocean, that it felt like you’re jumping into a painting. The catamaran cruise included everything, so it’s a no worries way to experience the Whitsunday Islands. We were given food, drinks, wetsuits, snorkel equipment, plus a full day out on the water, in the water, and on the beach. Whitehaven Beach is one of the stops. This nearly untouched beach is made up of mostly silica sand, which gives it its shiny color and NEVER gets hot! Quite a difference from the burning feet we feel on the sandy beaches of Florida. We snorkeled again during this excursion in the very close and very beautiful coral reefs. Don't leave this excursion off your things to do in Australia list.
On the Rails Again…
Now it was time to get back onto the train and head further south to Brisbane, Australia. The journey from Proserpine and Airlie Beach to Brisbane is a much longer leg of the train trip. Once again though, it’s beautiful countryside. Be prepared as you look out the windows to see wild kangaroo families hopping around in their natural habitat.
Things to Do in Brisbane
5. Walk Downtown Brisbane, Australia
Where to Stay in Brisbane?
After spending much of the time in and on the water, walking and experiencing the city of Brisbane, Australia is a nice change of pace. With only one day in Brisbane, we wanted to experience the bustling city life. Of course, that also includes food. At Jellyfish restaurant (which is currently temporarily closed due to COVID) along the Brisbane River, we ate local special Moreton Bay bugs, which tasted much like lobster. We saw the night lights of South Bank Brisbane lit up along the Brisbane River. Even had a great view of the city from our stay at the Brisbane Marriott Hotel.
Where to Stay in Sydney?
While crossing state lines on the train in the US doesn’t mean much, in Australia it does. It just means a change of trains is needed, since their rail tracks are different from Queensland to New South Wales. So, be mindful of having to coordinate the change of trains before heading south to the next stop of Sydney, Australia. Once we got to Sydney, we wanted to stay for a couple of weeks and live a little like locals while still seeing the sights. Staying at Central Railway Hotel gave us the opportunity to do so without breaking the budget. Unfortunately, it is closed now. The Meriton Suites and Sheraton appear to be comparable in price, great reviews, and multiple locations are available to meet your needs. Or you can go a little higher up on the budget with a Marriott hotel. For the remainder of our stay we took public transportation which was nearby or walked. You can read about my love for Marriott and how I choose a hotel to allow for my food allergies in my Montreal blog post.
Things to Do in Sydney
6. Climb (or Walk) the Sydney Harbour Bridge
If you aren’t scared of heights or are but still super adventurous, then you could definitely do a climb above the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Tethered to the bridge itself and offering a bird’s eye view of the city, this is definitely a bucket list experience. I on the other hand am a scared-y cat when it comes to heights, so I decided to walk the bridge at traffic level. You can also bike over the bridge. Although this is still ridiculously high for my taste, you still get a beautiful view of downtown Sydney, the Opera House, and surrounding areas. It’s the perfect vantage point for all your photos. At night, the colors of sunset flood in making the bridge look almost like a feature in a vintage photo.
7. Tour the Iconic Sydney Opera House
No trip to Sydney, Australia is complete without visiting the iconic Sydney Opera House. But more than just seeing it up close, you should definitely take a tour inside. You get the history of how it was built and why it has become so iconic. If you get an opportunity to see a show or concert, then definitely do that to make the experience complete. I never like to turn down an opportunity to see a theatrical show which you can read more in my Broadway blog post coming soon.
8. Eat Breakfast at The Rocks (Sydney, Australia)
Like Greenwich, Tribeca, and Soho is to New York is what The Rocks is to Sydney. A little neighborhood located just at the base of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. There are markets to shop, museums to explore, and all kinds of places to eat from street food to pubs to upscale restaurants. While there is so much to choose from, eating a little bit of home is part of the fun. Pancakes on The Rocks is basically a tribute to the American diner and breakfast is served here all day. At the time of this trip I wasn’t allergy conscious, but it does appear that they are able to accommodate a gluten allergy and dairy too. With no dedicated space though, it will just depend on the extent of your sensitivity/allergy. If you can’t, no worries, there are plenty of other places to choose from.
9. Experience Night Noodle Markets in Hyde Park (Sydney, Australia)
Here in Florida, we have a lot of food and wine festivals at both Disney and around our local cities. Being that Australia is so close in proximity to Asia, we got to experience the delicious Night Noodle Markets that come to Hyde Park every October. A festival that centers around just noodles, yes please. It reminded me of Central Park having this beautiful park in the middle of a bustling city. With Sydney having a significantly lower crime rate compared to some of the major cities of Florida, as two young girls traveling, we always felt very safe even at night.
While I wasn't gluten or dairy free at the time, I would say that if you're gluten intolerant vs celiac, you can probably find something here. There may be cross contamination given the festival style environment, but many Asian noodle dishes utilize rice noodles. You would just have to confirm the presence of soy sauce in the dishes. A dairy allergy is likely much easier to navigate since this isn't normally a core ingredient for this cuisine.
10. Explore The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
Located right along Sydney Harbour, The Royal Botanic Garden has plenty of scenic photo spots to choose from. There are photo spots not just of the harbour, bridge, and opera house, but also of the beautiful garden itself. This is a peaceful and serene place to explore, with plenty of activities and experiences to keep the family busy for the day.
11. Surf (or Sunbathe) Bondi Beach
If you are looking to escape the icy, cold, or snowy North American winter weather, then traveling to Bondi Beach is the best thing to do. Since Bondi Beach is having its summer, you can swim and surf the warm waters. Once finished, take a walk on Campbell Parade the street just behind the beach to shop all the stores and snack at all the restaurants. Or you can enjoy the skate park or grassy park area for a family picnic. There is something for everyone here.
One of the Best Places to Visit in Australia & The Best of Sydney Attractions
12. Feed Kangaroo (and Wallaby) at the Featherdale Wildlife Park
There are quite a few famous zoos with the Irwin’s Australia Zoo just outside Brisbane to the Taranga Zoo in the heart of Sydney. But my recommendation is a little gem a short train ride outside Sydney and that is Featherdale Wildlife Park. Featherdale Wildlife Park is better than a zoo, it’s like an animal sanctuary. Most animals at the larger zoos, can be seen at any local zoo. If you’re traveling all the way to Australia, then you want to see animals up-close that you can’t see anywhere else. That’s exactly what happens here. You are completely immersed with the kangaroos and wallabies as they roam free and you can either feed or pet them. There are other up-close exhibits to see koalas, dingos, Tasmanian devils, kookaburras and more. A full day of fun fit for the whole family.
Even More Things to Do in Australia...
There are so many more things to do in Australia way beyond what is listed here. But my hope is that this guide gives you a reasonable trip duration which allows you to experience all the iconic places Australia is known for. Here are some other adventures you can add on to your trip.
Disclaimer: There are some links in this article that are affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through them, we receive a small commission. This is never an extra cost to you. Thanks for your support.
Hillsong is great! Love that you opened with that 🙂 Also, super cute the first date photo, you never know where life will take you, but its always where you are meant to be 🙂
Thank you! Exactly. Definitely where I’m supposed to be 😉
Yes, more things especially down Melbourne, Adelaide, abd Perth. Oh and the Outback!
Yes! I would love to go back and explore new places!
This post is a lifesaver! I’m planning a trip to Australia (once things cool down around the world of course, so hoping 2021 or 2022), and I am 100000% saving this for reference! I’ve heard such good things about Bondi Beach, I was happy to see it made your list too. & Your kangaroo pics are adorable too 😀
Thank you so much! I’m so glad you found it helpful and that some of my destinations will be your destinations soon too.
Awesome post! I love trying new food at new destinations. Hopefully I can try the kangaroo someday 🙂
Thank you! Yes. So good 🙂
Snorkeling in the GBR is on our bucket list! I think we’ll definitely need about two weeks to do everything we want to do in Australia! Great post! Saving for later.
Oh yeah, the longer you can be there the better! So glad the blog post was helpful!
Amazing! I know nothing about traveling all over the country, what a wonderful looking place to explore.