Discover Australia Your Way: Different Experiences for Different Travel Styles

Many who have travelled to Australia often have wildly different tales to tell from their journeys Down Under. Whether it’s surfing and exploring the great outdoors, savouring wonderful wines and fresh seafood, having close encounters with adorable quokkas and koalas, immersing in cultural heritage, or just enjoying an award-winning cup of coffee - all experiences ring true and unforgettable.

Whether you’re searching for a rugged outback adventure or a delicious culinary getaway, Australia has plenty of exciting destinations for every kind of traveller. Read on to discover which ones suit your travel style best!

Exciting experiences in Australia for every travel style

For the adventure seekers

1. A Red Centre Way road trip through the Northern Territory

Image credit: King’s Canyon, Petermann, Northern Territory © Tourism NT, Lola and Jira, Kings Canyon

The Australian outback is a wild and breathtaking place. Its big skies and seemingly endless landscapes inspire a sense of freedom that few other destinations can. If you’re eager for an adventure Down Under, take a road trip on the Red Centre Way. One of the most iconic journeys in the Northern Territory, the Red Centre Way starts in Alice Springs before winding its way through Tjoritja (West MacDonnell Ranges), Watarrka (Kings Canyon), and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.

You’ll end up with a classic outback experience of red sands, kangaroos hopping across the desert landscape, and the mighty Uluru monolith. The Red Centre Way also offers countless picturesque hiking trails and waterhole-hopping opportunities. There’s the 20-minute Ghost Gum Lookout Trail in Ormiston Gorge (a great option for beginners) or the six-mile King’s Canyon Rimwalk, which offers breathtaking views of the Red Centre’s most iconic landmarks.

2. Swim with whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia

_{Image credit: Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia © Tourism Australia}

Welcome to one of the crown jewels of Western Australia. Located 12 to 13 hours away (by car) from Perth, Ningaloo Reef is a UNESCO World Heritage site that offers a slew of aquatic adventures. Its brilliant turquoise waters are home to a diverse variety of marine life, from humpback whales to manta rays.

Guided kayaking and snorkelling tours are perhaps the most immersive way to explore the reef, with a guide by your side to point out flora and fauna sightings. You’ll be able to see colourful coral reefs, clownfish, maybe even some baby reef sharks, and the most popular of all - the whale shark.

Between March and July each year, Ningaloo Reef becomes one of the best places in the world to see these gentle marine giants. Jump from a boat into the deep blue and swim by their side as the whale sharks glide effortlessly through the crystal clear waters.

3. White water rafting on the Franklin River in Tasmania

_{Image credit: Franklin-Gordon Wild National Park, Southwest Tasmania © Tourism Tasmania}

White-water rafting on the Franklin River is a must-try activity for any adventure-seeker. Charging within Tasmania’s Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park, Franklin River is arguably one of the last wild, undisturbed rivers in Australia. This 100km stretch of roaring water dips and loops through the landscape, forming serene ravines and beautiful waterfalls in its wake.

The experience of rafting along this stretch of river while taking in the scale of the surrounding national park makes for an adventure unlike any other. With the help of trained professionals, you’ll navigate the rushing rapids and experience the unmistakable adrenaline rush that comes when facing untamed natural beauty.

For the nature enthusiasts

4. Hike through Kalbarri National Park in Western Australia

_{Image credit: Nature's Window, Kalbarri National Park, Kalbarri, Western Australia © Tourism Western Australia}

Kalbarri National Park is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular parks to explore in Western Australia. It’s located in the lower reaches of the Murchison River and is accessible from the nearby Kalbarri Town. Alongside beautiful gorges and vast, rolling sand plains, Kalbarri National Park is home to unique rock formations like Nature’s Window. Formed from layers of Tumblagooda sandstone, this rock arch perfectly frames a rugged, upstream view of the Murchison River.

Over 400 million years, the flowing Murchison River has created beautiful red and white banded gorges through the landscape of the park, which stretch out towards the ocean. You can also check out one of the newer attractions in the park, the Kalbarri Skywalk, which offers breathtaking views of the Murchison River and the rust-red gorges that frame it.

5. Explore the Otway Forests of Great Ocean Road, Victoria

_{Image credit: Triplet Falls, Great Otway National Park, Victoria © Visit Victoria}

Stretching along the Great Ocean Road, the Great Otway National Park is filled with beautiful natural sights that are catnip for any nature enthusiast. Be prepared to discover tall mountain forests, breathtaking waterfalls, windswept coastlines, and much more.

If you’re a fan of hiking, Otway Forest has some great walks to try out like Maits Rest, where you can spot giant ferns, and the Otway Fly Treetop Walk. Don’t forget to also check out the Triplet Falls Rainforest Walk, which takes you on a one-hour hike that goes past one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Great Otway Park.

Another highlight of the park is the Cape Otway Lighthouse, located on Cape Otway. Built in 1848, this is the oldest surviving lighthouse in mainland Australia. It is also known as the ‘Beacon of Hope’ because the construction of the lighthouse helped mitigate shipwrecks off Cape Otway.

6. Marvel at the Great Barrier Reef of Queensland

_{Image credit: Great Barrier Reef, Cairns, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland}

The Great Barrier Reef is more than a tourist destination. It is the world’s largest living coral reef and one of the most complex ecosystems to exist on our planet. This gargantuan undersea marvel is home to over 3,000 coral reefs, over 1,000 species of fish, and 30 different kinds of whales and dolphins.

Your gateway to the Great Barrier Reef is the city of Cairns in northern Queensland. There are plenty of snorkelling and scuba diving excursions that you can choose from to explore the beauty of the reef. Not a fan of getting in the water? Hit the water on a glass-bottomed boat instead; it’s the perfect way to peer into the marvels of the Great Barrier Reef while staying dry.

Underwater landscapes aside, the reef is also dotted with plenty of tiny islands that you can explore. Dunk Island is an especially good choice for nature lovers, with golden beaches, a virgin rainforest, and well-maintained campgrounds for visitors.

Also read: 10 Queensland Adventures & Natural Wonders to Tick Off Your Australia Itinerary

For the culture vultures

7. Wander the National Arboretum in Canberra, Australia Capital Territory

_{Image credit: National Arboretum, Canberra, Australia Capital Territory © Tourism Australia}

Canberra’s National Arboretum is one of the more unique destinations in Australia; a place that blends culture, nature, and education. 250 hectares of land house over 44,000 endangered trees and an abundance of native Australian plants that are commonly used in indigenous cultures.

_{Image credit: National Arboretum, Canberra, Australia Capital Territory © Tourism Australia}

If you’re visiting the National Arboretum, the Ngala walking tour is a great way to take it all in. This walking tour lets you listen to ancient stories about the forest, weave native plants into art pieces, and discover a better understanding of bush ingredients for medical and cultural purposes. Along the way, you’ll discover plenty of innovative sculptures and plenty of forest walking trails.

8. Take in Sydney’s art and history scene in New South Wales

_{Image credit: Australia Museum, Darlinghurst, Sydney, New South Wales © Destination NSW}

More than Australia’s postcard city, Sydney signals its love for arts and culture with the distinctive Sydney Opera House. This iconic structure recently turned 50 years old and continues to host a variety of classical opera performances, musicals, theatre, and contemporary gigs.

When you’ve had your fill of theatre, culture vultures can venture wider to discover some of the best museums and art galleries Down Under. Get started at the Australian Museum, which was built in 1827 and is the oldest in Australia. It has over 21 million scientific specimens and cultural objects in its collection - from dinosaurs and earth science to Australia’s First People and Egyptian mummies, you might need more than one day to take it all in.

Art lovers can head to the Art Gallery of New South Wales to discover a stunning collection of Australian art - including Indigenous Australian art - as well as works by international artists. Besides that, it also features additional programs like Art After Hours that host individual exhibitions, workshops, and talks.

9. Visit Adelaide’s South Australian Museum

_{Image credit: South Australian Museum, Adelaide, South Australia © South Australian Tourism Commission}

Some of the most interesting and diverse aspects of Australia’s culture lie within the legacy of its Aboriginal community. To learn more about them, you can visit the South Australian Museum which houses the world’s largest collection of Aboriginal artifacts. Here, you’ll discover a wealth of information about Australia’s indigenous people from ancient items like boomerangs, shields, bark paintings, and some of the only intact bark canoes in existence.

To delve deeper into Australia’s national history, take a day (or two) to wander through the museum’s exhibits, which are spread out across five floors and range from a collection from Australia’s Polar region to biological sciences and palaeontology.

For sea, sun, & sand lovers

10. Bask in Wineglass Bay in Tasmania

_{Image credit: Wineglass Bay, Tasmania © Chad Dewson, Tourism Tasmania}

Nestled within Freycinet National Park on Tasmania's east coast, Wineglass Bay is a stunning coastal gem that’s often considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Australia. Known for its pristine white sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters, the curved bay is one of the best places to visit in Tasmania. As you gaze upon the majestic scenery, punctuated by the dramatic backdrop of The Hazards mountain range, you’ll feel your daily troubles swept away.

Alternatively, you can also visit Bruny Island, which offers fantastic views of Adventure Bay. Here, you can embark on a wilderness cruise where you’ll have the opportunity to spot dolphins, fur seals, and penguins; or explore the forested South Bruny National Park before indulging in artisan wine and cheeses.

For some sea, sun, and sand where you can get up close and personal with some of Tasmania’s wildlife, head to Maria Island, where spotting native wildlife like swift parrots, wombats or Tasmanian devils, as you go for a stroll, is to be expected. You’ll also come across limestone cliffs with embedded fossils, a testament to the rich history of the island.

11. Check out Vivonne Beach at Kangaroo Island – South Australia

_{Image credit: Vivonne Beach, Kangaroo Island, South Australia © South Australian Tourism Commission}

Voted one of Australia’s best beaches, Vivonne Bay Beach has everything you’d ever want for a beach day: privacy, white sands, and crystal clear waters. Vivonne is a secluded spot that feels like a secret discovery, an underrated gem that’s perfect for picnics, sunbathing, fishing, and surfing.

In addition, the beach is close to several other underrated attractions, including Little Sahara, a naturally occurring sand dune system that offers you the chance to go sandboarding; and Seal Bay Conservation Park, where you can see Australian sea lions up close.

12. Swim and surf at Bells Beach in Victoria

_{Image credit: Bells Beach, Victoria © Visit Victoria}

Looking for a great place to catch a wave on your surfboard? Bells Beach is the place to be! Just 1.5 hours by car from Melbourne, large swells from the Southern Ocean roll in, slowing down and steepening over reef-strewn shallows to create the perfect surf. If you’re a sightseer, then get ready to take some photos for the ’Gram because Bells Beach has plenty of great vantage points. The high cliffs provide a beautiful and dramatic backdrop to the natural amphitheatre of the beach, making for a fantastic vista.

For foodies and oenophiles

13. Taste fresh oysters at Freycinet Marine Farm, Tasmania

_{Image credit: Freycinet Marine Farm, Coles Bay, Tasmania © Stu Gibson, Tourism Tasmania}

Seafood lovers will find some of the freshest marine cuisine in the world in Tasmania. Be sure to try out some of the famously creamy Freycinet oysters first - one of the best places to find them is the Freycinet Marine Farm in Coles Bay. Feast on a smorgasbord of seafood including fresh oysters, mussels, scallops, and more. Enjoy the spread with a glass of Tasmanian wine, and the takeaway option is there for travellers who are raring to hit the road.

14. Try traditional bush tucker cuisine in New South Wales

_{Image credit: Gathered bush tucker ingredients © lynnebeclu via Canva pro}

Bush tucker refers to any food or ingredient that is native to Australian lands. The First Nation peoples of Australia have used these foods as a source of nourishment and medicine through which they discovered truly unique ingredients and cemented a form of cuisine that still thrives in Australia today.

Journey to Wagga Wagga in New South Wales and join an Aboriginal cultural tour with a Wiradjuri guide for an authentic experience. You’ll learn how to make a great damper, a type of thick homemade bread that’s also known as seedcake.

Besides that, you could also take a bush food walk in Ulladulla and identify local plants used for food and medicine. The Yarrawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre on the Coffs Coast is also a great place to try bush tucker cuisine. Look for Pipeclay Cafe and you’ll find plenty of traditional ingredients on the menu, like kangaroo and warrial greens.

15. Go for a wine-tasting at Margaret River – Western Australia

_{Vasse Felix, Cowaramup, Western Australia © Tourism Western Australia}

Margaret River is the perfect destination in Australia for a trip to wine country. Few wine regions in the world possess such beauty, with tall-tree forests towering over colourful wildflowers, and a coastline of sandy beaches blending into a gorgeous ocean. The region is filled with acres of vineyards, with the most popular varieties of wine being mainly cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay.

Discover the beginnings of the Margaret River wine scene at the Vasse Felix, the first vineyard to be established in the region. Or you can even go behind the scenes of the winemaking process at the Voyager Estate and taste wine straight from the barrel at Australia’s largest underground barrel cellar.

Also read: 10 Family-Friendly Airbnbs in Margaret River, Australia for a Family Vacation!

No matter what kind of travel style you prefer, Australia has countless beautiful and exciting destinations to fill your itinerary. From liberating outdoor adventures to mouth-watering local cuisine, a trip Down Under will always leave you eager for more. Pack your bags and Come and say G’day, your way!

Brought to you by Tourism Australia