Mates, I'll be honest with you - I've spent the better part of my three years criss-crossing this massive country of ours, and every time I think I've seen the best Australia has to offer, something else comes along and completely floors me. But if you're planning a trip around Oz and you're wondering where to start, I've got you covered. These are some activities and experiences in every Australian state, and even months later, I'm still boring my friends with stories about them.
I'm starting with home because, well, I live here. And I know what you're thinking - "harbour cruise dinners sound so touristy" - and yeah, I thought the same thing for ages.
I'd walk past Darling Harbour almost weekly, see those boats lit up at night, and think "that's for visitors, not for me." Then my sister's best friend was visiting from Perth, and she insisted we go on a Sydney dinner cruise. Best decision someone else ever made for me.
Here's the thing about Sydney Harbour - you think you know it until you're actually out on the water at sunset, watching the city light up around you.
The Opera House and Harbour Bridge are stunning from land, sure, but from the middle of the harbour with a beer in hand and the most delectable meal on your plate?
It's an entirely different experience. I've done it twice more since then, and I'm already planning the next one. Some experiences are worth repeating, right?
Of course, Queensland's got no shortage of incredible snorkeling spots. You've got the Whitsundays, Lady Elliot Island, and Heron Island - all stunning on their own. But if I had to pick just one? I would choose the outer reef sites around Cairns.
The moment I stuck my head underwater at the Great Barrier Reef, I actually gasped (pro tip: don't do it with a snorkel in your mouth). I'd seen the photos, watched the documentaries, and thought I was prepared. Mate, lemme tell you, I was not prepared.
The colors are wild. Like, my brain had never processed that many shades of blue, green, and purple all at once. And the sea turtles, manta rays, clownfish, giant clams, etc., were casually swimming past like I was not even there. So, whether diving the Great Barrier Reef or snorkeling it, this is one of those bucket list things that actually lives up to the hype.
Great Ocean Road (photo: Wee Ping Khoo)
I'm not usually one for road trips. I get restless in cars. But the Great Ocean Road trip is different - it's the kind of drive where you don't mind being in the car because every bend reveals something out of the world.
I left Melbourne early one morning, grabbed a coffee in Geelong, and then it was just me and one of the most stunning drives on the planet. One minute you're driving through rainforest, the next you're hugging coastal cliffs with the Southern Ocean crashing below.
The Twelve Apostles are obviously the main event, and yeah, they're spectacular. But it was the random stops that got me - like pulling over at some unmarked beach near Lorne and having the entire stretch of sand to myself. Or the lighthouse at Split Point, where I watched whales migrating (in season, obviously - I'm not that lucky).
Pack snacks, take your time, and for the love of god, don't try to do it in one day. Stay in Apollo Bay or Port Fairy. You'll thank me.
The Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) is like if an eccentric billionaire were given too much money and told, "Build whatever you want." It's weird, it's confronting, it's uncomfortable (that's the whole point); I spent five hours there and still didn't see everything.
You climb nearly 100 steps, walk through spiraling staircases, and then it's just room after room of art that makes you think, laugh, or go, "wait, what?" I stood in front of a wall of vulvas for longer than I care to admit (it's an art piece, relax).
There's also a machine that literally mimics the human digestive system. Yes, literal sh*t on display. But beyond the shock value, there's genuinely incredible art at the MONA museum in Hobart, Tasmania.
Sailboat at sunset, Cable Beach (photo: Sheila C)
I've seen a lot of sunsets. I live in Sydney-we're literally famous for them. But Cable Beach in Broome? That's on another level entirely.
The beach is 14 miles (22 kilometers) of white sand meeting the turquoise Indian Ocean, and when the sun starts dropping, the whole sky catches fire.
I did the camel ride thing at sunset (yes, it's touristy, and no, I don't care), and there's something surreal about swaying along on a camel while the ocean turns gold and the sky goes through every shade of orange, pink, and purple.
The sand, the water, the colors - it all just works together in this way that makes you understand why people travel across the world for this.
Even if you skip the camels, just being on that beach as the sun goes down is worth the trip to Broome alone. Bring a beer, sit in the sand, and watch the show.
Full disclosure: I'm not a wine expert. I'm the person who says things like "oohh, that's nice" and "this one's grapey." But even I couldn't mess up the Barossa Valley. It's ridiculously pretty - all rolling vineyards and cute stone buildings - and the wine is genuinely world-class.
I spent two days there, hopping between cellar doors (with a designated driver, obviously), and every place had its own vibe. Some were fancy and serious, others were laid-back with friendly owners who clearly just loved talking about wine.
And the food! Oh my god, the food! Cheese platters, slow-cooked meats, bread fresh from the oven. Pair that with a Shiraz, sit outside overlooking the vines, and you'll never want to leave. Choose a Barossa Valley wine tour for a more curated experience!
Bird's-eye view of Kakadu National Park (photo: Rod Long)
Kakadu is vast. Like, bloody massive - nearly 12,500 square miles (20,000 square kilometers) of wetlands, escarpments, and ancient rock art. I spent four days there and barely scratched the surface, but what I saw completely changed how I think about Australia.
The rock art at Ubirr and Nourlangie is thousands of years old, and standing in front of it, knowing that people have been telling stories in this place for millennia, is overwhelming in the best way.
Then you've got the Jim Jim Falls (if you go in the wet season), yellow water billabongs filled with crocodiles and birds, and sunsets that paint the escarpments in red and gold.
This is Australia in its most raw and beautiful form. Don't skip it. There are also numerous Kakadu National Park tours if you don't want to explore it on your own.
So, ya. Australia's massive, and I know I'm lucky to have seen as much of it as I have. But if you're planning a trip and trying to figure out where to start, these seven experiences are the ones I'd do all over again in a heartbeat.
Each one gave me something different - whether it was that magic moment on Sydney Harbour, gasping at underwater colors, or standing in front of art that made me question everything. But mate, I'm still not done! There's always another beach, another trail, another sunset waiting. And honestly? That's exactly how I like it!
_____
This story was brought to you in partnership with Australian Cruise Group.
The post One Must-Do Activity in Every Australian State appeared first on Go Backpacking.
Things To Do in Australia
NSW - Sydney Harbour Dinner Cruises
I'm starting with home because, well, I live here. And I know what you're thinking - "harbour cruise dinners sound so touristy" - and yeah, I thought the same thing for ages.
I'd walk past Darling Harbour almost weekly, see those boats lit up at night, and think "that's for visitors, not for me." Then my sister's best friend was visiting from Perth, and she insisted we go on a Sydney dinner cruise. Best decision someone else ever made for me.
Here's the thing about Sydney Harbour - you think you know it until you're actually out on the water at sunset, watching the city light up around you.
The Opera House and Harbour Bridge are stunning from land, sure, but from the middle of the harbour with a beer in hand and the most delectable meal on your plate?
It's an entirely different experience. I've done it twice more since then, and I'm already planning the next one. Some experiences are worth repeating, right?
Queensland - Snorkel or Dive at the Great Barrier Reef
Of course, Queensland's got no shortage of incredible snorkeling spots. You've got the Whitsundays, Lady Elliot Island, and Heron Island - all stunning on their own. But if I had to pick just one? I would choose the outer reef sites around Cairns.
The moment I stuck my head underwater at the Great Barrier Reef, I actually gasped (pro tip: don't do it with a snorkel in your mouth). I'd seen the photos, watched the documentaries, and thought I was prepared. Mate, lemme tell you, I was not prepared.
The colors are wild. Like, my brain had never processed that many shades of blue, green, and purple all at once. And the sea turtles, manta rays, clownfish, giant clams, etc., were casually swimming past like I was not even there. So, whether diving the Great Barrier Reef or snorkeling it, this is one of those bucket list things that actually lives up to the hype.
Victoria - Drive Down the Great Ocean Road
Great Ocean Road (photo: Wee Ping Khoo)
I'm not usually one for road trips. I get restless in cars. But the Great Ocean Road trip is different - it's the kind of drive where you don't mind being in the car because every bend reveals something out of the world.
I left Melbourne early one morning, grabbed a coffee in Geelong, and then it was just me and one of the most stunning drives on the planet. One minute you're driving through rainforest, the next you're hugging coastal cliffs with the Southern Ocean crashing below.
The Twelve Apostles are obviously the main event, and yeah, they're spectacular. But it was the random stops that got me - like pulling over at some unmarked beach near Lorne and having the entire stretch of sand to myself. Or the lighthouse at Split Point, where I watched whales migrating (in season, obviously - I'm not that lucky).
Pack snacks, take your time, and for the love of god, don't try to do it in one day. Stay in Apollo Bay or Port Fairy. You'll thank me.
Tasmania - Explore Hobart's MONA
The Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) is like if an eccentric billionaire were given too much money and told, "Build whatever you want." It's weird, it's confronting, it's uncomfortable (that's the whole point); I spent five hours there and still didn't see everything.
You climb nearly 100 steps, walk through spiraling staircases, and then it's just room after room of art that makes you think, laugh, or go, "wait, what?" I stood in front of a wall of vulvas for longer than I care to admit (it's an art piece, relax).
There's also a machine that literally mimics the human digestive system. Yes, literal sh*t on display. But beyond the shock value, there's genuinely incredible art at the MONA museum in Hobart, Tasmania.
Western Australia - Watch the Sunset at Cable Beach, Broome
Sailboat at sunset, Cable Beach (photo: Sheila C)
I've seen a lot of sunsets. I live in Sydney-we're literally famous for them. But Cable Beach in Broome? That's on another level entirely.
The beach is 14 miles (22 kilometers) of white sand meeting the turquoise Indian Ocean, and when the sun starts dropping, the whole sky catches fire.
I did the camel ride thing at sunset (yes, it's touristy, and no, I don't care), and there's something surreal about swaying along on a camel while the ocean turns gold and the sky goes through every shade of orange, pink, and purple.
The sand, the water, the colors - it all just works together in this way that makes you understand why people travel across the world for this.
Even if you skip the camels, just being on that beach as the sun goes down is worth the trip to Broome alone. Bring a beer, sit in the sand, and watch the show.
South Australia - Wine Tasting in the Barossa Valley
Full disclosure: I'm not a wine expert. I'm the person who says things like "oohh, that's nice" and "this one's grapey." But even I couldn't mess up the Barossa Valley. It's ridiculously pretty - all rolling vineyards and cute stone buildings - and the wine is genuinely world-class.
I spent two days there, hopping between cellar doors (with a designated driver, obviously), and every place had its own vibe. Some were fancy and serious, others were laid-back with friendly owners who clearly just loved talking about wine.
And the food! Oh my god, the food! Cheese platters, slow-cooked meats, bread fresh from the oven. Pair that with a Shiraz, sit outside overlooking the vines, and you'll never want to leave. Choose a Barossa Valley wine tour for a more curated experience!
Northern Territory - Explore Kakadu National Park
Bird's-eye view of Kakadu National Park (photo: Rod Long)
Kakadu is vast. Like, bloody massive - nearly 12,500 square miles (20,000 square kilometers) of wetlands, escarpments, and ancient rock art. I spent four days there and barely scratched the surface, but what I saw completely changed how I think about Australia.
The rock art at Ubirr and Nourlangie is thousands of years old, and standing in front of it, knowing that people have been telling stories in this place for millennia, is overwhelming in the best way.
Then you've got the Jim Jim Falls (if you go in the wet season), yellow water billabongs filled with crocodiles and birds, and sunsets that paint the escarpments in red and gold.
This is Australia in its most raw and beautiful form. Don't skip it. There are also numerous Kakadu National Park tours if you don't want to explore it on your own.
So, ya. Australia's massive, and I know I'm lucky to have seen as much of it as I have. But if you're planning a trip and trying to figure out where to start, these seven experiences are the ones I'd do all over again in a heartbeat.
Each one gave me something different - whether it was that magic moment on Sydney Harbour, gasping at underwater colors, or standing in front of art that made me question everything. But mate, I'm still not done! There's always another beach, another trail, another sunset waiting. And honestly? That's exactly how I like it!
_____
This story was brought to you in partnership with Australian Cruise Group.
The post One Must-Do Activity in Every Australian State appeared first on Go Backpacking.