Australia: Things To Do

Aboriginal Culture Learn about the existence of the region’s indigenous occupants at the Minjungbal Aboriginal Cultural Centre, a combined museum and art gallery. Guided tours include a performance by the Minjungbal Dance Troup and a bush tucker (aboriginal food) talk. Minjungbal Aboriginal Cultural Centre, corner Kirkwood Rd. and Duffy St.; South Gold Coast; 011-61-7-5524-2109
family | culture | museum | history

Animal Sanctuary Fifty miles northwest of Hobart lies Mount Field National Park, a land of dolerite-capped mountains, glaciated valleys, alpine moorland, waterfalls, and forests. It’s a veritable playground for birds, wallabies, platypuses, wombats, and Tasmanian devils. Mount Field National Park, Hobart and South East; Near New Norfolk, Tasmania; 011-61-3-6288-1149; www.parks.tas.gov.au
wildlife | outdoors

Art Gallery of New South Wales Explore the most extensive anthology of homegrown Aussie artworks (see pieces by down-under-greats like Charles Condor and Arthur Streeton), as well as noteworthy displays of European and Asian art. Art Gallery Rd., Sydney; 011-61-2-9225-1700; www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au
family | culture | art

Australian Museum Founded in 1827, this natural history extravaganza is Australia’s first museum. In Spring 2008 their collection, which encompasses 16 million cultural objects and animal, fossil, and mineral specimens, will emerge from $41-million renovations. 6 College St., Sydney; 011-61-2-9320-6000; www.austmus.gov.au
family | history | nature

Beach Picnic Experience the ultimate romantic adventure as your private seaplane soars above the Whitsundays, then lands on Whitehaven Beach for a champagne lunch. With more than 4 miles of pristine silica sand lapped by crystal clear aqua water, Whitehaven is consistently voted one of the world’s best beaches. Air Whitsunday Seaplanes, Airlie Beach; The Whitsundays; 011-61-7-4946-9111; www.airwhitsunday.com.au
luxury | smart splurge | outdoors | adventure

Bondi Beach Topping the world charts as a happening sun and surf mecca, this much-photographed 0.62-mile strip of sand in the eastern suburbs is quintessential Sydney. 50 minutes by bus (buses #326 and 327 run from Circular Quay to Bondi Junction)
beach | outdoors | swimming | family

Daintree Rain Forest The oldest tropical rain forest on the planet contains an almost a complete record of the major stages of the evolution of plant life on earth. Let Tropical Horizons Tours show you around beneath the towering canopies. They can also arrange diving and snorkeling trips to the nearby reef. Tropical Horizons Tours, 65 Greenbank Rd.; Cairns/Great Barrier Reef; 011-61-7-4058-1244; www.tropicalhorizonstours.com.au
family | diving | hiking | outdoors

Dive In The fragile, underwater kingdom of the Great Barrier Reef is comprised of 2,800 individual reefs – an ecosystem that shelters 400 species of coral and 1,500 types of tropical fish. It’s also one of the most popular and most reasonable places in the world to learn to dive. The Cairns Dive Center offers day cruises out onto the reef for snorkelers and divers as well as a range of courses, from open- The Cairns Dive Center, 121 Abbott St.; Cairns/Great Barrier Reef; 011-61-7-4051-0294; www.cairnsdive.com.au
diving | outdoors | adventure

Federation Square In a city that loves modern architecture, Federation Square’s odd-looking geometric buildings have become iconic. Highlights include The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, which showcases works of art by famous Australian artists (including Aboriginal art), the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, and Champions: Australian Racing Museum and Hall of Fame. Central Business District;; Flinders St., Melbourne; 011-61-3-9655-1900; www.federationsquare.com.au
family | architecture | culture | museum | art

Gold Coast Beaches With warm blue waters, golden sand, and an average of 300 sunny days a year, the beach is a way life on the Gold Coast. The most popular beaches are Surfers Paradise, Main Beach, and Broadbeach, where world-class surfing conditions draw in the crowds. With its 24-mile-long strip of golden sand, however, Surfers Paradise is definitely where you’ll find most of the action. Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast; www.surfersparadise.com
beach | family | outdoors

Kangaroo Island Sometimes called the Galapagos of Australia, this island off of Australia’s southern coast is home to plentiful and indigenous wildlife such as penguins, seals, kola bears, platypuses, and – of course – kangaroos. To get here, either fly or take a ferry(www.sealink.com.au) from Adelaide. about 125 miles south of Adelaide (45 minutes by ferry; 30 minutes by plane); 011-61-8-8553-1185; www.tourkangarooisland.com.au
family | wildlife | outdoors

McLaren Vale Cheese and Wine Trail Operated by Blessed Cheese, this tour takes in South Australia’s best wineries, offering perfectly matched cheese pairings. This is the best introduction to the big, powerful Shirazes that have come to define Australian wines, along with the highly-palatable Rieslings, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay that the region produces. 50 Main Rd., South Australian Wine Country; 011-61-8-8323-7958; www.blessedcheese.com.au
culinary | tour | wine

Rafting the Franklin The Franklin River is Australia’s wildest and most unpredictable river. It runs for 78 miles through pure wilderness, passing through temperate rainforest and deep echoing gorges. White-water rafting trips take between 5-10 days, with camping stops en route. Rafting Tasmania, Franklin River/Sandy Bay; Tasmania; 011-61-3-6239-1080; www.raftingtasmania.com
sports and adventure | smart splurge | outdoors

Royal Botanic Gardens Established in 1846, these highly regarded gardens form the green heart of Melbourne. Covering more than 99 acres, the gardens are home to over 12,000 species of plants. Attractions include the Ornamental Lake, the National Herbarium of Victoria, the Old Melbourne Observatory, the Australian Rainforest Walk, and the Water Conservation Garden. Free guided walks are available. Central Business District, Birdwood Ave, Melbourne; 011-61-3-9252-2300; www.rbg.vic.gov.au
park | gardens | family

See Uluru at Sunset in the Australian Outback Formerly known as “Ayers Rock”, the massive Uluru rock in Kata Tjuta National Park is considered the world’s largest monolith, sizing in with a circumference of almost 6 miles and a height of 1,250 feet. The impressive crimson geological marvel rises from the flatlands of the Australian Outback. To get here, fly to Connellan Airport, which is located just outside the park. Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park, Yulara Northern Territory; 011-61-8-8956-1100; www.environment.gov.au/parks/uluru
family | national park | outdoors

Sydney Harbor Bridge This 440-ft high, 3,770-ft-long bridge is among the world’s largest single-span bridges. Walk across or climb it on a bridge tour (groups of 12 are decked out in space suits, harnessed to cables, and guided up stairs to the top). Sydney; 011-61-2-8274-7777; www.bridgeclimb.com
architecture | views | climbing

Sydney Harbor National Park Pristine bushland pockets and five outlying islands packed with Aboriginal rock art, incredible lookout points, beaches, subtropical forest, and historic buildings comprise this protected area. Cadmans Cottage, 110 George St., Sydney; 011-61-2-9247-5033; www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au
family | historic | outdoors | nature

Sydney Opera House Nothing can prepare you for this Aussie emblem’s real-life splendor. Admire it from the harbor, then come in for a close-up of this $90+ million structure by Danish architect Jørn Utzon. Circular Quay, Bennelong Point, Sydney; 011-61-2-9250-7111; www.sydneyoperahouse.com
family | architecture | culture | entertainment

The National Wine Centre With its own vineyard, this facility showcases the basics of wine production. Aficionados and novices alike will enjoy the focused tastings that provide perspective on the various styles of Australian wine. Botanic and Hackney Rds., South Australian Wine Country; 011-61-8-8303-3355; www.wineaustralia.com.au
tour | history | wine

The Overland Track The crown jewel of Tasmania is this 53-mile Overland Track – Australia’s finest hike. The path wends its way through an ecosystem that is delicate, rare, and pristine. Go solo and camp out in simple huts along the way or join a guided trek with Cradle Mountain Huts and bed down in comfortable cabins each night (www.cradlehuts.com.au). Midlands and Lake Country; Cradle Mountain, Tasmania; 011-61-3-6492-1133; www.parks.tas.gov.au
sports and adventure | wildlife | outdoors

The South Australian Museum With its whale-skeleton frontage, this museum is home to what is probably Australia’s best collection of aboriginal artifacts, plus a display of the state’s geology (opal mining is big here). North Terrace, South Australian Wine Country; 011-61-8-8207-7500; www.samuseum.sa.gov.au
family | culture | history