What’s on in Australia? With such a vast area and so many incredible attractions, it can be overwhelming to whittle down an Australia vacation into one or two focus areas. This is a once-in-a-lifetime trip for the majority of travelers, so really getting to the heart of what you want to see is of utmost importance. 

To start you on your Australia journey, we’ve listed here the must-see and do activities and attractions in four major areas: Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns and Alice Springs. See what looks enticing to you, then contact us to make your Down Under dreams a reality! 

Sydney Highlights 

Beaches – Surfing at Bondi Beach, paddleboarding on quiet coves, snorkeling, kayaking, sunbathing at Sydney’s 100+ beaches

Museums & Art Galleries – Street art, world-class galleries, heritage-listed theaters and more 

Aboriginal Culture – Insightful, meaningful ways to learn about Aboriginal life at the Australian Museum, Aboriginal cultural tours and authentic markets 

Barangaroo – Sydney’s newest, hippest waterfront restaurant 

Daytripping to the Blue Mountains – Bushwalking trails, amazing rock formations and underground caves just two hours from Sydney

Sydney Opera House – See a show or take a backstage tour at Sydney’s cultural landmark.

Taronga Zoo Sydney – Home to more than 4,000 native and exotic animals and just a fun ferry ride from Circular Quay 

Sydney Harbour Bridge – Take a BridgeClimb at dawn or dusk and learn about the bridge’s incredible history.

Circular Quay to Manly Ferry Ride – Picturesque views at a great value – snap iconic photos of the bridge, Opera House and skyline

Melbourne Highlights

Get Lost in the Laneways – Colorful street art, adorable cafes, quirky shops and wine bars define these labyrinthian alleyways and lanes in Melbourne.

Royal Botanic Gardens – A lovely place for a walk, on the ancestral lands of the Kulin nation

Arts and Culture – Numerous world-class museums and galleries, from the National Gallery of Victoria to the Melbourne Museum, celebrating the natural environment through art

Shopping – Considered Australia’s fashion capital, with an unrivalled collection of boutiques

Day Tripping to Wine Country – Venturing into the Yarra Valley for its heritage gardens and excellent vineyards

Federation Square – Arts, culture and entertainment hub with galleries, pop-up bars, cultural exhibitions, shopping, dining and special events 

Beaches & Penguins – Calm, sheltered beaches on Port Philip Bay, some with resident penguins

Cairns Highlights

Great Barrier Reef – The biggie, best explored via catamaran, diving or snorkeling for the ultimate (and most colorful) marine life experience

Seaplane Ride Over Heart Reef – A bird’s-eye view of the pure turquoise waters and naturally formed Heart Reef

Diving at Agincourt Reef – Home to more than 16 dive sites on the very edge of the Great Barrier Reef

Sailing & Skydiving in the Whitsundays – Swimming, sailing, snorkeling and diving at sheltered anchorages, spectacular sunsets, secluded beaches and more 

Wildlife Viewing – Baby stingrays, koalas, baby turtles, plus 140 species of marine fish await your discovery on and around the islands of the Great Barrier Reef. 

Aboriginal Tours – Authentic eco-cultural experiences on the ancestral lands of the local Mandingalbay Yidinji Aboriginal people 

Alice Springs Highlights 

Outback Explorations – A fantastic jumping-off point for adventures in Uluru (take a camel tour!), Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon and the West MacDonnell Ranges 

Aboriginal Art Galleries – Galleries owned and directed by Aboriginal people and well as Tjanpi Desert Weavers, a shop of woven baskets, jewelry and sculpture handmade by local artisans 

The Kangaroo Sanctuary – A huge wildlife reserve dedicated to caring for kangaroos and your chance to get cuddly with one

Fun Festivals – Parrtjima, the festival of light; a dry bed boat race on the Todd River and even a Desert Festival 

Alice Springs Desert Park – Learn the secrets of the desert, how animals and plants have adapted and what traditional foods and medicine have been used by local Aboriginal people.