50 things on my Australian Bucket List
Travelling Australia is a wonderful experience. Stunning surf beaches, beautiful waterfalls, ancient rainforests, gorges and desert landscapes. So we’ve put together an Australian bucket list, and we have a plan!
It’s fun to think about where you want to travel next so I thought I’d gain inspiration from fellow blogger Josie, of Josie Wanders. I’ve gone one step further … my bucket list is an all Australian Bucket List!
Australia has some spectacular adventures, sights and photo opportunities. Not to mention amazing road trips, cosmopolitan cities and quirky towns and of course, our unique wildlife. If I’ve learned one thing, it’s that there is always something to see!
We’ve got an amazing destination for every traveller. Have you made up your Australian Bucket List yet? Here’s mine:
My travelling life
As a child I inherited a very large case of wanderlust and even though I consider myself ‘worldly’ there are still so many places I’ve yet to visit.
My childhood years were spent in Papua New Guinea which had an enormous impact on me growing up. We have also lived in Irian Jaya for a while before moving to Tagaytay City in the Philippines.
I’ve been a Victorian, lived in New South Wales, was once a Queenslander and now I have recently clocked up over 20 years in the Northern Territory.
It’s lovely to reflect on the many wonderful places I’ve been to. Many of which I will be happy to revisit, so come with me on the journey as we explore my new Australian Bucket List.
These are the things I’ve yet ‘to do’, so in no particular order …
My Australian Bucket List
As I experience them, I will link to my posts with information about my experiences as a point of reference. If you have further questions, drop me a note below and I’ll help where I can.
These are my big ticket items!
- Learn to Kayak – my last attempt ended with me getting swept away to sea in Bali
- Go Glamping – I love eco-friendly experiences
- Visit Christmas Island to see the Red Crabs migrate – this is high up my list
- Photograph the Penguins on the South island of New Zealand
Northern Territory
- Stay at Cicada Lodge in Nitmuluk Gorge – next on my list!
- Take a road trip to Kakadu National Park (again) .. one of my favourite places
- Take The Ghan though the Outback – a long-time wish list item.
- Do the Kings Canyon Rim Walk – surprisingly, after living in the NT, I’ve not been yet.
- Visit Uluru & Kata Tjuta National Park – I can’t get enough of this National Park!
Western Australia
- Drive from Darwin to Broome – planned for September 2021
- Take a camel ride along Cable Beach
- Stay at El Questro in ‘the Kimberley’
- Visit Kalbarri National Park
- Take a flight over the Bungle Bungles, Purnlulu National Park
- Take a selfie with a Quokka on Rottnest Island
- Spend some time exploring Fremantle – I’ve ticked this off now!
- Take the walking trail through the Pinnacles at sunset – Post coming soon!
- Explore more of the Margaret River vineyards – We’ve explored more of Margaret River.
- Swim with the Dolphins at Monkey Mia
- Drive the Gascoyne Valley when the wildflowers are out
- Visit Wave Rock
- Go swimming at Ningaloo Reef
- Explore Cape Le Grand National Park
- Visit Busselton and walk to the end of the Jetty – we’ll have to do this again as it was raining!
- Drive across the Nullarbor
- See the whales at Head of the Bight
South Australia
- Visit Kangaroo Island
- Go to the Oyster Festival in Ceduna (early October every year)
- Explore the Flinders Ranges
- Do a Wine and Food Trail in the Claire Valley
- Visit the caves in Naracoorte
- Do the Silo Art Trail
- Travel down the Oodnadatta Track
- Take a tour to see the Painted Desert near Coober Pedy
Victoria
- Go to Phillip Island to see the Little Penguins
- Go to Wilson’s Promontory National Park
- Drive the Great Ocean Road and stay in the Ottways
- Visit Ballarat’s Sovereign Hill
- Visit the hot springs at the Mornington Peninsula
Tasmania
- Do Tasmania
- Explore the Franklin Gordon Wild Rivers National Park
- Take time to paint the seascape in Wine Glass Bay
- Stay at the lodge on Cradle Mountain
- Laze on the beaches of the Bay of Fires
- Catch a sunrise over Hobart atop of Mount Wellington
- Visit Bruny and Maria Islands
- Watch the yachts arrive after the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race
Queensland
- Bareboat Charter around the Whitsunday Islands
- Follow the Australian Dinosaur Trail at Winton – an extraordinary experience!
- Go to the Birdsville Races
- Re-visit the Atherton Tablelands – my family were early settlers in the Tablelands
- Visit the Undara Lava Tubes
- Drive to Cooktown via Cape Tribulation
New South Wales
- Do the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk
- Visit the Blue Mountains and the Jenolan Caves
- Visit the Hunter Valley wine country.
- Do a historical Pub Tour around the Rocks
Inspirations for your own Aussie Bucket List
These are some of the places I’ve visited and done that I highly recommend. They will make a great start for your own Aussie Bucket List.
Some I have written some posts about and will attach them when complete, but more will come in due course. If you have any questions, drop me a note below.
Northern Territory
- Road trip from Adelaide to Darwin
- Wander around the Devils Marbles at sunset or sunrise, or both
- Visit Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park
- Camp at Chambers Pillar in the Simpson’s Desert
- Experience Kakadu National Park
- Take a wildlife cruise on Yellow Waters
- Watch a sunset over Rainbow Valley after the rains
- Swim at Litchfield National Park
- Take a Jumping Crocodile Cruise
- Visit Fogg Dam – one of the best wildlife habitats in the Territory
- Experience a Mindil Beach sunset
- Stay at Daly Waters Pub
- Watch turtles hatch with Turtle Tracks at Bare Sand Island
Queensland
- Road Trip to Cape York – I first did this trip in my late 20’s. It’s an experience!
- Ride the train up to Kuranda
- Visit the Kuranda Butterfly Sanctuary
- Stay in the Daintree Rainforest
- Scuba Dive the Great Barrier Reef
- Cruise the Whitsunday Islands and snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef
- Visit Mon Repos near Bundaberg to watch turtles hatching
- Go to Fraser Island – stay at Kingfisher Bay eco-resort
- Laze away the days on Great Keppel Island as we once used to do.
- Swim in the volcanic craters – Lake Eacham and Lake Barrine on the Atherton Tablelands
- See platypus in Eungulla National Park
- Visit Agnes Waters and the Town of 1770 – my stomping grounds in my twenties
New South Wales
- Visit beautiful Yamba, Ballina and Byron Bay
- Do the Sydney Opera House Tour
- Climb Sydney Harbour Bridge
- Explore the convict historical site of Cockatoo Island
- Do a Pub Tour through ‘the Rocks’ in Sydney
Victoria
- Do the Queen Victoria Markets in Melbourne
- Take High Tea at the Windsor Hotel in Melbourne
- Enjoy the Street Art in Hosier Lane, in Melbourne
- Go Tobogganing in the snow at Mt Bulla
- Visit the Mornington Peninsular
Australian Capital Territory
- Canberra War Memorial in Canberra
- Take a tour of Parliament House
- Lunch at Parliament House as a Minister’s guest
- Visit Canberra during Floriade
South Australia
- Tour the Barossa and Clare Valleys
- Tour the McLaren Vale wine region
- Treat yourself to a Degustation at d’Arenburg Winery
- Sleep underground in Coober Pedy
- Go to the ‘Tour Down Under’ cycling event (held in January every year)
Tasmania
- Visit Museum of Old and New Art in Hobart (MONA)
- Port Arthur Historic Site
- Take a Peppermint Bay Cruise
- Salamanca Markets in Hobart
- Tour the Franklin River
Australia is a big country
Australia is a huge island-continent, and often underestimated by travellers. You will need to be prepared for long distances.
Consider how much time you have available when planning your trip and make sure you allow plenty of time to explore the country.
To help with your travel planning, our website has a number of itineraries and roadtrips prepared for easy-reading. Or subscribe to our website and download our free 3 week Travel Itinerary.
See Australia in 3 Amazing Weeks‘
Accommodation and Insurance
Check this accommodation link with Booking.com for great deals right across Australia to suit every budget.
Travel Insurance is necessity whenever you travel. I recommend World Nomads. Click here for an obligation free estimate.
My Australian Bucket List to Pin for later
Capture your adventures
When travelling make sure you take along a camera to capture the memories and if you use Instagram, FaceBook or Twitter, it’s a great way to keep in touch with family or friends.
Coming soon: Best Travel Camera in 2021
Australia
There’s nowhere on earth quite like Australia. Tropical rainforest, gorgeous golden beaches, stark desert landscapes and snowy alpine peaks and there’s always the laid-back lifestyle that everyone expects.
