Australia Bucket List: 100 Awesome experiences to do in Australia in 2024

Australia is for sure a dreamy destination, and if you landed on this post, you are expecting a bounce of inspiring activities. Everyone has the land of kangaroos, Opera House, snakes and quirky things on the bucket list of lifetime adventures.

This list will help you select your personal Australia bucket list, just like we did. Over 100 attractions, experiences and things to do in Australia. The map, right at the end of the post, will also highlight where to start your trip through Australia and, place by place, discover the continent.

Tips on how to get an Australian Visa, when to visit the continent and the best way to avoid the rainy season. Everything and more is summarised in a post about the most amazing things to do in Australia. Also, you will find the experiences in Australia divided by area. As you scroll down, you will find the best of Victoria bucket list, South, West and Northern Australia. From hiking to climbing, passing by, swimming and exploring caves, this bucket list experience in Australia will not disappoint you.

Best time to visit Australia

Temperatures and seasons are totally different compared to Europe. Australia is wonderful and diverse, and as it is a whole continent on its own can experience different seasons in different parts of the country. However, consider travelling to Australia in Spring and Autumn, which will give you the best weather conditions and affordable prices.

Spring in Australia is from September to November. 
Autumn in Australia is from March to May.

Summer in Australia can be incredibly hot. December to February is summer in Australia. Suppose you are willing to explore the continent during the hot season; better to head south in search of cooler temperatures.

Instead, the coldest months in Australia are the period that goes from June to August. If you are travelling to Australia in winter, better explore the country’s north for the perfect weather conditions.

When is summer in Australia?

Summer in Australia is the period that goes from December to February. However, you can start feeling the hot temperatures already from November. Definitely, the hottest time of the year in Australia occurs in January.

But this might vary as the wet season starts earlier in the north, sometimes within weeks to the end of February.

What is the coldest month in Australia?

The coldest month in Australia in July. From June to August it is winter in Australia, and you can experience cold temperatures, especially in the centre.

In June, there is the winter solstice, and the temperatures start dropping dramatically, especially at night.

What is the rainy season in Australia?

Australia experiences the seasons in different ways throughout the year. Typically the North gets the new season earlier than the south. From October to April, the north of the continent experiences the Summer wet season, with erratic monsoons and very rarely cyclones.

Southern Australia has the most rainfall from April through November, mainly affecting Western Australia, South Victoria and Tasmania.

There is never enough time to explore Australia. It is a vast continent, and you need years to explore the whole, even because distances are often enormous. However, when travelling for leisure, we always suggest planning for at least two weeks, to see the main cities and surrounding areas.

If you can spare three to four weeks in Australia you can push yourself deeper into the country and take it slow. If you have only two weeks in Australia we highly suggest concentrating around Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, taking advantage of internal flights to move around faster.

The easiest way to get a visa for Australia is to apply for the ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) and get an Australian eVisitor Visa. When you submit your request from outside of Australia, you will receive the visa in your email. The application process takes a few minutes to complete.

The Australian eVisitor visa for Italian is valid for multiple entries within a period of one year. Every time that you get to Australia within the year of your visit, you must not exceed 90 days in the country.

Nowadays, booking travel insurance is becoming part of the travelling plan. It’s just a precaution, and you should consider it even if you are an experienced traveller.

Planning an Itinerary through the Dolomites, which includes activities like hiking and some other sports, it’s essential to have travel insurance. However, this is not just indicated because medical problems might occur, but also because of the connection between train and flight if your luggage gets lost.

Many Rental car agencies will lower the cost of car insurance if you have your Travel insurance, or this might cover the costs of car accidents or damage to the car entirely. 

For us, having Travel Insurance is the way to enjoy our vacation with peace of mind.

Hey Mondo | COVID-19 coverage, medical expenses and total travel costs. A fantastic app with 24-hour medical care and no extra charges. You can save 5% on your insurance by booking through our link.

SafetyWing | COVID-19 coverage, comprehensive travel & medical, and insurance can be purchased while travelling for digital nomads.

Northern Territory bucket list

We will start this guide with the most exciting activities to do in Oceania and the perfect Australia bucket list with the Northern Territory. Going around the clock, this is the first place you can see on a map. By many, the Northern Territory is seen as the authentic Australian Experience.

There are many activities in the Northern Territory, and it is one of the complete ventures worth alone about 2 weeks exploring, if not more. Hikers love the Northern Territory most; however, the landscape is varied, with desert, tropical forests, waterfalls and canyons.

These are some of the best experiences in Australia’s Northern Territory:

Litchfield Park and Crocodile Cruise

Enjoy a full day of exploration in Litchfield National Park from Darwin. Take the Jumping Crocodile Cruise to the nicest waterfalls and swimming holes in the area to cool off.

Explore Kakadu National Park

Kakadu National park is a Unesco World Heritage Site, and is just 1 hour and a half away from Darwin, very easy to reach by car or through a guided tour. Kakadu is more like canyons, forests, waterfalls and natural pools, surrounded by natural wildlife. Enjoy a full-day trip to Kakadu National Park as your wilderness escape.

Aboriginal culture tour in Tiwi Islands

An Australia bucket list without discovering the aboriginal culture is missing a lot. You will have an easy trip exploring Tiwi Island, off the coast from Darwin. 

Enjoy the uncommon opportunity to interact with a modern Aboriginal community by spending the day with the traditional Tiwi people. Acquire one-of-a-kind insights into the neighbourhood, its residents’ cultures, and ways of life, and buy locally manufactured items. Book it here!

Swim with Crocodiles

The most adrenaline activity (It’s safe anyway) on our bucket list of Australia. In the Cage of Death, confront the largest reptile on earth. Enjoy 15 exhilarating minutes next to a saltwater crocodile in a cage. An activity that must be experienced to be believed!

Road Trip through the West MacDonnell Ranges

Often listed as the outback of Australia, the trip to the West MacDonnell Ranges is an awesome experience to list on your notebook for the Australia bucket list ideas. Song the route you will have plenty of attractions and things to do, from hiking to endless landscapes and viewpoints to admire.

While checking for this incredible place we suggest you consider starting in Alice Springs as a day trip, so base yourself there and get ready to drive. The road trip will take you through the Red Centre way directly to Ranges.

Within the route, you can check out:

Looking at the map, Queensland is on your right-hand side, it’s the extreme east coast of Australia, and the main city is Brisbane. By many, Queensland is seen as Australia’s sun and adventure spot. There are a variety of activities for every kind of traveller, and we must say, Queensland is on the top of our Australia bucket list.

Three main things attract travellers to Queensland, the Great Barrier Reef, the wonderful drive from Cairns to Brisbane and the variety of rainforests and deep tropical coastline. There are many things to do in this part of Australia, and those are the main Queensland bucket list activities to cross over:

Kuranda Day Trip, Scenic Rail & Skyrail

Take the Kuranda Scenic Railway to Kuranda and the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway back home. Enjoy your free time exploring the village’s surrounding, unspoiled jungle while also stopping by its markets, stores, and food stalls. Views from the cable car are breathtaking.

Discover Kuranda’s village in a world heritage-listed jungle. Enjoy the mountain landscape as you travel on the Kuranda Scenic Railway. Ride the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway over Barron Gorge and waterfalls.

The famous Skyrail experience is a must-do Cairns attraction of Australia’s tropical rainforest, which is classified as a World Heritage Site. It will immerse you in one of the planet’s most botanically intriguing regions.

A full day exploring the paradise on Moreton Island

Spend a day on Moreton Island in paradise. Discover 4WD beach driving, toboggan sand dunes, paddle a translucent kayak, and snorkel the Tangalooma Shipwrecks. Reserve your spot here.

Snorkelling around the Tangalooma Shipwreck

Who doesn’t love snorkelling? This is for sure one of the top experiences to do in Australia. Have a fantastic day trip and snorkel around Tangalooma Shipwreck. Book it here!

Go on an epic Road Trip to Cape York

This is itself an adventure that can take up to two weeks and is worth considering as an Australia bucket list experience on its own. It is a long trip on dirt roads with low network phone coverage. However, the adrenaline that reaches Australia’s northernmost point is incredibly high and unmissable.

While driving, you will pass by diverse scenery, from wild rainforests with crocodiles and other wildlife species, though some main aboriginal landmarks and gorgeous lakes and water streams.

Explore Daintree National Park

Daintree National Park is often off the track and not usually included in guides like this; however, it is worth knowing that it is the oldest rainforest in the world and today a protected area.

Scuba Dive the Great Barrier Reef

The Daintree rainforest extends until it meets the coral reef. This is one of the main attractions in Queensland and must be on the great Australia bucket list.

Even though, as of today (September 2022), the protected area is close to visitors, you should enjoy the panorama at risk of extinction. Several dive trips that still take place outside the protected area are equally fantastic diving sites. Book here your experience.

Explore the paradise on Magnetic Island

Among the most unbelievable experiences in Australia, visiting Magnetic Island is one of the unmissable ones. The paradise on earth for some is a tropical island about 20 minutes away from Townsville in the north of the county.

Magnetic Island has everything for travellers, from unique dive sites and snorkelling spots to unbelievable scenic hikes. The island is lively with plenty of nightlife to enjoy a week in Australia relaxing, and why not sunbathe during the day.

Sydney is the capital of New South Wales. The country is lovely and has many incredible activities to uncover while exploring Australia. 

NSW has it all, from beaches to endless deserts, sand beaches, and incredible cities like Sydney.  Of course, the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge are must-see places in New South Wales, but also consider some other incredible landmarks in Australia.

If you visit the area in summer, spend time on Bondi beach, one of the most beautiful in the country. Also, consider exploring Australia’s easternmost point at Cape Byron lighthouse, perched on high cliffs offering incredible scenery.

Of course, a few hours in Byron bay is a must-do, but for a proper fascinating tour of Australian wildlife, consider checking in Featherdale wildlife park. This and more are on our best bucket list for New South Wales. We might soon write a full guide that includes a comprehensive Sydney bucket list.

Australia bucket list for NSW:

Places to visit in the Australian Capital Territory 

The first location on our Australia Bucket List is the Capital Territory. The incredible Australian cities often overshadow the seat of the Australian government, but it must be on your dreamy list. It is one of the minor territories in Australia but still has a lot to offer to travellers, international and locals.

Canberra, the capital of the country, is located in the ACT. Even though the county is very tiny, and basically hosts only Canberra, there is much to do and discover while here. From the Parliament House to the National Museum of Australia, this place will be far and beyond your expectations.

Top 5 things to do in the Australian Capital Territory

South Australia Bucket List | Australia must see

If you look at statistics, South Australia is the least travelled state on the continent; however, as you have seen above, this part of the world can be a surprise.

Even though there is less concentration on unique activities, you will still have fun spending a few days in South Australia. We assure you that this region should be on your Australia bucket list anyway. From fabulous farms to hidden wine cellars, the experience is just insane in South Australia.

Top activities to consider in South Australia:

Barossa Valley

Barossa valley is unmissable and one of Australia’s lushest wine areas. Discover this part of the country on a full day; you can’t spend less time and pay a visit to some of the best vineyards and cellars in the country.

These are some of the must-do activities in Victoria:

Visit the State Library of Victoria

While in Victoria, you should check in, even if it is a quick thing to the State Library. This is one of the most beautiful libraries in Australia.

Every detail is unique and finely decorated to give you that sense of the past.

Drive on the Great Ocean Road

If you are in a dilemma, what should I do in Victoria? And there is only one thing you can choose from, which definitely is to drive along the Great Ocean Road. This is by far one of the most scenic drives in the whole world. The most famous road in the state will take you for 150 miles through breathtaking landscapes, passing bays, beaches, high cliffs, forests and beautiful locations. While visiting Victoria, the Great Ocean Road is unmissable on your Australia bucket list.

Western Australia Bucket List

WA is the most considerable portion of Australia but, at the same time, also the most isolated region. However, Western Australia still offers many escapes from city life, enjoying hikes, deserts, breathtaking views and coral reef dives.

There are many activities to experience in Western Australia:

Tasmania Bucket List

Tasmania sounds like a dreamy place, but the reality is that it is visited mainly by Australians more than foreigners. That’s why it is essential to list some incredible activities to include in your Australia bucket lists based on Tasmania.

Our guide’s wildest and most natural state is filled with many activities. You can explore Tasmania starting from Mona Museum, continuing glamping at the Bay of Fires, or visiting the wonderful and local Salamanca Market.

At Freycinet Marine farm in Coles bay, you will learn how the local family sustain themselves based on oyster farming. The breathtaking wild nature will surprise you by discovering Bruny Island or going on an easy hike in Cradle Mountain National Park.

Check out some of the most incredible adventures in Tasmania:

Hop on the West Coast Wilderness Railway from Strahan to Queenstown

We feel that the old-fashioned railway from Strahan to Queenstown is worth mentioning in a whole paragraph on its own. The wonderful steamy carriage will take you on a unique voyage through Tasmania’s West Coast.

The wilderness Railway is an unmissable thing to do in Tasmania, thanks to its unbelievable route.

The train passes through rainforests and scenic seascapes. The old steam train is well maintained and recently refurbished to offer the most exclusive experience to travellers like you. Get your camera ready and write down this authentic experience while sorting out your Australia bucket list.

We have gone through extraordinary experiences, some of them really unique and unbelievable. Australia is the land of possibilities and the perfect playground for travellers.

Of course, we didn’t mention quirky events that take place on the island/continent, but it depends on when you are travelling to Australia. We hope you enjoy our shortlist of activities to place on your Australian bucket list.