Australia, Travel Guide

15 Things you need to do, when you travel to Australia

Australia is a big country that has a lot to offer. In particular, the nature is very impressive: from hot and dry deserts, to snow-white beaches, to tropical rainforests and world-famous coral reefs, you can find everything in Australia. The best thing you can do is get out of the city to get to know the country and also the wildlife.

After I started my trip to Australia, I quickly realized how fascinating this country is. I felt in love with this beautiful country and found my second home there. There are so many beautiful places in this huge country that you have to see. There are also so many things that are typical for Australia and that you have to try or do. Here I picked out my personal must do’s for Australia:

Visit Sydney

I’ve been to Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns and Canberra, but no other city has captured me as much as Sydney. There’s just so much to see and do in Australia’s largest city: From a lot of beaches, coastal walks, museums, restaraunts and a lot of national parks around the city you will not get bored in Sydney even after a few months staying there. And of course you’ll never get enough of the sight of the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge, no matter how many times you’ve been there.

Sydney

Sail the Whitsundays

One of my personal highlights is definitely a two-day sailing tour along the Whitsundays. At night you can relax on the deck of the ship and watch the starry sky with a light swing or take a look into the water and discover different fish species
During the day you stop at various beaches, with crystal clear, turquoise water and absolute silence. The view of the enchanting water is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen in my life. The view of the Whitsundays itself from a lookout point that can be climbed in a few minutes is also incredibly beautiful. You can also jump into the water with your wetsuits on and explore the great barrier reef.

Whitsundays

Sleep under the stars in the Outback

In the evening, with pleasant temperatures, lie comfortably around a campfire and look into the sky, which is covered by countless stars, something like this can only be experienced in the “Red Centre“ of Australia. The later it gets, the more stars you can see in the sky. One night at two o’clock my mouth was open as I looked at the sparkling sky.
Also the sunrise and sunset over the Uluru is something you must have seen. Australia’s outback is simply magical and you can hardly put into words how special and quiet this place is. Even if you don’t like camping you should try out a trip to the magical “Red Centre”, where you can sleep right under the stars without a tent.

Uluru

Drive the Great Ocean Road

Those who travel to Australia have mostly heard of the Great Ocean Road, the coastal road in Victoria. During the whole journey along the 243 km long route, you have a view of the sea. In between you can stop at the most beautiful spots such as the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge or the London Arch and enjoy the views of the rocks and the water. Especially impressive along the Great Ocean Road I found the Loch Ard Gorge.

Great Ocean Road

Get impressed by Kangaroo Island

See an infinite number of kangaroos in the wild, watch sea lions sunbathing on the beach, enjoy the view of nature, rocks and turquoise waters, visit an Australian wildlife park or a show with various bird species and try sandboarding, all this is possible on the island of kangeroo Island, which is located northwest of Adelaide. You should definitely take enough time to explore the whole island.

Kangaroo Island

Go snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef

The first look into the largest coral reef in the world is breath-taking and you can’t get enough of the sight. Even if the reef slowly dies out, you can still see many wonderfully colorful creatures. If you’re lucky, you’ll even cross the path of a shark or a turtle. Snorkelling or Scuba Diving in the great barrier reef ist possible from a lot of places in Queensland since the reef as the reef extends over almost 2500 kilometers.

Great Barrier Reef in Australia

Visit the MacKenzie Falls

If there is something in Australia, it’s a lot of waterfalls. I especially liked the McKenzie Falls in the middle of the Grampians, far away from the hustle and bustle of the city. A huge waterfall that flows over huge rocks and then flows into a large pool. If you look from the right direction, you can even see the water throwing a rainbow in the sunlight.

Hold a Koala

Who doesn’t know it? The typical photo with a koala on the arm. But if you ever make your way down under, then you should also hold a koala and convince yourself that the cute gray animals are not as fluffy as you might thought. Above all, such a photo is also a beautiful memory of your Australia trip.

Visit Byron Bay

Byron Bay is a small town on the east coast of Australia just a one hundred kilometers south of brisbane. There you can stroll through the many different shops, try surfing, visit the famous lighthouse, lie on the beach and enjoy the sun or try to spot the dolphins. You can spot the dolphins either on a kayak tour or early in the morning from the most easternmost point of Australia. And if all this is not enough, you can also make your way to Nimbin. Nimbin is a hippie town about an hour away from Byron Bay. This town is definitely worth a visit!

Have a view from Alexandra Lookout

Where the Rainforest meets the ocean! A few kilometres away from Cairns you find the Daintree Rainforest. At Alexandra Lookout you have a wonderful view over the rainforest to the sea. There are numerous Lookout Points in Australia, but the most beautiful for me is the Alexandra Lookout. You’re not gonna get away from the sight of nature so fast.

Alexandra Lookout in Australia

Feed a Kangaroo

When you think of Australia, then you immediately think of the many kangeroos. Therefore, you should definitely have pet the soft fur of a Kangeroo and even fed the sweet marsupials. The sight of a kangeroo eating the food out of your hand is really cute and an unforgettable experience.

Visit the Grampians

A view over a huge national park, which seems to have no end at all, is offered in the Grampians. There you can enjoy nature in peace and quiet without disturbing noises. Personally, the Grampians remind me a bit of the Blue Mountains National Park in Sydney.

The Grampians

Take a Selfie with a Quokka on Rottnest Island

To the west of Australia lies the island of Rottnest Island. By bike you have the opportunity to explore everything there on your own. Even if it is sometimes not so easy to go uphill in the heat, most of the time you have a wonderful view of heavenly blue water. The island is also known for the sweet animals that always smile. The Quokkas! And if you don’t have a picture with a koala you should definitely take a selfie with a quokka.

Rottnest Island

Visit Gold Coast’s Surfers Paradise

Another city that I liked in Australia is Gold Coast. In particular, the district of Surfers Paradise. The beach borders directly on the city center and therefore stands out especially from all other beaches in Australia. From the Q1 Tower you have a great view over the whole city and the ocean, especially in the late afternoon. And if you don’t want to be on the beach or stroll through the pedestrian zone, then you can take a short walk along the many small canals.

Try as much food as possible

Whether on the beach, in the outback or in the big city, the “Aussie BBQ“ is very popular in Australia and has definitely been tried. Mostly there is meat and sausages served with vegetables, bread and various sauces. Most people make a tasty burger out of all this. The types of meat may vary. From beef to kangaroo to camel meat, it’s all there. Even if you are a bit sceptical, you should not be afraid to try a bit of kangaroo or camel meat. The many cafes and restaurants also have a lot of delicious food to offer that you should try.