Things to do in 

Australia

Seek alternative things to do in Australia that lean local—quiet art spaces, small-town flavors, and wide-open walks—so you meet people and places at an easy pace.



Cultural Activities: On the Tiwi Islands north of Darwin, visit Tiwi Design and Bima Wear to watch screen printing and carving, then share damper and tea with artists in their courtyard. In Melbourne’s Footscray and Dandenong, join a relaxed food wander through Vietnamese bakeries, Sri Lankan spice shops, and Afghan kebab houses; couples and families enjoy the easy pace and welcoming chats.

Day Trip Ideas: From Sydney, catch the early ferry to Bundeena and hike a clifftop section of the Royal National Park, then cool off and picnic by the lagoon at Wattamolla. From Hobart, spend a slow day on Bruny Island tasting cheeses and oysters before climbing the Truganini Lookout at The Neck for sunset light over both coasts. From Adelaide, ride e-bikes along the Riesling Trail in Clare Valley, pausing at Sevenhill Cellars and tiny farm stalls—a gentle route that suits seniors and easygoing groups.

Scenic Views: Skip Echo Point and walk to Pulpit Rock Lookout near Blackheath in the Blue Mountains; late afternoon light makes the cliffs glow and photographers get space to breathe. In Kakadu National Park, explore the rock art at Ubirr before dusk and stay for sunset over the Nadab floodplain; kids often spot agile wallabies on the walk out.

Explore Australia’s Regions: In Tasmania, base in Hobart and add side trips to the Huon Valley and Freycinet, mixing short coastal walks with farm tastings and a night in a snug lodge for couples. Along The Great Ocean Road, linger in Apollo Bay to explore rainforest trails in Great Otway National Park and watch the sea stacks near Port Campbell after the day-tour buses leave. For the north, Tropical North Queensland pairs Port Douglas with the Daintree and Mossman Gorge, while luxury travellers can add a reef sleep or a heli over cascading falls.

Give yourself 7–10 days to sink into one region—say Tasmania, Tropical North Queensland, or the Top End—or plan 3–4 weeks if you want a cross-country sampler with time between flights.

More places to see in Australia

Head out for landscapes, stories, and everyday life that show a different side of Australia beyond Sydney. You’ll find small rituals, big skies, and locals who love sharing their place with visitors.

Melbourne: Start with a morning coffee on Degraves Street, where tiny cafés turn out flat whites to a busy stream of regulars. Wander over to Hosier Lane late morning to watch artists update the walls and snap the changing murals. In the late afternoon, ride the tram to St Kilda and walk the pier; stay through dusk to see the little penguins shuffle in after dark.

Uluru & Kata Tjuta: Wake before dawn for sunrise at Talinguru Nyakunytjaku, where the light slowly warms the rock and the desert opens up around you. Mid-morning, follow the path to Mutitjulu Waterhole to see Anangu rock art and hear the stories tied to the site. After sunset, walk the “Field of Light” installation and watch the desert glow under a big night sky.

Hobart & Tasmania: Spend Saturday morning at Salamanca Market browsing local cheese and leather goods between the old sandstone warehouses. Catch the midday ferry from Brooke Street Pier to MONA and give yourself time to wander the galleries at an easy pace. As evening builds, drive up kunanyi/Mt Wellington for a cool breeze and broad views over the Derwent River.

Far North Queensland: Join the Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk at Mossman Gorge in the morning to learn Kuku Yalanji stories right on the forest paths. Around midday, head out from Port Douglas to Agincourt Reef for clear-water snorkeling over coral gardens. Come back to town and find a spot at Rex Smeal Park for sunset palms and slow boats easing across the horizon.

Seasonal activities

Spring: Expect mild days and fresh blooms from Sydney’s jacarandas to Western Australia’s wildflower carpets. Watch humpbacks on their southbound migration along the east coast, or wander cool-climate vineyards while cellar doors are unhurried. Photographers and couples linger in botanic gardens, and families find easy trails in national parks.

Summer: Long, hot days set the pace for beach time, snorkelling the Reef, and alfresco evenings along the harbour. Plan early starts for the Outback, then retreat to shaded terraces or a luxe lodge pool by afternoon, a rhythm seniors and luxury travellers appreciate. Festive weeks bring fireworks and night markets, so families catch free shows while couples stroll waterfronts after dark.

Fall: Softer light and calmer weather make it the time to hike coastal trails or head for Tasmania’s forests without summer heat. Follow the grape crush in Barossa, Yarra or Margaret River, tasting new releases over long lunches that couples love and multigenerational groups take at an easy pace. In the Top End, post-wet waterfalls thunder, with comfortable daytime temps for guided billabong cruises.

Winter: Cool southern days bring snow to the Australian Alps, where families try first turns and seasoned skiers chase longer runs, while cosy villages keep evenings simple. Along the coasts, peak whale season plays out from Hervey Bay to Victor Harbor, and up north the dry season opens Kakadu and Litchfield for laid-back exploring that suits seniors. Clear desert nights invite stargazing, with luxury stays adding fireside tastings after dark.

Across the year, public celebrations shape the calendar. Vivid Sydney lights the harbour in late autumn, Moomba brings river parades to Melbourne each March, NAIDOC Week in July highlights First Nations culture nationwide, and Canberra’s Floriade fills spring with colour. Riverfire sets Brisbane’s sky ablaze in early spring, while Parrtjima bathes Alice Springs in light each autumn. New Year’s Eve on Sydney Harbour is a classic, so find a quiet vantage with a local and simply watch it unfold.