Travel experience checklist: Australia

The best of Sydney, Melbourne and beyond

You can now explore Australia with our new tours. Find out what you can experience in Sydney, Melbourne and beyond, whatever your travel style.

Nature & adventure

• Experience the breathtaking beauty of the Outer Great Barrier Reef. Snorkel or dive in, visit the underwater observatory, cruise in a semi-sub, or just relax on the sundeck.
• Eaglehawk Lookout is a remote lookout point where you’ll be able to get views of the famous Three Sisters rocky landmark. The Govetts Leap lookout nearby is one of the most famous lookouts in Australia and provides sweeping views down the valley to the Grose Wilderness.
• Spend an afternoon walking the forest in the Otway Ranges, capped off by a visit to the ancient rock formations of the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge.
• Try quad biking or sandboarding at Stockton Beach Sand Dunes or horseback riding through the bush or surf from Anna Bay. Or drive to Byron Bay, home to sweeping surf beaches, lush rainforests, and new-age retreats. Walk the Cape Byron Walking Track to its trademark lighthouse or kayak with dolphins.

Wine

• Hunter Valley is north of Sydney and one of Australia's major wine regions dating back to the early 1800s. At the Cellar Door winery, enjoy a picnic of charcuterie and a bottle of handpicked wine.
•  Red wine lovers rejoice! Uncork the historic Barossa region by discovering boutique wineries and sampling the region’s signature hearty Shiraz.
• Stop to enjoy a glass of sparkling wine at the delightful Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah and enjoy the sweeping views of Sydney.

Wildlife

• Perch yourself beside a secluded gully in Lamington National Park, home to millions of ancient glow worms illuminating the cliff face like a blanket of twinkling stars. Then grab a torch and keep your eyes peeled for other nocturnal dwellers such as pademelons, possums, and bandicoots.
• In Brisbane, explore the world’s largest koala sanctuary, the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, and see platypuses up close.
• Motor along Moreton Bay in a glass bottom boat where you can see the marine life beneath the surface.
• Visit Phillip Island to see the Penguin Parade. Along a boardwalk viewing platform you will see the little penguins come ashore, as they hurry off to find their burrows. 
• Kangaroo Island is a haven to some 250 species of birds of Australian wildlife, which exists in its natural habitat. Make sure to keep an eye out for echidnas, wallabies, and reptiles ! Then, at Seal Bay Conservation Park, take an escorted walk along the beach among the sea lions as they bask on the beach.

City sights

• Tour the historic Rocks area and learn about Australia’s early convict history, then see the Central Business District (CBD) and Macquarie Street for magnificent views of the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge.
• You can also step inside the Sydney Opera House to discover the insider secrets and stories of its artists and performances. Explore the building and learn about one of the most iconic buildings in Sydney. 
• Tour the glittering high-rise buildings of The Gold Coast, a modern city built around superb beaches and home to the renowned “Surfer’s Paradise.” Dive into the lively nightlife nearby, international theme parks, and designer boutiques before experiencing the opulent Palazzo Versace.
• See the best of Melbourne, Victoria’s capital city while shopping, eating and seeing interesting.
• Brisbane is the sunny, sophisticated capital city of Queensland and the gateway to many famous attractions. It effortlessly combines art and outdoor adventure, where the South Bank's cultural institutions and restaurants meet the Riverside gardens and a lagoon.
• Explore Canberra for a closer look at Australian culture and history as well as superb monuments and galleries surrounded by parklands and native bushland. We recommend visits to Parliament House, the Australian War Memorial, the National Gallery of Australia and Questacon.

Learn more about what you could be experiencing in Australia with our Australia tours. Plus, use the hashtag #DreamsCanTravel on Instagram to share your travel memories with us!