Must-see attractions in Australia & Pacific

  • Oamaru Public Gardens

    Dunedin & Otago

    Opened in 1876, these beautiful gardens are among the oldest in New Zealand, and are a lovely place to stroll and relax, with expansive lawns, waterways,…

  • Bar Beach

    Newcastle

    This popular surfing break, 1.5km south of the city centre, is at the northern end of a long strand that's called Merewether Beach at its southern end.

  • Reef Beach

    Manly

    This beautiful little cove is on the Manly Scenic Walkway in the Sydney Harbour National Park. It's got turquoise water and great views across to Manly.

  • Little Red Apple

    Victoria

    Sample ciders and apple juices, all produced on site using local fruit, at this shop for Harcourt Perry & Cider Makers. You can taste the range and pick…

  • Leaning Trees

    West Coast Australia

    Around 2km north of Central Greenough Historic Settlement, look out for the quirky Leaning Trees, river gums that have been twisted into idiosyncratic…

  • Mandu Mandu Gorge

    West Coast Australia

    There's a small car park off the main road 14km south of the Milyering Discovery Centre, and from here there's a pleasant, occasionally steep 3km return…

  • Mt Parnassus Lookout

    Southern NSW & The Murray

    It's easy to see how the landscapes of the Riverina won the hearts of so many iconic Australian poets and songwriters, as you savour the sweeping 360…

  • Northern Centre for Contemporary Art

    Darwin

    The NCCA is a really small space that shows some changing and challenging exhibitions. It's worth checking out while doing the Parap Village Market.

  • Conspicuous Cliffs

    Southern WA

    Midway between Nornalup and Peaceful Bay, Conspicuous Cliffs is a good spot for whale watching from July to November. It features a hilltop lookout and a…

  • Bunbury Regional Art Gallery

    West Coast Australia

    Housed in a restored late-19th-century convent, now painted a dusty pink, this excellent gallery is arranged over two floors and exhibits new works as…

  • Cape du Couedic Lighthouse

    Kangaroo Island

    From Rocky River, a road runs south to a remote 1906 lighthouse atop wild Cape du Couedic (pronounced 'coo-dick'). You can't access the lighthouse – but…

  • Brown Magpie

    Great Ocean Road

    One of the Geelong region's most respected wineries, Brown Magpie offers free tastings of its award-winning pinot noirs in a tin-shed cellar door…

  • Chifley Home

    New South Wales

    Ben Chifley, Australia's postwar prime minister from 1945 to 1949, lived in Bathurst, and the modest Chifley Home is on display, housing interesting…

  • Newman Museum

    West Coast Australia

    Next door to the visitor centre, this labour of love has displays on the town's mining history and the region's Aboriginal culture and art. The friendly…

  • Crab Farm Winery

    Napier

    Respectable, reasonably priced wines, and a rustic cafe with regular live troubadours. A good stop for lunch or a glass of rosé (preferably both), best…

  • Athenree Hot Springs

    Coromandel Peninsula

    In cooler months, retreat to these two small but blissful outdoor hot pools, hidden within a holiday park around 8km southeast of Waihi Beach.

  • Australian Centre for Photography

    Surry Hills & Darlinghurst

    The nonprofit ACP exhibits photographic gems from renowned Sydney and international photographers. It’s particularly passionate about photomedia, video…

  • Town Beach

    West Coast Australia

    Just across from the human-made Ocean Marina, Town Beach delivers some natural respite, with a gentle swell surging in and out and locals basking on the…

  • East Gippsland Art Gallery

    Victoria

    There's usually something interesting showing at Bairnsdale's art gallery, with a diverse program of locally themed exhibits showcasing talented artists…

  • Walkatjara Art Centre

    Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

    A working art centre owned by the local Mutitjulu community, it has an extensive selection of paintings on display (and for sale), and most days you can…

  • Nolan Studio

    Victoria

    Just next to the supermarket, this shopfront window displays info about and replica works by acclaimed Australian painter Sidney Nolan, who was stationed…

  • Broome Museum

    Broome

    Discover Cable Beach and Chinatown's origins through exhibits devoted to the area's pearling history and WWII bombing in this quirky museum, occupying the…

  • Village Arts

    Bay of Islands & Northland

    A sophisticated surprise in such a small place, this volunteer-run gallery fills a restored heritage building with ever-changing exhibitions – mainly from…

  • Ed Hillary Walkway

    Waikato & the Coromandel Peninsula

    As well as the Kiwiana decorating the main street, the Ed Hillary Walkway (running off Maniapoto St) has information panels on the All Blacks, Marmite and…

  • Anbangbang Shelter

    Kakadu National Park

    This rocky overhang, impressive and imposing, has been used for 20,000 years as a refuge and canvas. There are more evocative paintings elsewhere, but it…

  • Diamond Tree Lookout

    West Coast Australia

    Nine kilometres south of Manjimup along the South Western Hwy is the Diamond Tree Lookout. Metal spikes allow you to climb this 52m karri, and there's a…

  • McCracken's Rest

    Fiordland & Southland

    It's worth stopping at McCracken's Rest, a lovely lookout point with views of wind-lashed Te Waewae Bay (and, if you're lucky, Hector's dolphins and…

  • Avenue of Honour

    Cairns & Far North Queensland

    By Lake Tinaroo, this touching memorial to Australian soldiers lost in conflict in Afghanistan opened in 2013, and features a spectacular grove of…

  • Nannup Clock Tower

    West Coast Australia

    A passionate local named Kevin Bird designed and built the world's largest wooden clock. You can marvel at the dream and the craftsmanship with a self…

  • Walu Wugirriga Lookout

    The Daintree

    Coming to or from the ferry, stop in at this lookout high in the Alexandra Range for rainforest and coastal views, including where the Daintree empties…

  • Pop's View

    Fiordland & Southland

    If you can find a parking space, pause at Pop's View for a bird's-eye view over the forest-cloaked Hollyford Valley. It's 87km north of Te Anau along the…

  • Augusta Historical Museum

    West Coast Australia

    Interesting local exhibits run by volunteer staff. The building belies the museum inside. Pick up a Heritage Trail booklet and ask about the portrait…

  • Town Beach

    Broome

    Tiny Town Beach is fine for a dip when the tide is in; just ensure it's not stinger season. There's a kid's water park nearby.

  • Evandale Market

    Tasmania

    An exuberant mix of happy locals selling fresh fruit and veg, kids' pony rides (and occasionally a mini-train), food vans, and stalls selling crafts and…

  • Kuranda Koala Gardens

    Cairns & Far North Queensland

    This small but sweet park is home to native Aussie animals including wallabies, wombats, reptiles galore and – obviously – koalas. Photos with koalas are…

  • Cultural Centre

    Townsville

    Showcases the history, traditions and customs of the local Wulgurukaba and Bindal peoples with workshops, performances and exhibitions. Call for guided…

  • Pelican Feeding

    West Coast Australia

    Kalbarri's most popular attraction takes place every morning on the waterfront. Look for the compact wooden viewing area and wait for the hungry birds to…

  • Table Cape Lookout

    Tasmania

    Offers stunning views over Bass Strait. Consider parking your car here and following the Lookout to Lighthouse Walking Trail (30 minutes return).

  • Jemmy's Point Lookout

    Victoria

    A popular stop-off for photos, with wonderful views over the entrance – which links the Gippsland Lakes to Bass Strait. It's a 20-minute walk up here from…

  • Grafton Regional Gallery

    Byron Bay & Northern NSW

    Occupying an impressive 1880-built house, this small gallery has an interesting collection of NSW landscape paintings and regularly displays special…

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