Outdoor Activities Worldwide in Australia

The day begins early at Bondi Beach. As a glorious sunrise edges above the ocean horizon, surfers gracefully carve up waves, joggers limber up on the promenade and swimmers flip turn in Bondi Baths. The famous beach is buzzing from dawn to dusk and then Bondi’s night-time scene sparkles.The beautiful sandy beach is perfect for travel snaps or selfies at any time of the year. Just 8km from the city centre, Bondi is easy to get to by public transport – the trip from Town Hall is 30 minutes. Or you can take a scenic ferry ride from Circular Quay to Watsons Bay for a connecting bus to Bondi. https://www.sydney.com/destinations/sydney/sydney-east/bondi/beach-lifestyle

For amazing entertainment, delicious waterside dining and incredible wildlife, Darling Harbour is the perfect destination in the heart of Sydney. Meet penguins and dugongs at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium and get up close to koalas and a giant saltwater crocodile at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo. You’ll find plenty more exciting things to do and see, from Sydney Harbour cruises and tall ships at the Australian National Maritime Museum to the Chinese Garden of Friendship, a tranquil haven. You can even walk the red carpet with your favourite star at Madame Tussauds, a wax museum. https://www.sydney.com/destinations/sydney/sydney-city/darling-harbour

You're spoilt for choice when it comes to Manly Beach. Whether you want to spread a towel out and enjoy the soft white sand all day, surf its waves or explore its depths while snorkelling or diving, there's something for everyone. For those that prefer to look at it, it also makes a great backdrop for picnics or walking and cycle tracks. Manly is where the world's first surfing contest was held in 1964, making it one of Australia's most famous beaches. The iconic beach curves from South Steyne to North Steyne and Queenscliff, where a submerged reef, or bombora, creates the waves that inspire the world's best surfers to travel to our shores. https://www.sydney.com/destinations/sydney/sydney-north/manly/beach-lifestyle

Located between Umina Beach and Ettalong Beach at the southern end of the Central Coast and nestled within the protection of Broken Bay you will find over two kilometres of golden sand to relax on and enjoy. Ocean Beach provides the beauty of an ocean beach with the safety of an inland waterway, offering a perfect location for families. Picnic tables with seating are available, along with barbecue's and a children's playground. The beach is patrolled every day from October long weekend until the end of the April school holiday break. Public facilities are available as well as lovely grassed and under cover picnic areas. https://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/central-coast/gosford-area/ettalong-beach/attractions/ocean-beach-umina

Captain Cook first spotted the area now known as Bare Island in 1770, and referred to it in his journal as 'a small bare island'. The fort was built in the early 1880s to protect Sydney’s back door. It was in operation until 1908, after which time it became Australia's first war veterans' home. http://www.sydney.com/destinations/sydney/sydney-east/la-perouse/attractions/bare-island-fort

Collaroy has great swimming conditions and is excellent for beginner surfers. While advanced surfers are more likely to look at nearby wave-magnets such as Narrabeen and Long Reef, Collaroy does offer a considerable advantage in amenities for visitors. Collaroy Beach has a fully accessible beach reserve and playground complete with disabled toilets, accessible picnic areas, rockpool and paths. For those in a wheelchair, it has a freewheeler wheelchair that can go in the water, and a liberty swing. https://www.sydney.com/destinations/sydney/sydney-north/northern-beaches/attractions/collaroy-beach

Freshwater is part of the Manly-Freshwater National and World Surfing Reserve that recognises the historical, cultural and environmental values of famous surfing beaches. It is where Duke Kahanamoku held his famous 1915 surfing demonstration that popularised surfing in Australia. Freshwater has some pretty reasonable waves in the one to two-metre mark. It can be busy on a summers day with people learning to surf, and families sticking in groups. For less experienced surfers, the break at the middle-northern end of the beach is an ideal spot for you. More experienced surfers may not get the wave they’re looking for but you can try the southern end which can get pumping with the right swell. https://www.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/recreation-area/freshwater-beach

Long Reef is a perfect stretch of white sand. At the north end there is Long Reef Headland, a protected aquatic reserve, and a golf course. A walk to the top of the headland can often be rewarded by views of migrating whales. There are offshore reefs in the north (the Long Reef Bomboras) and beach breaks running the entire 1.6 kilometres south to Dee Why and, on weekdays there's every chance of getting a quality wave to yourself. The Long Reef Bomboras starts to break at one metre or so and in a big south swell can produce a beautiful wave up to five metres. Reliable sandbanks shape beach breaks that are great for beginners and intermediate surfers. North Long Reef is also a favourite for windsurfing and kitesurfing. https://www.sydney.com/destinations/sydney/sydney-north/northern-beaches/attractions/long-reef-beach

There's a reason that Palm Beach doubles up as the setting for Summer Bay, the fictional beach in TV show Home & Away, the golden sand and sparkling blue sea make it look too good to be true. But there's more than just sea and sand here, explore Barrenjoey Head, Sydney’s northernmost seaside point and lots more. What makes Palm Beach, a narrow peninsular, so spectacular is its unbeatable location. It won nature's lottery and is surrounded by water on three sides: Pittwater to the west, the Pacific Ocean to the east, and Broken Bay to the north at the mouth of the Hawkesbury River, which meanders inland to historic Windsor. If you're planning on spending the day at Palmy, as the locals call it, bring your board because you'll enjoy excellent surf at the northern end of the beach. The southern end is more lo-fi, offering less active beachgoers a protected area for swimming in the ocean pool and pretty picnic spots under the pine trees. https://www.sydney.com/destinations/sydney/sydney-north/palm-beach

Sydney Tower Eye takes you to the highest point above Sydney for breathtaking 360 degree views of the beautiful harbour city. From the golden beaches to the distant Blue Mountains, you'll be amazed by the views. Your ticket includes the 4D cinema experience - the first produced in Australia - where you can uncover a new dimension to Sydney through a whole new perspective. https://www.sydney.com/destinations/sydney/sydney-city/city-centre/attractions/sydney-tower-eye

Offering visitors to Sydney an opportunity to join in and do what the locals do - the Bondi to Coogee Walk is a popular coastal walk offering beautiful coastline vistas, cosy beaches and cafe strips for refuelling. It is six kilometres long and takes about two hours to complete at a good pace, but why not break it up with a freshly squeezed juice or a relaxed coffee, then finish with a swim at Coogee Beach. The walk passes one of the world's more scenic operational cemeteries, the Waverley Cemetery where graves of famous Australians such as Henry Lawson can be found. https://www.sydney.com/destinations/sydney/sydney-east/bondi/attractions/bondi-coogee-coastal-walk

Centennial Parklands is the 'green lungs' of Sydney. Comprising three urban parks – Centennial Park, Moore Park and Queens Park, almost 31 million people visit our parks annually.Dedicated to the people of NSW as an open space for recreation by Sir Henry Parkes in 1888, modern-day Centennial Park's sports fields, BBQs, playgrounds and picnic areas are aligned with his vision of ‘The People’s Park’.Popular with Sydney’s sport-lovers, Moore Park’s 115-hectares house the Hordern Pavilion, Hall of Industries, Entertainment Quarter, Equestrian Centre, E.S. Marks Athletics Field, a public golf course and sports centre.Queens Park is a haven for Sydney's sport lovers! Located in Centennial Parklands, the 26-hectare park features sports fields, a kids playground, free BBQ facilities, a café and spectacular views of the Sydney region. https://www.centennialparklands.com.au/

Bronte is just over a kilometer’s walk south of Bondi. The beach itself faces east and picks up swell from any direction, but bulky headlands to the north and south and clusters of underwater rocks make conditions challenging, especially for swimmers. The south headland shapes Bronte’s premium wave, but it breaks across rocks so it’s for confident board-riders only.Those same rocks create a sheltered natural pool beloved of parents with young kids, while an ocean-fed lap pool tucked in beneath the south headland provides one of Sydney’s finest saltwater swim experiences (free entry). A wide grassy park behind the beach has barbecues and picnic tables and gives way to a wooded gully between rows of expensive houses on the opposing hillsides. https://www.sydney.com/destinations/sydney/sydney-east/bondi/attractions/bronte-beach

The journey aboard Puffing Billy takes you through the magnificent Dandenong Ranges, located only one hour east of Melbourne. With lush fern gullies brushing past and Mountain Ash trees towering overhead, Puffing Billy makes for a wonderful opportunity to relax and breathe in the fresh air whilst the train makes its way through the temperate rainforest. https://puffingbilly.com.au/

Founded in February 1985 through a passion for conservation of wildlife and the environment. The Parker family have long realised the value of allowing people and animals to come together in a relaxing, friendly and educational environment. The selection of animals is truly unique and features animals that can only be described as natural wonders of the world. http://www.visitballarat.com.au/attraction/ballarat-wildlife-park

Ride a wave at Bells Beach, located near Torquay on the southern coast of Victoria in the Great Ocean Road region. Head to Bells Beach over the Easter weekend and watch the world's best surfers carve up the waves at the Rip Curl Pro Surfing Competition. High cliffs provide a dramatic backdrop to the natural amphitheatre of the beach and large swells from the Southern Ocean, which slow down and steepen over the reef-strewn shallows, creates the outstanding surf. If you're a sightseer, Bells Beach is a popular spot with great vantage points along the cliff. For surfers, Bells Beach is really for the experienced. The beach is an exposed reef and point break with excellent right-hand breaks, at their best during autumn and winter. https://www.visitmelbourne.com/regions/Great-Ocean-Road/Things-to-do/Nature-and-wildlife/Beaches-and-coastlines/VV-Bells-Beach

Nothing you have ever experienced will prepare you for the awe inspiring views from the highest viewing platform in the Southern Hemisphere at Melbourne's Eureka Skydeck 88. Eureka Skydeck 88 is Melbourne's must see attraction. Two dedicated lifts propel visitors to level 88 in under 40 seconds. Only Skydeck 88 can take you to The Edge, a switchable glass cube which slides out from the building, with you inside. Apart from the unforgettable panorama, Skydeck 88 entertains the entire family with a host of activities and fascinating facts. Located in Southbank, Eureka Skydeck 88 will change the way you look at Melbourne and beyond. http://www.visitmelbourne.com/regions/Melbourne/Things-to-do/Art-theatre-and-culture/Architecture-and-design/Eureka-Skydeck-88.aspx

Port Phillip is the entrance to Australia's busiest port and is one of Victoria's most popular recreational destinations. Every year millions of people enjoy its vast coastline, world-class swimming beaches and coastal parks. An entirely different perspective however is available to those who explore Port Phillip by boat. Island, shipwrecks and marine reserves dot Port Phillip, while scuba diving and fishing reveal the colourful diversity of Port Phillip's marine life. http://www.visitmelbourne.com/regions/Melbourne/Things-to-do/Nature-and-wildlife/National-parks-and-reserves/Port-Phillip.aspx

Grab your surfboard and explore this 4.5 kilometre stretch of picturesque coastline west of Barwon Heads. A popular surf spot, Thirteenth Beach provides varied conditions to suit both learner and advanced surfers. The lovely wide stretch of sand spreads between looming sand dunes and crashing waves, and is also ideal for a refreshing walk, jog, sandcastle-making or ballplay with the dog. Take a short walk around the headland, don a wetsuit for some diving, and take in the expansive views. https://www.visitvictoria.com/regions/Geelong-and-the-Bellarine/Things-to-do/Nature-and-wildlife/Beaches-and-coastlines/VV-Thirteenth-Beach.aspx

Overlooking the famous Port Phillip Bay, this historic park has been a destination for Melbourne families for the past century. With 2012 celebrating 100 years of fun-filled adventures, Luna Park continues to surge forward with a generous mix of heritage listed attractions and brand new thrill rides to satisfy all thrill seekers. The most famous of the Park’s attractions is its Roller Coaster – The Great Scenic Railway, a large wooden coaster that projects its passengers, at high speed, around the outside of the entire Park. It boasts the title of being the oldest continually operating wooden roller coaster in the world and the only one of its kind with a standing brakeman in control aboard its moving carriages. This world famous roller coaster will not only provide you with heart-stopping dips and turns, but also the most stunning views of Port Phillip Bay St. Kilda has to offer. Luna Park offers a range of rides and attractions for all ages from our latest additions, the free spinning mini roller coaster Speedy Beetle and relaxing ferris wheel Moon Balloons, to old classics such as the Silly Serpent and nail biting thrill rides like the Pharaoh’s Curse and Power Surge. A day at Luna Park cannot be missed when visiting Melbourne, no matter your age. https://lunapark.com.au/park-info/about-luna-park/

Delve below the surface and discover a whole new world of fun and adventure at Sea World, Australia’s number one Marine Park! Embark on a journey to save the oceans with the all new Seal Guardians Presentation or chill out in the shade while the kids cool down in Sea World’s latest splash pad attraction, The Reef at Castaway Bay. Plus, don’t forget to stop by and meet Chase and Marshall from PAW Patrol and catch their new show, PAW Patrol On Holiday. Make friends with the magnificent marine life, from dolphins to seals, Polar bears, penguins and more. Take to the sky with our all new Sea World Sky Flyer attraction! Experience breathtaking views of Sea World and the Gold Coast Broadwater as you soar in a giant swing chair 33 meters above the ground. Discover the beauty and wonder of sea jellies at our new exhibit, Sea Jellies Illuminated which features an array of sea jelly displays and educational elements to take you on an illuminating journey. If you prefer a thrill, you can jump on the Jet Rescue ride and speed around the track your very own jet ski or take on the awesome Storm Coaster. https://www.queensland.com/attraction/australias-sea-world

Enjoy endless summer days at Wet’n’Wild Gold Coast! Splash into a world of fun with a world class line-up of slides and attractions for the young and young at heart. Experience Wet’n’Wild Junior, a huge zone just for little adventurers. Designed especially for kids, Wet’n’Wild Junior features kid-friendly water slides including miniature versions of our larger thrill slides like Tornado and the Aqua Racers. If you’re after something more adventurous, tackle the gut wrenching Aqualoops! You’ll be released down a trapdoor, sending you plummeting into a massive vertical free fall. If you’re after a slower pace, you can’t go past Calypso Beach or the Giant Wave Pool – the perfect place to relax and unwind after all the action. https://www.queensland.com/en-au/attraction/wetnwild-gold-coast

As Australia’s largest theme park, Dreamworld has it all. Adrenaline junkies can take on the world’s tallest free-falling ride, be propelled from zero to 161 kilometres per hour, and even challenge gravity 15 storeys above the ground on the Big Thrill Rides. Come face-to-face with the jungle’s most fearsome predator at Tiger Island or immerse yourself in traditional Indigenous Australian culture and wildlife at Dreamworld Corroboree. Families can take a scenic ride aboard the Dreamworld Express, make a splash on the Log Ride or drive back in time in Dreamworld’s iconic Vintage Cars. Kids can meet loved television characters Hoot and Hootabelle, and Dorothy the Dinosaur at ABC KIDS WORLD, while animated movies Madagascar, Shrek and Kung-Fu Panda come to life in the DreamWorks Experience. Go from thrills to spills at WhiteWater World, now one of the many worlds of Dreamworld. Ride the giant waterslides or the world’s most exciting simulated wave on FlowRider, or simply cool off in the wave pool. Treat yourself at a number of retail outlets including the flagship LEGO® store and take home a memento of your Dreamworld experience. With so many worlds in one, there’s something for everybody at Dreamworld! https://www.queensland.com/en-au/attraction/dreamworld

Located in World Heritage Nightcap National Park, Protesters Falls is a must see while exploring the Lismore Hinterland. The easy walk from Terania Creek Picnic Area winds its way through the bangalow palm forest to the base of the falls. https://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/north-coast/lismore-area/lismore/attractions/protesters-falls

Explore this iconic Gold Coast Wildlife Sanctuary. Immerse yourself into the wonder and natural beauty of 27 hectares of Currumbin rainforest, wandering through open animal enclosures, feeding kangaroos and cuddling koalas along the way. Experience the wild lorikeet feeding, free flight bird shows and Aboriginal performances. Test your physical ability on the TreeTops Challenge High Ropes Course, an exhilarating 90 challenge canopy ropes course and see the wonderful vets in action within the Wildlife Hospital precinct. With a huge outdoor themed playground, Wild Island, there is plenty of entertainment for kids to enjoy as they tour the sanctuary on a miniature train. Lost Valley a new exotic precinct features five hectares of stunning rainforest, Lost Valley takes you on a journey through the ancient supercontinent Gondwana. Explore a forgotten world and get up close and personal with some of the world's most unique and distinctive flora and wildlife including friendly Lemurs, Cotton-top tamarins, Red pandas, Capybaras along with free-flying birds and exotic reptiles. https://www.destinationgoldcoast.com/places-to-see/currumbin/attractions/currumbin-wildlife-sanctuary

Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk is a one and a half kilometre rainforest walking experience which inlcudes the Skywalk Bridge (steel-structured), the 40 metre Skywalk Cantilever (steel-structured) and the Cedar Creek Viewing Platform, joined by a winding pathway along the canopy floor. Accessible directly from the Eco centre, the walk showcases the pristine beauty of the lush rainforest in a safe and exciting way. The whole experience takes approximately 45 minutes at a leisurely pace and begins and ends at the main centre. The main centre includes, the Eco Centre, bus parking, gift shop, cafe and toilets. Located in the beautiful Gold Coast Hinterland, the Skywalk is 45 minutes from Surfers Paradise and 60 minutes from Brisbane International Airport. https://www.destinationgoldcoast.com/places-to-see/mt-tamborine/attractions/tamborine-rainforest-skywalk

In Whian Whian State Conservation Area, north of Lismore, you’ll find cycling, hiking and horse riding trails, as well as waterfalls and creeks for swimming and fishing. Just to the north of Lismore, Whian Whian State Conservation Area was formed to protect an area that surrounds Nightcap National Park. This charming area and its surrounds are chock-full of fantastic, fun things to do outdoors. https://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/north-coast/lismore-area/lismore/attractions/whian-whian-state-conservation-area

While other suburbs snatch their names from exotic Aboriginal meanings or English seaside villages, Main Beach is far more literal. Situated at the northern end of the Gold Coast, Main Beach was so named as it was the main surf beach to the town of Southport. But while its name may be obvious, its hidden gems are far more exciting for this is one of the coast’s areas which celebrates something old and something new in style. A highlight of a visit here is to the beach itself, where the old bathing pavilion, Pavilion 34 to be precise, has been reincarnated as a casual beach café complete with chiko rolls, potato scallops, pineapple fritters and fish and chips. The old male and female change pavilions are still here and there’s loads of retro photos to remind you of the Main Beach of old. This bathing pavilion sits next to the Southport Surf Club, the first to make its mark on the Gold Coast in 1936 and right next to a sprawling shady park which is perfect for oceanfront picnics. Away from the beach - popular with surfers due to its open shore break - toddle down to Tedder Avenue. Sassy socialites and salty surfies rub shoulders here in this strip of modern cafes, exclusive restaurants, bars and boutiques. For more shopping and style, take a wander towards the Southport Spit – or simply The Spit - to locals. https://www.destinationgoldcoast.com/places-to-see/main-beach

Sit back, relax and grab a bite to eat while you take in the unsurpassed 360 degree views of the Gold Coast. SkyPoint located on top of the iconic Q1 Building, one of the world's tallest residential towers, takes you to the highest point above the Gold Coast and offers spectacular 360 degree views from the surf to the hinterland and beyond. https://www.skypoint.com.au/skypoint-observation-deck

Snapper Rocks is a small rocky outcrop on the northern side of Point Danger at the southern end of Rainbow Bay on the Gold Coast. Snapper is a point break forming the first part of the man-made Superbank which extends from Snapper Rocks Point, through Rainbow Bay, Greenmount Point, Coolangatta Beach, and Kirra, for a distance of around two kilometres. The Superbank is now renowned as one of the most consistent breaks in Queensland and plays host to the annual World Surf Leagues’ Quiksilver and Roxy Pros. Multiple barrel sections can now occur at any point along this length. The quality of the surf has markedly improved since the 1990s, and is now of legendary quality, creating one of the longest, hollowest and best waves in the world. The Rainbow Bay Surf Club is the best place to view the break while enjoying a relaxed meal. https://www.queensland.com/en-au/attraction/snapper-rocks

The Crystal Caves will rock your world! One hour from Cairns on the Atherton Tablelands, share one man’s passion for crystals and fossils at the Crystal Caves. Journey through 300m2 of tunnels and grottos that Rene built to feature his million year old natural crystals and prehistoric fossils. Take a self-guided tour and marvel at the interactive displays which allow you to touch and photograph the crystals, you can even crack your own! https://www.queensland.com/en-au/attraction/the-crystal-caves

The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest and longest coral reef system, stretching for 2,300km from the tip of Cape York in the north to Bundaberg in the south. Comprising 3,000 separate reefs and some 900 continental islands and coral cays, it’s one of the world’s great natural wonders. Home to over 1,500 species of fish, abundant marine life and over 200 types of birds, it’s also one of Australia’s greatest conservation successes. A World Heritage Area since 1981 (the world’s first reef ecosystem to be recognised by UNESCO), it is highly protected and one of the best-managed marine areas on Earth https://www.queensland.com/en-au/explore-queensland/great-barrier-reef

Fitzroy Island is one of the most unspoilt islands adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef. Fitzroy Island National Park is a mountainous rainforest oasis surrounded by fringing reef formations. Enjoy the resort facilities and rainforest walks to white coral beaches and spectacular lookouts. Fitzroy Island also offers a wide range of water sport activities as well as snorkelling, introductory and certified diving and a learn-to-dive school. The island is 339 hectares in size, 324 of which is protected as Fitzroy Island National Park. The island is on the continental shelf and is within sight of the mainland; in fact, it’s a peak in a mountain chain which lies south of Cairns. The reef surrounding Fitzroy Island is a “Fringing Reef”. Fitzroy Island is located on the Inner Barrier of the Central Region of the Great Barrier Reef. It is part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. http://www.greatbarrierreef.org/islands/fitzroy-island/