10 unmissable Aussie experiences you need in your life

Australia is incredible. Amazing. Spectacular. Beautiful. It’s also one seriously huge destination. So naturally, this makes ticking the top Aussie experiences off your to-do list a little bit difficult.

While we don’t like to play favourites, we’ve rounded up a list of the ultimate, unmissable Aussie experiences you need in your life. Get ready to explore.

1. Hike to Mt Amos in Freycinet National Park

There’s plenty of arguments for why you should visit Tasmania. World-class galleries such as MONA in Hobart, an incredible dining scene (and even better cheese, oysters and wine), festivals like Dark MOFO…. But where Tassie really grabs the attention of the world (and the mainland) is with its wild and rugged landscapes. While we could talk all day about how marvellous Cradle Mountain or Lake St Clair National Park is, it’s Freycinet National Park on the east coast that has stolen the top spot on our list. For hiking enthusiasts, climb to the top of Mt Amos or walk to Wineglass Bay, once voted one of the world’s top 10 beaches.

Experience it on the 6 day Taste of Tasmania trip.

2. Visit Mawurndaddja, the best-kept secret of the Top End

Home to some of the Northern Territory’s oldest indigenous rock art, a visit to Mawurndaddja is a mesmerising experience. First, start the experience with a cruise along East Alligator River with a Bininj Guluyambi guide before heading into Arnhem Land. As you venture through the Mawurndaddja complex, you’ll pass galleries with rock art spanning back thousands of years while learning about the history of the area. This experience is extra special as the site was only recently opened to a limited number of visitors.

Experience it on the 5 day Top End and Arnhem Land Adventure. 

3. Explore the remarkable rock formations of the Bungle Bungles

Can you believe that the beehive-striped rock formations known as the Bungle Bungles were unknown to the outside world until 1983? An unmissable attraction within the Kimberley region, it’s believed to be at least 40,000 years old, and the First Peoples of Australia have inhabited the area throughout that time. To get the most of your time here, spend a full day exploring the gorges and valleys of the park, and catch a fiery sunset to end the day.

Experience it on the 10 day 4WD Darwin to Broome Overland trip.

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4. Splash around at the waterfalls in Litchfield National Park

The first things that come to mind when talking about the Top End are the many waterfalls and watering holes. And the best place to find them is at Litchfield National Park. Our favourites that you need to visit include Florence Falls surrounded by monsoon forest, the Bluey Rockhole filled with natural spas and whirlpools, or the largest of them all, Wangi Falls. In the sizzling temperatures up north, you’ll be grateful for a refreshing dip.

Experience it on the 4 day Kakadu Katherine & Litchfield Adventure.

5. Walk around the base of Uluru with First Nations Guide

To the Anangu people, Uluru is one of the most sacred sites. The best way to show your respect to the site is by walking with a First Nations guide for an interpretive cultural walk, and to learn about their stories. You’ll hear about the ancestors of the Anangu people, their culture, and discover how past elders lived on the land.

Experience it on the 3 day Uluru Camping Adventure.

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6. Spend time at Coober Pedy

Did you know there’s an underground town in the outback desert? Thanks to the scorching daytime temperatures, the entire town of Coober Pedy in South Australia live underground. Visit the underground network of cafes, houses, churches and spend the night in an underground bunkhouse for a unique and unusual twist on your standard hotel room. Better yet, as the town is also known as the Opal Capital of the World, you can even try your hand at ‘noodling’ for your very own opals. If this isn’t one of the best fair dinkum Aussie experiences out there, then we don’t know what is!

Experience it on the 7 day Adelaide to Alice Springs Overland trip.

7. Sip on world-class wines at Margaret River

If you like to surf, go to Margaret River. If you enjoy visiting craft breweries go to Margaret River. If top-notch restaurants are your thing, go to Margaret River. You get the idea. But the number one drawcard here in WA is the award-winning wineries dotted throughout the region. Producing some of Australia’s premium wines, it’s the cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay that the area is best known for.

Experience it on the 6 day Esperance & Southwest Adventure.

RELATED: HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT ESPERANCE AND THE SOUTHWEST LOOP? HERE’S WHY YOU NEED TO VISIT

8. Walk along the rim of Kings Canyon at sunrise

A 5 am wakeup call might not be the easiest way to start the day. But once you’re up and racing to the top of Kings Canyon to see the sun rise above the horizon, you’ll forget about your lack of shut-eye. With suitable hikes for most fitness levels, you can take your pick from the Canyon Rim Walk (8 kilometres), the South Wall Return Walk (5 kilometres), or the Kings Creek Walk (2 kilometres).

Experience it on the 3 day Uluru Adventure.

WANT MORE TIME IN THE OUTBACK? FIND YOUR PERFECT TOUR.

9. Go snorkelling at Ningaloo Reef

Our vote for the best experience along the west coast is to go snorkelling at Ningaloo. As you dive below the surface, you can expect to see colourful reefs (with over 250 species of coral), incredible wildlife, including gentle whale sharks, and crystal clear water. Strict protections and rules are in place to preserve the World Heritage-listed site and the wildlife, so make sure you listen to your local leader and respect the reef.

Experience it on the 10 day Perth to Broome Overland trip.

10. Drive along the Great Ocean Road

We’ve rattled off a list of pretty cool, awesome and exciting experiences but one that we can’t leave off the list is driving along the Great Ocean Road. While it might not sound so thrilling compared to the above list, there’s nothing better than travelling along the winding road with rainforests to one side and blue water to the other. Oh, and the remaining Apostles of the 12 Apostles are worth a look at too.

Experience it on the 17 day Melbourne to Darwin Overland trip.

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All photos by Adventure Tours.