When I first started traveling, I did it to experience differences. Create memories of a lifetime I could never experience in my hometown. This is something that the land down under offers in spades. Let’s just say Australia has a lot of things that are worth going halfway around the world to see. In this article, we are going to take a look at just a few of the truly unusual yet incredible experiences you can have only in Australia, and nowhere else, including things you might never think you could do there.
1. Visit the Largest Fish Market in the World
If you like your seafood, then you absolutely have to think about visiting Sydney’s Fish Market, the largest of its kind in the world. No matter what kind of seafood you are keen on buying, you can be sure of finding it there, and yet you will also be pleased by the amazingly low prices. Be warned, however: this is likely to always be an incredibly busy place to walk around, so make sure you are prepared when you do so and that you follow the basic rules of thumb for a visiting tourist to any busy place. Do that, and you can have a great time sampling some of the world’s finest seafood, all under one roof by the beautiful Sydney harbor.
2. Visit the Largest Island Entirely Made of Sand
There’s no place on Earth that’s better for sleeping under the stars than the beautiful Fraser Island. This stunning island offers plenty in the way of camping, ranging from the luxurious Rainbow Beach camping to something more rough and ready. Whether you decide to go off the beaten track or follow the ones created by nature, Fraser Island is an example of East Coast Australia at its best. Finally, the best part about an island entirely made of sand is that no day is the same and every next visit will be different.
4. Visit Kangaroo Island
Located just off the coast of Adelaide, Kangaroo Island is the perfect place to see kangaroos in their natural habitat. Australia’s third-largest island is known as the country’s largest nature playground. This pristine wilderness offers protection to an array of native Australian animals. However, rare animals aren’t the only extraordinary thing you’ll see here. Kangaroo Island also has wetlands, dense bushland, soaring cliffs, towering sand dunes, and an endless stretch of bone-white beaches. It’s here that you’ll learn that the further you float away from the mainland, the less every-day problems seem to matter.
5. Dive in the Great Barrier Reef
Words do little justice to one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Visible even from the Moon, the Great Barrier Reef is one of those places in Australia you simply can’t leave the country without seeing, especially considering that it won’t last much longer according to most experts. Take a dive in the Big Blue and explore some of the 1,500 species of fish and 400 types of coral.
Are you planning to see Australia and want to see as much as possible? Check out the Big Walkabout that takes you from coast to coast without breaking the bank.
6. Drive the Great Ocean Road
The Great Ocean Road is one of the world’s most iconic scenic drives. It’s actually something more than that. It’s an experience of a lifetime. Feast on 243 km of spectacular views of the 12 Apostles towering over pristine rainforests filled with misty waterfalls and spectacular wildlife. And if you’re more adventurous, go for the Great Ocean World, an eight-day walk from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles.
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Liking this article? Check out my post about traveling Australia on a budget.
7. Sail the Whitsundays
The Whitsundays is a collection of 74 pristine bays between the Queensland Coast and the Great Barrier Reef. Most of these islands are uninhabited and characterized by dense forests, hiking trails, and sandy beaches. Take a trip to some of these untouched islands and you’ll surely come back with a camera full of unforgettable views and memories of a lifetime.
8. Watch the Sunset over Uluru
This red-stone rock is the second-largest monolith rock in the world and certainly one of the oldest ones too. Uluru is more than 500 million years old! It’s always a great experience to see this wonder of nature but watching its colors change on it as the sun sets is unforgettable. If this is not impressive enough, this rock also has huge historic importance. It is considered to be a sacred site of the Aboriginals and Aboriginal paintings and engravings surround Uluru.
9. See the World’s Oldest Identifiable Fossils
Dating back to over three and a half million years ago the Stromatolites are the world’s oldest identifiable fossils. They can only be found in hypersaline lakes and marine lagoons with extremely high saline levels that prevent animal grazing. The Hamelin Pool Marine Nature Reserve in Western Australia happens to be one of the only three places on Earth to satisfy this condition.
10. Cage Dive with Great White Sharks
If you’re looking for a thrilling adventure, it can’t get more thrilling than swimming with one of the world’s most dangerous predators. Cage diving with great white sharks is an epic adventure you can only experience at Port Lincoln in the south of Australia. The experience includes a full day out in the sea while the only thing separating you from that set of sharp jaws is the thick metal cage. It’s worth noting that this activity has a 100% non-fatality rate.
11. Visit Arnhem Land
When we talk about experiences you can have only in Australia, it really can’t get more authentic than this. Arnhem Land is the land of the oldest living culture in the world dating back to 50,000+ years. Even today, a small population of Aboriginal Australians continues to live off the land in these remote 90,000 square kilometers of Tropical wilderness. Unfortunately (or not) access to Arnhem Land is restricted and only a handful of tour operators are allowed to bring visitors.
12. Experience the Aurora Australis
Not as nearly popular as their northern counterparts, the Southern Lights or Aurora Australis are just as elusive and even more impressive. Many people don’t know but Australia also gets a glimpse of this divine natural phenomenon once in a while. You can see the Southern Lights dancing across the sky in Tasmania around September and there are a lot of apps out there that can help you track them.
If you want to catch this magical display for yourself, the best way is to explore Tasmania’s darker, remote areas where light pollution is minimal. With car rental, a campervan rental in Tasmania, 4WD vehicle, or even booking a guided night tour, you can chase the Aurora Australis at your own pace, stop at scenic viewpoints, and fully immerse yourself in the breathtaking spectacle. If you’re traveling in Australia during this time, the Aurora Australis is something you definitely wouldn’t want to miss.
13. Visit an Isolated Underground Town
Coober Pedy is a mining town that was built around 100 years ago when a gemstone was discovered in the middle of nowhere. The small town is hundreds of miles away from civilization and the only way to survive for its 2,000 residents is to go underground. This definitely makes Coober Pedy one of the most isolated cities in the world.
14. See the Only Evidence of a Dinosaur Stampede
Something really scary must have happened to cause more than 3,000 dinosaurs to create a stampede. The only evidence of this unprecedented phenomenon is to be found at the Lark Quarry Dinosaur Tracks located around 90 miles southwest of Winton.
Helpful resources for traveling to Australia
Looking for a cheap flight? Use this Qatar Airways’ special offer and get 10% off on all bookings.
Need a cheap stay? Use this Booking discount code and save 15% off on all accommodation bookings. And if you need something more luxurious but yet budget-friendly, use this link to get the best Choice Hotels deals in Australia.
To save money on buses, ferries, vans, and trains in Australia, get 5% off when booking with 12goasia and for more info check out our 12 go Asia review.
If renting a car, use this AutoEurope coupon and save 15% on all car rentals in Australia.
Also, don’t forget to get travel insurance. From my experience, the best choice when it comes to traveling to Australia is SafetyWing.
Finally, don’t forget to check the visa requirements. If you need to obtain an entry visa, you can apply for and get an Australian visa hassle-free and in no time with Ivisa.
If you liked this article, also check my post about things you can only do in Spain. And if you’re looking for some more unique experiences in Australia, check out this list of tours that allow you to experience more of the Land Down Under on a budget.
Have you ever been to Australia? Did you experience some of the things? Do you have some more ideas of things you can do only in Australia? Let me know in the comments!
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What a great list. I unfortunately only got to do one of these experiences while I was working in Melbourne, Aus for a year. But it’s a good excuse to go back!
Definitely, Kristen. There’s always next time 🙂
This is great! My family goes to Australia quite often to visit friends and relatives and this post has definitely given me some ideas for our next trip! Thanks for sharing!
I’m glad you could get some cool suggestions here, Sheena. Thank you for commenting.
I’d be so down for all of these! But also, that underground town? Like what?! I’m definitely going there when I finally make it to Australia.
Yup, that was the most shocking one for me too. It’s in the middle of nowhere but definitely worth it 😀
oh wow! I’m not even sure which one I would want to start with! They all look so good.
I know, right? 🙂
I stayed three years but I never knew that there were so much things like this to do! I been to 4 only. I really hope to go back one day and definitely do all these!
Australia has so much to offer that even this list doesn’t cover everything but hey, there’s always next time 🙂
Wow i had no idea there was an aurora australis! Would love to visit all of these places, I’ll have to get saving!
I didn’t know this until my first visit either. I just happen to be at the right place in the right time 🙂
It is a dream to go to Australia! So many interesting things to do! I would love to check all of them, especially to dive and see the amazing nature! Thank you for the inspiration! I am saving this post for the time when I go there! ?
Thank you for your comment, Monica. I hope you get to visit soon and experience all of these and many more 🙂
The landscape in Australia are amazing and the coastline seems to offer incredible views! Great photos
Definitely, Katerina. Thank you for your commment 🙂
I’m planning a trip to Australia next year and saving this post! Will definitely experience all that you have mentioned!
I’m glad you found this helpful, Chandni. I hope you get to experience all of these 🙂
I would love to do a road trip in Australia! It looks absolutely gorgeous. Would love to Sail the Whitsundays and dive in the Great Barrier Reef in particular!
It’s an amazing experience, Celine!
You’ve mentioned so many awesome experiences that I want to see in Australia! I really want to sail the Whitsundays and see the Great Barrier Reef, the photos are amazing. Hopefully I get to visit soon!
Thank you, Lisa. I hope you get to visit soon and start ticking some of these off the bucket list 🙂
Great list! I know Australia has an endless to do list but this is a great start. Planning to do Australia early next year so I’m hoping to tick at least one of these off my list!
Definitely, Timo. I hope you get to tick some items off the bucket list 🙂
Out of everything you listed, I never knew about Aurora Australis. I it really fascinating. Ofcourse the wildlife of Australia is something that I will really like to see and click.
Actually I didn’t either until I visited lol 🙂 I just had the luck to be there when it happened
We have been to Australia back in 2007, but didn’t do a lot of these things on the list. Great post and pictures! Thank you so much for sharing, I guess we will be heading back DOWNUNDER!! 🙂
Thanks for the comment, Kylee. Surely, you’ll cover some more of these during your next visit:)
Great article! We spent a few weeks in Australia earlier this year and we got through four of your list of 14 (Fraser Island, Whitsundays, diving on GBR, and the Great Ocean Road). Unique experiences like this are what makes travelling so special. We’ll be back to Oz again for sure to tick a few more off this list 🙂
That’s a great start, Alex 😀
I never would have expected Australia to have the largest fish market. And, the Aurora lights? I thought I had to go North for those! This is so insightful… thanks for giving me a desire to get to Australia!
Thank you for your comment, Valerie! I’m really glad to hear that
Australia is an amazing country! I’ve been there twice and always loved it. But next time I definitely want to visit the Whitesundays and the Great Ocean Road!!
Indeed it is, Verena. Also, the Great Ocean Road and the Whitsundays are amazing
I had never heard of a massage in the salt caves, that is interesting and I really would like to try it out. Thanks for sharing this wonderful list, this would be by checklist for Australia.
It’s a very interesting experience, Purvi. I encourage you to try it 🙂
What a great list! Wish I had seen this before I went to Australia. I would have loved the massage in a salt cave, not sure I’d be brave enough to dive with white sharks though!
Thank you for your comment, Sarah. I’m really glad you liked it. Indeed, diving with sharks is a hell of an adventure!
Wow! What a lot of fun things to do Down Under. I had no idea that Australia had the world’s oldest fossils or the only evidence of a dinosaur stampede. My kids would enjoy visiting both of those spots. And of course, they would love a trip to kangaroo island. I would enjoy seeing Fraser Island and the Great Ocean Road. And we would love having a massage anywhere, but especially in a salt cave.
Indeed it does, Lance. Also, I’m pretty sure I’m missing a few things on this list as the Land down under always has something new in store for enthusiastic explorers 🙂
What an incredible list of experiences. I didn’t even know about half of these. Diving the great barrier reef is still on my bucket list; I will do it someday 🙂
Thank you for your comment, I’m glad to hear you liked the article 🙂
Wow , Australia is a beautiful country. So many amazing things to do there. I can definitely see myself having a salt massage and hanging out on that beautiful sand island.
Great list and the photos look absolutely magnificent. Some of my friends stay in Melbourne and when I come around I’ll surely look forward to experience some of these that you have mentioned, especially Coober Pedy, the salt caves and Uluru. Bookmarking this 🙂
Thank you for the comment, guys! I’m glad you could get some travel inspiration from this post 🙂
Wow, I never knew you could see an aurora from Australia! I’ll definitely have to make an effort to see it when I go back. I loved Fraser Island and The Whitsundays – absolutely beautiful places. Great list!
Thanks, Lauren. I’m really glad to hear you liked it
Wow, what a great and informative list, as some of the places I never knew off. I have gone through scenic Great Ocean Road drive but rest are in my bucket list. I would love to explore that underground hidden town, watch for Southern Lights and splendid sunsets over Uluru. Really Australia has so many wonders which is yet to be discovered.
Thank you, Yukti. I’m really glad you liked the article. Australia is indeed an amazing place to visit for enthusiastic explorers 🙂
I always thought of seeing Kangaroos and Koalas in Australia as they’re top most common. Never knew there’s more! How about that
Isolated Underground Town or Largest Island Entirely Made of Sand! That was wonderful! And of course, how would not anyone know about Australia’s stunning beaches and islands?
Australia definitely has much more to offer than kangaroos and koalas, even though these activities are amazing too.
I absolutely loved this post, Daniel! This a comprehensive and helpful list.
I love a good challenge and as a cruise planner/experience maker, your Australian bucket list certainly was one. With the exception of Arnhem Land and the Hamelin Pool Marine Nature Reserve, anyone on a cruisetour vacation of Australia and easily include any of the off-the-beaten track destination you mentioned, even those in the outback. There are cruises to Port Arthur, Tasmania, but not in September which, as you mentioned, is the optimal time to glimpse the Southern Lights or Aurora Australis.
Depending upon the cruise line, some destination, such as Whitsunday Island, Kangaroo Island, Fraser Island are already included in the itinerary, others, such as the Great Ocean Road, can be arranged as a cruise shore excursion through local operators who work with cruise lines on a regular basis. Then others, such as a visit to the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, an UNESCO World Heritage, and Coober Pedy would require either a pre- or post-cruise extension in Adelaide or Sydney, both of which are cruise ship ports of departure where you can begin and/or end your cruisetour vacation. From there you can either fly from Adelaide to Coober Pedy or from Sydney to Uluru, then rent a car and explore on your own. I would recommend one of popular The Ghan Holiday Packages between Adelaide and Darwin (also a port of departure) offered through the Great Southern Rail. Regarded as one of the world’s greatest rail journeys, The Ghan delivers so much more than an extended train ride.
Daniel, I’ve already pinned this post to share with my clients considering a Australia cruisetour vacation. I’ll also share it in my Facebook group. Thanks for making my job easier! Best wishes and happy travels!
Thank you for your comment, Dallas and for providing additional useful tips for our readers. I’m glad you could get some useful suggestions from my article. Thanks for the pin and for sharing the article too. Have a great week ahead 🙂
Wow that’s an amazing bucketlist experience.Makes me want to go to Australia like right now.I’ll definitely subscribe to your blog to hear more from you.Thanks for sharing! Loved reading it???
Thank you so much for your nice words. I’m really glad to hear that 🙂
Oh my, I don’t know that there was an aurora australis! I would love to see al these places 🙂
OMG I didn’t know a lot of things. I am completely amazed. I am hooked to this list of things in Australia. The Fraser Island and the Uluru are on my list for many years. The underground town is so fascinating. Thank you for sharing it. I am saving it for my visit. Excellent post.
Thank you for your comment, Parnashree. I’m glad you could learn some new things and get some cool suggestions for your trip 🙂
Wow I found this post really interesting! Some of the things here you mentioned I have never even heard before and your photo’s are amazing. I would love to drive the Great Ocean Road, I love photography too so I can just imagine the incredible photo’s you can take. Never been to Aus but would love to.
Thank you for your kind words, Lisa, I really appreciate it 🙂
I’m dying to visit Australia and you’re post makes me want to go as soon as possible! Thank you for sharing these suggestions.
I’m glad to hear that! Thank you for commenting
I so agree that all these experiences cannot be achieved anywhere else but Australia. Would love to witness the Aurora Auralis someday. Also, watching the sunset over Uluru, visiting the greatest island of sand, and the land of fossils – all are in my list when I visit Australia. Thanks for the share.
Indeed, Shreya! I hope you make it to Australia soon and experience some of these things in person 🙂
awesome site indeed.
thank you
I am a Territorian Australian, living in Darwin. Love reading these types of posts. I do get ideas for my own trips. Less and less ideas as I have done more and more. After 35 years of exploring my own backyard as an adult the places not yet visited are all on lists and in planned trips. Australia offers so much to do and see it will never be ALL done. Lovely to read comments visitors that have been or are planning to visit my magnificent country.
Thank you, Suzanne, comments like this always mean a lot to me. Cudos to you for the amount of exploring you’ve done in your own country and I wish you a lot more exciting adventures in the future