Choose from 889 Fun Things to Do in Australia And The Pacific
Cairns Lagoon
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Auckland Zoo
- There are places to buy snacks, ice cream, and coffee, but it’s recommended to take a picnic to enjoy in the zoo.
- The zoo is large and requires quite a lot of walking. There are well-defined and paved paths for wheelchair and stroller access.
- The zoo offers a number of special activities, such as night tours, behind-the-scenes tours, birthday parties, and photography workshops. These should be booked in advance.
Australian Butterfly Sanctuary
Interested travelers can follow free 30-minute tours that include up-close looks at the caterpillar breeding nursery. Here, you can see newly born butterflies before they’re released into the aviary and learn about the stages of development that lead to the birth of these fanciful creatures.
The sanctuary’s laboratory is another popular stop that showcases efforts to keep the aviary well stocked. While just two percent of eggs survive in the wild, more than 80 percent mature here thanks to lab experts. Catch a peek at the hard-working scientists who keep this facility thriving.
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Auckland Fish Market
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Auckland Museum and Institute (War Memorial Museum)
- In addition to general admission tickets, it’s possible to buy a ticket that includes a Maori cultural performance.
- While international visitors must pay admission to the museum, Auckland residents get free entry and other New Zealand residents can enter by donation.
- The museum is in Auckland Domain, a large attractive park. If the weather’s good, take a walk in the Domain while visiting the museum.
- The museum houses both permanent and temporary exhibits, so there’s always something new to see.
- There are a couple of cafes inside the museum.
Australian Reptile Park
- Daily shows include spider venom milking, turtle feedings, and park tours.
- Visitors are strongly encouraged to wash their hands after feeding kangaroos.
- Visitors must wear hats and long sleeves when feeding birds. It’s recommended pregnant women avoid this activity.
Australian Museum
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Australian Aviation Heritage Centre
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Australian National Maritime Museum
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Australian Institute of Sport
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Auckland Harbour Bridge
- Tours to the bridge tend to fill up quickly in the peak season (summer), so book ahead.
- To see the bridge from the water, catch a North Shore-bound ferry from downtown Auckland.
- The bridge is quite exposed to the elements, so take plenty of layers and sunscreen if climbing the bridge.
Australian War Memorial
- Entrance to the memorial and museum is free, and regular 30-, 60-, and 90-minute tours are offered throughout the day.
- Visitors must undergo security checks, and oversized bags, backpacks, and large items must be left at the cloakroom (free of charge).
- There are two cafés on-site—Poppy’s Café in the memorial grounds and The Landing Place in Anzac Hall.
- The memorial is fully wheelchair accessible.
Australian Parliament House
Canberra has two parliament houses: the Art Deco 1920s Old Parliament House and Canberra’s focal point, the new 1980s Parliament House.
Dug into the surrounding green flank of Capital Hill, the grassed roof and triangular metal flagpole of Parliament House are a national symbol.
The building’s central foyer is flanked by the House of Representatives on the east and the Senate on the west. Inside, native timbers, marble, mosaics, tapestries and embroidery feature in the spacious and lofty interior.
Take a guided tour, and if Parliament is sitting you can watch the proceedings from the public gallery.
If you have time, visit the imaginatively curated Old Parliament House adjacent. Clattering typewriters, ringing phones and overflowing in-trays re-create the drama and atmosphere of Canberra’s political life in decades gone by.
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Crowning Capital Hill, Parliament House is set on a grand axis with Old Parliament House directly in front of it, and the Australian War Memorial, away over Lake Burley Griffin.
Cairns Botanical Gardens
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Australia Zoo
- Lines can be long, especially in peak season, so it’s best to buy tickets in advance.
- On-site facilities include paid storage lockers, water fountains, ATMs, picnic areas, and a selection of restaurants, cafés, and gift shops.
- Most of the zoo’s exhibitions are outdoors and you will likely do a lot of walking, so wear comfortable shoes and clothing, and bring sunscreen, a hat, and a refillable water bottle.
- The Australia Zoo is fully wheelchair accessible; wheelchair rentals are also available.
Cairns Night Markets and Food Court
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Auckland Domain
Located just east of the city center, Auckland Domain has a network of walking trails which weave their way through the forest. Unlike the pace of nearby downtown, peaceful moments abound in the park such as watching ducks land on the pond or relaxing on a bench in the shade. In the spring, cherry groves pepper the forest with a pink and vibrant hue, and during most times of the year you can find teams playing rugby on any of the large open fields.
For all of the open space, however, the largest draw of Auckland Domain is the building atop the hill. Constructed in 1929, the Auckland War Memorial and Museum is a three-story, neo-classical building with displays on everything from the nation’s war history to exhibits on Maori culture. While the museum itself is free of charge (though donations are often suggested), there is an extra fee to watch a performance such as a traditional Maori haka.
While visitors scour inside of the museum and pore over cultural artifacts, you’ll find people outside of the museum enjoying the expansive lawn. Or, further down the hill, wander the greenhouses of the famous Wintergardens for a sea of flowers and color.
Much of the park’s attraction, however, is simply enjoying the open space, and whether it’s eating a picnic while gazing at the skyline or going out for a jog, Auckland Domain is where city residents come to escape to nature.
Auckland Cruise Port
How to Get to Auckland
Your cruise ship will dock at Princes Wharf, which is in the center of downtown Auckland. As soon as you step off the ship, you'll be surrounded by shops and cafes and the city's main shopping district is just a 10-minute walk away.
One Day in Auckland
Start your day by visiting the observation deck at Auckland's Sky Tower, which reaches over 1,000 feet into the sky. Enjoy 360 degree panoramic views of the surrounding area and step onto one of the glass floor panels for a view down to street level. If you're feeling adventurous, you can bungee jump off the Sky Deck, dropping more than 600 feet.
After you catch your breath, head to the Auckland Museum, which features interesting exhibits about local history and geography and New Zealand's original inhabitants, the Maori people. The Auckland War Memorial Museum, the National Maritime Museum and the Museum for Transport and Technology are also worth a visit for those hoping to learn more about New Zealand.
If you want to experience some of the local charm of Auckland, spend some time exploring the elegant Parnell neighborhood with its arty boutiques, lively cafes and the Parnell Rose Gardens. Or, visit the funky, quirky Ponsonby neighborhood, featuring a mix of historic villa, trendy nightclubs and designer boutiques. You might also head further afield to the small, 19th century village of Devonport located across the bay from Auckland.
For a more active day in Auckland, try walking to the top of volcanic Mt Eden, hiking through the lava fields on Rangitoto Island or taking the ferry to Waiheke Island, where you can enjoy beaches, water sports or even wine tasting.
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Cairns Cruise Port
One of Australia’s busiest cruise ports, Cairns may be best known for its close access to the Daintree tropical rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. Once the site of mangrove swamps and sand ridges, the city today is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Australia, offering a plethora of water and adventure activities.
How to Get to Cairns
The brand new cruise terminal at Trinity Wharf is located in the heart of the city, so you won’t have far to go to reach the center of Cairns. Larger cruise ships may have to anchor in the harbor, in which case tenders will carry you from the ship to the port.
One Day in Cairns
If you’re like many visitors with just a day to spend in Cairns, chances are you’ll choose to forgo the city itself and instead book an excursion to the Great Barrier Reef. Over 1,600 miles long and composed of nearly 3,000 individual reefs, the Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system. Swimming, snorkeling, diving or riding on a glass bottom boat are all possibilities to explore the incredible biodiversity of what has been called one of the seven great natural wonders of the world.
For those who choose not to visit the Reef, taking the Skyline Rainforest Cableway to the town of Kuranda is another great way to spend a day. In Kuranda, you’ll find a variety of arts and craft shops, as well as the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary. After taking a cable car to Kuranda, you can return to Cairns by bus.
Back in the city, head to the Cairns Esplanade to stroll along the Harbour Walk, explore the handicrafts market and enjoy live entertainment and public art displays. Art aficionados may also want to pay a visit to the Cairns Regional Art Gallery, featuring fine art from a variety of Australian artists, including Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders.
Another option for those who want to see more of the tropical rainforest would be to take a day-long guided tour to the Daintree Rainforest, about two hours north of Cairns.
Port Information
The official language is English and the local currency is the Australian dollar. ATMs are widely available and are the best way to obtain local currency. Most shops and restaurants will also accept credit cards.
Auckland Sky Tower
- Standard Sky Tower admission includes access to the Sky Lounge and the viewing platform.
- Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the Sky Tower.
- The tower is fully wheelchair accessible.