Choose from 889 Fun Things to Do in Australia And The Pacific
Arahoho Blowhole (Trou de Souffleur de Arahoho)
- There is a designated viewing area with a barrier preventing visitors from getting too close to the blowhole, but it’s still possible to get wet when the blowhole is at its most powerful.
- Visitor facilities at the blowhole include parking, a gift shop, and restrooms.
- The viewing area for the Arahoho Blowhole is wheelchair accessible.
Cooloola Recreation Area
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Constitution Dock
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Como Historic House and Garden
Established in 1847 by Edward Eyre Williams, Como House is a well-preserved example of aristocratic style, with fireplaces and chandeliers, gilded mirror frames and rich embroidery. Folktale suggests the house was named in memory of Italy’s Lake Como, where Edward is believed to have proposed to his wife, Jessie Gibbon. Over the years, the house survived the Great Depression and family financial ruin, before being passed through to the Armytage family to endure wartime and 95 years of family dynasty. In 1959, Como House and Garden entered the protection of the National Trust.
Although the House only admits visitors booked in groups of 15 people of more, guided tours are free and allow access to the picturesque gardens after viewing the house.
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Como Historic House and Garden is on the corner of Lechlade Avenue and Williams Road in South Yarra. Get there by walking 15 minutes or taking a tram along Toorak Road from South Yarra Train Station.
On a fine day, visitors may wish to take a picnic and wander a few minutes down the road to Como Recreational Park, or visit the specialty shops, cafes and restaurants in nearby Toorak Village.
Cook's Bay (Baie de Cook)
From Cook's Bay you can begin driving to Belvedere Lookout, a scenic viewpoint awarding aerial views of Opunohu Valley, Cook's Bay and Opunohu Bay.
Commonwealth Park
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Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary
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Coolangatta
- Coolangatta is a good option for families with kids, as the beaches here are more sheltered than other options along the Gold Coast.
- Temperatures in the summer can reach over 80°F (27°C), so don’t forget to pack a hat and sunscreen.
- Swim only in designated areas and when lifeguards are present, as there may be a strong undertow. Red and yellow flags indicate the beach is patrolled.
Arataki Visitor Center
Located 30 minutes west of downtown Auckland, the Arataki Visitor Center is the official gateway to the surrounding Waitakere Ranges. Not only does this informative stop offer views looking east towards Auckland, but there are numerous bushwalks which depart from the center and explore the surrounding forest. Stare in wonder at towering kauri trees which explode from Earth towards sky, and soak in the simplicity of getting back to nature despite being so close to Auckland.
Inside the center itself, visitors can peruse the informative placards to learn about the region’s history, and various displays also discuss the park’s unique flora and fauna. This is also the stop to get the latest trail info as well as inquire about backcountry camping. From here, it’s only a short drive to the wonders of the park from waterfalls and trails to the fog-lined coast.
The center itself is set conveniently on the side of aptly-named Scenic Drive, and the Arataki Visitor Center is a must-stop destination for anyone exploring Waitakere.
Cooks' Cottage
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Boranup Karri Forest
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Botany Bay
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Coral Gardens
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Anzac Hill
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Coogee Beach
Anzac Square
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Cooktown
The relaxed coastal town of Cooktown is a popular excursion from Port Douglas.
Captain Cook beached his ship the Endeavour here, hence the name. These days daytrippers come here to visit the intriguing James Cook Historical Museum, to pay their respects to his statue overlooking Bicentennial Park, and order up a seafood platter at a local restaurant.
Cooktown has some impressive buildings for an outback coastal town, thanks to the 1870s to 1890s gold rush at the nearby Palmer goldfields. The town’s impressive botanic gardens date from this period.
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Cooktown is one of the most northerly settlements on Australia’s far north coast, before the wilds of Cape York Peninsula take over. Port Douglas is 267 km (166 miles) south of Cooktown.
A tour to Cooktown from Port Douglas can combine the scenic coastal route, traveling through the Daintree to Cape Tribulation along the Bloomfield Track, and the inland Mulligan Highway for iconic outback landscapes.
Aquarium of Western Australia (AQWA)
The outstanding Aquarium of Western Australia surrounds you with all the fishy creatures of the Southern Ocean. Innovative underwater tunnels and walkways get you up-close and personal with the turtles, fish, sharks and rays swimming overhead.
Other attractions include playful seals and reefs of coral, wiggly jellyfish and graceful sea dragons.
If you dare, you can scuba dive with sharks in the Shipwreck Coast feature aquarium.
Practical Info
AQWA is in Hillarys Boat Harbour, a 20 minute drive north from Perth via the Mitchell Freeway.
To get here by public transport, catch a Joondalup train from central Perth. Get off at Warwick station, then catch a local bus to AQWA.
Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu)
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Convict Trail
From Richmond to Eaglehawk Neck and Port Arthur, take the Convict Trail from Hobart to get a real feel for Tasmania’s history and natural beauty. To get the most out of your visit, take a leisurely approach and spread your tour over a couple of days.
Take a cruise on the water lapping the Tasman National Park, then allow at least a couple of hours to take in the history of the Port Arthur penal settlement. Detour to visit a wildlife park, for a face-to-face encounter with a Tasmanian devil.
Then visit Richmond, an intact Georgian town of lovely houses, restaurants and its famous convict-built bridge over the Coal River. The tiny Richmond Jail pre-dates Port Arthur, with its well-preserved cells and flogging yards.
Along the way, drop into produce stalls and vineyards, antique shops, tearooms and yet more wildlife parks.
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Tasmania’s Convict Trail leads from Hobart south to Port Arthur, and north to Richmond and the Midlands towns of Richmond, Ross, Longford and Campbell.