Must-do experiences to put on your Australian bucket list

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From the red dust of Uluru to the azure waters of the Whitsundays, an Australian road trip offers one awesome bucket list experience after another. The best way to tick off your list is to book a campervan hire and create your dream travel itinerary. Travelling by camper lets you explore Australia at your own pace and with all your home comforts on board. Park up in a beautiful national park, on a peaceful beach, or in a lush rainforest. Wake up to a new and beautiful landscape every morning. Spend the day exploring then watch the sunset with a picnic dinner and a glass of wine. Sounds amazing? But wait… there’s more. Get ready to be inspired to plan the ultimate Australian bucket list road trip by looking at some of the must-do experiences in each state.

Oysters Family at the beach Salad

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Must-do experiences in the Northern Territory

Visit Uluru

One of the greatest natural wonders of the world, Uluru/Ayers Rock tops the list for many campervan travellers. Standing at 348 metres high, this mammoth sandstone rock is one of the world’s largest monoliths. For a truly special experience, plan your visit to see the sunset or sunrise. While you’re there, take a hike around this fascinating landmark to learn more about its stories and cultural significance. 

 

Dive with crocodiles

Attention adrenaline junkies, this one’s for you! Get up close and personal with some of the largest saltwater crocs in Australia, in The Cage of Death. This unforgettable experience is Australia’s only crocodile dive and the ultimate wildlife encounter. You’ll spend 15 minutes underwater with this modern-day dinosaur but don’t worry, it’s totally safe –  and very exhilarating.

 

Must do experiences in Queensland

Snorkelling in the Whitsundays

Turquoise waters, swirling white sands, and secluded beaches… sound good? Australia’s Whitsunday Islands are a tropical paradise. Comprising 74 individual islands, the Whitsundays is a mecca for snorkelling and diving. For campervan travellers, Airlie Beach – considered the gateway to the Whitsundays – is the ultimate experience. You don’t even need to book a boat or a tour, just step in off the beach and start exploring. There are plenty of great campsites and holiday parks here too, but it pays to book ahead.  

 

Diving in the Great Barrier Reef

One of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Great Barrier Reef is the world’s most extensive coral reef ecosystem. The reef extends for more than 2000 km along Queensland’s coastline. With some 2500 individual reefs of varying sizes and shapes, the Great Barrier Reef is a haven for divers of all levels. You can even see artworks in the Museum of Underwater Art at John Brewer Reef, just off the coast of Townsville.

 

Must-do experiences in Western Australia

Ride camels in the Kimberley

Picture this… the sun is slowly setting over gorgeous Cable Beach. You’re taking in the magical view from atop a friendly, docile camel as it peacefully strolls along the sands, the waves gently rolling in nearby. Bucket list much? A camel ride along the beach is one of Western Australia’s most iconic experiences and one that is definitely worth adding to your travel itinerary.  

 

Swim with whale sharks in Ningaloo Reef

The whale shark is the biggest fish in the sea. These gentle creatures can reach sizes of up to 12 metres – possibly more! And if there is one spot that whale sharks love to visit, it’s Ningaloo Reef. Sitting right on the coast, the reef is UNESCO World Heritage-listed, and it’s a great place to swim with these magnificent creatures. For the best experience, book yourself into a Ningaloo Whale Shark Swim. Marvel at the size, grace and beauty of the biggest fish in the world as you swim alongside it in the pristine waters of the Ningaloo Marine Park.  

 

Image: Tourism Western Australia

Must-do experiences in South Australia

Tour Seal Bay on Kangaroo Island

Known as nature’s playground, Kangaroo Island is one of South Australia’s unmissable gems. This rugged, beautiful island is a wildlife sanctuary for many of Australia’s precious animals, birds, and plant life. One of the must-do experiences on the island is a tour of Seal Bay. Walk along the 900-metre (return) boardwalk to the viewing platforms to see these endangered and fascinating creatures in their natural habitat. 

To get to Kangaroo Island, you’ll need to take the SeaLink ferry. Book your trip online, then simply head to the ferry terminal and drive your motorhome on board. The ferry journey itself takes about 45 minutes. Make the most of everything on offer and stay the night on Kangaroo Island. There are plenty of great campgrounds and holiday parks to choose from. 

 

Visit the Dark Sky Reserve

If you’ve always wanted to see the sky at its sparkling best, here’s your opportunity. Covering more than 3200 square kilometres, the River Murray International Dark Sky Reserve offers up some of the darkest skies on the planet. You don’t even need a telescope – just look up to see the Milky Way in all its dazzling glory. If you’re keen to learn more about the night sky and see the view through a telescope, join one of the many great tours that operate in the area. 

 

Image: Tourism South Australia

Must do experiences in New South Wales

Tour Sydney Opera House

There is probably no better-known Australian icon than the Sydney Opera House. Opened in 1973, the Opera House is Australia’s busiest performing arts centre. More than 10 million visitors per year visit the venue to experience a range of Broadway shows, gigs, contemporary concerts, symphony orchestras and more. The Sydney Opera House is also home to a range of great eateries including fine dining restaurant Bennelong. One of the best ways to fully experience the Opera House and learn more about its fascinating history is with a guided tour. Choose from a Backstage Tour, Architectural Tour, Junior Adventure Tour and more.  

 

See the Jenolan caves in the Blue Mountains

The oldest and largest caves in Australia, the Jenolan Caves are located in the heart of the Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve. These otherworldly caves follow a network of tunnels and caverns that run alongside a subterranean section of the Jenolan River. As you enter this ancient world, you’ll see towering stalagmites and columns along with marine fossils that are millions of years old. 

 

Image: Tourism Australia

Must do experiences in Victoria

Drive the Great Ocean Road

This scenic coastal road makes for one of Australia’s most beautiful and memorable road trips. Spanning 664 km, the Great Ocean Road stretches between Torquay and Warrnambool, approximately 9.5 hours to complete end-to-end. But, of course, we suggest taking your time and visiting some of the great Australian attractions along the way. One such stop is Great Otway National Park.  Enjoy views of magnificent waterfalls, surf one of the many beaches, or just explore the great outdoors and the wonders of this incredible park.

 

Check out the Twelve Apostles

As part of your Great Ocean Road journey, tick off another item on your bucket list with a stop at the 12 Apostles. Formed millions of years ago, the 12 Apostles are rock formations that stand along the shore of Port Campbell. Although there are only eight left standing, they’re still an incredible sight to behold and one that thousands of tourists add to their road trip itinerary each year. One of the best times to visit is at sunset when the light creates some magical photo opportunities. You may also see little penguins waddling ashore as they head to their burrows for the night.  

 

Image: Tourism Australia

Must do experiences in Tasmania

See the Tasmanian Devils

Australia is home to some of the world’s most fascinating creatures, and perhaps none more so than the Tasmanian Devil. These notoriously feisty little mammals are the largest carnivorous marsupials in the world. Tasmania is the only place in the world where they can be found in the wild. The best place to see and learn about them is at the Tasmania Devil Unzoo. This unique wildlife experience is home to many of Tasmania’s special animals. Unlike other zoos, the animals here are not held captive, but are wild. 

 

Wineglass Bay

Described as one of the top 10 beaches in the world, Wineglass Bay is an unmissable destination and a bucket list must-do. This beautiful bay sits in the Freycinet Peninsula, an outcrop of wild, pristine coastland on Tasmania’s east coast. Keep an eye out for some of the 80 species of orchids, not to mention wombats, quolls, and beautiful birds. Take in the sublime views of white sandy beaches and turquoise waters. You may even spot dolphins playing in the water.

 

Tick these spots off your Australia bucket list with maui

There you have our recommendations for the top must-do bucket list experiences in Australia. But of course, our list is just a small sample of the beauty, adventure, and fun to be had in this incredible country. The ultimate way to make the most of all the awesomeness on offer in Aussie is to book a maui campervan hire and hit the road. 

At maui, we have a wide range of motorhomes and campervans available for hire that are perfect for your next Australian road trip. Pick up your prebooked campervan from any one of our 10 nationwide branches and get ready to tick off your bucket list.