
Australia’s Top 25 Bucket List Experiences for 2025 For the Ultimate Holiday Down Under
It’s time to start making travel plans for 2025, and for your source of inspiration, Tourism Australia recommends these top 25 must-dos to put on your bucket list. Whether you’re looking for big events, mouth-watering foodie experiences, ultra-luxe couples’ getaways or adventures with wildlife, below is a compilation of the best on offer, recommended by Australia’s own travel experts.
Bookmark these experiences and keep a look out for irresistible travel deals to Australia to come in 2025!
Five events to plan your trip around
1. Vivid Sydney, Sydney– The annual celebration of art, technology, and creativity in Sydney, Vivid Sydney will take place from 23 May to 14 June in 2025. With a range of innovative pieces and creations from artists, musicians, and even chefs, Vivid Sydney is where you can catch live performances, Instagram-worthy installations, and thought-provoking experiences over 23 days in various locations across the city.
2. Australian Open , Melbourne– Only the most exciting tennis tournament in the Oceanic region, true tennis fans must make the pilgrimage to the yearly Melbourne Park event, which kickstarts the four Grand Slams each year. It’s not too late to score your tickets before the matches commence on 12 January!
3. Men’s Ashes, Perth– Here’s one for the cricket fans. For the first time in 43 years, Perth will host the Ashes opener at the Perth Stadium from 21 to 25 November, a delayed Test for the city which was supposed to host the fifth Test of Summer 2020-2021. Australia has won the past eight Ashes Tests out of Perth, so this First Test will definitely be one to watch!
4. TCS Sydney Marathon, Sydney– One of the world’s most iconic marathon courses that traverses famous sites like the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Sydney Marathon was recently named the 7th member of the prestigious Abbott World Marathon Majors. Come 31 August, whether you’re running, walking, or sprinting to break your best records, bring your mates to cross the finish line at the Sydney Opera House.
5. Dark Mofo, Tasmania – Australia’s most iconic midwinter festival makes its full return in 2025. Taking place from 5 to 15 June with a solstice swim on 21 June, Dark Mofo – organised by the Museum of Old and New Art in Hobart – promises incredible cultural experiences, performances, and winter feasting like no other. Come and celebrate the night and darkness of the southern winter solstice!
Five unique foodie experiences
1. Vertigo Brisbane, Queensland – Have you ever wanted to dine while suspended 17 metres above ground? Well, now you can at Vertigo Brisbane, Australia’s first vertical restaurant with seats perched high above the Brisbane Powerhouse. Enjoy a specially curated menu from fine dining restaurant Bar Alto, and enjoy the panoramic city views before descending through the powerhouse or with a thrilling dropline experience.
2. Sounds of Silence, Northern Territory – Located at Ayers Rock Resort, Sounds of Silence is considered Australia’s first dining-under-the-stars experience. Dine under the sparkling outback sky to a didgeridoo performance and a bush tucker inspired menu with native ingredients, all in the shadow of breathtaking Uluru. Following the feast and performance, the tour of the southern night sky begins.
3. Coffin Bay Oyster Farm & Bay Tour, South Australia – Oyster lovers, this is one not to be missed. Cruise along 16km of pristine waters and the glorious Coffin Bay coastline towards prime growing oyster beds where you can wade through and discover the beauty up close. If you’re lucky on the way, you can also spot some pods of playful dolphins. Following the experience, hop on a boat for freshly shucked oysters with local drink pairings.
4. Truffle Hunting, Oberon, NSW – A well-loved culinary treasure by foodies everywhere, truffles are in abundance yet super elusive Down Under, especially during winter months. Join in a truffle hunting experience with trained truffle dogs in Oberon, close to the famous Blue Mountains, and get your hands deep in the ground to dig up your first truffle, before heading back to your farm stay for some delightful truffle tasting.
5. Dining in the Dark – Unlock your senses and tuck into a truly gastronomical experience at Dining in the Dark, Perth to explore the full potential of your tastebuds over a surprise 3-course meal. Taste, smell, and feel your feast with a partner and bring home a totally sensorial experience like no other. Dining in the Dark is now running across several cities from Hobart to Perth and Sydney.
Five stays you’ll be talking about for years
1. wukalina Walk, Tasmania – Immerse in the stories of the land and the sea from Torres Strait Islander guides with Ancestral connection to Country. Embark on a small group tour with them for 4 days and 3 nights, learning about cultural practices, bush tucker and traditional foods. At the close of each day, unwind in a thoughtfully designed Krakani Lumi (resting place) of domed-ceiling huts as well as a repurposed lightkeepers cottage at the northern end of Larapuna (Bay of Fires).
2. Thorngrove Manor Hotel, South Australia – Fulfill your lifelong goal of staying in a fairytale-like castle at Thorngrove Manor Hotel, located just outside of Adelaide. A boutique accommodation with elegantly decorated interiors and perfectly manicured gardens, this hotel is often lauded as one of the world’s most prestigious stays for good reason.
3. Desert Cave Hotel, South Australia – Any visit to the Coober Pedy, the Opal Capital of the World warrants a night or two in the only International underground hotel in the world: Desert Cave Hotel. For a truly authentic desert experience, request for ‘underground’ accommodation, and take time to explore the hotel’s own opal interpretive centre, underground bar, and underground restaurant.
4. Reefsuites, Queensland – Dreams of front row seats (and bed!) to the extraordinary underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef can come true at Reefsuites, Australia’s first underwater accommodation which offers an intimate look into the ocean. Enjoy a spectacular rest with your meals all taken care of, and opt-ins like scuba diving and submarine tours, the best way to explore the Reef.
5. Wollemi Cabins Secret Treehouse, New South Wales – For nature lovers, experiencing the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains doesn’t get better than this. Wollemi Forest’s best-kept secret is the Treehouse – an artfully crafted cabin nestled high among the treetops. Boasting glass-to-ceiling windows and quirky wooden interiors, the Secret Treehouse’s design creates a fully immersive nature experience, only an hour and a half outside of Sydney.
Five ultimate adventures in the great outdoors
1. Uluru, Northern Territory – Standing 348m above the surrounding desert plain are the awesome rock formations of Uluru. Whether you are witnessing the ancient rock formations of Uluru change colours at sunset on a helicopter ride, or waking up to the red desert sands at Longitude 131, Uluru is the perfect road trip destination, passing by the Red Centre Way loop from Alice Springs.
2. Fraser Island / K’gari, Queensland – The only place in the world where a rainforest grows and thrives on a sand dune, 75 Mile Beach runs across the length of this picturesque island and is the perfect highway for free exploration at your own time, on a guided tour, or on a 4-Wheel-Drive adventure with you and your mates. The best part? It is only 30 minutes by ferry from Brisbane.
3. Horizontal Falls, Western Australia – Nestled in the Kimberley region at Talbot Bay in the Buccaneer Archipelago is the Horizontal Falls. Described by David Attenborough as “one of the greatest natural wonders of the world”, this natural phenomenon is as intriguing as it is stunning. Hop on a day cruise for a scenic journey around the region or get onto a flight for a bird’s eye view of the tides and cliff passages.
4. Kuku Yalanji country, North Queensland – Experience two World Heritage Sites at once just north of Cairns. Soak in the history and feast your eyes on the nature around the Daintree Rainforest with Aboriginal guides from Walkabout Cultural Adventures, and then take a guided deep dive through the world’s largest coral reef system, the Great Barrier Reef, for a one-of-a-kind Underwater Museum.
5. Great Ocean Road, Victoria – When in Victoria, wind down the famous 243km Great Ocean Road and spot sleepy koalas in the treetops, as you take in the grand sights of the 12 Apostles, craggy cliffs, and crashing waves. For a great stay while you’re on the road trip, check into the Great Ocean Road Resort which is surrounded by beautiful beaches and bushland.
Five exhilarating animal encounters in nature
1. Shark Cage Diving, South Australia – Step into the world’s first Aqua Sub for a once-in-a-lifetime experience to see the majestic Great Whites up close without getting wet. For the ultimate shark sighting, get suited up and choose the cage experience – no diver qualification or previous experience is needed. Get the cameras ready for some great photographic opportunities!
2. Camping at Lucky Bay, Esperance, Western Australia– Set up camp at Esperance’s Lucky Bay, and wake up to the sunrise along the sprawling coastline and catch wild kangaroos sunbathing along the pristine white beaches. The stretch of turquoise waters is also a great place to catch some glorious sights of other wild creatures like native birds.
3. Jumping Crocodile Cruise, Northern Territory – Come face to face with these terrific creatures down the Adelaide River, just 60 minutes away from Darwin. These daily, guided tours will allow you to catch multiple crocodiles ‘jumping’ out of the water for food, especially since there are an estimated four crocodiles per square kilometre in the diversity-rich river!
4. Whale Watching in Sydney – Check off whale watching on your bucket list with a three-hour long discovery cruise, just 15 minutes away from the moment you hop on the ferry. With unobstructed views of the beautiful gentle giants, you will get to whale watch in comfortable air-conditioned cabins with large windows and great outdoor or indoor seating areas.
5. The Maria Island Walk, Tasmania – True adventure begins with a walk on the east coast of Tasmania, where photogenic wombats, kangaroos, birds and Tasmanian padymelons can be found. Embark on a four or three-day walk with your guide to spot rare wildlife and take in the breathtaking scenery from sunrise to sunset after restful nights at exclusive wilderness camps and the heritage-listed Bernacchi House.
About Tourism Australia
Tourism Australia is the Australian Government agency responsible for promoting Australia to the world as a destination for business and leisure travel. Tourism Australia’s purpose is to increase the economic benefits of tourism to Australia, and in particular seeking opportunities to grow the overnight annual expenditure generated by tourism.
The organisation is active in 15 key markets, where it aims to grow demand for the destination’s tourism experiences by promoting the unique attributes which will entice people to visit. Tourism Australia’s activities include social and digital media, traditional advertising, public relations and media programs, trade shows and programs for the tourism industry, consumer promotions, online communications, and consumer research.
For more information visit www.tourism.australia.com | www.facebook.com/seeaustralia
-Tourism Australia /AsiaNewsToday