Are you planning a trip to Australia or New Zealand in 2009? If so you’ve come to the right place. Viator’s list of the Top 25 Things to Do in Australia & New Zealand will kick-start your travel planning.
This is all part of our end-of-the-year Top 25 Things to Do lists, where we announce the most popular tours and activities around the world based on what was most popular with Viator’s globe-trotting travelers in 2008. So far we’ve covered the Top 25 in Central & South America. Now it is time to shine the spotlight on Australia & New Zealand.
Top 25 Things to Do in Australia & New Zealand
This is all part of our end-of-the-year Top 25 Things to Do lists, where we announce the most popular tours and activities around the world based on what was most popular with Viator’s globe-trotting travelers in 2008. So far we’ve covered the Top 25 in Central & South America. Now it is time to shine the spotlight on Australia & New Zealand.
Australia’s Top 25 has a few surprises. And the biggest surprise of all is the sheer diversity of the list. Walking tours of the Opera House in Sydney… sailing on the Great Barrier Reef… Yarra Valley wine tasting… Melbourne dining… penguins, kangaroos, and wildlife…
Viator’s travelers covered a lot of ground in 2008. If you have your own favorite activity or thing to do in Australia or New Zealand, please leave us a comment, we’d love to hear about it. Now, without further ado, here are the top tours an activities in Australia & New Zealand.
Top 25 Things To Do in Australia & New Zealand: 2008
25. Alice Springs to Uluru (Ayers Rock) via Kings Canyon, Alice Springs, Australia
Travel through ‘Outback’ landscapes, see Kata Tjuta and Olga Gorge, watch sunset and sunrise over Uluru (Ayers Rock), visit the Camel Farm, Kings Canyon and Kings Creek Station.
24. Sydney Tower Restaurant, Sydney, Australia
Dine out at Sydney Tower Restaurant with panoramic views across the Harbour Bridge to the Blue Mountains, and a world class all-you-can-eat buffet lunch or dinner.
Sounds of Silence Dinner, Ayers Rock - Voted #1 in 2006 & 2007, #2 in 2008
23. Phillip Island: Penguins, Koalas and Kangaroos Day Tour, Melbourne, Australia
Watch the Penguins on Parade as they waddle across the sand at dusk, and get up close to the local wildlife including koalas, seals and wallabies on Phillip Island.
22. Swan Valley Wine Cruise, Perth, Australia
Wine tasting, entertainment and a waterfront lunch combine to make this fabulous day cruise on the Swan Valley and the upper reaches of the Swan River absolutely unforgettable.
21. Milford Sound Mariner Overnight Cruise, Milford Sound, New Zealand
Cruise the length of magnificent Milford Sound aboard the Milford Mariner, with kayaking or a tender craft to explore the shoreline, three course buffet dinner and hearty breakfast.
20. Waitomo Caves and Rotorua Day Trip, Auckland, New Zealand
Guided tour and boat ride through Waitomo Caves and the glowworm grotto, sheep mustering and shearing demonstrations and visit Te Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve and bubbling mud.
19. Yarra Valley Wineries and Puffing Billy Steam Train Day Tour, Melbourne, Australia
Ride the oldest steam train in Australia through lush mountain ash rainforests and fern gullies, feed colorful native parrots, enjoy a spit-roast lunch and cellar door wine and cheese tasting.
18. Great Barrier Reef Scenic Helicopter Flight and Cruise, Cairns, Australia
A scenic helicopter tour with unforgettable aerial views of the Great Barrier Reef’s coral and marine life, lunch on the water, and snorkeling or coral-viewing in a semi-submersible submarine.
17. Sydney Harbour Sunset Dinner Cruise, Sydney, Australia
Cruise Sydney Harbour and watch the city light up as you enjoy champagne, canapes and an early dinner with magnificent evening views.
16. Heli Hiking Franz Josef Glacier, Franz Josef, New Zealand
A unique guided walk in the ice caves and pinnacles of this specatacular glacier, see the extraordinary colors of the ice-flow up close, and panoramic views of a pristine alpine environment.
15. Blue Mountains Nature and Wildlife Day Tour, Sydney, Australia
Visit quaint mountain villages, immerse yourself in stunning vistas at Echo Point, see unique Featherdale Wildlife Park, ride the Scenic Railway, Sky or Cableway over Jamison Valley rainforest.
14. Uluru and Kata Tjuta Helicopter Flight, Ayers Rock, Australia
A panorama of breathtaking scenery unique to the Red Centre, appreciate the sheer magnificence of Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), from the air.
13. Sydney Harbour Tour by Helicopter, Sydney, Australia
Exhilarating ride over the sparkling blue of Sydney Harbour, with incredible views of the iconic Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge and Manly Beach.
12. Uluru (Ayers Rock), Kings Canyon and Alice Springs 3-Day Tour, Ayers Rock, Australia
Watch the sunrise over Uluru (Ayers Rock), walk through magnifient Olga Gorge and Kings Canyon, hear the legends of Python Dreaming and learn about the culture and geology of the region.
11. Kuranda Scenic Railway, Skyrail, Great Barrier Reef Helicopter Flight and Cruise, Cairns, Australia
View lush tropical rainforest from the Kuranda Scenic Railway, soar over the Great Barrier Reef, and dive in to snorkel and swim before cruising back to Cairns.
10. Gordon River Cruise from Strahan, Tasmania, Australia
Cruise Gordon River in style through ancient rainforests, past hazardous Hells Gate to Heritage Landing, and stroll in the eternal silence of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.
9. Sydney Harbour Dinner Cruise on the MV Sydney 2000, Sydney, Australia
Fine dining in a luxurious evening cruise on Sydney Harbour, float past the Opera House and Harbour Bridge while enjoying first-class service, star gazing and entertainment.
8. Kuranda Scenic Railway Day Trip, Cairns, Australia
Enjoy spectacular views of Barron Falls from Kuranda Scenic Railway, visit Heritage Markets and Rainforest Cableway, Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park or Rainforestation Nature Park.
7. Yarra Valley Wine and Winery Tour, Melbourne, Australia
One of Australia’s most picturesque winery regions, cellar door wine tasting at Yering Station, Yering Farm and Rochford Wineries, and private tour of Domaine Chandon.
6. Spirit of Melbourne Cruising Restaurant, Melbourne, Australia
A movable feast along the Yarra River, enjoy this romantic gourmet cruise prepared on board by expert chefs, through changing scenery as the city lights up.
5. Blue Mountains Deluxe Eco Day Tour, Sydney, Australia
Journey into the heart of this ancient landscape, stunning views in Blue Mountains National Park, breakfast with koalas at Featherdale Wildlife park, and champagne with wild Kangaroos.
4. See Sydney and Beyond Smartvisit Card, Sydney, Australia
Exceptional value with admission to the top attractions in Sydney, full-colour guidebook offering practical information, special offers and savings at selected restaurants and shops.
3. Great Ocean Road Small Group Eco Tour, Melbourne, Australia
Walk in the Otway Ranges, spot koalas in their native habitat, enjoy views from the Twelve Apostles rock formations to Shipwreck Coast on the spectacular Great Ocean Road.
2. Sounds of Silence Restaurant, Ayers Rock, Australia
Dine under a million stars in the middle of the desert, enjoying a gourmet barbecue of Australian delicacies served in a secluded formal setting, and a tour of the southern night skies.
1. Colonial Tramcar Restaurant, Melbourne, Australia
Glide through city streets to glorious St Kilda & Prahran on the luxurious Colonial Tramcar Restaurant, enjoying delicious local produce in one of Melbourne’s star attractions.
There you have it. Viator’s list of the Top 25 tours and things to do in Australia in 2008. We’d like to extend a special ‘congratulatory’ note to the Sounds of Silence restaurant at Ayers Rock for winning the #1 spot on our list two years in a row (2006 and 2007), even if it dropped to #2 in 2008. Well done, scoring so well three years running is no easy feat. On the flipside, congratulations to the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant in Melbourne for capturing the #1 spot in 2008.
Stay tuned for more lists in the coming days, to help you plan your next trip across the globe. In the meantime, if your curious about the top things to do last year, in 2007, keep on reading…
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The Aria Restaurant & Sydney's Opera House
In case you want to compare notes, or are simply feeling nostalgic for the year that was, here’s the list of 2007 winners in Australia.
Top 25 Things to Do in Australia & New Zealand: 2007
25. Yarra Valley Wineries and Puffing Billy Steam Train Day Tour, Melbourne, Australia
24. 360 Bar and Dining at Sydney Tower Restaurant, Sydney, Australia
23. Great Ocean Road High Adventure Day Tour, Melbourne, Australia
22. Blue Mountains Nature and Wildlife Day Tour, Sydney, Australia
21. Sydney Harbour Sunset Dinner Cruise, Sydney, Australia
20. Kangaroo Island in a Day Tour, Adelaide, Australia
19. Sunrise Balloon Flight over Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
18. Sydney Opera House and Opera Australia Dinner Package, Sydney, Australia
17. 24 Hour Uluru (Ayers Rock) Eco-Pass plus Sounds of Silence Dinner, Ayers Rock, Australia
16. Green Island Day Trip, Cairns, Australia
15. Kuranda Scenic Railway, Skyrail, Great Barrier Reef Helicopter Flight and Cruise, Cairns, Australia
14. Uluru and Kata Tjuta Helicopter Flight, Ayers Rock, Australia
13. Kuranda Scenic Railway Day Trip, Cairns, Northern Beaches, Australia
12. Yarra Valley Wine and Winery Tour, Melbourne, Australia
11. Great Barrier Reef Scenic Helicopter Flight and Cruise, Cairns, Australia
10. Phillip Island: Penguins, Koalas and Kangaroos Day Tour, Melbourne, Australia
9. Great Ocean Road Small Group Eco Tour, Melbourne, Australia
8. Sunrise Breakfast Balloon Flight over the Yarra Valley, Melbourne, Australia
7. Uluru (Ayers Rock), Kings Canyon and Alice Springs 3-Day Tour, Ayers Rock, Australia
6. Sydney Harbour Dinner Cruise on the MV Sydney 2000, Sydney, Australia
5. See Sydney and Beyond Smartvisit Card, Sydney, Australia
4. Spirit of Melbourne Dinner Cruise, Melbourne, Australia
3. Colonial Tramcar Restaurant, Melbourne, Australia
2. Blue Mountains Deluxe Eco Day Tour, Sydney, Australia
1. Sounds of Silence Restaurant, Ayers Rock, Northern Territory
Let us know what you think, tell us about your own travel experiences, and most important of all - happy travels in 2009!
June 27th, 2007 at 2:43 pm
This is a great resource. My fiancé and I are actually looking at sites for our honeymoon and have been considering Australia. We’re planning to get married next May or June, though, so I don’t know what the weather is like there at that time of year. A disproportionate number of your recommendations are located in Sydney – so I’m guessing that would probably be the best place to center a trip. I’m wondering if anyone involved with your blog (poster or reader) knows anything about haunted locations. I realize that this might sound a bit silly, but we’re both interested in ghost tours. You not only get a tour that’s a little left of center, but you typically wind up getting a lot of history at the same time. If anyone out there knows of any good haunted locations in Australia, we’d certainly want to hear about them. Could tip us one way as to where we will eventually vacation.
June 27th, 2007 at 7:32 pm
The former convict settlement Port Arthur down in Tasmania springs to mind as a particularly well known haunted site. Very spooky and dark history. Also The Rocks area of Sydney has several haunted sites.
If history and ghosts are your thing, I would suggest focusing your trip on the main areas from convict times - Sydney, Tasmania and South Australia. This is where you find the oldest parts of the country and the best stories.
If you are looking for sun and beaches, Queensland is the sunshine state for good reason, and if you are after outdoors and natural scenery, Western Australia and Northern Territory are the places to start.
July 16th, 2007 at 12:11 pm
Great suggestions Kerrie! I second your tour recommendations.
We love TASMANIA! Yes yes Port Arthur is not only beautiful but has one of the creepiest ghost tours ever. If you’re using Sydney as a base - really cheap airfares to Hobart with Jetstar (www.jetstar.com.au).
If you venture into Central Australia - you’ll find the beautiful “Ghost Gums” trees on your travels!
January 10th, 2008 at 1:52 am
Are you sure these are THINGS TO DO? I think these are the top tourist spots in Australia. You see, you’re talking about places and not activities.
January 10th, 2008 at 9:19 am
Hi Pet Portrait Artist.
(Is that your real name? Ha ha.)
We’re pretty certain that these are things to do in Australia. Yup, we just checked again and confirmed it. These are in fact things to do in Australia.
But thanks for your concern.
June 6th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
wow, and what about WA? right not as touristy?
January 5th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
Thanks for the list. There is so much ground to cover in Australia and to a lesser degree New Zealand that it always help to have a few best of lists.
January 6th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
Amazing post! This is great info for anyone making this trip. Thanks Viator!
January 19th, 2009 at 3:53 am
I can’t believe it. The top two things to do in Australia is to go to a restaurant! Don’t any of your tourists do anything but sit down all day on buses or helicopters or chairs in restaurants. As an Australian I am insulted by your list. What about the people who like to get out and about? What about things like diving on the Great Barrier Reef or swiming with dolphins or blue whales on the Ningaloo Reef or a thousand other activities that should come before going out to a restaurant?
January 19th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
Offended? Pretty strong words, Dave.
There are lots of outdoor activities on the list, from Uluru to the Barrier Reef. So I think we can agree to agree that Australia has plenty of outdoor wonders and are definitely some of the top reasons to visit. Agreed.
On the flipside, have you ever done the Sounds of Silence Dinner at Ayers Rock? The photos look pretty amazing — check it for yourself. http://www.viator.com/tours/Ayers-Rock/Sounds-of-Silence-Restaurant/d359-2478_SAIAO1FIT/photos
So here’s the deal, Dave. If you’ve ever experienced either the Sounds of Silence at Uluru, or the Colonial Tram in Melbourne — let us know. We’ll take your criticism a bit more seriously if you have.
If you haven’t done either of those, maybe you should get out a bit more and experience your fine country. There are thousands of Viator travelers - both locals and foreign visitors - who really, really love those two experiences.
Again — we agree that Australia has an amazing amount of outdoor wonders. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy the charms of Sydney and Melbourne, too. As a frequent visitor to those two fine cities, Dave, I am offended by your comment.