Great Australian Bucket List
Australia bursts with jaw-dropping sights and experiences equal to any other in the world.
So, we've put together a bucket list that captures just some of the iconic destinations that we should experience at least once in our lifetime.
Start ticking these amazing experiences off your list.
Kakadu National Park, NT
Australia’s largest national park is phenomenal, delivering copious amounts of serious eye-candy alongside culturally significant locations. Kakadu has earned World Heritage status for both its natural and cultural worth, which is a rarity. Expect dazzling gorges and waterfalls, lush wetlands, and rugged escarpments and to be amazed by Aboriginal rock art that dates as much as 50,000 years.
Accommodation options: Mary River Wilderness Retreat in Mount Bundey or BIG4 Howard Springs Holiday Park or BIG4 Hidden Valley Holiday Park in Darwin, or BIG4 Breeze Holiday Parks - Katherine.
Great Barrier Reef, QLD
One of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World, the Great Barrier Reef had to make this list. As the world's largest coral reef, it hoards a profusion of marine and coral life and is home to hundreds of islands and their beaches.
The reef offers some of the best diving and snorkelling opportunities on the planet, or scenic boat tours and flights for those who prefer to stay dry, and plenty of other pinch-me experiences. Explore this treasure with ease from myriad destinations dotted along the QLD coast.
Accommodation options: BIG4 parks in QLD.
South West WA
There is so much treasure crammed into this epic pocket of WA that it almost defies belief, including shimmering beaches mixed with dramatic coastline and funky rock formations, sprawling forests and their towering trees, and captivating caves.
Throw in wine regions led by iconic Margaret River, a myriad of microbreweries, and engrossing historical attractions, and you have a destination with an absolute must-visit status.
Accommodation options: BIG4 parks in South West WA.
Cradle Mountain, TAS
This eye-catching Tassie mountain is used to starring in front of the camera, and it’s easy to see why. Cradle Mountain’s jagged shape and the rugged landscape that surrounds it create an aura of being among true wilderness.
Ample walking tracks of various gradings and distances within Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park provide the best platform for soaking up the astounding scenery.
Accommodation options: BIG4 parks in TAS.
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, NT
When it comes to iconic Australian images, Uluru quickly comes to mind. This 348m-high sandstone rock is mesmerising, intricate, and massive. And then there’s the towering dome-like peaks that make up Kata Tjuta.
Admire it all in several memorable ways, including strolling along picturesque walking tracks, sunrise and sunset camel tours, scenic flights, and incredible outdoor dining experiences.
Accommodation options: G'day Mate Tourist Park in Alice Springs or Gemtree Roadhouse and Caravan Park in Anmatjere.
Daintree Rainforest, QLD
This is the oldest-surviving tropical rainforest on earth, and the humongous region is divine. Part of the wider Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage area, the Daintree houses an incredible variety of flora and fauna; much of it rare. A visit here will leave you feeling as though you’re in another world.
Daintree National Park is found within these sprawling surrounds and has two distinct sections to discover – Mossman Gorge and Cape Tribulation. Both offer extraordinary visual delights.
Accommodation options: BIG4 Port Douglas Glengarry Holiday Park, BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Cairns Coconut Resort or Tasman Holiday Parks - Cairns Cool Waters.
World-famous wine regions of SA
SA's reputation for producing outstanding wine stretches across the globe, and there’s no better way to appreciate this than being in the heart of the action. Wind your way around the cellar-doors of the Barossa, Clare Valley, McLaren Vale, and the Coonawarra and mix incredible views and tranquil environments with delicious wine.
Accommodation options:
Barossa: BIG4 Barossa Tourist Park.
Coonawarra: BIG4 Echo Holiday Parks - Naracoorte or BIG4 Blue Lake Holiday Park.
McLaren Vale: BIG4 Port Willunga, BIG4 Cape Jervis, BIG4 Mount Compass, BIG4 Port Elliot, BIG4 Normanville Jetty or NRMA Victor Harbor.
Great Ocean Road, VIC
Arguably Australia’s most famous drive, the Great Ocean Road is dominated by spellbinding sights. A seemingly never-ending sequence of sparkling coastal views, along with funky formations and time-honoured seaside destinations, ensure this path requires an unhurried pace.
In contrast, the dramatic coastal vistas are backed by a profusion of majestic rainforest, waterfalls, and other gems found within neighbouring Great Otway National Park.
Accommodation options: BIG4 parks in the Great Ocean Road region.
Port Arthur Historic Site, TAS
There’s a certain eeriness to this infamous convict settlement that juxtaposes with the peaceful surrounds. And it’s easy to get swept up by it all. This is the most intact convict site in Australia, and the well-preserved nature of this World Heritage-listed site helps bring to life the many colourful and evocative stories that abound. Fascinating.
Accommodation options: NRMA Port Arthur Holiday Park or BIG4 Hobart Airport Tourist Park.
Swimming with whale sharks, Ningaloo Reef, WA
Sharing the water with whale sharks is an exhilarating experience. The sheer size of these animals is almost unfathomable – up to 18m in length – and their distinctive markings appear painted on. Luckily, they don’t consider humans to be particularly tasty. Whale sharks reliably congregate around Ningaloo Reef, part of the wider World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Marine Park.
Accommodation option: RAC Exmouth Cape Holiday Park.
Coober Pedy, SA
There’s uniqueness, and then there’s Coober Pedy. This distinctive town is well-known for its underground buildings, including pubs and shops, lunar-like landscapes, rich opal-mining culture, and various quirks. And within day-trip distance are some attention-grabbing natural wonders like the colourful hills of Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park.
Accommodation option: BIG4 Stuart Range Outback Resort.
Sydney, NSW
Simply put, Sydney is stunning. The NSW capital regularly draws the eyes of the world and provides visitors with its own bucket list. It's home to landmark structures like the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, iconic Darling Harbour, and famous beaches like Bondi. And that’s just the start.
Accommodation options: Ingenia Nepean River, NRMA Sydney Lakeside, Ingenia Avina or Ingenia Sydney Hills.
MONA, TAS
The Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) is firmly entrenched as one of Tasmania’s most popular attractions. Located in Hobart, MONA quickly shatters any preconceptions that this is just another museum. A series of quirky, thought-provoking, and even confronting displays and exhibits have led to worldwide acclaim.
And it’s much more than a museum. MONA includes a cellar door, bars, restaurants, and regular events like comedy and jazz.
Accommodation option: BIG4 Hobart Airport Tourist Park.
Mt Kosciuszko, NSW
Climbing Australia’s tallest mountain during warmer months has to be on the bucket list. While Mt Kosciuszko is a baby compared to the likes of many of the world’s tallest peaks, it still presents a fair old challenge. This 2228m-high mountain strongly rewards those who reach its summit with awe-inspiring views extending over the diverse landscape of Kosciuszko National Park and beyond.
Accommodation option: NRMA Jindabyne Holiday Park.
The Kimberley, WA
An area of exceptional beauty in North West WA, the Kimberley features some of the most awe-inspiring natural attractions on earth. Marvel at incredible waterfalls, rock formations, gorges, and so much else. The peculiar Bungle Bungle Range is among the many highlights.
Accommodation options: Lily Lagoon Resort, Kununurra.
Isn't it time you enjoyed a bucket-list experience? Start your adventures by booking your next BIG4 break now. Start here.
