The Land Down Under is jam-packed with memorable and adventurous activities and experiences, so it should come as no surprise that it’s one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. From bustling urban beehives, the likes of Sydney and Melbourne, to the magnificence of the country’s pristine natural wonders, all the way to its vibrant and striking cultural and foodie scenes, Australia has something unique to offer to every traveller.
Now, if you’re truly looking for a unique travel experience, you need to look beyond the most popular tourist spots (but give those a visit, too) and instead focus on those hidden gems that attract a smaller number of travellers with its cultural, historic, and natural worth. With that in mind, let’s explore some of the truly unusual things you can do while adventuring Australia.
Climb the Giant Stairway
Before we explore some of the things you can do in Australia’s urban wonders, let’s take a look at a unique activity way out in the Blue Mountains in New South Wales. Now, there are plenty of things you can do in the Blue Mountains National Park, but if there is a single activity you shouldn’t skip, it’s climbing the Giant Stairway leading to one of the most enthralling natural vistas in the country.
The Giant Stairway will take you on a somewhat challenging climb up the metal stairway built into the rock formations all the way from the Jamison Valley up to the world-renowned Three Sisters formation. Granted, this is a popular activity among adventurers, but it is still a unique experience seeing as how most tourists flock to the bustling urban environments.
Visit the Glowworm Tunnel south of Sydney
Now that we are slowly approaching the famed city of Sydney, let’s make a rather unusual excursion south to the site of an abandoned railroad tunnel, now populated and overwhelmed by vibrant leafy greenery, and bioluminescent insects.
The Glowworm Tunnel in Helensburgh south of Sydney is truly a sight to behold, and a place that looks and feels like it has come to life straight out of a fairy-tale. Built in 1880 and abandoned in 1915, the tunnel was initially sealed shut so that it could become a reservoir. Decades later, in 1995, the tunnel was opened and cleared, and nowadays curious travellers can visit the site and venture inside on foot or by paddleboat (depending on the water level) to witness the enthralling beauty of the bioluminescent bugs that illumine the walls and ceiling.
Sample the finest whiskey in the land
Australia is world-famous for a number of drinks, including wines hailing from the renowned Yarra valley, family-run breweries making craft beer, and of course, whiskey. Sydney’s distilleries are not only just the places where artisans make spirits and amazing whiskey, these are the places where you can enjoy a truly unique experience by sampling the finest brands while learning about the crafting process.
If you’re a lover of spirits, or if you’re interested in learning how the best spirits in the world are made, then taking a whiskey tour is definitely an activity you shouldn’t skip while in Sydney. Of course, the main reason why these tours are so appealing to avid travellers is because you will get the chance to sample the finest spirits in the land. Be sure to book your tour well in advance, though.
Travel back in time in the Flinders Street Station Ballroom
Unsurprisingly, Melbourne has been voted the world’s most liveable city numerous times, and for a number of compelling reasons. The combination of its vast cultural heritage with the thriving and technologically-advanced urban lifestyle has made Melbourne an amazing place to live, and visit if you’re touring the country. This is also one of the best places to find unique gifts to take home to your family and friends, so be sure to squeeze Melbourne into your itinerary.
While you’re there, be sure to visit the Flinders Street Station and its abandoned ballroom, a jewel of a bygone era that rarely anyone nowadays has the opportunity to witness in person. Nevertheless, you can find companies that offer comprehensive tours of the Flinders Street Station and the ballroom, but you need to be quick to make a reservation.
Parting words
Australia is an expansive country, boasting unique experiences across the map – experiences too numerous to be listed all at once. Today, we have only scratched the surface of what the Land Down under has to offer to travellers looking for a unique thrill, so be sure to work these activities into your itinerary the next time you visit Oz.
