When people think of Australia, they often think of golden sand beaches and huge surfable waves, the two exact things Bondi Beach is famous for! Whether it’s your first time on a surfboard or you’re an absolute surfing veteran, Bondi has the ideal conditions to suit all kinds of ability levels. The beach itself is tucked into a small cove, pointing slightly southerly on Australia’s East coast, this allows Bondi to benefit from a constant supply of controlled waves produced by the mighty Pacific Ocean.

Bondi Beach also has plenty of other stuff to keep you entertained, from a popup cinema and oceanside swimming pool to a wide selection of delicious restaurants and quirky bars. Another highlight at Bondi Beach is the famous Bondi to Coogee walk, this well-kept trail winds along the area’s rugged coastline, boasting stunning views out over the Pacific Ocean. Bondi is also situated in a great location, just five miles East of Sydney’s city centre, meaning the beach is easily accessible via public transport.

Aussie Rules, otherwise known as Australian football, is the country’s national sport. The game is a heavy contact sport played on an oval field between two teams of 18. The players’ objective is to tactically retain possession through precise passing and handling, whilst also attempting to kick the ball through the opponent’s goalposts. I can’t think of a better way to emerge yourself in true Aussie tradition than by watching a live AFL game, whilst sinking a couple of ice cold beers.

There’s no better place to watch an Aussie Rules game than at Melbourne’s colossal MCG. The MCG, located in Melbourne’s city centre, has an immense seating capacity of 100,024, making it the 11th largest stadium in the world! The atmosphere inside the stadium is absolutely electrifying, thanks to the stadium’s big screens, awesome sound system and enticing seating arrangements, you’re guaranteed to have an action packed experience, no matter which area of the stadium you’re sat in.

The conditions in Australia’s Northern Territory are ideal for crocodiles to live and survive, with the area surrounding the city of Darwin boasting the highest concentration of saltwater crocodiles in the world. These magnificent creatures have roamed planet Earth for over an astonishing 100 million years and claim the title as the world’s largest species of reptile. These incredible animals can grow up to length of seven metres and weigh up to a mind boggling 1300kg!

The best way to get yourself up close and personal with these stunning creatures is by hopping aboard an organised crocodile cruise. The region’s expert wildlife guides are able to spot these beauties in the toughest of terrains and draw them out towards the boat. Some tours even offer the opportunity to watch the crocodiles leap out the water as they are fed by your guide aboard the boat. Nothing quite prepares you for the sheer size and colossal presence of these incredible creatures, there’s a reason they’re at the top of the food chain.

The Great Ocean Road is Australia’s most spectacular stretch of highway, boasting sensational ocean views and stunning rock formations in every direction as you gracefully meander along the Southern coastline of Victoria. The Great Ocean Road begins approximately 65 miles southwest of Melbourne, making it easily accessible and perfectly located for a day trip from the city. The road itself is not only famous for its impeccable ocean views, but also for its stunning collection of beautiful wildlife. From koalas and wallabies to birds and marine life, you’re guaranteed to catch a glimpse of at least a few of these elegant beauties in their natural habitat.

The Great Ocean Road is exceptionally well known for its stunning rock formations, especially the world renowned Twelve Apostles. These incredible limestone stacks are situated offshore, towering above the ocean’s surface, a short distance from the mainland’s coastline. Unfortunately, the stacks are prone to taking quite a beating from the ocean’s waves, resulting in one of the stacks collapsing into the water back in 2005.

In addition, the region also boasts a whole range of excellent surfing spots and superb hiking opportunities. Stop off and visit the quaint little surfing towns dotted along the Great Ocean Road or strap up your boots and head out along the beautiful hiking trails following Victoria’s rugged and stunning coastline.

What better place to jump out of a plane than over the spectacular Great Barrier Reef, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. This region is absolutely spectacular, not only will you hurtle through the sky at speeds of up to 120 miles per hour, but you’ll also get to do it whilst soaking up insane views over the mesmerising barrier reef and luscious Daintree Rainforest. Skydiving is every adrenaline junkie’s dream, you’ll feel your heart rate rise and your blood pump fast as you reach your designated cruising altitude and the plane’s door is flung open, it’s time for you to jump!

There are two skydive locations in North Queensland that allow you to soak up the incredible views over the Great Barrier Reef, choose from either Skydive Cairns or Skydive Mission Beach. I personally chose to skydive at Mission Beach, due to the location boasting the added benefit of a guaranteed beach landing for every single skydiver!

In total 74 paradise islands make up the stunning Whitsundays, these beautiful islands are situated off the eastern coast of Australia, between northern Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef. Most of the islands are uninhabited, boasting white sand beaches, impressive hiking trails and crystal clear waters.

The best way to experience these glorious islands is by staying on a liveaboard sailing boat. There are a ton of two and three night tour options available, all showcasing the Whitsunday’s main highlights, from fantastic snorkelling spots and stunningly vibrant wildlife to amazing hiking trails and the world renowned Whitehaven Beach (Google it, you won’t be disappointed!). If you’re up for a good party along the way, I’d definitely recommend the notorious Clipper Boat, a personal favourite experience of mine, sinking beers through a snorkel before hitting up some of Australia’s best underwater spots was a concoction I never knew I needed!

Cage diving with Great White Sharks is arguably THE most exhilarating experience on the entire planet. The adrenaline rush that comes with being within touching distance of these magnificent and deadly creatures is truly unmatched. Shark Diving tours operate out of Port Lincoln in South Australia, transporting divers over to the amazing Neptune Islands. These islands are home to a large number of Great Whites, thanks to the area’s high concentration of seals and sea lions, the sharks have plenty of prey to feed off of.

The boat over to the Neptune Islands takes approximately three hours, but thanks to the region’s stunning scenery and beautifully untouched landscape, the journey over to the islands is an experience in itself. The area is certainly famous for its large number of Great White Shark sightings, but another well-kept secret of the region, is its fantastic array of vibrant marine life, including a huge collection of cuttlefish, sea lions, dolphins and whales.

Uluru is an ancient sandstone monolith, located in the heart of Australia’s Red Centre, the incredible rock formation is thought to have started forming a remarkable 550 million years ago. Uluru is an important part of Aboriginal culture and extremely sacred to the Indigenous people of Australia. They believe Uluru to be the resting place for ancient spirits, symbolising strength and hope in the middle of such barren and perilous land.

Witnessing sunset at Uluru is a truly phenomenal experience, as the Sun falls towards the horizon, the colours of Uluru begin to change, from red to orange and then to purple. This breathtaking spectacle can be viewed from a variety of unique locations, allowing for a number of different outlooks and perspectives of the mighty Uluru. There are even a selection of lavish champagne and dining packages available to book during sunset at Uluru, offering an even more inclusive and luxurious experience.

Uluru is extremely isolated in the centre of Australia, with the closest town, Alice Springs, located approximately 450km to the northeast. Alice Springs is the main base for visiting Uluru and the starting point for most tours, thanks to the town’s domestic airport terminal, this area is easily accessible from the majority of Australia’s major cities.

Diving the Great Barrier Reef is an experience that appears on almost every traveller’s bucket list, it’s hard to find the words to accurately describe the sheer expanse and beauty of this magnificent landscape. It’s no surprise this is the second time the Great Barrier Reef has made its way onto this top ten list. Not only is the reef one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, but it’s also possible to view this sensational ecosystem from outer space!

Scuba Diving is without a doubt the best way to truly experience and appreciate everything the Great Barrier Reef has to offer, by giving visitors the opportunity to get up close and personal with the reef’s utterly astonishing environment. Grab your scuba gear and head down below the surface, into this magical and mystical underwater paradise, packed full of vibrant coral, magnificent colours and extraordinary sea life.

A large number of scuba diving companies operate daily out of Cairns’ Reef Fleet Terminal with a wide selection of tours available, ranging from first time beginner dives to fully advanced dive master courses. Another important fact to note is that the Great Barrier Reef actually spans an astonishing 1400 miles, meaning Cairns isn’t the only location to offer diving tours. There are a whole load of spots along the North Queensland coast to choose from, depending on which section of the reef you’re planning to explore.

Topping the list of best things to do in Australia, is of course, an exhilarating 4×4 adventure on the remarkable Fraser Island. The world’s largest sand island is undoubtedly one of the best locations in all of Australia, boasting crystal clear fresh water lakes, impeccable sweeping beaches and an abundance of vibrantly native wildlife. Fraser Island’s ideal positioning, just a few kilometres off the coast of Queensland, means the island is not only exquisitely beautiful but also extremely and effortlessly accessible.

There are so many fantastic activities to experience across the island, from meeting the cheeky wild dingoes along Fraser’s golden beaches to admiring the stunning collection of wild dolphins and whales off the island’s coast. You’re certainly gonna want to be packing your camera, but you’ll also want to be bringing your swimming gear along too, the turquoise water at Lake Mckenzie is some of the clearest on the planet, perfect for cooling off from the intense Australian heat.

A number of 4×4 Fraser Island tours operate out of Rainbow Beach and Hervey Bay, both spots are located a short ferry journey from Fraser Island, allowing you to maximise your time on the island. I personally travelled with Dingo’s Tours from Rainbow Beach on one of their amazing tag along tours. This style of tour allows you to drive your own 4×4 as part of a convoy, alongside your own knowledgeable and extremely informative local guide. Camping accommodation was also included in this particular tour, as well as a whole heap of exciting activities to keep your entertained throughout your two or three day excursion on the breathtaking Fraser Island.