Things to Do in Australia: 13 Picks with Costs

Quick answer

The best things to do in Australia on a first trip are the Sydney Opera House and harbour, the Blue Mountains, a Great Barrier Reef day from Cairns, the Great Ocean Road and Phillip Island penguins from Melbourne, and the Gold Coast theme parks with children. Ten days covers three of these regions using domestic flights.

13 things worth your time in Australia

01
Sydney Opera House tour
Landmark
A guided walk through the concert halls of Australia's most recognisable building, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
1 hourAbout ₹2,600–3,200 (AUD 45–55)
Watching a performance costs little more than the tour if you book early, and you see the hall in use.
02
Sydney Harbour Bridge
Experience
Climb the arch to 134 m above the harbour, or walk across free for views of the Opera House.
1–3.5 hoursWalk free; Pylon Lookout about ₹1,500–1,800; BridgeClimb about ₹12,000–23,000 (AUD 200–400)
BridgeClimb has a breathalyser and fitness requirements, and no phones are allowed on the climb.
03
Manly ferry
Experience
A 30-minute public ferry from Circular Quay past the Opera House to Manly's beach and seaside promenade.
Half dayAbout ₹450–600 (AUD 8–10) each way
Tap a contactless card at the wharf; fares are capped daily and are lower on weekends.
04
Bondi to Coogee coastal walk
Nature
A 6 km clifftop path past ocean pools, beaches and the Waverley cemetery above the sea.
2–3 hoursFree
Start at Bondi in the morning and swim between the red-and-yellow flags only.
05
Blue Mountains
Day trip
Eucalyptus forest valleys and the Three Sisters rock formation, about two hours west of Sydney.
Full dayScenic World about ₹2,900–3,500 (AUD 50–60); train about ₹600
The train from Central to Katoomba is cheap; a tour adds wildlife-park stops but costs more.
06
Taronga Zoo
Wildlife
Koalas, kangaroos and platypus on a hillside with harbour views, reached by a 12-minute ferry.
3–4 hoursAbout ₹2,900–3,200 (AUD 50–55)
Take the cable car from the wharf to the top entrance and walk downhill.
07
Great Barrier Reef from Cairns
Nature
Snorkel or dive the world's largest reef system on an outer-reef pontoon or day boat.
Full dayAbout ₹14,500–20,000 (AUD 250–350)
Non-swimmers can use glass-bottom boats, semi-submarines and flotation vests. Choose outer reef over inner reef for coral.
08
Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail
Day trip
A heritage train up through rainforest gorges to Kuranda village, returning by cable car above the canopy.
Full dayAbout ₹7,000–8,700 (AUD 120–150) combined
Take the train up and Skyrail down for the best views of Barron Falls.
09
Great Ocean Road and the Twelve Apostles
Day trip
A coastal road west of Melbourne to limestone stacks rising from the Southern Ocean.
12 hoursDay tour about ₹7,500–10,500 (AUD 130–180)
Self-drivers should split it over two days; it is a long, winding road and Australians drive on the left.
10
Phillip Island Penguin Parade
Wildlife
Little penguins waddle ashore at dusk in their hundreds, about two hours from Melbourne.
EveningEntry about ₹2,000–2,900 (AUD 35–50); tours from Melbourne more
Photography is not allowed at the parade. Carry a warm jacket, as the beach is cold even in summer.
11
Melbourne laneways and Queen Victoria Market
Culture
Street-art lanes, coffee bars and a 19th-century market with food stalls and souvenirs.
Half dayFree; trams in the city centre are free
The market is closed Mondays and Wednesdays; check days before planning.
12
Gold Coast theme parks
Family
Movie World, Sea World and Dreamworld are Australia's biggest family parks, an hour from Brisbane.
1–3 daysAbout ₹5,800–8,100 (AUD 100–140) per park
Multi-park passes are cheaper than single-day tickets if you plan two or more parks.
13
Uluru and Kata Tjuta
Nature
The red monolith at the heart of the country, sacred to the Anangu people, best at sunrise and sunset.
2–3 daysPark pass about ₹2,200 (AUD 38) for three days; flights extra
Climbing Uluru has been banned since 2019. Walk the base instead, early in the day.

How many days do you need in Australia?

Ten to twelve days covers three regions comfortably: Sydney with the Blue Mountains, Cairns for the reef, and Melbourne with the Great Ocean Road. With children, swap Cairns or Melbourne for the Gold Coast theme parks. Add three days for Uluru.

Distances are bigger than most Indian travellers expect. Sydney to Cairns is a 3-hour flight, Sydney to Melbourne 1.5 hours, and Melbourne to Uluru about 3 hours. Book domestic flights early with Qantas, Virgin Australia or Jetstar, and check baggage allowances on low-cost fares.

Getting around cities

Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane trains, trams, buses and ferries accept contactless bank cards, with daily and weekly fare caps. Melbourne's central tram zone is free. Taxis and Uber are expensive, so public transport saves real money over ten days.

Things to know

Sun: UV is strong even on cool days. Use sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
Beaches: swim only between the red-and-yellow flags patrolled by lifeguards.
Biosecurity: declare all food, including spices, pickles and namkeen, on your arrival card. Undeclared food can mean heavy fines.
Driving: traffic is on the left. A valid Indian licence in English is generally accepted for short visits; carry an International Driving Permit as well.

Declaring food is not the same as having it confiscated. Packaged, commercially sealed Indian snacks are usually allowed through once inspected.

Plan the rest of your trip

Check the Australia visa guide and the best time to visit Australia. Choose a base from where to stay in Sydney, budget with the Australia trip cost, and read the vegetarian and Indian food guide.

Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need for Australia?

Ten days is a good minimum for a first trip: three nights each in Sydney, Cairns and Melbourne. With fewer days, pick two cities. Fourteen days lets you add Uluru or the Gold Coast at a relaxed pace. Internal flights are essential, as overland distances between cities are very long.

Can non-swimmers enjoy the Great Barrier Reef?

Yes. Outer-reef pontoons offer glass-bottom boats, semi-submarines, underwater observatories and snorkelling with flotation vests and lifeguards. Some operators run helmet walks on a submerged platform with no swimming needed. Tell the operator when booking so the crew can help you in the water.

Is the Gold Coast or Cairns better for families?

The Gold Coast suits families with younger children who want theme parks, beaches and easy logistics. Cairns suits families with older children who can snorkel and enjoy rainforest trips. With ten days, many families do Sydney, the Gold Coast and Melbourne, keeping the reef for a later trip.

Can I carry Indian food into Australia?

You can bring many packaged foods, but you must declare all food on your incoming passenger card. Biosecurity officers inspect declared items and may remove fresh fruit, seeds, meat, dairy and some spices. Undeclared items can lead to fines. Commercially sealed snacks and ready-to-eat meals are usually allowed.

How we checked this page

Last reviewed 28 October 2026

Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.