7 Best Adventure Destinations in Australia

The Oodnadatta Track in south Australia travels alongside the old Ghan railway, in the spirit of Australian exploration. The trail spans 383 miles and passes the southern waters of Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre National Park. Springs bubble up near the pathway along the traditional Aboriginal trading route through the Outback.

The scenery resembles a desert mirage, with captivating natural and human-made scenery popping up along the way. One of the great adventures along the track allows you to let your inner cowboy out - a five-day cattle drive on one of the nation’s most thrilling trails.

The pristine beauty of the Cape York Peninsula demonstrates how ruggedness and grandeur can coexist in one place. The secluded setting provides access to hidden beaches and important points in colonial and Aboriginal history.

Waterholes gurgle at the base of shuffling waterfalls and barramundi thrive in salt and fresh water around the peninsula. The rarely-visited northernmost point of the continent is mostly inaccessible in the wet season, but when it’s dry you can explore the cascade of Fruit Bat Falls or travel to Thursday Island to visit the Gab Titui Cultural Centre.

The thrill of discovery in Australia adds to the splendor of unexplored landscapes in the Mary River in the Northern Territory. The ruggedness of the country’s famous desert landscape also welcomes the wet season, which brings lushness to the arid region.

The Mary River system supports the thriving microsystem of Australia’s Top End, with active Jabiru and ibises, thriving lotus lilies, and colorful fish migrating along the billabong. The dazzling ecosystem attracts anglers and wildlife lovers, exotic birds and grazing buffalo, quiet wallabies and saltwater crocodiles.

When seen from the air, the western coast of Australia seems inhospitable and uninhabited, but the two narrow gorges barely visible when on land become the focus from the sky along the Kimberley Coast.

The gorges remain visible at low tide, but when the sea waters build, they become submerged in waterfalls. The vast, rushing waters of the falls change directions with the shifting tides to create fantastic whirlpools. When seen from the air, the waters resemble rapids, but when on a boat, the powerful rush of the falls becomes apparent.

When seen from above, Hancock Gorge looks as though giants cleaved the rocks and soil from the earth, creating twisting cliffs that texture the Pilbara hills.

The ancient rocks form the narrow canyon and a natural amphitheater. A short but exciting trail leads through the slim canyon and down a ladder bolted to smooth, black rocks.

The adventure combines the rugged splendor of western Australia and the secluded beauty of untouched landscapes embodying much of the continent’s ancient interior.

The dry lake in southeastern Australia is part of the Willandra Lakes Region. Lake Mungo National Park is archaeologically and geologically significant, with the region containing deposits that date back over 120,000 years. Sand dunes showcase different times in Earth’s history.

The basin of the ancient lake resembles the dry, red surface of Mars, with the discovery of “Mungo Lady” representing the world’s oldest known cremations, while “Mungo Man” represents the oldest human remains ever unearthed on the continent.

Ningaloo National Park is a marine sanctuary and home to the Ningaloo Reef, a biodiverse underwater wonderland of coral gardens and sea life. The coast protects magnificent bays concealing under-sea caves, vibrant stretches of aquatic gardens, and marine creatures that swim amongst the coral.

Snorkeling, boating, and diving adventures reveal the majesty beneath the water’s surface. Red emperors, gold band snappers, ornate rock lobsters, whale sharks, and more can be spotted in and amongst the colorful coral formations that cascade the seafloor. The fringing reef, accessed from Cape Range National Park, is a marvelous place to explore off the western Australian coastline.

The wild allure of untamed landscapes across Australia creates exceptional adventures in which you can wander through prehistoric scenery or witness exceptional wildlife, journey through dramatic white water or capture the raw spirit of nature.

Each new destination reflects the majesty of Australia and you can visit our Australia Tours & Vacations or our Australia Travel Guide for inspiration and information for your trip.