Top 5 Things to Do in Australia: Unique Experiences You Can’t Miss
Australia—often called The Land Down Under—is one of the oldest continents on Earth, with landscapes, wildlife, and cultural experiences found nowhere else. If you’ve come all the way here, don’t just settle for the typical tourist stops that mirror European influence. Instead, dive into these uniquely Australian experiences that are impossible to find anywhere else on the planet:
1. Experience Aboriginal Healing Traditions
Modern science is catching up to what Indigenous Australians have known for tens of thousands of years: traditional healing works. In Arnhem Land, the non-profit Yothu Yindi Foundation has established Dilthan Yolngunha—The Healing Place. Run by Aboriginal elder women, this sanctuary offers ancient healing massages, bush medicine, and cultural immersion in a setting that honors over 40,000 years of unbroken tradition. It’s more than a treatment—it’s a connection to the oldest continuous culture on Earth.
2. Get Eye-Level with an Emu
The emu, standing nearly six feet tall with an unmistakably odd expression, is the second-tallest bird in the world—and it’s 100% Aussie. Around for more than 60,000 years, these fast-running, camera-shy birds are native only to Australia. You’ll spot them in the wild across many regions or in protected reserves. Just don’t expect a selfie—they prefer keeping their distance.
3. See a Living Fossil: The Wollemi Pine
Thought extinct for millions of years, the Wollemi Pine was rediscovered in 1994 in a remote part of Wollemi National Park, New South Wales. These rare trees date back over 90 million years—literally from the age of dinosaurs—and fewer than 100 exist in the wild. You can visit them in the Blue Mountains or even buy a cultivated version for your home (if you live in Australia). But remember: this isn’t just a plant—it’s a piece of prehistoric history.
4. Spot a Freshwater Crocodile (Don’t Worry, They’re Shy)
Unlike their aggressive saltwater cousins, freshwater crocodiles—found only in Australia—are smaller, less confrontational, and more inclined to bask in the sun than bite. You’ll find them in billabongs and rivers throughout northern Australia. While the idea of being eaten by one is more myth than reality, seeing one in the wild is still a uniquely Aussie thrill.
5. Encounter the World’s Weirdest Animal: The Platypus
If evolution had a sense of humor, the platypus would be the punchline. A beaver-tailed, duck-billed, egg-laying mammal with venomous spurs? Only in Australia. These nocturnal, freshwater creatures are hard to spot in the wild, but you might get lucky at Warrawong Earth Sanctuary in Adelaide or Broken River near Mackay, Queensland. They may look cute and quirky, but the males pack a venomous sting, so admire from a distance.
Australia isn’t just a destination—it’s an experience. From ancient healing practices to one-of-a-kind wildlife, these are the kinds of memories you can only make here. Ready to explore? Check out travel deals and accommodation offers across Australia and start planning your own once-in-a-lifetime adventure.