The Best Australian Experiences 2016

And the winners of the Best Experiences in Australian Traveller’s 2016 People’s Choice Awards are…

1. Best walk: Bondi to Bronte, NSW

Why you love it… From one of Australia’s most iconic beaches to another, this cliff-clinging walk is an absolute show-stopper, starting or finishing at our cover star, the famous Bondi Icebergs Club. Despite having to dodge the occasional glistening, bronzed local in activewear, this walk never disappoints, especially when Sculptures By The Sea is happening.

Our hot tip… Keep a look-out for ancient aboriginal stone carvings of a shark and a whale on the rocks south of Mackenzies Point. During the humpback migration season between April and December gaze out to sea for a glimpse of frolicking whales.

If you love this, your next walk should be… Next time you feel like stretching your legs in Sydney, hop north of the bridge for the Spit Bridge to Manly walk, which takes in bushland, harbourside trails and stunning beaches.

You also rate… Bibbulmun Track, WA / Cradle Mountain, Tas / Noosa National Park, Qld / the Overland Track, Tas

2. Best food and wine region: Margaret River, WA

Why you love it… Apart from playing host to one of the country’s best food festivals, the always incredible Margaret River Gourmet Escape, this region is brimming with cellar doors, producers and some of the most stunning beaches on the south-west coast.

Our hot tip… While you’re there, scuttle on down to Dunsborough (read more about this fun coastal town here), another gorgeous oceanside town just half-an-hour away, and pop into the celebrated Jake’s Break, WA chef Jake Drachenberg’s casual lunch spot.

If you love this, your next food and wine adventure should be… Mornington Peninsula, Victoria. If the combination of grape vines and the scent of the ocean is what your mini-break dreams are made of, check out this stunning wine region just a short drive from Melbourne.

You also rate… Hunter Valley, NSW / Barossa Valley, SA / Yarra Valley, Vic / McLaren Vale, SA

3. Best outback adventure: Uluru, NT

Why you love it… Australians dream about seeing Uluru in all its ochre-red brilliance at least once in their lives. It’s no secret that the 348-metre-high monolith holds a deep spiritual significance to its traditional owners, the Anangu people, but it has the power to move anyone privileged enough to visit.

Our hot tip… You should see Uluru from as many vantage points as you can: bicycle, scenic flight, camel, or even on a sky dive. Check out ayersrockresort.com.au/experiences

If you love this, your next outback adventure should be… The Devil’s Marbles, NT. Also known as Karlu Karlu, these huge granite boulders, scattered across a wide valley with some balancing on each other, are one of the most intriguing sights in the country.

You also rate… The Kimberley, WA / Kakadu, NT / Flinders Ranges, SA / Birdsville, Qld

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

4. Best historical site: Port Arthur, Tas

Why you love it… The World Heritage-listed, 19th-century penal station, once home to the most notorious British criminals, is perhaps Australia’s most gripping historic site. It is places like this that bear tales of a time gone by and contribute to our national identity.

Our hot tip… Port Arthur’s convict-era attractions can be quite a chilling experience. If that’s what you’re into and you are of the dauntless and fearless kind, then an after-dark pass comes highly recommended. This spooky version of a golden ticket includes a two-course dinner and Port Arthur’s infamously terrifying, notoriously unsettling Ghost Tour (read about our spooky tour here).

If you love this, your next historical site should be… Bendigo, Victoria. The small rural town, impressing with its heritage streets, dates back to the 1850s, and much like Port Arthur, is a town frozen in time.

You also rate… Uluru, NT / The Rocks, Sydney, NSW / Ballarat, Vic / Fremantle, WA

5. Best cruise line that operates out of an Australian port: P&O

But you also love… Princess Cruises / Silversea / Carnival / Royal Caribbean

6. Most scenic road trip: The Great Ocean Road

Why you love it… What’s not to love about this curvaceous ribbon of road with jaw-dropping views? You consistently vote this drive as Australia’s best, and when you consider its accessibility, beauty and endless things to stop for on the way, such as incredible cellar doors, restaurants and lookouts, we can’t fault your choice!

Our hot tip… Take your time doing this roadtrip and be sure to include a few gourmet stops along the way, but we suggest a night or two at the stunning Drift House in Port Fairy for a little luxury before hitting the road again.

If you love this, your next drive should be… The Southern Ocean Drive in South Australia. Including Kangaroo Island and the gorgeous towns of Robe and Goolwa, this drive offers equal beauty and plenty of incredible food producers along the way.

You also rate… Cairns to Port Douglas, Qld / Tasmania (just anywhere on the island, it seems) / South Coast, NSW / Gibb River Road, WA

7. Must-visit city restaurant: Chin Chin, Melbourne, Vic

Why you love it… As one reader put it: “Chin Chin has instant city buzz and great food. You really know you are in the CBD." With its upbeat but laid-back atmosphere and hit-list of authentic Asian favourites, this Melbourne institution isn’t going anywhere.

Our hot tip… Put your name down for a table and promptly head downstairs to GoGo Bar for a pre-dinner primer.

If you love this, you should try… Lucy Liu, also in the CBD on Oliver Lane. If you can’t get into Chin Chin, you’ll be relieved to know you can book at this vibing Asian eatery.

You also rate… Vue de Monde, Melbourne, Vic / Quay, Sydney, NSW / Rockpool Bar & grill, Melbourne, Vic / Tetsuya’s, Sydney, NSW

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8. Best annual festival: Vivid Sydney

Why you love it… This is when Sydney truly shines. From the colourful projections on the Opera House to the artistic displays of abstraction and creativity, the Vivid Sydney festival of light, music and ideas is abuzz with plenty to see and do.

Our hot tip… Get yourself to the ideas fraction of the festival, where you will listen to people in the know who inspire, endeavour and make change in their respective industries. You will leave with a wealth of knowledge from the worlds of art, tech and science, and be moved by the stories of people who daren’t quit.

If you love this, your next festival should be… White Night Melbourne, Victoria. Inspired by the international Nuit Blanche movement, White Night is a one-night only (7pm – 7am) cultural event where artistic expression is celebrated and design is appreciated. The festival also hosts a mesmerising light show over the cityscape, and what’s more… there’s no entry fee.

You also rate… Bluesfest, Byron Bay, NSW / Adelaide Fringe Festival, SA / Splendour in the Grass, Byron Bay, NSW / Tamworth Country Music Festival, NSW

9. Best guided tour? BridgeClimb Sydney, NSW

Why you love it… This is a bucket-list item for Sydneysiders and visitors alike: climbing the world-famous Coathanger and enjoying incredible views of the pretty harbour and beyond from 134 metres up, while the city traffic zooms below.

Our hot tip… If you’ve already done the day climb or are more nocturnal, try the night climb to see the city lights sparkle under the moon.

If you love this, your next guided tour should be… Story Bridge Climb, Brisbane, Queensland. Brisbane’s Story Bridge is one of only three bridge climbs in the world (the third is the Auckland Harbour Bridge).

You also rate… Port Arthur, Tas / Uluru, NSW / Fremantle Gaol, WA / Kakadu, NT

With so many worthy finalists nominated by our very own AT readers, don’t miss out on finding out where all these amazing places are!

•Best Accommodation Finalists

•Best Getaways Finalists

From ancient aquaculture systems to sacred rock art shelters, Victoria’s First Peoples cultural experiences offer a powerful connection to one of the world’s oldest living cultures – where every site, story and smoking ceremony invites a deeper understanding of the land beneath your feet.

Victoria’s sweeping landscapes hold stories far older than any road map can trace – stories etched into stone, sung through generations and woven into every bend of river and rise of hill. From the lava flows of Budj Bim to the ancient middens of Moyjil/Point Ritchie and the volcanic crater of Tower Hill, the state is home to some of the most significant First Peoples cultural sites in Australia. These places, along with other immersive experiences, offer not only a window into a 60,000-year legacy, but a profound way of understanding Country itself. As more travellers seek connection over checklists, guided tours by Traditional Owners offer respectful, unforgettable insights into a living culture that continues to shape the land and the people who walk it.

Budj Bim cultural landscape

Venture beyond the surf and sand of the Great Ocean Road to discover a deeper story etched into the volcanic landscape. At Budj Bim, ancient aquaculture channels built by the Gunditjmara people to trap, store and harvest kooyang (short-finned eel) reveal one of the world’s oldest living cultures. While you’re in the area, head over to the state-of-the-art Tae Rak Aquaculture Centre, where you can observe the eels in a special tank, wander the shores of Tae Rak (Lake Condah), and enjoy a bite at the Bush Tucker Cafe. Also nearby is Tower Hill, a dormant volcano reborn as a wildlife reserve, offering trails through bushland teeming with emus and koalas.

eel tank — The kooyang (eel) tank at Tae Rak. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Dumawul Kooyoora Walking Tour

Dumawul walkingtour — Guests are guided through Kooyoora State Park on the Dumawul walking tour. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Step into a timeless landscape with Dumawul’s guided tour through Kooyoora State Park, around an hour’s drive west of Bendigo in north-central Victoria. Led by Djaara guides, this immersive half-day journey breathes life into Country, weaving together stories, bush tucker and ancient rock art. Known to the Dja Dja Wurrung people as Guyura – the ‘mountain of light’ – this dramatic granite range is rich with cultural and spiritual significance. The adventure begins with a meet-up at the Bridgewater Hotel on the banks of the Loddon River, before guests are welcomed onto Country with a traditional Smoking Ceremony – a powerful ritual that honours ancestors and cleanses those who walk the land. From there, it’s a gentle wander through rugged outcrops and open bushland, with sweeping vistas unfolding at every turn. Along the way, guides share their knowledge of how the Dja Dja Wurrung peoples have cared for and adapted with this land for generations, offering a rare and moving window into an ancient way of life that continues to thrive today.

Kooyoora walking tour — Knowledge of the Dja Dja Wurrung is shared on the trail. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Kingfisher Cruises

Glide quietly through the Barmah-Millewa forest – the nation’s largest river red gum ecosystem – on a scenic journey along the Murray River and into the Barmah Lakes with Kingfisher Cruises. Led by passionate guides who share stories of the cultural significance of this ancient landscape, these cruises reveal the stories, totems and traditional knowledge of the Yorta Yorta people. As you navigate narrow waterways and spot native birds, you’ll gain a richer understanding of how First Peoples have lived in harmony with this floodplain for tens of thousands of years. It’s a gentle, immersive experience that leaves a lasting impression – one where every bend in the river carries echoes of culture, connection and Country.

wawa biik

Exploring Nagambie with Taungurung leaders. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Translating to ‘hello, Country’ in the language of the First Nations People and Custodians of the rivers and mountains of Taungurung Country in Central Victoria, wawa biik guides a range of authentic and deeply immersive experiences. Leaving from either Nagambie or Euroa, the tours are woven with ancient stories of the Taungurung, telling how a sustained connection and responsibility ensures the continued health of biik – benefitting the people, animals and plants that live in and around the Goulburn River. During the wawa Nagambie experience, guests participate in a Welcome Smoking Ceremony, and enjoy lunch and conversation with two Taungurung leaders as they cruise through the wetlands of tabilk-tabilk (place of many waterholes). The 4.5-hour tour begins at Tahbilk Winery, which is set in the wetlands of Nagambie on Taungurung Country and collaborates with Taungurung Elders to share knowledge of biik.

Bataluk Cultural Trail

Cape Conran on the Bataluk Trail. (Image: Visit Victoria)

The Bataluk Cultural Trail winds through East Gippsland like a thread stitching past to present, tracing the deep connection between the Gunaikurnai people and their land. Starting at the Knob Reserve in Stratford, visitors walk among scarred trees and ancient stone tools once used for survival and ceremony. At the Den of Nargun near Mitchell River, the earth holds stories of women’s sacred spaces, cloaked in myth and legend. Further along, Legend Rock at Metung tells of greed and consequence, its surface etched with ancient lore. At Cape Conran, shell middens lie scattered like breadcrumbs of history – 10,000 years of gatherings, stories and saltwater songs still echoing in the wind.

Healesville Sanctuary

Set on the historic grounds of Coranderrk Aboriginal Station, Healesville Sanctuary honours the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation through immersive storytelling and connection to Country. Along Wurundjeri Walk, visitors are invited to reflect on the land’s rich First Peoples history, with native plants revealing their traditional uses. Wurundjeri Elder and educator Murrundindi shares culture in-person with the Wominjeka Aboriginal Cultural Experience every Sunday, and most days during Victorian school holidays. Murrundindi’s smoking ceremonies, storytelling and bush tucker knowledge reveal the sacred relationship between people, animals and the environment. Bird-lovers can’t miss the incredible Spirits of the Sky show featuring native birds daily at 12pm and 3pm.

The Grampians

Known as Gariwerd to Traditional Owners, the Grampians is a place of immense cultural and spiritual significance. This rugged landscape holds more than 80 per cent of Victoria’s known First Peoples rock art, offering a powerful window into the region’s deep heritage. Visitors can respectfully explore five remarkable rock art sites: Billimina and Ngamadjidj in the Wartook Valley, Manja Shelter near Hamilton, Gulgurn Manja shelter near Laharum, and the Bunjil Shelter near Stawell, where the creator spirit is depicted. Each site tells a unique story of connection to Country, shared through ancient handprints, dancing figures and Dreaming narratives etched into stone.

Best Experiences winners – 2016 People’s Choice Awards

And the winners of the Best Experiences in Australian Traveller’s 2016 People’s Choice Awards are…

1. Best walk: Bondi to Bronte, NSW

2. Best food and wine region: Margaret River, WA

3. Best outback adventure: Uluru, NT

4. Best historical site: Port Arthur, Tas

5. Best cruise line that operates out of an Australian port: P&O

6. Most scenic road trip: The Great Ocean Road

7. Must-visit city restaurant: Chin Chin, Melbourne, Vic

8. Best annual festival: Vivid Sydney

9. Best guided tour? BridgeClimb Sydney, NSW

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Unforgettable First Peoples tours and experiences in Victoria

From ancient aquaculture systems to sacred rock art shelters, Victoria’s First Peoples cultural experiences offer a powerful connection to one of the world’s oldest living cultures – where every site, story and smoking ceremony invites a deeper understanding of the land beneath your feet.

Budj Bim cultural landscape

Dumawul Kooyoora Walking Tour

Kingfisher Cruises

wawa biik

Bataluk Cultural Trail

Healesville Sanctuary

The Grampians

And the winners of the Best Experiences in Australian Traveller’s 2016 People’s Choice Awards are…

1. Best walk: Bondi to Bronte, NSW

2. Best food and wine region: Margaret River, WA

3. Best outback adventure: Uluru, NT

AI Prompt

4. Best historical site: Port Arthur, Tas

5. Best cruise line that operates out of an Australian port: P&O

6. Most scenic road trip: The Great Ocean Road

7. Must-visit city restaurant: Chin Chin, Melbourne, Vic

8. Best annual festival: Vivid Sydney

9. Best guided tour? BridgeClimb Sydney, NSW

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These two secluded cabins have been designed to put your dog first

What’s on around Australia in September 2026

From ancient aquaculture systems to sacred rock art shelters, Victoria’s First Peoples cultural experiences offer a powerful connection to one of the world’s oldest living cultures – where every site, story and smoking ceremony invites a deeper understanding of the land beneath your feet.

Budj Bim cultural landscape

Dumawul Kooyoora Walking Tour

Kingfisher Cruises

wawa biik

Bataluk Cultural Trail

Healesville Sanctuary

The Grampians

From ancient aquaculture systems to sacred rock art shelters, Victoria’s First Peoples cultural experiences offer a powerful connection to one of the world’s oldest living cultures – where every site, story and smoking ceremony invites a deeper understanding of the land beneath your feet.