15 inspiring Aussie adventures to lock in now for 2025

Adventures are more than heart-racing, dangerous pursuits. They’re venturing into remote regions. Trying something new. Experiences that fill you with awe and leave you with exciting stories to tell. These 15 inspiring adventures will do just that.

1. Stay on a working outback cattle station, Northern Territory

wallabies grazing in the fields at Bullo River Station — Native wildlife abounds in the paddocks of Bullo River Station. (Image: Elise Hassey)

Set on more than 160,000 hectares of privately owned countryside – technically in the Northern Territory but considered part of the Kimberley – Bullo River Station is where outback hospitality meets untold adventure. The Sibella Court-designed property is the latest to join Luxury Lodges of Australia and defines the concept of ‘luxury of experience’. It’s a taste of life on a remote cattle station, with access to exceptional experiences such as a helicopter flight over a landscape carved and braided by gorges, waterfalls and jewel-like waterholes that you can swim in.

2. Swim with sea lions in Baird Bay, Eyre Peninsula

the Baird Bay Experience boat anchors, Eyre Peninsula, SA — The Baird Bay Experience boat anchors while guests explore the pristine underwater environment. (Image: Tourism Australia)

The sleepy town of Baird Bay has a permanent population of just five, greatly outnumbered by the 140 Australian sea lions that inhabit its sheltered bay. Witness these playful creatures corkscrew and pirouette around you on the Baird Bay Experience, three hours north of Port Lincoln, on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula. Sleep in newly renovated rammed earth buildings that overlook the bay, while in-house chef Calvin Von Niebel serves up a menu of maritime abundance pulled from the waters directly in front.

3. Take a walk among Heysen’s gum trees, Adelaide Hills

Couple taking the Artists Walk on the Heysen property in Adelaide Hills — The Artist’s Walk weaves through the 60-hectare property.

Who knew that hidden in a sleepy dale, deep in the Adelaide Hills, was an artistic hotspot that once lured in the creative likes of Marcel Marceau and Anna Pavlova. For half a century, The Cedars was one of the country’s first stops for world-renowned artists making the voyage to Australia to visit German-born Hans Heysen, who grew to become one of Australia’s most celebrated landscape artists. Walk among the famous gum trees that were his ever-present muse on the 40-minute Artist’s Walk weaving through the 60-hectare property.

4. Learn the untold stories of Parliament House, Canberra

visitors at the Members’ Hall, Parliament House — The Members’ Hall at the centre of Parliament House. (Image: Visit Canberra/Lean Timms)

‘If these walls could talk’ is a regular utterance by visitors to Parliament House. But on this exclusive look at the daily goings-on of the heart of Australian democracy, your guide does the talking for them. Going beyond any year-six school excursion and public guided tour, this signature experience through Cultural Attractions of Australia grants you access to roped-off areas where usually only staff are allowed – and tells the stories that these walls have kept quiet for decades.

5. Take a cultural culinary journey in WA

Join Bardi-Jawi guide Bolo Angus on a cultural walk at Lullumb. (Image: Tourism Western Australia/Jarrad Seng)

One minute you might be indulging in fine dining at one of Perth’s top luxury hotels, the next you’re foraging native foods with Traditional Custodians in the far reaches of the Kimberley. Whet your appetite for Western Australia on one of The Ritz-Carlton, Perth x Fervor bespoke packages , which are carefully designed to include once-in-a-lifetime culinary and tourism experiences for its guests.

6. Sleep in luxury near Yellow Water Billabong, Kakadu

the bed in a luxe safari-style villa at Cooinda Lodge, Kakadu National Park — The luxe safari-style villas. (Image: Tourism NT/Charlie Bliss)

From ‘tent store’ in the 1960s to modern-day tourism hotspot, Kakadu’s Cooinda Lodge has elevated its offering once more with the new Yellow Water Villas. These safari-style tents are named for the Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba) wetlands, which encapsulate all that is magical about Kakadu National Park – waterbirds dancing in a choreographed ballet, buffaloes padding along the banks of the billabong, saltwater crocs lurking in the shallows. And what’s more, the villas on Murumburr Country have been built on stilts to meet the wet season waterline and minimise impact on the land, all while cocooning guests in luxury.

7. Take a regional festival road trip

Kip Moore performing at Savannah in the Round — Kip Moore at Savannah in the Round.

What do you get when you bring together a strong sense of small-town pride, a line-up of great music and an epic backdrop? A bloody good reason for a road trip. Regional festivals are having a moment. There’s Savannah in the Round (a country music bash in the Cairns hinterland), Port Fairy Folk Festival (a tourism juggernaut that has been running since 1977) and Townsville’s Australian Festival of Chamber Music (which had a record-breaking year in 2024). And in what may be considered an odd pairing of classical music and Australian outback, the Festival of Outback Opera is a truly magical event held in Winton and Longreach each May.

8. Walk along cliff tops, Blue Mountains

Grand Cliff Top Walk, Blue Mountains, NSW — Handrails have been installed for safety. (Image: RBrand/DCCEEW)

The Blue Mountains is home to some of the country’s most breathtaking bushwalks, through lush vegetation, striking rock formations and boundless views on the lands of the Gundungurra people. Launched in early 2024, the Grand Cliff Top Walk connects some of the most scenic of those tracks into a single hike that covers 19 kilometres over two days, from Wentworth Falls to Katoomba.

9. Enjoy a culinary cycle through Victoria’s High Country

cycling Victoria’s High Country — Bike trails crisscross the
King Valley in Victoria’s High Country. (Image: Visit Victoria/Ben Savage)

Victoria’s High Country has long lured gourmands craving to visit some of the state’s finest artisan makers and growers. A self-guided Pedal to Produce itinerary strings together some of the best of Australia’s first ‘Gourmet Region’, with a handful of lauded restaurants, such as Ava’s and Henley’s Wine Bar & Kitchen, along the way. E-bikes make the journey more comfortable, as you whizz past cows and kangaroos grazing on apple-green pastures, through Ned Kelly Country where the Brown Brothers winery put the village of Milawa on the map.

10. Shift your perspective on Uluṟu, NT

native bush foods at Tali Wiru — A piti (bowl) full of native bush foods at Tali Wiṟu. (Image: Tourism NT/Tourism Australia)

Experiencing Uluṟu through Anangu guides shifts your perspective. The landscape is no longer simply a vast, open plain; it’s a book, a kitchen, a medicine cabinet, and a layered archive of personal history. Join a Maruku Arts’ cultural walking tour or dine under a desert sky during the Tali Wiṟu dining experience, to hear the Tjukurpa stories in this iconic landscape that will reveal itself as a vessel of stories, a home and a wellspring of spirituality.

Aerial view of Longitude 131° and Uluru — Luxury lodge Longitude 131° has striking views of Uluṟu from its exclusive safari-style tents. (Image: George Apostolidis)

11. Take an oyster and wine road trip in Tassie

Aerial view of The Neck that connects north and south Bruny Island — The Neck connects north and south Bruny Island. (Image: Jess Bonde)

Tasmania is home to 185 licensed wine producers but roughly half of these world-class drops never leave the Apple Isle… so if you want to sample some of our country’s best wine, you must go straight to the source. This epic two-week road trip from Hobart to Launceston – stopping in verdant regions such as the Huon Valley, Bruny Island and the East Coast – is one for culinary enthusiasts cherry-picking the best wine producers and oyster farms to stop along the way.

12. Go searching for salties, Queensland

a saltwater crocodile lurking in the water — The national park is notorious for saltwater crocodiles. (Image: Mark Daffey)

Queensland’s second largest national park is adventure territory. A landscape of sandstone hills, sweeping grasslands and coastal estuaries, this natural floodplain is notorious for two resident species. The first is barramundi, which are prized by anglers. The second is saltwater crocs. Find these feared beasts around the waterways of Rinyirru National Park with Outback Spirit , making your base the cosy cabins at Lotusbird Lodge, set amongst shady eucalypts on the banks of a billabong. 

13. Explore the hip hood around Waterloo, Sydney

the Waterloo Station in Sydney — Alight at Waterloo to explore surrounding neighbourhoods. (Image: Lauren De Sousa)

In the atmospheric inner-south suburbs of Sydney/Warrane, Waterloo Metro Station is woven around a world of street art, urban treasures and railway history. Carriageworks is a cavernous hub for the arts, housed in a historic railway workshop. In South Eveleigh, a drinking, dining and lifestyle precinct, follow the tracks through the old foundry for a blacksmithing class at Eveleigh Works. And seek out The EVE Hotel, Sydney’s newest and hottest hotel on the site of the old Wunderlich Factory in Redfern.

14. Cosy up with the small guys in McLaren Vale, SA

an aerial view of Sherrah Wines, McLaren Vale — Explore Sherrah Wines to make the most of your escape to McLaren Vale. (Image: Supplied)

It may not be as famous as its neighbour, but McLaren Vale is one of the country’s oldest and most acclaimed wine regions, with some 500 vineyards and 90 cellar doors. Small Batch Wine Tours shines a light on the smaller and lesser-known producers in the region. A favourite stop is the shared cellar door of Lino Ramble, Sherrah Wines and Bondar Wines (the latter one of James Halliday’s top 100 wineries for 2024). Slip between the rooms of this charming cottage to sip on the wines and meet (and belly-laugh) with the winemakers themselves.

15. Lace up your shoes for NSW’s newest coastal walk

Narrawallee Inlet on the NSW South Coast — Narrawallee Inlet marks the northernmost point of the new hike. (Image: Trenny M)

Spanning Narrawallee Inlet just north of Mollymook to Blackburn Head at Burrill Lake, the new 20-kilometre Southern Headlands Walk weaves in some of the South Coast’s best coastal scenery with a few hidden gems along the way. Connecting existing tracks, you’ll pass through Sydney Basin’s Bangalay Sand Forest, an endangered ecological area; marvel at 270-million-year-old marine fossils near Ulladulla Harbour; and rock-hop between incredible swimming spots.

A change is as good as a holiday, but never more so than in the Bendigo region when it’s the seasons putting in the transformative work.

With its gold rush history, opulent architecture and booming food and wine industry, there’s no denying that the Bendigo region is beautiful to visit at any time of year. Visit between March and May, however, and you’ll find the Bendigo in autumn really comes alive. Foliage erupts in a canvas of golden colours and the cooling air makes immersing yourself in nature all the more enticing.

Need a few ideas to get you started? We’re so glad you asked.

1. Tackle the bike trails

Pink Cliffs Reserve in Heathcote can be seen on the O’Keefe Rail Trail. (Image: Visit Victoria/Emily Godfrey)

Welcome to a region that punches well above its weight when it comes to cycling. This is where hammies are tested on multi-day rides, and first-timers fall in love with the sport on short (and ridiculously pretty) trails.

The 49-kilometre O’Keefe Rail Trail is the headline act, following the old railway line between Bendigo and Heathcote. Cross the Campaspe River at Axedale Recreation Reserve and pause at the Platypus Compass Sculpture and the First Nations mural marking the connection between Djaara and Taungurung Country, with Axedale acting as the perfect halfway stop to refuel at a pub or cafe.

Pedal a little further Heathcote’s Pink Cliffs Geological Reserve to be rewarded with views of sculpted pink clay cliffs and narrow gorges that are perfect for a photo stop. Searching for a different type of reward? The Heatchote Wine Region is full of inviting cellar doors.

There are plenty of other options in the Bendigo region, from the 210-kilometre Goldfields Track , to the Bendigo Creek Trail and Back Creek Trail – both ideal for riders of all abilities. The 3.7 kilometre Little Lake Boort loop is a great family-friendly option.

Prefer something more adventurous? Spring Gully Mountain Bike Park has been keeping BMX Bandits’ dreams alive for years.

2. Enjoy the crunch of autumn leaves

two people having a picnic at Valley of Liquidambers heathcote — Pack a picnic and head to the Valley of Liquidambers.

Blinding clusters of crimson, burnt orange and brilliant yellow; here, autumn leaves are crisp confetti of fire and gold. See the magic up close with a slew of parks seemingly dedicated to showcasing Mother Nature’s colour wheel, especially from mid April to early June.

Pack a picnic for an afternoon at Valley of Liquidambers in Heathcote, where Liquidamber trees transform into a wonderworld of magical foliage. Don’t miss taking a leisurely stroll across the swinging bridge back towards the main street.

Rosalind Park might be celebrated for its annual tulip display come springtime, but it’s hard to compete with the theatre of autumn. Here, many trees date back to the 1800s, and there’s no better place for a romantic stroll than along the elms, oak and Queensland Kauri that dominate this park.

Head straight to Lake Weeroona, where an ornamental lake begs for a leisurely lap around its edges, either on foot, or with pedal power.

3. Immerse yourself in First Nations culture

woman exploring Kooyoora State Park with guides — Explore Kooyoora State Park on a cultural tour.

Its ‘Mountain of Light’ (Guyura in the Dja Dja Wurrung language) title is impressive, but so too is Kooyoora State Park’s rugged landscape of granite outcrops, rocky ridgelines and wide-open skies.

While there’s nothing to suggest you couldn’t explore Kooyoora’s walking tracks on your own, the best way to understand the 40,000 years of history behind its natural wonders is to book a 2.5-hour Kooyoora Cultural Tour with Dumawul Tours .

Led by Djaara cultural guides, expect a traditional Welcome to Country smoking ceremony, before engaging storytelling rewinds the clock to reveal the deep cultural significance of the land, its flora, fauna and its continuing connection to Country.

Keen to stay a little longer? Consider staying overnight at the campground and committing to the park’s wealth of walking trails, such as the 5.3-kilometre hike from the camping ground to the lookout on the Long Rock Walking Track.

4. Splash in the region’s waterways

Paddle through Serpentine Creek Canoe Trail. (Image: Visit Vic)

Water babies rejoice: the Bendigo region offers a wealth of waterways to explore.

Flowing 392-kilometres from the Great Dividing Range to the Murray River, the best way to enjoy Loddon River is with a stop at Bridgewater. Here you can swim in the natural infinity pool or tackle the all-abilities, five-kilometre Serpentine Creek Canoe Trail before browsing the cute stores in town. Hungry? Grab a bite at Bridgewater Hotel .

Lake Eppalock is popular for water activities, but don’t miss a visit to Little Lake Boort and Big Lake Boort. Birders, in particular, will love the former, thanks to the large variety of bird species that nest in the boardwalk area surrounding the lake.

Meanwhile, Big Lake Boort is celebrated for its significant Indigenous history and over 400 scarred trees, and offers an opportunity to spot birds and go canoing.

Meanwhile, watersports and recreational activities at Crusoe Reservoir, located on the outskirts of Bendigo, are the order of the day. Take a walk to the picnic spots of No. 7 Park nearby, and maybe even camp there for the night.

5. View epic lookouts

customers at Peregrine Ridge — Spend time at Peregrine Ridge.

Sometimes a holiday requires a phenomenal spot on which to perch as you survey your temporary kingdom below. The Bendigo region, happily, doesn’t do anything by halves.

Located in Heathcote-Graytown National Park, Viewing Rock Lookout – a rocky outcrop offering spectacular views over Heathcote and surrounds – remains a popular choice. Take the hour-long Viewing Rock Circuit Walk and try your hand at gold prospecting nearby.

Prefer the romance of sunrise or sunset? Pyramid Hill, a stunning granite hill rising 187-metres above sea level, is the place to be (preferably with a coffee and a bagel)

Over in Terrick Terrick National Park, a walk to the summit delivers a full 360-degree panorama of woodlands, farms and open-sky plains. Pack lunch – and perhaps a tent – as picnic tables and camping are available.

Carve out time for Peregrine Ridge , a vineyard situated at the eastern side of Mt Camel Range with an elevation ranging from 250-290 metres. Be rewarded with delicious wine and a cellar door which offers floor-to-ceiling views.

6. Enjoy the Bendigo region’s parks and gardens

Rosalind Park in bendigo — Stroll through Bendigo’s best gardens. (Image: Visit Vic)

Rosalind Park, located right in the centre of town, is considered Bendigo’s backyard and rightly so. Home to the Bendigo Easter Festival , it’s just as popular year-round for its sixty acres of rolling lawns, towering elms, fernery and winding paths – not to mention the playground which has plenty of little fans of its own. A short drive away, Bendigo Botanic Gardens – established in 1857 – offers a more tranquil space for deep-level nature immersion.

Those who favour something a little more formal, cottage-style Canterbury Park Gardens – famous for its dahlias in autumn – delivers. Stroll through its meticulously maintained ornamental gardens before checking out Lake Tom Thumb and Lake Neangar nearby.

Time to start planning your adventure to the Bendigo Region, visit bendigoregion.com.au.