Tribù's top 6 things to see and do in Australia that should be on every bucket list!
While Australia offers infinite experiences for travelers of every type, there are a few items that we at Tribu feel simply should not be missed.
Here, we bring to you our bucket list for Australia — a curated collection of six of our most highly recommended sights to see, things to do and destinations to discover down under.
See Sydney like a local
Known for tourist attractions such as its famous Sydney Opera House and harbor, the capital of New South Wales is a destination for city-goers and water-enthusiasts alike.
We suggest a stay in a suite with a view at the Sydney Park Hyatt, and experiencing Sydney like the locals do, with a private off-the-beaten-path guided tour and a seaplane lunch excursion. Our private tour showcases Sydney Harbour, followed by a trip to the local fish market, a stop through some of the city’s suburbs with a view, plus experiencing Barangaroo, Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Opera House by night, King Street Wharf, and so many hidden little beaches accessible by boat only — each with its own exclusive view.
Also on the bucket list is a magical day out with a Sydney Seaplane flight along the city’s northern beaches, followed by a three-course lunch overlooking Whale Beach at Jona’s restaurant. Head back to the hotel by water taxi and enjoy dramatic views of Whale Beach, the Pacific Ocean, and Sydney’s famous Rose Bay.
Explore the Blue Mountains
Explore the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, home to a range of wildlife and vast geological heritage. Our bucket list includes a stay at Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley where guests can enjoy tours on horseback, quad adventures, mountain biking, stargazing and more while the resort’s experienced field guides are at the ready to assist at any time.
Options for guests of the resort span inclusive activities, signature experiences and completely private tours — all centered around wildlife safaris, horseback riding, bush walks and more, while enjoying private pools and luxury villas all with stunning views of the spectacular Wolgan Valley.
Take a Jaunt Across Kangaroo Island
Heralded as the Galapagos of Australia, Kangaroo Island off the country’s southern coast is known for its diverse wildlife, protected nature reserves and rock formations including the famed “Remarkable Rocks” and “Admirals Arch.”
Tribu’s take on Kangaroo Island includes a stay at Southern Ocean Lodge; a unique luxury lodge experience set on a cliff overlooking a rugged coastline and vast expanse of nature. The lodge is a sanctuary where luxury meets the wild and visitors can enjoy any number of extraordinary island activities from intimate guided national park expeditions to exploring the island’s food and wine. The lodge’s signature experiences span quad bike safaris, guided cliff walks, kayak adventures, ‘Kangas & Kanapés,’ exploring Seal Bay and platypus habitats, and much more.
Experience the Great Barrier Reef at Lizard Island
While the Great Barrier Reef makes the travel bucket lists of many, experiencing it from the luxury Lizard Island lodge is what makes it for Tribu. Lizard Island features 24 private beaches and just 40 suites and villas, making it a highly exclusive and remote location for exploring the Great Barrier Reef, upon which the property is set.
We love Lizard Island’s creative approaches to customizing the Australia experience, from its deluxe picnic hampers for private beach outings, dive adventures, motorized dinghy for exploring the many beaches and unlimited use of stand-up paddle boards. But perhaps our highest recommendation goes to the property’s Dom Parignon Retreat, which it offers through an exclusive partnership with the global Champagne maker. The retreat begins with a reef snorkel discovery and private boat charter, and ends with a Dom Perignon picnic under the stars at Sunset Beach, featuring Champagne pairings with locally sourced produce and seafood.
Tour Ayers Rock
Set in the Northern Territory in central Australia, Uluru, or Ayers Rock, is sandstone formation sacred to indigenous Australians, and said to be under formation for the last 550 million years. Our bucket list trip to Ayers Rock includes a stay at Longitude 131°, a luxury tented basecamp at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. The lodge overlooks Uluru, with its central Dune House that is both contemporary and with a nod to the outback and surrounding desert landscape.
Unique to Longitude 131° is the acclaimed solar installation Field of Light, by artist Bruce Munro, available to visitors of the Red Centre and truly a unique experience. At Uluru, the Field of Light is the largest recreation of the installation, which has traveled to several sites globally, and is made up of 50,000 stems topped with light. Visitors will also revel in meals served at the open-air Table 131, bespoke experiences such as sunset viewing and guided hikes, motorcycle tours, day trips to Kings Canyon and even tours by flight — a true insider’s way to see this vast expanse of Australia.
Adventure Through Ningaloo Reef
A World Heritage site, Ningaloo Marine Park is situated among Australia’s most western coast and is home to the world’s largest fringing reef — a coral reef more than 160 miles long. Wildlife from turtles to manta rays, whales and sharks inhabit the reef, making it a bucket-list destination for nature enthusiasts and luxury travelers alike.
Tribu recommends adventuring through Ningaloo Reef from the home base of Sal Salis; a beach safari camp comprising 15 eco-luxury wilderness tents with views of the surrounding bush and reef. Visitors will enjoy exploring the reef and its more than 500 wildlife species via guided tour snorkel excursion. Adventure-seekers may also enjoy swimming among the local wildlife, including whale sharks, humpback whales and more, while lounging back at camp in a private hammock with a view of the reef is always a viable option.
Contact Tribù to start planning your bucket list trip to Australia!