paul bica / Foter / CC BY

Beaches, historic sites, mild year-round weather – it’s no wonder Australia is such a popular vacation destination. If you’ve set your sights on traveling to Australia, you’re in for a fun adventure in the land down under. Here are some ideas for your dream vacation to Australia.

Arts and culture

Arguably the most recognized monument in Australia is the Sydney Opera House. Don’t miss a chance to witness an opera performance in the most famous opera house in the world, also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

But the opera house hosts more than just opera performances – musical performances, plays and dance performances are held there as well. Visitors can take different tours of the building, including a tasting tour and a backstage tour; tours in French, German, Korean, Mandarin and Japanese are offered as well. No trip to Australia would be complete without at least catching a glimpse of this building.

Wildlife wonders

Australia is home to some of the most fascinating and diverse wildlife in the world. Those who love marine life will enjoy snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef – another World Heritage site – and getting a firsthand glimpse of sea creatures in their natural habitat.

Landlubbers can enjoy seeing kangaroos, koalas, bats and numerous other creatures unique to Australia. Visiting a wildlife sanctuary or zoo allows you to see and learn about animals native to the area. The Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo even allows visitors to stay in the zoo overnight for an unforgettable experience.

Thrill seeking

If snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef isn’t enough of an adrenaline rush, there are plenty of other opportunities to find adventure down under. Experience Australia from the air by taking an airplane tour around the continent. Or, if you’re brave enough, find an airplane to jump out of by signing up for skydiving.

Adventurers can also feel the rush by hiking, biking or four-wheeling through mountains and trails. Surfing is a popular water sport in Australia, as are kayaking, canoeing, water skiing and parasailing.

Material instinct

No vacation would be complete without at least one trip to the mall, right? Luckily, Australia has no shortage of shopping centers for those interested in keeping up with fashion trends while on vacation. The Queen Street Mall is the largest mall in Brisbane and features everything you’d need for a day of shopping – international and local retailers, spas, movie theaters, hotels and even a casino.

For high-end shopping with a historic atmosphere, check out the Melbourne General Post Office. Like the name suggests, it was originally Melbourne’s post office, but was transformed into a shopping mall after years of debate as to what the building’s future would be. Other noteworthy malls in Australia are Rundle Mall in Adelaide, the Queen Victoria Building in Sydney and the Colonnade in Perth.

Don’t forget to prepare

You’re probably ready to hop on a plane for Australia right this minute. However, before you leave, you need to get a few essentials. It’s imperative that you renew or obtain a passport months in advance of your trip. Obtaining an international health insurance policy is also important in case you need to be hospitalized overseas.

A trip to Australia is an unforgettable adventure. No matter what your interests are, you’ll have a memorable experience in this diverse country in the Southern hemisphere.