City Nomads’ Dozen To-Dos on Our Next Trip to Australia: Swim with the Dolphins, Vineyard Glamping, Road-Tripping

PUBLISHED September 10th, 2020 05:30 am | UPDATED May 10th, 2023 02:19 am

We might not be able to travel right now, but that doesn’t stop us from dreaming about it (24/7, in our case). Top of our list is Australia – the Land Down Under hits that sweet spot of being close enough to Singapore for a potential travel bubble and offbeat enough to hide endless surprises. If you’re looking to expand your bucket list, the City Nomads team has put together a dozen under-the-radar adventures we’ve been drooling over in Australia – from shark cage diving to outback dining.

Outback Feasting in the Northern Territory

I love dining alfresco, and the Northern Territory takes dinner under the stars to a whole new level. With all its otherworldly landscapes – dramatic gorges, red deserts – and its unique regional flavours, outback feasting there is bound to be unforgettable. Just imagine Dining Under a Desert Moon at Kings Canyon Resort, with a stellar menu of native produce and wines. Or sailing through the rugged Nitmiluk Gorges aboard the Nabilil Dreaming Sunset Dinner Tour, savouring a candlelit dinner against a backdrop of towering cliffs.

– Jolene, Lifestyle Writer

Soaking Up Wellness in New South Wales

Spa retreats are a dime a dozen, but for me there’s nothing more relaxing than going au naturel. New South Wales is a hotspot (pun intended) for thermal springs, with many natural pools fed by mineral-rich, detoxifying waters. One hot spring I’d love to visit is the Yarrangobilly Caves Thermal Pool, set in the lush peace of Kosciuszko National Park. Around 20 metres long and heated to a comfortable 27°C, this pool sounds perfect for a slow, rejuvenating swim. I could picnic nearby, then explore the stunning Yarrangobilly limestone caves – or maybe just luxuriate in the waters all day.

– Sharmaine, Marketing & B.D. Lead

Diving with Great White Sharks in Port Lincoln

If you’re as fascinated with sea creatures as I am, shark cage diving with Adventure Bay Charters in Port Lincoln, South Australia is the perfect bucket list activity. Swimming with Great White Sharks may seem like a daunting idea, but that’s probably what makes it so thrilling – to come face to face with these magnificent predators without a glass wall in-between. Not only do you get up close with Great Whites, you’ll also swim with sea lions (aka the puppies of the sea) and giant cuttlefish. The best part is that you do not even need to be a certified diver to enjoy these experiences!

– Nicole, Senior Marketing & Sales Executive

Tippling Up in Tasmania

Tipple therapy in Australia is prime, so drinking my way through Tasmania sounds just about right. Tasmanian production is so small that even most Australians, let alone Singaporeans, have never tried its stuff – it holds only 1% of Australia’s vineyards. But it punches way above its weight in repute with its elegant, cool-climate wines. Jansz would be an essential pit-stop for me – their sparkling wines are top-notch – and so would House of Arras.

Tasmania’s whisky scene is buzzing too, so a detour to the award-winning Sullivan’s Cove and Lark Distillery is a must. Oh, don’t forget the craft beer – the folks at Two Metre Tall love pushing boundaries with wild fermentation, oyster-infused stouts, and more.

– Emily, Editor-in-Chief

Sea, Sand, and Quokkas at Rottnest Island

Just 19km off the coast of Perth, Rottnest Island beckons with its pristine beaches – 63 of them to be precise. And if there’s anything I’m looking forward to, it’s lazing on a beach aimlessly as ocean waves gently roll onto the sandy shore. Besides the usual watersports, Rottnest is also the only island in Western Australia that lets you skydive over its turquoise waters. If you’re an adrenaline junkie like me, you won’t want to miss out on one-of-a-kind views over the gorgeous island as you freefall from a plane. To cap off your day of adventure, snap a selfie with the island’s quokkas – with their adorable ‘smiles’, it’s no wonder they’re dubbed the happiest animal on earth!

– Niharika, Editorial Intern

Treasure Hunting in Melbourne’s Markets

Melbourne has lots to offer in terms of top-notch shopping centres, arcades, and luxury brands, what I’m most looking forward to when I visit is their local markets. From Queen Victoria Market that has been operating since 1878, to The Rose Street Artists’ Market that focuses on art and handmade goods, there’s just so much treasure to discover. Markets are the best place to go to when I want unique trinkets, as well as to immerse myself into the local culture. The best part? There is bound to be delicious eats that you can munch on while strolling around, all at affordable prices.

– Janelle, Intern

Snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef

One of Australia’s Aboriginal experiences that’s been on my radar is a Great Barrier Reef tour by Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel. Starting out from Cairns, you get to snorkel two gorgeous sites – Moore Reef and either Milln or Flynn Reef – alongside Indigenous sea rangers. It’s an incredible way to learn more about Aboriginal history in this coastal region, and admire the intricacies of the reef ecosystem. For me, snorkelling is also a form of meditation – something about plunging into the tranquility of the waters keeps me grounded.

– Sharmaine, Marketing & B.D. Lead

Glamping Among The Vines in Canberra

With work and home life blending together, I’ve been craving a chance to switch off, and glamping at Naked Cubby Collective sounds like the perfect detox. They’ve got two luxe tents nestled in Canberra’s Mount Majura Vineyard – ‘Edgar’ is perched high above and offers sprawling views of the lush surrounds, while ‘Frank’ is tucked cosily among the vines. This close to a vineyard, you won’t go thirsty for sure – I’d definitely opt for the gourmet package of wine, cellar door tastings, and picnic hampers. There’s just something so freeing about living ‘naked’ here. No digital devices, no urban distractions – and if you’re up for it, no clothes.

– Jolene, Lifestyle Writer

Hiking the Scenic Rim Trail in Queensland

As a nature lover, being surrounded by lush, untouched greenery has always been a dream. Australia has plenty of amazing Great Walks, but one that’s caught my eye is Queensland’s Scenic Rim Trail. It is a 5-day, 5-night expedition to the most untouched places within Main Range National Park, where I can spend the day with some of Australia’s most unique plant species and wildlife, before falling asleep under the stars. Vantage points are also a plus – who doesn’t love looking out into the great, big open? If there is anything that could top off this expedition, it would be the involved partners who are committed to safeguarding the sustainability of the country.

– Nicole, Senior Marketing & Sales Executive

Going Gourmet at Victoria’s Best Regional Restaurants

When it comes to dining in Victoria, most Singaporeans’ minds would jump straight to Melbourne’s dynamic cafe and restaurant scene. But I would love to go further afield since there is so much more to dining beyond the capital.

For starters, there’s Brae, Gourmet Traveller’s Regional Restaurant of the Year 2020 – this hillside gem in small-town Birregurra serves up an ever-changing menu built on seasonality and sustainability. The winery dining is worth the venture too, from the whimsically-named Doot Doot Doot in Mornington Peninsula to Chrismont in the majestic King Valley. Cap it off with a trip to Captain Moonlite – a clifftop European eatery with swoon-worthy views of sea and sand – and I’ll be in gourmet bliss.

– Emily, Editor-in-Chief

Frolicking with Dolphins Along the Eyre Peninsula

Swimming with sea lions and dolphins? Count me in. A small fishing village located along the western coast of Eyre Peninsula in South Australia, Baird Bay is the home of the Ocean Eco Experience that lets you go from playing chase with Australian sea lions to swimming shoulder-to shoulder with a pod of bottlenose dolphins. How often do you get to interact with these playful, curious marine mammals up-close after all? Even if you are not keen to swim, you can still enjoy these magnificent sea creatures from the boat as they splash around.

– Niharika, Editorial Intern

Road Tripping to The Blue Mountains

While I haven’t been to Sydney, I’d definitely want to escape the city and take a road trip to The Blue Mountains. Not only is it going to be relaxing to ditch the urban bustle, there are some pit stops that sound extremely fun as well. I can already picture myself feeding kangaroos at Featherdale Wildlife Park and browsing through vintage stores in idyllic Katoomba. And I would literally climb a mountain for picnics with a view, so I’m more than prepared to hike to Pulpit Rock Lookout to enjoy stunning views with a basket of food.

– Janelle, Intern

Australian Adventures

So, it is clear we’ve got quite the bucket list to tick off – we bet you do too. For more travel inspiration to fuel your wanderlust, visit Australia.com.

Top Image: Blue Mountains Tourism

This article is sponsored by Tourism Australia.