423 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Australia - Atlas Obscura

Unusual Attractions in Australia

Lake Hillier

An Australian lake whose pink hue defies scientific explanation.

Helensburgh, Australia

Glowworm Tunnel

An abandoned railroad tunnel is now filled with bioluminescent bugs.

Raymond Island, Australia

Gippsland Lakes Bioluminescence

Australian Lake set aglow by Noctiluca Scintillans.

Mena Creek, Australia

Paronella Park

A castle hand built by a Spanish dreamer in the Australian tropical jungle.

Putty, Australia

Newnes Glow Worm Tunnel

Once the path of a railway tunnel, now home to thousands of glowing insects.

Mount Dandenong, Australia

William Ricketts Sanctuary

A collection of outdoor mystical statues paying homage to indigenous Australians and ecological stewardship.

Wentworth Point, Australia

SS Ayrfield

Nature is leading a successful mutiny on this century-old freighter.

East Warburton, Australia

Redwood Forest Tree Art

Woven tree art gives this towering Australian woodland a touch of mystical whimsy.

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Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Australia

Frewville, Australia

The Butterfly Room

Hundreds of tiny dead butterfly eyes gaze down at diners in this Australian eatery.

Adelaide, Australia

Santos Museum of Economic Botany

A wealth of plants and horticultural curiosities fill this charmingly antique museum.

Bowen, Australia

The Big Mango

One of Australia's famed "Big Things," this giant fruit was once stolen as part of a publicity stunt.

Sydney, Australia

The Lillipad Cafe

An indigenous ethnobotanist runs this brunch spot celebrating Australia’s native flavors.

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Stories About Australia

A northern bettong from a small population in Danbulla National Park in North Queensland.

These Truffle-Eating Marsupials in Australia Are 'Ecosystem Engineers'

There are far fewer northern bettongs than previously thought, but work is underway to save the species.

November 29, 2021

The Giant Koala in Dadswells Bridge is both intimidating and beloved.

What's the Big Deal With Australia's 'Big Things'?

From pineapples to poisonous toads, Aussies love their enormous roadside attractions.

by Tiare Tuuhia

November 3, 2021

Iron-rich springs at Australia's Lake Tyrrell provide intense color in <em>Heart of the Salt Lake.</em>

Is This an Australian Salt Lake or a 'Beating Heart Laid Bare'?

Iron-rich springs generate intense color in a stark landscape that, from above, might be mistaken for a crime scene.

by Gemma Tarlach

October 12, 2021

A spiral formation of jack fish in Heron Island's harbor was the winner of <em>BMC Ecology and Evolution</em>'s inaugural photo competition.

What Do You See in This Spiral of Color and Light?

A researcher says her award-winning image of a swirling school of fish is also a metaphor for the oceans' health.

by Gemma Tarlach

September 9, 2021

A satellite image from May 2021 shows Lake Menindee, the largest of a nine-lake system, refilling after years of drought. By late August, the lake had reached nearly 90 percent capacity.

An Australian Lake Returns to Life Amid Controversy and Hope

The revival of Lake Menindee is the latest chapter in a battle over water management, environmental protection, and indigenous rights.

by Gemma Tarlach

August 31, 2021

After heavy rains, spiderwebs covered part of Gippsland like a glinting blanket.

Spiders Covered Australian Shores With a Massive, Gossamer Blanket

The ghostly sight tells a story of escape, survival, and a post-flood feast.

by Jessica Leigh Hester

Dolphins just off the Peron Peninsula in Shark Bay, Australia.

Dolphins Help Those Who've Helped Them Before, Even When They're Not Friends

A new study in Australia shows that having a team is key to reproductive success.

The grey-headed flying fox is a fruit bat native to southeastern Australia.

The Australian Town That’s Gone Batty Over Its Bats

Where some see threatened mammals, others see a threat to historic trees.

by Bonnie Nicol

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