Australia has plenty to offer to locals and tourists alike, regardless of which region you visit or live in. Alas, the focus tends to remain on major attractions. But there’s so much more to Australia than just trotting off to see the kangaroos. So, those trying to find something more unique have found themselves in the right place.

Taking a Sip of Australian Wine

We’d bet that the first countries you think of are France and Italy when it comes to wine. But Australia is actually home to some of the finest vineyards in the world due to its diverse landscape.

One of the regions you should explore is Hunter Valley in New South Wales. It is the country’s oldest wine region, which is probably best known for its white wine – Semillon.

With over 80 wineries spread throughout this area, some of which offer great guided tours where you’ll meet winemakers and get to taste their hard work, you won’t be left disappointed. And when you take into account its remarkable restaurants, this is also a great place for foodies.

For those who prefer red wines, we’d suggest going on a trip to visit the Barossa Valley in South Australia. Contributing to 60% of all the wine produced in the country, this is their most famous wine region.

While the area offers a wide variety of wines, their most famous one is Shiraz. Here, you’ll find vineyards that have up to 150-year-old Shiraz plots.

Next up, wines for dudes is a “must explore” area for any visitors to Aussie – dude or not. We’re not joking! You simply have to check out the wine for dudes in the Margaret River region in Western Australia. Here, we find over 200 vineyards, hard at work producing globally renowned wines like Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.

And yes, both of those are originally French, but they’re able to produce them here thanks to the area’s Mediterranean climate. Plus, visiting the area will bring you into contact with a stunning coastline that attracts surfers from around the world – perfect for both wine-loving dudes and dudettes who want to hit the waves.

Some other regions that deserve an honourable mention? We’ve got the Yarra Valley in Victoria and Coonawarra situated in South Australia. Regardless of which you visit, you’re certain to have a fine wine experience!

Underrated Outdoor Adventures

While here, you might typically consider going surfing or visiting a sanctuary with koalas, but we have something else in mind. We’ll discuss some of the hidden gems that the Land Down Under has to offer, and remember – just because they’re less known it doesn’t make them any less amazing.

We’ll begin this with a trip to Lake Hillier on Middle Island, which has a pink hue attributed to the presence of Dunaliella salina. While the lake remains pink year-round, it can only be enjoyed from above by a helicopter ride which operates daily from October to April, or by a private tour for the rest of the year.

Australia is also home to a hand-built castle in the Australian tropical jungle, the Paronella Park in North Queensland. This park runs on hydroelectricity and is surrounded by lush greenery.

You’d be remiss not to check out a match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground if you find yourself in Melbourne. This is arguably one of the best things you can do in Melbourne, especially if you’ve never watched cricket before.

Experiencing Indigenous Culture and Cuisine

The heritage of Australia’s Indigenous community remains vibrant even today. In fact, in the last decade, there has been a resurgence in their population, which is a promising sign that proves their tenacity.

It is highly important to be educated in the Indigenous culture of the country, especially if you’re Australian yourself. This will provide you with a new understanding of the history of the country and ensure you’re more aware of the hardships that they still go through.

As such, we’d suggest experiencing cultural tours led by Indigenous guides specifically. These will enlighten you about the challenges they’ve faced, while also sharing stories that have been kept alive for thousands of years, passed on from one generation to the other.

Another great way to explore the culture is to try out Indigenous cuisine. Through food, we can learn a lot about what was accessible to its people throughout the years and it is often far more sustainable than typical Western cuisine.

Here, we’d suggest trying out grilled marinated kangaroo meat or perhaps kangaroo stew. And you can pair this with damper, a traditional bread made with flour and water, cooked over coals.

If you’re an art lover, we’d suggest exploring local art galleries that showcase Aboriginal art. One of the biggest First Nation collections can be found at the National Gallery of Australia.

Alternatively, we’d suggest checking out the Artlandish Aboriginal Art Gallery or the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Culture Centre. This will offer a more immersive experience that will certainly make quite an impact on you.

Conclusion

The most underrated experiences can be the ones that are the most memorable. As such, we hope that you check out one of our aforementioned options the next time you’re considering what to do in Australia.