Things to do in Northern Australia

Rising from the desert in the Northern Territory, the red sandstone monolith of Uluru (Ayers Rock) has been a place of great spiritual importance to the Anangu Aboriginal people for thousands of years. Be awed by the sight of the rock changing colours at sunset, its deep crevices turning from bright orange to an intense purple hue.

Take a swim, surf the waves, get your kicks on a jet-boat ride, spot whales, browse the market and shops, and then join the crowds for a drink at one of the night clubs or pubs. Compact Surfers Paradise has accommodation, shopping, nightlife and the beach all within walking distance.

The Cairns Esplanade is the tree-lined boardwalk along the foreshore in the city of Cairns. It overlooks the Trinity Inlet and the Coral Sea on one side, and is lined with restaurants and gardens on the other. It has bike paths and walking trails, playgrounds, barbecues, exercise areas and a salt-water lagoon.

Warner Bros. Movie World is a theme park full of thrilling rides, stunts and encounters with movie and comic-book stars. This fantasyland is next door to the Village Roadshow Studios and includes a super-sized water tank for film shoots. Kids will be thrilled to walk among the costumed superheroes and cartoon characters who roam the park and give performances throughout the day.

Day or night, find exciting events, shopping or dining on Noosa’s Hastings Street, a central hub in one of the Sunshine Coast’s most popular destinations. Wander along the pedestrian-friendly street that is lined with an eclectic array of boutique shops, luxury accommodation and diverse restaurants. Hastings Street is right next to the white sand and crystal-clear water of Noosa Beach.

Australia Zoo offers each visitor an up-close animal experience unlike any other. From petting cuddly koalas to hand-feeding magnificent Asian elephants, walking with majestic Sumatran tigers to watching nail-biting crocodile shows, it's easy to see why world-famous crocodile wrestler Steve Irwin and his family called Australian Zoo home.