Cultural Attractions of Australia

Australian Parliament House, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory

Architecturally impressive, Australian Parliament House was designed to encourage public access and involvement, while responding to the Australian climate, landscape, vegetation, and even the quality of the light. 

The forecourt reflects Australia’s ancient beginnings, with a 196-square-metre mosaic, designed by Aboriginal artist Michael Nelson Jagamara. Inside, there is a stunning art collection and the extraordinary Great Hall Tapestry, designed by renowned Australian artist Arthur Boyd, it took fourteen full-time weavers more than two years to complete. Travellers can be part of the action as they watch Question Time.

Experience
More than Politics – a tour that takes visitors behind-the-scenes, exploring the Parliamentary art and furniture collections, both usually off-limits, and finishes with a dining experience usually reserved for visiting dignitaries, featuring Canberra region wine pairings.

Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory

The Australian War Memorial combines a shrine, a world-class museum, and an extensive archive. Architecturally magnificent, the Memorial gives an insight into what it means to be Australian.

The breathtaking Hall of Memory has a captivating mosaic, one of the largest in the world and travellers may pay their respects and place a poppy of remembrance on the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier.

Experience
The Soul of the Nation – experience Australia’s history through stories of service and sacrifice. Join an expert guide for a private tour of the Commemorative Courtyard and Hall of Memory. Then in the Memorial’s galleries, the guide connects guests with powerful stories of courage, devotion and mateship. Join a Curator for a private exploration of the unique collection of rare and beautiful letters, photographs,  diaries and more. 

National Gallery Of Australia, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory

The National Gallery of Australia holds Australia’s national art collection, representing the visual culture and spirit of the country. Visitors experience a world seen through the eyes of artists. A masterpiece of modern architecture, the Gallery is just minutes from the airport and city.

Experience
A Feast of Icons – a tour of iconic artworks, followed by a premium degustation dinner. An expert guide reveals the stories of six renowned works from the Gallery’s collection in an exclusive, after-hours tour. Guests then enjoy a spectacular dinner in a private dining lounge, overlooking Lake Burley Griffin. Each of the six courses is inspired by an artwork on the tour, creating an evening to remember. Each guest receives a souvenir edition of the National Gallery of Australia Collection Highlights, signed by the Director.

National Museum Of Australia, Australian Capital Territory

AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM, SYDNEY, New South Wales

Opera Australia, Sydney, New South Wales

No trip to Sydney is complete without witnessing a live performance in its most famous building, the Sydney Opera House. The Opera Australia season features the hit composers like Puccini and Mozart and Broadway favourites.

Experiences
Opera Australia: Star at the Sydney Opera House - starts with a wig and costume fitting two days earlier and culminates with entry through the stage door of the Sydney Opera House for a once-in-a-lifetime, walk-on role with the chorus of Opera Australia.

A Not So Modest Proposal – Pop the Question at the Opera - Ride the romantic momentum of a night at the opera and propose on stage at Opera Australia’s Great Opera Hits at the Sydney Opera House, giving the object of your affection the surprise of their lives. 

Sydney Opera House, Sydney, New South Wales

The Sydney Opera House is Australia’s most-recognised cultural institution and a celebrated community meeting place. It is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a masterpiece of human creative genius and a world-class performing arts centre.

Experiences
Sydney Opera House: A Taste of Opera - a private, first-hand look behind the curtain into the venues, fascinating history and insider stories of this iconic building, with an exclusive opera recital and meeting with the singer and pianist afterwards and optional private dining experience.

Gold Experience Package – Meet your guide for an intimate VIP tour of the iconic Sydney Opera House. Indulge in a two-course pretheatre dining experience with the option of including a performance ticket to one of the many inspiring performances shown at the Opera House each year.

Qantas Founders Museum, Longreach, Queensland

Australia’s national airline, Qantas was founded in Longreach, outback Queensland in 1920. The Qantas Founders Museum tells the airline’s story with interpretive displays, interactive exhibits, replica aircraft and genuine artefacts. The collection includes five internationally significant aeroplanes - Super Constellation, PBY Catalina Flying Boat, Douglas DC3, Boeing 707 and 747. 

Experience
The ‘Spirit of Australia’ Platinum Tour - starts with a three-hour guided tour of the two Boeings during which travellers see the black box flight recorders, learn how to ‘arm the doors', sit in the pilot's seat, inspect the cargo hold and the exterior of the Super Constellation and take a walk on the wings of both Boeing aircraft. The tour continues with full museum access, lunch and a personal souvenir photo. 

Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, South Australia

Established in 1871, Adelaide Oval is the centrepiece of the Adelaide CBD’s revitalised riverbank precinct. A comprehensive redevelopment has transformed Adelaide Oval into an exemplary modern stadium, while retaining its considerable history and charm.

Experiences
Experience Adelaide Oval Legends Tour – an in-depth insight into the life and times of cricket’s greatest batsman, Sir Donald Bradman, with a curated tour through his private and personal collection and the Bodyline Museum. Then visit the player’s viewing room, meet a Senior Groundsman to talk pitch preparation and create a personalised surname plate to display in the century old scoreboard.

Wonders of Adelaide RoofClimb Experience – a guided climb across the highest points of the Oval’s unique roofline, gaining a new perspective on Adelaide, followed by an individual tasting plate of local produce and premium South Australian sparkling wine on the rooftop, before returning to the ground.

Mona (Museum Of Old And New Art), Hobart And The Tasman Peninsula, Tasmania

Mona is Australia’s largest privately-owned gallery and museum. Showcasing the diverse collection of its owner, Tasmanian gambler and maths nerd David Walsh. 

The Mona site—on the banks of the River Derwent, near Hobart— is also home to the Moorilla Winery, The Source restaurant, bars, luxury accommodation pavilions, and Tasmania’s biggest craft brewery (Moo Brew). 

Experiences
Rockstar Afternoon - an afternoon of art and pleasure.

The Full-On Turrell - 24 hours of immersion in the works of light artist James Turrell.

Dinner with David - two days of the very best Mona has to offer - art, food, wine and a lavish dinner with owner David Walsh plus transfers via a private jet and the possibility of tennis.

Port Arthur Historic Site, Hobart And The Tasman Peninsula, Tasmania

Port Arthur Historic Site is the bestpreserved convict settlement in Australia and among the most significant convict era sites in the world. UNESCO World Heritagelisted site, it combines history and scenic beauty with innovative interpretation to tell the stories of the harsh discipline and determined industry of the settlement.

Experience
The Wheel of Fate experience puts visitors in the shoes of some of Port Arthur’s most notable individuals, seeing where they worked, slept and ate and going behind the bars to explore 19th century life in this infamous prison settlement. Then sample the Tasman Peninsula’s produce in a dinner prepared by Port Arthur Historic Site’s head chef as night falls within the walls of this World Heritage-Listed site, before returning to your accommodation.

Arts Centre Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria

Australia’s largest performing arts venue, Arts Centre Melbourne is a cultural and architectural landmark. Beneath the iconic Spire, its three state-of-the-art theatres host performances by Australia’s leading companies and the contemporary Australian Music Vault and Australian Performing Arts Collection hold nationally significant collections.

Experience
The VIP All-Access Tour – journey underground and explore hidden corridors, stages and backstage spaces. Take a private guided tour of the Australian Music Vault and Australian Performing Arts Collection. Not normally open to the public, this is a privileged opportunity to delve deep into the archives dedicated to Australian circus, dance, music, opera and theatre heritage, as the guide dons the white gloves to reveal iconic costumes and artefacts. Finish with breakfast in an exclusive VIP lounge.

Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Melbourne, Victoria

Birthplace of Test and One Day International cricket, home of the AFL Grand Final, and host to the Melbourne Olympics in 1956 and Commonwealth Games in 2006, the MCG is the largest stadium in the southern hemisphere. With a seating capacity of 100,024 all eyes turn to the ’G on Boxing Day when the traditional cricket Test match commences.

Experience
MCG Private Tour Experience – an exclusive, fully-guided tour, travellers are invited to step out onto the hallowed MCG turf, visit the cricket players’ viewing rooms and explore the prestigious Melbourne Cricket Club. Then it’s on to the Australian Sports Museum and a closing drink, overlooking the meticulously manicured ground. Tours run on Thursdays only. Hospitality upgrades are available via the MCG Private Tour Experience - Legends Package.

National Gallery Of Victoria (NGV), Melbourne, Victoria

The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) is the oldest and most-visited gallery in Australia. Situated over two magnificent buildings in the heart of Melbourne – NGV International and NGV Australia – the NGV hosts international and local artists, exhibitions, programs and events; from contemporary art to major international historic exhibitions, fashion, design and architecture. 

Experience
Private Gallery Dinner at NGV in Melbourne: The Banquet of Cleopatra – an evening of art, music, fine dining and wine. Guests have exclusive access to the Gallery, meeting at the iconic waterwall entrance, then escorted on a private tour of the highlights of the NGV’s international art collection. With intimate live music performances and an indulgent dinner set in front of the NGV’s revered masterpiece, Giambattista Tiepolo’s The Banquet of Cleopatra.

Sovereign Hill, Ballarat, Victoria

When gold was discovered in central Victoria in 1851, the city of Ballarat soon followed, catering for the thousands of adventurers from near and far who came to seek their fortune.

Experience the excitement of Ballarat’s gold rush at Australia’s largest outdoor museum. By day, history comes to life - from the bustle of Main Street to the excitement of panning for real gold, watching a spectacular gold ingot pour or touring the town by horse-drawn coach. By night, be part of the new AURA sound and light show. On-site accommodation is available.

Experiences
Wake up with the Animals – Sovereign Hill Hotel guests are invited to feed the resident baby animals their breakfast.

Night in the Museum - travellers are fitted out in their 1850s costume in preparation for an exclusive after-dark dinner and lamplight tour with some of Sovereign Hill’s most intriguing characters.

Fremantle Prison, Perth, Western Australia

Built by convicts in the 1850s and decommissioned as an operating maximum security gaol in 1991, Fremantle Prison is the largest convict-built structure in Australia and the most intact convict establishment in the southern hemisphere. It is currently the only World Heritage-listed building in the state of Western Australia.

Experience
Prison Art and Behind the Scenes Tour - artistic endeavour is not most commonly associated with prisons, however a wealth of artwork is highlighted through this insightful tour. A specialist guide shows visitors through cells and yards covered with prisoner’s works, including convict etchings, Aboriginal landscapes, dot paintings and murals, graffiti and tattoo art, followed by a personalised look into the Prison’s museum collection which includes photographs, documents, furnishings, artworks, clothing, weapons and archaeological material dating from 1851 to 1991.

Wa Maritime Museum, Perth, Western Australia

The WA Maritime Museum symbolises Fremantle’s past, present and future as a coastal city and port. Travellers come here to discover the riches of Western Australia’s maritime history, including Australia’s fabled winning America’s Cup yacht, Australia II, Jon Sanders’ Parry Endeavour and the popular Oberon-class submarine, HMAS Ovens. 

Experience

Fremantle Maritime Adventure – a behindthe-scenes tour with a museum expert, highlighting Western Australia’s sporting, adventure and military heritage and including rare chances to handle important Museum items. A tour of the famous Cold War-era submarine HMAS Ovens is brought to life with stories from a former military service member. Travellers can top off the adventure with the optional add-on of drinks on the private Museum balcony, overlooking the Indian Ocean.

Some experiences are currently not available due to COVID – please check the CAOA website and attraction for details.

Useful Links

• Cultural Attractions of Australia