What to Book in Advance for Australia: 5 Experiences You Shouldn’t Miss

On By saar.decosterIn Australia

Planning a trip to Australia and wondering what to book in advance? While you can leave plenty of things until you arrive, some of Australia’s most popular tours and experiences can sell out weeks or even months ahead.

I learned this the hard way.

There were experiences I really wanted to do while travelling around Australia that I simply couldn’t book anymore once I was there. The biggest one? Puffing Billy Railway. I waited until I was already in Melbourne, only to discover that it was completely sold out for two months.

I was SO disappointed.

After spending nine months travelling around Australia, these are the 5 experiences I would book in advance for Australia, including the ones I actually did and loved, and the ones I wish I had booked earlier.

If you’re planning an East Coast Australia itinerary, this list can help you decide what to reserve before your trip and what you can safely leave until later.

What Should You Book in Advance for Australia?

If you don’t want to read the whole article, these are the 5 Australia experiences I’d consider booking ahead:

  1. Melbourne day trips and Puffing Billy Railway
  2. K’gari (Fraser Island) 4WD tours
  3. Whitsundays sailing trips
  4. Great Barrier Reef tours and scenic flights
  5. Sydney Harbour experiences

Some are more important to book early than others, but if there’s something on this list you really don’t want to miss, I’d rather reserve it before arriving in Australia.

🇦🇺
Planning your Australia adventure?

I created a Google Map with 330+ saved places from my 9-month Australia trip, including towns, things to do, beaches, stays, cafés, nightlife and hidden gems to help you plan your route.

Explore the Australia Map → €5

1. Melbourne Day Trips: Penguin Parade, Great Ocean Road & Puffing Billy

Melbourne is one of the best bases in Australia for day trips, and there are a few experiences I would book before arriving rather than waiting until I’m already in Melbourne.

Phillip Island Penguin Parade

The Penguin Parade on Phillip Island is one of the most popular day trips from Melbourne.

Every evening, hundreds of little penguins return from the ocean and make their way across the beach to their burrows.

It’s one of those experiences that sounds touristy, but is genuinely really cool.

You can visit Phillip Island independently or book a guided day trip from Melbourne.

I’d book the Penguin Parade in advance, especially if you’re travelling during summer, weekends or school holidays.

Great Ocean Road

The Great Ocean Road is another classic Melbourne day trip.

You can rent a car and drive it yourself, but if you don’t have a car or don’t want to drive, there are plenty of organised tours from Melbourne.

I personally think it’s one of the best day trips from Melbourne, especially if it’s your first time in Australia.

If you’re planning to join an organised tour, I’d book it before arriving in Melbourne so you can choose the date that actually works with your itinerary.

→ If you want to plan the route yourself, check out my Great Ocean Road itinerary.

Puffing Billy Railway

And then there’s Puffing Billy.

This is the one I REALLY wish I’d booked in advance.

I wanted to do it while I was in Melbourne, but I waited until I was already there. When I finally tried to book it, it was sold out for two months.

Two. Months.

So I never got to do it.

If Puffing Billy is something you want to experience, please don’t make the same mistake I did.

Book it before your trip, especially if you’re travelling during a busy period.

This is probably the number-one experience on this list I’d book as early as possible.

Powered by GetYourGuide

2. K’gari (Fraser Island): Book Your 4WD Adventure

If you’re travelling along the East Coast of Australia, K’gari (Fraser Island) should be high on your list.

And this is another experience I’d recommend booking before you arrive.

There are different K’gari tour options available, including:

  • 1-day tours
  • 2-day tours
  • 3-day tours

I did a 3-day K’gari tour, and honestly, I loved it.

Spending several days driving around the island in 4WD vehicles, camping and exploring different parts of K’gari made the whole experience feel like a proper adventure rather than just another day trip.

If you have the time, I’d definitely choose three days.

You get more time on the island and don’t have to cram everything into a single day.

I also think booking ahead is worth it because K’gari is a very popular stop on the East Coast route, and tours have limited places.

→ If you’re wondering whether K’gari is actually worth visiting, I wrote about my experience in Why Is Fraser Island Dangerous? My Honest Take After Visiting K’gari.

Powered by GetYourGuide

3. Whitsunday Islands: Consider Staying Overnight on a Boat

The Whitsunday Islands are another experience where I’d recommend booking in advance, especially if you want to do a multi-day sailing trip.

You can choose between:

  • Day trips
  • Overnight sailing trips
  • Multi-day sailing experiences

I personally think staying overnight on the boat is the way to go.

There’s something completely different about waking up surrounded by the Whitsunday Islands rather than visiting for a few hours and heading back to Airlie Beach.

I did a 3-day sailing trip, and it was one of my favourite experiences in Australia.

You get more time to explore, swim, snorkel and simply enjoy being out on the water.

And honestly, sleeping on the boat with the islands around you is an experience in itself.

If you’re travelling during a popular period, I’d book a Whitsundays sailing trip well in advance. The number of people each boat can take is limited, and longer trips obviously have fewer departures than standard day tours.

→ Read my Sailing Whitsundays review if you want to know what my experience was actually like.

Powered by GetYourGuide

4. Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Snorkelling, Diving & Scenic Flights

If you’re heading to Cairns, there are a few Great Barrier Reef experiences I’d consider booking in advance.

Snorkelling or Diving on the Great Barrier Reef

You don’t need to spend several days on the reef to have an amazing experience.

For most travellers, one full-day snorkelling or diving trip is enough.

There are plenty of day trips from Cairns that take you out to the Great Barrier Reef, where you can snorkel or dive depending on your experience and interests.

If you already know you want to visit the reef, I’d book your Great Barrier Reef tour before your trip rather than leaving it until the last minute.

Multi-Day Diving Trips

If you’re a serious diver, you can also look into liveaboard trips, where you spend one or more nights on the boat and get multiple opportunities to dive.

A friend of mine did a multi-day diving trip, including shark spotting, and she said it was the best experience she had in Australia.

Personally, shark diving sounds slightly terrifying to me.

But if diving is your thing, this could be an incredible experience.

Powered by GetYourGuide

Great Barrier Reef Scenic Flight or Helicopter Ride

And then there’s the one I REALLY regret not doing.

A scenic flight or helicopter ride over the Great Barrier Reef.

I’ve seen so many videos and heard so many people talk about this experience, and every time I see one I’m like:

Why didn’t I book this?!

Yes, it’s expensive.

But honestly, if I could go back in time, I would 100% do it.

The Great Barrier Reef looks completely different from above, and seeing all those turquoise waters, reefs and islands from the air looks absolutely insane.

And this is one of those things where I’d rather spend the money while I’m already in Australia than regret not doing it later.

Because trust me, going back to Australia just to do the experience you skipped is going to cost a lot more.

So if you’ve been considering a scenic flight or helicopter ride over the reef and it’s within your budget:

Book it.

Powered by GetYourGuide

5. Sydney: Book an Experience Around the Harbour

Sydney is one of those cities where you can easily arrive and explore independently.

But if there are experiences you really want to do, I’d book them in advance, especially anything around Sydney Harbour.

Here are three I’d consider:

Sydney Opera House Tour

The Sydney Opera House is obviously one of Australia’s biggest icons, so if you want to actually go inside and learn more about the building, an Opera House tour is worth booking ahead.

It’s one of those classic Sydney experiences I’d recommend, especially if it’s your first visit.

Sunrise Kayaking on Sydney Harbour

This one looks SO good.

You can go kayaking on Sydney Harbour at sunrise, with views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge while the city is waking up.

Honestly, if you’re looking for something a little more unique than a standard sightseeing tour, I’d choose this.

And sunrise on the harbour? Yes please.

Sydney Harbour BridgeClimb at Sunrise

Or, if you’re feeling brave, you can take it one step further and climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge at sunrise.

I’ve seen photos and videos of the views from the top and it looks absolutely incredible.

You’d get to watch the sun come up over Sydney Harbour from one of the most iconic viewpoints in the city, definitely a bucket-list experience.

This is also something I’d book well in advance, especially if you want a specific time like sunrise.

Powered by GetYourGuide

And honestly, if I were planning my own Sydney trip again, I’d be very tempted by either the sunrise kayak or the BridgeClimb. A normal harbour cruise is great, but these feel much more memorable.

What Should You Book First in Australia?

If you’re wondering which Australia experiences you should book first, this is how I’d prioritise them based on my own experience and how popular they are.

Book as early as possible

Puffing Billy Railway

This is the one I personally missed because I waited too long. When I finally tried to book it, it was sold out for two months.

Multi-day K’gari tours

These have limited spots and are particularly popular with backpackers travelling the East Coast. If you know you want to do a 2- or 3-day tour, I’d book it early.

Multi-day Whitsundays sailing trips

Especially if you want a specific boat, route or date. Overnight trips have fewer spots than regular day tours.

Book ahead if you know you want to do it

Phillip Island Penguin Parade

A very popular Melbourne day trip, especially during busy travel periods.

Great Ocean Road tour

There are plenty of options, but I’d still book ahead if you have a specific day available in your itinerary.

Great Barrier Reef snorkelling or diving

Cairns is one of Australia’s biggest tourist hubs, so popular reef trips can fill up.

Sydney Harbour experiences

Whether you want to do the Opera House tour, sunrise kayaking or the BridgeClimb, book ahead if you have your heart set on a particular date or time.

Book if it’s within your budget

Great Barrier Reef scenic flight or helicopter

This is the most expensive experience on my list, but it’s also the one I most regret not doing.

I’ve seen so many photos and videos since travelling to Australia, and honestly, if I could go back, I’d book it without hesitation.

Yes, it’s expensive. But I also know that going back to Australia just to do the experiences I skipped would cost me a lot more.

Don’t Make the Same Mistake I Did

Australia is a huge country, and your itinerary can fill up surprisingly quickly.

You might think:

“I’ll just book it when I get there.”

And sometimes that’s completely fine.

But for popular experiences, waiting can mean missing out altogether.

I learned that with Puffing Billy.

I was already in Melbourne, had the time, wanted to go… and still couldn’t because it was sold out for months.

So if there’s something on your Australia bucket list that you really don’t want to miss, I’d rather book it early and have it sorted than spend your trip hoping there will still be a spot.

And especially for experiences like K’gari, the Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef, I’d definitely plan ahead.

Planning Your Australia Trip?

Planning a trip to Australia can feel overwhelming, with so many places to explore and things to organise.

That’s why I created my Australia Travel Guide, sharing my itineraries, tips, experiences and everything you need to plan your own adventure.

→ START HERE: Australia Travel Guide
→ GET MY MAP: Australia Google Map

Related posts

You May Also Like

More Working Holiday Guides

More East Coast Australia Guides

Planning an East Coast Australia adventure? These guides can help you create the perfect itinerary:

More West Coast Australia Guides:

FAQ

What should I book in advance for Australia?

I’d recommend booking popular experiences such as Puffing Billy, K’gari tours, Whitsundays sailing trips, Great Barrier Reef tours and popular Melbourne and Sydney experiences in advance.

How far in advance should I book Australia tours?

For the most popular or multi-day experiences, I’d book several weeks ahead, and even earlier during Australian school holidays and peak travel periods.

Do I need to book Great Barrier Reef tours in advance?

I’d recommend it. Cairns is a major tourist hub and reef tours can fill up, particularly during busy periods.

Should I book K’gari in advance?

Yes, especially if you want a specific tour length or date. I personally recommend a 3-day K’gari tour if your itinerary allows it.

Is Puffing Billy worth booking in advance?

Absolutely. I learned this the hard way. When I tried booking while already in Melbourne, it was sold out for two months.

What tours should I book before travelling to Australia?

The experiences I’d prioritise are Puffing Billy, multi-day K’gari tours, Whitsundays sailing trips, Great Barrier Reef experiences and popular Sydney Harbour activities.

Can I book Australia tours after I arrive?

Yes. Not every experience needs to be booked months ahead. However, if you have a specific date, tour, boat or time slot you really want, booking before your trip gives you a much better chance of getting it.

Leave a Reply