Mona (Museum of Old and New Art), River Derwent, Hobart, TAS © Museum of Old and New Art

Cultural Attractions of Australia

A collective of iconic Australian cultural attractions have joined forces to present the best of Australia’s cultural offering to the world.

Australia’s leading cultural attractions tell the story of how the varied geographic, ethnic and cultural origins have been embraced and have reshaped the way Australians define the nation. They curate the cultural narrative and provide visitors with a window into what it means to be Australian by exploring the country’s history and sharing its ongoing, contemporary, creative life.

National Museum of Australia, Canberra

National Museum of Australia, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory © Cultural Attractions of Australia

On the In, Above and Behind the Scenes tour, you’ll be whisked away on a privately flown hot air balloon over Canberra’s magnificent scenery to the National Museum of Australia (NMA). Then, enter the museum before the doors open to the public on a bespoke tour with a museum curator before enjoying a champagne breakfast with stunning views of Lake Burley Griffin.

Australian Parliament House, Canberra

Australian Parliament House, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory © Australian Parliament House

Architecturally impressive, the Australian Parliament House in Canberra was designed to encourage public access and involvement. Enjoy behind-the-scenes access to Parliament House with the More Than Politics experience. This tour allows visitors to explore the Parliamentary art and furniture collections – both usually off-limits – and finishes with a dining experience typically reserved for visiting dignitaries.

Australian War Memorial, Canberra

Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory © Australian War Memorial

The Australian War Memorial combines a shrine, a world-class museum and an extensive archive. Join The Soul of the Nation tour for a private exploration of the unique collection of rare and beautiful letters, maps, photographs and diaries that tell the stories of the men and women who serve in Australia’s military forces, some of whom have made the ultimate sacrifice.

National Gallery of Australia, Canberra

National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory © National Gallery of Australia

The National Gallery of Australia holds Australia’s national art collection, representing the visual culture and spirit of the country. In A Feast of Icons, an expert guide reveals the stories of six renowned works from the gallery’s collection in an exclusive, after-hours tour. Following the tour, guests will enjoy a spectacular degustation dinner overlooking the lake. Each course is inspired by an artwork on the tour, creating an evening to remember.

Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney

Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney, New South Wales © Cultural Attractions of Australia

At Sydney's Australian National Maritime Museum, embark on the Luxury Harbour Cruise experience onboard Edwardian Steam Yacht, Ena, to go back in time as you step into the shoes of society’s elite 100 years ago. The four-hour private tour includes a delicious gourmet meal paired with fine Australian wines.

Couple admires artwork at TarraWarra Museum of Art © cop

Opera Australia, Sydney

Opera Australia: Star at the Sydney Opera House, Sydney, NSW © Opera Australia

Opera Australia: Star at the Sydney Opera House, Sydney, New South Wales © Opera Australia

No trip to Sydney is complete without witnessing a live performance in its most famous building, the Sydney Opera House. It’s your moment to shine when you book your exclusive Opera Australia: Star at the Sydney Opera House experience. The excitement starts with a wig and costume fitting two days prior to the performance 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.

Sydney Opera House, Sydney

Sydney Opera House, Sydney, New South Wales © Sydney Opera House

The Sydney Opera House is Australia’s most-recognised cultural institution and a celebrated community meeting place. See just what it takes to put on a show in this iconic venue with the Sydney Opera House: A Taste of Opera. You’ll embark on a private, first-hand look behind the curtain into the venues, fascinating history and insider stories of this iconic building. Plus, meet with the singer and pianist and enjoy an exclusive opera recital.

Qantas Founders Museum, Longreach

Qantas Founders Museum, Longreach, Queensland © Qantas Founders Museum

Australia’s national airline, Qantas, was founded in Longreach in outback Queensland in 1920. The Qantas Founders Museum tells the airline’s story with interpretive displays, interactive exhibits, replica aircraft and genuine artefacts. The ‘Spirit of Australia’ Platinum Tour starts with a three-hour guided tour of the two Boeings during which you’ll get the chance to see the black box flight recorders, learn how to ‘arm the doors', sit in the pilot's seat, inspect the cargo hold and take a walk on the wings of both Boeing aircraft.

Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA), Brisbane

Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland

The Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) is one of Australia’s most visited, ambitious and dynamic art galleries. Join the First Artists: Exceptional Indigenous Art & Dining experience and hear from a First Nations storyteller, artist and curator as they join you on a private tour of magnificent artworks. After, enjoy an unforgettable dinner where art meets food.

Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

Heights of Adelaide RoofClimb Experience, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, South Australia © Che Chorley

Established in 1871, Adelaide Oval is the centrepiece of Adelaide’s revitalised riverbank precinct. Cricket enthusiasts will love the Bespoke Adelaide Oval Legends Tour, which offers insight into the life of cricket’s greatest batsman, Sir Donald Bradman. The experience includes a curated tour through his private and personal collection followed by a visit to the player’s viewing room and meeting with the Senior Groundsman.

Mona (Museum of Old and New Art), Hobart

Mona (Museum of Old and New Art), River Derwent, Hobart, Tasmania © Museum of Old and New Art

Mona is Australia’s largest privately-owned gallery and museum, and is curated on the themes of sex and death. Experience an afternoon of art and pleasure with Rockstar Afternoon. You’ll be greeted with an Absinthe cocktail, continuing right through to a VIP degustation with premium wines at the museum’s Faro Bar and Restaurant. After you’ve eaten, you’ll experience a feast of the senses with exclusive access to James Turrell artworks in Unseen Seen and Weight of Darkness.

Port Arthur Historic Site, Hobart

Port Arthur Historic Site, Port Arthur, TAS © Port Arthur Historic Site

Port Arthur Historic Site, Port Arthur, Tasmania © Port Arthur Historic Site

Port Arthur Historic Site is the best-preserved convict settlement in Australia and among the most significant convict era sites in the world. Put yourself into the shoes of some of Port Arthur’s most notable individuals with The Wheel of Fate experience. You’ll get the exclusive opportunity to see where they worked, slept and ate by going behind the bars to explore 19th century life in this infamous prison settlement. Afterwards, you’ll sample the Tasman Peninsula’s finest 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.

Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Melbourne

Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) Private Tour Experience, Melbourne, VIC © Melbourne Cricket Ground

The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is the birthplace of test and one-day international cricket. The MCG Private Tour Experience is an exclusive, all-access tour that invites you to step out onto the hallowed MCG turf, visit the cricket players’ viewing rooms and explore the prestigious Melbourne Cricket Club. The tour continues on to the newly refurbished Australian Sports Museum for a personalised introduction to the museum and the chance to explore the exhibits and interactive experiences.

National Gallery Of Victoria (NGV), Melbourne

Private Gallery Dinner, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, VIC © National Gallery of Victoria

The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) is the oldest and most-visited gallery in Australia. Get ready for an evening of art, music, fine dining and wine with the Private Gallery Dinner at NGV in Melbourne: The Banquet of Cleopatra. You’ll enjoy exclusive access to the gallery, meeting at the iconic waterwall entrance before being escorted on a private tour of the highlights of the NGV’s international art collection. The evening also includes 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's gold rush town of Ballarat is recreated at Sovereign Hill. Spend 24 Hours at Sovereign Hill with a curated experience that will immerse you in the Goldfields of the 1850’s with a full day and overnight stay in on-site accommodation. During the day, explore the underground mines and learn skills from yesteryear with an exclusive hands-on sweet making experience. A Taste of Gold experience includes a personal gold panning lesson. Sovereign Hill also seasonally offers an evening projection experience called Aura.

Fremantle Prison, Perth

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. Artistic endeavour is not most commonly associated with prisons, however a wealth of artwork is highlighted through the insightful Fremantle Prison Art Tour. An experienced guide will reveal the experiences of prisoners expressed through art, including convict etchings, Aboriginal landscapes, dot paintings and murals, graffiti and tattoo art.

WA Boola Bardip Museum, Perth

WA Museum Boola Bardip, Perth, Western Australia © Tourism Western Australia

The Boola Bardip Museum in Perth is a place to share Western Australia’s many stories. Boola Bardip means ‘many stories’ in local Nyoongar language. The Long Table Dinner Under the Blue Whale Skeleton is an exclusive private dining experience for 20 – 30 people in the museum’s stunning heritage-listed Hackett Hall under Ott the 24m (79ft), 124-year-old blue whale skeleton. The experience is all about the small, rare, and unusual; enjoy a private guided tour from a museum expert and share in a wonderful evening of good food and wine.

WA Maritime Museum, Perth

WA Maritime Museum, Fremantle, WA © WA Maritime Museum

The WA Maritime Museum symbolises Fremantle’s past, present and future as a coastal city and port. The Indian Ocean Experience allows you to experience Western Australia’s incredible maritime history. You'll hear personalised stories from a museum expert followed by dinner in the Australia II gallery under the famous America’s Cup winning yacht, Australia II. It’s hard to pick the highlight of the evening, however, there is something incredible about a sunset overlooking the Indian ocean accompanied by some of Australia’s finest classical string musicians.