Once in a lifetime: Dine with MONA's David Walsh or propose on stage at the Opera House

A private dinner at Hobart's MONA with owner David Walsh or an Adelaide Oval tour through Sir Donald Bradman's private collection fit the "once in a lifetime" slot.

Previously pitched to curious overseas travellers, they're now the exclusive domain of inward facing - and travelling - Australians and are offered by Cultural Attractions of Australia, an industry-led collective offering unforgettable experiences.

Each curated experience, ranging from $80 to $50,000 (that's MONA and it does include private jet transfers and more) span the country's rich ethnic, cultural and sporting influences.

In Sydney, sail the harbour on SY Ena, one of the finest examples of an Edwardian period steam yacht in the world. This four-hour experience includes a private tour guide and crew and lunch or dinner paired with Australian wines on the yacht that was first used for government functions on the harbour in the 1900s. During World War I it had an undercover role: it was painted grey, renamed HMAS Sleuth and was used to patrol Australian coastal waters.

Or head to Ballarat for "A night in the museum" - a departure from that gold rush city's usual Sovereign Hill experience. It includes an evening dressed in traditional 1850s costume, dinner with historical characters of the time and a tour of Sovereign Hill village by lamplight.

At Canberra's National Museum, take a curator-led tour amid its 210,000 or so objects in another experience that looks at the big histories of Australia. It includes Phar Lap's heart and the first Holden Prototype. Then enjoy a grazing platter of Australian produce and a local beer or wine while overlooking Lake Burley Griffin.

And for those romantics who like an audience, you can propose to your loved one on stage at the Sydney Opera House after a Great Opera Hits performance.

See culturalattractionsofaustralia.com