Los mejores destinos Turisticos: Las Ciudades Australianas

AUSTRALIA

Australia is a country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and numerous smaller islands, with a population of nearly 21.5 million peopele. For at least 40,000 years, prior to the first British settlement in the late 18^th century, Australia was inhabited by indigenous Australians who belonged to roughly 250 language groups, however today there only exists around 70 languages. Australia is made of up six states and two territories, and these are New South Wales (NSW), Queensland (QLD), South Australia (SA), Tasmania (TAS), Victoria (VIC), Western Australia (WA), Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and the Northern Territory (NT). It is the world’s smallest continent and sixth largest country by total area, and is sometimes considered the world’s largest island. Australia’s size gives it a wide variety of landscapes, such as subtropical rainforests, mountain ranges and dry desert.

Sydney

Sydney is the biggest and most populous city in Australia, and is situated on the south-coast on the Tasman Sea. Sydney is the capital of the state of New South Wales and was founded in 1788 by Arthur Phillip of Great Britain, making it the oldest city in the country. It has a population in the metropolitan area of 4.6 million habitants, and these habitants are called Sydneysiders. Recent immigration trends have led to Sydney being one of the most culturally and ethically diverse cities in both Australia and the world. Summer (December to February) is a popular time to visit in order to enjoy Sydney’s beachside outdoor lifestyle.

Sydney Opera House

The Sydney Opera House has emerged as Australia’s most recognizable icon, and is an emblem of the city of Sydney. It is famous for its organic structure made out of white tiles. Inside the Opera House are six auditoriums where dance, concerts, opera and theatre are staged. There are also one-hour guided tours available.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge

The Sydney Harbour Bridge, also known as the ‘coathanger’, is an iconic bridge that crosses the harbour from The Rocks to North Sydney. It is possible to climb the bridge on a guided tour.

The Beaches

Sydney is famous for its beaches and laidback beach lifestyle, and the city has over 70 beaches, however there are a few that are particularly famous.

Bondi Beach

Bondi Beach is the closest ocean beach to the city centre, and most definitely the most famous beach in Australia. The TV program Bondi Rescue is set on Bondi Beach and has helped promote tourism to this beach. The neighborhood surrounding the beach is very lively and full of restaurants, cafes and bars. There is a beautiful coastline walk from Bondi Beach to Bronte Beach, and once a year this route is home to the famous event Sculpture by the Sea.

Some other popular beaches include Coogee Beach, Tamarama Beach, Manly Beach and Curl Curl Beach.

The Rocks

The Rocks is the historical precinct of central Sydney and is full of character and atmosphere. There are many art galleries, such as the Museum of Contemporary Art, pubs, restaurants and cafes. There are also amazing views of the Sydney Harbour.

Chinatown

Chinatown is located in the south of the city center and is the cultural center for the Chinese community in Sydney, as well as the largest Chinatown in Australia. There are over 60 restaurants and food court stalls, as well as a market place called Paddy’s Markets.

Darling Harbour

Darling Harbour is a vast area almost completely dedicated to tourism. There are a number of attractions, including the Australian National Maritime Museum, the Sydney Aquarium, Madame Tussuads, the Chinese Garden of Friendship, the IMAX Theatre, and the Star Casino.

The Royal Botanic Gardens

The gardens are situated in the city center and hold many Australian trees and plants. They also offer excellent views of the city, the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge.

Museums and Art Galleries

There are many museum and art galleries in Sydney that showcase Australian art and culture. Apart from the ones previously mentioned, others include the Sydney Jewish Museum, the Art Gallery of NSW, the Australian Museum and the Powerhouse Museum.

Cairns

Carins is a cosmopolitan city located in Far North Queensland and is the gateway to the famous Great Barrier Reef, one of the most popular diving sites in the world. The city is very focused on the tourist industry, particularly international tourists. The city is surrounded by rainforest and can be used as a gateway to destinations such as Kuranda and the Daintree.

City Botanic Gardens

Gardens with tropical vegetation and plants used by Aboriginal people.

Lake Placid

A peaceful lake surrounded by rainforest with many picnic spots.

Activities

A number of Cairns operators run day trips to the Great Barrier Reef for snorkeling and diving. There are also tour operators running skydiving, hang gliding, ballooning and white water rafting trips.

Melbourne

Melbourne is the second largest city in Australia, the capital of Victoria and often regarded as the London of Australia.

Melbourne offers character-filled neighbourhoods, such as Fitzroy, St Kilda and Carlton, hum with life and the city produces some of the best art, music, cuisine, fashion, performance, design and ideas in the world.

Yarra River, Melbourne

Melburnians are also devoted to their sport and they go ballistic around the Australian Football League finals and during Spring Racing Carnival. They love to shop, eat and attend the myriad festivals that the city offers.

Melbourne Cup, Flemington

Melbourne is famous for its ability to provide “four seasons in one day” where temperatures will plummet from searing heat to drizzling rain in the space of an hour. Depending whether you like rain or shine, it is always a good time to visit Melbourne but best would be August or Spring.

Federation Square, Melbourne

Top places to visit:

Attend an AFL match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
Try your luck at the Melbourne Cup
Ride a bike along the Yarra River
Visit the Art Spire, Federation Square and the National Gallery of Victoria
Wander the markets at St Kilda
Take the kids to Luna Park
Explore the restaurants and shops on Brunswick Street
Have lunch at South Bank
Lay in the sun at Brighton Beach
Fossick through Queen Victoria Market
Marvel at the city from Eureka Tower
Have a picnic in the Botanical Gardens

Perth

Perth is the capital city of Western Australia and considered the most remote capital city in the World. However, this lack of bustle accompanied by wonderful weather, beautiful beaches and easy-going character is what makes Perth so charming.

Kings Park, Perth

Perth used to be characterised as rather dull, a resources boom has seen Perth blossom and today it is a sophisticated, cosmopolitan city with myriad bars, restaurants and cultural activities all vying for attention. But the best bit is that when you want to chill out, Perth’s pristine parkland and beaches allow the population to spread out and enjoy what’s on offer.

Top things to do:

Visit the Aquarium of Western Australia
Wander and relax in Kings Park and the Botanic Gardens
Marvel at the Homes á Court Gallery
Western Australian Museum
Take a cruise on the Swan Valley
Take a day trip to Rottnest Island
Sandboard in the Pinnacles Desert
Maritime Museum
Marvel at Wave Rock
Take a wine tasting tour at Margaret River
Stroll along one of the beautiful beaches

Maritime Museum, Perth

Darwin

Darwin is the capital of the Northern Territory and the smallest capital city in Australia. This sociable hub is where non-Aboriginal meets Aboriginal (Larrakia), where urban meets remote, and where industry meets idleness.

The city attracts itinerant workers and visitors from around Australia, and its university and port bring students and sailors. The population ebbs and increases with the seasons. Forty percent of the population only settled in the last 40 years, the majority, like you, intending only to stop by but ending up staying. Darwin’s location on a tropical tip of the country’s north coast means six subtle shifts of season, with a not-so-subtle disparity between the Dry and Wet – which can bring colossal storms.

Mindil Beach, Darwin

Last century Darwin was barely recomposed after sustained WWII bombings and then the city was razed by a cyclone. Its unique past and present (of rebuilding and regular rejuvenation) lends modern-day Darwin a very human spirit.