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 18th
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 |
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 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.
Mitchell Street, Darwin |
Top things
to do:
- Visit Crocadylus Park and Zoo
- Wander through Mindil Beach Sunset Markets
- Marvel at the fireworks on the 4th of July
- Bar hop on Mitchell Street
- Enjoy the balmy weather and a film at the Deckchair Cinema
- Explore the Aviation Museum and WWII Oil-Storage Tunnels
- Have dinner at Stokes Hills Wharf
- Stroll through Bicentennial Park and East Point Reserve
- Visit the Fannie Bay Goal
- Visit Aquascene
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