Arriving in Australia, you may only know a little bit of lingo, like “g’day Mate” or “throw a shrimp on the barbie,” or perhaps you came to see the Sydney Opera House and a kangaroo. There is so much to uncover in the many intriguing cities of this continent, each with its own distinctive charm. Some people prefer the “outback” experience, scouting for dingos and roos over bumpy terrain, while others prefer a soaking wet and wild journey under the sea, scuba diving down to the Great Barrier Reef. No matter what your idea of Australia entails, you can anticipate one of the most enjoyable trips imaginable!
Queensland Australia is a territory in the southeast corner of Australia that encompasses destinations like Brisbane, Cairns, Port Douglas, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine coast, the Great Barrier Reef and the outback region. The 70 kilometer stretch of Gold Coast City is sometimes called “the theme park capital of Australia,” housing Dreamworld, Movie World, Sea World, WhiteWater World and the Wet N’ Wild Water Park. Additionally, you can hang at Surfers Paradise, visit the behemoth Q1 tower, shop the bohemian markets, visit Australian wineries and eat delicious fresh seafood.
In the welcoming city of Cairns, you can snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, relax on the beach, shop duty-free, hike through lush tropical rainforests, see national parks of Green and Fitzroy Islands, ride on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway or Kuranda Scenic Railway, experience flora and fauna at the Flecker Botanic Gardens, or take a stroll along the Esplanade, which is bordered by cafes and the Coral Sea. In Port Douglas, you can get a great view of the Great Barrier Reef, shop at Macrossan Street and the Sunday Markets in Anzac Park, visit the sugar cane farms of Mossman, or hike through the Daintree Rainforest, where impressive flora and fauna prosper.
While in Australia, you’ll want to see Brisbane, which is the capital of Queensland. Here, you’ll want to catch some local music, since Brisbane was hailed by Billboard as one of the “Top 5 International Music Hotspots” in 2007. If art and culture are your cup o’ tea, then you can also visit The Queensland Museum, The Queensland Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), The Queensland Performing Arts Complex, The Brisbane Powerhouse, the Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts and the war memorials in Anzac Square.
Melbourne Australia, on the southeastern coast, is the second largest city and was settled by the British; rather than by convicts. When gold was discovered in Australia the 1800s, a flood of immigrants came from Southeast Asia and the Mediterranean regions, which contributes to the modern diversity of shops, restaurants and architecture. Australian rules football, the Australian Tennis Open and the Melbourne Cup, which are all located here. You can also see some architectural wonders in the Queen Victoria Market or walk through a number of national parks with striking scenery.
Lastly, Perth, in Western Australia, offers visitors easy navigation around the high rises via motorized trams and courtesy buses. Situated in the city center is Kings Park, which is 400 hectares of natural Australian bush, providing you with a glimpse of Australia’s aboriginal past. Fantastic beaches and nightlife characterize this city that thrives by day and night. Some of the hippest art hotspots can be found in the Northbridge Neighborhood. To see all that West Australia has to offer, Perth is a great meeting point where you can travel to wineries, the ocean and port cities within 30 minutes.
