Surrounded by the Indian Ocean and South Pacific Ocean, the country of Australia is located in the continent of Oceania, and is the sixth largest country in the world. Being an island, Australia does not share its land borders with any country. It is separated from Asia by Arafura and Timor Seas, Queensland by the Coral Sea and the Tasman Sea separates it from New Zealand. A land of kangaroos, amazing wildlife, stunning sceneries, and a plethora of marine and fun activities, Australia is an ideal destination for an adventure junkie, nature enthusiast, beach lover or a party freak. Millions of travellers all around the world flock here to enjoy t he unimaginable vistas, surf in the ocean and revel on its untouched islands.

The best time to visit Australia is Spring (September to November) and Autumn (March to May). Australia has four seasons and three different climate zones. Australia is an outdoor country that is accessible across various seasons. The warm sunny days provide great opportunities to explore the beaches and engage in various watersports. During the fall you can visit the rainforests, wetlands and wildlife sanctuaries. Spring is the best time to visit national parks and go hiking. Winter is generally a low season but provides an excellent opportunity to learn skiing and head to the mountains.

Before mentioning any food, one must know about Carlton draught – the very Australian beer. Food in Australia is usually very light and breezy, just like the country. The dishes they are best known for are Chicken Parmigiana – a classic Aussie chicken dish, Barbecued sausages, meat pies and among desserts, Pavlova and Lamington sponge cakes. One must not miss out on these while travelling in Australia.  

On the coast, there’s tremendous seafood – prawns and oysters, squid, mud crabs, lobster and yabbies (crayfish) – and a wide variety of fresh and seawater fish.

Australia has some vintage, some rustic and some thoroughly urban places to for shopping. Queen Victoria Building in Sydney, Block Arcade in Melbourne, McArthur Central in Brisbane, London Court in Perth falls under the first category. The Rocks near the Harbour Bridge is a great place for street shopping, so are Winter Gardens in Brisbane, Rundle Mall in Adelaide and Pitt Street Mall in Sydney. Salamanca Market in Hobart, taking place every Saturday from 8:30 am to 3 pm, is Australia’s biggest and busiest outdoor stall market.

There is no official language of Australia. However, English (especially Australian English) is the most widely spoken language throughout the nation. Australian English has a unique accent and vocabulary.

1. SYDNEY

Sydney is a lovely Australian city, with a hot summer sun and loads of places to make the most of it. Beautiful gardens, iconic monuments, famous localities and the best beaches to get a tan on, a short trip to Sydney will have your travel bug well satisfied.

This Australian city with a major colonial history today is one of the most developed and prosperous lands in the country. It is a major centre of economics and culture within Australia and also internationally and in the backdrop of the vast ocean that surrounds it, is a major tourist hub as well. Every year, Sydney sees a horde of tourists flock to its lands and the city does more than enough to make sure they have an enjoyable stay. The most populous city in the country, this metropolis has more than enough to offer for every type of traveller. Go for a cruise around the famous Sydney Harbour, visit the world-renowned Sydney Opera House, have a fun day with the family at the zoo or the amusement park, spend hours appreciating arts and history, take a stroll through one of its several lawns and gardens and at the end of it all, chill at the beach, go to the clubs and let loose. What more can you want from a vacation?

Places to visit in Sydney: Sydney Opera House, Darling Harbour, Bondi Beach, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Royal Botanic Gardens, Queen Victoria Building, The Rocks

2. BLUE MOUNTAINS

The Blue Mountains get its name from the blue haze that surrounds the area, a result of the mist that emanates from the eucalyptus trees in the area. With eight connected conservation areas, the Blue Mountains region is a beautiful World Heritage site that helps visitors connect with some of the best of Australia’s natural beauty.

Being 60 kilometres from the city, the Blue Mountains is an immensely popular day trip destination for residents and visitors to Sydney. The Blue Mountains are sure to capture the hearts of all who visit, be it the mystical Jenolan Caves, the lush valleys, the magnificent waterfalls, or the unique scenery that dot the area.

3. BRISBANE

Brisbane is the most populous city in Australia. Owing to its subtropical weather, Brisbane is also the perfect city to soak up some Australian sun! It is blessed with sunny days and a lot of things to do around the city which makes it an uncomplicated, fun-loving and laid-back place where everyone wants to be. If one is inclined culturally towards cities and seeks a hassle-free vacation, Brisbane should be at the top of your list.

When you’re in Brisbane, the best possible way to enjoy the city is to cycle around the Brisbane River and walk around the City Botanic Gardens. Experience the festival buzz of South Bank and enjoy the Broadway shows.

Places to visit in Brisbane: Koala Sanctuary, Roma Street Parklands, South Bank Parklands, Gold Coast, Riverlife Adventure Centre, Cultural Centre, St. Helena Island

4. GOLD COAST

A city seemingly built entirely from a tourism perspective, Gold Coast is one of Australia’s most popular destinations, with a plethora of fun activities and experiences under the sun (pun intended). Home to some of the country’s best beaches, surfing and water sports are highly popular here, with several themed parks also adding to the fun for adrenaline enthusiasts. For those who shy away from adventure sports, the shopping centres, fine dining restaurants, and art galleries are some of the best experiences in the city. Experience the vibrant treetop walkways through the forests, explore the elaborate aquariums, or have a fun surf lesson because you’ll find yourself doing a variety of things all day. And not just that, for the adrenaline junkie, there are many challenging activities in the forests and bushlands of the Gold Coast hinterland!

Places to visit in Gold Coast: Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, DreamWorld, Warner Bros. Movie World, SeaWorld

5. MORETON ISLAND (TANGALOOMA)

Moreton Island is the third largest sand island in the world and located only 40 kilometres north-east of Brisbane. The Island consists entirely of sand, apart from a small area of sandstone and rhyolite at Cape Moreton, which has built up over the past 400,000 years. It is also home to the highest coastal sand dune in the world, Mount Tempest, which at 285 metres provides 360 degrees of breath-taking views.

6. CAIRNS

Situated in Far North Queensland, Cairns is synonymous with Australia’s tropical climates and oceanic bliss intertwined. Popularly known as the gateway to the magnificent Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest, this city is the home base for those who wish to explore the abundant tropical riches of the region. A favourite pastime here is a stroll along the Cairns Esplanade, a seafront promenade flanked by parks, playgrounds, cafés, and water-themed attractions.

Places to visit in Cairns: Cairns Esplanade, Cairns Botanic Gardens, Palm Cove, Green Island, St Monica’s Cathedral

7. GREAT BARRIER REEF

The Great Barrier Reef doesn’t really need much of an introduction. It is the single largest composition of living organisms in the world, and without a shadow of a doubt, nature’s most revelled masterpiece.

A vacation at the Great Barrier Reef will definitely be right up there with the best memories you’ll have in the span of your life. Endless sea, a sprawling archipelago, and the unreal coral reef under the water just make for a mesmerising scene altogether. There is so much to do at the reef! You can cruise through the islands and the reef, dive underwater for an up close and personal tour of the amazing beauty of the coral, go on bushwalks on islands such as the Hayman, relax on beaches for hours on end, or even skydive over the Heart Reef, perhaps the most scenic dive spot in the world. You can stay in resorts on the islands, waking up to the unbelievable beauty around you, have a selection of amazing local food, and then get back to your day of exploring this absolute marvel of nature. Without a doubt, a trip to the Great Barrier Reef will give you memories to cherish for life.

Places to visit in Great Barrier Reef: Green Island, Heart Reef, Hayman Island, Heron Island, Michaelmas Cay, Agincourt Reef

8. MELBOURNE

Melbourne is a fantastic Australian city on the southern coast of the country. It is the capital of the state of Victoria, and is second only to Sydney in terms of population. This beautiful city is the cultural hub of Australia, considered to be the most vibrant city in the country. It has even ranked as the most liveable city in the world for 5 years in a row by the Economist Intelligence Unit. So, in short, this is one you don’t want to miss out on.

Places to visit in Melbourne: Queen Victoria Market, National Gallery of Victoria, The Shrine of Remembrance, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Great Ocean Road, Melbourne City Centre, Flinders Street Station

9. DARWIN

Darwin is an exciting combination of comfort and adventure. Darwin’s balmy weather is something which feels right out of storybooks. The awesome food and culture when paired with the local attractions, they are a treat to anyone visiting Darwin! The outdoor festivals, especially, brings out the best in people. It is all kept ready for you to come and explore.

Places to visit in Darwin: Litchfield National Park, Mindil Beach, Darwin Military Museum, Darwin harbour, Charles Darwin National Park

10. CANBERRA

There is no doubt that Canberra is the most vivid, cheerful and a sensational city. The fact that it has a world-class standard in wining and dining, Canberra automatically becomes the number one choice when it comes to quality holiday-ing. Come enjoy the native bushlands, monuments and galleries.

Experience the Balloon Fiesta in autumn, Fireside Festival in winter and Floriade in spring. As the Capital city, Canberra has a lot to offer to the ones who want to know.

Places to visit in Canberra: Australian War Memorial, Parliament House, Lake Burley Griffin, National Gallery of Australia, Old Bus Depot Market

11. PERTH

Western Australia’s capital city, Perth is a wonderful urban settlement with it’s fair share of untouched scenic beauty. Full of classic Australian beaches, wonderful market places, brilliant food and also exciting wildlife, Perth calls for a trip to the West of the country!

Once known as the gateway city to Australia, also established as Australia’s first free settlement, Perth is today a bustling centre of all activities in Western Australia. Things to do in this city are aplenty, ranging from natural parks and wildlife, to great entertainment centres and places to chill.

Places to visit in Perth: Kings Park, Freemantle, Perth Beaches, Perth Mint, Perth Zoo, Swan Valley, Perth Cultural Centre, Aquarium of Western Australia

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