We will be taking you on an adventure up the Eastern Coast of Australia. After arriving in Melbourne (MEL), there will be a short jaunt over to Tasmania Island which will be followed by a visit to the Australian Capital, Canberra. We will then highlight some day trips just outside of Sydney before discovering Sydney itself! Then, we will head up to Brisbane while highlighting some fantastic beaches and finally end in Cairns with some exploration of the Great Barrier Reef. Enjoy!
Situated in the utmost south of the state of Victoria is its capital, Melbourne. With its 4.5 million inhabitants, Melbourne is the second most populous city in Australia and has been ranked the world’s most livable city for six years straight. But Melbourne is not only great for living. The city is referred to as Australia’s cultural capital and therefore is a must-see city when in Down Under and really offers something for every type of traveller.
The old city centre of Melbourne, which stems from the time of the Victorian gold rush in the 1850s, is the perfect place to start exploring this cosmopolitan city. You could spend days wandering around the cobblestone laneways which thread the city centre and are home to independent coffee shops, cafés and little boutiques which are perfect for finding unique artisanal souvenirs. While in this part of the town, make sure to pay attention to the walls and peek down every corner as this is the mecca for street art, even famous graffiti artist Banksy is featured.
Melbourne is also the place to be for shopping-enthusiasts as is boasts numerous markets which sell everything from local produce to arts and crafts and vintage fashion. Arguably, the best place to shop is Queen Victoria Market, the largest open-air market in the Southern Hemisphere.
Lovers of food and dining will also get their fix in Melbourne. Enjoy the endless numbers of restaurants in downtown Melbourne, which feature an incredibly diverse array of international cuisines. Top options include “The Press Club”, the flagship restaurant of Greek-descent TV chef George Colombaris and “Attica”, ranked among the world’s 50 best restaurants. After a day of exploring the city, nothing beats watching the sunset while enjoying a cocktail in one of the city’s dozen rooftop bars.
Sport-enthusiasts can watch world class tennis and racing here as Melbourne is home to the Australian Open and the Formula 1. Furthermore Melbourne is also home to a wide variety of professional sports teams which range from popular local sports such as Aussie Rules Football, Cricket or Rugby to Soccer and Baseball and who would have thought that you can even watch Ice hockey in Melbourne?
Arguably the biggest sporting event in all of Australia is the Melbourne Cup. The world-famous horse race takes place once a year in the end of October and is a must-attend event, even if you are not even interested in horses. This is because with the Melbourne Cup also comes the Melbourne Cup Carnival, a week-long event which annually draws more than 100,000 people and boasts pop-up restaurants, a own fashion show and lots of other fun activities.
A great way to get around in Melbourne are its Trams. There is even a designated line called “City Circle Tram” which functions as a sightseeing tram, taking you to all the interesting places in Melbourne and even provides audio-commentary. The best thing about it? It’s completely free!
While Melbourne in itself already offers enough to entertain you for days, the city is also the perfect starting point for day trips in South Victoria. Just about an hour east of the city is the Yarra Valley, one of Australia’s top wine regions. The perfect place for wine lovers and connoisseurs.
Just 1.5 hours drive south of the city is Phillip Island with its Nature Park. The park features the Nobbies Centre, where one can see seals, dolphins and sharks and The Koala Conservation centre. Philip Island is most famous for the Penguin Parade, where you can see the native “Little Penguins” come ashore in groups.
Penguin Parade
Another great trip from Melbourne is the Great Ocean Road. Stretching a total of 243km, the road winds along the coast and features magnificent views and landmarks such as the world-famous limestone stack formations called “Twelve Apostles”. The Twelve Apostles are a 4 hour drive from Melbourne and just like with the aforementioned destinations, there are several companies offering convenient day tours starting in Melbourne.
Tasmania is an island state 240 km south of Melbourne. With a population of just over 500,000 people, with about half of them living in the capital Hobart. Tasmania offers lots of wilderness and nature and is home to 17 National Parks which cover o
ver 45% of the whole island.
Getting to Tasmania is easier than one would think, with flights departing from Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane or taking the Spirit of Tasmania ferry from Melbourne, departing at 6pm and arriving the next day at 6am.
While you could spend days just driving around the island and taking in the serene beauty, travellers with a tighter schedule might want to focus on the must-sees in Tasmania:
Hobart:
The state capital offers a small seaside town charm and is well worth the visit when in “Tas”.
Its historic district with colonial-era cottages or the fashionable Salamanca Place with its old warehouses that host galleries and cafes make for a great place to enjoy the afternoon. Visit Salamanca Place on Saturday to enjoy the Salamanca Market, the famous market that features nearly 300 vendors which sell woodwork, jewellery, fashion, glassware, and food. Also in Hobart is the Museum of Old and New Art which hosts antiquities, modern and contemporary art owned by an Australian collector.
Just outside of Hobart one can find and hike Mount Wellington. The 1,200m high summit offers magnificent views over Hobart, the South Island and the Pacific Ocean.
Port Arthur:
Just a 90 minute drive from Hobart lies Port Arthur, a former convict settlement which now acts as a heritage area and open-air museum. Offic
ially Tasmania’s most visited tourist attraction, the former prison site has more than 30 buildings which used to host around 12 000 convicts from 1830 to 1877.
Tickets for the site are valid for two consecutive days and include entry to the museum, a guided walking tour and a harbour cruise.
Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park:
One of Tasmania’s most visited attractions, this National park is in the midlands of the island, 165 kilometres from Hobart. The National Park is renowned for its many walking/hiking trails, many of them being fairly easy which make it a perfect place for non-trained hikers to enjoy the beauty. But the park is not only for beginners as there are plenty of advanced and longer hikes such as climbing Cradle Mountain which takes about a day. The park also marks the starting point for the famous Overland Track, a 6 day trek through the heart of Tasmania.
Freycinet National Park:
Freycinet is another National Park, this one is located at the east-coast, 125 kilometers from Hobart.
The Park offers beaches and hills alike, with the often-photographed Wineglass Bay and the granite peaks of the Harzards being the most famous. There are also mountains to hike for magnificent vistas and if one wants an even better and higher view, then one can book a scenic flight over the National Park for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. It was selected to be the capital of Australia in 1908 with the construction of the city beginning in 1913. It is the only city that was planned in a quadrant style in Australia and was designed by American architects Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin. Its current population is 381,488 and is home to many galleries and memorials such as the Australian War Memorial, and National Gallery of Australia. Since Canberra is the capital of Australia it is home to government buildings such as The Parliament House, The High Court, and The Royal Australian Mint all of which are all open to tourists.
Australia’s most famous city skyline, Sydney is the state capital of New South Wales. Located on the East Coast of Australia, the metropolis of Sydney surrounds the world’s largest natural harbour. What began as a penal colony in 1788, has transformed into a thriving tourism and economic centre.
Sydney is the most populated city in Australia and Oceania with 4.92 million residents. 34% of the population of Sydney are born overseas making it one of the most multicultural cities in the world. The different cultures of Sydney’s residents allow the city to flourish with events and attractions to please any visitor.
Recently, Sydney was ranked one of the most expensive cities to live in, but with that it was also ranked the 10th most livable city in the world! Tourism in Sydney is constantly growing which allows it to remain among the top 15 most visited cities. Sydney offers sights, culture, history and adventure making it love at first visit!
Sydney has many different attractions unique to the city. Tourists flock from all over the world to see the sights and experience everything Sydney has to offer. Here are the Top 5 Must Sees of Sydney….
Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is one of the most recognizable structures in the world. Opened in 1973, the multi-venue performing arts centre has a capacity of 6000 and hosts 1500 performances annually, including the Sydney Orchestra and Australian National Ballet. In 2007, the Sydney Opera House became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Guided tours can be booked for the Sydney Opera House. The tours describe the history, the culture and the hidden secrets of the Opera House. The duration of each tour is approximately 1 hour and tickets are $37.00 AUD for adults and $20.00 AUD for children.
~~Fun Fact: Although the Opera House may appear white, it is actually a subtle chevron pattern made up of 1,056,006 creme and white toned tiles~~
Sydney Harbour Bridge
The Sydney Harbour Bridge is another famous landmark in Australia and 6th largest arch bridge in the world. It is a steel arch bridge nicknamed “The Coathanger” stretching across the Sydney Harbour. The original design of the bridge was based of off a New York City bridge and supports the crossing of rail, vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian.
Visitors can climb the bridge on a visit to Sydney. Although the cost is quite steep at around $350.00AUD per adult, the views at the top are like no other in Australia. Climbers will have a training class and safety class before being able to scale 134m to the top of the bridge. Souvenir photos are provided to all climbers as well.
The Rocks
The Rocks are a historic part of the Sydney city centre showing the penal colonies past. With breathtaking views of the Harbour Bridge as the backdrop, the Rocks offers many historic buildings to explore. The area also has a collection of shops, restaurants, markets and pubs. The pubs in the Rocks are some of the oldest in Sydney, thus keeping the history alive. There are also many galleries located in the Rocks showcasing Australian artists and Australian opals. A complete map of the Rocks can be found to help plan out a visit.
Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
Founded in 1816, the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney is an important scientific institution for the world of science. The Garden contains 30-acres of plants from all over the world as well as statues and art.
The Domain is connected to the Garden and it contains another 34-acres of open air space popular for concerts and events. The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney is open 365 days a year and access is free for all visitors making it a huge tourist attraction for those visiting Sydney!
Visit the Royal Botanical Gardens
Taronga Zoo
Taronga Zoo is located on the shore of Sydney Harbour and can be reached from the city on the Taronga Zoo Ferry. Opened in 1916, this zoo is divided into 8 zoogeographic regions with over 4000 animals. The zoo prides itself on education and conservation and has partnerships with many ecological organizations. An adult admission to the zoo costs $41.40AUD and includes access to the new high ropes course.
There are opportunities for visitors to interact with animals. There is an extra fee on top of the admission price but the fee varies on the animals. Visitors can interact with koalas, giraffes, penguins and owls. All money from the extra fee goes directly back to the animals making this zoo a must do on any Sydney trip!
This iVenture Card is ideal for tourists who plan on visiting many attractions. The card includes access to the Taronga Zoo and Sydney Opera House.
There are many options when trying to choose a hotel in Sydney. From large and luxurious to quaint and historic there is no shortage of selection. Some hotels can’t be found anywhere but Sydney and should be on the top of the list when trying to decide on a hotel.
ADGE Apartment Hotel is located near the city centre and is ranked #1 on Trip Advisor for places to stay in Sydney. The boutique apartments are fully furnished with a working kitchen and laundry machines. The style of the apartments is modern luxury making this trendy hotel a must stay in Sydney!
Ovolvo 1888 Darling Harbour boasts amazing city views. The building itself dates back but the rooms within have been modernized to an art deco theme. Each room is unique in style but the overall theme of the hotel is luxury art deco. The contrast from the historic outer of the building to the modern artist inner makes this hotel a must stay!
The Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour is located on the waterfront and offers some of the best views of any hotel in Sydney. The hotel hosts an array of professional chefs which makes the food beyond compare. The theme of the hotel is waterfront luxury putting this hotel at the top of any Sydney traveler wishlist!
The Blue Mountains
The Blue Mountains is a beautiful region in New South Wales and is only a 45 minute drive outside of Sydney. The Blue Mountains are made up of multiple mountain ranges, escarpments, and plateaus. One of the key features of the Blue Mountain’s Range is Mount Bindo, the highest mountain in the range reaching a height of 1,362m. Also, the Blue Mountains have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since November 29, 2000. Visitors can enjoy views of the picturesque scenery while hiking through this beautiful part of the country.
Hunter Valley Vineyards
Hunter Valley Vineyards is a winery in New South Wales and is a 2-hour drive north of Sydney. Hunter Valley is one of Australia’s best known wine regions producing some of the finest wines in Australia. The valley produces their fine wines in a nice variety of different reds and white wines, some of their most famous wines are Shiraz, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Verdelho, and with its most famous wine the Semillon. The Valley is made up of three regions, the first region being The Upper Hunter, the second is Broke Fordwich, and the last region is Pokolbin.
Brisbane is the capital city of Queensland. It is known for its coastline and is a destination for art lovers, foodies, adventures and fashionistas. With a subtropical climate, Brisbane is an ideal destination for any season. Whether you want to stroll through botanical gardens, ride bikes along the river, or sit back on a man-made beach, Brisbane definitely has a little something for everyone!
Visit Brisbane
Hop On Hop Off Bus
This double-decker bus gets you around the city making 15 stops at main attractions. It runs seven days a week, which is perfect for those who aren’t spending their whole time in Brisbane. Some of the stops included on this tour are; Chinatown and South Bank Ferris Wheel. Witness a building built by convicts in 1828, known as the Old Windmill, or hop off at the Cultural centre, which consists of art galleries, museums and state libraries. For those looking to enjoy a fine meal or shop ‘til they drop then Park Road is the stop for you! This strip consists of many restaurants, cafes and shops.
Paddle the Brisbane River
If you’re the type of traveler who loves the outdoors and kayaking, then paddling the Brisbane River is a great tour for you. Paddle the river and take in the scenery. Watch the reflection of buildings and lights dance on the water as you coast down the river. After your 90 minute adventure, enjoy a meal of prawns which happens on Fridays or an Australian BBQ which takes place on Saturdays. Dine on the side of the river and enjoy Australian wines and beer.
Story Bridge
Whether you’re visiting Brisbane with your romantic partner or with the family, be sure to climb Story Bridge. Anytime of the day is a great time to climb, but if you want to witness the beautiful Australian sun rise or sunset climb at dawn or dusk. Witness stunning views of the Glasshouse Mountains and the Gold Coast Hinterland. This experience is truly like no other!
Visit Hobart
Australia 