Australia
A Fair Dinkum Place!
While modern-day Australia might have started life as a British prison colony, it has evolved into one of the world’s premier tourist destinations. Visitors to Australia will delight in its exciting, cosmopolitan cities, fantastic weather, and famously beautiful coastline, as well as the friendly nature of the locals that they encounter. Australia – a country and continent in one – is the world’s sixth-largest nation by land area and has a wealth of natural attractions begging to be explored. From the monolithic rock at Uluru; to the wild, untamed, and unforgiving Outback; to the colourful wonder of the Great Barrier Reef off Queensland’s sun-soaked Gold Coast, Australia possesses some unique and unforgettable sights. Active types will love Australia’s ‘outdoors culture’, and a huge array of sports and activities, including swimming, diving, snorkelling, surfing, bush walking, hiking, mountain biking and even skiing, are popular with locals and available to tourists.
For those who prefer to keep their holidays urban, Australia’s cities will certainly not disappoint. Clean, cosmopolitan, and youthful, Australia’s urban centres (including Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne) are world-class. Famous cultural attractions in Australia include the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, the Australian Museum and the Museum of Old and New Art. Australia also boasts an impressive and fast-moving restaurant culture, guaranteed to satisfy even the fussiest gastronomes.
Whether you schedule a lot of sightseeing in Australia, or plan to spend most of your time relaxing on the great beaches and sampling some of the local beer (of which there are many brands), you are bound to have a splendid time in the Land Down Under.
What to see and do in Australia
- The Sydney Opera House is an iconic triumph of architectural design and boasts a top-quality programme of shows and events.
- The Australian Museum is a fascinating place to visit and caters wonderfully for kids.
- Travel into the Outback to see Uluru (formerly known as Ayer’s Rock) a giant monolithic rock, considered sacred by Australia’s Aboriginal population.
- Melbourne’s laid-back style and gastronomic delights are unmissable.
- See the Great Barrier Reef up close. The beauty of the brightly coloured coral reef, the largest living organism in the world, will not soon be forgotten.
- Take scenic train ride and treetop cable ride over a rainforest before a close interaction with the fascinating Aboriginal people and their culture. Throw a boomerang!
- Swim, learn to surf, or else just chill out on Queensland’s Gold Coast – home to some of the very best beaches in the world.
- See a cricket match at one of the country’s legendary stadia (the Melbourne Cricket Ground is highly recommended).
- Take an early morning hot-air balloon ride over the Australian Outback, and marvel at the beauty of the severe and sparse expanse, stretching in every direction with no sign of human settlement.