The beautiful city of Sydney is in New South Wales on the south eastern seaboard of Australia. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world with a kind temperate climate; sunshine can be enjoyed on average for about 350 days each year. It is ideal for breaks from the winter of the northern hemisphere as the summer season begins in Australia in December and lasts through until the end of February. If you don’t like too much heat then go out of season as the weather will still be warm and you are almost guaranteed some sun.

 

This cosmopolitan city has a reputation as a very laid back, friendly and lively holiday destination. Australians love sport and the great outdoors and much of the social life of Sydney takes place on and around the beautiful beaches and the harbour area. Special events such as Australia Day and New Year’s Eve are celebrated with great exuberance.

 

The waterside restaurants are internationally renowned serving wonderful food with the ideal accompaniment of outstanding Australian wines. As you would imagine the seafood is very good indeed and the variety of cuisines to choose from is large with a marked Asian influence.

 

If you think of Sydney what image comes to mind? For most people it will be the famous bridge across the harbour or the architectural gem that is the Sydney Opera House. Great attractions in their own right of course they serve as merely an introduction to an exciting city with much to explore.

 

Sydney has a vibrant Chinatown and the growing Vietnamese

population occupy an area that has become known as Ho Chi Minh City. Italian immigrants have established themselves in Haberfield and Leichhardt (great pizzas) and there are some wonderful Greek restaurants in Marrickville. It doesn’t end there however with a Spanish Quarter centred on Goulburn Street and the Portuguese are resident in Petersham. This diversity makes for a rewarding holiday experience as all the best of each culture can be enjoyed in one city.

 

The world famous Bondi Beach is almost a kilometre in length and is one of Australia’s favourite attractions for tourists. The surf culture is in evidence at the southern end with the northern part being regarded as the more sophisticated. There are very good places to eat and drink and some interesting shops, markets and regular entertainment at the Pavilion. The beach is very safe with constant supervision by lifeguards who are highly trained and are regarded by many as the best in the world. Bondi is where young and old Australians alike can be seen enjoying life to the full.

 

Take advantage of the terrific shopping opportunities that the city provides in its malls and small local markets. Retailers of high fashion goods to quirky small shops selling a huge range of products illustrate the diversity of retailing in the city. The sandstone streets of the area known as The Rocks are lined with shops (particularly good boutiques,) public houses and restaurants.

 

Sydney can be an unforgettable experience for a visitor and the main problem will be having enough time to do all that you would like. If time does allow visit the Opera House, Darling Harbour, Bronte and Coogee Beaches and some museums and galleries.

 

A repeat visit to Sydney is often necessary to further explore the city and perhaps further afield to the wonderful attractions that the north and south coast have to offer. The Snowy Mountains, Lord Howe Island and the Outback of New South Wales should be visited if possible.

 

Accommodation in Sydney varies from bed and breakfast to 5 star luxury. The public transport systems in the city are excellent and the modern airport has all the facilities now expected by travellers; it handles flights from all over the world. Transport to and from the airport is plentiful and the trip only takes about fifteen minutes.

 

It is a year round destination. In the winter, you can come for the skiing, but in the spring, why not visit to go horse riding. Or if the snow has started to melt, you can go white water rafting. The summer offers the chance to water ski and autumn is wonderful for trails and walks and then the skiing starts again!

Yet whilst the great outdoors features heavily in the Snowies (and with scenery such as this, why not?) there is actually much to see and do, both indoors and out. The Snowy Mountains are also very popular with Australians, some of whom like to see the snow after all that sun and sea. So there are some excellent tourist facilities.

Restaurants abound, with various cuisines offering excellent food in all price ranges. So you will never get the chance to be hungry. Not all the National Parks have eating places, but you will find BBQ and picnic areas here.

There are various National Parks which have a wide range of things to see and do. Some of the activities are quite energetic and you can go fishing, camping, trekking, quad biking or just take a walk. The choice is yours and all tastes and ages really are catered for, offering something for the whole family. One of the most scenic is the Kosciuszko National Park which is home to Mount Kosciuszko, which is the highest point in Australia.

The alpine feel to the Snowy Mountains really does make it very different to other parts of Australia, yet it also shares much in common. The hospitality in the Snowies is excellent and there are some interesting Heritage sites to visit as well.

One of these is Crackenback Cottage. This is not just a restaurant and café, but a selling place for local country crafts and it also has a mind-blowing maze, church and a little cottage which dates back to the Crackenback Gold Rush in the late 19^th, early 20^th Century. It is open all year round, but sometimes with restricted opening, depending on the season.

If fishing is your passion then you will find lots to do, including some particularly challenging trout fishing or fly-fishing. But if you are an art lover, you will find some great art galleries and so you can enjoy the outdoor life, but still get a ‘culture fix’.

So simply let your senses be thrilled and excited by life in the Snowy Mountains. They are wild and extreme, but also very gentle and calming. And they are sure to find a very special place in your heart.

But just because it doesn’t have the beachlife we often associate with Australia, doesn’t mean that it is dull, for ACT has much to offer.

With its relatively temperate climate, although it does have dry summers, it is a year round destination, particularly if you enjoy crisp winter days. One of the most interesting aspects of the ACT is that the area has almost 334,000 living in it, but less than 1000 live outside Canberra, the capital. This makes it a very unpopulated area and it is very easy to get far away from hustle and bustle here.

One of the things you really must do when in ACT is to take a trip to the Namadgi National Park. With its dramatic scenery, huge mountains and incredibly lush and thick forests, you will find yourself transported to another world. The wildlife is fabulous, with kangaroos, wombats and wallabies all seen on quite a regular basis. In addition, the park is home to many works of Aboriginal art, including the very famous Yankee Hat which is a picture of dingos, emus and kangaroos, as well as humans, which dates back at least 800 years, but some people think it is much older. The whole area is in fact a sacred site to the Aborigines and somehow it is very easy to see why. There is a very still and quiet ambience here, which is almost haunting and the spirits of the Aborigines never seem far away.

Another must do when in ACT is to spend a little time in Canberra. Sophisticated and elegant, this is the political heartland of Australia and where all the decisions are taken. The population here is very educated and the air is heavy with politics. But there are some great bars, restaurants and interesting nightlife, which makes it an ideal place to spend some time in and see just how it is a little different from other cities in Australia. Indeed, due to its large green spaces and close location to the country and being quite small, it is also very different to other capital cities, which makes it almost unique.

The uninhabited nature of much of ACT means that it is a great place to see just how some of the little settlements have evolved, sometimes in what feels like the middle of nowhere and this can be contrasted with the urban chic which is Canberra. So get out and about and see just how the rest of the territory is empty, apart from the sheep and the wildlife. It certainly makes you understand what rural life can be like.

So for a unique blend of both city and rural life, with its own special flavour and feel, spend time in ACT and enjoy its difference!

Home to Adelaide and some other large towns, such as Nullabor or Port Augusta. Home to only around 10% of Australia’s population, it actually covers an area which is some 985,000 square kilometres. So you can go for long periods without seeing another person, a real ‘getting away from it all’ feeling.

The landscape and scenery is very varied. There are mountains, which offer some terrific views. The most significant of these are the Lofty-Flinders Mountain Range which stretch from Cape Jervis up to Lake Torrens.

Then there is the sea and beach life which you find all along the southern coast, giving you the chance to just soak up the sun and enjoy the ambience. One of the most popular areas is the Fleurieu Peninsula, which is a haven for those who love their water sports or surfing. Also if you are into either diving or snorkelling, then this really is the place to come.

There are also some great wineries here, so you can do some wine tasting or just enjoy a bottle or two over dinner. Some of the best names in Australian wine are present here, so prepare to be thrilled by some of the wines available.

One of the best ways to really explore South Australia is to go on an organised tour. These can provide you with the chance to see a different side of SA, which you may find difficult to organise on your own. The tours available are quite diverse, with some being quite active, involving trekking or mountain climbing, whereas others are simply trips to a wildlife sanctuary or even heritage tours, taking in some of the past and present cultural influences which have helped shape South Australia into the exciting and vibrant state it is today.

No trip to South Australia would be complete without venturing into the Outback. If you are going to stay a few days in the Outback, it may be an idea to go on a tour, just for safety’s sake. It can get pretty hot out there. But the views are stunning. Even at night you see millions of stars in the sky and the view is so different from any city night sky. Make sure that you check out Wilpena Pond as well, a natural ‘amphitheatre’ some 7 kilometres wide, by 17 kilometres long and it is millions of years old.

If you feel a little starved of company after time in the Outback, then you can always head off into Adelaide and re-charge your batteries, before setting off for destinations new. For this is South Australia. Everything under the sun, squeezed into just one state!

Being so large means that Western Australia has a very varied climate. It is tropical in the north with cyclones in the summer months. However, the southwest of the state is relatively temperate with some decent temperatures most of the year. The Outback, sometimes known as the central area is very dry and there is very little rain, even in the summer.

This range of climate changes makes Western Australia quite an exciting place. Here you can find deserts and very dry conditions, then head off to lush green forests with some amazing flora and fauna. Then you can go down to the beach and enjoy the laid back lifestyle which is so prevalent here. But if you need a little hustle and bustle, why not head into Perth, Albany or Kimberley, just to experience city/urban life again.

However, there are some things which you really shouldn’t miss when in Western Australia. The first of these has to be spending some time on the Coral Coast. This is a huge area, but the Ningaloo Marine Park is one of the most fascinating places, where you can snorkel and dive and see the most amazing fish and corals and perhaps a little marine life. Unlike the Barrier Reef it is not actually separated from the coast, which makes it very easy to get to and the quality of the water is simply superb.

You should also take the chance to visit a National Park. There are 75 to choose from, so there are plenty of options available! One of the most amazing is near Walpole and here you can go on a Tree Top walk along the Valley of the Giants. This walk is around 40 metres high and runs for almost 600 metres. The view below is simply stunning as you get to look down right to the forest floor and see nature in action.

Another must do when in WA is to go on a wine tasting session. The Margaret River is one of the best wine regions in Australia and here you can learn all about wine production as well as sampling a bottle or two. There are over 150 wineries in this area, so you will find one which has the grapes to suite your particular palate.

You should also make sure you spend sometime in the Outback, just to get a sense of how large it is and how old the whole landscape is, yet with so few inhabitants it is barely changed over thousands of years. A very interesting experience.

Being such a large state and with such a diverse climate and landscape, Western Australia really does have a lot to offer and is more like a country in its own right, in part due to the sheer size of it. So for a real melting pot of experiences, scenery and things to see and do, make WA top of your list when in Australia.

Here you will find the iconic Ayers Rock as well as the Kakadu National Park as well as some very dramatic scenery. Ayers Rock and a similar rock, known as Kata Tjuta are both very sacred sites to the local Aboriginal peoples and once you have seen them and their strange light, with an almost eerie atmosphere, it is not hard to see why. They really do leave an impression on your soul.

In fact the Northern Territory as a whole does have some special kind of atmosphere. Yet it has four distinct areas. These range from the Top End, to Katherine to Tennant Creek, then the Red Centre. Each is different, but warrant a visit in equal measure. The Top End can experience quite tropical monsoons and does have a very tropical climate (as Darwin can attest to, since it regularly experiences cyclones of varying degrees). Down at the Red Centre, the weather is more temperate, but the scenery is very different from the Top End, with some really beautiful rock created gorges to be seen.

Covering 1.4 million square miles, this is a big area and there is an awful lot to see and do. The fact that Darwin is up near the top means that you have the benefit of a city, but then lots of other towns, settlements and sites to explore within the countryside. So you can visit civilisation one day, then get in the car, step back in time and leave ‘modern’ civilisation far, far away.

NT has a whole host of National Parks, around 23 in total. These all have a variety of facilities, as well as being great places to go for a walk, or catch a glimpse of some of the Northern Territory’s fantastic wildlife.

This are has been home to the Aboriginal peoples for literally thousands of years, so there is still a lot of Aboriginal art which can be seen and it is possible to buy Aboriginal craftworks in a variety of different places.

Whilst in the Northern Territory, make sure that you see the Katherine Gorge, which is simply an amazing sight with its ‘walls’ which are over 70 metres high. It is one of those sights which will stay with you forever.

After all that natural beauty and stunning scenery, you will probably feel like some fine wine and food and yet again, NT will not disappoint. Restaurants and facilities are plentiful, not too expensive and all tastes and needs are met with ease.

But whilst in the Northern Territory make sure that you find the time to meet the locals, to discover more about their philosophy and way of being. There are some great Outback characters around here and they will warm your very heart.

With its sun kissed weather, dreamy shores and fabulous beaches, Queensland is home to many of Australia’s most stunning scenery. Here you will find the tourist attractions of the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane as well as Cairns, Port Douglas and even the Great Barrier Reef: all in one state. What more could you ask for?

The Great Barrier Reef is actually made up of around 3,000 reefs and around 900 islands. It is truly awesome to see and it is fascinating to see ‘Nature’ in action as it is in this whole eco-system, which has survived for millions of years. It is not without good reason that this was declared a World Heritage Site. Some people even describe it as one of the seven wonders of the natural world, such is its splendour. SO don’t miss out on this natural phenomenon.

For those who like things to be a little more on the adventurous side, there are five theme parks to choose from, with Movie World and Dream world being two of the most popular.

Since tourism is such big business here, the facilities are of a standard which you would expect in a popular holiday destination. Fantastic restaurants are plentiful. Obviously being on the coast, there are quite a lot of seafood restaurants, but due to quite a vibrant and diverse population, there are various cuisines available and plenty of choice, to suit all pockets and all tastes.

Activities are also very diverse, with a lot of beach based activities, surfing, swimming and sailing, but there are plenty of historic sites to see, as well as a good range of museums, art galleries and even a wildlife sanctuary at Currumbin. You could even visit the Australia Zoo, which was the base of Steve Irwin, the intrepid Australian explorer, who died in 2006.

However, whilst you are here, you really need to make some time available, just to spend on the beach, looking at the beautiful sights and just relaxing, chilling out and enjoying the laid back kind of lifestyle which Australians do so well. It is a joy for the senses.

So, for a truly unforgettable holiday, make Queensland your destination of choice. Spend a little time in Brisbane and then head off to the beaches and coastline of this very hospitable, friendly and amazingly beautiful state. You will not be disappointed, it is a very memorable experience for all and one of its main features is that it appeals to all age groups and families as well as single travellers. A real utopia !

Sydney is a really popular place to visit, with its iconic landmark bridge and a whole host of interesting buildings, tourist attractions, great restaurants etc. But once you have done Sydney and all its culture and arts, as well as heritage, just take a little time to explore New South Wales (NSW). You will not regret it.

NSW is home to some really stunning countryside. There are also some beautiful and quaint little towns and settlements, which date back to the gold miners and farmers. Now, many of these are homes to artists, sculptors and craft workers who have chosen this particular area, because of its fantastic quality of light.

Why not take a trip through the Poacher’s Trail which is a gourmet trip for lovers of fine wines and foods? This runs through the towns of Yass through to Murrumbateman. Or you can have a cruise on a replica paddlesteamer of the 19^th Century.

Tamworth in NSW is renowned as Australia’s Country Music capital, but even if you don’t particularly like country music it is a really interesting place to visit and see just how some people are crazy for country. A great cultural insight into country music.

Gunnedah nearby is the perfect place to watch koalas in the wild, or if you are visiting between December and March, you can behold the spectacle which is the sunflower fields and they really are amazing to see.

Wentworth, which is sited at the point where the rivers Murray and Darling meet, is also a wonderfully charming place. You can hire a canoe, go on a paddle steamer, or even hire a very luxurious houseboat. The food and drink is also of fabulous quality, with many award winning venues within close proximity of each other and all the produce used is local.

Just out of Wentworth there are some very significant sites of Aboriginal origins, which really are quite hauntingly beautiful and evocative of another world.

NSW is a real eclectic mix, which means that everyone leaves happy, although most are already planning their return trip. In actual fact, NSW gets in your heart and then it will be there forever, since it is a very special and almost unique state.

Melbourne is of course the main destination for many people who come to Victoria and indeed there is lots to see and do in Melbourne. But to just concentrate on the city means that you lose out on all Victoria has to offer.

So consider visiting the very historic cities of Castlemaine, Ballarat, Bendigo and Daylesford, all of which have many heritage sites and interesting things to see, explore and visit.

Or you can visit the Twelve Apostles, which is a range of limestone stacks which are just off the Port Campbell National Park’s shore. It was once called the Sow and Piglets, but it’s name was changed in the 1950’s, even though there were only 9 ‘apostles’ left, not 12.

Another main attraction in Victoria is the chance to see the Little Penguin, which is also known as the Fairy Penguin. They are tiny in size, but incredibly cute and they can easily be seen at Phillip Island or St Kilda.

There are some great beaches where you can just sit and watch the world go past. One of the best is Bells Beach, although some people would argue that the beach at Torquay is better.

You could take a trip to the Yarra Valley to see how wine is produced, taste a little wine and hopefully take a bottle or two home with you.

Or you could venture into the Alpine Region with its fabulous ski slopes or just admire the fantastic scenery.

There really is something for everyone in Victoria: if you like cities, there are quite a few to visit. But I you like the open air and countryside, you will be right at home here. Sports fans will find a wide range of things to do, but plenty of gentle walks, rambles and soothing beaches are here for people who just want to take life easy.

Great restaurants, fine wines and excellent facilities for all tick all the boxes on even the most exacting of wishlists….. so add Victoria to your wishlist!

It is often promoted as being the Island of Inspiration. And once you have been to this magical island, you really will feel as if you have encountered some kind of magic. It really is a beautiful and serene place, which is modern in its outlook, but somehow there is an air of stepping back in time. Such is its serenity.

Tasmania has a very gentle climate, with none of the very arid dry heat which some of Australia experiences in the summer months. Tasmania can even get snow in the winter, but in the towns and settlements, this is actually quite rare.

The capital of Tasmania is Hobart and this is a great starting off base, to see Tasmania for all its beauty. Sometimes it can be a good idea just to hire a car and see where it takes you. The scenery, wildlife and people here are all extremely interesting and varied, and so each day can be an adventure!

That being said, whilst in Tasmania, you should try to explore the island to its full potential. There are lots of natural wonders to behold and none are more wondrous than the rainforests which temperate as opposed to tropical. If you can, make sure you go on a tour, to soak up the true beauty of these forest areas.

The Heritage Highway is also a wonderful way of learning about how Tasmania evolved and developed. Or you could try going to see some of the Aboriginal Art which can be found at the Tiagarra Centre at Deveonport’s Bluff or try out the Jahadi Indigenous Experience which can be found in Deloraine.

Restaurants and great places to eat abound throughout Tasmania. The food may not be always fine dining, but it is great food cooked well and in exceptionally pleasant surroundings, with friendly and attentive staff. What more could one ask for ?

There are plenty of markets and places to shop and one of the key ‘treats’ for shoppers in Tasmania is the number of places you can buy both indigenous and other craftworks, all of a very high quality, usually at a very good price!

So make sure Tasmania is included in your ‘Must Visit’ List: you will be so glad you came.