So, you've decided to come to Australia and want to visit at least one Australian City. Of course you could go with Sydney or Melbourne. But will they be the best ones for you?
On the surface, all Australian cities have the same look and feel - some large sky scrapers and a grid road system similar to rival the that of the US. But spend a little more time in our cities and you'll soon find they really are very different.
You have to visit Sydney. It's my home town so I am slightly biased! The harbour area with the Opera House, Bridge and the Rocks are hard to beat. To get the best view though, get on the ferry to Manly and gaze back at the harbour. It's not all about the views though. You can visit interesting suburbs, sunbathe on its glorious beaches and shop in the boutique shops of Paddington.
Whilst Melbourne doesn't have that dramatic harbour, it does have so much to offer. The vibe here is so different from Sydney. It's much more European and Bohemian with its dark and sultry bars and coffee shops. There are still some impressive views, particularly from the river and exploring the lanes that run between the big skyscrapers is fun - you never know what you will discover round the next corner. Some argue the food is better than Sydney. I'm not sure I totally agree but it certainly is cheaper.
If you are into wine, then put Adelaide at the top of your Australian Cities list. Here you can access 3 great wine regions very easily. They are all within an hour or so of the centre of Adelaide. If you like your red wine to be BIG, then the Barossa Valley is the place for you. Best bit of advice I can give you, is don't stay in the centre of Adelaide, stay in the seaside town of Glenelg instead which is just outside the city.
A trip to Perth in Western Australia is a must, particularly if you want to travel the road less traveled. It's much quieter this side but still has stunning scenery and vibrant cities that will delight you. Stay in Fremantle just outside the city as Perth itself can be like a ghost town once the office workers have headed home. Explore the coastline and make sure you visit Cottesloe Beach.
Wanting to understand the Aboriginal Culture? The best place is Darwin at the top of Australia. It's best to come here in the dry season between May and October. Outside of these months it can rain a lot and be very hot and humid. The area is fantastic for aboriginal art and culture, notably Kakadu National Park and the Tiwi Islands, both not too far from Darwin.
If you want to do a road trip as part of your Australian holiday then head East and travel from Sydney to Noosa and go via Brisbane. Here it's just a short trip to the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast but the city itself has some special sites that every traveler will enjoy.
Whichever you choose, you won't be disappointed with any of the Australian Cities.
On the surface, all Australian cities have the same look and feel - some large sky scrapers and a grid road system similar to rival the that of the US. But spend a little more time in our cities and you'll soon find they really are very different.
You have to visit Sydney. It's my home town so I am slightly biased! The harbour area with the Opera House, Bridge and the Rocks are hard to beat. To get the best view though, get on the ferry to Manly and gaze back at the harbour. It's not all about the views though. You can visit interesting suburbs, sunbathe on its glorious beaches and shop in the boutique shops of Paddington.
Whilst Melbourne doesn't have that dramatic harbour, it does have so much to offer. The vibe here is so different from Sydney. It's much more European and Bohemian with its dark and sultry bars and coffee shops. There are still some impressive views, particularly from the river and exploring the lanes that run between the big skyscrapers is fun - you never know what you will discover round the next corner. Some argue the food is better than Sydney. I'm not sure I totally agree but it certainly is cheaper.
If you are into wine, then put Adelaide at the top of your Australian Cities list. Here you can access 3 great wine regions very easily. They are all within an hour or so of the centre of Adelaide. If you like your red wine to be BIG, then the Barossa Valley is the place for you. Best bit of advice I can give you, is don't stay in the centre of Adelaide, stay in the seaside town of Glenelg instead which is just outside the city.
A trip to Perth in Western Australia is a must, particularly if you want to travel the road less traveled. It's much quieter this side but still has stunning scenery and vibrant cities that will delight you. Stay in Fremantle just outside the city as Perth itself can be like a ghost town once the office workers have headed home. Explore the coastline and make sure you visit Cottesloe Beach.
Wanting to understand the Aboriginal Culture? The best place is Darwin at the top of Australia. It's best to come here in the dry season between May and October. Outside of these months it can rain a lot and be very hot and humid. The area is fantastic for aboriginal art and culture, notably Kakadu National Park and the Tiwi Islands, both not too far from Darwin.
If you want to do a road trip as part of your Australian holiday then head East and travel from Sydney to Noosa and go via Brisbane. Here it's just a short trip to the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast but the city itself has some special sites that every traveler will enjoy.
Whichever you choose, you won't be disappointed with any of the Australian Cities.
About the Author:
Jennifer Schellington has nearly 5 years experience in travel around Australia and has recently become a Mum. Her website, www.realaustraliatravel.comgives practical information for planning your trip to Australia as well as what to do and where to go. Click here for more details on exploring Australian Cities
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