Cairns
A tropical climate and home to the Great Barrier Reef, it’s easy to see why Cairns attracts backpackers in their droves every year. It’s the only place on earth where two World Heritage-listed areas meet, justifying the 600-odd tours every day which make the most of its year-round outdoor lifestyle and cosmopolitan culture. The compact city is easy to get around, taking travellers from secluded freshwater swimming holes to an extensive network of cycle paths and tropical plants in the Botanic Gardens. Whether you’re after adventure or exotic experiences, Cairns is guaranteed to have it all.
Gold Coast
The Gold Coast is where travellers head to for their thrills and spills, most often in the form of surfing on one of the city’s paradise beaches. Known as the ‘theme park capital of Australia’, the city lets you make a splash at one of the water parks, or even swim with dolphins and sharks. Away from the beach and theme parks you’ve also got Hinterland, where sights include Tamborine Mountain, Canungra, Springbrook and Lamington.
Hunter Valley
Hunter Valley is Australia’s most visited wine region, and is home to more than 150 wineries, vineyards and cellar doors. It’s fair to say that a Hunter Valley break offers a taste of the good life, where fine wine and gourmet food await travellers. Wine tours, plush hotels and even hostels are found around the region, where spa days and golf sessions rule the roost.
Melbourne
Australia’s hub of all things stylish, Melbourne features buzzing bars, boutique stores and countless world class events. Take a wander around the city’s hidden laneways for al fresco eateries and cosy rooftop bars, and take in the street art adorning approved outdoor locations. The city’s bohemian heart is found in Fitzroy which is home to fashion, art and food, while Federation Square brings together a creative mix of attractions, galleries and museums. Each year, the cultural city welcomes over a million international visitors keen to experience all it has to offer.
Northern Territory
From the tropics through to the deserts, the Northern Territory boasts a whole range of terrain for adventurists to get stuck into. Radiating down from the modern city of Darwin, the Northern Territory also encompasses the Alice Spring area, including Uluru. All this means that the region is a heaving mix of landscapes and cultures, with exotic wildlife, Aboriginal history, cosmopolitan cafes, and even airboat rides across the Mary River.
Perth
Nestled in to the Western coast of Australia, Perth offers a quieter way of life by way of hip wine bars, sunny beaches and soaring skyscrapers. Australia’s only capital city on the Indian Ocean, the city offers a diverse range of patches for travellers to explore, from the historic Fremantle to the outlying hills which are home to rivers and copious amounts of wine. Some 15 minutes outside of the city centre is Cottesloe beach, a favourite with backpackers for its quaint, village atmosphere and golden sands.
Sydney
The glittering Sydney skyline is one of the most recognisable in the world, attracting travellers eager to tick off some epic sights on their bucket list. From catching a show in the world-famous Sydney Opera House, to hiking over the Sydney Harbour bridge, Sydney has got something for everyone – regardless of fitness levels. The family-friendly city also emanates a sunny, vibrant vibe, perfect for sightseeing, al fresco dining, or catching a few waves on a few of its surrounding beaches.
The Whitsundays
The Whitsundays is made up of 74 individual islands scattered along the tropical coast of Queensland. A visual treat, the azure blue sea and secluded beaches make The Whitsundays an unrivalled location for catching a few rays. Travellers who prefer to get down and dirty can also dive in with a range of watersports, from scuba diving to sailing. Often featured on lists of the world’s most beautiful beaches, The Whitsundays is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Great Barrier Reef and is frequently described as a tropical paradise.
