Where city living meets the magnificent outdoors.
Topics underwrite in Basic Australia 101 : kangaroo , Steve Irwin , and the Great Barrier Reef . Unfortunately , that ’s about as far as most people get in their Aussie education . Australia comes off as remote and intimidating ; its land mass dwarfs the entire European continent , yet it has few occupant than the state of Texas . It ’s home to the most deadly and grievous metal money know to serviceman , and Nicole Kidman , but what else?The huge legal age of Aussies are n’t wallop around in the bush like you may think . A huge 89 % live in vibrant cities that rock diverse food scenes , world - category breakers , immaculate beach , award - pull ahead wine , and legendary night life . For visitant , these hubs are essential leap out off points to some of the most extraordinary landscapes and badass outside experiences you may have on the major planet . Here are the honest city to chitchat in Australia , plus tips for the best thing to see and do in each .
Perth
westerly AustraliaThis town is out there , both in universal weirdness and geographical locating . The most set-apart capital on the planet , Perth is over 1,300 Admiralty mile away from the next major Australian metropolis . It ’s also get the high reported days of blue skies , so if you ’re pro year - cycle sunshine , this is one of the best places to subsist in Australia . Good - humored locals are almost always wearing flip-flop ( that ’s “ insolent flops ” to you ” ) if not walking around straight up barefoot .
Perth sport one of the country ’s most striking coastlines : Mullaloo , Cottesloe , Scarbrough , and Rockingham are just a few of the postcard - worthy beaches within a 45 - hour drive of the metropolis center . Rent a bike and take the quick 25 - minute ferry bait out to Rottnest Island , where a series of beautiful beach are splice together by splashable tidepools and rocky cove galoreDon’t leave without : chatting up a stranger . Locals around here tend to be well - versed in strange and fascinating thing , and offer up a well-disposed how-do-you-do will be rewarded with a world view like none other . Play your cards right and you just might get invited to a family BBQ or road trip to Coral Bay .
Margaret River
Western AustraliaAn light 3 - time of day drive to the south of Perth , this township is one of Australia ’s top wine destinations . With over 215 wineries , the land best know for its cabernet is now taking home trophies for its rosé , sauvignon blanc , and chardonnay . VisitVasse Felix– key the 2017 New World Winery of the Year byWine Enthusiast– and book a booking at their acclaimed restaurant . Down the route , Stella Bellaoffers a more low-priced , laid - back vibration with a pushover area overlooking their vineyards . And for the beer lover , Margaret River Brewhousehas live music on the weekends in their sunny outdoor space . The aggressive breakers at surfboarder Point execute the world ’s surfing elite to town . Grab coffee at theWhite Elephant Caféand spot up to watch the pro take on some in truth terrifying waves . For beginners and natator , there ’s friendly surf to be found at Redgate Beach or Hamelin Bay , where bright white sand sits in gorgeous contrast with the turquoise waters . Don’t leave without : hold a whale look on tour . Between June and former December , an estimated 35,000 whales transmigrate just off the Margaret River coast .
Melbourne
VictoriaThis city of skyscraper is big enough to hold 20 % of Australia ’s population and cool enough to have invent the alligator pear latte . For a well - rounded work - life balance , there is no in effect place to subsist in Australia ; on weekend , untested pro shed their suit to seek out elaborate brunch and out-of-door dangerous undertaking .
Melbourne ’s proximity to the chilly South Pole makes for plenty of snow in July and August , and nearby Mount Buller is an easy option for a twenty-four hours on the slope . Come November theYarra Valleywine region heats up in pursuit of the perfect Pinot grape . And as summertime temps butt towards 80 degrees , St. Kilda Beach and its cafe - lined boardwalk become the go - to recognise . Instagrammers should trek down to Brighton Beach to see the renowned Bathing Boxes , a colorful series of 82 beach huts dating back to the former 1900s .
The season may change , but Melbourne ’s loyalty to Australian footy , strong coffee , and inventive cuisine lasts yr - round . Hit world - recognized eating house likeAtticafor a tasting computer menu of sous vide crocodile and emu ball – or stick to no - reservations - necessary favorites likeQueen Victoria ’s Night Market , South Wharf Promenade , and Postal Lane .
Surfers Paradise on Queensland’s Gold Coast|Taras Vyshnya/Shutterstock
Do n’t leave without : regard the penguin atPhillip Island ’s Ecotourism Nature parking lot , a 90 - min driveway from the city center . From the bleachers you ’ll see the nightly migration of the cosmos ’s smallest penguins as they waddle from the ocean to their hidden beach burros . It is , in a word , adorable .
Port Douglas
QueenslandFlying into the urban center of Cairns and staying in an neutral , overrated hotel is standard procedure for a sojourn to Australia ’s Great Barrier Reef . The upright option is to let a car at the airport and drive an hr north to the classic Aussie townsfolk of Port Douglas – if for no other reason than to find theCane Toad Racesat Iron Bar . you could search the surrounding Daintree Rainforest by train via theKuranda Scenic Railway , or get more hand - on at this eco - certifiedwildlife chancel , where you could and should fulfill your ambition of holding a koala .
Port Douglas is also one of the best cities to visit for an centre - opening look into the culture and usage of Australia ’s first people . For something special , check outFlames of the Forest , an inner dinner party case in a languid candlelit arrange that celebrates ancient Aboriginal culture through dances , storytelling , and didgeridoo performances .
Do n’t leave without : swimming the Great Barrier Reef . Offering everything from your beginner level Rand experience to aseasoned diver’sdream tour , Port Douglas is the complete launching point for Witwatersrand exploration . The boats get rocky , so do yourself a favour and take some dramamine before you room .
Public art entitled “Spanda” located at Elizabeth Quay in Perth|Benny Marty/Shutterstock
Gold Coast
QueenslandIt ’s one glitzy row of high - rises after another in the party capital of Australia . complete beach , sea view rooms , nightclubs , theme parks , and water sports make the Gold Coast a favourite among schoolies ( the Aussie version of spring breakers , essentially ) and unmarried man party . In between party your face off and nursing your hangover , strike the roll coaster ofWarner Brothers Movie World . you’re able to take a surf example fromGo Ride A Waveor kick it up a pass by mastering thejetpack fly boards .
Do n’t leave without : exact the Rainforest Glow Worm hike . Besides its white sand beach , the Gold Coast ’s lesser known looker is find out in the nearby Gondwana Rainforest and the Tamborine Mountains . At Nox , the rainforest sparkles with tiny glow dirt ball and their strings of bioluminescent lightness , give off a magicalFern Gullyvibe . The thick forest makes them hard and grave to recover on your own , so make usance of a favorable local atTour Gold Coastto see these tiny wonders .
Darwin
Northern TerritoryAt the tippy - top of Australia , Darwin is hot . Like , mediocre of 90 degrees hot , with a dramatic cockeyed and juiceless time of year that pretty much dictates daily life . The dour clime comes with a silver lining : September through December , Australia ’s most succulent Mangifera indica are ready for harvest time . Family - run farm pop up for public banqueting : Crazy Acresserves goody like mango toast , mango cheesecake , mango ice cream , and snap disc with you - have - to - try - it - to - understand mango basil mayo . Between May and October , striking sunsets on Mindil Beach are raise by a music satiate , food stall - stylenight market . you could also catch an out-of-door film atDeckchair Cinemaand dine along the waterfront atStokes Hill Wharf .
Do n’t leave without : swimming with crocodiles . Australians , who have a penchant for giving everything precious slang names – like “ brekky ” for breakfast and “ arvo ” for good afternoon – refer to seawater crocodile as “ salties . ” ( Not to be confused with the much less dangerous “ grumpy nippers , ” or fresh water crocs . ) You will determine all this and more at Wangi Falls , a pop swim spot for holidaymaker and freshwater crocs in the insanely beautiful Litchfield National Park . Just next room access at Kakadu National Park ’s Upper Gunlom Falls , a glorious natural infinity pool overleap the parkland ’s neverending landscape will have you quick to set up lasting camp .
Alice Springs
Northern TerritoryThere ’s not a caboodle going on in this stale , backpacker town , but it serves its purpose as the gateway to Australia ’s outback . Surrounded by internal parks , Alice Springs is the utter place to rent a 4 - wheel effort vehicle , line of descent up on supplies , and take off in any steering .
The heart of Australia ’s Aboriginal people , the outback is where reddened rocks and spicy skies rule the view . Otherworldly careen formation , like the dead round Devil ’s Marbles , pop up out of nowhere . bass valleys of vertical sandstone drop-off will blow your mind in Watarrka National Park . And the giant , water - filled gorges of West MacDonnell National Park are lined with walk path , well approachable for visitor of any historic period with full mobility .
In one of the most intense climates on earthly concern , your gearing count : Opt for inflexible iron heel with thick socks , a large bill hat to keep the sun at bay , and a light scarf joint to shield your face from the dust and flies . For inspiration , watch the darling Aussie classicPriscilla Queen of the Desert , in which three drag queens brave the outback – if they can do it , so can you . But if you ’re restrain about trek solo , book a tour with the wonderful guides atWayoutback Safaris . They offer a wide ambit of experiences for any historic period , budget , and comfort level . Don’t farewell without : visit Uluru . The most illustrious rock music in all of Australia sits in solitude on sacred Aboriginal lands , rising a full 78 feet mellow than the Eiffel Tower with a monolithic 5.8 mile circumference . It ’s a five - 60 minutes movement from Alice Springs , and you ’ll get the best glow off the rock at dayspring and sunset , so be after on spending the night ( you are not the first someone to have this idea , so you ’ll find heap of all-night options , from camping to glamping to luxury suite ) .
Cold beer and an inventive menu awaits at the Margaret River Brewhouse|Margaret River Brewhouse
Sydney
New South WalesAustralia ’s most visited metropolis is steeped with energy and never ending things to do , and as luck would have it , an efficientferry - based public transfer system makes it easy to zipper around and take it all in . It should go without say , the opera house is cooler in person .
decidedly visit the Northern Beaches , strung together with cove , ocean pool , and an aquatic modesty perfect for snorkeling . Bondi is famous for a reason ; the crescent shape beach churn up waves custom - made for a surf lesson , heroic swimming , and estimable old fashioned people watching . Organic cafes like the aptly namedSpeedosline the sandy coast .
Back in the metropolis , refinement and diminished share are the name of the game in dining districts like Darling Harbor and Surry Hills . Sydney ’s Fish Marketamps up the energy with multiple stalling of live seafood and made - to - decree tiffin . In the itty-bitty hour of the morning you might find yourself in the Rocks district ; just set forth at theArgyleand see what happens .
The Brighton Bathing Boxes date back to the Victorian era|Rolf_52/Shutterstock
Do n’t entrust without : climb theSydney Harbor Bridge . It ’s an expensive , mistily terrifying , once in a lifetime situation , but three hours , 1,332 step , and 360 - degree position subsequently , you ’ll be glad you did it .
Byron Bay
New South WalesThe accent in Byron is all - rude everything : the food is organic , the eating place are farm - to - table , cannabis wafts through the air , and many of the beach have unofficial article of clothing - optional zones . With some of the best breaker in Australia , even for tiro , locals and holidaymaker alike spate to this idyllic seaside town in an attempt to catch up with a wave . Family lam surf school likeBlackdog Surfingmake pick up a plug-in as loose as joining the nightly tympan round . sit on Australia ’s most eastern point , prove with the Dominicus at Cape Byron and you ’ll be among the first to see the twinkle of day .
Do n’t depart without : embarkment theHappy Coachto Funky Town . This sleeper - dye , cannabis - overcast hipster charabanc leaves Byron Bay on the daily for a 75 - minute ride to Nimbin . Full of funky 60 ’s style trade shops , bakeries , and novelty memory , Nimbin ’s chief drag proudly showcases the drug - well-disposed lifestyle this community is love for . Legal or otherwise , there is n’t much you ca n’t get your hand on here . Buyer beware : doses may be high than expected .
Hobart
TasmaniaSouth of Melbourne , the island of Tasmania was plant by the British in 1804 as a penal colony . Today , its majuscule boasts a thrive craft cocktail picture , topically brew beers , boundary - pushing art ( theMuseum of Old and New Artfeatures a giant wall display of vagina mould ) , and brilliant local produce . With a four - season climate and seafood deep water , Hobart turn the best … everything . cherry , beloved , black truffle , saffron , olives , and cheese are just a few Tasmanian speciality . Local chef spin fresh ingredients with Japanese , Greek , South American , and even Amerindic influences . AtTemplo , a seven - line seasonal chef ’s fare sources all ingredients within a 30 miles radius of the restaurant .
National parks make up 42 % of the island , so when you ’re not eating you should be exploring this magnificent landscape . Consistently top the list of Australia ’s most beautiful beaches , Wineglass Bayis worth the two hr salary increase it takes to reach it . Don’t leave without : get wind the massive , otherworldly sea cliffs that beleaguer Bruny Island . An easyboat tourfrom Hobart will have you tight gush your way from one sea archway to the next . You ’ll likely spot dolphins and sea lions on the journey .
Explore the Daintree Forest just outside Port Douglas|AustralianCamera/Shutterstock
Australia’s answer to Las Vegas|Chelsea Gates/Unsplash
Famous for it sunsets, Mindil Beach hosts a food market May through October|Posnov/Moment/Getty
The majestic Uluru at sunset|Ondrej Machart/Unsplash
The lap pool at Sydney’s world-famous Bondi Beach|amophoto_au/Shutterstock
The Pressed Pantry in Byron Bay|Noémi Macavei-Katócz/Unsplash
Fans of fresh seafood should head straight to Hobart|Alex Eckermann/Unsplash
