Welcome to Australia
With its imitable mix of nature, culture, and laid-back coastal cool, there's far more to Australia than koalas and kangaroos—although they're pretty great, too. The cosmopolitan style and iconic cityscape of Sydney and its opera house don't compromise the quality of Bondi Beach, a hotspot for both surfing and sunbathing. In Melbourne, the cutting-edge culinary scene and nearby vineyards are top draws for foodies, while in Cairns, opportunities to spot wildlife in tropical rain forests or the Coral Sea abound. If you're a thrill seeker, climb Sydney Harbour Bridge, take a hot-air balloon over Alice Springs, or go scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef. Nature lovers, on the other hand, might prefer to visit Adelaide's Kangaroo Island, watch dolphins at Port Douglas, or snorkel alongside tropical marine life on Fraser Island. And, if you're after unique and spectacular sights, you'll be spoilt for choice in the Land Down Under; natural wonders and World Heritage sites include the Twelve Apostles on the Great Ocean Road, Ayers Rock in Uluru (best seen on a sunrise tour), and the imposing Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains. And if that's not enough, flightseeing tours of the Whitsunday Islands, excursions to Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory, and a ride on Melbourne's colonial tramcar restaurant should also be added to your Aus itinerary.
