AUSTRALIA
HOLXO TRAVEL GUIDE
Australia is more than the staggering sea with blue waters, acclaimed coral reefs, surf and associated adventures like snorkel, scuba dive and beach comb - it’s a cosmopolitan, multicultural country with all the flourishes of modern development.
Introduction
Aussies are one of those rare classes of people who are genuinely warm, exceptionally friendly, laid-back and tough as well. Without a doubt, the geography plays a huge part in shaping their attitude - with almost 50,000 kilometres of coastline and over 10,000 beaches; more than 85 per cent of Australians live within 50 kilometres of the coast, making it a primary part of their friendly and laid-back lifestyle.
But Australia is much more than the staggering sea with indescribably blue waters, acclaimed coral reefs, surf and all the associated adventures like snorkel, scuba dive and beach comb - it’s a cosmopolitan, multicultural country with all the flourishes of modern development that you can expect from a country of chilled out yet tough and industrious populace. As a matter of fact, Australian cities are some of the most impressive developments with each one of them paying homage to the beaches and their atypical geographies.
Australia is a dreamland for enthusiastic travellers who strive for wide outdoors, out-of-this-world natural wonders, bustling urban lifestyle, rich wildlife, and amazing food choices.
The organically diverse Australia offers such a humungous number of extraordinary experiences that it becomes challenging to decide which one to list and which one to dispense with. Apart from the ubiquitous sea, the sixth largest country in the world is also home to around 550 national parks and 19 UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the prominent ones like the Great Barrier Reef, Blue Mountains, Sydney Opera House and a few relatively lesser-known ones like the Heard and McDonald Islands, Macquarie Island and the spectacular Wet Tropics of Queensland.
Every bucket list of a holiday to Australia is swarming with so many things to do in Australia that even an entire year of constant travel down under is too little to tick all that you want to see, experience or eat in Australia. Keeping this in mind, here are my tried-and-true delightful dozen recommendations of places to visit in Australia :
- Breathtaking beauty of Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef.
- Hunter Valley Wine Country for wineries, gourmet restaurants, and concerts in the vineyards.
- Margaret River Town and Valley for wineries and fantastic swimming beaches.
- Whitsunday Islands for snorkeling, diving or just strolling on pristine beaches.
- The iconic Bondi Beach to understand why it’s such an alluring location!
- Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Australia's most natural icon.
- Blue Mountains National Park for gorgeous waterfalls, historic walking tracks, adventure sports, and catching on Aboriginal culture, barely a few miles out of Sydney. Kakadu National Park, the largest national park in Australia.
- Kakadu National Park, the largest national park in Australia.
- Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park, possibly Australia's most beautiful national park.
- Daintree National Park for plants and animals you won’t find anywhere else on the earth.
- Fraser Island, the only place on earth where rainforests grow on sand!
- The Great Ocean Road, the spectacularly scenic coastal drive for the towering 12 Apostles.
Best Cities to Visit in Australia
Not just is Australia huge; the Australian cities too are as sprawling. Guess nothing comes in small packages down under! I’ve tried to make things a wee bit uncomplicated for you by listing my favourite 7 cities to visit in Australia. Here it goes:
- Sydney, the largest city of Australia proudly hosts the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Bondi beach.
- The art capital of Australia, Melbourne is a veritable paradise of restaurants, theatres and art galleries. Must-see places here include the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Federation Square, Royal Botanic Gardens and the National Gallery of Victoria.
- Canberra, the capital of Australia is home to the Parliament House, Lake Burley Griffin, National Gallery of Australia and the Australian War Memorial.
- Brisbane, the sparkling city of sunshine is often called the Music Capital of the World. Along with attending one of the plentiful concerts, other attractions here include Sea World Gold Coast, the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, and the Glass House Mountains.
- Adelaide is the quiet city of Australia. Plan to visit Adelaide Zoo, the Botanic Garden, Mount Lofty and Cooper’s Brewery. The legendary Kangaroo Island is just a short ferry ride away.
- Let Perth entice you with its laid-back vibe, abundant cultural sites, spotless streets, and loads of fabulous restaurants and cafes.
- Don’t miss the charmingly beautiful tropical Darwin for Kakadu National Park, Mindil Beach, and the Crocosauraus Cove.
Best time to visit Australia
Repeating what I’ve been saying - Australia is huge! Finding the perfect place to have a blast of a time in a nation with 3 time zones should not ideally be dependent on the season but more on your budget, interests and climate.
You can choose the heavenly beaches of Sydney or the inviting outdoors of Tasmania or be fascinated by the nightlife of urban cities of Sydney and Melbourne or even plump for the Australian Alps in winters.
The most important aspect to be aware of is that Australian seasons are opposite to those in India. So, the summers there last from December to February and June to August are their winter months. Well, you can certainly plan to celebrate a warm Christmas or choose to spend India’s harsh summer skiing in the snow-covered mountains.
Our blog post has more details about visiting Australia from India, especially the things you must know before planning to visit Australia.
Visiting Australia in Indian Summers
Winters in Australia are never the biting types of Europe or USA or Canada. The minimum temperature averages around 10 while the max can go up to 30. The breeze though is chilly due to the vast coastline and rains feel colder than the ones you faced in Indian hill stations.
The snow-covered mountains of Australian Alps in South-Eastern Australia (near Canberra and Victoria) present an excellent option for skiing, hiking or just relaxing in the alpine huts. Do remember to carry sufficient warm clothes as the mountains can see the temperature drop to 0.
July 25 is celebrated as Christmas in Australia to get a winter feel in common with the northern hemisphere. Of course they also celebrate it on December 25! Plan a visit to the major cities of Australia during this period for a raucous celebration.
This period is also perfect for visiting Great Barrier Reef and the Simpson Desert in Australia.
Visiting Australia in Indian Winters
You can escape the harsh winters here and head to Australia from December to February. But remember this is the peak tourist season in Australia.
If crowds are your thing, this is the beast season to visit Australia. The beaches come alive with travellers from around the world, as well as locals since the educational institutes are also closed for summer vacations. Spending Christmas Eve at a beach is simply a monumental experience worth every single penny you may spend on your tour to Australia.
This is also the perfect time to be a part of the spectacular New Year celebrations in Sydney. Or book a ticket to the iconic Australian Open Tennis Tournament.
You can plan to visit Australian natural parks, vineyards and other outdoors during this time. Remember to carry a few bottles of sunscreen and a refillable water bottle to keep hydrated as the weather can get really sultry as you move from the city to the outdoors.
Visiting Australia in Indian Spring
The month of March to May are considered as autumn in Australia and the nip in the air is as fresh as a misty forest morning.
Most of the regular travellers agree this is the best time to visit Australia to delight in lush greenery, visit wonderful valleys filled with water, wake up to the sounds of birds and explore splendid wildlife in the stunning Australian national parks.
These months are also earmarked for many major events around the country like the Vivid Sydney, Melbourne food and wine festival, and the legendary Melbourne F1 Grand Prix.
Again, this period witnesses a huge rush of tourists due to the salubrious climate, so make your bookings well in advance.
Visiting Australia during Australia Spring or Indian Autumn
Spring in Australia lasts from September to November. The sultry summers are still a few months away so the humidity levels are near to the ground and thus, the locals are in a celebratory mood and manifest it with a number of festivals in every major Australian city.
Special mention must be made of Canberra that comes alive with a zillion vibrant flowers of the spring that jazz up the entire city with their captivating gorgeousness.
For adventure lovers, spring is the best time to visit Australia and try their hands on diving, sea kayaking, canoeing, and surfing.
While the spring season is an excellent time to discover Australia; a visit to Kangaroo Islands for watching wildlife or to the wineries of Australia for wine tasting sessions is highly recommended.
Travelling to Australia is always a privilege; don’t wait for the right season. An awesome travel company should be able to creatively design your trip to Australia for any season.
Australia Visa Requirements
The Australia visitor visa allows people to visit Australia for a holiday or recreation for a stay up to 3 or 6 or 12 months.
The Australia Visitor visa (subclass 600) lets you visit Australia for tourism visitor activities. The current Visa costs Rs. 9,000. The price is not final and can change on the sole discretion of Government of Australia or can fluctuate with change in AUD conversions. Visa regulations keep changing, we would advise you to check the latest regulations with Holxo Holidays.
You can visit this Australian Government website to know more as also to apply for Visa online.
Here is the list of essential documents required for Australian visa application:
- Passport with validity of at least six months
- A photocopy of duly filled visa application form, download from here
- Two colour photographs
- Covering letter from the applicant stating the purpose and duration of the visit
- Original confirmed return/onward air ticket
- Proof of hotel reservation
- Original and photocopy of Income Tax Returns and photocopy of PAN card
- Original and photocopy of Investment documents
- Character certificate from local police of the home country
- Applicants over 75 years of age and any applicant requesting a stay of 12 months must provide evidence of Overseas Health Insurance
- Salary slip for last 6 months/ ITR for 2 years
While most travel organizers like Holxo Holidays shall be glad to help you with your Australia vacations visa process, please confirm with them in advance to avoid last minute exasperation.
Must Visit Places in Australia
Sydney
Variously known as The Harbour City or The Emerald City, the coastal metropolis of Sydney is a visual delight and probably the most gorgeous urban city on planet earth.
The biggest city in Australia that is spectacularly enclosed within a busy harbour and charming beaches all around is also blessed with sprawling national parks that stretch right into the city, lending the surreal impression of skyscrapers in a natural jungle, rather than a concrete one.
No wonder native critters of the jungle can be found rambling around everywhere in Sydney.
While iconic landmarks like the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge complement the exquisite city Harbour, dozens of sun-drenched beaches dot the vast city coastline. In fact the most famous of them all, Bondi Beach sits at a proud no. 7 among the most visited sites in Australia - a remarkable achievement considering it is just about a Km long! Well, it’s just one among a total of 100 beaches in Sydney, so gear up for some serious tan.
But beaches and natural delights are not the only attractions here in Sydney; it has a vibrant culture, booming restaurants and wine bars, dazzling night spots and a lively medley of local denizens who are always more eager to party than their tourist brethren!
Best Things To Do In Sydney
Sydney gives you a surfeit of options on an Australian holiday - bedazzling beaches, awe-inspiring architectural wonders, magnificent wildlife parks, a sophisticated food scene and a radiant art and culture environment. Here are my top 5 places to visit and things to do in Sydney:
- Visit Sydney Opera House
The icon of the country, this UNESCO World Heritage listed building is often the first symbol of Australia. You can either book a performance of dance, music concert, opera and theatre here or go for a one-hour guided tour.
Do try to be there at sunset when Badu Gili, an engrossing 7-minute chronicle of Aboriginal stories is projected onto the sails. The captivating show repeats at 9 PM daily. Simply unmissable, it is totally free of cost.
- Jaunt to Bondi Beach
Another Australian icon that climbed the popularity charts courtesy the TV show designed around rescues here. The nearest beach to Sydney City Centre, Bondi Beach is a beloved of ocean waves that never stop embracing the sands here. Hence, it’s always crowded with swimmers and surfers looking for a break from the city.
You can plan a visit here to swim or just lounge around and taste a range of food at offer. My personal pick here is the luscious barbecued oysters. If you are with small children or not too keen to test the ocean waters, you can plan to use the ocean lap pool here, Bondi Icebergs Club for about Rs. 350 per person.
If you plan to ride the waves, desist the temptation to cross the flags in the ocean - I would hate someone becoming a TV episode after reading this. - Climb Sydney Harbour Bridge
Affectionately known as the 'Coathanger’ by Sydneyites, the mammoth structure is a behemoth of 53 thousand tonnes of steel, making it the biggest steel arch bridge in the world. A leisurely walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge offers some of the most dramatic panoramic views of the emerald city. And it’s free.
You can also choose to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge at a cost ranging from Australian $268 (about Rs. 13,000) to Australian $388 (about Rs. 18,600) for a spectacular 360° view of Sydney. The cost varies according to time of the day, so mornings and nights are cheaper as compared to dawn and dusk.
This once-in-a-lifetime experience includes an impressive live music performance at the summit.
- Visit Art Gallery of NSW
A prominent feature of Sydney’s society, the iconic Greek façade building of the Art Gallery of NSW hosts an outstanding collection of Australian indigenous and modern art. There are a number of free guided tours so if you’re artistically inclined, do take a full day out to absorb the fascinating historical art, and culture of Australia here.
The gallery also conducts lectures, concerts, documentary and film screenings, celebrity talks and children's activities on a regular basis. Keep an eye on the official website when you are there. You can also choose to spend an hour at the restaurant there and admire the picturesque view of Woolloomooloo Bay while gorging on the excellent grub on offer. - Sydney Harbour National Park
Just beyond the imposing Sydney Harbour building, this utopia shields large swathes of native bushlands, secluded beaches, Aboriginal history and picturesque islands. Sydney Harbour National Park is also widely preferred for many big events the year around.
The Sydney Harbour National Park offers more than a few fascinations like camping at the Cockatoo Island, Spit Bridge Coastal Walk, Watching Yachts and Boats races. If you’re there near Australia Day on January 26, dig into colonial history with Fort Denison or take a private Tribal Warrior cruise and discover the lives of the city's original Aboriginal inhabitants.
A visit to Sydney is considered incomplete if you don’t do what the locals do: plan a day trip to one of the many attractions that are located a short distance from Sydney. Continue to our blog post for some of the best day trips from Sydney.
Melbourne
Melbourne occupied the top spot in the world’s most liveable cities for 7 consecutive years, finally dropping 0.7% to no. 2 last year by virtue of its electrifying mix of cosmopolitan style, sports, culture, wining and dining and the enigmatic vibe due to the 230-plus laneways that hack into the heart of the city. The city of laneways hides more than you can expect to discover in a lifetime.
For a tourist in Melbourne, one of the major draws is cheering with fanatic fans at a major Australian sporting event - and such events happen more frequently in Melbourne than any other city. But the city is also legendary for its world-class street graffiti, multi-cultural restaurants and bohemian bars.
The charming cobbled laneways of Melbourne hide a large number of hotspots like rooftop bars, artistic warehouses, authentic bakeries and pocket-sized coffee bars that not just rival New York and Milan but can as well give them a huge complex!
Melbourne is also popular among Indian travellers as an urbane and dreamy Australian honeymoon destination.
Best Things To Do In Melbourne
- Wander through Melbourne's laneways
If urban tourism piques your interest, Melbourne is manna from heaven. The city’s cobbled laneways house an eclectic array of vibrant street art, cafes, restaurants and exceptional shopping boutiques.
Hosier Lane, the city’s street art nucleus is the best place for some edgy political graffiti and flippant humour. Flinders Lane takes you to imaginative boutiques and iconic art galleries.
The real fun in Melbourne is exploring a few of the 230 laneways and surprising you with the unexpected and unanticipated! Take the plunge - I promise you’ll love every moment of it. - Pop in at Melbourne Cricket Ground
While AFL is the first love of Australians, Cricket stands tall as a religion with its own set of devoted followers. MCG is the hallowed ground for most Australians since it hosts cricket in summer and footy (Australian rules Football) in winter.
You can plan a trip on a match day here, or choose to explore the MCG on a non-match day tours and drop in on the stands, media and coaches’ areas, players’ change rooms and members' lounges.
The Melbourne Cricket Ground also houses the National Sports Museum where you can admire Olympic medals, sports memorabilia like Don Bradman’s cap and Olympic champions’ suits. Kids will love to test their skills in footy, cricket and netball. - Discover Yarra Valley
Less than an hour’s drive from Melbourne, Yarra Valley - home to premium vineyards and fine-dine places - is one of the most applauded weekend breaks for the denizens of Melbourne. Book a car and head to a little gourmet break that will introduce you to celebrated Aussie wines and luscious local cuisine.
For the more adventurous of travellers, there is a one-hour long spectacular hot air balloon ride that lets you enjoy the incredible view of the vines from a high. The ride is followed by a champagne breakfast at the historic Balgownie Estate. - Explore the Royal Botanic Gardens
The giant 94 acre garden in the middle of Melbourne serves as the green lung of the city. A fine example of Victorian-era landscaping, the RBC plays host to a range of Australian plant life including an indigenous rainforest amidst picnic lawns and black swan ponds.
Do try to book the 90 minutes Aboriginal Heritage Walk for an absorbing stroll into the history of the Kulin people. You’ll be piloted by an amazingly informative Aboriginal guide on the leisurely walk.
- Hang around the beaches in Melbourne
Remember 85% of Australia is coastline? While more celebrated for its culture and urban way of life, Melbourne too has its fair share of charismatic beaches.
More famous of these beaches are:
A. St Kilda Beach, favourite of locals for its proximity and awesome swimming, surfing, cycling and rollerblading opportunities.
B. Elwood Beach - a serene environment with family-friendly facilities persuades locals and tourists alike to come and unwind with pool-style swimming, barbecues, picnic tables, playgrounds, and grassy fields.
C. Brighton Beach - A popular destination for the rich and famous of Melbourne, Brighton is also cherished for the 82 colourful bathing boxes that have become a tourist icon of Melbourne.
- Get amazed by the Port Campbell National Park on Great Ocean Road
The Great Ocean Road is a mesmerising route that comprise of sensational coastal views, sheer natural beauty, abundant Australian wildlife, and many famous landmarks all along the 243 kilometres drive.
Unarguably, the best part of any Great Ocean road trip is the Port Campbell National Park. The mammoth park envelops all the best features of the Great Ocean Road within its parameters of 1750 hectares. Port Campbell is conveniently located close to major Great Ocean Road attractions such as the exceptionally camera-friendly 12 Apostles and the Loch Ard Gorge along the Shipwreck Coast.
This part of Australia is a perfect example of an offbeat destination in Australia - a fascinating potpourri of captivating natural beauty and loads of historic stories.
Gold Coast
Designed purely to satiate eternal pursuit of pleasures, Australia’s most iconic holiday destination is dedicated to sun, surf and celebrating the chutzpah of youth.
The perpetually sunny Gold Coast is blessed with a resplendent 57 km long coast line of pristine white sand where simply watching a stunning sunset can make you fall in endless love with the city.
Wait, there’s more to Gold Coast than the water and sand - the scintillating skyscrapers that seem to rise from the sea itself! Your trip to Gold Coast must embrace a stroll in the cool neighbourhoods, discovering the flourishing culinary scene, the subtropical rainforest and finally, Gold Coast's glorious theme parks.
Best Things To See In Gold Coast
- Meet loveable cartoon characters at Warner Bros Movie World
Theme Parks hold an integral position in making Gold Coast a sought-after family holiday destination. The major theme parks here are Wet ‘n’ Wild, Dreamworld, Sea World, Paradise country, and the perennial family favourite, Warner Bros Movie World.
While the world class rides, DC characters like Batman and Batmobile and many other kid-friendly attractions at Movie World easily demand a complete day, you can choose to enjoy other theme parks here by buying a Mega Pass that gives you access to all the above mentioned theme parks in Gold Coast, except Dreamworld.
- Freefalling with Gold Coast Skydiving
The only skydive center on the Gold Coast nudges you to push yourself and try freefalling from 12,000 feet in the thrill of a lifetime.
The ride takes off from the operative Gold Coast International Airport so getting ready to fly amid rows of aircrafts is an awe-inspiring experience before even beginning the sojourn! Once you gain enough elevation, Gold Coast's white sandy beaches and enthralling hinterland make for a breath-taking spectacle until you land on the immaculate Kirra Beach. - See dramatic waterfalls at Springbrook National Park
An ancient volcanic landscape converted into a National park, Springbrook is galaxies apart from the coastal city with picturesque landscapes, cliffs, marvellous waterfalls and forest walks in a temperate rainforest.
Nature and outdoor lovers must spend a night here at a camp inside the park or at one of the many guesthouses or homesteads nearby. You will also be able to club your love for natural surroundings with a rocking nightlife that includes beachside shopping and a number of indoor entertainment facilities.
- Visit Gold Coast's famous beaches
The white sand beaches are the primary reason of Gold Coast’s eminence as a busy holiday destination in Australia. Lovers of sea, sand and surf can choose from the quiet waters at Coolangatta and Currumbin beaches or the wildly popular surfing dreamlands at Main Beach or Burleigh Heads.
I strongly suggest a snorkelling or scuba diving tour to discover the unbelievably vibrant and vivid underwater world while on your holidays in Gold Coast.
- Explore the iconic Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
Gold Coast's most popular tourist destination; Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is an absolutely delightful holiday adventure for the entire family. Home to one of the largest collections of Australian wildlife in the world, the natural rainforest offers you a number of rare experiences like feeding kangaroos and wild lorikeet, cuddling koalas, bird shows, challenging canopy ropes course and Aboriginal performances.
Your kids will love frolicking in the outdoor themed playground and riding the miniature train sanctuary.
You can also choose to explore a forgotten world at the latest addition here - The Lost Valley. Get introduced to some of the world's most distinctive flora and wildlife like Lemurs, tamarins, Red pandas, and bizarre reptiles like the veiled chameleon as Lost Valley takes you on a journey through the ancient supercontinent, Gondwana.
Cairns
Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, the lush rainforest fenced town of Cairns (pronounced as Cans) is a virtual wonderland of plush tourist resorts, souvenir shops and reef boat rental agencies.
Though more recognized as the base city for exploring the Great Barrier Reef and rainforests, Cairns present a whole lot of attractions and tropical adventure activities that warrants it a premium place in lists of most popular Australian tourist destinations.
The heart of the laid-back city is the seafront promenade, Esplanade. Practically every tourist to Cairns takes a stroll here while appreciating the many well-conserved parks, kids’ playgrounds, tony cafés, and water-themed attractions that flank the Cairns Esplanade.
Like all other Australian cities, Cairns is also a great place for beer lovers where you can share a can and spin a few travel yarns with other travellers. The easy-going city also gives you an overwhelming number of options when it comes to adventure tourism - you can choose from skydiving, bungee jumping, hang-gliding, and white-water rafting.
Best Things To See In Cairns
- Take the Great Barrier Reef Cruise
Australia’s greatest natural treasure, the UNESCO world Heritage site Great Barriers Reef is one of planet earth’s richest ecosystems. Spread over a dazzling 2300 km, the Great Barrier Reef is home to a gobsmacking diversity of hard and soft corals, over 600 inland islands and countless species marine animals like dolphins, molluscs, fishes, turtles, and sharks.
The most enjoyable way to explore Great Barrier Reef is by joining an organized tour on a cruise from Cairns. Major cruise operators like Quicksilver Cruises or Passions of Paradise zip you to the Reef in about an hour and you can begin your exploration with snorkelling or diving among vibrant coral gardens and vivid fish. The marine biologist on the ship is more excited than you to answer questions and reveal fascinating facts about Great Barrier Reef to you. - Picnic at the Cairns Esplanade
The spectacular seafront Esplanade is the perfect place to absorb the friendly vibes of this Australian city. You can choose to just laze around in one of the many swanky tropical parks or go for a swim at the lifeguard patrolled saltwater swimming pool.
The Esplanade also has excellent playgrounds for little kids, immaculate picnic areas, barbecues, skating ramps, free fitness classes and beach volleyball courts to ensure you are never short of an alternative to relish your stay there. Without shelling out a coin! - Go for a Day Trip to Kuranda
Experiencing the lush-green dense rainforest from a train above the canopy is a surreal as it comes. The 2-hour return train journey takes you to Kuranda on the picturesque railway past tumbling canyons and cool cascades and returns via the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway traversing plunging waterfalls and the stunning Barron River and gorge.
You’ve plenty of time between the journeys to explore the two Kuranda markets - Original Market and Heritage Market - for handmade crafts, aboriginal artefacts, souvenirs, jewellery, and unheard of tropical culinary treats. Apart from the markets, other attractions here include Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, Koala Gardens, Rainforestation Nature Park, and Australia's largest congregation of free flying birds, Birdworld.
I recommend you to end your day trip to Kuranda with a visit to the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park that lies close to the Skyrail station, your departure point.
- Explore Aboriginal culture at Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park
Get ready for an enriching experience about the oldest culture of the world here. The mesmerizing culture of the Tjapukai people is vividly brought to life by riveting dance performances, music, fascinating storytelling, and interactive activities like playing a didgeridoo, throwing a spear and flinging a boomerang.
Top off your day trip with a sumptuous dinner at the iconic Flame Tree Restaurant. - Pop in the Cairns Aquarium
A brand new development, the multi-multi-million dollar aquarium is fast becoming one of the star attractions for Cairns tourists. As expected from a world class aquarium, it houses a vast range of marine life but the main attractions are a miniature Great Barrier Reef and the inimitable experience of ‘Sleeping with the Sharks.’
The café here serves an excellent melange of gourmet food with a special focus on fresh seafood. The café walls are all aquariums and make the feasting experience here that much more exciting!
Perth
The slow starter among all major Australian cities, Perth is catching up lightning fast with distinguished siblings Sydney and Melbourne. The Western Australian town is the most isolated town of its size in the world - the nearest major city (Adelaide) is more than 2000 km away and Melbourne and Sydney about 4000 km away!
Consistently on lists as one of the most livable cities in the world, Perth is a fine template of what cities could be but never are. The streets here are so clean that you could easily add Perth as a synonym in the Oxford Dictionary. Perth is a big draw for tourists from Europe for its distance and the sunny climate.
The biggest draw of being in Perth is its laidback lifestyle where people are more interested in going to the beach that working a few extra hours. A booming economy of the past few decades has somewhat changed things so the travellers can expect magnificent beaches, grubs from around the world and flourishing restaurant and street-art arenas.
Best Things To Do In Perth
- Soak the bright sun at Cottesloe Beach
The safest beach in Perth is excellent for some swimming or lounging or just taking the ocean’s views from one of the many cafes and bars that line the Marine Parade here.
The beach looks particularly sprightly at night, when the floodlights are switched on and local families fill the beach for an unhurried dinner or a few pints of beer at the elegant, colonial-style restaurant, Indiana Tea House.
- Get humbled by the 750 year old tree at Kings Park and Botanic Garden
The 1000 acre garden right in the middle of Perth city center houses over 3000 plant indigenous species, including a giant 750 years old boab tree whose life expectancy is an incredible 2000 years!
An excellent picnic spot, the main path to the Botanic Garden also offers wonderful views of the city. Don’t miss to meander on the Federation Walkway, a 600 m trail that leads to a 220 m long steel and glass sky-bridge that intersects a dense awning of eucalyptus trees. - Visit WA Shipwrecks Museum
Visit the perceptive museum for a fascinating insight into maritime archaeology. The many galleries here house hundreds of relics from ships wrecked along Western Australia’s perilous coastline.
There are many free permanent and special tours available here that will educate you about how maritime objects and artefacts are treated and conserved. - Mint your own Gold at Perth Mint
One of the world’s oldest mints, the Pert Mint takes you on an immersive journey into the history and heritage of the golden state.
You can learn more about the gold rush that played a big part in shaping the modern Perth and take one of the many challenges and tours to absorb the complete journey of gold. A must-visit with the entire family in tow.
- Snorkel with the sharks at the Aquarium of Western Australia
Brace up for an awesome underwater adventure of distinctive and memorable experiences at the AQWA at Hillarys Harbour, categorically Perth’s most picturesque location.
Your kids will absolutely enjoy shark sleepovers, swimming with mermaids or learning to dive and snorkel. The adult members of the family can choose to plunge into the shark tank or take the intriguing behind the scenes tour.
Australian Cuisine
Australia has seen such a large scale of immigrations from all around the world that it becomes impossible to define Australian cuisine. What really is Australian Food?
Apart from the meats of exclusively Australian wildlife like kangaroos, crocodiles and emu, what exactly distinguishes Australian food from other parts of world? Well, well, well… Most of the iconic Australian delicacies are foods that have their origins elsewhere but have been adapted in a unique way by the folks of Australia as their own.
The highly intriguing part about Australian cuisine is that it is not available anywhere else in the world. Trust me, once you’ve tasted a few authentically Australian foods, you’ll crave for more. Probably not making Australian food famous outside the country is the well-kept secret of Australian Tourism for attracting more like us there, time after time!
Here are a few prominent Australian dishes that you can hope to find on your Australian sojourn. Read with a glass of water near you - drooling guaranteed!
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