COME VISIT DOWN UNDER
SYDNEY
Sydney, capital of New South Wales and one of Australia’s largest cities, is best known for its harbor front Sydney Opera House, with a distinctive sail-like design. Massive Darling Harbour and the smaller Circular Quay port are hubs of waterside life, with the arched Harbour Bridge and esteemed Royal Botanic Garden nearby. Sydney Tower’s outdoor platform, the Skywalk, offers 360-degree views of the city and suburbs.
Enjoy Sydney’s natural beauty, from unspoiled beaches to public gardens and, of course, the sparkling harbour, before discovering its thriving restaurants and markets. Top it off with a trip to the Blue Mountains, a popular excursion among locals.
International flights fly directly into Sydney Airport from many global hubs. From the airport it’s an easy 20-minute taxi or train ride to the city centre.
Spend the day at the Sydney Opera House
There are many ways you can experience what the Sydney Opera House has to offer. A masterpiece of 20th-century architecture, the Sydney Opera House in Circular Quay hosts more than 40 performances each week. Book tickets to Opera Australia’s latest show and tick this truly iconic Sydney experience off your bucket list. If what happens off-stage intrigues you, sign up for a two-hour backstage tour, which takes guests behind-the-scenes into the exclusive domain of performers, with a full cooked breakfast in the green room. Tours operate daily at 7am. To cap it all off, dine overlooking the harbour at Peter Gilmore’s restaurant Bennelong – one of the nine unmissable Australian dining experiences according to Gourmet Traveller critic Pat Nourse.
Get up close and personal to the animals at the zoo
Visit the animals at Taronga Zoo Sydney with their incredible waterside address just 12 minutes ferry ride north from Circular Quay. Taronga Zoo houses more than 4,000 animals from various exotic and native species, including gorillas, tigers, leopards, chimpanzees, giraffes, Australian sea lions, kangaroos and koalas. Once you’ve been up close with the animals, experience the wildlife from a new perspective by tackling the treetop Wild Ropes – more than 60 high rope challenges over four courses, including zip-lines, rope climbs and suspended bridges. For the ultimate sleepover, book the Roar & Snore experience, allowing you to stay overnight at the zoo, sleeping in luxury safari-style tents.
Climb to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge
Nicknamed “The Coathanger” and dating back to 1932, the Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of Australia’s grandest engineering feats. Visitors are free to walk or cycle across this vast structure, but book a Bridge-Climb for the opportunity to scale to the summit and enjoy unbeatable panoramic views. Expeditions will take you high into its arches before reaching its peak, 134 metres (440 feet) above sea level. No special climbing skills are required, and there are various sessions throughout the day, including at twilight and dawn.
MELBOURNE
Melbourne is the coastal capital of the southeastern Australian state of Victoria. At the city’s centre is the modern Federation Square development, with plazas, bars, and restaurants by the Yarra River. In the Southbank area, the Melbourne Arts Precinct is the site of Arts Centre Melbourne – a performing arts complex – and the National Gallery of Victoria, with Australian and indigenous art.
Wander through Melbourne’s laneways
The centre of Melbourne is threaded with cobbled laneways (streets), which have become a mecca for coffee shops, cafés and unique shopping boutiques. Start at Flinders Street station, wander down Degraves Street, and explore the city’s beautiful arcades and street art around every corner – including from England-based graffiti artist Banksy. Head down Collins Street to visit the exquisite Block Arcade then get your caffeine hit at pocket-sized pub or café`.
Discover why Melbourne is regarded as the world’s sporting capital
Melbourne is Australia’s sports capital and its venues are legendary. Join the fun at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) for the Australian Football League from March until September, or the international cricket matches from November until February. Go trackside at Flemington for the excitement of the Melbourne Cup, which is like that of the Kentucky Derby held on the first Tuesday in November, or be exhilarated by the Australian Grand Prix , when Albert Park is transformed into a high-speed racetrack. Just one of the many renewed sporting events held here.
Explore Melbourne’s vibrant arts and culture
The National Gallery of VIctoria (NGV) is Australia’s oldest gallery (founded in 1861) and hosts an exciting range of international and local exhibitions and events, and a collection of more than 70,000 works. Visit the Australian City for Moving Image (ACMI) to immerse yourself in the world of film, television and digital culture or just a taxi away to the Heide Museum of Modern Art at Bulleen for an insight into Australian artists. In the evening, catch a performance at one of Melbourne’s many theaters, which host everything from musicals to comedy and cabaret. Or if you’re in the mood for jazz, swing past Bird’s Basement jazz club in the centre of Melbourne for gigs from local and international musicians.
GOLD COAST
The Gold Coast is a metropolitan region south of Brisbane on Australia’s east coast. It’s famed for its long sandy world-renowned beaches, surfing spots and elaborate system of inland canals and waterways. It’s also home to theme parks such as Dreamworld, Sea World and Wet’n’Wild. Inland, hiking trails crisscross Lamington National Park’s mountain ridges and valleys, home to rare birds and rainforest.
International flights fly directly into Brisbane Airport from many global hubs. From there it’s a one-hour shuttle bus ride to the Gold Coast. If you are travelling to the Gold Coast from within Australia, direct flights arrive at Gold Coast Airport in Coolangatta.
Visit the Gold Coast beaches
The Gold Coast is renowned for its white sand beaches that stretch across 57 kilometers (35 miles) of coastline. Choose from the sheltered waters at Coolangatta and Currumbin beaches or the popular surfing breaks at Main Beach or Burleigh Heads. First-time surfers can book a group or private lesson with Get Wet Surf School at The Spit, Surfers Paradise. Wave Break Island lies just off Main Beach and offers fantastic snorkeling and diving, with more than 50 species of fish. Explore this colorful underwater world on a Queensland Scuba Diving tour.
Get your adrenaline fix at the theme parks
As well as its beaches, the Gold Coast is equally famed for its world-class theme parks. Water lovers should head for Wet’n’Wild with its extreme waterslides such as Kamikaze and the Tornado Warner Bros Movie World is great for families, with plenty of kid-friendly attractions and the chance to meet loveable cartoon characters, Dreamworld caters to adventure seekers with the Big 9 Thrill Rides, including The Giant Drop, Tower of Terror and Buzz Saw. To experience more than one park, buy a Mega pass, which gives you access to Wet ‘n’ Wild, Sea World, Movie World, (a marine animal park) and the Aussie farm and wildlife experience, Paradise Country. Tickets to Dreamworld can be bought separately.
Stay in luxury
The Gold Coast is known for its plush accommodation options. Indulge yourself at fabulous five-star hotels such as the Palazzo Versace on Main Beach, the high-rise Hilton or sophisticated IQ, both in the heart of Surfers Paradise, or the Sofitel at Broadbeach. The Sheraton Mirage on Main Beach offers absolute beachfront accommodation as well as a lagoon-style pool, opulent suites and an array of restaurants and bars.
Play a round of golf at top courses
Picturesque and challenging golf courses await you on the Gold Coast. Choose a resort course such as Palmer Gold Coast, carved out of 65 hectares (160 acres) of native woodlands, the RACV Royal Pines Resort, which is home to the Australian PGA Championship, or the Intercontinental Sanctuary Cove, which give you access to The Palms and The Pines courses. Alternatively, try the public courses at Parkwood International, an 18-hole course set in undulating bushland around a series of lakes and ponds, or Links Hope Island, just a 20-minute drive from the Gold Coast.
COME VISIT DOWN UNDER
SYDNEY
Sydney, capital of New South Wales and one of Australia’s largest cities, is best known for its harbor front Sydney Opera House, with a distinctive sail-like design. Massive Darling Harbour and the smaller Circular Quay port are hubs of waterside life, with the arched Harbour Bridge and esteemed Royal Botanic Garden nearby. Sydney Tower’s outdoor platform, the Skywalk, offers 360-degree views of the city and suburbs.
Enjoy Sydney’s natural beauty, from unspoiled beaches to public gardens and, of course, the sparkling harbour, before discovering its thriving restaurants and markets. Top it off with a trip to the Blue Mountains, a popular excursion among locals.
International flights fly directly into Sydney Airport from many global hubs. From the airport it’s an easy 20-minute taxi or train ride to the city centre.
Spend the day at the Sydney Opera House
There are many ways you can experience what the Sydney Opera House has to offer. A masterpiece of 20th-century architecture, the Sydney Opera House in Circular Quay hosts more than 40 performances each week. Book tickets to Opera Australia’s latest show and tick this truly iconic Sydney experience off your bucket list. If what happens off-stage intrigues you, sign up for a two-hour backstage tour, which takes guests behind-the-scenes into the exclusive domain of performers, with a full cooked breakfast in the green room. Tours operate daily at 7am. To cap it all off, dine overlooking the harbour at Peter Gilmore’s restaurant Bennelong – one of the nine unmissable Australian dining experiences according to Gourmet Traveller critic Pat Nourse.
Get up close and personal to the animals at the zoo
Visit the animals at Taronga Zoo Sydney with their incredible waterside address just 12 minutes ferry ride north from Circular Quay. Taronga Zoo houses more than 4,000 animals from various exotic and native species, including gorillas, tigers, leopards, chimpanzees, giraffes, Australian sea lions, kangaroos and koalas. Once you’ve been up close with the animals, experience the wildlife from a new perspective by tackling the treetop Wild Ropes – more than 60 high rope challenges over four courses, including zip-lines, rope climbs and suspended bridges. For the ultimate sleepover, book the Roar & Snore experience, allowing you to stay overnight at the zoo, sleeping in luxury safari-style tents.
Climb to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge
Nicknamed “The Coathanger” and dating back to 1932, the Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of Australia’s grandest engineering feats. Visitors are free to walk or cycle across this vast structure, but book a Bridge-Climb for the opportunity to scale to the summit and enjoy unbeatable panoramic views. Expeditions will take you high into its arches before reaching its peak, 134 metres (440 feet) above sea level. No special climbing skills are required, and there are various sessions throughout the day, including at twilight and dawn.