Australia is a rich country in the amount of experiences as well as it’s beauty and natural diversity. It has a 18,000 km, or 11,180 mile coastline, dotted with white sandy beaches, coral reefs, an abundance of bays and tropical islands, as well as waters perfect for surfing. When you go more inland, there are enormous red deserts, ancient Aboriginal ruins, snowy mountains and vibrant vineyards. Regardless of how you want to spend your time, there is a variety of activities to choose from in this vast land, from exploring the deserts to relaxing on the beach, or tasting and savoring delicious international cuisines and wines.
In the following series of articles we’ll explore something that will stir up your cravings for this wonderful and beautiful land.
- Sydney
- Sydney Harbour
- Sydney Opera House
- The Rocks
- Beach Culture
Sydney is the largest city in Australia by population. It is very diverse, both culturally as well as architecturally. Sydney Harbor is one of the marvels and landmarks of this great modern city. Not many cities boast a harbor as vibrant and rich as that of Sydney. Sydney Opera House has the most stunning views out of any cultural institution on the planet, and is both an architectural marvel as well as a landmark icon, internationally renowned. Not far from Sydney Opera House you’ll find The Rocks, a historic site where the first British fleet chose to settle in 1788.
To the east is a series of beaches that adorn the coastline, the most famous of which is Bondi beach, known for it’s surfer culture as well as it’s many cafes lined up along the beach that provide spectacular views of the bay.
- The Blue Mountains
- Outdoor activities
- Hunter Valley vineyards
- Prehistoric Mungo World Heritage Area
Where Sydney is a tropical paradise, you might want to consider cooling off in the Blue Mountains. One of the best views can be admired at the Three Sisters Rocks in Echo Point, which offer a panoramic view of the valley below, as well as the setting for bushwalking and rock climbing activities. Hunter Valley is world renowned for it’s vineyards, wines and wine tasting services. Beyond the Blue Mountains and north of Newcastle you will find hidden abodes, villages and small towns throughout the landscape, and most are quaint, quiet places to go and relax. If one was looking for a resort town, Byron Bay would be an adequate choice. To the west of the Blue Mountains you will find the Mungo Heritage Site, which contains archeological evidence of a 40,000 year legacy and habitation by the Aboriginal settlers of Australia.
- The South Coast and Snowy Mountains
- Hiking and cycling paradise
- Antique shop window shopping
- Creme de la creme ski resorts
The Royal National Park is a beautiful and adventurous place to go for those who live camping, hiking and enjoying the outdoors and wildlife in all of it’s glory.
It is located southeast of Sydney, and contains that which will satisfy cyclists, bushwalkers and hang-gliders.
To the south are quaint villages dotting the landscape of the Southern Highlands, considered to be cottage country for many Sydneysiders to go to during the summer time to cool off and relax. Many of these villages off of the antique shops, a paradise for any collector of odds and ends and in the spirit of scrapbooking type activities. The South Coast contains many fishing villages, full of anglers. The Snowy Mountains are known for their luxurious ski resorts, exhilarating trout fishing and summertime horseback riding.