Visiting Australia is a huge must for anyone who loves to travel. This country is completely unique, with animals and geography that you won’t find anywhere else. But the unique nature of the outback means that cities are normally located around the coastline, and can be days of travel apart. So, when you can only pick one city, which do you go for? Here is a list of the five top cities to visit in Australia that you might want to choose.
Sydney
Bondi Beach – Sydney
Let’s get this one out of the way first – it’s the most obvious option! Everyone has heard of the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge, so you will definitely want to head down to Circular Quay and see them for yourself. It’s a foodie paradise, there are hotels to suit every budget and taste, and bars and pubs are ubiquitous. This is the biggest draw from tourists from outside of Australia, so it’s busy – but worth it. If you want a chance to enjoy the sun, just head down the road to Bondi Beach, where you can relax on the sand or surf the waves. Harbour tours, the biggest and best museums in Australia, and a heaping dose of culture all await travellers who choose Sydney as their destination.
Canberra
While many mistakenly believe that Sydney is the capital of Australia, it’s actually Canberra that takes that honour. It’s an underappreciated capital which doesn’t get as many visitors as it deserves – which is a shame considering that it was literally custom-built to perform the functions of a capital perfectly. Historic monuments and buildings, parks and green areas, nightlife, culture, and entertainment – it’s all laid out here for you to enjoy, with wide streets and a public transport system that can take you anywhere. You won’t be short of entertainment, even if this is not the most iconic Australian city. There’s a lot more waiting for you here than you might expect.
Melbourne
Melbourne is definitely a strong contender for the top city to visit, and it has a culture all its own. With a strong rivalry against Sydney, Melbournians will be happy to tell you that their streets are the best place to enjoy independent coffee brands and interesting foodie treats. The Melbourne Zoo is one of the most visited in the world, and you can find museums and art galleries to your heart’s content as well. Farmer’s markets are a big deal here, but those who prefer a bigger price tag can look for designer clothing in the swanky shopping malls. There’s a great range of accommodation choices for travellers within the city centre, from luxury apartments through to budget type hotels. Just outside the city are plenty of other great attractions, such as Phillip Island, where little penguins reign supreme.
Brisbane
While you might be wary of swimming in Brisbane’s river due to the bull sharks that swim in it, you can head to their artificial beach and swim in a huge man-made pool instead. Families love coming here to enjoy the Australian national pastime of a barbecue, and you’ll love trying your hand at it too. Those without families will enjoy the thriving nightlife scene, and art and culture are to be found on the daytime streets. The Kangaroo Cliffs loom nearby as a great place to climb or just go for a run along the top, so those with a love of the outdoors will be in their element. The biggest attraction has to be the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, where visitors get to literally cuddle a koala. You’ll learn all about these adorable critters, which are endemic to Australia.
Cairns
Cairns is well known as a city that enjoys sunshine all year round, which is why it’s just perfect that the city government have built a saltwater lagoon and a sandy beach right in the centre of it. There’s also a waterfront to enjoy if you don’t fancy going swimming there. This precinct also boasts volleyball courts, skate parks, play areas, and all of the food and drink you could ever possibly eat. You barely even need to stray out of this area, but when you do, you can travel up into the hills to visit areas of natural rainforest. Those who have been dreaming of getting into the Australian outback can do it here.
It’s a tough choice, and all of these cities put up a fair fight for the crown. After you’ve tried one, you might find a need to try the others and compare them for yourself.