Explore Australia Like a Local

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The smallest continent on earth is the stuff of dreams. The sparsely populated country with rugged landscapes, age-old rainforests, vast outback, vibrant nightlife, delectable cuisine – Australia has something for everyone. From adrenaline junkies to armchair tourists who really like comfort. Australia is the destination for you. And we tell you how to explore Australia like a local. While the weather is pleasant all year around, the best time to visit Australia is from March-May and then again from September-November.

Here is a list of cities you simply have to visit while on your trip to Australia:

Melbourne

This lively and multi-cultural city is the second-largest metropolis of Australia. Your sightseeing trip must include these places to visit in Melbourne –

Southbank and Arts Centre
This zone is a top draw for the youth because of its theatres, orchestra halls, arts and crafts market and delightful cafes. A sunny afternoon of aimless strolling, popping into a theatre and shopping artisanal gifts can culminate in a delightful meal at a restaurant on the banks of River Yarra.

National Gallery of Victoria
This is the oldest public gallery of Australia, and here you can browse through nearly 70,000 works of art and lie on the floor of the Great Hall to marvel at the magnificent stained glass ceiling.

Melbourne Cricket Ground and National Sports Museum
Australia tour packages would be incomplete without a trip to the Melbourne Cricket Stadium. It serves as a holy grail of cricket. MCG had also served as the main ground for the 1956 Olympics and 2006 Commonwealth Games. You can take a tour of the National Sports Museum, the Australian Gallery of Sport and Olympic Museum.

A few things to do in Melbourne –
● Check out the street art that Melbourne is famous for
● Sip on a mug of the world’s best coffee that Melbourne serves
● Explore the live music scene
● Learn a little more about science at Scienceworks, the famous planetarium and science museum

Related Read – Full list of things to do in Melbourne

When it comes to food, Melbourne’s cuisine is a unique mix of indigenous and European styles. Try out Tagliolini al Nero at Tippo 00, Fish Mackerel Dumplings at ShanDong MaMa, Cotoletta alla Valdostana at Giro D’Italia, and Meat Fruit at Dinner by Heston.
If you want to buy some souvenirs for your family and friends back home, then walk into these malls – South Melbourne Market, Royal Arcade or Emporium Melbourne.
If you want to explore Melbourne’s nightlife, head to Section 8, Transit Rooftop Bar and Loop Project Space and Bar.

Read more – Melbourne Tourism

Sydney

This the oldest and largest city in Australia and the interplay of nature and human engineering ingenuity has made it is so seductive that you will be mesmerised. Here are a few places to visit in Sydney:

Sydney Opera House
This is one of the world’s most recognised sites and one of the top places to visit in Australia. The gleaming structure perches on a sliver of land surrounded on most sides by the sea. If you book a tour, the guide will walk you through the Opera House’s history, the significance of its design, and you can explore its interiors.

Sydney Harbour Bridge
This feat of engineering wonder is the largest steel arch bridge propped by enormous double piers. It accommodates trains, buses and cars an is one of the most famous places to visit in Sydney.

The Rocks
History buffs will love The Rocks. This ancient settlement was home to the aboriginal tribe, Gadigal. Then came the Europeans who drove out the indigenous folks and settled down here. The Rocks derived its name from the nearby rocky coastline.

Things to do in Sydney –
● Book a ferry ride at the famous Circular Quay and appreciate the glittering sunny waterfront scene
● Travel to the Bondi beach
● Stroll along the Darling Harbour

Read more – Things to do in Sydney
Sydney is a melting pot of cultures and its global cuisine reflects that. Some of its renowned restaurants are Tetsuya’s Restaurant, Aria Restaurant Sydney, Fortune Village Chinese Restaurant, and Six Penny.
For shopping, Westfield, Pitt Street Mall, Greenwood Plaza and Central Park Mall will cater to all your needs.
Sydney has one of the most lively nightlife zones. Just head to Chinese Laundry, ARQ Sydney, Marquee Sydney and have a blast.

Read More – Sydney Tourism

Canberra
Canberra is the capital of Australia and is the most painstakingly crafted city of this country. Canberra is a treasure trove of cultural and historical sites and your stay here will be packed with activities. Take a look at the places to visit in Canberra:

The War Memorial
This massive Byzantine structure lists the names of every Australian who became a casualty of war since 1885. It also houses an extensive museum, art gallery, archives and library.

The New Parliament House
The seat of the government was shifted to this highly modernistic boomerang-shaped building in 1988, and it attracts plenty of tourists every day.

Lake Burnley Griffin
A trip to this artificial lake named after Canberra’s architect will be the highpoint of your stay at Canberra. Dotted around the lake are the national museum, the national gallery, Questacon, parks and picnic zones.

Things to do in Canberra
● Trek through the Namadgi National Park
● Go on the famous Canberra beer tour
● Go on a coastal tour of Batemans Bay
● Want to know how professionals craft glasswork? Just travel to the Kingston Power House

Your gourmet tour should include sourdough at Silo Bakery, the finest organic produce at Food Co-op Shop, brunches at Mocan and Green Grout. Don’t forget to check out the world-famous Canberra wineries. Some famous pubs that you would regret to miss out on are Mooseheads Pub and Nightclub, Cube, King O’Malley’s, and High Ball Express.
There are plenty of shopping malls, and some really good ones that deserve mention are Bailey’s Corner, Canberra Centre, Garema Place and Fyshwick Plaza.

Australia tourism and hospitality is legendary and you will form memories that you will cherish all your life. Australia casts a spell on everyone who visits and people love this place so much that they keep come back again and again. SOTC’s Australia tour packages are perfect to help you plan a trip to this beautiful country. We also offer a number of different international tour packages to help you book a memorable and hassle free trip.

Related Reads – Australia Tourism | Adventurous Activities in Australia