Australia for Every Kind of Traveller

When people think of holidaying in Australia, they usually associate it with wildlife and the great outdoors. According to a recent poll by Tourism Australia, 85% of Singaporeans think Australia is all about being outdoors. While the Australian Outback alone does take up majority of the country’s land mass, there’s plenty to do if you’re not one for roughing it out.

Here’s a list of things to inspire your next trip to Australia, depending on what type of traveller you are:

Food is First

Are you one of those people who plan your vacations around those must-eats places? Then you are in for a real treat down under! According to a poll by Tourism Australia, 73% of Singaporeans think Australia isn’t a foodie destination. Well, it’s time to set yourself up to prove them wrong.

From fresh seafood at reasonable prices along the coast to great brunch hangouts in Melbourne; fine dining at three-hatted restaurants in Sydney and gourmet escape in Margaret River to truffle hunts in Canberra. I’m only just skimming the surface here. Whatever your poison, you are guaranteed a gastronomical adventure.

Art is in Your Heart

Australia’s art scene is a unique blend of modern and traditional art. It ranges from aboriginal rock and textile paintings, to contemporary indigenous art (Northern Territories) to 19th century pieces from Australia’s colonial period. Also, there are countless museums around the country which house award-winning contemporary art exhibitions that you can visit. My personal favourite are the beautiful murals along the city streets (Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney). So, if you are into art, definitely make some plans to explore the art scene in Australia.

If Wine is More Than Fine

Australia is currently the 5th largest exporter of wine in the world with majority produced in the cooler, Southern part of the country. The most prestigious wine-producing areas are located around Adelaide, such as Barossa Valley, Adelaide Hills, Eden Valley, Clare Valley and McLaren Vale, as well as Yarra Valley in Victoria. New South Wales, Western Australia, Tasmania and Queensland cover the rest.

Many of these award-winning vineyards offer full-day wine tasting tours coupled with local food or chocolates. So grab a friend to “wine down” asap!

You Love Getting High into the Sky

72% of Singaporeans think Australia is only famous for Outback sunsets, but why not see Australia’s breathtaking sunsets from really high up? I mean, really high up.

If you are in for a peaceful time, you absolutely must take a hot air balloon ride! Popular balloon spots for urban views are Melbourne and Gold Coast, and for natural landscapes, Yarra Valley and Cairns. If you want more of a workout, definitely try either the Sydney Harbour Bridge or Gold Coast Skypoint Q1 climbs. Plus the sunset and sunrise views of the city from way up there are one-of-a-kind. Nothing beats the golden hour!

You Daredevil You

The same poll found that 82% of Singaporeans think Australia is all about cute, furry animals. Think again! Australia is known for having some of the deadliest animals in the world such as sharks, snakes, spiders and of course, crocodiles.

If you have a knack for danger, you can take a swim in a transparent cage right next to a giant saltwater crocodile at Crocosaurus Cove in the heart of Darwin. Or you can quench your thirst for adventure by taking a dive with a whale shark in Ningaloo. Of course, if you need more, there’s always heart-pumping activities like bungee jumping in Cairns, hang gliding in Queensland, skydiving in Gold Coast, trekking in the Blue Mountains, and white water rafting in Tasmania to name a few.

Kids are Your Priority

So your children are still young and you want to make sure that they have as much fun on this trip as you do. Good news! Farm stays are not the only option. How about bringing them to the Great Barrier Reef, where they can snorkel among the fish or take a glass-bottom boat and learn more about the delicate ecosystem. Then, there’s Kangaroo Island that’s just a short car ferry ride away from Adelaide. The kids can go crazy sandboarding on the sand dunes, have a quad-bike tour, visit the Seal Bay Conservation Park all in a day. Of course, there’s always the theme parks at Gold Coast, Sydney’s Sea Life Aquarium, the Wild Life Sydney Zoo, ACMI in Melbourne, and the list goes on!

Darwin is also packed with kid-friendly places. Read more about Family Friendly Darwin.

This post is brought to you by CheapTickets.sg and Tourism Australia.