Top 5 Cities to Visit in Australia
Australia has long been considered an enchanting place to visit for Singaporean travellers. Being the world’s sixth largest country by total land area, we’re sure you’ll find a city in Australia that has just what you’re looking for in a holiday. While it used to be considered an expensive destination to visit, with the rise of budget carriers like Scoot opening up direct flights from Singapore to Australia, Qantas and Emirates having great deals most of the time, you can now save lots of money by comparing air fares on CheapTickets.sg and booking early to get great flight deals. We've prepared a special guide for those who are looking to explore Australia and also picked the top 5 cities for you to visit during your next trip to Australia.
1. Sydney, Australia
Sydney is well-known the world over for its iconic landmark, the Sydney Opera House. Its scenic harbor is considered by many to be the heart of the city, bringing this cosmopolitan capital city of New South Wales to life. Sydney is full of energy and you’ll be amazed by what it has to offer you while on holiday there.
The city has a host of beautiful beaches to offer travellers looking for some fun in the sun, with the most popular being Bondi Beach. Don’t miss the amazing beach walk linking Bondi Beach to Coogee Beach, which offers scenic views of the coastline. The best time to take that beach walk is before sunrise so you can get a nice spot and your camera ready when the sun starts to rise.
Adventure lovers will be psyched to try the climb of their lives with BridgeClimb Sydney, taking them to the top of the Sydney Harbor Bridge. The full climb takes approximately three and a half hour and a grand total of 1332 steps. When you reach the summit, you’ll be treated to stunning 360 views of the city like you’ve never seen before.
After the tiring climb, dig into a hearty lunch at one of Sydney’s popular cafes or restaurants, like The Fine Food Store, Playfair Cafe and The Rocks Cafe. Stop by Jeffrey Street or Milson’s Point for a beautiful sunset vista with views of the Harbour Bridge and the city skyline.
2. Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne is often considered the cultural capital of Australia with a highly acclaimed arts scene, major sporting venues, a bustling food scene and lively cafes all across the city. When you travel here, you will certainly dine well, drink lots of excellent coffee, get to appreciate art and live the good life.
With its fresh produce, food stalls, cafes and boutique shops, a visit to Queen Victoria Market is an absolute must when you’re in Melbourne. Before you start to shop, fill your stomach with a delicious jam donut from the nostalgic food truck The American Donut Kitchen and get a cup of espresso from one of the nearby coffee shops. When you’re done shopping, visit the Heide Museum of Modern Art, or watch an afternoon concert at the Melbourne Recital Centre. If you’re looking to gamble the night away, head over to the massive Crown Melbourne Casino.
3. Perth, Australia
The city of Perth is the fourth largest city in Australia and has a population of around 2 million people. Being further from other major cities, as the capital city of Western Australia, Perth has developed its own charm and blends a relaxing atmosphere with a fun attitude for life. The wine scene here is fabulous and you’ll be able to find a great bottle of wine to go with your meal at every restaurant.
While you’re there, Kings Park and the Perth Botanic Gardens are definite must-visits as they offer wonderful views of the city skyline, and they make a great first stop of your Perth holiday. After you’ve worked out a bit of a sweat, it’s time to dig into a hearty brunch at one of the local cafes or burger joints like Jus Burger, Sayer Sisters or Small Print Baker and Coffee Maker. If you’re a history buff, take a half hour ride to the historic town of Fremantle, and visit the Maritime Museum and Shipwreck Galleries, the Arts Centre and the Old Courthouse. And if you want to take a selfie with the adorable quokka, then take a ferry to Rottnest Island to meet these cute furry creatures in their natural habitat. Rottnest Island is also a great place to go diving and snorkeling or to relax on the fine sandy beach.
4. Canberra, Australia
Canberra, the capital city of Australia, has long been overshadowed by other cities on this list when it comes to attracting tourists. However, Lonely Planet has recently announced Canberra as the best travel city in Australia and the third best travel city in the World. With a wide variety of cultural experiences, national monuments and a thriving gastronomic scene, you’ll surely have a good time here.
One of the must try experiences here is the Hot Air Balloon Ride, that will take you on an early morning ride and give you amazing views of the city that you won’t forget. When you’re back on the ground, consider going to Lake Burley Griffin, where you can rent a GoBoat and take it out on the lake and have a picnic there too. If you have a sweet tooth, head over to Patissez, famous for its epic milkshakes known as FreakShakes™ and excellent breakfast menu. And, if you’re looking to get up close and personal with nature, Jamala Wildlife Lodge is your best bet, where you’ll get the rare experience of coming close to lions, bears and giraffes.
5. Gold Coast, Australia
If you’re looking for sunshine, sand, theme-parks and surfing, look no further than Gold Coast Australia. With a quartet of popular theme-parks, DreamWorld, Warner Bros. Movie World, Wet’n’Wild Gold Coast and Sea World Gold Coast, this is an excellent destination if you’re travelling as a family.
If you’re a nature lover, a visit to Springbook National Park is one of the most highly rated things to do, with hiking trails, waterfalls, rainforests and even a large camping ground if you wish to stay the night. For animal lovers, visit Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, to get up close and personal with native animals in their natural habitat. And, surfers will love the waves at Surfers Paradise, while beach bums can relax in the sand or people watch at one of the beach-side cafes and bars.