Australia
Australia is a country, and continent, surrounded by the Indian and Pacific oceans. Its major cities – Sydney,
Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide – are coastal, but its capital, Canberra, is inland and nicknamed the "Bush Capital." The country is known for its Sydney Opera House, Great Barrier Reef,
the vast Outback (interior desert wilderness) and unique animal species including kangaroos and duck-billed platypuses
Sydney
Sydney capital of New South Wales and one of Australia's largest cities, is best known for its harbourfront Opera House, with a distinctive sail-like design. Massive Darling Harbour and Circular Quay are hubs of waterside life, with the towering, arched Harbour Bridge and esteemed Royal Botanic Gardens nearby. Sydney Tower’s 268m glass viewing platform, the Skywalk, offers 360-degree views of the city, harbour and suburbs.Sydney Aquarium, Taronga Zoo and Sydney Wildlife World house creatures from koalas and kangaroos to sharks and snakes. Pyrmont’s Sydney Fish Market has a working seafood auction and restaurants serving the day’s catch. There are multicultural dining opportunities all over the city, including in Haymarket’s Chinatown and the restaurants serving the Italian community in Leichhardt. A ferry ride through the harbour is part of the experience in visiting outer Sydney destinations such as Bondi and Manly Beaches – both popular with surfers.
The Gold Coast
The Gold Coast is a metropolitan region south of Brisbane on Australia’s east coast, famed for its long sandy beaches, surfing and elaborate system of inland canals and waterways. It’s also home to the Dreamworld, Sea World and Wet’n’Wild theme parks. Inland, hiking trails crisscross Lamington National Park’s mountain ridges and valleys, home to rare birds and rainforest.The Q1 building with its SkyPoint observation deck towers over Surfers Paradise beach, which has a vibrant nightlife scene, a beachfront market and casinos. Main Beach’s shops, restaurants and entertainment lie along TedderAvenue. Houses and hotels are built along the canal system, which has its own inland beaches, such as Budds Beach. Surfing beaches such as Snapper Rocks and Burleigh Head are among the most popular in the country. Local wildlife attractions include the David Fleay Wildlife Park, and Tamborine National Park has a Rainforest Skywalk through the trees
