McNaughtan - Lonely Planets Discover Australia

DISCOVER AUSTRALIA

TOP SIGHTS, AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCES

Welcome to Australia

Australias cultural and geographic identity has been forged by 4.5 million years of isolation. The countrys harsh, beautiful landscape has a resilience that rubs off on the people.

No matter which Australian city youre wheeling into, youll never go wanting for an offbeat theatre production, a rockin live band, lofty art-gallery opening, movie launch or music festival mosh. This was once a country where cultural cringe held sway the notion that anything locally produced simply wasnt up to scratch. But these days the tables have turned. Aboriginal arts particularly painting and dance seem immune to such fluctuations and remain timelessly captivating.

Most Australians live along the coast, and most of these folks live in cities. It follows that cities here are a lot of fun. Sydney is a glamorous collusion of beaches, boutiques and bars. Melbourne is all arts, alleyways and Australian Rules football. Canberra transcends political agendas. The chilly southern sandstone city of Hobart offers the warmest of welcomes. Many city dwellers love to escape the big smoke for the big skies of the red centre, the tropical forests of the far north, or the pounding surf of an unspoilt beach.

Australia plates up a multicultural fusion of European techniques and fresh Pacific-rim ingredients. Of course, beer in hand, youll still find beef, lamb and chicken at Aussie barbecues. Dont drink beer? Australian wines are world-beaters: punchy Barossa Valley shiraz, Hunter Valley semillon and cool-climate Tasmanian sauvignon blanc. Tasmania produces outstanding whisky too. Need a caffeine hit? Youll find cafes everywhere, as Australians take their coffee seriously.

/ FEARGUS COONEY / GETTY IMAGES

Australias biggest and best-known metropolis, is the obvious place to start your Aussie odyssey. You could easily spend weeks here, but you can find your feet and get a feel for the place in three days. Next head north for a beach experience.

1hr 15min

Arrive in the high-class hippie haven of for a couple of days of sun and surf, then continue your coastal journey.

2hr to Brisbane then 1hr 45min to Hamilton Island

The magical also leave from Hamilton.

1hr 10min to Cairns then 2hr 20min to the Daintree

ULTIMATE AUSTRALIA ITINERARY PLAN YOUR TRIP

Things get more rugged as you head north to the , deep in subtropical Far North Queensland. Then return to Cairns and fly directly to the red heart of the continent.

2hr 20min to Cairns then 2hr 45min to Uluru

Catch a sunrise or sunset at , with its unearthly rock formations and ancient Aboriginal culture, then journey north.

3hr 30min to Darwin via Alice Springs then 3hr

Take a tour to immerse yourself in the untouched wetlands and gorges of , then head to the best of the west.

3hr to Darwin then 3hr 45 min to Perth (direct from Darwin) 30min

ULTIMATE AUSTRALIA ITINERARY PLAN YOUR TRIP

To extend your trip, head to in Western Australia. A short drive from Perth, its a good place to soak up some coastal history.

3hr

Head even further south to experience the bucolic wine n surf country of , then its back to Perth for a flight east.

3hr then 3hr 30min

Stay a few nights in Melbourne, Australias cultural and sporting capital, before catching a flight south to Tasmania.

1hr 15min

Explore the Georgian harbourside and the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) in before returning north to the nations capital.

3hr

Find political intrigue and great art in , then its a short flight back to Sydney.

AUSTRALIAS TOP 12 PLAN YOUR TRIP

Though is only a century old, Australias purpose-built capital has always been preoccupied with history. So its not surprising that the major drawcard here is a portfolio of lavishly endowed museums and galleries focused on interpreting the national narrative. Institutions such as the National Gallery of Australia, National Museum of Australia, National Portrait Gallery and Australian War Memorial offer visitors a fascinating insight into the countrys history and culture both ancient and modern.

AUSTRALIAS TOP 12 PLAN YOUR TRIP

Up there with kangaroos and Akubra hats, big-hearted (just Byron to its mates) is one of the enduring icons of Australian culture. Families on school holidays, surfers and sun-seekers from across the globe gather by the foreshore at sunset, drawn to this spot on the world map by fabulous restaurants, a chilled pace of life and an astonishing range of activities on offer. But mostly theyre here because this is one of the most beautiful stretches of coast in the country.