Frommers Star Ratings System
Every hotel, restaurant, and attraction listed in this guide has been ranked for quality and value. Heres what the stars mean:
| Recommended |
| Highly Recommended |
| A must! Don't miss! |
AN IMPORTANT NOTE
The world is a dynamic place. Hotels change ownership, restaurants hike their prices, museums alter their opening hours, and buses and trains change their routings. And all of this can occur in the several months after our authors have visited, inspected, and written about these hotels, restaurants, museums, and transportation services. Though we have made valiant efforts to keep all our information fresh and up-to-date, some few changes can inevitably occur in the periods before a revised edition of this guidebook is published. So please bear with us if a tiny number of the details in this book have changed. Please also note that we have no responsibility or liability for any inaccuracy or errors or omissions, or for inconvenience, loss, damage, or expenses suffered by anyone as a result of assertions in this guide.
A road sign in South Australia warns motorists of camels, wombats, and kangaroos.
CONTENTS
The Sydney skyline and harbour at night.
A Look at Australia
F rom the rugged Outback with Uluru, the otherworldly monolith sacred to the Aboriginal peoples; to the Great Barrier Reef (the only living structure on earth that can be seen from space); to beaches that extend as far as the eye can see, Australia is custom-made for adventure seekers. But its also for lovers of innovative cuisine, fine wine, and sophisticated performing arts in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and beyond. From cuddling koala bears to climbing the Harbour Bridge, educating yourself on the countrys fascinating aboriginal culture and exploring dynamic, modern cities, our Easy Guide presents the best of a nation of superlatives. So gday, and good journey!
Snorkeling or diving the Great Barrier Reef is tops on the list for many visitors to Australia.
The Best of Sydney & Melbourne
Completed in 1973, the instantly recognizable Sydney Opera House () dominates the harborfront and houses several theatres and concert halls.
Most surf beaches north and south of Sydney Harbour offer shops with board rentals, and group and individual surfing lessons are available. See .
The monorail glides through downtown, with Sydney Tower, the citys tallest structure, overhead. The tower has a viewing platform, plus a revolving bar and restaurant. See .
Pei Modern Sydney () is Chef Mark Bests latest foray into inventive fine dining. Pictured here are ricotta dumplings with zucchini flowers.
Several wildlife parks in and nearby Sydney offer chances to get up close to (and in some cases, even cuddle with) koalas, wombats, and kangaroos. See .
The Rocks, Sydney's waterfront historic area, is characterized by colonial-era buildings, with boutiques, pubs, restaurants, and exclusive hotels. See .
On the banks of the Yarra River, Melbournes Southbank area is known for its restaurants, bars, and public spaces.
Paddys Markets in Sydney () feature hundreds of stalls selling everything from cheap clothes to produce to imported gifts.
Melbournes elaborate, constantly changing graffiti is found on several streets in the city center. Here, an artist tags a wall on Hosier Lane. See .
Scary and atmospheric Old Melbourne Gaol (), where the notorious bushranger Ned Kelly was hanged.
Wineries, windswept beaches, gardens, and wildlife make the Mornington Peninsula a popular day trip from Melbourne. See .
A day trip from Sydney to the Blue Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, reveals waterfalls, spectacular clifftop views, and historic villages. See .
Queensland & the Great Barrier Reef
Much of Brisbanes remaining colonial architecture is centered around Queen Street Mall (), a shopping and entertainment area known for name-brand and local retailers, plus stylish dining and hotels.
An artificial beach and lagoon, plus shops, cafes, and weekend markets make South Bank Parklands () a colorful retreat in Brisbanes city center.
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