The Sunny South Coast: The Best of Australia

Presiding over Sydney Harbour like a beacon, the sail-shaped opera house is one of the world’s most easily recognisable buildings. Various guided tours cover the iconic landmark’s architecture and controversial past, as well as the backstage area.

Next to the Sydney Opera House, the Royal Botanic Garden is a wonder. This urban oasis offers scenic waterfront trails and endless spots for picnics. Also learn about the Gadigal, traditional custodians of this land and People of the Grasstree.

Another must-see when in Sydney is its fish market, with live auctions, an incredible variety of fresh seafood on display and, of course, restaurants serving the day’s catch.

Hop on the ferry for a short but scenic ride to Manly. Its namesake beach, site of the world’s first surfing contest, is the suburb’s top attraction. Also explore its oceanfront promenade, aquatic reserve, hidden coves and Aboriginal rock engravings.

This vast stretch of protected land is both a recreational area and the ancestral home of the Darug and Gundungurra people. The Three Sisters rock formation and Wentworth Falls are the park’s most memorable sights, as are Aboriginal rock carvings. 

Adventure seekers relish the thrills offered by this responsible tourism experience. The world’s steepest railway takes you down to the primeval forest of the Blue Mountains’ Jamison Valley. Then see it again from the dizzying heights of the Skyway.

Katoomba, an Aboriginal word describing the nearby waterfall, was once a coal mining settlement. Today the mountainside town with Art Deco buildings and gorgeous Jamison Valley views serves as the gateway to the area’s natural wonders.

The capital of Victoria state is known for its laneway culture, a warren of narrow alleys and pedestrian paths lined with eclectic boutiques, galleries, cafés and an ever-changing street art scene. The ideal place for strolls and inspiration.

The capital’s first suburb, Fitzroy is a small neighbourhood with an outsized personality. This diverse district brims with hidden nooks, packed cafés, Victoria-era buildings and bohemian bars. A favourite of older and younger generations alike.

The smallest penguin species, weighing about 1 kg, these adorable blue-and-white flightless birds have rookeries along Victoria’s coastline, including at St Kilda Pier near the CBD. Watch these fairy penguins swim and waddle ashore at dusk.

The largest open-air marketplace in the Southern Hemisphere, this Melbourne icon has been in continuous operation since 1878. Two blocks in the CBD are dedicated to almost every imaginable produce and meats, food and drinks, and so much more.

Chadstone, located 25 minutes from the CBD, is home to the southern hemisphere’s largest shopping centre. Its 500-plus stores, as well as dining and entertainment options, draw locals and international visitors to this lively southeastern suburb.

A 90-minute drive south of Hotel Chadstone Melbourne is a haven for nature lovers. Phillip Island boasts the world’s largest population of little penguins. There are also seals, whales, koalas and birds, as well as two wineries and gorgeous beaches.

Despite being the second-smallest state, Victoria has more than 800 wineries and 20 distinct wine regions. This diversity of terroir – from cool-climate Yarra Valley to the High Country and its proseccos – gives rise to an unrivalled viticulture.

The state’s longest river begins in the Victorian Alps and meanders until it empties into the Murray. The Goulburn Valley, just an hour north of Melbourne, is a popular destination with wineries, farmers markets, nature preserves, regattas and more.

This heritage-listed park is known for its unspoiled beauty and rich Aboriginal history. Native marsupials and birds abound here, as do waterfalls, peaks, and rock art paintings and shelters. Make time to visit the Grampians on your way to Adelaide.

There are faster ways to reach Adelaide from Melbourne, but none is as awe-inspiring as the Great Ocean Road. Drive along the cliffs, with vistas of the Southern Ocean at every turn. The trip takes four days, but the memories last a lifetime.

The capital’s CBD is a veritable oasis. The Torrens river flows through its heart, while a botanical garden, zoo and parks encircle the city blocks. Other attractions include the multicultural Central Market and the 18th-century Adelaide Arcade.

Forming the city’s western border are a series of spectacular beaches. Each one has a slightly different vibe, from family friendly to Art Deco glamour. Regardless of which one you choose, each offers front-row seats to stunning sunsets.

A few hours south of the CBD, Kangaroo Island is a natural paradise. Over a third of the land is set aside to protect wildlife: subspecies of kangaroo and wallaby, echidnas and more. It’s also a sanctuary for the purest strain of Ligurian bees.