Despite the fact that it’s become much more common to travel to the land down under, there’s still a certain mystery and allure to the country.
Australia is one of the most special places on Earth. It’s filled with unique animals and even more unique cities. In addition to classic destinations like Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney, there are several cities across the country that demand to be added to your itinerary.
Perth, Western Australia
Located on the west coast of the continent, Perth often gets overlooked by people planning an Australian adventure. Founded in 1829, the city is home to an impressive array of historical buildings as well as numerous tourist hot spots and a robust arts and entertainment scene.
In addition to the destinations in the city itself, Perth is close to the incredibly gorgeous Swan Valley, Rottnest Island and architecturally intriguing city of Freemantle. Plus, being on the coast offers multiple opportunities to enjoy some great surfing.
Adelaide, South Australia
On the coast of South Australia, Adelaide is overflowing with reasons to make it a necessary stop on an Australian get away. The food scene is brilliant, highlighted by the Adelaide Central Markets which is filled with unique gastronomic experiences.
Adelaide is also considered to be the wine capital of the country. The nearby Adelaide Hills are filled with wineries and outstanding restaurants serving the bounty produced on local farms and ranches. Adelaide is the place to relax and enjoy vacation eating at its finest.
Cairns, Queensland
A smaller city, Cairns is the northernmost major center in Queensland, and naturally gorgeous to boot. It’s proximity to tropical rainforests and the Great Barrier Reef make it a prime destination for anyone looking for a wildlife and nature tourism hotspot.
This is the region to get out and about. Tours to Barron Gorge National Park, Daintree Rainforest, Fitzroy Island and more are all easily accessible from Cairns. It’s a great city to use as a base of operations to take in all of this natural wonder. Plus, the Cairns Aquarium is a must see.
Darwin, Northern Territory
The Northern Territory of Australia is sparsely populated at best, but that doesn’t make it any less fun to travel to. Darwin is the capital city of the region, which is filled with gorgeous nature trips and sightseeing tours that explore the wilderness.
But Darwin also has a surprisingly lively and engaging food scene as well as the incredible George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens. Not enough people include the Northern Territory in their Australian travel plans. Darwin is a great place to start.
Hobart, Tasmania
Tasmania is an island state off the southern coast of Victoria. It’s arguably most famous for the Tasmanian Devil, the largest carnivorous marsupial in the world. But it should also be known for Hobart, the main city on the island and a great vacation spot.
Hobart is the second oldest capital city in the country, and has some unique architecture because of it’s age. The Salamanca Market and the MONA museum are great stops as are nearby Mount Wellington and Port Arthur.