Where to Go
By Larry Rivera, About.com Guide
- Brisbane and Queensland
- Canberra and the Australian Capital Territory
- Darwin and the Northern Territory
- Hobart and Tasmania
- Perth and Western Australia
Sydney
Sydney is the capital of the state of New South Wales, Australia's largest and best-known city, and certainly deserving of its own section in this listing. It is a city of many cultures, beaches and scenic harbour views, historical sites, museums, theatres and fine dining venues.
- Sydney in Spring
- Sydney in Summer
- Sydney in Autumn
- Sydney in Winter
- Circular Quay: Transport Hub
- Darling Harbour
- Featherdale Wildlife Park
- Ferry Tales Can Come True
- The Rocks: Birthplace of Australia
- Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney
- St Mary's Cathedral
- Sydney Beaches
- Sydney Landmarks
- Sydney Museums and Galleries
- Sydney Opera House
- Sydney Subway
- Sydney Tower
- Taronga Zoo
- Sydney Wildlife World
- Walk into History at The Rocks
Elsewhere in New South Wales
Yes, Sydney is the capital and New South Wales the state. It's the first state to be settled by the Europeans with the arrival of Captain Arthur Phillip and his convict ships in 1788. Here are some of the state's attractions outside the capital city.
- Bellingen
- Bermagui
- The Blue Mountains
- Byron Bay
- The Dog on the Tuckerbox
- Eden
- The Entrance
- Hunter Valley Wine Country
- Jenolan Caves
- Jervis Bay
- Jindabyne
- Lord Howe Island
- Mt Tomah Botanic Garden
- Narooma
- Newcastle
- Port Macquarie
- Port Stephens
- Tweed Valley
- Wagga Wagga
- Willandra Lakes
Melbourne
Australia's second largest city, Melbourne, is the capital of Australia's smallest mainland state, Victoria. There is a fair amount of friendly rivalry between Sydney and Melbourne but it's really a toss-up as to which is the better city to live in and to visit.
- Crown Entertainment Complex
- CUB Malthouse
- Federation Square
- Flinders St Station
- Free City Attractions
- Free City Circle Tram
- Free City Tourist Shuttle
- Melbourne Beaches
- Melbourne Exhibition Centre
- Melbourne Landmarks
- Melbourne Museum
- Melbourne Park
- Melbourne Sightseeing
- Melbourne's Southbank
- National Gallery of Victoria
- Princess Theatre
- Queen Victoria Market
- Regent Theatre
- Royal Exhibition Building
- St Paul's Cathedral
Elsewhere in Victoria
Australia's smallest mainland state is by no means the smallest Australian state. This honor belongs to the island state of Tasmania, across Bass Strait from Melbourne. Having a small geographical area has its advantages and many of Victoria's attractions are within a short drive from Melbourne.
- Mornington Peninsula
- Mornington Peninsula Wine Region
- Phillip Island
- Sovereign Hill
- Yarra Valley Wine Region
Adelaide and South Australia
Adelaide, capital of South Australia, is a planned city almost completely surrounded by parklands. From its many churches, cultural buildings and grid of streets, the Adelaide visitor is but a short distance away to the South Australia vineyards and the state's many attractions.
- Adelaide City Centre
- Adelaide Hills
- Barossa Valley Wine Country
- Barossa Valley Wineries
- Coober Pedy: Opal Town
- Fleurieu Peninsula Daytrip Destinations
- Fleurieu Peninsula Wine Country
- Images of South Australia
- Kangaroo Island
- Kangaroo Island Fast Facts
- Murray River Attractions
- Murray River Paddle Steamers
- Naracoorte Caves
- Riverland Wine Country
- Victor Harbor
Brisbane and Queensland
Queensland is pretty much tropical country and is probably best known for the Great Barrier Reef running more than 2000 kilometres along its coastal waters, and for the Gold and Sunshine Coasts south and north of the state capital, Brisbane. Discover these and Queensland's other attractions.
- Australia Zoo: Getting There
- Bowen on the Whitsunday Coast
- Brisbane
- Brisbane's South Bank
- Cairns: Gateway to the Reef
- Daydream Island
- Down to the Darling Downs
- Dreamworld Theme Park
- Fraser Island
- Gold Coast
- Green Island
- Hamilton Island
- Heron Island
- Hinchinbrook Island
- Mackay
- Movie World Theme Park
- Mt Isa
- Riversleigh World Heritage Site
- Wet 'n' Wild Water World Theme Park
Canberra and the Australian Capital Territory
While surrounded by the state of New South Wales, Australia's national capital, Canberra, is in its own Australian Capital Territory, northwest of Sydney. It is the seat of the Australian Government and home to various national cultural and historical institutions.
Darwin and the Northern Territory
At the Top End of Australia (and yes, we do call it the Top End), you'll find Darwin, capital of the Northern Territory and Australia's northernmost capital city. The Northern Territory is a land of wilderness and desert and many of Australia's most unique attractions.
- Alice Springs
- Arnhem Land: Aboriginal Homeland
- Bathurst Island
- Bowali Visitor Centre
- Crocodylus Park
- The Devils Marbles
- Discover Darwin in the Dry
- Kakadu National Park
- Katherine Gorge
- Litchfield National Park
- Melville Island
- Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
Hobart and Tasmania
Hobart, capital of Tasmania, is noted for being the first Australian city to have a legal casino, the place where the annual Sydney Hobart Yacht Race finishes, and the hometown of the Crown Princess of Denmark. Tasmania is Australia's only island state and the smallest of six states.
Perth and Western Australia
On the western side of the continent, Western Australia is Australia's largest state extending all the way from the tropical north to the southern coast. Its capital, Perth, is noted for its continuing booming economy and of its people a more laid-back lifestyle.