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Sightseeing in Australia
 Sights Parks Museums Sports Dining and Drinking Entertainment
SightsAyers Rock (Uluru)
One of Australia's greatest landmarks, this massive rock is owned by the Aborigines and linked to their spirituality. Famous not only for its size but also for its dramatic color changes.
Uluru National Park
Northern Territory
. (089)562299
Darling Harbor
A waterfront entertainment, convention and tourist complex that also houses restaurants, shops and boutiques. Take the monorail from the city center to travel there and back again.
Darling Harbor, Sydney
New South Wales
Infoline: . 005520261
Daylesford
A small country town with hidden surprises. Visit the Convent Gallery, a former convent now displaying works by local artists. Go on to a mineral bath or massage at Hepburn Springs Spa Complex a little further down the road.
Convent Gallery
Daly Street, Daylesford
. (053) 483211
Hepburn Springs Spa Complex
Mineral Springs Reserve
Hepburn Springs, Victoria
. (053) 482034
The Great Ocean Road
View spectacular coastal scenery while driving along this road as it hugs the coastline of the Southern Ocean. It is Australia's version of California's Highway. Begin at Torquay (south of Geelong)
Victoria
Tourist Information: . (03) 7267777
Monkey Mia Dolphins
In the bay, enjoy a natural wonder of swimming and interacting with wild dolphins. The best time to visit is from May to October.
Monkey Mia at Shark Bay
404 miles (650km) north of Perth
Western Australia
The Olgas (Katatjuta)
This collection of rocks, near Ayers Rock, is an impressive place to explore. This sight is also linked to the aboriginal "Dreamtime."
Uluru National Park
Northern Territory
. (089) 562299
The Rocks
Now lovingly restored, this was the sight of the colony's first buildings. It is located at the south of the Harbour Bridge.
Information Center
104 George Street
The Rocks, Sydney
. (02) 2474972
Southgate
Located on the south edge of the Yarra in the heart of the city, this complex of boutiques, restaurants and bars has sweeping views of the city and the river. Stroll along the boardwalk on your way out. Enter from the south end of Princes Bridge onto Riverside Walk.
Melbourne, Victoria
The Sydney Harbour Bridge and Tunnel
The bridge joins the north and south sections of the city. Walk or drive along the bridge. The new tunnel under the bridge was built to ease traffic congestion at peak hours.
Sydney Harbour
New South Wales
Tourist Information Service: . (02) 6695111
The Sydney Opera House
Built on the edge of the harbour, the Opera House was designed to resemble sails on the water. Today it is one of Australia's most famous monuments.
Bennelong Point, Sydney
New South Wales
. (02) 2507178
Sydney (Centrepoint) Tower
The tallest structure in the city, this 1,000-foot-high spike has a revolving restaurant and an observation deck offering spectacular views of the city.
At Centrepoint, Market Street
Sydney, New South Wales
Tourist Information Service: . (02) 6695111
ParksThe Blue Mountains National Park
This is a section of the Great Dividing Range, famous for its blue haze (the result of oil evaporating from the eucalyptus forests.)
Katoomba, New South Wales
. (047) 396266
Visitors Center
Great Western Highway, Glenbrook
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
Running along the Queensland coast for more than 1,200 miles (2,000km), the reef can be observed from above by helicopter and under the water by diving, submersible boats or glass-bottomed boats. A must for any visitor.
Queensland Government Travel Center: . (07) 2216111
Kakadu National Park
A park of great natural wilderness and beauty incorporating Aboriginal land and rock artworks. The park is about 7,700 square miles (20,000 sq.km) in area.
Jabiru (outside of Darwin), Northern Territory
. (089) 792101
The Royal Botanical Gardens
This is one of the world's great gardens. You will have the treat of viewing numerous forms of birdlife by the lake, a fern gully and forever-changing vistas wherever you look. Located east of St. Kilda Road and South of the Yarra River. Enter from Alexandra Avenue or Domain Road.
Melbourne, Victoria
Tourist Information Service: . (03) 7267777
Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park
Known for its harsh weather conditions, this park of spectacular alpine scenery is popular for hiking, boating, fishing and sightseeing.
Central Tasmania
. (004) 921133
. (002) 891115
MuseumsSovereign Hill
This tourist attraction is a living museum, recreating a gold-mining town. It is an hour-and-a half drive outside Melbourne.
Sovereign Hill
Ballarat, Victoria
. (053) 311944
Powerhouse Museum
Housed in the old electricity station that once powered Sydney's (now defunct) trams, this is an interactive museum, featuring technology exhibits.
Harris Street, Ultimo
Sydney, New South Wales
. (02) 2170111
The Art Gallery of New South Wales
This gallery features Australian and Aboriginal art as well as European and Asian pieces.
Art Gallery Road
Sydney, New South Wales
. (02) 2251700
The National Gallery of Victoria
Australian art, Aboriginal art and a few of the great masters are represented here. A special feature of the gallery is the stained glass ceiling in the Great Hall.
St. Kilda Road (south of Princes Bridge)
Melbourne, Victoria
. (03) 6850203
Old Melbourne Gaol
This former jail is now a museum. The infamous bushranger Ned Kelly was hanged there.
Russell Street
Melbourne, Victoria
Tourist Information Service: . (03) 7267777
SportsSpectator Sports
There are a variety of spectator sports throughout the country. The most popular games are cricket and tennis (in the summer) and Australian Rules Football and Rugby League (in the winter). Adelaide annually hosts the Australian Grand Prix. Melbourne has its international horse racing carnival during the Melbourne Cup week in November. There are also great yacht- racing, surf-lifesaving, international surfing and golfing competitions.
Participant Sports
Many of Australia's cities allow for bike riding and jogging on tracks. For information, ask your concierge. You will find tennis courts and golf courses around the country, both in cities and resorts. In the winter, there are skiing areas in the Kosciusko and country Victorian ranges. Water sports are abundant. Swimming is a pleasure at the beaches or the local swimming pool. You can fish, water ski, surf, dive or sail a yacht. Ask at your hotel for the most popular sports to try in the area you are visiting.
AccommodationsHotels: You can expect to find international-standard hotels in the major cities. They range from one to five stars (five stars being the best and most expensive). For information, ask at your travel agency, the Australian Tourist Commission or the closest Government Tourist Bureau.
Camping: Throughout Australia, there are numerous campsites and caravan parks. Most sites offer electricity, showers, toilets, hot and cold water and laundry facilities. For information, contact the government tourist office or the auto club in the state you are traveling in.
Australian Automobile Association
GPO Box 1555
Canberra City ACT 2601
. (06) 2477311
Dining and DrinkingThe mix of influences and cultures is reflected in the choice of restaurants available. Thanks to the exceptional produce the country has to offer, dining in Australia is a pleasure. The least expensive selections will be found in Asian and ethnic restaurants. Remember, in Australia, the appetizer is called the entree, followed by the main course. In Melbourne, liquor licensing laws allow you to BYO (bring your own wine) to some restaurants. Check if a restaurant is BYO when making a reservation.
Australia is famous for beer. There are a few major breweries in the country, such as the Carlton and United Brewery, which makes Fosters, as well as a number of smaller "boutique" breweries. Beware! The beer is a quite a bit more potent than in the United States.
Wine from Australia is now leading the way at many international competitions and rapidly gaining an enviable reputation worldwide. When out dining at a restaurant, try one of the local wines rather than an international selection (wine lists in Australia often have selections of local, French, Italian and Californian wines). Among notable regions are the Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula, Hunter Valley, Margaret River, Coonawarra and Barossa Valley.
EntertainmentThere is always something to do in Australia. Enjoy the opera, ballet and concerts at the Opera House, Victorian Arts Center. Other major venues, musicals, theater and comedy performances abound. Movie theaters are located throughout the cities. Nightclubs and jazz are also popular in the cities.
For information on what is being featured at the Opera House, call:
. (02) 2507111 / Bookings: . (02) 2507777
In Melbourne, call What's On - Entertainment:
Theater: . (03) 14640
Cinema: . (03) 14632
Cairns Real Estate - Queensland Real Estate - Canberra Real Estate - Brisbane Real Estate - Sydney Real Estate - Surfers Paradise Real Estate - Melbourne Real Estate - Adelaide City Real Estate - Darwin Real Estate - Gold Coast Real Estate - Perth Real Estate - Coffs Harbour Real Estate - Katoomba Real Estate - Barrier Reef Real Estate - Alice Springs Real Estate - Katoomba Real Estate - New South Wales Real Estate - Tasmania Real Estate - North Wollongong Real Estate - Palm Meadows Real Estate - Port Douglas Real Estate
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