Visit the Australian east coast: Melbourne, Sydney Brisbane

Sydney: the stunning city on water

Sydney has so much to offer from the breathtaking Blue Mountains to popular hang out Bondi Beach. Sydney city centre is cosmopolitan and has many attractions including the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. This is one of the most attractive cities in the world.

Transport: how to get there and around:

There are direct flights to Sydney from many international destinations. Sydney airport is serviced by 40 airlines including British Airways, Qantas and Virgin.

Once in the city you can enjoy getting around on the easy to navigate bus and rail system. If you prefer to drive, it is cost effective to hire a car, the roads are clearly signed.

Weather: the seasons of Sydney

The climate in Sydney is mild throughout the year. The seasons are: Summer December to February, Autumn March to May, Winter June to August and Spring March to May.

The seasons are opposite to the northern hemisphere making Sydney a great get away from the cold weather.

Accommodation: Luxury to budget stays

The internet can offer some of the best information on the cost, range and location of hotels in Sydney.

Attractions & Events: best attractions in Sydney

• The Annual Road Bash from the Variety Club starts on the 5 August 2007 from Garden Island.

• Lyric Theatre at Darling Harbour is showing the iconic Musical Priscilla the Queen of the Desert

• Winter season begins at The Sydney Opera House see www.sydneyoperahouse.com for more information.

• For equestrian lovers, there is an amazing show at the Horseworld Stadium every weekend called El Caballo Blanco, with choreographed horses.

Melbourne: city of culture and lifestyle

Melbourne is the city for living, it has fabulous art galleries, shopping, bars, restaurants, live entertainment and plenty of culture. World famous sporting events are held here – The Melbourne Cup horse race and the Grand Prix.

Melbourne has an international airport which serves direct flights from many major cities. Navigating the city is straight forward with a choice of rental car, bus and taxi. There is also a tram network which is an attraction in itself.

There is wide range of hotels in Melbourne to choose from, all budgets are catered for. A useful information point for accommodation and attractions is the Travellers Information Desk in the arrivals lounge at International Airport.

Melbourne is a great place to explore, the city is set on River Yarra and is only a few hours drive away from Victorian Alps visited in winter for skiing.

Brisbane: beautiful, tropical climate

Brisbane is relaxed and friendly and a wonderful place to visit all year round due to fantastic weather. The summers are long and hot and the winters mild, perfect climate to enjoy some of the best beaches in Australia and the world.

Getting to Brisbane is easy with the domestic and international airport. The city and airport are accessible by train, shuttle bus and taxi. Another city nestled on a river, you can take a relaxing trip on the Brisbane River ferry to tour the sights.

You can find plenty of accommodation within Brisbane and surrounding areas. Hotels in Brisbane cater for all tastes and budgets. From the North to the South of Brisbane there is a stretch of beautiful coastline attracting plenty of holiday makers. As well as the beach, there are small islands for visitors to explore.

For a fun filled day out be sure to hop on a shuttle bus to one of the cities famous theme parks. Brisbane is proud to give you Steve Irwin’s Zoo, Dreamworld, Seaworld, Movieworld, Wet ‘n’ Wild and much more.

Australia: A Few Things To Do On Your Visit

You will have many choices of things to do when you visit Australia. Here are just a few ways to spend your time in this lovely place:

It would be a shame to visit Australia without spending time on one of the gorgeous beaches. Along the coastline of Australia there are miles and miles of unbelievably beautiful sandy beaches. Sydney alone has nearly 40 ocean beaches and you will be able to sunbathe and enjoy the beauty of the water and the sand. If you love the ocean air and want to return home with a lovely tan, be sure to plan for time on the beach.

Take a bushwalk and you will glimpse flora, fauna and all kinds of bird life. Bushwalking is a popular pastime in Australia and the parks are fantastic. You will get a little exercise and some stunning photos as well.

If you are a lover of wine, Australia is the place for you. Arrange a visit to a country vineyard and sip some of the finest wines in the world.

Shoppers, you are in luck! Look for fashionable leather clothing, woolen goods, arts and crafts and gifts made from sheepskin. You will be able to go home with at least one suitcase filled with terrific gifts and souvenirs. Choose some unique gifts that you will never find other places.

Sooner or later you are bound to get hungry. After all the shopping, sightseeing and wine tasting you will need to eat. Fresh ingredients are emphasized in contemporary Australian cuisine. You will find all kinds of menu choices that feature fish and seasonal vegetables. Every state in the country has specialties and you will find many excellent choices.

For those who love the water there are numerous activities. You can snorkel, scuba dive, water ski and wind surf.

Visit Australia for an amazing experience.

Australia - A Place I Must Visit Before I Die

I have a few places on my list that I must visit before I die. Most of these places are located next to the ocean and have amazing beaches and ocean wildlife. I love the ocean and I really love surfing as well as swimming with different types of wildlife in the ocean. Another major reason to visit these locations is the truly amazing sites that can be visited which can not be duplicated anywhere else in the world. The places I must visit before I die are Italy, Hawaii, and probably the most important, Australia.

The main reason that I want to vacation in Australia is for the amazing surf that is created there. The Great Barrier Reef creates the best waves in the world for surfing. I have also been very intrigued about Australia ever since I saw the movie Point Break, and Patrick Swayze’s character dies while surfing during the “Fifty Year’s Storm”. I grew up thinking that dieing while surfing would be the best way to die, because you would die while doing something that you love. Not only does the Great Barrier Reef supply outstanding waves, it also is a habitat for an enormous amount of ocean wildlife. I could spend years snorkeling in this area trying to see all of the amazing ocean wildlife that Australia has to offer.

Australia also has amazing places to visit while you are vacationing there. The most famous building in Australia is located in Sydney, the Sydney Opera House. This famous landmark was shown in nearly every shot that was taken of the city during the 2000 Olympics. To me one of the best things about Australia, and Sydney in particular, is the tremendous amount of bed and breakfasts there are to stay in. I was looking online and I saw about twenty or thirty different bed and breakfasts, with all different types of amenities. Some of these bed and breakfasts had four star services, and others were more like apartments, where you took care of everything for yourself. I think that staying in one of these places could make your vacation in Australia that much more interesting. I'll see you in Australia!