Places to Visit in Australia
If you decide to visit Australia, there are many amazing places to visit. Here in this article I want to show you many attractive places in Australia.
· Sydney Opera House Tours
The Sydney Opera House, a world-class performing arts venue and iconic Australian landmark, defines the Sydney Harbour in the heart of the city. Designed by Danish architect Jorn Utzon, the structure is a masterpiece of late 20th-century architecture, despite challenges that plagued the 15-year project before it was formally opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1973. Distinguished by soaring halls with a white ceramic-tiled exterior shaped to evoke the sails of a yacht, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a must-see Sydney attraction.
The Basics
The Sydney Opera House is a highlight of any city tour or harbor cruise, and it’s well worth an up-close look, too. It’s best explored as part of a guided tour, either a guided walking option that hits highlights of the building's history and architecture or an in-depth tour that goes backstage to concert halls, green rooms, and studios usually off-limits to visitors. Given that this is a functioning performance venue, visitors can also experience the Opera House by attending a show, whether pairing a theater performance with dinner as part of an evening package, or dining along the waterfront before a night of ballet.
Things to Know Before You Go
Attending a performance at the Opera House is a must for music, dance, and theater fans.
Tickets for tours and events often sell out, so it’s best to book in advance.
Public areas of the complex are wheelchair accessible, and accessible show seating is available for all performances (seats must be pre-booked, and availability is limited).
Unless visiting on a guided tour, travelers are unable to access the Concert Hall and Joan Sutherland Theatre foyers or performance spaces.
The Opera House complex contains restaurants, bars, cafes, shops, and outdoor plazas.
How to Get There
Located on Bennelong Point at the waters of Sydney Cove and Farm Cove, the Sydney Opera House is just a few minutes’ walk from Circular Quay and its ferries, trains, and buses. The site is easy to spot from around Sydney Harbour and from the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
When to Get There
Shows and performances run year-round at the Opera House, and with more than 2,500 of them taking place each year, you’re likely to find one during your visit. For a special experience, time your trip during the Vivid Sydney festival, when the Opera House exterior becomes the canvas for colorful light displays.
· Taronga Zoo Tours
Easily the wildest place in Sydney, the Taronga Zoo is a sprawling sanctuary where over 4,000 animals crawl and chirp just minutes from the heart of downtown. Situated on Sydney Harbour a short ferry ride from Circular Quay, the sprawling sanctuary ranks as a top Sydney destination, with a range of tours, keeper talks, animal shows, and activities suitable for kids and adults. Visitors can see the fuzzy face of a native koala as it first wakes up from a nap, or stand a few feet from playful lemurs as they swing and play in the treetops. There are also opportunities to spot exotic species such as Malaysian sun bears, giraffes, and African lions, or marvel at a fearsome saltwater crocodile as it cruises through shallow waters.
The Basics:
The Taronga Zoo’s animals reside in 10 themed zones, each designed to resemble a natural habitat. Ticket options range from general entry tickets to admission with add-ons and upgrades such as supervised hand-feedings, behind-the-scenes experiences, and educational visits with Aboriginal guides to hear about the area’s indigenous connections to nature. There's even the chance to sleep at the zoo inside a classic safari tent, where visitors fall asleep to the sounds of the savanna but wake to views of the harbor. All tickets include a ride on the Sky Safari cable car, which glides above the zoo and provides an aerial view of the animals and Sydney Harbour. Those looking for convenience can book a tour that includes a Taronga Zoo visit, a Sydney Harbour cruise, and roundtrip transport from their hotel.
Things to Know Before You Go
Wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking through the extensive grounds.
The zoo is large and exhibits are spread out, so you might like to jump on the miniature train to get around.
All shows and presentations, food outlets, and shops are wheelchair accessible, as well as most exhibits and pathways, although some connecting paths are steep.
Multi-attraction tickets offer admission discounts to top destinations such as the Taronga Zoo, Sea Life Sydney Aquarium, the Sydney Opera House, and the Sydney Tower Eye.
How to Get There
Taronga Zoo is on Little Sirius Cove, a couple of inlets east of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The zoo is an easy and scenic 12-minute ferry ride from Circular Quay, from where ferries depart every 30 minutes. Ferries also depart daily from Darling Harbour and Manly. Upon arrival at the Taronga Wharf, either ride the Sky Safari cable car to the zoo entrance on top of the hill or take the zoo's shuttle bus from the ferry dock to the entrance gates. Public buses and trains also connect to the zoo, and paid parking is available.
When to Get There
The zoo is open daily from 9:30am to 4:30pm. Keeper talks take place throughout the day and are included with admission. Special events occur throughout the year, such as a summer evening concert series and a colorful light art exhibit during the city’s annual Vivid Sydney festival around May and June.
Views from the Zoo
Taronga is an aboriginal phrase that means “beautiful view.” Indeed, the zoo boasts sweeping views of Sydney Harbor and landmarks such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House. Snap a photo of giraffes with Sydney’s skyscrapers in the background, or soak in the scenery while relaxing at one of the picnic areas overlooking the harbor.
· Sydney Harbour Bridge Tours
Few sights are as instantly recognizable as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the grand centerpiece of Sydney Harbour and one of Australia’s most photographed landmarks. The historic structure dates to 1932 and is the world’s largest steel arch bridge. It’s also an important transport hub, linking downtown Sydney with the north shore, Manly, and the area’s northern beaches.
The Basics
Whether you walk beneath it, drive over it, or climb up it, you simply can’t miss the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and most city sightseeing tours include at least a glimpse of the iconic bridge. Walking and biking tours afford impressive panoramic city views from the bridge, while a Sydney Harbour cruise provides plenty of photo opportunities. Adventurous types can scale the summit on a Sydney BridgeClimb or even soar overhead on a helicopter tour.
Things to Know Before You Go
Car, bike, and pedestrian lanes run across the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Walking the length of the bridge takes about 15 minutes.
Tolls are in operation for the car lanes, while the walking and cycling lanes are free.
The bridge is not currently wheelchair accessible, with the pedestrian lanes reachable only by stairs.
How to Get to Sydney Harbour Bridge
Sydney Harbour Bridge is located in the heart of Sydney Harbour, opposite the Sydney Opera House, and can be reached by foot from anywhere in downtown Sydney. Pedestrian access to the bridge starts from Circular Quay in The Rocks or Milsons Point in North Sydney.
When to Get There
The Sydney Harbour Bridge is always open, but it can get busy, especially during rush hour. To beat the crowds, visit at sunrise or after dark, when the bridge is dramatically illuminated. For the most spectacular photo opportunities, time your visit for sunset or visit during Sydney’s legendary New Year’s Eve celebrations, when the bridge forms the focal point of the epic fireworks display.
Sydney Harbour Bridge by the Numbers
Using 52,800 tons of steel, it took 1,400 people more than eight years to build the Sydney Harbour Bridge. In addition to being one of the tallest bridges of its kind, it’s also the sixth-longest bridge in the world, measuring an impressive 3,770 feet (1,149 meters) long.
· Colonial Tramcar Tours
A must-do experience while you're in Melbourne, a meal at the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant is guaranteed to be a highlight of your visit. Offering both sightseeing and high-class dining, the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant is one of Melbourne's star attractions.
During your multi-course lunch or dinner, you'll glide through the city streets and on to South Melbourne, St Kilda, Prahran and Malvern aboard the tram. This restaurant-on-wheels is painted a distinctive glossy burgundy and is especially fitted out in velvet and brass like the luxurious Pullman-style European trains of the past.
You'll be welcomed aboard your 1948 Melbourne tram restaurant by a smiling maitre d' and be served by a friendly, professional team of silver-service waiters. Choose from a four-course lunch aboard Melbourne's tramcar restaurant, an early three-course dinner or a more leisurely five-course dinner later in the evening. Delicious meals featuring fresh local produce are prepared onboard the tram, and a wide choice of alcoholic beverages is available from the fully stocked bar.
· Great Ocean Road Tours
One of the world’s most famous driving routes, Victoria’s Great Ocean Road offers scenic surprises at every fork in the road. In signature Australian style, endless stretches of white sandy beaches are flanked by dense pockets of rain forest, charming coastal towns, and canopies populated by koalas. Read on to learn how to make the most of your Great Ocean Road tour.
The Basics
The best way to take in this spectacular stretch of highway is by car or coach, with the majority of driving tours departing from Melbourne and including a tour guide, roundtrip transportation, and a visit to the Twelve Apostles. Activities along the way may include wine tastings in Apollo Bay; spotting wild koalas in Kennett River; hiking along the shipwreck coast to witness the natural splendor of the Loch Ard Gorge; or pulling over at sunset to witness the Great Ocean Road at its most majestic. Day trips on the route tend to run upwards of 12 hours due to all of the driving and can be combined with a trip to Phillip Island for the famous penguin parade.
How to Get There
The Great Ocean Road is set 150 miles (240 km) southwest of Melbourne and 100 miles (165 km) from Geelong. It takes about three hours to arrive from Melbourne by road. Buses from these cities service major Great Ocean Road towns such as Torquay, Anglesea, Lorne, and Apollo Bay; however, a car is essential to take a road trip on the full 150-mile (243-km) route.
When to Get There
In December and January, the road’s small coastal towns are especially popular among Australians from New South Wales and South Australia cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide. Crowds can often dampen the tranquil atmosphere of the route; an off-season visit can help you avoid both traffic and the scorching summer sun.
Best Outdoor Experiences Along the Route
The crashing waves of the Southern Ocean are a paradise for surfers, who flock here from Melbourne in the thousands during the summer months. Seaside towns such as Geelong, Lorne, and Torquay (the undisputed capital of Australia’s surfing scene) offer whale watching and maritime history, while the monolithic rock columns of the Twelve Apostles are an iconic site known around the world.
For nature lovers, the rugged coastlines of Port Campbell National Park and the waterfalls and ancient forests of Great Otway National Park offer opportunities to see kangaroos, wallabies, fairy penguins, dolphins, and tiger snakes. Snorkelers and scuba divers can also experience the underwater wonderland of marine life at Twelve Apostles Marine National Park, an excellent place to swim beneath the rocks that rise majestically above corals and kelp forests.
