Adelaide
When the early colonists arrived and began building Adelaide, they used stone. They wanted to build a solid, dignified calm place, in a manner no other state capital in the country could match and it was renowned for the disproportionately large number of churches.
Today, pubs and nightclubs outnumber the churches.
After a day in the cities museums and art galleries if you fancy a European-style cabaret venue with a turn-of-the-century feel and a range of shows including flamenco, tango, theatre sports, jazz, Big Bands and cabaret acts you have to try the super cool Weimar Room for a truly Euro ambience.
Alice Springs
The central Australian capital of Alice Springs is a combination of heritage and modern facilities.
Within easy reach are colourful outback culture, ancient Dreamtime lore and fabulous nature
Described Alice Springs as the perfect base for an outback holiday, it gives easy access to many natural wonders including Uluru/Kata Tjuta National Park, Watarrka National Park (Kings Canyon) and the MacDonnell Ranges.
Nestled against a backdrop of the spectacular MacDonnell Ranges, just 10 minutes drive from the centre of Alice Springs, is the Alice Springs Desert Park, which showcases the landscapes, animals and plants of Australia's deserts and their traditional use and management by Aboriginal people.
Despite its pioneering roots, Alice Springs has emerged as an attractive town, with a mall, shopping precincts, casino, and a range of cafes and restaurants waiting to welcome the visitor.
Brisbane
Brisbane has lost its reputation as a backwater and emerged as one of the country's most progressive centres.
With several interesting districts, a good street cafe scene, a great riverside park, a busy cultural calendar and a thriving nightlife make this a happening place.
Bris Vegas, as it is known locally, is renowned for its sun and the brash, glitzy hordes that follow it. One must not forget it is also the arts capital of Queensland, with dozens of theatres, cinemas, concert halls, galleries and museums.
A climate this good and culture too? It must be paradise.
Broome
Broome is Western Australia's secret getaway - right on the doorstep of the Indian Ocean and the gateway to Australia's last frontier of pristine wilderness - the Kimberley.
Cable Beach is regarded as one of the most stunning beaches in the world; the beach stretches 24 kilometres along the coast. Its clean white sand is an ideal spot to watch the incredible sunsets over the Indian Ocean.
A short camel ride is a good way to enjoy Cable Beach and to relax in the tropical tranquillity. Broome Camel Safaris offers sunset rides along the pearl-white sands lapped by azure waters.
Broome is a bird watchers paradise. Broome Bird Observatory is one of the top bird watching spots in the world. From September to March each year, around 800,000 migratory shorebirds from Siberia visit the area on the shores of Roebuck Bay.
Broome owes its existence to the Pinctada Maxima - the world's largest pearl oyster shell - discovered in Roebuck Bay in 1861. The giant pinctada shells caused a sensation overseas and soon a melting pot of nationalities flocked to the shores of Broome in the hope of making their fortune. Japanese, Malays and Koepangers joined the Aboriginal pearl divers, whilst the Chinese became the shopkeepers in town.
Today, remnants of Broome's exotic past are everywhere. The town's multicultural society ensures a wonderful array of gourmet cuisines, colourful characters and cultural influences.
Pearling still remains a thriving industry and the world famous South Sea pearls feature in Chinatown's string of pearl galleries.
Broome has a climate to boast about with warm sunny days, balmy nights and spectacular storms during the tropical summer season. Not to mention the unforgettable spectacle of sunset on Cable Beach!
Broome will capture your soul. Many never want to leave.
Canberra
The nation’s capital is home to many of Australia’s most important public buildings, art works and institutions. Canberra is a great place to enjoy a well-planned city with its parks, gardens and surrounds.
Sometimes known as the bush capital Canberra is the perfect place to pull on your walking shoes, or hire a bike, and get out into the open air. With its green spaces and some 120 kilometres of dedicated bicycle paths, Canberra is the perfect place to get out and about in.
You can walk or cycle around the huge Lake Burley Griffin, or hire a small paddleboat or a kayak and take to the water.
Walking options include hiking through Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, on the edge of the city, where you can see kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, platypus and plenty of birds in their natural environment. Namadgi National Park also offers great bush walks and chances to see hundreds of kangaroos.
Try horse riding on trail rides around Canberra, where the rural countryside abounds with kangaroos and cattle, or another experience you will not forget is a hot-air balloon ride over the city at dawn, followed by a champagne breakfast.
Golf is another popular option with locals and visitors with eleven challenging golf courses scattered throughout the city and green fees are generally inexpensive.
Canberra has a host of attractions for the visitor from exploring art galleries to horse riding in the bush. Canberra Attractions
Cairns
The heart of the tropical north, Cairns offers great access to reef and islands and is a perfect base for exploring the wider region.
With all sorts of tours, departing the city daily there is plenty to do, one of the most popular day-tour options from Cairns is the Kuranda hinterland or you should not miss a visit to the reef.
Take the Sky rail Rainforest Cableway or the Kuranda Scenic Railway and explore the bustling Kuranda Township.
Walk through the rainforest, stop for a photo at the Barron River Gorge and make sure you leave plenty of time to stroll through the markets.
Despite all these attractions outside Cairns, you’ll be tempted to extend your stay in this sophisticated modern city. With its tree-lined streets, Cairns offers great shopping malls, efficient transport, sophisticated hotels, cosmopolitan restaurants, cafes and nightclubs and a lifestyle that is in keeping with contemporary city living. Don’t miss the night markets on Cairns Esplanade for a shopping treat.
Dining in Cairns offers a choice of Australian and international cuisine with most menus featuring the region's fresh seafood and unusual tropical fruits.
As for entertainment, there are excellent theatres, galleries, nightclubs and the glass-domed Reef Hotel Casino with four separate gaming areas.
A pleasant surprise is how close and accessible everything is in Cairns. The airport is only a few minutes drive from the city centre and visiting cruise liners and yachts moor at a marina and wharves only a short walk away from the main centre.
Darwin
Darwin the 'capital' of northern Australia is closer to Jakarta than it is to Sydney, and closer to Singapore than it is to Melbourne, so it should come as no surprise that this cosmopolitan city, that is home more than 50 ethnic groups, is buzzing with a lively selection of entertainment including nightclubs, a casino, theatres restaurants and internationally famous multi cultural markets.
This ethnic mix means the food is great! Not only will you taste great seafood or try crocodile, buffalo, camel and emus, you can take your pick of cuisine with Asian and European influences. You'll never want for a 'coldie', (cold beer) here, but you can also enjoy fine restaurants serving the best in fine wines.
Darwin harbour, twice the size of Sydney harbour, opens out onto the brilliant, jewel-like waters of the Arafura Sea. This vibrant, tropical city has a free-spirited, open-air lifestyle and offers a range of waterfront delights.
Beaches, bays and waterholes abound waiting to be explored and enjoyed. The beaches are popular places to cool off on a hot day - Darwin has an average daily temperature in the low 30s (Celsius).
From May to October, the dry season, visit Casuarina, Fannie Bay, Mindil and Vestys Beaches, all close to the city.
From late October to early May, venomous box jellyfish make beaches and open waterways places to avoid. Fortunately, Darwin has plenty of popular freshwater swimming spots nearby, to let you still enjoy a swim or a day by the water during these times. These spots include Howard Springs, Berry Springs and Manton Dam.
The harbour itself offers a host of activities; there is nothing like a sunset cruise, and keen divers will want to explore the many sunken wrecks - there thanks to Darwin's involvement in World War II!
The wharf precincts are perfect for those who like to dine out with a view over the water. The Darwin Wharf precinct and Cullen Bay are becoming major tourist attractions.
Gold Coast
Described as one of the most beautiful areas in the world the sunny "Gold Coast" Queensland offers many things to see and do all within very close proximity to the city centre and is Australia's leading tourist destination.
Millions of visitors come here each year from around the world drawn by the championship golf courses, sandy beaches and lovely Hinterland for bush walking and sightseeing.
With many fine restaurants catering for all tastes, great shopping, sporting and entertainment facilities.
The Gold Coast has a pleasant climate all year round and caters particularly well to the varied needs of all travellers.
National parks, subtropical rainforests, waterfalls, deep valleys and rolling plains in the vast mountainous region form the perfect backdrop for the Gold Coast.
With over a 160kms of graded walking tracks to help you explore volcanic caves, rock pools, rain forest and scenic lookouts.
The Hinterland offers a range of first class facilities and country style hospitality accompanied by some of the most beautiful flora and fauna found anywhere in Australia.
Hobart
Hobart is Australia's southernmost capital city. The fact that it is also the smallest is the part of its particular charm.
A riverside city with a busy harbour and mountain backdrop Hobart offers fine views over the beautiful Georgian buildings, numerous parks and compact suburbs below.
The city's has a conservative and provincial reputation among some mainlanders that is undeserved. Hobart town has a thriving arts and crafts scene and a real sense of history and for walking, eating and just soaking in the atmosphere it can't be bettered.
No trip to Hobart would be complete without a visit to the Hope and Anchor Tavern. Dating from 1807 this old wood finished pub has lounge bars downstairs, open fires and serves a great range of bar snacks.
Melbourne
Melbourne is a lively, sophisticated city packed with shops, restaurants, bars and cafes in wide, leafy boulevards and tiny, atmospheric laneways that beckon to be explored.
Melbourne operates a range of imaginative programs and a state-of-the-art visitor information centre at Federation Square.
Wander the city’s broad boulevards and narrow lanes and you’ll discover a wealth of places in which to drink, catch-up with friends or dance until dawn.
Once-forgotten warehouses and obscure lanes have emerged as designer-cool caves for patrons’ drinking pleasure.
Choose from cocktail lounges and vibrant pubs to underground dance dens and live music venues.
Drinks of every style and flavour can be found in the many bars and clubs, from European beers to the latest cocktails and everything in between.
You can dance the night away to upbeat acid jazz, recline on an old couch in a retro kitsch lounge room, or just have a pot in a pub. And of course, the city doesn’t stop – Melbourne is the ultimate party town!
Perth
There is plenty to do in the Western Australian capital. Perth is a sophisticated, scenic city.
There is plenty to see and do in Perth. Trams and courtesy busses help you explore the city or you may want to take part in the many water sports on the Swan River or enjoy a glass of Western Australian wine in a riverside or beachside restaurant; or explore one of the city’s most popular icons - the 400 hectares of natural bush that form the spectacular Kings Park in the centre of the city.
Perth is also the home of the world’s oldest operating mint; numerous museums and art galleries, historic character buildings, a five-star resort and casino and a great variety of shopping.
Perth offers good shopping, world-class golf courses, countless outdoor activities and experiences to enjoy, and over 80 kilometres of white sandy beaches to sunbathe on.
A popular beach is Cottesloe, a pretty crescent of sand with safe swimming and a small surf break. Another one popular with locals and visitors alike is Scarborough, which has white sand stretching for miles.
Perth is an ideal base from which you can explore the diverse surrounding attractions too. You can visit wineries with sumptuous lunches, swim with wild dolphins in their natural environment, holiday on an island bouncing with native marsupials, and explore the colourful port city of Fremantle.
Sydney
Sunny, sophisticated - Sydney basks as the shining star of the southern hemisphere. The stunning Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge are the pride and joy, but there's so much more on offer.
Sydney's sparkling harbour is the jewel in the city's crown. It's flanked by golden beaches and bush land. One of the most famous bridges in the world spans the harbour and islands sprinkle its waters where all manner of craft, from water taxis and yachts to tour boats and ferries, can be seen.
They say that Sydney never sleeps. The city buzzes with life and performances during the day. All-night pubs, cutting-edge dance clubs, and gay reviews on trendy Oxford Street, could keep you out until dawn.
Fancy a late-night meal or a final coffee - that's not a problem in Sydney throughout the city you can find restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets - the inner-city suburb of Newtown has everything from cheap Vietnamese and Indonesian food through to African and French cuisine, while another inner-city suburb, Glebe, is famous for both sophisticated and down-to-earth eateries.
Some of Sydney's best restaurants are at Circular Quay, while a whole string of up-market restaurants dot the landscape in the historic Rocks area, the city centre and inner city Kings Cross. Don't miss Doyles on the Beach, a ferry ride away from the city at Watson's Bay. It's one of the best seafood restaurants and has a fabulous seaside setting. As for Bondi and Manly - they're almost bursting at the seams.
Recent developments include East Circular Quay, where up-market outdoor eateries line the boardwalk to the Opera House. Elsewhere there's a harbour-side feel to the quality restaurants at Finger Wharf at Woolloomooloo, and at Cockle Bay and Darling Harbour, where you can sit inside or out, and enjoy the passing parade.
Sydney is fortunate too to have a healthy cafe culture, due in part to its many ethnic influences. Quality cafes are everywhere, with some of the most atmospheric scattered around the suburb of Darlinghurst, a short walk from Kings Cross City Rail station.
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