Australian Memories

Set around the shores of the beautiful Port Philip Bay, Melbourne is a visibly planned city, seen in its rectangular shape and a grid of tidily angled streets. A city of over three and a half million people, Melbourne is a lovely contrast of tranquil nature and bustling urbanity, conveyed through beautiful parks and waterways interspersed all through the metropolis. There is also an interesting blend of architecture, Victorian-era buildings of the Gold Rush mixed in with steel and chrome skyscrapers. It is a city with something for everyone: chic bars; exclusive restaurants and boutiques; botanic gardens; laneway cafes; sport stadiums and an effervescent and diverse music culture. Lying on the banks of the tranquil Yarra River, Melbourne captivates you with its lively cosmopolitan buzz, and gifts you a giddy sense of high adventure.

Weather:
Spring: September to November 9-19 C
Summer: December to February 13-25 C
Autumn: March to May 11-20 C
Winter: June to August 6-14 C

Shopping:
Everyone is spoilt for choice in Melbourne, with something for every taste and budget. The city is full of laneway shops, shopping centres and arcades. All is available, from locally-designed originals to the best of international brands. Melbourne's shopping precincts pack the unique, the eclectic and the quirky. Explore the Block, Cathedral and Royal arcades, Degraves and Crossley streets, Presgrave and Centre places. The Camberwell Market is also a must visit: a Sunday institution at Melbourne, it has over 300 stalls displaying wares that include clothing, antiques, and local arts and crafts.

Must Do:
Melbourne is a city that simply buzzes with activity. Film and food festivals are constant, and the music scene is eclectic and rich. Theatres and galleries allow you to discover some of the local art and intellectual activity. Melbourne also has a vibrant coffee culture, teeming from the laneways and arcades, with street cafes and alfresco diners around every other corner. Try Degraves Street for the small eateries, serving everything from sushi to soup to pasta. The enigmatic Hell's Kitchen at Centre Place, and the historic Hopetoun Tea Rooms, are also must tries. The nightlife in Melbourne is energetic and vibrant; with nightclubs, pubs and live music venues featuring jazz and rock. Don't forget to visit the verdant botanical gardens such as Birrarung Marr and the Royal Botanical Gardens. An experience of a lifetime are the world famous Melbourne Zoo and the state-of-the-art Melbourne Aquarium, where you are introduced to the native wildlife and other exotic species.

Travel Tools:
ISD Code: +61
Currency: Australian Dollar (AUD) - 1 AUD is approximately 37 Indian Rupees (INR)
Time Zone: GMT + 10 hours. IST +4:30 hours
Voltage: 220V - 240V

The Gold Coast is one of the most developed regions of Australia, and offers something for everyone, and beaches, theme parks, malls, condominiums, restaurants and skyscrapers line the shore. The Gold Coast offers a fascinating contrast between the sea and the land, technology and nature's splendour. It is an area stretching over 35 km along the coast, northwards from Coolangatta on Queensland's southern border, and inwards into the beautiful Hinterland, which contains National Parks, rolling hills, canyons and waterfalls.

Weather:
Spring: September to November 15-25 C
Summer: December to February 20-28 C
Autumn: March to May 16-26 C
Winter: June to August 11-21 C

Shopping:
The Gold Coast has everything from airport sized malls to tiny boutiques to roadside and beachfront markets. Local art and craft markets, like the Carrara Markets, are also must visits. There are souvenirs galore: buy yourself kangaroo T-shirts, boomerangs, cowboy boots and hats.

Must Do:
Explore the many, many beaches along the Gold Coast and try the many restaurants and experience local cuisines. Explore the Burleigh Heads National Park. Discover the Gold Coast Art Gallery. For a truly panoramic view of the Coast, look out the observation deck of Q1, the world's tallest residential building. Take a tour to one of the vineyards, or take a 4WD tour across bush tracks, or charter a boat to relish the clear water of the Pacific Ocean. Regain the child in yourself; visit one of the many theme/amusement parks like Sea World, or Dreamworld. Or you could just visit the "Ripley's Believe It or Not!" museum.

Travel Tools
ISD Code: +61
Currency: Australian Dollar (AUD) - 1 AUD is approximately 37 Indian Rupees (INR)
Time Zone: GMT + 10 hours. IST +4:30 hours
Voltage: 220V - 240V

Australia's oldest and biggest city, Sydney is considered the 'Gateway to Australia'. The Sydney Harbour is one of the best in the world, and is simply stunning in its display of sheer architectural brilliance. The Opera House is a landmark that is recognized the world over, and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, built in 1932, is a marvel of artistry and technology. There are ferries, kayaks, ocean liners, and yachts all jostling for a view. All this is just the harbour, the rest of the truly global city is beautiful in its own way, energetic and laid-back at the same time. Its vibrant cultural scene is well complemented by its wide-ranging food scene and beautifully contrasting cityscape that's a blend between colonial and contemporary architecture. World famous beaches and national parks that teem with nature's beauty also contribute in giving Sydney its iconic personality.

Weather:
Spring: September to November 13-21 C
Summer: December to February 18-26 C
Autumn: March to May 14-22 C
Winter: June to August 9-16 C

Shopping:
Sydney has a host of precincts that are dedicated to the fine art of shopping. Haymarket's Chinatown has the Market City, famous for its Friday Night Markets. It's a place you can indulge in a mix of cultural vibrancy, entertainment, street theatre, fine food, alfresco shopping and outdoor dining. It is also famous for affordable designer fashion and has over 30 factory clearance outlets. The Rocks, near the Harbour Bridge, has Sydney's best: traditional handicrafts; with cutting edge design, a classic French patisserie, sheepskin shops, and the oldest pub in the country. The Rocks is also has highly individual shops like The Puppet Shop, and the Card Framing Company. There are over 15 galleries at The Rocks, selling works of world famous Australian artists and photographers. All this is accentuated by the panoramic harbour views. A visit to Sydney Fish Market is also essential: vibrant and bustling, it teems with sights, sounds, and smells, and offers visitors and locals alike the opportunity to experience an authentic working fish market.

Must Do:
There is much to do at Sydney, and much you must do, whatever the duration of your visit. Here's a list: frolic and people watch at the Bondi, Palm, and Manly Beaches. Take a ferry across the harbour at sunset and at night. Try the excellent food, and experience the nightlife at The Rocks and Chinatown. Watch a street performer. Climb to the very top of the over-arching Sydney Harbour Bridge. Visit the Taronga Zoo or Sydney Wildlife World. You can also take skippered yacht or a jet boat from Darling Harbour, for a truly magical experience.

Travel Tools
ISD Code: +61
Currency: Australian Dollar (AUD) - 1 AUD is approximately 37 Indian Rupees (INR)
Time Zone: GMT + 10 hours. IST +4:30 hours
Voltage: 220V - 240V