Simply Australia

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

The ideal tourist town, Cairns has unlimited accommodation, myriad dining options, sprawling markets and a vibrant culture. It's the gateway to the astonishingly beautiful Great Barrier Reef, and to tropical rainforests nestled within mountain ranges. The city has a carnival atmosphere all year round, and is booming with people of various cultures. A stunning region to indulge in, it also offers a host of adventure activities, and is a great centre for aboriginal arts and crafts. Cairns is also the perfect base from which to explore locations like Port Douglas and Cape Tribulation.

Weather:
Spring: September to November 18-30 C
Summer: December to February 23-31 C
Autumn: March to May 20-30 C
Winter: June to August 18-26 C

Shopping:
Shopping in Cairns is a souvenir collector's paradise, with the world famous Night Markets on The Esplanade and the Mud Markets at Pier Marketplace providing a kaleidoscope of possibilities. The Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, Gallery & Store is the perfect place to come for authentic Aboriginal goods like authentic termite-made didgeridoos or genuine returning boomerangs.

Must Do:
A tourist boomtown situated in unmatched natural splendour, Cairns has something for everyone. Indulging in the various bars and restaurants of The Esplanade, you can absorb the unique blend of traditional Queensland style and modern architecture. There are many adventure sports to try you hand at, like bungee jumping, white water rafting, or skydiving, whichever tickles you. Then there's the Great Barrier Reef, how can one forget that? Snorkel, or take a glass-bottomed boat, to observe to fascinating marine life and corals through crystal clear water. You can even take the aerial view of it on a sea-plane. Other places to visit are: Ellis Beach, Palm Cove, Kewarra Beach, Riversleigh Fossil Fields, and the Reef Casino. Take treks through the tropical rainforests, enjoy the botanical gardens, laze around on white sand beaches, there's nothing you cannot do in and around Cairns.

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