Geographically and economically the lands that come under the banner of Oceania are literally miles apart. Stretching across the Pacific, from New Guinea in the west to Sala y Gomez Island in the east and Hawaii in the northeast, there is a sharp contrast in the economy, culture, and landscape. The globally competitive financial markets of New Zealand and Australia are in sharp contrast to the low economies of Tuvalu and Kiribati or the other Pacific islands like Tonga and Fiji. Likewise, with the population, multicultural cities such as Melbourne and Auckland are bustling with life and far removed from some of the most remote islands that make up this region, such as Niue in Polynesia and the Keeling Islands of Australia.
Pristine beaches fringed with swaying palms, rugged volcanic mountains rising out of the blue waters and stunning coral reefs; the most famous being the Great Barrier Reef, characterize this part of the world. With its abundant and diverse marine life, Oceania is a diver’s paradise. Scuba divers converge on Vanuatu to marvel at what lies beneath the waves, while those seeking the exotic experience of an island destination make a beeline for Hawaii, Fiji or Bora Bora. Australia and New Zealand characterized by diverse landscapes, unique animals and beautiful islands draw visitors by the thousands too. Oceania with its indigenous people, stunning landscapes and enchanting wildlife is a land waiting to be explored.
Perth, the capital city of Western Australia, is the most isolated capital city in the world. It is not quite the bustling metropolis that Sydney is, nor does it boast the quirkiness of Melbourne’s coffee connoisseurs and music lovers, but Perth is a vibrant, energetic city whose claims to fame includes picture-perfect beaches with Mediterranean…
If there is one city where everyone feels at home, that is Melbourne. This beautiful metropolis is made up of people from all over the world, 38% of its population was born overseas. Victoria’s vibrant capital is a wonderful city that is often ranked amongst the world’s most livable each year. It is a city…
Hobart is the southernmost city of the Australian continent that is situated on the island state of Tasmania. The beautiful Hobart is also a very popular tourist destination as it offers a number of beautiful and picturesque locations to all the tourists. The city is often considered to be a hub of history, culture, food,…
Gold Coast is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Australia (just an hour’s drive from Brisbane). Situated in the eastern state of Queensland, this place is all about sandy beaches, amazing waterways, surfing sports, and some of the most amazing amusement parks. Thus, all the tourists are surely going to have a great…
Canberra, the capital city of Australia is the political hub of the country. At the same time, this city also happens to be one of the most sought-after tourist destinations for tourists at large. Every year, a majority of tourists plan their itinerary in this beautiful city of Canberra and the city doesn’t disappoint them…
Situated on the eastern coast of North Queensland, Australia, the city of Cairns is famous as the gateway to one of the seven Natural Wonders of the World, the Great Barrier Reef. Once known for gold mining, the present Cairns is a sprawling urban township and a major port for the export of Australia’s natural…
Brisbane one of the oldest cities in Australia, is the capital of the Sunshine State, Queensland. The city was established in 1825 but suffered a major developmental setback in the Great Fire of Brisbane in 1864. Another natural calamity in 1893, the Great Brisbane Flood also caused considerable damage to the developing city. Today the…
Adelaide is known to be the capital city of South Australia. The city is considered to be a very sophisticated and vibrant city that entertains a very rich cultural heritage. The tourists here are often intrigued by the beautiful sights of some of the most amazing gardens, museums, and markets here. This makes the city…
The fun never seems to stop in the Land Down Under. There’s always something to see and do for every type of travelers. That includes Brisbane. A lot of people think of Sydney, Melbourne, or Perth when it comes to visiting Australia. But the real fun actually lies in Brisbane. First of all, the city’s…
Cosmopolitan Sydney has long been one of the world’s favorite vacation destinations, and its vibrant gay culture makes it an LGBT hotspot too. It’s one of Australia’s most gay-friendly cities, along with Melbourne and Canberra. A great portion of the action revolves around western Oxford Street. So, it was no surprise that many of the…
The utterly gorgeous Far North Queensland is one steamy, tropical, and world-class destination for exploring the Great Barrier Reef. The charming Port Douglas overlooking the Coral Sea is the jewel in the crown and is equal parts vivacious and hedonistic. It boasts an ethereal Four Mile beach, a million-dollar marina, and excellent opportunities for scuba…
Perth sits right at the western end of Australia and might just be one of the most remote cities ever. However, don’t let the ‘isolation’ fool you. Underneath a near-permanent blue sky, the Western Australian city brimmed with exceptional cuisine, utopian beaches, and the crystal-clear waters of the Indian Ocean. Perth also happens to be…
While LGBT travelers might be hard-pressed to find exclusively gay hotels in Melbourne, Australia, there are hundreds of excellent gay-friendly alternatives. Victoria’s capital city enjoys a worldwide reputation for being warm and welcoming to all, including those who fly the rainbow flag. And that flag sure soars, particularly during the annual queer-tastic Midsumma Festival. Like…
The capital of the Australian island of Tasmania, Hobart, is the country’s smallest and most historic capital. It sits at the southeastern edge of the River Derwent, overlooking the Tasman Sea. Besides the obviously mesmerizing meld of culture and art, we also loved Hobart and its quaint Colonial architecture, for which it’s famous. What’s more,…
The dazzling strip of sand that is the Gold Coast in Australia’s Queensland is the country’s most iconic holiday destination. It begins a little south-southeast of Brisbane and continues almost till Coolangatta, which is the last town before New South Wales. With shimmering high-rises, pristine white sands, and the blue waters of the Coral Sea,…
The gorgeous Daylesford in Victoria, along with its neighboring twin Hepburn Springs, is one of Australia’s most famous spa retreats. The Italian-Swiss-founded town lies an hour northwest of Melbourne in the Great Dividing Range. Its origins might go back to the Gold Rush, but now as we stepped into it, we saw some 70-odd hot…
The capital of the Northern Territory, Darwin, is the only tropical capital in Australia. It’s a famed gateway to the Top End, which is widely considered Australia’s last frontier. In fact, it felt removed from the rest of the country, and Bali feels like it’s right across the Timor Sea, which it actually is! Besides…
Since becoming Australia’s capital in 1927, Canberra has been the definition of cool. For it’s home to exquisite culinary and top-notch cultural experiences in the form of museums and more. And a short jaunt out of the city even brought us to the gorgeous lakeshore and fauna-filled bushland reserves. What’s more, Australia is also an…
It’s hard to believe that the buzzing Australian city of Cairns overlooking the Coral Sea was once a boggy swamp and a gold rush port. Today, Cairns, pronounced ‘cans,’ is the top destination for exploring Far North Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef. The unabashed tourist town and its surroundings are also home to the…
Sun-kissed Brisbane has been overturning stereotypes to become Australia’s new ‘It’ city. The capital of Queensland sits pretty on the banks of the eponymous Brisbane River on Australia’s east coast. Brisbane has grown out of the shadows of Melbourne and Sydney to become a destination in its own right. It’s toasty even in the winter…
Cultured, sophisticated Adelaide, the cosmopolitan coastal capital of South Australia, is infused with multicultural flavors. Overlooking the Great Australian Bight and the Indian Ocean beyond, Adelaide has it all. Think hip bars and pubs, a pulsating live music and arts scene, and a festival calendar that has livened Saturday nights. But that doesn’t mean that…
Sydney is the oldest as well as the largest city in Australia. It is one of the most beautiful, cosmopolitan and safe metropolises in the world. There is far more charm and personality to this scenic city than many give her credit for. With a wide range of attractions such as the iconic beaches, delicious cuisine,…
The continent of Australia with its unique flora and fauna and ever-changing landscapes is a land full of surprises and discoveries. The largest country in Oceania, Australia is also home to numerous smaller islands scattered around it. Most people are familiar with the biggest of its islands, Tasmania, but not many are aware of the…
Sydney has a visual wow factor with its gorgeous beaches, glorious harbor, and natural beauty juxtaposed with stunning architecture. Another thing that’s amazing about the city is that you don’t need to worry about getting into the city if you have a late night or early morning flight – in or out. Staying runway-adjacent in…