Australia, New Zealand, and a few neighboring islands make up the part of Oceania known as Australasia, although there are slight variations to its definition. Australia considers New Guinea also to be a part of Australasia while New Zealand only includes Australia and itself as part of this region.
Australasia is a land of contrasts, with snowcapped mountain peaks, stunning beaches, a desert region, and breathtakingly beautiful fjords. It’s renowned for the spectacular Great Barrier Reef which has a myriad of marine life and also for its beautiful islands with their diverse yet unique flora and fauna. The history of this region visible in the rock art of the Kakadu National Park goes back 20,000 years while the gleaming spires of modern cities is a testament to the huge strides towards the future that the region has taken. Its cities are continuously ranked in the top category of the most livable cities in the world, with Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, and Auckland making the top cut. It is also home to one of the cleanest cities in the world, Brisbane. Although the indigenous population is a minority in both countries, the Aboriginal and Maori influences are evident in the music, dance, and art.
We’ll go as far as saying that Queenstown is probably South Island, New Zealand’s (NZ) crown jewel. It’s a veritable snow chaser’s paradise and one of the country’s top skiing destinations. That’s not surprising, given that there are not one but three excellent skiing regions less than an hour’s drive from the town center! If that…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
New Zealand was Oceania’s first country to legalize gay marriage, thus transforming it into a hub for the LGBTQ population of the region. Hence, its cities are extremely open-minded in general, and Auckland’s no exception. So, as LGBTQ travelers looking for gay accommodation in Auckland, we found no shortage of options. We loved the wide…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Sydney is easily one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. This vibrant city is known for its mesmerizing beaches, the iconic Opera House, and amazing zoos. It’s not surprising that there are plenty of accommodation options in the city, including those near the airport. Staying near the airport is convenient, as you…
Having an overlay in Sydney and looking for the cheapest hotels near Sydney Airport? Lucky for you, there are plenty of accommodation options only minutes away from the airport. Staying in one of them means you don’t have to go to the airport earlier than you should, and many of them also provide you with…
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…
Sydney is the capital city of New South Wales, Australia. In addition to being one of Australia’s biggest cities, Sydney is also one of the busiest. Coined as Australia’s cosmopolitan, economic and financial capital, Sydney swarms with tourists and business people alike. No surprise that there are many excellent options for a Sydney business hotel…
Sydney is a top destination for almost every visitor to Australia. Whether you’re looking for cosmopolitan nightlife, a beautiful city, easy public transport, great cafes, or a cultural experience, Sydney has something for you! It’s also a popular destination for young backpackers who are looking to socialize, meet fellow travelers, and have a good time!…
Auckland is often the arrival destination for travelers who wish to visit New Zealand. However, this city is more than just a stopover! As one of the biggest cities in the South Pacific, the City of Sails is full of nightlife, bars, restaurants, shopping, and other entertainment. Auckland is an excellent place, and if you’re…
If there’s one place that’ll never fail to amaze you, it’s Auckland. The Metropolitan is packed with tons of diverse attractions. From thrilling activities for adrenaline junkies, natural astonishing sites to magnificent galleries for culture vultures, New Zealand’s most populous city has it all. And if you’re planning on visiting The City of Sails in…
There are times where the best thing to do when you’re on a vacation is to stay close to the airport, especially if it’s within easy reach to many family-friendly attractions. That way, you can be entirely sure that you won’t miss your flight and have an unforgettable trip at the same time. Christchurch Airport…
Melbourne is one of the best cities in the world. Oddly enough, many people don’t know that this is actually not the capital city of Australia ; it’s Canberra. If you ask some people, they may think even Sydney is the capital city. Even though both cities are popular, Melbourne has its own charm that’s…
When we think of Australia, Sydney is probably the first to come to mind. Yes, the capital city of Australia is Canberra, but Sydney has captured travelers’ hearts in its own way. Sydney is the metropolitan city on the east coast of Australia with a rapidly growing economy and tourism. With some of the most…
Not only it’s the capital of Western Australia, but Perth is also one of the most interesting cities on the continent. There are so many reasons to visit Perth. It has cool city vibes, beautiful beaches, quirky food and drink scenes, striking landscapes, stunning national parks as well as refreshing hangout spots. With a moderate…
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…
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,…