Beyond Sydney: Three Australian Getaways

Every country that you might be tempted to visit has its common places to see. If you go to the USA, for example, then chances are you’re going to want to head to New York. For France, it’s Paris that is the highlight. And for Australia, it’s Sydney. Like New York, Sydney might not be the capital of its country, but it’s definitely first on the list for any tourists wanting to take in the most common sights.

Of course, there is more to Australia than just Sydney – though it is tempting to think otherwise, given the way Sydney is emphasised in pretty much all tourism information. Given the fact Australia is a truly massive country, it should come as no surprise there are plenty of other places to visit – but where should be catching the ardent tourist eye?

Cairns, Queensland

Cairns is often referred to as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, which should give you some idea of the things you can do and see here. Located on the north-eastern coast of the country, if watersports are your thing, then Cairns should be your choice of destination.

Not only can you dive to the famous – though suffering – Great Barrier Reef itself, but you can also go deep sea fishing. If you’d rather stay on land, then the Kuranda rainforest awaits, along with a cable car journey that you will be talking about for years to come.

Perth, Western Australia

So going from coast to coast, let’s move from the east to the west and head for the capital of Western Australia. As with most major Australian landmarks, Perth is on the coast, which means that there’s plenty of ocean-related activities such as whale spotting to enjoy.

Outside of the water, you can take the chance to explore this beautiful region in your own time. There are a variety of places to go and things to do, including sandboarding (which is exactly what it sounds like) or a more sedate trip to the picturesque Lotterywest Federation Walkway. It might not be for the faint hearted, but you won’t regret it when you see the views from the top.

Alice Springs, Northern Territory

Finally, an option for those who want to explore beyond the coasts. Alice Springs is a relatively small town in the midst of the remote Northern Territory, but it’s the gateway to some of Australia’s most recognisable sites. Using Alice Springs as a base, you can daytrip to the iconic Uluru, which takes around 40 minutes to travel to. You can also visit Alice Springs’ own Desert Wildlife Park, where you can experience the amazing landscape and see for yourself the stunning animals that call it home.

Bear in mind that Alice Springs is remote, so don’t expect all the usual amenities. If, however, you can stand the heat (the mercury easily reaches 40C in the summertime, though it is cooler in the winter), then there’s plenty to explore in this barren, arid, yet utterly mesmeric landscape.

Images: Image 1 / Image 2 / Image 3