A visit to Australia is a dream to many, and with good reason. Australia is a land bathed in golden sunshine and filled with beautiful scenery, from the iconic Uluru (formerly Ayer’s Rock), to the Gold Coast with its azure waters, to vibrant and dynamic urban settlements like Sydney and Melbourne. Australia is a vast and diverse country, but wherever you choose to go you are guaranteed to find gorgeous outdoor retreats as well as a wealth of adventure spots and Australia’s signature water sports.
Belair National Park sprawls over 835 hectares and is a great choice if you want to try some traditional Australian bushwalking. There are a variety of trails to follow as well as tennis courts and picnic areas and this is a top spot to take in the local flora and fauna.
Travel Time: 16 minutes
Clothing: Make sure to wear sensible hiking boots if you are going to use the trails around the park.
Distance from city center: 2.6 km
Lake Burley Griffin is one of the highlights of a trip to Canberra and there are a range of ways to enjoy this picturesque spot. You can take to the lake on a paddle boat or rent a canoe or kayak, or if you fancy something a little more relaxing then there are also sightseeing boat tours available.
Travel Time: 7 minutes
Clothing: If you are going out on the lake make sure to wear waterproof clothes.
Distance from city center: 12.5 km
This park is known for its hiking trails as well as its walks that will take you past idyllic waterfalls and over cliffs. These cliffs provide 360 degree views of Adelaide and you can also enjoy rock climbing here if you want to do something a little more adventurous.
Travel Time: 23 minutes
Clothing: Make sure to wear long trousers if you plan on rock climbing.
Adelaide Zoo is an amazing chance to see a whole host of Australian animals like wallabies, kangaroos, crocodiles, and koalas. There are nocturnal animal areas as well as a colorful aviary and even a reptile house. The environments aim to mimic the natural habitat of the animals and this is a good chance to see a lot of species in a short amount of time.
Best mode of transport: On foot
Duration of travel: 7 minutes
Clothing: Wear long sleeved clothes in the winter months.
Hahndorf:
This used to be a German settlement which now pays homage to the history of the German community here. In the area you will find a chocolate factory as well as a strawberry farm where you can pick your own produce. Another attraction is the former home of Australian artist Sir Hans Heysen.
National Arboretum Canberra:
To see some of the best flora and fauna in Canberra, head to the National Arboretum Canberra where you will find a range of trees and plants from all corners of the globe. There are lookout points dotted around the area that offer breathtaking views across the arboretum.
Best mode of transport: Bus 81
Duration of travel: 50 minutes
Clothing: In the winter months thick clothing is recommended.
Batemans Bay:
Batemans Bay sits two hours outside of Canberra and is known for being a great holiday destination in the area. Here you will find sandy beaches and a quaint seaside town atmosphere although it can also get crowded in the summer months.
Glenelg:
Glenelg is a beachside area of Adelaide which has a long jetty and a range of cafes and restaurants. The beach here is attractive and you can enjoy the scenic beachside atmosphere.
West Beach:
West Beach makes an ideal spot if you want to go swimming and is close to neighboring Glenelg. The beach is made up of soft white sand and you can also find a range of restaurants dotted along the shore where you can get a bite to eat. There are jetties all along the coast here that allow you to hop from one beach to another.
Travel time:
1 hour by car (130837.54 Tanzanian shillings)
Canberra Center:
Canberra Center is one of the largest malls in the area and has a large covered section as well as City Walk, and outdoor mall area. There are a range of department stores in the mall as well as cafes, restaurants, and a food hall. You will find a selection of goods here including fashion, books, electronics, and gifts.
Tea Tree Plaza:
Tea Tree Plaza is one of the best loved malls in Adelaide and you will find some 250 shops here. These include apparel, books, electronics, and a range of other goods and you will also find selection of food outlets.
Belconnen Mall:
Belconnen Mall is a covered shopping center that features a Myer department store as well as a K-Mart. You will find three supermarkets here and there is a food court on the upper floors. The malls sells a range of goods although does not have a huge selection of fashion outlets.
This restaurant started out as a food truck but became so popular that they opened a branch in Wentworth Avenue. The burgers here are famous for being some of the best in the city and one of the favorites is beef and blue cheese.
Dumpling King & Charlie’s Shack (Corner of Grote and Moonta Streets)
Dumpling King & Charlie’s Shack is a restaurant that serves delicious Asian plates, so if you are in the mood for something a little different then this is the place to come. You can get plates of dumplings here as well as steaming bowls of Vietnamese pho or Malaysian laksa.
Elephant Walk (76 Melbourne St, +61 8 8267-2006)
Elephant Walk is a small and charming eatery that is known for its straw partitions that allow you an intimate and secluded dining experience. There is no booking system here and it often gets full quickly so make sure to arrive early.
Cube Nightclub is one of the hottest spots in Canberra if you are looking for a party. There are different dance floor areas within the club and it is also famous for its DJs who play a range of dance music. There are also drag shows that are a popular attraction here.
Electric Circus (17 Crippen Place, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia; +61 882127433)
Electric Circus is a nightclub that is designed to reflect an industrial theme. There are a selection of DJs who play nightly including both national and international names. The music here is eclectic and you can find everything from thumping techno to R&B.
Lava Nightclub is a nightclub that also has a glamorous cocktail lounge area attached. You will find a range of themed nights here and the music is retro and played by resident DJs.
List of nationalities who have permission for Visa free entries: N/A
List of nationalities who can have Visa on arrival:
New Zealand. Nationals of all other countries need to apply for a visa before arrival.
Any nationalities who are not eligible to travel to that country or can travel under certain conditions: N/A
Drug use is illegal in Australia and can result in a fine or imprisonment.
Prostitution is legal in Australia as long as it takes place on private property. Soliciting in public places is illegal.
The legal drinking age in Australia is 18.
Australia is a safe country to visit and violent crime against tourists is rare.
There remains a risk of terrorism in Australia.
There are no special vaccinations recommended for people traveling to Australia.
The land of Australia is said to date back around 50,000 years when the first Australian, the aboriginals, would have settled here. The indigenous Australians believed in spirit worship and a close relationship with the land, before immigrants started to come in their waves some years later. Australia was used as a penal colony for many years as criminals were expelled from the British Isles and transported to Australia to undertake hard labor. There are also many immigrants here from neighboring countries such as Southeast Asia and with this in mind Australia has a strong multi-cultural atmosphere. The official language of Australia is English and many aboriginal languages are also spoken in local communities.
