Australia & New Zealand

A laid back city with a peaceful atmosphere, Adelaide’s quiet streets are lined with bars, which make it a surprisingly fun place to go out in; there are lots of great music venues worth checking out. Nicknamed ‘the city of churches’, the lofty spires dotted about here and there add to the picturesque nature of Adelaide and there are lots of nice parks and green spaces for locals and visitors alike to enjoy. With some great museums on offer as well as fantastic restaurants and art galleries, the highlight of the year is undoubtedly ‘Mad March,’ when the city host numerous festivals, events and shows at the same time.

The capital of Western Australia, Perth is very isolated from the rest of the country, yet is routinely considered one of the most livable cities in the world thanks to its laidback vibe, fantastic cultural sites, and range of services on offer. A youthful place, Perth is nearly always bathed in sunshine and its stunning beaches are perfect for kicking back and relaxing on. Away from the beach, there are lots of outdoor activities for you to enjoy. There are loads of fantastic museums on offer as well as some great shopping options in this city of nearly two million people. With a huge of variety of bars, cafes and restaurants, isolated Perth is the perfect gateway to the rest of the west.

Occupied by Aboriginal people for over 40,000 years, Kakadu National Park has over five thousand ancient rock art sites which are fascinating to visit. It is a place of immense cultural and natural significance. The park is huge and contains some stunning natural sights which make it well worth a visit; the Kakadu Escarpment is particularly breathtaking. With diverse ecosystems contained within the park’s boundaries, you can be hiking through deserted sandstone escarpments one minute and bathing in waterfalls and pools the next, before later on learning about some of the ancient rock paintings. While it can get very popular, Kakadu’s huge area means that you can easily enjoy all the park has to offer in peace and quiet if you step off the beaten path a little.

The largest coral reef system on the face of the earth, the Great Barrier Reef is simply colossal. Stretching for over 2,300 kilometers, it is remarkably visible from space, and nine hundred islands dot this enormous ecosystem, which is actually comprised of 2,900 individual reefs. Visiting the Great Barrier Reef is a humbling experience; every year around two million visitors enjoy all that this natural wonder has to offer. Snorkeling and scuba diving are the best ways to experience the joys of the rich underwater world, while boat trips, kayaking, and even helicopter rides offer another view of the reef’s gargantuan proportions. Gently sailing through the perfect turquoise waters, dolphins, sea turtles and the reef itself are visible below the waves – an unforgettable experience.

Sydney is defined by its scenic harbour. The region’s first inhabitants lived along the harbour’s bank for thousands of years. It was also the landing site for convicts sent to Australia during the 1780s. Today, ferries take visitors for cruises under the famed Sydney Harbour Bridge and past the iconic Sydney Opera House. With lots of museums, theatres and cinemas dotted about town, Sydney’s thriving cultural scene means that there is always something to see and do. The beautiful Bondi Beach is a must-see when visiting Sydney. Outdoor activities play a large role in Australian culture. Surrounding the city, there are a number of brilliant national parks for visitors and locals alike to enjoy, as well as some interesting and educational historical sites.

Located on the northern tip of the country’s South Island, this vast national park is a hiker’s dream. Closed to vehicles, one must enter by boat, foot or small plane, but the trip is well worth it. While traversing the mountainous terrain, blue penguins, wekas, oyster catchers, wood pigeons and other rare birds can all be seen.

Napier, a small city in Hawke’s Bay on the North Island’s east coast, is famous for its eye-catching art deco architecture. Most of Napier was leveled by an earthquake in 1931. The rebuilding period coincided with the short-lived Art Deco era and as a result Napier’s architecture is strikingly different from any other city in the world. Thousands of tourists visit Napier every February for the Art Deco Weekend, an event dedicated to style, vintage cars, picnics and the soapbox derby.

This glacier, located within Westland National Park in the southwest, is one of the world’s most accessible. Visitors can walk right up to the foot of the massive glacier or take a helicopter ride over the dazzling Ice Age remnant. Together with Fox Glacier it is one of South Westland’s major drawcards for tourists.

In the Tongariro National Park, located in the center of the North Island, is the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. This crossing is a day-long hike that covers Mount Tongariro itself and passes along the base of Mount Ngauruhoe. The crossing might be recognizable to film buffs, because scenes from the Lord of the Rings Trilogy were filmed there. The Blue and Emerald Lakes are major scenic attractions along the way, and both have historic significance to the local Maori people and should therefore be treated with the utmost respect.

Milford Sound is among the most famous tourist attractions in New Zealand. Lying at the most northern and accessible end of Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound offers some of the world’s most staggering coastal scenery with its dramatic peaks and dark blue waters. The area’s frequent downpours only enhance this South Island beauty, sending numerous waterfalls cascading down the cliffs.