Sydney
Sydney's secret was revealed to the world at the 2000 Olympic Games. The secret? That Sydney, the capital of New South Wales, is one of the most dramatic, sophisticated, diverse, and fun-loving cities in the world. From its world famous Opera House to its pristine beaches, Sydney truly has something to offer everybody.
Sydney is Australia's largest city, with over four million people calling it home. While it covers over seven hundred square miles, it is remarkably easy to get around town. Buses, trains, ferries, taxis, water taxis, and even a monorail are all available to you.
Sydney's cultural highlights include a handful of museums and art galleries. The Australian National Maritime Museum is phenomenal, as is the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Tourists marvel at the world-renowned Sydney Aquarium, and many have undertaken the challenge of climbing the Harbour Bridge.
The city reveals its true magnificence when the sun goes down. The harbor positively sparkles, and the town crackles with energy. There are plenty of fine restaurants to choose from, and the nightlife gives as much as you're willing to take.
Because you are on such a limited time budget, you probably won't have much occasion to leave the downtown and harbor areas, unless you squeeze in a trip to the beach. If this is your first visit to Sydney, then that will probably suffice. But because there is so much to see and do in Sydney, you'll probably end up plotting your next visit before you leave!
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital of Queensland, one of the six provinces that make up Australia. The city lies on the easternmost point of the continent, and is home to 1.3 million people, making it the third largest city in Australia, trailing only Sydney and Melbourne.
Brisbane is a city best enjoyed outdoors. The weather is perpetually mild, with the exception of the sometimes sultry summer days. There are over 200 miles of bike paths in Brisbane, and the main tourist attractions are a koala sanctuary and a beautiful botanical garden at the base of a mountain.
Brisbane's layout is incredibly simple. Streets that run east and west are named after female British royalty, with north and south streets named after the males. For example, you may choose to meet someone at the corner of Ann Street and Edward Street. You should have no problems finding your way around the symmetrical layout of the city.
You'll most likely spend the majority of your time in the City Center, in and around the Queen Street Mall. You'll want to make it out of here to explore the surrounding areas, but even if you never make it out of the city center, you will leave happy.
Cairns
Cairns is a naturalist's heaven. The city has everything you're looking for, from perfect beaches to a pristine rain forest. And of course, just offshore is the truly awesome Great Barrier Reef. You will find that the day passes much too quickly in Cairns (pronounced cans).
The emphasis in Cairns is clearly placed on nature and natural wonders. You'll find that most activities in town are geared towards getting you out to the reef or to exploring the nearby Wet Tropics Rain Forest. The sights here grace most Australian tourism brochures, and you'll be left wondering how you will be able to pull yourself away from here.
It's difficult to recommend an itinerary for your stay in Cairns, especially because cruise passengers are on such a limited time budget. As a result, you will have an impossible time fitting everything mentioned in this guide into such a short time. Your best course of action is to plan out your day in advance, deciding whether you would rather spend your time admiring the splendor of the Great Barrier Reef, gazing at the natural beauty of the rain forest, or enjoying an adrenaline high from any of Cairns excellent outdoor adventure activities. No matter what you choose, one thing is certain after you visit Cairns. You will want to come back!
Perth
Perth is often overlooked when people talk about Australia. Sure, Sydney and Melbourne attract more attention, tourism, and accolades, but Perth can more than hold its own on any list of Australia's best cities. Perth is the capital of Western Australia, one of the six provinces that make up Australia. To call Western Australia expansive is to underestimate it. At 965,000 square miles, it's three times the size of Texas!
Perth is similar to Sydney, with modern skyscrapers poking at the skyline, overlooking the brilliant Indian Ocean. Perth's beaches rival any in Australia, and the city's beautiful botanic gardens on the edge of downtown would be a highlight anywhere.
Perth also affords the adventurous traveler with many exciting options. There's the port town of Fremantle, where you may end up spending all of your time if you're not careful. Rottnest Island is just twelve miles offshore, and some of Australia's best scuba diving and snorkeling sites can be found here.
Perth is exceptionally tourist-friendly, with a free transport zone in the middle of town allowing you to explore without having to worry about your wallet. The people are more than helpful, and the shopping and restaurants are top-notch. The city extends its warmest welcome to you, and after one visit, you're likely to return!
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