AUSTRALIA HOLIDAYS IN 2016/17

Australia

By Winsor Dobbin

@winsordobbin

There are few destinations in the world that offer as much excitement and diversity as Australia.

From high-rise, eclectic and multicultural cities like Sydney and Melbourne to natural wonders including the Great Barrier Reef and Uluru (Ayers Rock) in the heart of the outback, unique wildlife and man-made attractions like the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, there really is something for everyone.

Sydney, which hosted the 2000 Olympic Games, is Australia's largest city and a "must" for every visitor. Set on magnificent Sydney Harbour (take a ferry across to the beach suburb of Manly for a cut-price harbour cruise); there are few cities as dramatically beautifully.

Enjoy fine local seafood and wines at Quay restaurant, seek out authentic ethnic cuisine ranging from Vietnamese to Italian in suburbs like Cabramatta or Leichhardt, or head to recently gentrified inner-city destinations like Surry Hills, Newtown and Darlinghurst for a huge range of bars, pubs, clubs and dining options.

Bondi, in the eastern suburbs, is the most famous of Sydney's many beaches - and the most popular with visitors. You can walk along the cliffs to equally pretty and less-frenetic Bronte, or choose from several spectacular stretches of sand along the much less crowded northern beaches (Palm Beach and Newport are perennial favourites).

Visit Taronga Zoo, enjoy a game at the Sydney Cricket Ground, stroll through the historic The Rocks district, go for a pub crawl through the waterside suburb of Balmain - or take a day trip to the Blue Mountains to the west of the city. Sydney offers myriad possibilities.

Melbourne is Australia's "second city", although most of its residents would tell you it has as much, if not more, to offer to visitors than Sydney. It is regarded as the sporting, shopping and fashion capital.

Many of Australia's big-name chefs are based here, but the city is also dotted with small eateries, often serving exotic ethnic dishes, and hole-in-the-wall cafes and coffee shops.

Travel on one of the iconic trams to watch an Australian Rules football match or arrive in January to watch the Australian Open tennis tournament.

Melbourne is surrounded by several vineyard regions and the two closest to the city (and easily accessible by public transport), are the Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula, both within an hours' drive of downtown and famous for their cool-climate chardonnays and pinots noir.

Another great experience in the state of Victoria is the drive along the dramatic Great Ocean Road.

Back in town, browse the many small boutiques in city-fringe suburbs like Richmond and Fitzroy, or explore the vibrant and cosmopolitan Southbank and Docklands precincts and the grunge-chic St KiIda.

Travelling in Australia can be immensely time consuming so it pays to plan well in advance. Perth is not "on the other side of the island" from Sydney – it is an arduous drive, largely though desert, of almost 4,000 kilometres.

Australia is the sixth-largest country on the planet, similar in size to mainland US. Most visitors will have to choose between a visit to the outback or sun and surf.

The remote desert city of Alice Springs and the sacred aboriginal monolith of Uluru are a doable combination for those who wish to experience searing heat and learn about the local indigenous culture, but beach lovers should head for Far North Queensland and visit one of the many Whitsunday island resorts on and around the Great Barrier Reef, which offer diving, snorkelling and partying in equal measure.

Adelaide, the capital of South Australia (with the wine regions of the Barossa and McLaren Vale on its doorstep), and Perth, the lively West Australian capital, are both full of interesting destinations and the Gold Coast offers glitz, glamour and many great surf beaches. But for those looking for a more intimate destination then quaint Hobart in Tasmania is well worth a one-hour flight from Melbourne.

Founded in 1803 as a penal colony, Hobart has long been a magnet for visitors who enjoy its working waterfront, historic buildings and rich colonial and convict heritage.

Over the past five years Hobart has been transformed to a city with a lively cultural scene, many gourmet options and a host of festivals. Hobart's metamorphosis has seen the low-rise city dotted with whisky and elder bars; funky restaurants focusing on local produce and the arrival of new hotels (with several more on the way).

The catalyst for the change was the opening in 2011of MONA, the controversial privately-owned Museum of Old and New Art, in the city's northern suburbs. It is regarded as one of the world's major galleries.

You'll need to head out of the major cities to see kangaroos, wombats and possums; although they are not that hard to spot in rural areas. If you are determined to see a koala or crocodile then a wildlife park might be your best bet. They are notoriously hard to find in the wild.