by jason godfrey
He made it! Jason grinning widely after climbing Sydney Harbour Bridge.
There’s so much that this vast continent has to offer,
with each city having its own charm and attraction.
AUSTRALIA may be known for its unique wildlife and landscapes but
the Merry Ol’ Land of Oz has got much more to offer if you’re craving an
urban vacation. The hard part is picking just which city Down Under is
going to float your boat. To make your work sourcing a city getaway much
easier, I’m providing the Jason Down Under guide to Your Australian
Urban Vacation!
The Gallery of Modern Art in Brisbane is one of the premier art galleries in Australia.
Sydney, New South Wales
It seems like everyone and their cousins want to visit this place
and, what can I say, it’s uber cool – from surfing in beautiful Bondi
Beach to shopping at the Pitt Street Mall, to grabbing dinner at one of
the awesome restaurants in Darling Harbour. The question is: Are you
cool enough for Sydney?
Jason’s picks:
> Sydney Harbour Bridge: Climbing is a great way
to get up this iconic structure! Matt Damon, Teri Hatcher and Will
Smith are among the celebrities who have done so.
> Vivid Sydney: This light and art show, held at the end of May, transforms the city into a spectacular sight.
The Cascade Brewery in Hobart is reportedly the oldest brewery in Australia. Wonder if that fountain flows with beer?
Brisbane, Queensland
A river runs through it but I can’t guarantee hot blond men ala Brad
Pitt will be there; still, it is Australia so there’s a pretty good
chance. The meandering Brisbane River really sets the city apart; the
relaxed, sub-tropical flair helps, too. Kayak along the river and see
the skyline from a totally different perspective. If you don’t want to
get in the way of the rivers’ dolphins and bull sharks (seriously,
they’re in there), you can bike, run, or walk alongside the waterway to
take in the sights.
Jason’s picks:
> Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA): Just when you
thought the city was all about the river, Brisbane lets you get artsy at
one of the premier art galleries on the continent.
> The Story Bridge: Abseil off it and create your own story.
Hobart’s Museum of Old and New Art is an art gallery like no other.
Hobart, Tasmania
With a population of about 200,000, Tasmania is nowhere close to
giving you a fear of crowds. Hobart has an 18th century feel about it,
with many of its hippest hotels and eating spots occupying
turn-of-the-century, factory-style buildings. And seafood doesn’t get
any fresher than in Hobart, unless you’re in the water, eating it!
Jason’s picks:
> Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), an art
gallery like no other. Provocative, shocking and unforgettable, it’s a
must-see. Even their toilets are art exhibits; using one of their
bathroom stalls literally gave me the shock of a lifetime.
> Cascade Brewery: It claims to be Australia’s
oldest beer-manufacturing enterprise, at 175 years old. Go on a tour,
taste the beer, or do both at the same time.
Part of the marvellous city skyline of Melbourne.
Melbourne, Victoria
Perhaps the most European city in Australia, Melbourne is a
collection of quirky lanes with incredible food, great fashion, and so
many alfresco cafés it gives Paris a run for its euros. The capital of
Victoria has a chilled, cosmopolitan feel to it. This is a city where
they’ve got a laneway for everything, be it outdoor eating, coffee or
graffiti art.
Jason’s picks:
> Collins Street: Start at the Paris end of this
street for luxury brands like Chanel, Giorgio Armani and Louis Vuitton,
then head to Little Collins Street for edgy boutiques that won’t stress
your credit cards’ limit.
> The Australian Open. Enjoy the match (held in
January), Aussie style, in a beer garden or grab tickets and watch
tennis’ biggest stars grunting as they hammer a ball at each other.
Learn to ring the massive bells at Bell Tower in Barrack Square, Perth.
Perth, Western Australia
Built on the banks of the Swan River, the capital of Western
Australia is known for its blue skies and stunning natural setting.
Perth has all the trappings of a metropolis – great food, amazing
sights, pristine waterways and the incredible Botanic Gardens at King’s
Park.
Jason’s picks:
> The Bell Tower (or the Swan Bell Tower):
Ringing bells in a tower doesn’t sound that hard to do until you do it
yourself. Learn how to ring these massive bells without causing bodily
harm to yourself. Seriously.
> Fremantle Prison, a former maximum-security
jail. Each cell has an incredible story attached to it, and maybe even
some artwork!
Adelaide’s Central Market is the place to go to for cheeses, among a host of other things.
Adelaide, South Australia
In Adelaide, the first place I went to was Montefiore Hill where the
statue of Colonel William Light stands; he is perpetually pointing at
the wide lanes and lush parks covering much of the city he planned. He
looks quite proud, as he should be, as Adelaide has grown into a
culturally diverse, relaxed city where most of the attractions are
within walking distance of each other.
Jason’s picks:
> The Australian Aboriginal Cultures Gallery and the Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute.
> Adelaide Central Market: It opened over a
hundred years ago and has been going strong ever since. This is the
place for getting fresh produce, meat and cheeses, and dipping
strawberries in fondue.
So there you have it, the tip of the iceberg of figuring out which
Australian city to check out. No matter what urban experience you seek,
Australia has it – plus a whole lot more.
Source: The Star
