Leisure activities in Australia
There is so much to see and do in Australia, and expats can have an incredible time discovering the beauty of the country. Australia is well known for its wide variety of landscapes and its varied climate, which means there are many different areas to see. Australia offers a wide range of things to do, anything from beach holidays, city escapes, outback adventures, and rainforest exploring.
Travel within Australia
There are seemingly endless places to travel to within Australia. Visitors may like to plan weekend breaks to popular cities like Melbourne, Sydney, or Perth, or to plan longer trips to explore more of Australia. Must-see spots and popular tourist places include Uluru (Ayers Rock) in the Northern Territory, the Great Ocean Road, in Victoria, the Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Queensland and the Daintree Rainforest, Margaret River in Western Australia, and Kangaroo Island, off South Australia. For international trips, consider exploring nearby countries like New Zealand, Fiji, or Indonesia.
The most efficient way to see Australia is to fly, due to its sheer size but you do have a few other options. You can bus, train or drive but take in mind, you are travelling huge distances. However, driving up the east or west coast in a campervan is a trendy way to see everything Australia has to offer and can be done on a budget.
Visiting regional and remote areas of Australia allows visitors to learn more about Australia's Indigenous history, by seeing places of significance to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of Australia.
Outdoor activities and sports in Australia
Spending time at the beach is a common pastime in Australia. As so many Australians live near the coastline, water-based activities (surfing, kite surfing, swimming) are prevalent. You can also enjoy diving, snorkelling, sailing, kayaking, and stand-up paddle boarding. The most popular place for diving and snorkelling is the Great Barrier Reef, but beautiful dive sites can be found all over Australia. If you are interested in water sports, but you are a beginner, you will find instructors and schools that can help you learn all over Australia. The sun in Australia is incredibly intense, so apply sunscreen often, wear a wide-brimmed hat, and consider wearing a sun shirt, or rash guard when swimming, to protect your skin from dangerous UV rays. Even in winter months, the sun can be extreme.
There are many beautiful hikes and walks to be done in Australia, and outdoor hobbies such as cycling and running are also popular. Australians value fitness and enjoy staying active by taking part in outdoor activities. Sports are also very popular in Australia, with many locals following professional teams or participating in recreational teams. Joining a sports club can be a great way to meet new people, and popular sports include rugby, Australian Football League (AFL), and cricket.
Culture and sightseeing in Australia
Australia has a deep culture and history. Major cities offer museums, theatre performances, and festivals, which can be great to visit. Canberra, for example, has many museums and galleries such as the National Gallery of Australia, which has the biggest collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. Museums in Australia often host worldwide travelling exhibitions, meaning you can check out art collections or historical artefacts on loan from places such as the British Museum or the Smithsonian. Australia also hosts a variety of music festivals such as Splendor in the Grass in Byron Bay, Strawberry Fields outside of Melbourne, and Falls Festival on New Year's Eve.
The most popular city for sightseeing in Australia is Sydney, with famous, iconic monuments such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House, Bondi Beach, Manly, and the Blue Mountains. Melbourne is well known for its diverse culture, with a foodie scene, unlike any other. There are also many zoos, aquariums, and national parks throughout Australia that are amazing to visit and equal a great day out for the family.
Shopping and eating out in Australia
Melbourne is definitely renowned as the best food and coffee city in Australia. However, Perth, Broome, Sydney, and Tasmania are also known for fresh, seasonal food. No matter what city you are in, you will find authentic cuisine from a variety of different places. This is due to the various immigration groups that have come over in the last century. Greek, Italian, Vietnamese, Thai, Chinese, Japanese, and Indian food are some of the most popular cuisines in Australia.
If you are looking to shop till you drop, Sydney and Melbourne are the cities to hit, with a variety of huge malls. These include Emporium, Chadstone, Melbourne Central, The Rocks, and Queen Victoria Building all with a variety of clothes, shoes, accessories and much more.
