Escape to the South

Sydney, capital of New South Wales and one of Australia’s largest cities, is best known for its harbourfront Sydney Opera House, with a distinctive sail-like design. Massive Darling Harbour and the smaller Circular Quay port are hubs of waterside life, with the arched Harbour Bridge and esteemed Royal Botanic Garden nearby. Sydney Tower’s outdoor platform, the Skywalk, offers 360-degree views of the city and suburbs.

In Adelaide, you’ll find an up-and-coming Australian metropolis surrounded by opportunities for outdoor adventure. The Adelaide Park Lands circle the heart of the city — discover native Australia flora and the collection of over 5,000 roses at the Botanical Gardens, or bike beneath long rows of elm trees at Carriageway Park. Then, head downtown to explore the culture of the city. Sample local produce at the 19th-century Central Market, or learn about Australian aboriginal cultures at the South Australian Museum. Head out to the nearby Adelaide Hills, where you’ll find picturesque towns and open vistas of the lush countryside. Or explore Australian wine-making in the nearby Barossa Valley.

Check out the Art Gallery of South Australia — its collection includes 38,000 pieces from around the world. Then, head to the South Australian Museum: Peruse artifacts from Australian aboriginal peoples and other South Pacific cultures, and see fossils from the dinosaurs that once roamed this continent.

Glenelg Beach is the most popular beach in Adelaide. Here, you can go swimming, stroll along the jetty, treat yourself to lunch or dinner and visit the seaside shops and boutiques. There’s also a coastal path you can bike or walk and several user-friendly foreshore parks.

As the capital of Tasmania, Hobart’s Colónial history is on display in the harbor town’s architecture. Visit Battery Point, Hobart’s main historical district — here, you’ll find narrow lanes and Colónial seafarers’ cottages dating back to the 1800s. Then, head to the waterfront to check out Salamanca Place, the city’s cultural hot spot: Peruse through the boutiques, cafes and restaurants that now occupy the neighborhood’s Georgian sandstone warehouses. Cruise to Hobart, Tasmania and explore Mount Wellington, the 1,271 meter-high basalt monolith that backdrops the city. It’s a 30-minute drive to the summit, and once you’re there, you can take in the panoramic views or stretch your legs with some bushwalking.

Sydney, capital of New South Wales and one of Australia’s largest cities, is best known for its harbourfront Sydney Opera House, with a distinctive sail-like design. Massive Darling Harbour and the smaller Circular Quay port are hubs of waterside life, with the arched Harbour Bridge and esteemed Royal Botanic Garden nearby. Sydney Tower’s outdoor platform, the Skywalk, offers 360-degree views of the city and suburbs.