Sydney

Sydney is the state capital of New South Wales and the most populous city in Australia and Oceania. Sydney's famous beaches are some of the city's most popular attractions for locals and visitors alike. Indigenous Australians have inhabited the Sydney area for at least 30,000 years and thousands of engravings remain throughout the region, making it one of the richest in Australia in terms of Aboriginal archaeological sites.

Sydney is Australia’s answer to New York: a cosmopolitan a hive of activity, which never sleeps, but also boasts gorgeous beaches, fantastic weather and mild winters. Sydney has over 4 million residents, making it Australia’s largest city, and is also the most touristed destination in the country, attracting over 32 million visitors per year.

Top Tourist destinations in Sydney :

1. See a show at the Opera House

2. Stroll Darling Harbour

3. Get a local perspective with a free walking tour

4. Visit the iconic Paddy’s Markets

5. Bondi Beach

6. Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge
7. Have dinner at Circular Quay

8. Visit the Royal Botanic Gardens

9. Get an adrenaline rush at Luna Park

10. Visit the picturesque seaside town of Manly

Cairns

Cairns is a small town of fewer than 170,000 people in the North of Queensland. Along with the Uluru in the red centre of Australia, Cairns has become the quintessential location for visitors looking for that mind-blowing natural Aussie experience. Most tourists use Cairns as a base for their Great Barrier Reef and Daintree adventures. The city boasts mild winters, gorgeous beaches, stunning scenery, great nightlife and plenty of fun things to see and do. If you’re visiting Queensland, Cairns is a must!

Tropical and touristy, Cairns boasts an idyllic location between the Great Barrier Reef and the lush rainforests and cloud-cloaked plateau of the Atherton Tableland. Many sightseers use Cairns as a base for trips to these nearby natural jewels, but the town itself offers plenty of tourist attractions and a convivial vacation vibe. Palm-lined streets and the plethora of tour operators in town add to the air of tropical adventure. A favourite pastime here is a stroll along the Cairns Esplanade, a seafront promenade flanked by parks, playgrounds, cafés, and water-themed attractions. Idyllic beaches stretch to the north and south of town, from Trinity Bay to Port Douglas, though Cairns itself lacks a decent strip of sand.

Top 10 things to when in Cairns :

1. Great Barrier Reef
2. Cairns Botanical Gardens

3. Kuranda Scenic Railway

4. Palm Cove

5. Enjoy a refreshing swim at the Crystal Cascades

7. Learn about indigenous culture at the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park

8. Dolphin and whale-watching

9. Visit the Tablelands

10. Green Island

Gold Coast

Stretching along the Southeast Queensland coast, from Coolangatta to Southport, the Gold Coast is one of Australia's most famous vacation destinations. The tourist hub of this glamorous coastal strip is aptly named Surfers Paradise, and it's like an Aussie version of Miami Beach. Skyscrapers bristle along a stretch of beautiful blond beach, and you'll find designer shops and lively entertainment venues a short stroll from the soft sands. Not far from the city, the famous Gold Coast theme parks add to all the exciting things to do.

Beyond the buzz of this holiday hotspot, you'll find plenty of peaceful escapes. Golden beaches stretch for miles south to Coolangatta with a perfect patch of sand for everyone, and wildlife parks are wonderful family attractions. In the hinterland, nature lovers can relax amid rolling green valleys, lushly cloaked peaks, and World Heritage-listed rainforests. Best of all, the sun shines on the subtropical Gold Coast more than 300 days a year.

Top 10 things to do when in Gold Coast :

1. Surfers Paradise Beach

2. SkyPoint, Surfer's Paradise

3. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

4. Coolangatta Beach
5. Sea World

6. Burleigh Heads Beach

7. Dreamworld

8. South Stradbroke Island

9. Warner Bros Movie World

10. Lamington National Park

Brisbane

Brisbane is the capital of and the most populated city in the Australian state of Queensland, and the third most populous city in Australia. One of the oldest cities in Australia, Brisbane was founded upon the ancient homelands of the indigenous Turrbal and Jagera peoples. Named after the Brisbane River on which it is located . Brisbane is a popular tourist destination, serving as a gateway to the state of Queensland, particularly to the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast, which are home to numerous popular surf beaches, located immediately south and north of Brisbane respectively. Due to its proximity to the Coral Sea and a warm ocean current, Brisbane's overall temperature variability is somewhat less than most Australian capitals. Summers are long, hot, and wet. Eighty percent of summer days record a maximum temperature of 27 to 33 °C. Winters are short and warm, with average maximums of about 22 °C maximum temperatures below 20 °C are rare.

Top 15 Things to do for a budget traveller :

1. Go for a dip at Streets Beach

2. Wander through the air-conditioned halls of QAGOMA

3. Catch the CityHopper along the river

4. Discover the city with a Brisbane Greeter

5. Laugh at the Brisbane Powerhouse

6. Explore the local farmers’ markets

7. Catch local artists free with City Sounds

8. Ride the old lift up City Hall’s clock tower

9. Lie on the grass at New Farm Park

10. Wander back to the city via the Riverwalk

11. Explore the planet at the Queensland Museum

12. Sunrise at Mt Coot-tha

13. Watch and window shop in Queen Street Mall

14. Hike near the city

15. Experience Aboriginal culture