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.

Airlie Beach is the gateway to Australia’s glorious Whitsunday Islands. The township brims with island-bound tourists, yachties and backpackers, who crowd the bars of its jam-packed main drag. Around town, dozens of outlets sell crafts, clothing and souvenirs, and sociable restaurants and watering holes abound.

Sprawled around an isthmus between Castle Hill and the Ross River, the regional city of Townsville has a sleepy tropical ambience, but there is actually lots to do. Stroll along The Strand, Townsville’s spruced-up, park-lined waterfront; or climb to the top of Castle Hill for an overview of the hinterland and Magnetic Island, located offshore.

The picturesque town of Yorkeys Knob, dominated by its dramatic headland, is your gateway to Cairns – one of Australia’s hottest vacation destinations. Cairns boasts three of Australia’s great natural wonders. Just offshore, immense bastions of living coral form the Great Barrier Reef. Sixteen miles of superb beaches stretch to the north of the city – the famed Marlin Coast. Inland lays the ancient rainforest of Daintree National Park.

Cairns’ graceful, tree-lined esplanade was once the gateway to the gold fields of North Queensland. A travel tip – Cairns is pronounced “cans.”

Port Douglas, located north of Cairns in Far North Queensland, is a resort playground with much to offer. Stroll along Four Mile Beach, browse boutiques and galleries, or dine on fresh seafood at one of the many fine restaurants.

Welcome to an undiscovered paradise of white-sand beaches, crystal waterfalls and volcanic mountains. And if you’ve come for history, you’ll find that, too. This peaceful town was the site of fierce fighting during World War II. Today, it’s a peaceful retreat offering the vacationer plenty of time to relax and connect with nature. Beyond the city you’ll find a tropical rainforest full of birds of paradise and a laid-back ease worth discovering.

The Conflict Group is an atoll in Papua New Guinea. The group was sighted in 1879 by HMS Cormorant, by moonlight; it was named in 1880 by Bower, captain of HMS Conflict. Irai Island is the center of population of the group.

Once considered the “country cousin” among Australian cities, Brisbane is today the nation’s third-largest metropolis – and one of the most desirable places to live in the country. Lying on the banks of the meandering Brisbane River, this cosmopolitan city boasts elegant 19th-century sandstone buildings, a lively cultural scene and superb parklands. Brisbane is also your gateway to uniquely Australian adventures, be it the theme parks of the Gold Coast or Queensland’s dazzling beaches.

The beaches south of Brisbane form Queensland’s Gold Coast. Travel tip: Brisbane is pronounced “Bris-bin.”

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.