Sydney, capital of New South Wales and one of Australias 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.

Hobart is Australias second oldest city and state capital of Tasmania. Home to more than 90 National Trust buildings, Hobart combines colonial character with a metropolitan lifestyle. It is the gateway to Tasmanias other scenic attractions and a range of shore activities lets you experience the best of both worlds. Explore the historic core at the colonial village of Battery Point, the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, as well as Theatre Royal, the countrys oldest theater. Theres also wine-tasting and pub-hopping to enjoy. Tasmanias capital has much in common with Sydney. Founded but a few years later, Hobart also owes its origins to the establishment of a penal colony. It has a dramatic setting like Sydney. Seen from its fine deep-water harbor, Hobart spills over the lower reaches of the Derwent Valley as Mt. Wellington towers in the background. You will find much of the citys heritage centered on the waterfront. North of the city stretches the vast parkland of the Queens Domain.

Melbourne is a huge, sprawling city with something for everyone—culture, art, fashion, and friendly Australians. It is also Australias financial and commercial center. Easy to explore, at the heart of the city is the Golden Mile, the citys governmental and business corridor, home to hotels, shops, restaurants and theaters.

Southern Australias most graceful city lies nestled on the coastal plain between Gulf St. Vincent and the Adelaide Hills. Adelaide is a metropolis of over one million people, boasting wide, tree-lined boulevards, superb Victorian and Edwardian architecture, tranquil parks, world-class shopping, and the highest number of restaurants per capita of any city in Australia. Adelaide is also your gateway to the beautiful Limestone Coast

Originally a penal colony, it was renamed Albany in honor of the Duke of York and Albany in 1832 with the first European settlement. And thanks to its superb natural harbor, Albany quickly became a busy port. The town served as a coaling station for steam ships, a commercial outlet for farmers, and a base for the whaling industry. Today, this small city of some 25,000 offers a wealth of restored historic buildings, museums, theaters and restaurants, as well as the natural beauty of its coast and scenic harbor.

This vibrant coastal city is a laid-back charmer with an enticing array of natural wonders and active pursuits. Just steps from the mile-long Jetty are glistening white sand beaches and sun-drenched seaside villages. Yet the magic of the Margaret River area beckons with 120 premium wineries; ancient caves boasting a subterranean world of jaw-dropping stalactite, stalagmite, helictite and shawl formations; a fascinating Aboriginal culture rooted in ancient history; and a picture perfect landscape of meandering country roads and spectacular scenery.

Lying at the mouth of the Swan River, historic Fremantle – founded in 1829 – is your gateway to Perth, the capital of Western Australia. Situated on the banks of the Swan River some 15 miles upriver from Fremantle, Perth is a bustling city where soaring high-rises co-exist with elegant sandstone buildings from the colonial era. Life here moves at a slower pace, so during your visit, relax and savor the bounties of Western Australia, from the wonders of the bush to the wineries of the Swan Valley, from excellent shopping to a leisurely cruise on the Swan River.