Things to Do in Australia And The Pacific

From Richmond to Eaglehawk Neck and Port Arthur, take the Convict Trail from Hobart to get a real feel for Tasmania’s history and natural beauty. To get the most out of your visit, take a leisurely approach and spread your tour over a couple of days.

Take a cruise on the water lapping the Tasman National Park, then allow at least a couple of hours to take in the history of the Port Arthur penal settlement. Detour to visit a wildlife park, for a face-to-face encounter with a Tasmanian devil.

Then visit Richmond, an intact Georgian town of lovely houses, restaurants and its famous convict-built bridge over the Coal River. The tiny Richmond Jail pre-dates Port Arthur, with its well-preserved cells and flogging yards.

Along the way, drop into produce stalls and vineyards, antique shops, tearooms and yet more wildlife parks.

Sydney’s transport and scenic heart, Circular Quay is also the city’s birthplace, flanking the waters of Sydney Cove where the First Fleet settlers landed on Australian soil in 1788. The rectangular stretch of water is lined with attractive pedestrian walkways running from the Sydney Opera House, past the Circular Quay ferry terminals, around to the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

The historic laneways, interesting shops, old pubs and stylish restaurants of The Rocks precinct, one of Sydney’s most popular tourist areas, run behind the Museum of Contemporary Art. Circular Quay is one of the major vantage points for Sydney’s famous New Year’s Eve fireworks.

Surrounded by rugged mountain landscape that seems to reach up from the water, Cook's Bay is one of the main tourist areas in Moorea (it's here that cruise ships come to moor their boats). That being said, you'll be able to explore the nearby beaches and streets without huge crowds. Along with hiking trails, dramatic landscapes and beaches, Cook's Bay features an aquarium, restaurants, hotels, the Black Pearl Farm for purchasing French Polynesia's famous black pearls, art galleries, the Pao Pao Market and Moorea Juice Factory.

From Cook's Bay you can begin driving to Belvedere Lookout, a scenic viewpoint awarding aerial views of Opunohu Valley, Cook's Bay and Opunohu Bay.

Contrary to what the name suggests, City Beach is not actually located in the city center of Perth.

City Beach is one of the two major beaches in the suburb of City Beach, about a twenty minute drive from the city center. City Beach is the people-pleaser of Perth’s beaches. Clean and uncrowded, the beach attracts surfers, families and backpackers.

City Beach is relatively small compared to other beaches around Perth, giving it an intimate feel. The sand is white and soft, and often the site of impromptu beach volleyball games and beach cricket. A surf life club runs regular training and competitions for its members. Green lawns behind the beach provide the perfect place for picnics.

It’s really all about the water at a beach though, and City Beach doesn’t disappoint. The surf is calm enough for swimmers (and the surf lifesavers ensure it’s safe). The shore break is often populated by surfers, and the waves are highly suited to those just starting out, though surfers of an intermediate level won’t be disappointed. Kitesurfing, and the slightly less intense windsurfing are also popular water-bound activities.

As well as the surf lifesaving club, facilities include a playground, kiosk, toilets, showers and a boardwalk to the neighboring Floreat Beach. Extensive dunes along the coast are closed to visitors, but home to hawks, mice and rabbits. City Beach is also the scenic end to the Perth City to Surf marathon each August.

Take a guided tour through the elegance of wealthy pioneer lifestyle captured in the antique furnishings and manicured land of Melbourne’s Como Historic House and Garden.

Established in 1847 by Edward Eyre Williams, Como House is a well-preserved example of aristocratic style, with fireplaces and chandeliers, gilded mirror frames and rich embroidery. Folktale suggests the house was named in memory of Italy’s Lake Como, where Edward is believed to have proposed to his wife, Jessie Gibbon. Over the years, the house survived the Great Depression and family financial ruin, before being passed through to the Armytage family to endure wartime and 95 years of family dynasty. In 1959, Como House and Garden entered the protection of the National Trust.

Although the House only admits visitors booked in groups of 15 people of more, guided tours are free and allow access to the picturesque gardens after viewing the house.