MELBOURNE

Located around the shores of the beautiful Port Philip Bay, Melbourne is a visibly planned city, seen in its rectangular shape and a grid of tidily angled streets. A city of over three and a half million people, Melbourne is a lovely contrast of tranquil nature and bustling urbanity, conveyed through beautiful parks and waterways interspersed all through the metropolis. There is also an interesting blend of architecture, Victorian-era buildings of the Gold Rush mixed in with steel and chrome skyscrapers.

Sight Seeing:
Melbourne is a city that simply buzzes with activity. Film and food festivals are constant, and the music scene is eclectic and rich. Theatres and galleries allow you to discover some of the local art and intellectual activity. Melbourne also has a vibrant coffee culture, teeming from the laneways and arcades, with street cafes and alfresco diners around every other corner. Try Degraves Street for the small eateries, serving everything from sushi to soup to pasta. An experience of a lifetime are the world famous Melbourne Zoo and the state-of-the-art Melbourne Aquarium, where you are introduced to the native wildlife and other exotic species.

Shopping:
Everyone is spoilt for choice in Melbourne, with something for every taste and budget. The city is full of laneway shops, shopping centres and arcades. All is available, from locally-designed originals to the best of international brands. Melbourne's shopping precincts pack the unique, the eclectic and the quirky. Explore the Block, Cathedral and Royal arcades, Degraves and Crossley streets, Presgrave and Centre places. The Camberwell Market is also a must visit: a Sunday institution at Melbourne, it has over 300 stalls displaying wares that include clothing, antiques, and local arts and crafts..

GOLD COAST

The Gold Coast is one of the most developed regions of Australia, and offers something for everyone, and beaches, theme parks, malls, condominiums, restaurants and skyscrapers line the shore. The Gold Coast offers a fascinating contrast between the sea and the land, technology and nature's splendour. It is an area stretching over 35 km along the coast, northwards from Coolangatta on Queensland's southern border, and inwards into the beautiful Hinterland, which contains National Parks, rolling hills, canyons and waterfalls.

Sight Seeing:
Explore the lovely beaches along the Gold Coast and try the many restaurants and experience local cuisines. Explore the Burleigh Heads National Park. Discover the Gold Coast Art Gallery. For a truly panoramic view of the Coast, look out the observation deck of Q1, the world's tallest residential building. Take a tour to one of the vineyards, or take a 4WD tour across bush tracks, or charter a boat to relish the clear water of the Pacific Ocean. Regain the child in yourself; visit one of the many theme/amusement parks like Sea World, or Dream world..

SYDENY

Sydney is known as the Harbour City and is both, the oldest city as well as the most cosmopolitan city in Australia. A multifaceted hub, Sydney is laced with history, culture, art, fashion and a variety of cuisines. It offers the traveller intellectual stimulation through interactions as well as the platform to explore some of world's best natural resources. Young and old, children and adults, backpackers and luxury travellers - Sydney satiates everyone, with something unique on offer.

Sight Seeing:
Australia's oldest and biggest city, Sydney is considered the 'Gateway to Australia'. The Sydney Harbour is one of the best in the world, and is simply stunning in its display of sheer architectural brilliance. The Opera House is a landmark that is recognized the world over, and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, built in 1932, is a marvel of artistry and technology. World famous beaches and national parks that teem with nature's beauty also contribute in giving Sydney its iconic personality.

There is much to do at Sydney, and much you must do, whatever the duration of your visit. Here's a list: frolic and people watch at the Bondi, Palm, and Manly Beaches. Take a ferry across the harbour at sunset and at night. Try the excellent food, and experience the nightlife at The Rocks and Chinatown. Watch a street performer. Climb to the very top of the over-arching Sydney Harbour Bridge. Visit the Taronga Zoo or Sydney Wildlife World.

Shopping :
Sydney has lot of options for sjhopping.Haymarket's Chinatown has the Market City, famous for its Friday Night Markets. It's a place you can indulge in a mix of cultural vibrancy, entertainment, street theatre, fine food, alfresco shopping and outdoor dining. It is also famous for affordable designer fashion and has over 30 factory clearance outlets. The Rocks, near the Harbour Bridge, has Sydney's best: traditional handicrafts; with cutting edge design, a classic French patisserie, sheepskin shops, and the oldest pub in the country.