AUSTRALIA, INDONESIA & NEW ZEALAND
A Few Possibilities
Melbourne, Sydney, Bukittinggi, Brisbane, Auckland, Jayapura, Ubud, Christchurch, Banjarmasin, Makassar, Adelaide, Yogyakarta, Medan, Queenstown, Perth, Jakarta, Surabaya, Bandung, Kuta, Napier, Nelson, Paihia, Stewart Island
Sites Worth Seeing
If you are going to travel half way around the world, you better make it worth your while. Sydney provides a great playground of activity with plenty to see and do.
But the cities aren't the only places to enjoy. Some of the most breathtaking landscapes can be found in this region of the world. Make sure to visit Fraser Island with white pristine beaches and turquoise waters. Snorkel or scuba dive in the Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef ecosystem with more than 600 types of coral and numerous types of tropical fish and marine life.
Take in the beaches, the coastline, summits and the cascades of Triplet Falls at the Great Otway National Park and magnificent views at Freycinet Peninsula. The beach lovers paradise, be sure to enjoy a visit at Broome and ride a camel on Cable Beach. For a relaxing time, visit Mooloolaba close to Brisbane, a coastal resort town with beaches and activities.
Learn about the Aboriginal culture when traveling to the northern most part of the continent to Catseye Bay of Hamilton Island. Also, explore the swimming holes, go fishing, surf, see rock art, lay on the beach, and visit the many communities that inhabit this island. Other natural wonders to experience in Australia are Josephine Falls in Paronella Park, Waitomo - the underground illuminated caves, Skyline of Queenstown, Fox Glacier, Roys Peak, Noosa Everglades and Wyadup Rocks – Injidup Natural Spa.
Duck over to Kelly Tarlton’s Sea Life Aquarium in Auckland to see penguins and more. Are you a fan of The Lord of the Rings? Then you must make the trek over to New Zealand to Matamata to see the Shire region and Hobbiton village movie set. Of course, there is much more to see and do in New Zealand including: cruising through Milford Sound in Fiordland to see its natural beauty, hike through Tongariro National Park, visit Queenstown to see Lake Wakatipu and experience adventurous activities that boost adrenaline, and the hot springs and geysers of Rotorua.
You don't want to miss the beautiful beaches of Bali. Kuta is known for its gorgeous white sand beaches and a great place for surfing and scuba diving. Head over to Legian and Seminyak for a more peaceful time, or visit the stunning beaches of the Gili Islands. Nor do you want to miss the beauty and creative calm found in Ubud. Ubud has much to explore with museums, temples, caves and stone carvings, along with restaurants, shops and more than 65 art performances given every week.
Shopaholics
For those who love to shop, in Sydney, go to the Queen Victoria Building for 180 high-end shops, the open-air market of the Rocks or the domestic and international brands found at the Pitt Street Mall. In Melbourne, visit the Emporium for luxury shops, the Block Arcade for an Australian shopping experience or Chadstone Centre for discounts and deals. In Brisbane, visit Wintergarden for illustrious designers, MacArthur Central - a super supermarket, and Brisbane Arcade. In Adelaide, stop by the Adelaide Arcade for the best in outlet shopping, Rundle Mall for 700 retail stores in this pedestrian street mall and Adelaide Central Plaza for more designer outlets. And in Perth, you must stop by the visually pleasing London Court for shops and fun!
In New Zealand, there are plenty of open-air markets and farmer's markets to explore such as Le Cigale Market in Parnell (near Auckland), Avondale Sunday Market in Auckland, Rotorua's Night Market, Wellington Harbourside Market, Hawke’s Bay and the Christchurch farmers markets. You can find arts to buy in the Wanganui area and places to purchase Kiwiana (all things quirky and kitschy). There is also plenty of retail shops and outlet shopping throughout the country.
Nightlife
In Sydney, Bungalow 8, Candy's Apartment, the Loft, The Spice Cellar, Oxfort Art Factury, The Carlisle, Hugos Lounge, Club 77, Civic Hotel, Kit & Kaboodle, and The Exachange Hotel. In Hobart, TAS, Halo Nightclub. In Melbourne, the Alumbra Club, Billboard The Venue, Blue Diamond and Cushion Lounge.
In Auckland, the Britomart precinct along the waterfront is home to some of the trendiest bars and restaurants. Also, is the Viaduct, with more bars and restaurants along the marina. In Queenstown, you'll find the highest concentration of bars and restaurants in New Zealand. A few nightclubs are Loco Cantina, Searle Lane, Vinly Underground, Rhinos Ski Shack and Winnies. In Wellington, explore the nightlife on Courtenay Place, Willis Street, Lambton Quay and Queens Wharf. Scores of late-night cafes, restaurants, bars and clubs can be found within walking distance of hotels.
And there is the Bali nightlife found in Kuta, Legian and Seminyak. Try District Bali, Engine Room SupER Club, Hard Rock Cafe Bali, DeeJay Club Bali and Boshe VVIP Club in Kuta; Bounty Discotecque, Cocoon Beach Club, Pyramid Bali and Mixwell Bar in Legian; and Sea Vu Play, Bali Joe Bar, Potato Head Beach Club, Ku De Ta, and Woobar at the W Retreat & Spa in Seminyak.
NOTE: This listing of nightclubs and lounges was created pre-pandemic and will be updated soon.