Fast, Fresh & Full of Life

•Australian cities are shop-till-you-drop destinations and there are many world-renowned Australian goods to consider for your shopping list such as opals, pink diamonds and pearls. Australian bush clothing also has a reputation for excellent quality and is long-wearing, while street and beach wear designed in Australia for our relaxed lifestyle is now found all over the world. Aboriginal dot paintings, bark paintings, weaving and woodcarving are always a popular purchase.

• Check your diary and join in our love for major events and festivals. And there are many to choose from: grand slams to grand finals; from writer’s festivals to arts festivals. There are also the quirky fringe and comic festivals throughout the year as well as abundant food and wine celebrations – it’s worth checking the calendar of events to time your visit to perfection and be in town when the locals go partying.

• Australian fashion designers are making their mark on the world catwalks, so why not visit their boutiques along trendy shopping strips or be seen at a fashion festival.

• Explore our cities on some unusual transportation. Take a guided tour on the back of a Harley Davidson, hire a yacht and explore the city harbors’ or take a scenic flight in a seaplane for an entirely different perspective of our cities from above.

• Museums and Art Galleries are a great way to immerse yourself in our culture and heritage and while you’re there, check out their great eateries and excellent gift shops.

• Meet the locals after work for a drink or plate of tapas at some of the interesting little bars hidden in the laneways of our CBDs.

• Catch a ferry with Sydney commuters each day whose passage to work is through the waterways of the world’s most beautiful harbor.

• Learn to surf and sail at one of the many yachting and surf clubs that are part of our coastal cities’ landscape. Or join the thousands who throng to the beach each weekend not only to top up their tans but to chill out in some of Australia’s best restaurants.

• Take a drive through suburbia and notice how different the architecture is in the various cities – each has its own trademark and style, as do their CBDs.

• We are a nation of festival-goers, always keen to celebrate the nation’s comedy and arts, food and wine, music and culture, sport and heritage. Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide and Canberra each boast major arts festivals which spotlight the best in dance, jazz, theatre, opera and more.