Melbourne to Hobart

Melbourne, Victoria

Australia's second-largest city and capital of Victoria,
Melbourne is the Land Down Under's most European in style, with
trams rattling through streets past historic buildings, parks and
outdoor cafes. The city centre is laid out in a simple grid
pattern, with wide north-south streets gently sloping down to the
Yarra River, crossed by a mix of narrow lanes, and the main
shopping streets such as Bourke and Collins Streets. The Central
Business District is easily navigable by foot, and if a rest is
needed after a session of sightseeing or shopping there are
numerous pretty parks to rest in, such as the Royal Botanical
Gardens, Fitzroy Gardens and Carlton Gardens. The burgundy-coloured
City Circle tram is free, and taking a ride is a good way to get
your bearings upon arrival as well as explore the inner city.

Melbourne is a melting pot of different cultures, all brewed
together to create a dynamic, stylish city which, though slick and
modern, boasts a pleasantly sedate pace of life. Melbourne's
residents proudly assert that the city offers an incredibly high
standard of living and is wonderfully child-friendly.

A fierce rivalry exists between the cities of Melbourne and
Sydney, but local residents bask in the satisfying knowledge that
Melbourne beats Sydney hands-down on the cultural front, noted for
its wide variety of high standard performing arts, as well as its
sport. The city plays host to world-renowned sporting events like
the Melbourne Cup, Australian Open Tennis and Qantas Australia
Grand Prix.

Beyond the city, within an hour's drive, there are numerous
places worth visiting, including the Macedon Ranges, which is
Australia's spa capital and boasts world-renowned mineral springs.
The spectacular Great Ocean Road winds along the coast, passing
stunning rock formations such as the Twelve Apostles. One of the
most popular self-drive routes for tourists to follow is the
circular Great Southern Touring Route, which includes spectacular
scenery and takes in some of Victoria's most beautiful, scenic and
cultural attractions. Ultimately, the city is a lovely destination
for family holidays, for active adventurers, and for culture
vultures.

Kangaroo Island, South Australia

Kangaroo Island is with 1,740 square miles the third largest island off the coast of Australia. It is 96 miles long and 34 miles wide, and known for its outstanding natural beauty. Due to its remote location, Kangaroo Island was less affected than the mainland by the impact of European development. To this day, the island is rich in diverse flora and fauna seldom found elsewhere. As one of the world’s last unspoiled wilderness places, about 30 percent of the island has been designated as National Parks. The most important one is Flinders Chase at the western end of Kangaroo Island, with Seal Bay Conservation Park following close behind. Its large sandy beach and dune area is home to Australian sea lions where they come to rest and nurse their young. Kingscote, formerly known as Queenscliffe, is the largest town on the island and its main supply depot. Tourism is a significant element in the local economy. A mix of attractive small townships, wildlife sanctuaries and fascinating wilderness areas guarantee a steady stream of visitors each year.

Adelaide, South Australia

In keeping with its climate, Adelaide, capital of South
Australia, has a Mediterranean ambience as it straddles the Torrens
River, and is filled with churches, gardens, civic buildings,
sidewalk cafes and a plethora of museums, galleries and festivals
catering to the culturally inclined. The city was originally laid
out in 1836 by Colonel Light in a square mile (three sq km) grid of
wide streets with gracious colonial architecture. This has resulted
in a compact inner city area, geared for easy exploring on foot,
allowing the central area to be surrounded with hectares of
parklands, walking trails, sports grounds and picnic areas on the
banks of the river. The main boulevard is North Terrace, along
which are the restored Mortlock Library, the Art Gallery of South
Australia and the South Australian Museum with its spectacular
whale skeleton and collection of Aboriginal history. Aboriginal
culture is also catered for at Tandanya, a multi-arts cultural
centre that has galleries, performance areas and a café serving
native cuisine.

Visitors who have had enough of culture can take a cruise or
gondola ride on the Torrens River, or ride a vintage tram to the
nearby seaside town of Glenelg with its magnificent white sandy
beach, popular despite the occasional rumour of sharks. Adelaide's
Central Market is the place to go for foodies. Among the noisy,
colourful atmosphere and wondrous smells are fruit and vegetable
stores and a large selection of meat and fish along with gourmet
specialities introduced by the waves of immigrants who call
Adelaide their home. Also popular with visitors is the Adelaide Zoo
and Cleland Wildlife Park, which features local birds and animals
including koalas and kangaroos.

Hobart, Tasmania

Tucked between Mount Wellington and the River Derwent, 12 miles
(20km) upstream of the river mouth, Hobart is the capital of
Tasmania, and boasts one of the world's most secure deep-water
harbours. Hobart was established in 1804 and is saturated in
colonial history. It is a sleepy, charming city and a great travel
hub for Tasmanian adventures.

The main historical district, Battery Point, is characterised by
colonial stone cottages, tearooms, antique shops, restaurants and
pubs. The Narryna Van Diemen's Land Folk Museum at Battery Point
depicts 19th-century pioneer life. Here one also finds the Maritime
Museum of Tasmania. Like most Australian cities Hobart has plenty
of green lungs: the largest is the Royal Tasmanian Botanical
Gardens, which is known for English-style plantings and trees, and
a Japanese garden dominated by a miniature Mount Fuji.

Other amusements for visitors include steam locomotive rides,
guided tours of a former women's prison, tours of the Cascade
Brewery, gaming at Australia's first legal casino at Wrest Point,
taking a cruise of the harbour, or sampling the delights of the
fudge factory at Island Produce Tasmania. Mount Wellington, which
is a 13-mile (22km) drive from the city, offers extensive views
across alpine shrubs and the city below.