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Sydney , Australia | Brisbane , Australia | Willis Island (Cruising) , Australia | Airlie Beach , Queensland | Sydney , Australia
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Sydney, Australia
SUNSHINE
Circular Quay is where you'll find the Opera House, museums such as the Art Gallery of NSW and some of the best restaurants in the city. A short walk will take you to the historic George Street district, while top-tier shopping can be found in the historical Queen Victoria Building. A 45-minute ferry ride will take you to the heart of Manly Beach when you cruise from Sydney.
Circular Quay is where you'll find the Opera House, museums such as the Art Gallery of NSW and some of the best restaurants in the city. A short walk will take you to the historic George Street district, while top-tier shopping can be found in the historical Queen Victoria Building. A 45-minute ferry ride will take you to the heart of Manly Beach when you cruise from Sydney.
in Sydney
Go in Circles
Circular Quay is the perfect place to start exploring Sydney. You can find the Opera House here, and Harbour Bridge is within walking distance. Stride into one of the many walking and pub tours that leave from here. Just 20 minutes away, you can stretch your legs on the iconic Harbour Bridge walk, the first of its kind in the world.
Get Manly
Bondi Beach gets all the attention, but Manly Beach in the Northern Beaches is a bit more local. The Corso is lined with shops and restaurants, including local favorite, Hugo's. If surfing is your thing, this is the place to be. The walk from Spit Bridge to Manly is a fantastic way to soak in the city's coastline.
Walk Watsons
Hop on the ferry or one of the regular buses that go to Watsons Bay to enjoy the scenic hike around South Head. During your journey, you'll enjoy views of Sydney Harbour, North Head, the historic Hornby Lighthouse and, of course, the sapphire-blue Pacific Ocean. The Gap offers breathtaking views of the sea from the rocky cliffside.
Local Cuisine
With all the water surrounding you, it's no surprise seafood takes center stage on many plates in the city. Head to Sydney Fish Market for giant Sydney Rock oysters or classic fish and ships. Stop into a local pie shop for a traditional Australian meat pie, or explore Sydney's international side with udon or ramen noodles at a Japanese noodle bar, or seek out shrimp dumplings in Chinatown.
Shopping
There are plenty of shopping malls in the heart of the city, including Westfield Mall, Pitt Street Mall and the wonderful Queen Victoria Building, which is now a shopping mall featuring top designers. Seek out cutting boards made from local camphor laurel — they're not only beautiful but also have natural antimicrobial properties. During your Sydney cruise vacation, look for jewelry made from opal, the national gemstone of Australia.
CRUISING
CAN'T MISS FAVORITES
Things to Do
Brisbane, Australia
SUNNY SIDE UP
You won't run out of things to do in Brisbane's city center. South Bank is a can't-miss — head there and relax by the man-made lagoon, stroll through a weekend markets, peruse the museums and galleries and grab dinner at one the hip restaurants. A short walk across the Brisbane River will bring you to Queen Street Mall, the city's premier shopping district.
You won't run out of things to do in Brisbane's city center. South Bank is a can't-miss — head there and relax by the man-made lagoon, stroll through a weekend markets, peruse the museums and galleries and grab dinner at one the hip restaurants. A short walk across the Brisbane River will bring you to Queen Street Mall, the city's premier shopping district.
in Brisbane
Head South
You can't miss South Bank when in Brisbane. Take in the view from the Wheel of Brisbane, the city's version of the London Eye. Stroll through the Arbour, a walkway awning with expertly curated plants and flowers. Take a dip at Streets Beach — Australia's only inner-city man-made beach — before heading to one of the neighborhood's upscale eateries.
Get a 360 View
See Brisbane from several different perspectives. Check out the wide-angled view from Mt Coot-tha Lookout, then face your fears and do the Story Bridge Adventure Climb. Next, see the sunset from Kangaroo Points Cliff Park, or hop on a free CityCat ferry for skyline views from the Brisbane River.
Get Wild
Take a drive north to the Sunshine Coast — you'll find not only pristine beaches but also the untouched beauty of the region's hinterlands. Get onboard a Brisbane cruise to experience the volcanic peaks of the Glasshouse Mountains, or walk through the rock pools of Gardners Falls.
Local Cuisine
It's always patio season in Brisbane. For the best riverside dining, check out Eagle Street Pier, which is bustling with city workers once the clock strikes 5 p.m. And don't miss Eat Street Northshore, a wharf that becomes a hub for forward-thinking street food on Friday and Saturday nights, where you can get a slice of Japanese pizza or a dessert of decadent churros.
Shopping
Queen Street Mall is Brisbane's biggest shopping street. Meanwhile, James Street is lined with boutiques stocking some of Australia's favorite designers. For a unique souvenir, purchase a handmade treasure from Collective Markets in South Bank with Australia cruises. The market is made up of stalls where artisans of everything from jewelry to home decor set up shop.
CRUISING
FOR FOODIES
Things to Do
Willis Island (Cruising), Australia
CORAL CLARITY
Cruising by Willis Island, you'll see a small sandy vegetated cay surrounded by reef. Situated in the Coral Sea, the island is home to much of the same ocean wildlife as the nearby Great Barrier Reef. Spot long-winged wedgetail shearwaters and black-and-white sooty terns flying over the turquoise waters. Try to spot hammerhead sharks or bright-yellow queen angelfish swimming among the reef.
Cruising by Willis Island, you'll see a small sandy vegetated cay surrounded by reef. Situated in the Coral Sea, the island is home to much of the same ocean wildlife as the nearby Great Barrier Reef. Spot long-winged wedgetail shearwaters and black-and-white sooty terns flying over the turquoise waters. Try to spot hammerhead sharks or bright-yellow queen angelfish swimming among the reef.
in Willis Island (Cruising)
Turtle Time
Being next door to the Great Barrier Reef means the area surrounding Willis Island is filled with magnificent coral and marine life. Green sea turtles call the reef and the island home. Meteorologists on Willis Island have said that the turtles nest on the island annually.
Jump for Jaws
Osprey Reef is also a part of the Coral Sea Islands Territory. Located on the outer Great Barrier Reef, Osprey is one of Australia's best dive sites. It's been a reef shark feeding site for 15 years, and divers can sit in a natural amphitheater to watch the daily action.
Airlie Beach, Queensland
YOUR BARRIERS
Start your day exploring this seaside town: Stroll the Bicentennial Walkway along the oceanfront, then head to Airlie Beach Lagoon or Boathaven Beach for an afternoon dip. Or take a half-day trip to the famous Whitsunday Islands. There, you can snorkel along the Great Barrier Reef, or discover rain forest hiking paths and secluded beaches at Molle National Park.
Start your day exploring this seaside town: Stroll the Bicentennial Walkway along the oceanfront, then head to Airlie Beach Lagoon or Boathaven Beach for an afternoon dip. Or take a half-day trip to the famous Whitsunday Islands. There, you can snorkel along the Great Barrier Reef, or discover rain forest hiking paths and secluded beaches at Molle National Park.
in Airlie Beach
Islands Among the Reef
Doing a half or full-day trip to the Whitsunday Islands is the thing to do in Airlie Beach. For best Great Barrier Reef experience, do a tour to Hardy Reef's pontoon. There are also half-day trips available to both South Molle Island and award-winning Whitehaven Beach.
Wander the Rain Forest
Airlie Beach is not only an ocean gateway. Conway National Park — and its regional parks — are located minutes from Airlie Beach. The area is known for its lush rain forest, seasonal waterfalls, scenic lookouts and walking and biking trails. Locals recommend the easy Coastal Fringe Circuit, a 1.2-kilometer (0.7-mile) track.
Laze by the Lagoon
Located in the town center, the Airlie Beach Lagoon is a free, self-chlorinated swimming pool. The Lagoon is surrounded by grassed areas, barbecue facilities and swaying palm trees for sunbathing or reading in the shade. There's also a children's pool and sandy beach area attached to the Lagoon.
Local Cuisine
The Esplanade is Airlie Beach's go-to spot for dining. Head here for traditional fish and chips as well as higher-end seafood-focused fare — try tempura-battered local tiger prawns or wild-caught Barramundi with new potatoes. You can also find internationally inspired takes on the ocean's bounty, like Malaysian-style laksa, a noodle soup with curry broth, piled high with prawns, squid and scallops.
Shopping
The Airlie Beach Saturday Markets happens on the foreshore every Saturday. Drop by and browse the local art, craft and clothing stalls for a unique souvenir. PAYA Boutique also stocks a wide range of hand-selected fashion and lifestyle products, including women's fashion, accessories, jewelry, home wares and gifts.
CRUISING
SUN DRENCHED DAYS
Things to Do
CRUISING
SHOW STOPPERS
Things to Do
Sydney, Australia
SUNSHINE
The Blue Mountains, just an hour west of central Sydney, feel like they're world away from the hustle and bustle of the city. With more than 1 million hectares of forests, cliffs, canyons, caves and waterfalls — and plenty of walking paths to take you there — this is one of the best day trips Sydney has to offer. Quaint towns such as Katoomba stand in stark contrast to iconic landmarks such as the Three Sisters, the towering rock formation overlooking the valley.
The Blue Mountains, just an hour west of central Sydney, feel like they're world away from the hustle and bustle of the city. With more than 1 million hectares of forests, cliffs, canyons, caves and waterfalls — and plenty of walking paths to take you there — this is one of the best day trips Sydney has to offer. Quaint towns such as Katoomba stand in stark contrast to iconic landmarks such as the Three Sisters, the towering rock formation overlooking the valley.
in Sydney
Go in Circles
Circular Quay is the perfect place to start exploring Sydney. You can find the Opera House here, and Harbour Bridge is within walking distance. Stride into one of the many walking and pub tours that leave from here. Just 20 minutes away, you can stretch your legs on the iconic Harbour Bridge walk, the first of its kind in the world.
Get Manly
Bondi Beach gets all the attention, but Manly Beach in the Northern Beaches is a bit more local. The Corso is lined with shops and restaurants, including local favorite, Hugo's. If surfing is your thing, this is the place to be. The walk from Spit Bridge to Manly is a fantastic way to soak in the city's coastline.
Walk Watsons
Hop on the ferry or one of the regular buses that go to Watsons Bay to enjoy the scenic hike around South Head. During your journey, you'll enjoy views of Sydney Harbour, North Head, the historic Hornby Lighthouse and, of course, the sapphire-blue Pacific Ocean. The Gap offers breathtaking views of the sea from the rocky cliffside.
Local Cuisine
With all the water surrounding you, it's no surprise seafood takes center stage on many plates in the city. Head to Sydney Fish Market for giant Sydney Rock oysters or classic fish and ships. Stop into a local pie shop for a traditional Australian meat pie, or explore Sydney's international side with udon or ramen noodles at a Japanese noodle bar, or seek out shrimp dumplings in Chinatown.
Shopping
There are plenty of shopping malls in the heart of the city, including Westfield Mall, Pitt Street Mall and the wonderful Queen Victoria Building, which is now a shopping mall featuring top designers. Seek out cutting boards made from local camphor laurel — they're not only beautiful but also have natural antimicrobial properties. During your Sydney cruise vacation, look for jewelry made from opal, the national gemstone of Australia.
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