Spent 5-4-3-2-1 day in these 5 capital city's of Australia

Having a bit of time to spend in Australia? I've collected a but of advise on how to best spent the time in the capital cities of Australia. Sydney, Melvourne, Darwin, Canberra and Perth. Enjoy!

5. Days in Sydney, NSW, Australia

Day 1 Sydney

Sydney is the state capital of NSW and the biggest, oldest and most cosmopolitan city in Australia. Sydney was the site of the first British colony in Australia. Today this first settlement ‘the Rocks’, can be visited as a tourist attraction (admission free), and tells you the story of the establishment of Sydney in 1788 at Sydney Cove and the lives of the first settlers.

Let me take you on a walk-about of Central Sydney and what must simply not be missed. First you must visit the Opera House. It is located in Sydney Harbour. Enjoy and take pictures of the most photographed building in the world, walk into the garden and along the water to get even more photos of the Opera House from different angles and perspectives. Catch a show while you are there. The Opera House has other shows than just Opera. I went for a magic show the first time I visited.

Right next to the Opera House you find the Harbour Bridge. It is worth a walk just to enjoy the view. You can either cross the bridge completely or just walk half the way and enjoy the view before coming back to the main side of the city. 

Continue your trip right and walk by the old settlements and parks, and end-up in Darlin Harbour. You can also spend your rainy days here. Visit the Aquarium and the Sydney wildlife zoo, or simply enjoy the view from one of the cafes.

Day 2 & 3 Beaches

Bondi beach is the lord of all beaches in Sydney and where everyone goes. But while in Sydney, don’t forget to pay a visit to Bronte, located close to Bondi, but much less touristy and crowded. In the mood for beach walks? The Bondi to Coogee walk lasts a couple of hours along the coastline for a bit of exercise in nice surroundings. Another lovely beach is Manly, located a ferry-trip away, and while here take the Manly walk. 

Manly has much fewer tourists and is just a ferry ride away. If scared of animals remember to make noise, because there are quite a few water-dragons and lizards on this walk, amongst others…

Day 4 & 5 The Blue Mountains 

These are an absolute favorite of mine. A breathtaking piece of nature, and quaint small cities surrounding the entry points. 

The mountain range is a dissected plateau carved in sandstone bedrock. 

It is a beautiful place, and definitely worth at least one weekend-camping trip. The most popular place in the Blue Mountains is called the Three Sisters and is where most tours will take you. It is right next to the Katoomba Scenic Railway, which should be the steepest railway in the world. I do not consider myself afraid of heights, but I was terrified on my way up through the gorge. 

The adverts claim a maximum gradient of 52 degrees, but it felt like free fall. At this location, you will also find the Scenic Skyway, a glass-bottom aerial cable car, and the Scenic Cableway. Both part of The Giant Stairway, a walking track that runs down a cliff into the Jamison Valley, providing access to nature walks throughout the valley. The Blue Mountains has some of the country’s most dazzling natural attractions. With dramatic views over the deep valley, troughs gouged out over millions of years.

4 Days in Darwin, Northern Territory

Day 1 Darwin

Darwin is the state capital of The Northern Territory. It is the biggest city and the only civilization. For hours on each side spectacular nature surrounds Darwin just begging to be explored. As a state capital, Darwin is worth a visit. You would normally land here if you fly to NT. Spending the day exploring this 'Bush Capital' i gives a vibe on what the NT is all about. Darwin is famous for its nightlife and people seem to be able to drink an enormous amount of alcohol. Besides the partying Darwin is a quaint kind-of-sleepy city where things only start to happen once the sun sets.

Day 2 Litchfield National Park

Visiting Darwin it is the nature of Northern Territory you want to explore. so as soon as possible you want to leave to the exquisite nature. 

Stop number one is Litchfield National Park. As part of the woodlands, this National part stretches over 1500 square kilometers. The park holds spectacular waterfalls, cold-water pools, and huge termite mounds three time your own size. Did you think termite mounds all looked the same? Stand to be corrected. When just entering the Litchfield Park surreal, a tombstone-like field of giant termite mounds feels the green fields. These castles are built on a north-south axis to protect the interiors from the intense sun. Next stop is the thundering falls and cool plunge pools where you can cool off and lay back and relax while the world runs its course.

Day 3 Jumping Crocodiles in Adelaide River and Umbrawarra Gorge

Opposite popular beliefs Saltwater Crocodiles do not only live in saltwater. On the Adelaide River, you can observe saltwater crocodiles as they leap from the water to snatch the raw meat that is being dangled around above them. You have to book a tour, as these are wild and dangerous animals. From the safety of the boat, you can spend an hour seeing how these enormous animals jump out of the water to get their lunch. 

Should you fall in the water the locals have told me that crocodiles are attracted to bright colors and splashing - so good luck.  The afternoon can be spent exploring Umbrawarra Gorge. This park protects a beautiful and isolated gorge with steep red cliffs. Take your time to wander through the gallery of nature. Umbrawarra should be visited if you like walking, rock hopping, swimming and exploring hidden and secret places few have gone before. The land belongs to the Wagiman People and has important Aboriginal significance. The rules of the park should always be obeyed whether you come for an hour walk or a weekend camping trip.

Day 4 Nitmuluk Park

Should be spent in Nitmuluk National Park for a trek and checking out a hundred wallabies. Nitmuluk consists of 13 majestic natural gorges carved through sandstone, with huge rocks and boulders separating each gorge. The weather is really hot in Nitmiluk, so explore this treasure as early as possible.

When the temperature hits 40 C at the bottom it is generally around 50 C at the top and the sun is unforgivably burning, making it extremely hot as soon as it rises. That being said do not miss out on this spectacular place.

Insider tip: Want an experience out of the ordinary? Enjoy the sunset with a magnificent view from lookout points in Nitmiluk. Bring a bottle of white wine and some cheese and crackers and make it a sunset picnic. It is an extraordinary experience.

3 Days in Perth, Western Australia

Day 1: Perth City

Perth has developed from a small, isolated city, to a big pulsating city with over one and a half million inhabitants, thanks to the mining boom in Western Australia It is the state's capital and the fastest growing city in Australia. Because Perth has expanded recently it is modern and neat with skyscrapers perched on both banks of the Swan River. Like most places in Australia, the Perth region has a rich aboriginal history. Nyoongar people called this a home for more than 40,000 years and until the British arrived and settled in the early 18-hundred. With the gold-rush, the settlement grew to a city and in time developed into what it is today. Regardless of its reputation as a big city, you will find that Perth is laid-back, quiet and safe. And most weekends can be spent on some of the many beaches located close to Perth.

Day 2: Beach and Freemantle

The beaches are beautiful with pale sand and turquoise clear water. The most popular beach around Perth is Cottesloe Beach, This is the perfect place to enjoy the sun. Freemantle is another place to visit. It is a small port town quite famous in the area for its quaint and well-preserved architectural heritage. lIt has been made cool and hip with sidewalks filled with art and vintage shops, and live music playing out of cafés and small urban bars that have also been made trendy.

Day 3: Pinnacles Desert & Pink Lake

Around two hours north of Perth you find the Pinnacles Desert, limestone formations within Nambung National Park, near the town of Cervantes. The origin and formation of these limestone pillars are still being debated by scientists, for more information you can visit the park’s interpretive discovery center to learn how the Pinnacles evolved and about the region's biodiversity. When out of the car continue out on the magnificent scenic walk through the Martian landscape of the ancient limestone pillars of the Pinnacles. 

Lots of them are huge, some several meters taller than me and all of them are shattered over the astounding desert. While walking through the park stay on the trail and follow the arrows. We met a snake on the road and they do warn against sand goannas and carpet pythons that like to soak up the sun on the rocks during the day.

I finally got a glimpse of the dazzling and breathtaking water dyed pink. After all, pink is an eye-catching bright color and I was drawn-in. Over 14 kilometers in length and utterly beautiful, dyed from carotenoid-producing algae and packed full of salt. It’s a very of special experience. It is located near the small town of Port Gregory, which is a sleepy fishing village with one thing people want.

2 Days in Melbourne, Victoria

Day 1 Melbourne

Melbourne is the capital city of Victoria and the second-most populous city in Australia. Melbourne is recognized as a hub for street art, music, and theatre with unique energy and diversity.

Once you’ve settled in you want to go straight out and explore the city. Venture into the artsy secret laneways of downtown Melbourne where you can discover some of the amazing street art and graffiti sprawling all over the walls. Melbourne is a cosmopolitan that will strike you as both stylish and dynamic. Once you get to know it, you will be bedazzled with its old city charm. Catch the old trams roaming around the city and get off 200 years later in the new hip scene, where the rooftop bars, buzzing bars, and the sporting scene is present.

Fashion Mecca of Melbourne

Discover your very own style when you check out the city’s fancy, hip and secondhand boutiques and alternative fashion-Mecca around bohemian Brunswick Street, chic Chapel Street or the Fitzroy area.Explore hip ethnic cafes and bistros where you can find just about every cuisine in the world present. 

Catch the tram and experience all the excitement of the Queen Victoria Markets. Here you can find everything from fresh and organic products to alternative Melbourne fashion. Enjoy the buzzing business of the morning when all the stall set up and start selling fresh products.

St. Kilda

Experience Life on the St Kilda Esplanade. The beach is great for a big-city getaway and busy on the hot weekends, where Melburnians use it for both joy and leisure. Take a stroll around sunset along the promenade and take in the city’s soul.  By nightfall check out the pier for a chance to encounter the penguins that frequent this place at night. If you do not catch a glimpse here there is always the option of doing a day-trip to Phillip Island where you are sure to encounter them. 

Day 2 Great Ocean Road

Get outside the city and discover an abundance of natural beauty. I am, of course, talking about the Great Ocean Road that takes you from Melbourne and on to Adelaide. It will give you a breathtaking view of rough and unpolished nature like nothing you have ever seen before. Depending on how much time you have you have to make at least a few stops on the way. An absolute must are the Twelve Apostles located just off the coast. These lone limestones stand majestic and tall out in the ocean. For everyone visiting the Great Ocean Road, this is a must-do. Another stop is the surf spot of Bells Beach where you can see incredible and unreal surfing in the huge waves. Last on my to-do list is the Great Otway National Park for spectacular nature and some of the oldest and tallest trees in the world. 

1 Day in Canberra

Canberra is Australia’s capital, and a city you should visit if you are interested in the history of Australia. It is located in the ACT, Australian Capital Territory, roughly 3,5 hours south of Sydney, inland from the country's southeast coast. It is called the Bush Capital because of its location surrounded by forest, farmland and nature reserves.

Canberra is the place to explore Parliament House and see democracy in action. You can take a free guided tour and end up at the top of the modern building for high tea and scones. Learn a bit of history. Did you know why it is an Emu and a Kangaroo that represents Australia? They are native to Australia, yes but the reason, I was taught is because they are the two only animals incapable of moving backward. The knees are located at an angle that makes moving backward impossible. They have been chosen because Australia will always only move forwards.

It has many renowned galleries and museums. They tell the tales of the development and history of Australia. As Australia's capital city, Canberra houses many of the nation's most important art and pieces of history. As well as pristine Aboriginal Art you will get a chance to meet the Bushranger Ned Kelly and hear why he was a hero and a real Australian Robin Hood. 

 The city is located in gorgeous surroundings and build around Lake Burley Griffin frequented by most Canberrans for leisure activities. There are several ways you can experience Lake Burley. The lake is a scene for both boats, paddle boating, and kayaks. While strolling around the shoreside you will encounter many of the famous buildings such as the Parliament House, the National Arboretum, and the National Gallery, known for its indigenous art collections. In the mood for exercise? Join a lot of Canberrans and go on a bicycle around the 35 kilometers of shoreline. It is a flat and easy pathway.

* All photos are private and taken by me.