Big Cities, Rock & Great Barrier Reef

With an exciting food scene, neighbourhoods varying from hip to historical and an unrivalled sporting calendar, Melbourne considers itself the cultural capital of Australia.

A joy to explore on foot or by tram, the city centre includes the state parliament; splendid Victorian buildings; character-filled cobbled laneways lined with incredible street art, restaurants, cafés, bars and boutiques; ultra-modern Federation Square; and Flinders Street Station, where it’s obligatory to stand beneath the clocks of this iconic terminus as generations before have done. For a glimpse of times past, visit Captain Cook’s 18th century cottage and garden or, tour the Old Melbourne Gaol, where outlaw Ned Kelly was held until his hanging in 1880.

For an experience on another level, zip up to the Southern Hemisphere’s highest observation deck at Melbourne Skydeck or, if you dare, teeter on the Edge, a transparent glass cube projecting out from the skydeck.