Perth’s spectacular growth in recent times makes the old historic port of Fremantle seem tiny in comparison. Eighty per cent of Western Australia’s population lives in or around this sunny metropolis.

Your guide to Perth

They say you can’t please everyone, but Perth may prove to be the exception to that rule. The city’s urban sprawl is awash with fusion flavours, fashionable boutiques and innovative museums but Western Australia’s capital impresses in other ways too. Its Kings Park and Botanic Garden are one of the largest inner-city green spaces; eclipsing even New York’s Central Park. Outstanding beaches decorate Perth’s coastline, while verdant wineries surround its inland fringes. Throw in the world’s largest gold coin (one of Perth’s many novel claims to fame) and you begin to appreciate why the city is so many things to so many people.

Exploring

Perth is famously isolated; a cosmopolitan drop in the ocean that is Australia’s outback. Along the banks of the Swan River you’ll find countless spots to sit and watch kayakers paddle by. The CBD (central business district) offers many interesting galleries and museums to explore while the Perth Mint, exploring Western Australia’s gold history, is in East Perth. If a day in the sun appeals, the city’s nearest beach (Cottesloe) is just a 15-minute drive. Alternatively, take a walk through Kings Park and Botanic Garden where you’ll enjoy far-reaching views in one of the world’s largest city parks.

Eating and drinking

Perth’s culinary scene is eclectic and far-reaching, drawing on local produce, international influences and contemporary trends. Among the city’s hum of cafés and restaurants, you’ll find hip markets populated by food trucks, selling dishes from around the world. Australia’s proximity to Asia means Eastern flavours are forthcoming, while fresh fish is another Perth delicacy; such is the calibre in this part of the world. A good cup of coffee and/or glass of wine is also easy to come by in Perth. Western Australia is known for the latter; the wineries of Margaret River, famous for producing some of Australia’s finest vintages.

Shopping

Perth seems to do everything with gusto and its shopping offer is no exception. In the CBD you’ll find the city’s most famous shopping streets, Hay Street Mall and Murray Street Mall, both boasting a diverse retailer line-up. The picturesque London Court and Trinity Arcade are among the best places to source native Aboriginal crafts and Australian opals while an assortment of high-end international designers lines King Street in Perth’s characterful ‘West End’. If outlet shopping appeals, Perth DFO offers more than 100 stores selling fashion and homewares at up to 70% off while the city’s weekend markets offer a chance to buy one-of-a-kind products directly from local producers.

Beyond Perth

Just a short ferry crossing from Perth brings you to Rottnest Island, a stunning nature reserve and conservation area for wildlife including Quokkas. The island is the ideal place to indulge in activities such as fishing, surfing and glass-bottom kayaking, while guided tours expand on Rottnest’s fascinating history. At just 25 minutes from Perth, Swan Valley is yet another popular excursion from the city. The valley is home to some of Western Australia’s oldest wineries and best restaurants. There are local artisan markets where you can pick up produce grown natively in the Valley, as well as crafts from resident artists and makers.

A charming city serving exceptional views, the port of Adelaide boasts a charismatic coastline and plenty of vast, open green space.

Upon arrival in Port Adelaide, you’ll see the Port Adelaide River. Here, if you’re lucky, you might witness a magical performance courtesy of the resident population of bottlenose dolphins. This seaport suburb is situated northwest of mainland Adelaide and north of the Fleurieu Peninsula.

Adelaide port guide

Port Adelaide serves as a gateway to culinary delicacies, a captivating art scene, and native wildlife, and brings plenty of opportunities to make unforgettable memories.

Founded by the first harbourmaster, Captain Thomas Lipson, Port Adelaide has operated as a hub of entry to Australia for over 185 years. It’s a place whose people rightly pride themselves on their rich historical and cultural background.

Feel at once at home in this inviting land, indulge in local food markets, learn about maritime history, and admire beautiful 19th-century buildings.

Here’s our guide to everything you need to know about exploring the delightful port town of Adelaide.

Top landmarks and sights in Adelaide

After your ship sails into port, step ashore and be welcomed by character-laden streets decorated with street art, as well as antique buildings preserved from the Victorian period. Home to impressive colonial architecture, the streetscapes of Port Adelaide make for interesting exploration.

The grand Town Hall in this port town was designed by Christopher Arthur Smith, one of the leading South Australian exponents of the art deco style in 1939. Today, the structure serves as the Port Adelaide Enfield Council Offices.

Peppered around Rundle Mall, Adelaide’s most well-known shopping district, you’ll find Horatio, Oliver, Truffles, and Augusta. These four, life-sized bronze pigs have been appreciated by passers-by since their installation in 1999. The art, officially known as A Day Out, was created by Marguerite Derricourt, the winner of a national sculpture competition instigated by the City of Adelaide.

Things to do in Adelaide

In the centre of Adelaide, you can visit the National Wine Centre of Australia to discover more about the city’s wonderful wineries. Located next door is the Adelaide Botanic Gardens, a lovely, tranquil spot in which to walk and admire the flora.

A mecca for wildlife, and a favourite among locals and tourists alike, Adelaide Zoo offers an intimate experience with all kinds of animals. These include some rare and endangered species including squirrel monkeys, giant pandas, and hippos.

Rural Adelaide is a prime location for sighting local wildlife. With miles of bushland environment, Australia is the native habitat of a range of wildlife. Widespread through the Adelaide Hills intriguing wildlife such as echidnas, rakali, possums, kangaroos, koalas, and snakes can be identified. Over thousands of square miles, many wildlife reserves and parks aim to protect South Australia’s iconic inhabitants and its abundant animal life.

Along the northern coast of Adelaide, you’ll have the opportunity to catch a glimpse of an abundance of birds and other wildlife, including sting rays, long-nosed fur seals, and perhaps even endangered Australian sea lions. Plus, through ancient mangrove forests, seagrass, salt marsh, and tidal flats, dolphins are at home in their natural habitat.

A thriving art, theatre, and food scene bring opportunities to enjoy plenty of annual events, including the Adelaide Fringe Festival, which attracts all manner of world-class entertainers.

Wander sandy shores and watch the water flow at one of many exceptional beaches in Adelaide. With beaches peppered along the coast, sand and surf are almost inescapable.

You can also experience a wealth of great museums containing historical collections in Adelaide. The preservation of the maritime aviation and railway past serves to honour Port Adelaide's ancestors. Here you can track the voyages of navigators who charted unknown waters, sit at the controls of the pilot’s cockpit, and immerse yourself in local history.

Eating and drinking near Adelaide

In both the port town of Adelaide and in the city centre, you can discover an array of culinary delights. Every cuisine is catered for so even the most discerning of palettes will find something to suit.

The Adelaide Central Market is a thriving undercover food market that dates back as far as 1869. At this gourmet hotspot find a range of cuisine, varying from fresh oysters to tangy cheeses, and perhaps find a table at one of Adelaide’s finest eateries, located within the market itself.

In the heart of Adelaide's central business district, guests can wander the cobbled Leigh Street and explore plenty of fine dining and great hospitality. This quaint and characterful pedestrian lane is a delight that both South Australians and guests can savour.

Closer to the port lie interesting pubs and restaurants tucked inside dated buildings. Old salt pubs exude seafaring stories from years gone by, while coastal cafes make for the perfect setting to watch the sun go down behind the sea.

Getting around, Adelaide transport

Port Adelaide Passenger Terminal is a short walk (less than five minutes) away from the Outer Harbour railway station. From Outer Harbour, the town of Port Adelaide is on a direct line and the journey takes about 20 minutes. Trains run regularly from the station to the port where guests can walk along the dock, or perhaps travel into the city centre on another train. This second journey takes around 45 minutes.

Public transport is available to Adelaide city centre and shuttle buses frequently run from the port terminal to Rundle Mall.

Adelaide can be explored on foot with ease as most sights are within walking distance of the city centre. Stylish streets and shopping districts of the city are also entirely pedestrianised.

Adelaide port facilities

The terminal at Port Adelaide includes an information welcome centre, souvenir shops, toilets, public telephones, and ATMs.

Adelaide quick tips

Currency

The Australian Dollar is the local currency in Adelaide. ATMs are available at the ship terminal, in Port Adelaide, and in the city centre. Some small shops and bars may not accept card payments, so it is recommended you carry some cash with you during your visit.

Weather

Adelaide has a Mediterranean climate with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. With four distinct seasons, Adelaide has a mixture of weather for guests to embrace during their stay.

On average, temperatures reach highs of 30°C during the summer in Adelaide while the winter months reach lows of 8°C.

March to May and September through to November, the city’s autumn and spring months, are popular times to visit Adelaide. The summer months in Adelaide can be particularly busy due to ample sunshine and the Adelaide Fringe art festival.

Originally part of New South Wales, Victoria became a colony in its own right in 1851. The discovery of gold and the development of agriculture launched Melbourne’s rise to prominence and prosperity.

Your guide to Melbourne

Melbourne is a green and welcoming city, teeming with cultural institutions as well as cafés, bars and restaurants serving a spectrum of international cuisine. Melbourne is also an event city, home to the Australian Open Tennis, the Melbourne Cup and numerous other sporting occasions. Anyone who gets to know the city finds it has a kaleidoscopic character. Signs of Melbourne’s heritage are everywhere, and yet the city bears the glass and steel hallmarks of a modern metropolis. A visit here guarantees myriad experiences, most within easy walking range, and others a short ride aboard one of the historic trams that criss-cross the city.

Exploring

Melbourne offers much to see and experience and a port call here is never lacking in things to do. Arts Centre Melbourne is the city’s cultural heart, offering live music and theatre alongside a Sunday market. State Parliament House on Bourke Street is one of the city’s finest heritage buildings. The Eureka Skydeck offers unparalleled views of the city, accessed by a lift that ascends to the 88th floor in just 40 seconds, while the Royal Botanic Gardens is a wonderful place to lose yourself in sweeping lawns flanked by exotic plants. Federation Square, also known as ‘Fed Square’, is a cultural precinct in the city centre offering shops, cafés and restaurants, as well as the Melbourne Visitor Centre.

Eating and drinking

Melbourne cuisine offers everything from South East Asian and Middle Eastern influences to the sunny flavours of the Mediterranean. The city is divided into pockets, each with a different feeling and flavour. Southgate has a sparkling multi-storeyed restaurant and bar complex overlooking the river. Carlton is Melbourne’s own little Italy while Lonsdale Street doubles as Melbourne’s Greek hub. Chinatown offers some of the best Chinese restaurants in Australia and in Acland Street the fine food influences of Vienna, Warsaw, Budapest, Prague and Tel Aviv are the flavour of the day. Chapel Street in ultra-fashionable Toorak offers an eclectic mix of restaurants with clientele to match.

Shopping

Melbourne is a fashion-forward destination with many boutiques stocking Australian designers. It’s also the place for Persian rugs and vintage finds as the city is inundated with thrift stores and antique shops. Melbourne city centre is famous for its ornate 19th-century arcades while Toorak Road is the destination for exclusive boutiques selling the latest fashion and footwear. For a memento of the city, authentic Aboriginal art can be picked up in dedicated Aboriginal art centres and specialist galleries. Opals are another popular purchase on a trip to Melbourne, though take care to ensure outlets display the Australian Gem Industry Association logo.

Beyond Melbourne

Around two and a half miles north of Melbourne brings you to Melbourne Zoo where the Australia Bush area offers the chance to see wombats, kangaroos and koalas up close. Dandenong Ranges, 31 miles east, is a lushly green region dotted with fine houses, restaurants, fern gullies and gardens. Small towns like Olinda and Belgrave are lovely places to visit and the Puffing Billy - a steam railroad - curls from Belgrave to Emerald Lake Park. Mornington Peninsula, 60 miles south, is a seaside playground with bay swimming and surf beaches. There are also many excellent wineries within easy reach of the city as well as Victoria’s finest historic homes and Point Nepean National Park.

The stunning harbour city, Sydney, is Australia’s oldest and largest urban centre. Gold mining and sheep breeding propelled Sydney’s development, and today it’s the largest port in the entire South Pacific. Mark Twain called it “the wonder of the world”.

Your port guide to Sydney

Blessed with a natural harbour, countless golden beaches and world-class restaurants, Sydney is a dazzling metropolis and international gateway to Australia’s east coast. The city is famed for the quality of its outdoor living, yet a visit here offers more than a chance to soak up the sun. The Sydney Harbour Bridge, world-famous Opera House and the constant bustle of the harbour itself make Sydney one of the world’s most dynamic destinations. Venturing outside the capital of New South Wales unlocks mysterious protected coves, miles of sandy beaches and the dramatic landscape of the breath-taking Blue Mountains.

Exploring

For spectacular 360-degree views, ascend Sydney Harbour Bridge’s south-east pylon from which Sydney Opera House and The Rocks - one of the city’s liveliest precincts and home to the Museum of Sydney and Museum of Contemporary Art - are visible. The Sydney Aquarium, National Maritime Museum and the Chinese Garden of Friendship can be found in Darling Harbour, with Chinatown also nearby. The Australian Museum, ranked one of the top five history museums in the world, is ideal for anyone wishing to deepen their knowledge of Australia’s aboriginal heritage. Alternatively, escape the city’s hustle at Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens. Incorporating Government House and the Conservatorium of Music, this sprawling parkland offers 24 hectares of native exotic trees.

Eating and drinking

Those unfamiliar with Sydney may be surprised by the sophistication of the city’s culinary scene. Sydney offers myriad dining experiences drawing on both eastern and western influences, along with restaurants producing some of the most innovative nouveau cuisine in the world. Thai, Vietnamese, Indian and Korean restaurants are abundant in the city while Italian, Greek, Lebanese and the cuisines of central Europe are also popular. If you’re seeking a central spot to stop and grab a bite around lunchtime, Circular Quay - wedged between the Opera House and The Rocks - is a bustling precinct jammed with quality restaurants offering quayside dining.

Shopping

Sydney offers an exciting shopping experience encompassing department stores, boutiques and designer emporiums, all located within the city centre itself. Pitt Street Mall is perhaps the most renowned of Sydney’s shopping precincts, offering a blend of internationally renowned brands alongside some delightful native Australian names. Westfield and The Strand Arcade both branch off from here and you could easily fill a day browsing the variety of shops in this area alone. Alternatively, Queen Victoria Building, constructed in 1898, offers undercover shopping in a beautiful historic arcade while World Square is another excellent shopping option that combines dining and retail in one convenient location.

Beyond Sydney

Sydney is ideally located to explore many of New South Wales’ most popular tourist attractions. The Blue Mountains, comprising four national parks, are located just 65km west of the city and feature a spectacular collection of broken ravines, towering cliffs and high forested plateaux. On the edge of the spectacular Jamison Valley you’ll find the historic town of Katoomba where you can ride Australia’s famous Scenic Railway. Also within easy reach of Sydney are the lovely gardens of the cool Southern Highlands, the family-friendly beaches of the Central Coast and the pretty Hunter Valley; Australia’s oldest commercial wine-growing district.