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Global uncertainty, inflationary pressures, and eye-wateringly exxy flights are causing many of us to defer that next overseas trip.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t take a break from the everyday — even in your own backyard. Australia’s capital cities are world-class travel destinations in there own right. And they’re yours to explore and adore, minus the pricey 20+ hours spent crammed in a giant metal tube!
Here are five Australian city staycation ideas that are worth staying home for.
Seaside delights in Sydney
Sydney is world-famous for its majestic harbour — and while international visitors flock to the city in droves to enjoy the water, it’s something we locals sometimes take for granted. Why not theme a whole staycay around the city’s incredible waterways and golden beaches?
Kick off proceedings with a dawn tour of the bustling Sydney Fish Market, where you’ll learn the secrets of sashimi and how to shuck with the best. Drop by the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia at Circular Quay to take in a million dollar view of the Opera House and harbour from their rooftop cafe. The six-kilometre Bondi to Coogee Walk will reconnect you with two of the city’s most iconic beaches, and from there it’s a quick Uber over to Watson’s Bay for fancy fish and chips. Take time to traverse the harbour on board a mighty Manly ferry, before wiggling your toes in the sand at pretty Shelly Beach. Back in the CBD, shop for a new frock (a tailor in Sydney will sort out any last minute alterations) and top off your stay with dinner at Cirrus Dining in Barangaroo. They specialise in posh ocean-sourced nosh.
Culture and coffee in Melbourne
Paris, Rome, and Venice may be famous for their culture and cafes, but Melbourne sets the standard on this side of the planet — and it’s easy to plan an entire staycation around caffeine and canvas. Start the day at a sidewalk cafe in bustling Degraves Street — you’ll feel like you have actually landed in some far-flung European city. From there, it’s time to get arty! Make your way over to the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) and join a free guided tour of this epic arts facility. You may also want to check out independent Flinders Lane Gallery, the Anna Schwartz Gallery (which represents more than 30 established and emerging artists), and the trove of cutting edge art and design that is RMIT Gallery.
Melbourne’s best kept cafe secrets are known only to locals, so bring in the experts on a guided cafe walking tour. You’ll visit a number of characterful coffee houses in which to partake of the liquid gold, and pass through various street-art emblazoned laneways in the process. Work in a brew on your own time at much-loved Pellegrini’s on Bourke Street, and at Captains of Industry off Somerset Place.
Tropical vibes in Brisbane
If your idea of the perfect holiday consists of white sand, crystal clear water, and chilled glasses primed with paper umbrellas, you can recreate much of that magic in Brisbane. Streets Beach in South Bank is Australia’s only inner city man-made beach precinct and it’s a true piece of paradise — especially during the week when the crowds thin out. Relax beneath swaying palms or take a stroll through the verdant parkland that surrounds the beach.
A day trip out to North Stradbroke Island is another fitting tropical getaway stand-in. Spend your day lazing by the beachfront and saying g’day to the wild bottlenose dolphins that cruise in to the shoreline. For those all-important holiday cocktails, try the very cool Sixteen Antlers Rooftop Bar on Ann Street — or head to the Howard Smith Wharves and pull up a pew at Mr Percival’s over-water bar.
Tantalising tastes in Adelaide
Why even think of leaving the country when some of the best cuisine in the world awaits you in our very own Adelaide? The South Australian capital has long been renowned as a foodie mecca, and these days you can plan a gourmet staycay that will take your tastebuds anywhere they have a whim to wander. One of the culinary must-trys is Africola in the East End — a pan-African eatery where you can enjoy biltong and boerewors snacks, followed by grilled meats and an array of vegetable-based specialties.
Over in super-cool Leigh Street, Shobosho also uses smoke and fire to conjure up traditional Japanese yakitori with a modern twist. Handmade pastas and seasonal local produce are the key ingredients at Italian-style eatery Osteria Oggi, and there’s plenty of delicious French-style fun to be had at Delicatessen Kitchen & Bar on Waymouth Street. For a casual Vietnamese pho, tiny Sit Lo is big on flavour!
Unique treats in Perth
Watching a golden ocean sunset is not something we do a lot of in Australia. That’s unless you happen to live by the beach in the west, in which case, they’re a daily treat. In Perth, they’re best accompanied by fresh fish and chips at famous Cottesloe Beach. There are lots of other amazing experiences that are all-but-unique in Oz to the Western Australian capital, and a staycation is a great time to tick them off. Stop and smell the flowers in stunning Kings Park — one of the biggest inner city parks in the world. Go grape grazing in the gorgeous Swan Valley — one of the closest wine regions to a major capital city anywhere on the planet. And what could be more romantic than a sunset cruise on the Swan River in an authentic Venetian gondola? That’s a classic holiday selfie moment right there.
This post was published thanks to Look Smart Alterations.
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Cover image: South Australian Tourism Commission. Additional images: Depositphotos, Bigstock, and Envato
About the writer
Adam Ford is editor of Top Oz Tours & Travel Ideas, and a travel TV presenter, writer, blogger, and photographer. He has travelled extensively through Europe, Asia, North America, Africa, and the Middle East. Adam worked as a travel consultant for a number of years with Flight Centre before taking up the opportunity to travel the world himself as host of the TV series Tour the World on Network Ten. He loves to experience everything a new destination has to offer and is equally at home in a five-star Palazzo in Pisa or a home-stay in Hanoi.
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