Australia
The land Down Under
Australia
Australians live mostly along the coast, and almost all of these people live in cities – 89% of Australians, in fact. It follows that cities here are a lot of fun. Sydney is the glamorous poster child with world-class seashores and an otherwise remarkable setting. Melbourne is all arts, alleyways and a stellar food scene. Brisbane is a subtropical city on the way up, Adelaide has festive grace and pubby poise. Boomtown Perth breathes West Coast optimism, and Canberra showcases so many artistic treasures, while the tropical northern frontier town of Darwin, and the chilly southern sandstone city of Hobart, couldn't be more different.
Some gorgeous itineraries
We've selected some of the best routes for this destination
![Cairns – Whitsundays (3days) itinerary](https://sailme.com/images/locations/australia/route.jpg)
Cairns – Whitsundays (3days)
Top locations in Australia
See top spots for boating in the area
Sydney
Relax on sun-drenched shores, dine at award-winning restaurants and take in some shows on your voyage to Sydney. Enjoy Sydney's real beauty, from unspoiled beaches to public gardens and, of course, the sparkling harbor, before discovering its thriving food and shops. Top it off with a journey to the Blue Mountains, a favorite excursion among locals. There are more than 100 scenic beaches in Sydney – from quiet, sheltered bays and secret coves to busy surf beaches and world-famous tourist locations. Many have bars, restaurants or entire shopping villages found around their edges, and most are easily accessible from Sydney's city center. A range of beach activities is also available, including snorkeling, kayaking, canoeing, SUP surfing, and boarding. With all the diversity on offer, there is something for everyone.
The Whitsundays
The Whitsundays is made up of 74 wonderful Islands, on the gorgeous tropical coast of Queensland, Australia. Right in the center of the Great Barrier Reef, a visit to the Whitsundays is a must-have feast for the senses. The stunning natural landscapes of the shores and islands are dotted with isolated beaches and friendly towns. If you choose to base yourself on the coast or on the islands, there's so much you can do, you'll have to work out how to fit it all in! Centered in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef on the Queensland coast, lies 74 island wonders. The majority of the Whitsunday Islands are uninhabited national park islands, but four islands offer a variety of resort accommodation, all with the Great Barrier Reef and fringing coral reefs at their doorstep. Whether it be eco-style, family-friendly, all-inclusive, activity-based, food and wine-focused or pure luxury - there is a Queensland resort experience to suit everyone.
The Great Barrier Reef
One of Australia's most remarkable natural gifts, the Great Barrier Reef is blessed with the breath-taking beauty of our planet's largest coral reef. Its abundance of marine life comprises of over 3000 individual coral cays and reef systems and literally hundreds of spectacular tropical islands with some of the world's most beautiful golden beaches, drenched in sunlight. Because of its splendid natural beauty, the Great Barrier Reef has become one of the world's most sought-after travel destinations. Here you can enjoy many experiences including snorkeling, scuba diving, aircraft or helicopter tours, bare boats (self-sail), glass-bottomed boat viewing, semi-submersibles and educational trips, cruise ship tours, whale watching and swimming with dolphins. The Great Barrier Reef is much larger than the Great Wall of China and the only living thing on earth visible from space. It is ranked as one of the seven wonders of the natural world and drifting away from it - viewing it from a greater distance, you can understand why.