The most populous city in Australia, Sydney is an important cultural, economic, and historical hub for the country. As an entertainment center and a popular tourist destination, Sydney sees frequent visitors, Australian and foreign, who come to enjoy the world-class atmosphere that Sydney provides.

As far as Western colonization goes, Sydney was originally a convict colony for British criminals. The immigrants from Great Britain brought diseases that decimated the native populations, while initiatives were set in place to Christianize the rest. By 1842, Sydney was declared the first city in Australia, after undergoing a period of urban development. Economically, the city fared well until the Great Depression, which hit Sydney hard. After it, though, Sydney continued to expand, becoming one of the most multicultural cities in the world.

To the east of Sydney is the Pacific Ocean, and to the west the Hawkesbury River. The topography of the area upon which Sydney stands makes for several submerged valleys, one of which is the famous Sydney Harbor. Spread over the Cumberland Plain and the North Shore, Sydney only came together as a major metropolis after the completion of the Sydney Harbor Bridge.

Sydney enjoys a temperate climate that features warm summers and mild winters. There is a moderate amount of rainfall throughout the year, divided pretty evenly throughout the year. El Niño plays a significant role in shaping Sydney’s weather, allowing oscillations back and forth between drought and flooding.

The city is home to some of Australia’s largest cultural and social events. Musical festivals and parades are a few of the many events held in the city, while fixtures like the Sydney Opera House and Luna Park provide year-round entertainment. Sydney also has a very active nightlife, including such popular hotspots as Kings Cross and Oxford Street.

Sydney gets a majority share of the press when it comes to Australia’s tourist industry, but it is not the only city Down Under that is worth the price of admission.  Melbourne boasts a number of attractions and a vibrant, cosmopolitan culture.  Sports are a major draw.  National games like Rugby are popular, and the sporting world focuses on the city for the Formula One auto race and the Melbourne Cup horse race.  Melbourne is also the birthplace of the rugby, soccer, basketball hybrid known as Australian Rules Football.  Cricket and Soccer also draw large groups of spectators. 

Melbourne is also well known in Australia for its urban culture.  Foodies will love the array of restaurants.  Cutting edge kitchens serve the best in haute cuisine while authentic ethnic eateries abound and laid back cafes line the scenic Yarra River.  The river has one of the most scenic urban waterfronts in the world.   

Melbourne is also a very pleasant city.  Public transit makes getting around without a car easy.  There are a large number of bike trails and public parks.  Unlike many major cities, Melbourne also has a wide variety of budget accommodations.  The backpacker vibe of St. Kilda is bolstered by the good chance of finding cheap rooms, cheaper eats, and plenty of nightlife. 

Highbrow nightlife is also part of the equation.  Whether that means enjoying a taste of Australia’s finest at one of the city’s many wine bars or taking in an opera performance, the finer elements of culture in Melbourne can be considered world class. 

Melbourne is a pleasant, generally safe and easy to visit place.  There is enough to do to warrant a week or (even) a month long trip.        

Bali’s famed Kuta Beach might be home to some of the world’s best sun, sand, and surf, but it is not the only place in Bali worthy of tourists’ attention. Recent development along the island’s east coast has uncovered several gems. One such place is Amed. IN the recent past, it was a sleepy fishing village with little infrastructure. Today, the town, famous for its black sand beaches and sublime dive sites, has become the new darling of Bali’s tourist industry.

It was seven years ago that a paved road connected Amed with the rest of the island. Before that, a dirt track, prone to washout during the wet season, was the only way to reach the town. Phone lines were laid soon thereafter and Amed, the tourist destination, was born.

Needless to say, the town is yet to be overrun with nightclubs and tourist cafes like Kuta has. Amed is still an out-of-the-way getaway with an attractively sleepy atmosphere.

Sailing and scuba diving are the two activities of choice. Both take advantage of the clear and calm coastal waters. It is sometimes possible to catch a glimpse of dolphins while at sea.

There are no tourist markets or handcraft shops like other areas of Bali. However, this fits with Amed’s atmosphere. It’s easy to head out of your hotel and not feel like a tourist.

Lempuyang Temple, one of the more important Hindu temples on Bali. Like other temples it features a long staircase and intricate carvings. The atmosphere is peaceful and the views of the island and the sea are wonderful.

Amed is a place to get away from it all. The sleepy quality that makes this coastal village attractive might not last forever, especially given Bali’s recent success in hosting high profile events. It might be best to get to Amed before that which makes it great disappears.

Auckland is, unfortunately, known as the largest city in “That Country Where Lord of the Rings Was Filmed.” Yes, Auckland is a small city, quaint by most standards. But it boasts a rather cosmopolitan nightlife. This is especially the case when it comes to the music and performance scene. There are no twangy country songs about sheering sheep here. The local music industry rivals that of Seattle.

Hip-hop is still young in New Zealand, but venues like Club 4:20 offer a glimpse of what’s to come. The talent is quite raw, but it could be exciting for hip-hop aficionados to see the early stages of the scene.

Auckland rivals any city when it comes to jazz and jazz-fusion. Temple Bar is one of the places to find some great performances. Many clubs alternate between more traditional jazz bands and fusion bands or pure R&B acts. Many of the local acts have a sound that has a distinctly kiwi flavor.

Gambling is available in New Zealand. SkyCity casino offers a place to roll the dice and (most likely) be relieved of some of that extra travel budget cash that’s been burning a hole in your pocket. The casinos are open 24 hours a day. Despite the bright lights and noise that you’d find in any casino from Vegas to Macau, Auckland’s gambling dens have a rather laid back atmosphere. Yes, people are intent on what they are doing, but there is a stereotypical nonchalance that seeps into everything in Auckland. It might not be the most exciting city in the Southern Hemisphere, but it surely is one of the most welcoming.