18 australian gateways


Cities of AUSTRALIA 1


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SYDNEY Iconic images of Sydney’s Opera House and the


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With several airlines operating to Australia, competition is fi erce.


stopovers included. Selling Travel checks out the options


Oz flights depart London (Heathrow and Gatwick), Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle and Glasgow. Quickest routings go via the Middle East and Asia


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Harbour Bridge adorn pretty much every brochure on Australia and starting an Aussie itinerary here will certainly kick off your client’s trip with a ‘wow’ factor. If they are limited on time be sure they stay close to Circular Quay for easy access to the must-see attractions like The Rocks historic area and the Botanical Gardens as well as easy access to the ferries that can connect them around the harbour and beyond.


SELL IT: From Sydney clients can explore famous beaches such as Bondi, Bronte, Coogee and Palm


Beach. They can bushwalk through Sydney Harbour National Park or visit the Blue Mountains. Look out for the city’s vibrant events too – from Mardi Gras to the New


Year’s Eve Fireworks. British Airways, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Malaysia and Thai Airways all fly into the city.


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MELBOURNE Melbournians are rightly proud of their arts and


culture scene, whose beating heart can be found at the Southbank precinct – where the The Arts Centre, MTC, Malthouse, Recital Centre and the National Gallery of Victoria entertain. The culinary scene is equally impressive, with immigrant influences meaning Italian, Lebanese, Vietnamese and many other exotic cuisines, compete with the city’s famous cafe scene, all fuelled by the state’s fab local produce. SELL IT: Melbourne is the jumping-off point for the beaches and vineyards of the Mornington Peninsula, the penguins of Philip Island, the wineries and breweries of the Yarra Valley, the stunning scenery and seaside pursuits of the Great Ocean Road, and the parks, gardens and cute villages of the lush Dandenong Ranges. Singapore Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Emirates and Etihad all fly into the city.


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DARWIN The nearest Australian gateway to the UK, Darwin is


under five hours’ flying time from Singapore and is the ideal entry point for adventure lovers. The city has an interesting and dramatic history having suffered the largest single attack ever mounted by a foreign power on Australia during WWII and again after a savage cyclone in the 1970s. It has a good range of restaurants, museums and Aboriginal art galleries. SELL IT: Darwin is primarily popular as the entry point to top-end national parks such as Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks. Excursions from the city include lots of opportunities to experience Aboriginal culture and the best of Australia’s wilderness and outback activities. Malaysia Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines and British Airways operate here via Asia.


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BRISBANE The energetic capital of Queensland, based on the


iconic Brisbane River, is loaded with culture and first-class wining and dining as well as some hip designer hotels. Its South Bank comes complete with a sandy beach for those seriously hot days and its cafe culture and markets make for


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the perfect place to laze away at any time of year. Temperatures rarely dip below 20C degrees. SELL IT: Brisbane’s free CityCat water taxi system offers a great way to see the skyline and some of the city’s icons. A short drive away is the Scenic Rim, home to World Heritage- listed rainforests and waterfalls. For two very different beach experiences take the road north to the spectacular Sunshine Coast or south to the exuberant Gold Coast, home to Surfers Paradise. Emirates/Qantas, Cathay Pacific, Malaysia Airlines and Singapore Airlines fly here.


PERTH Perth is the only Australian capital city on the Indian


Ocean and has a relaxed cosmopolitan air. Its Kings Park and Perth Botanic Garden create one of the biggest city parks in the world and afford the visitor great views of the Swan and Canning Rivers, the city skyline and Darling Ranges beyond. SELL IT: Combine Perth with an excursion to the Pinnacles, Monkey Mia (for wild dolphins) or the beaches and goldfields of the state’s south-west. Nearer to the city is the historic port of Fremantle, Swan River cruises to the 40 Swan Valley vineyards and Rottnest Island. Etihad and Emirates have increased capacity and frequency into Perth. Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Malaysia, Etihad also operate here.


from Sydney, Hobart is a picturesque fishing port with a marina brimming with world-class yachts. Beyond the waterline visitors will discover a host of eateries, galleries, bars and street markets and no end of colonial history. MONA is the home of Hobart’s old and new art and for those wanting to exert some energy a climb of Mount Wellington is rewarded by great views of the city. SELL IT: Hobart is historic and a gourmet’s heaven. A short drive away is Port Arthur, a truly fascinating former prison built to house the convicts sent out from Britain in the 19th century. Flights here go via Melbourne or Sydney.


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ADELAIDE Surrounded by parklands, Adelaide is a graceful city


which blends historic buildings, wide streets and parks with a cool cultural vibe. Known as the festival city, it has a rolling programme of great arts and sports events, a chilled café culture lifestyle and some sensational restaurants. Often overlooked by international visitors it is competitively priced and rewards those who go. SELL IT: Adelaide has rolling hills to the east and beaches to the west but it is perhaps best known for the wine growing regions that surround it including the Barossa and Clare Valley, Adelaide Hills, McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Peninsula. This gateway also leads the way to the iconic wildlife destination of Kangaroo Island, just a 30-minute flight or two hours’ drive and a short ferry ride south of Adelaide. Emirates flies direct into Adelaide from Dubai as part of its alliance with Qantas. There are also flights operated by Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines and Malaysia Airlines.


HOBART Famed for sailing thanks to the annual yacht race


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