Australia Travel Guide
Australia is a large and varied country, but travelers experience it most clearly by focusing on individual cities rather than thinking of it as a single, uniform destination. While the country shares a common language and culture, Australia is best experienced city by city, where lifestyle, food culture, and daily rhythms differ noticeably from place to place.
Visitors get the most value by choosing specific cities and understanding how each one works on its own terms — particularly when it comes to dining habits, neighborhood layout, and where to stay.
Food & Travel Across Australia
Australian food culture is shaped by geography, immigration, and a strong emphasis on fresh, local ingredients. What you eat in Melbourne is not the same as what you’ll find in Sydney or Brisbane. Climate, coastal access, and multicultural influences all play a role in how cities eat.
In general:
Coastal cities emphasize seafood and casual dining
Larger cities reflect strong multicultural influences, especially Asian and European
Coffee culture is deeply ingrained, particularly in southern cities
Dining tends to be relaxed, with an emphasis on quality ingredients over formality
This variation is why city-specific food guides provide far more value than broad national summaries.
Travel logistics also vary by city. Some cities are dense and neighborhood-driven, while others are more spread out and require thoughtful planning around location and transportation. Distances between cities are significant, making city-level planning essential.
Cities in Australia
Below you’ll find our city-level guides for Australia. Each city includes:
A City Guide (what to know and how the city works)
A What to Eat guide (local food, dishes, and markets)
A Where to Stay guide (best areas and accommodation types)
Sydney
Sydney is Australia’s most internationally recognized city, known for its harbor, beaches, and diverse dining scene. Choosing the right neighborhood is key to balancing sightseeing, food, and transportation.
Melbourne
Melbourne is widely regarded as Australia’s food and coffee capital. Neighborhoods play a major role in the city’s dining culture, making location especially important for visitors.
Brisbane
Brisbane offers a warmer climate and a more relaxed pace, with food culture influenced by its proximity to the coast and subtropical produce. Where you stay can shape how easily you access dining areas and surrounding attractions.
Planning Your Trip to Australia
Australia rewards travelers who plan thoughtfully and focus on a small number of cities rather than trying to cover too much ground. By approaching the country city by city, you’ll eat better, stay in more suitable areas, and experience local culture more naturally.
Use the city guides above to plan your trip based on how you want to travel, eat, and stay, rather than relying on broad, country-level overviews.