Sydney is Australia''s showcase: the oldest settlement, the largest and most thriving city, the cultural melting pot. It curves around idyllic Port Jackson, where sandstone cliffs and bright islands complement the Opera House and Harbor Bridge. Wander the cobbled colonial streets of the historic Rocks quarter, or tour the mansions of Watson''s Bay.

Nestled between the Gold Coast to the south and the Sunshine Coast to the north, laid-back Brisbane makes the most of its magnificent beaches, offering an ideal blend of Aussie ease and urban energy. Wander in the lush Botanical Gardens, shop in the Queen Street Mall, or enjoy the countless cafes and restaurants along the banks of the Brisbane River.

The Great Barrier Reef city of Cairns is the northernmost city of Queensland and is located amidst endless stretches of white sandy beach, attracting visitors from around the world. Although Cairns is the scuba-diving capital of the Great Barrier Reef, you can also wander along the Esplanade, with its remarkable views over Trinity Bay, or explore the Heritage Walk with its fascinating insights into the city's history.

Named after evolutionist Charles Darwin, this tropical city on the top end of Australia is a former frontier town with a rough-and-tumble past. Darwin's growth was achieved back in 1871 with the discovery of gold at Pine Creek, and today a number of historic buildings from that era remain. Darwin is also the center of the aboriginal community, the world's oldest culture. From here, you can visit Kakadu National Park, a World Heritage Site renowned not only for its Australian wildlife but Aboriginal rock art.

In the Far West of Down Under, the twin cities of Fremantle and Perth are like David and Goliath. Fremantle is a quaint colonial town of terraced houses, and a bay that was heaven for America's Cup yachts. Perth has bloomed into a sky-scrapered metropolis, though life remains peaceful on "Millionaires' Row," and in flower-filled Kings Park.

Albany, Australia is home to the first deepwater port in Western Australia, Princess Royal Harbor, which happens to be the largest natural harbor on the entire south coast of the Australia mainland outside of Melbourne. Albany has become popular with retirees, with inhabitants enjoying the fresh air, clean beaches, and fine views over the Southern Ocean, while still proving a thriving regional center. Albany's many industries consist of tourism, fishing and agriculture. In addition to the quality of life the residence enjoy, Albany is a clean power society. The Western Power Wind Farm provides 75% of the town's electricity usage with its 12 turbines driven by the strong southerly winds.

The city of Adelaide is sophisticated and cosmopolitan with a population in the millions. Pride in its heritage and traditional values are prevalent here. There is also a comfort and convenience about Adelaide that is rarely found in cities of its size. The streets contain many lively cafes and restaurants that reflect the huge diversity of its ethnic communities. Visitors of all nations can feel at home here.

Australia's "Garden City" rejoices in its greenery, from the Fitzroy Gardens to the magnificent Royal Botanical Gardens. Hiding behind the sky-scrapers along the Yarra River are the graceful 19th-century mansions of the city's Gold Rush years. Sample one of the sixty different international cuisines, which make Melbourne the food capital of Australia.

Declared a city in 1988, this major deepwater port has an interesting past of ups and downs. Originally established in 1827 as a town to provide service to local farm areas, it remained small until tin was discovered in the 1880s. This lead up to the laying of the Emu Bay Railway which linked Burnie to the west coast mining towns of Zeehan and Rosebery. The mining eventually slowed down, but the town of Burnie continued on with the building of a major paper mil in 1938, which has scaled back its operations since then.