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Beyond the golden beaches, friendly people, and cute kangaroos, Australia has vibrant cities, ancient rainforests, and sacred indigenous landmarks to offer.
Hit up the bustling metropolis of Sydney, with its Taronga Zoo, Royal Botanic Gardens, gourmet cuisine, and iconic Opera House. Cruise along Great Ocean Road and soak in the mountain and coastal views, including the impressive ocean-dwelling limestone formations known as the Twelve Apostles. Take a hike through the oldest rainforest in the world, the Daintree, which has continually survived for 180 million years. (That’s 10 million years longer than the Amazon.) Watch the colors change on Uluru or Ayer’s Rock, a massive sandstone rock formation in the Northern Territory, sacred to the local aboriginals.
Water-lovers can’t miss snorkeling and scuba diving along one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the Great Barrier Reef. And for partiers, check out Gold Coast for surfing, theme parks and Vegas-style good times after dark.
