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Australia is a diverse place full of opportunities to explore rich, unique and eclectic culture. Our country\u2019s unmatched geography, far-reaching history and multicultural style make it one of the most interesting places on Earth \u2013\u00a0and we\u2019ll prove it. With world-class Australian artists, award-winning vineyards, hipster havens and spectacular scenery, Australia has a wealth of cultural experiences just waiting to be discovered. From singular\u00a0activities in Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne to unforgettable adventures deep in the Outback, here\u2019s our roundup of some of the best ways to appreciate our incredible culture.<\/p>\n
South Australia<\/i><\/p>\n
If your thirst for culture can only be quenched by fermented fruits, a stay in Magill promises to exceed your \u201cgrape\u201d expectations. Perched in the foothills north of Adelaide, this suburb has great views of the city \u2013\u00a0all the better to take in with a glass of wine in hand. An afternoon at Magill Estate, one of Penfolds Winery\u2019s many vineyards, gives you a chance to treat your taste buds to the finest wares while your hosts regale you with intoxicating tales about the vineyard\u2019s history.
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Canberra, Australian Capital Territory<\/i><\/p>\n
For an education in some of our best Australian art, the nation\u2019s capital can\u2019t be beat. Along the shores of Lake Burley Griffin, you\u2019ll find the National Gallery, home to the world\u2019s largest collection of Indigenous art. Head next door to the National Portrait Gallery and get eye to eye with a Day-Glo portrait of musician Nick Cave \u2013\u00a0and also with Ned Kelly\u2019s death mask. When it\u2019s time for a bite to eat, \u00a0you don\u2019t have to leave the art behind. Grab a seat in the Mosaic room at Hotel Hotel\u2019s Monster restaurant and dine amid oversized original artworks.<\/p>\n
Northern Territory<\/i><\/p>\n
Fact: On the Tiwi Islands, nearly 90% of local residents are directly descended from the Aboriginal Australians who\u2019ve lived there for the past 7,000 years. You\u2019ll need to arrange a tour with a local guide before arriving on Bathurst Island about 100km north of Darwin. Once there, you\u2019ll have access to Mission Heritage Gallery, where you can see beautiful works like wood carvings decorated with sacred mythological birds. At Tiwi Designs Art Centre, watch local artists produce pukamanis<\/i>, ornately adorned burial poles reaching up to three metres in height.
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Eat your way through Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne<\/h2>\n
Victoria<\/i><\/p>\n
Looking for things to do in Melbourne<\/a>? Pay a visit to the open-air Queen Victoria Market, the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. Sample some of the region’s most remarkable food s \u00a0then catch a bit of live music \u2013\u00a0there\u2019s always something on. Queue up at American Doughnut Kitchen\u2019s charming 1950s van to taste warm dough perfection \u2013 these jam-filled treats are well worth the wait. If you\u2019re not about to limit yourself to just one unique delicacy, treat yourself to the Borek Shop. This savoury pastry house is practically a Vic Market institution. Order the spicy lamb or spinach and cheese; you won\u2019t regret it. While you\u2019re there pick up a few souvenirs from the many merchandise stalls such as JLP Melbourne or Petal, and return home with more than great memories.<\/p>\n South Australia<\/i><\/p>\n Coffee culture takes centre stage in Adelaide, where enjoying java is way of life. Feast on brekkie at Fiefy\u2019s, famous for its authentic Belgian cocoa, then enjoy an afternoon cup at E is for Ethel, another of the city\u2019s most popular java joints. The nearby Exchange Coffee offers specialty brews you won\u2019t find anywhere else in town, while Pure Boutique serves up award-winning espressos made in South Australia\u2019s only Synesso Hydra, a high-end caffeine machine that costs as much as a modest car. We told you Adelaide takes its coffee seriously. Victoria<\/i><\/p>\n Alternative art and hipster culture collide in Fitzroy. Recognised as Melbourne\u2019s first suburb, this vibrant community is home to edgy galleries, boutique bookstores, and quirky pubs. Don\u2019t skip Gertrude Contemporary, a nonprofit gallery and creative studio space celebrated as the community\u2019s cultural centre. After working up an appetite strolling through the street art and murals, live like a local and pick up a panini from Brunswick Street Alimentari Eatery & Delicatessen or order straight from their deli cabinet. It’s full of\u00a0local charcuterie, cheese and antipasto. If that\u2019s not irresistible, we don\u2019t know what is.<\/p>\n Queensland<\/i><\/p>\n Veteran boarders and kooks alike will find plenty to love in the surf scene of Noosa. This wave mecca on the Sunshine Coast is the home of the Noosa Festival of Surfing in March, which celebrates the subculture with movies, music, and munchies. Oh, there\u2019s surfing, too: More than 800 international entrants compete in a variety of contests. Left your togs at home? Find the latest threads at Golden Breed \u2013\u00a0and get top surf tips from the staff. Grab some waves, then grab a bite at Boardwalk Bistro, known for its relaxed vibe and awesome ocean views. Western Australia<\/i><\/p>\n What do you get when you combine renowned Indigenous art and gorgeous fields of flowers? Kings Park and Botanic Gardens! It\u2019s way more than a park\u2014this cultural centre gives you a chance to interact with the artists while watching them do their thing. Learn all about the art of indigenous peoples, then browse through Aspects of Kings Park\u2014a gallery and store\u2014and pick up some souvenirs. Finally, swing by Painted Bird Bar & Kitchen in the CBD for casual dining and top-shelf cocktails. Even the name is artsy.<\/p>\n New South Wales<\/i><\/p>\n If you think Sydney is all about beaches and nightlife, well, you\u2019re partly right. But there are plenty of Sydney attractions for your cultural side. Case in point: It\u2019s got a spectacular cinematic scene. Attend red carpet events and screen international films like a pro at Sydney Indie Film Festival in October. The more casual observer can grab a beanbag chair at the Moonlight Cinema in Centennial Park, where the hosts serve you snacks as you sit under the stars. And true film buffs will fall in love with Golden Age Cinema and Bar, a restored 1940s screening room. Queensland<\/i><\/p>\nDrink in the coffee culture with a visit to Adelaide<\/h2>\n
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Hunt for treasures in the eclectic shops of Fitzroy<\/h2>\n
Drop in on the world\u2019s largest surf festival in Noosa<\/h2>\n
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Get artsy at Kings Park and Botanic Gardens in Perth<\/h2>\n
Sink into a cinematic experience in Sydney<\/h2>\n
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Bask in Brisbane\u2019s cornucopia of culture<\/h2>\n