South Australia Discovery Holiday

Set on what Captain Arthur Phillip called "the finest harbour in the world," Sydney stakes its claim on the global imagination with Jørn Utzon's sail-roofed Opera House, a bridge you can climb for panoramic views, and a food scene anchored by Sydney rock oysters and the largest fish market in the Southern Hemisphere. The Blue Mountains and Hunter Valley wine country extend the adventure beyond the city. October through April brings summer warmth and the harbour at its most luminously blue.

Phillip Island, two hours from Melbourne, is home to the world-famous Penguin Parade where thousands of little penguins waddle ashore at sunset, plus a 25,000-strong fur seal colony and excellent coastal hiking. Must-dos include the nightly Penguin Parade, Seal Rocks viewing, and the koala boardwalk. The parade runs year-round; November through March brings the largest penguin numbers.

Melbourne is Australia's cultural capital, a city of labyrinthine laneways, world-class coffee, street art, and one of the most diverse food scenes on earth. Must-dos include exploring Hosier Lane's street art, eating your way through the Queen Victoria Market, and driving the Great Ocean Road to the Twelve Apostles. October through April offers the warmest weather, though Melbourne's famous changeability keeps visitors on their toes.

Burnie is a friendly port city on Tasmania's north coast, serving as the gateway to Cradle Mountain's wilderness, the Tarkine rainforest, and the island's celebrated artisan food culture. Must-dos include watching little penguins at dusk, tasting Tasmanian craft whisky and farmhouse cheeses, and visiting Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. October through April offers the best weather and penguin-viewing conditions.

Adelaide is South Australia's elegant, parkland-ringed capital, uniquely positioned within an hour's drive of three world-class wine regions — the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, and the Adelaide Hills. Must-dos include the Central Market's 80-plus food stalls, Barossa Valley Shiraz tasting, and North Terrace's museum precinct. Visit March for the Adelaide Festival and Fringe, or October through April for warm Mediterranean-climate weather.

Kangaroo Island is Australia's premier wildlife sanctuary, home to sea lion colonies, koalas, little penguins, and the world's only purebred Ligurian bee population, set against a coastline of sculpted granite and limestone cliffs. Must-do experiences include walking among sea lions at Seal Bay, visiting the Remarkable Rocks, and sampling the island's artisan honey and cheeses. Spring (September-November) brings wildflowers and baby animals, while summer offers the warmest conditions for coastal exploration.

Hobart is Tasmania's cultured harbour capital, home to the boundary-pushing MONA museum, the legendary Salamanca Market, and world-class produce from pristine Tasmanian waters and farmland. Must-do experiences include MONA's subterranean galleries, the summit of kunanyi/Mount Wellington, and tasting Tasmanian oysters and Pinot Noir on the waterfront. December through March is warmest; June's Dark Mofo festival transforms the city.

Port Arthur, Tasmania, Australia, showcases the Southern Hemisphere's remarkable natural heritage—pristine coastlines, unique wildlife, and landscapes of ancient geological drama. Must-do experiences include sampling the exceptional local seafood and exploring the surrounding national parks. The most rewarding visiting window is November through February, when the austral summer brings the longest days and mildest conditions. Cruise lines including Carnival Cruise Line feature this port on their most compelling itineraries. Whether you have a few hours or a full day, the port rewards exploration at every pace and in every direction.

Eden is a small Australian town on the Sapphire Coast famous for its extraordinary history of orca-whalers cooperation, preserved in the Killer Whale Museum with Old Tom's skeleton as its centerpiece. Visit from October through April for humpback whale watching, pristine coastal wilderness in Ben Boyd National Park, and some of Australia's finest oysters and seafood.

Set on what Captain Arthur Phillip called "the finest harbour in the world," Sydney stakes its claim on the global imagination with Jørn Utzon's sail-roofed Opera House, a bridge you can climb for panoramic views, and a food scene anchored by Sydney rock oysters and the largest fish market in the Southern Hemisphere. The Blue Mountains and Hunter Valley wine country extend the adventure beyond the city. October through April brings summer warmth and the harbour at its most luminously blue.