It’s hard to find anything to dislike about Australia, with its beautiful beaches, year-round sunny weather, friendly people and high quality of life.
Sydney
Sydney isn’t the capital of Australia, but it feels like it. With iconic attractions like the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge, Sydney is without a doubt Australia’s best-known city around the world.
If Sydney’s imposing skyline doesn’t impress you while you study English, its natural surroundings certainly will. Whether you hike with kangaroos in the nearby Blue Mountains, or hit the surf at world-class beaches like Bondi, Manly and Coogee, Sydney is the epitome of fun in the Australian sun.
Brisbane
Brisbane got put on the map in a big way in 1988, when it hosted the World Expo. Although Brisbane is still less famous than Sydney or even Melbourne. Take a breather from your English courses in Brisbane and enjoy a coffee in one of the charming cafés in quaint Southbank. Alternatively, travel north to the town of Beerwah and visit the Australia Zoo. Australia’s aptly-named “Gold Coast” is just an hour east by Greyhound bus.
Cairns
Australians speak English with one of the most pleasant accents in the world, but some of their pronunciations are questionable. You say the name of the north Queensland city of Cairns, for example, like the word “Cans.”
Cairns’ biggest claim to fame is, without a doubt, The Great Barrier Reef. Whether you just want to snorkel, or take the big plunge and scuba dive, make sure to hit up the Great Barrier Reef when you’re not hitting the English books.
Perth
Did you know that Perth, the capital of Western Australia, is the most isolated metro area in the world? It’s true, although you certainly won’t feel isolated in this exciting, international city.
From sugar-sand beaches to thrilling outback excursions, taking a six-hour flight to Sydney will be the last item on your agenda once you land in Perth — the options for study breaks are simply endless!
Guest post by Kaplan International Colleges.
Robert Schrader is a travel writer and photographer who’s been roaming the world independently since 2005, writing for publications such as “CNNGo” and “Shanghaiist” along the way. His blog, Leave Your Daily Hell, provides a mix of travel advice, destination guides and personal essays covering the more esoteric aspects of life as a traveler.
