The top 5 cultural destinations in Australia

Australian culture is so much more than beaches and barbecues; think some of the world’s best cafés, cocktail bars, vintage boutiques, theatres and festivals. And that’s just the beginning.

Here are the nation’s top five cultural destinations, according to global travellers.*

Melbourne

Melbourne lives and breathes culture; from avant-garde fashion pop-ups to one of the world’s most well-priced but high-quality, experimental culinary scenes. Wander through the Fitzroy neighbourhood from Gertrude Street to Johnson Street to discover some of the city’s coolest vintage shops, cafés and bars. Visit Everyday Coffee for outstanding lattes and cappuccinos served by expert baristas, Proud Mary just off Smith Street for phenomenal and quintessential Melbourne brunch dishes, and The Everleigh or Polly Bar for classy cocktails. For a relaxed day out, you can’t go wrong starting with a wander around the Queen Victoria or Prahran markets for fine gourmet produce, before heading to one of the city’s many galleries (the National Gallery of Victoria on Southbank is a first choice but there is a multitude of others, as well as street art including murals by the likes of Keith Haring in Collingwood). Check into District Apartments Fitzroy, just a 7-minute walk from Everyday Coffee.

Adelaide

Adelaide is the festival capital of Australia, with the months of February and March seeing the city come alive with various events; notably, the Adelaide fringe (comedy), Womadelaide (music) and the Adelaide festival (the arts). Attracting creatives from all over the world, Adelaide’s festival season is one of the finest you’ll experience anywhere. But even outside prime time, there’s plenty to offer for getting a cultural fix, including the Adelaide Central Market (gourmet and artisanal food heaven), and the South Australian Museum, housing four million Indigenous Australian artefacts. Stay in the 19th-century Adabco Boutique Hotel Adelaide, just a 14-minute walk from the market.

Canberra

Over the past few years, the Australian capital’s cultural scene has transformed. The city is now attracting more and more visitors keen to sample its many festivals, sophisticated eateries, wineries, lively Old Bus Depot Markets and world-class galleries. The New Acton precinct is the centre of the action, with cafés and restaurants championing local produce and drawing in the city’s creative crowd; try Morning Glory for artisanal home-baked goods and breakfast dishes like miso carrot cake and sardines with black sesame waffles. Then there’s Monster Kitchen and Bar for an evening of fine Australian wine and elegantly-presented nibbles, or Bicicletta for authentic Italian fare. Canberra is also home to the National Gallery of Australia, sat on the shores of the city’s Lake Burley Griffin and containing the largest collection of Australian Indigenous art in the world. In terms of festivals, there’s the spring flower celebration, called Floriade, the National Folk Festival, and the Canberra Writers Festival – to name a few. Stay at Ovolo Nishi and you’ll only have to walk 2 minutes to get your gelato-filled belly home after dinner at Bicicletta.

Hobart

The capital of the island state of Tasmania, Hobart has come a long way in recent years, emerging as the new cultural capital of Australia. This is in no small part thanks to Mona – arguably the nation’s most interesting art gallery – celebrated for its playful and provocative approach (the founder described it as a ‘subversive adult Disneyland’) and perched on the banks of the River Derwent in the centre of the city. And the city’s festival season is a big deal here, too; expect summer food fairs as well as the Dark MOFO festival in winter, where you’ll discover gothic-themed art, bonfires and performances. There’s also a burgeoning scene for gourmands, with some of the world’s best chefs offering everything from fresh seafood on the waterfront to high-end fusion, all washed down with fine Derwent River Valley wines. Treat yourself to a stay at Mona Pavilions, truly magnificent contemporary accommodations connected to the gallery and overlooking the Derwent River.

Sydney

While the Sydney Opera House and Bondi Beach are unmissable attractions, it’s worth delving much deeper into Sydney’s cultural scene to really get the most out of this incredible city. Start your day with brunch in the Newtown neighbourhood, followed by browsing its thrift stores and boutiques. Then head to Surry Hills, where galleries, cafés and venues such as the Belvoir Street Theatre whose stage has been graced by the likes of Cate Blanchett. Visit the exquisite Vaucluse House for a glimpse into 19th-century Sydney life; now a museum, you can take a guided tour followed by high tea in the art deco tea rooms. Finally, spend a relaxing evening enjoying open air cinema overlooking Sydney Harbour Bridge or under the eucalyptus trees on a hill in Centennial Park. Immerse yourself even more in local life by booking into an apartment in Surry Hills, at the highly rated Adge Apartment Hotel.

** These destinations were the most highly rated in Australia for ‘culture’ by Booking.com customers.