Sydney

Sydney Opera House

One of the world's great icons, the Sydney Opera House is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the star attraction on the glittering harbor. This graceful building, shaped like shells or billowing sails, perches on a finger of land surrounded by water.

Harbour Bridge

Nicknamed the "Coathanger," the Sydney Harbour Bridge is another Sydney icon. Supported by massive double piers at each end, it was built in 1932 and remains the world's largest steel arch bridge. You can drive over it, cruise below it, chug over it on a train, or photograph it from afar. But one of the best ways to appreciate this marvel of engineering, and soak up the spectacular views of Sydney Harbour, is on a climb to its 135-meter-high summit.

Circular Quay

Sydney is famous for its sparkling waterfront setting, and one of the most popular things to do in Sydney Harbour is a sightseeing cruise. Most harbor cruises depart from Circular Quay in Sydney Cove, which is also home to the city's main ferry terminal. Short on time? Book the two-hour Sydney Harbour Coffee Cruise, which takes you past all the harbor highlights and to some of the most scenic places in Sydney, including the Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and Fort Denison. Learn fascinating facts about the key sights along the way, and keep your camera ready – you'll have plenty of photo ops.

Melbourne

Royal Botanic Gardens

Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens are among the finest of their kind in the world. Established in 1846, the gardens encompass two locations: Melbourne and Cranbourne. The Melbourne gardens lie in the heart of green parkland extending south of the Yarra River, about two kilometers from the CBD. Covering an area of 38 hectares, they are home to more than 10,000 plant species from around the globe, including many rare specimens.

National Gallery of Victoria

Melbourne is famous for its culture, and the National Gallery of Victoria is the jewel in the crown. It's not only the oldest public art gallery in Australia, it's also the most visited. Here, you can admire more than 70,000 works of European, Asian, Oceanic, and American art in two city locations.

Federation Square

When Federation Square opened in 2002 to commemorate 100 years of federation, it divided Melburnians. There were those who loved it and those who hated it. Either way, "Fed Square" has become an integral part of the city, a popular meeting place, and a great spot for tourists to start their sightseeing. You can't miss Fed Square. It's located opposite Flinders Street Station, a major public transport hub. The building's ultra-modern design of open and closed spaces stands in striking contrast to the surrounding Victorian architecture. Live entertainment lures locals and tourists here. With more than 2,000 events annually, you can always find a performance or festival to enjoy in the central outdoor performance space and intimate indoor venues. And you'll find plenty of cafés and restaurants here, too.

Auckland

Sky Tower Auckland

Auckland's needle-like Sky Tower is the city's most prominent landmark and, at 328 meters high, is New Zealand's highest building. If you're looking for a place to snap the perfect city panorama then the observation deck here-reached by zooming up to the top of the building in a glass-elevator-is just the place to get your camera out, with views stretching into the distance for 80 kilometers on a clear day. For many Sky Tower visitors though, it's about more than the view. New Zealanders are renowned for turning attractions into thrill-seeking opportunities, and the Sky Tower doesn't buck the trend. Visitors can enjoy dizzying views by walking the exterior 192-meter-high Sky Walk platform around the tower's pergola, and those looking for a total adrenaline rush can base-jump off the platform on a Sky Jump.

Waitemata Harbour

The wide sweep of Waitemata Harbour slices Auckland in two and is the city's most prominent natural feature. It was because of this easily navigable waterway that Auckland became New Zealand's capital in 1840 (the country's capital is now Wellington, though Auckland remains New Zealand's economic powerhouse). It's a delightful area to explore on foot and features a variety of shopping, dining, and entertainment opportunities.

Auckland Harbour Bridge Adventures

The central harbor is dominated by Auckland Harbour Bridge, completed in 1959 and more than one kilometer long and some 43 meters high, which connects downtown Auckland to the northern districts and the sandy beaches of the bays farther north. The bridge also offers plenty of fun things to do to add a thrill to your sightseeing experience. One of the top-rated thrills to experience is the Auckland Harbour Bridge bungee jump, an experience that includes traversing an exclusive bridge walk before plunging 40 meters to the harbor water below.

Sources:

Google Images (Creative Commons licenses)

Sydney
Melbourne
Auckland