One country, countless settings: Choose from river valleys, mountains, the outback, multicultural cities, tropical beaches and more. Sydney packs enough attractions — from wandering the hip enclave of Bondi Beach to climbing the Harbour Bridge — to easily occupy a week, but this vast country warrants a multi-stop plane ticket to experience even just the tip of the iceberg.
Wedding Requirements Marriages in Australia can be performed only by an authorized marriage celebrant, listed online at the Australian government site. Note that the Australian government does not have a fixed fee for the marriage license but allows each marriage celebrant to determine his or her own fee. Once you have found one who will agree to perform your ceremony, submit a Notice of Intended Marriage form to that person at least a month and one day but no more than 18 months prior to your wedding date. Find more information, visit ag.gov.au.
What to Do
Wine Country Margaret River, outside Perth, on the continent’s southwest corner, is perhaps Australia’s most unique wine region — it’s also a beach and surf community with an emerging culinary scene. First touted for its cabernet sauvignons, the region now produces noteworthy sauvignon blancs, chardonnays, shirazes and semillons between its 90 wineries. Be sure to check out the Lake Cave, where still water reflects the vast network of delicate stalactites. Also consider Barossa Valley, just outside Melbourne near Adelaide and Yarra Valley, two other top wine-region picks.
Breathtaking Scenery More cosmic than common, the isolated sandstone rock formation known as Uluru (Ayers Rock) has become an icon of the country’s often surprising landscape. Rising 1,142 feet above the surrounding flatlands of central Australia, it is considered sacred by the local aboriginal people. In Victoria, rent a convertible and drive the winding Great Ocean Road, which links the cities of Torquay and Allansford. Along the way, you’ll pass the Twelve Apostles, a series of monolithic rock formations that appear to change color with each sunrise and sunset.
Exploring Tasmania The mountains of Tasmania help explain how one small island about the size of Scotland can contain a diverse range of environments, from temperate rainforests in the southwest to Lake Country in its highlands to the dramatic cliffs along the south eastern coastline. On the northeast coast, Mt. William National Park offers respite and wildlife watching: Eastern grey kangaroos, wombats, wallabies and Tasmanian devils roam this protected area. Wander the pristine beaches of the Bay of Fires to see seals and occasionally dolphins and whales.
Off the Beaten Path Australia seems leagues ahead when it comes to preserving islands and reefs. Only eight of the 74 Whitsunday Islands — off the coast of Queensland in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef — are inhabited, with most designated as national park. For sun, empty beaches and coral reefs glittering with fish, consider booking passage aboard a sailing cruise with stops among several of the area’s private islands. — Brooke Morton
