For the uninitiated, Australia may seem just like Britain down under. But Asian influences, a warmer climate and architectural ambition make this far-flung destination something altogether quite different
Would you rather start the day with a flat white or short black? Drink a schooner of Toohey’s New or a pint of VB? Listen to AC/DC or Amyl and the Sniffers? Marvel at the landmarks of the Sydney Opera House or Flinders Street station? Stay on the south coast or east coast?
Australia’s two biggest cities – Melbourne and Sydney – each have their own charm. Melbourne’s centre is a mish-mash of glass modernity and preserved Victoriana where bars and coffee shops fill mural-splattered side streets. Meanwhile, Sydney dazzles as a shimmering harbour metropolis, rich with green space and fringed by surf-ready beaches. Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street and Hilton Sydney capture the essence of each city while providing a central base from which to explore. So, which destination is calling your name?
Sydney is home to Australia’s big hitters in terms of sightseeing. Just catching a glimpse of the bright white, sail-like shells of the Sydney Opera House is enough to fulfil a bucket list moment and you can delve deeper on a backstage tour inside. Sydney harbour is best experienced by boat trip, or you can take a hair-raising walk across the upper level of Sydney Harbour Bridge. Hilton Sydney puts you in the centre of Sydney’s sights, just around the corner from the ornate Town Hall. For a bustling metropolis, there’s an abundance of green space too and Australia’s oldest park – Hyde Park – is overlooked by Hilton Sydney. An easy stroll away, the Royal Botanic Gardens back on to the harbour so wanders through the tropical botanica come with the cackle of kookaburras and the whistles of cockatoos, ending with a perfect view of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
