Going on an Australian tour can include anything from wandering the tropical rainforests of northern Australia, to taking in the night life in the capital city of Sydney. Whether your penchant is for lush and untouched scenery or fine wine and entertainment, Australia is sure to have something to offer you.

If you're interested in treasures of the urban nature, Sydney is home to eclectic architecture, major art galleries, and more than one performing arts theater, as well as several fine dining establishment choices. During your Australian tour of the settled delights be sure to stop by Melbourne, a city known as a trend-setter and home to grand musical extravaganzas, non-stop food and film festivals, and some of the best shopping and nightlife to be found. There are more than 75 different ethnic cuisines just waiting to tickle your taste buds in several hundred restaurants and caf's. If you're a sports fan, Melbourne hosts international tournaments as well as grand prix events in various locations around the city.

Visiting the secluded islands in the Great Barrier Reef can provide a new and fresh look at nature's beauty. While on your tour of Australia, be sure to take a peek at the Daintree Rainforest in tropical North Queensland. There you can see the rare sight of two World Heritage wonders nestled right against one another as the forest slopes dip into the Great Barrier Reef, with some sections of the reef growing almost to the shore itself. Following the same natural beauty guide you can opt to head into the expansive Outback and explore the treasures of the Kimberley, sometimes called Australia's last frontier.

Taking Time to Relax

Beginning or ending your Australian tour at one of a multitude of resorts the country has to offer can ensure a relaxing evening or two is had with some of the most beautiful scenery. The resorts located well inside the Great Barrier Reef can cater to just about anyone - from newlyweds, to families or singles, or even sophisticates who demand the utmost in dining and beauty spas available.

Of course, Australia is surrounded by sea, so good swimming and surfing beaches are more rule than exception. Generally these beaches will be full of tourists, especially during the week. Still, it is easy to find your "spot" for the R&R that you demand and rightfully deserve.

If relaxing on your Australian tour calls for a cruise, that can be arranged too. Several options are available depending on your level of sailing skill and budget. For the couple that doesn't want an entire boat to themselves, a catered cruise through the Whitesundays might be just the answer. These cruises usually run from five to seven days and can be had on modern racing yachts or older square-riggers with a multitude of sails billowing overhead. Passengers can usually opt to sleep in cabins on-board or set up camp on the beach at night. Either way you're sure to be lulled to sleep by the gentle wash of the waves against the hull or shore.

A Tour for Learning

If the goal of your tour of Australia is knowledge, you should look into an Aboriginal-lead tour. Aboriginal guides are available at many places you can visit during your Australian tour, and during the course of your tour you will likely hear creation stories that have been handed down thousands of years. Guides are often accompanied by experienced translators, allowing them to speak their traditional language. The Aboriginal people vary depending on their location; the people of the islands and coasts having differing traditions then those of the expansive Outback.

While on an Aboriginal-guided tour of Australia you should be sure to try bush tucker by either taking one of the widely available tours focusing the food itself and its preparation, or stopping by an Aboriginal cultural festival. Bush tucker, as it's now called, is the food that sustained Australia's original people for thousands of years and has now gone mainstream as Australian chefs experiment with the unique recipes. All in all, there is so much to take in on an Australia tour that you could easily spend months there letting yourself get lost in the rich history and culture of this beautiful and historical land.