Having a Green Holiday in the Australian Concrete Jungle

I was just reading an article on Yale University's environment360 website about why New York, one of the densest cities in the world, is also the greenest city in the US. As I've suggested in previous blogs, densely populated cities can be considered green even though there is much more concrete than lush open spaces. It has to do with cities like New York having the lowest per capita car use, the highest public transport use, the lowest electricity use and the lowest water use in the nation.

It just so happens that densely populated cities like New York are not only great cities to live in if you want to reduce your carbon footprint but also to have a sustainable holiday. All the great museums, galleries, theatres, restaurants and whatever else tickles your fancy on a holiday are all within walking and subway distance of wherever you might be staying - no need for a hire car here. And in Manhattan precincts like the East Village, Chelsea and the Upper West Side, you'll find a plethora of organic, local, natural and fair trade shopping options to keep you occupied.

In Australia, our densest cities are also great places to have a sustainable holiday. First of all, Australian cities have first-rate public transport systems, with Melbourne’s tram, train and bus network arguably one of the best in the world. Australian cities and towns are also very walkable, with many attractions close to the city centre or close to major public transport hubs. Most cities and towns are also investing heavily in cycle paths, so you can more safely get around and take in the sights on a bicycle. Australian cities also have wonderful parks, beaches, bay reserves and natural areas within them to explore. For example, in Sydney you can trek through the bush in full view of the CBD skyline (in the Sydney Harbour National Park) and finish your walk at Manly beach. Or in Brisbane, you can traipse through inner-city subtropical gardens created on reclaimed rail yards (in the Roma Street Parkland). Australia is also one of the leading nations for producing and selling organic and natural foods, with a multitude of shops, markets and restaurants selling fresh, natural and organic food to get you through your trip.

There are enough differences between the capital cities around Australia to make them each an attraction in their own right. In fact, the two biggest, Sydney and Melbourne, are so different you’ll feel like you’re in different countries when you visit them. Whereas Sydney has glamorous Sydney Harbour, stunning coastal views, beaches, great National Parks, and some great inner-city villages full of shops ands services, Melbourne is more artistic and cultural, and is often compared to some of Europe’s grandest cities. Melbourne even has its own Mediterranean-style beaches — St Kilda beach is the most popular.

From a sustainability perspective, Melbourne’s inner city precincts are more like urban villages than suburbs, and they’re considered great places to live, work and play because they’re all within walking distance or a short public-transport ride of each other. Small businesses line the streets in these urban villages and in many areas you’ll find shops and restaurants specialising in organic produce and fair-trade goods. For this reason Melbourne is often been rated one of the most liveable cities in the world.

Half-way between Sydney and Melbourne, in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), is Canberra, a planned city with lots of open spaces and greenery that’s short on a dense city-like vibe but what Canberra lacks in size it makes up for in Australia’s best collection of museums and galleries - all within easy access of Canberra's great bus service and one of Australia's best off-road bicycle networks. Canberra is also close to Australia’s main winter playground, the Snowy Mountains.

Hobart is Australia’s most historically preserved capital city and a great place to visit before exploring Tasmania. You can walk to many of Hobart's historical attractions, especially those in and around Salamanca Place. It's also worth checking out the increasing number of Hobart eateries selling local, fair-trade and natural foods.

The City of Churches, Adelaide, has more restaurants per head of person than any other major city in Australia, with an increasing number of these serving organic and natural fare. Adelaide also has one of the most historical market buildings in Australia. With its wide boulevards, open spaces and great cycling trails, Adelaide makes a nice relaxing stop on your way to the Adelaide Hills villages that overlook the city, or to the increasing number of organic vineyards in the Barossa, about 60 kilometres to its north, and the Fleurieu Peninsula, some 70km south.

Perth is the most remote capital city in the world (Adelaide is its closest capital and still a staggering 2,692 kilometres away) but once you get there you'll find it one of the easiest big cities to get around, especially on its modern and ever expanding public transport system. Situated on the pretty Swan River, Perth has a healthy outdoors scene and some great beaches. It also contains one of Australia's best heritage precincts in Fremantle, some 12km south-west of the City Centre.

Brisbane is often overshadowed by the glitzy Gold Coast's beaches and the region's lush rainforest hinterlands. However, the city of Brisbane is becoming a great place to stay for a while as well, with many natural and urban attractions available. These include the 13-kilometre River Walk along the Brisbane River, an ever expanding cycleway network to take in the sites, the ferry trip over to wonderful North Stradbroke Island, and several trendy inner-city precincts (West End and New Farm) housing an increasing number of eateries specialising in natural and organic food.