Australia, your cities need you

Words: Susan Kurosawa and Penny Hunter Producer: Gillian McNally

It’s been a tough year for Australia’s capital cities with the pandemic rendering some of our CBDs virtual ghost towns. But summer is here and there’s a buzz in the air. Here’s a hit list of things to do in our cities.

What better way to revitalise the CBD than through the arts extravaganza Sydney Festival? The event is brimming with 133 events scheduled over 25 days. SYDNEY SYDNEY Video: Sydney Festival/Instagram

Major highlights include Wudjang: Not the Past, a collaboration between Bangarra Dance Theatre and Sydney Theatre Company; and Girl from the North Country starring Lisa McCune.

The National Gallery of Victoria’s annual architectural installation has transformed its internal garden into a pink wading pool where gallery goers are welcome to cool off over summer. MELBOURNE MELBOURNE Video: NGV Melbourne/Instagram

Inspired by Victoria’s salt lakes and fringed by Indigenous gardens, it’s a magical spot for a break after viewing the NGV’s summer blockbuster, Gabrielle Chanel: Fashion Manifesto. Picture: NGV Melbourne

The Museum of Brisbane’s flagship summer tour, Tides of Brisbane, uses a boat ride on the famed “brown snake” to unpack the city’s history. BRISBANE BRISBANE

The tour provides a fresh perspective on familiar landmarks and a few surprises, including an inner-city beach where guests disembark for refreshments. Picture: Museum of Brisbane/Instagram

Jeffrey Smart’s distinctive take on urban and industrial landscapes is explored at the National Gallery of Australia in an exhibition marking the 100th anniversary of his birth in 2021. CANBERRA CANBERRA Picture: Jeffrey Smart’s The Construction Fence

The show, featuring more than 100 works, delves into Smart’s practice thematically, including his extensive travels and long love affair with Italy, where he died in 2013. Picture: National Gallery of Australia

The MONA team is back with Mona-Foma, the summer festival over two weekends and two locations (Hobart and Launceston) with a line-up that includes Midnight Oil, modern dance, and a performance highlighting bushfires and climate change. Picture: Mona Foma/Instagram HOBART HOBART

Also happening is artist and curator Kirsha Kaechele’s High Tea for Two in MONA’s Ladies Lounge. This art and fine dining experience is for “any kind of lady” and will include curated food and drinks from executive chef Vince Trim.

The Fringe, Adelaide Festival and WOMADelaide all jostle for space with the latter returning to Botanic Park in 2022, with a stellar line-up including Paul Kelly and a farewell performance from The Cat Empire. ADELAIDE ADELAIDE

Perth’s newest adrenaline experience Matagarup Zip and Climb is finally complete. Zipliners will reach speeds of up to 75km/h along the 400m cable, before touching down on the east bank. Video: Matagarup Zip and Climb PERTH PERTH

Outback wrangler Matt Wright's 90-minute Crocs in the Wild tour takes guests on a thrilling airboat ride to get up close with saltwater crocodiles in Sweets Lagoon and on the Finniss River floodplains. Video: Top End safari Camp DARWIN DARWIN