The latest instalment of cricket’s greatest rivalry is set to begin on November 23 in Brisbane, with five highly-anticipated Tests taking place across Australia until January 8, 2018 – two of which will be played out in the captivating coastal cities of Adelaide and Perth. If construction is completed in time as expected, Western Australia’s capital will crown the occasion by giving the brand new Perth Stadium its debut, while Adelaide, state capital of South Australia, is set to make history by becoming the first venue to host a day-night Ashes Test.

[caption id=”attachment_51970″ align=”alignnone” width=”750″] Do you want a bit of this?[/caption]

The vibrant city of Adelaide is a hive of creativity, with an exceptional small bar scene and a remarkable variety of restaurants, as well as world-class galleries, museums, luxury hotels and beautiful white sandy beaches close to the city centre. Be sure to explore everything else this marvellous city has to offer when you visit for the cricket.

With the test starting at 2pm, there are plenty of options to make the most of the time before the beginning. Take in the sun in the Adelaide Hills as you tuck into some lunch and sip a glass of local wine, spend time on the beach looking out onto the glistening ocean, or enjoy a wildlife experience with native koalas, kangaroos and even the elusive echidna at Cleland Park.

[caption id=”attachment_51969″ align=”alignnone” width=”750″] Chapel Hill wine tasting[/caption]

Whilst Adelaide will no doubt be one of the great spectacles of the cricket series, Perth may well be where it is decided. Both sides are in a strong run of form, with players and journalists alike expecting a tough series between these two old foes. Joe Root’s men currently hold the prestigious trophy and conquered South Africa in 2016, so they will be confident of victory at this key battle ground.

[caption id=”attachment_51971″ align=”alignnone” width=”750″] Unforgettable excursions to complement the cricket[/caption]

If you are thinking about travelling to Australia for the Ashes Series, you should certainly make the wonderful city of Perth one of your stops. Out of the five cities set to host the series, Perth is the quickest to reach from the UK with a journey time of just 18 hours – four hours quicker than a trip to Sydney. With over 3,000 hours of sunshine a year, it’s also the sunniest of Australia’s major cities, offering perfect weather to enjoy one of the 19 pristine beaches, wildlife and a thriving bar and restaurant scene.

So whilst the Ashes series will make the headlines, make your own journey by exploring everything South Australia and Western Australia have to offer.