If you are into your music – and of course you are! – make sure you visit Avalanche Records. The store started way back in the '80s and is now an Edinburgh music institution where you can pick up new and rare albums, buy all your merch and even do a bit of celeb spotting come festival season.

Probably the most obvious local attraction is Edinburgh Castle; you could easily spend half a day here. As well as the castle itself you can check out the Scottish Crown Jewels (along with the Stone of Destiny), Mons Meg (a huge bombard cannon), the Prisons of War Exhibition, the Scottish National War Memorial, the National War Museum of Scotland, the Royal Scots Regimental Museum and the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Regimental Museum.

For those dying to try something essentially Scottish, be sure to visit Armstrong's Vintage which specialises in kilts. Kilts are not just men's skirts – they are worn at weddings, parties and especially festivals. The store is heaving at festival time as people get their costume for dress-up Friday … and not just the punters: some artists have been there too, including Kaiser Chiefs and our very own Kylie.

If you wanna experience some history while getting your drink on and at the same time check out some indie bands, make sure you visit Bannerman's. Both a bar and venue popular with the under-30s it's been in operation for about 25 years…while the pub where it's housed has been here for centuries.

An excellent place to visit for all fans of a drink is the Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre. You can go on a tour where you will learn all about the making of whisky, the differences between the various types (such as a single malt, double malt etc) and the people who made whisky the worldwide success it is.

For those who fancy a walk in the Scottish countryside, you won't get better than Arthur's Seat. Located just outside the city of Edinburgh, this is the tallest peak in a range of hills found within Holyrood Park. Due to its name there are many who believe the hill has some connection with King Arthur but there is no evidence of this.

If you want to get in touch with your spiritual side, the Saint Giles' Cathedral (technically it's not a cathedral as it doesn't have a Bishop) is a major landmark in the city of Edinburgh. Easily found between Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace, this church is the largest Church of Presbyterianism and contains the Chapel of the Order of the Thistle.

To unleash the animal in you, make sure you visit Edinburgh Zoo; it's Edinburgh's second most popular attraction after Edinburgh Castle. The animals you can expect to find there include rhinos, jaguars, koalas, lions, tigers, a polar bear, and many more.

The other must do if you are a young music-loving Aussie in Edinburgh is check out the local venues to see what's happening at night. Culture vultures will love The Green Room Venue (GRV); it's in the middle of Edinburgh and is fast becoming the focal point for contemporary artist entertainment in the city.

And if you want to feel like royalty, visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence in Scotland of her Majesty the Queen. This mansion stands at the end of Edinburgh's Royal Mile against the spectacular backdrop of Arthurs Seat. Visit the royal apartments and check out some pretty cool digs.