Posted on Dec 11, 2009 under Uncategorized |
Australia is the only country that is also a continent. It is often referred to as being “down under”, because it lies completely within the Southern Hemisphere.
Australia is a dry, thinly populated country. Most people live in the southeast coastal region. Australia is famous for bright sunshine, vast open spaces, enormous numbers of sheep and cattle, and unusual wildlife, including kangaroos, wombats, and platypuses.
The climate is sunny and warm, therefore most people like to be outdoors. Outdoor sports are extremely popular: golf, tennis, skin diving, surfing are great here, just to name a few. Team sports are very popular, such as cricket, rugby and soccer.
English is the official language, with many terms being quite British: such as a lift or elevator, and a tavern is called a pub.
Australia is divided into three main land regions: The Eastern Highlands, the Central Lowlands, and the Western Plateau. Ayers Rock, in central Australia, is a popular tourist attraction. The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef and also quite popular. It is actually a chain of more than 2,500 reefs, including many small islands. The warm waters and the beauty of the coral reef, attract swimmers and skin divers. There are a number of nice resorts in this area. Deserts cover about one third of Australia, and rivers are a main resource, as they provide water for irrigation and drinking. Interestingly though, these rivers are dry for a part of the year, and then they fill during the rainy season. The outback is the interior, and the countryside is called the bush.
Most of the country lies south of the tropics and has warm summers and mild or cool winters. Most of the moisture falls as rain, but in the Alps and interior of Tasmania are the only areas it might snow. The snow in winter in the Alps attracts skiers, Mount Kosciusko being very popular.
Forests grow only in very moist places, and the trees and shrubs are very beautiful and different from those in North America. Australia sells great quantities of wheat to China, Japan, and other Asian countries. Beef cattle and sheep are raised throughout the country, except in the deserts. Fishing and mining are thriving industries. Sugar cane, pineapples, bananas, and wheat, barley, potatoes are major farm products.
There is much to see and do here: museums, symphony concerts, modern high-rise buildings, and of course the wonderful countryside!
Getting around Australia
Cheap domestic flights have become a possibility in Australia now due to the increase of competition entering the domestic airlines market. Australian domestic airlines include the oldest carrier Qantas (which also do international flights) and budget airlines Virgin Blue, Jetstar, and Tiger Airways.
Railroads and shipyards carry most intercity freight. Automobiles are the chief form of transportation in Australia. Paved highways link the state capitals and the largest inland cities. Unpaved roads are largely found in the outback.
Posted on Jul 15, 2009 under Brisbane |
Brisbane, is Australia’s third largest city, the capital of Queensland. It is an international tourist destination on the sub tropical coast, bathed by the Pacific Ocean, but protected by the islands of Moreton Bay. Captain Cook visited Moreton Bay in 1770, and discovered the many islands.
There are some 360 plus islands in the bay - many uninhabited, and uninhabitable sand islands, but some are popular residential or tourist areas.
The larger islands are North Stradbroke Island (or Straddie as the locals call it), Moreton Island, Bribie Island, South Stradbroke Island, and in Redland Bay area, Macleay, Lamb, Russell, and Coochie Mudlo.
Moreton Island is almost all National Park, and is formed entirely of sand except for a small rocky headland.
Access around the island is by four-wheel drive vehicles, and many of the tourist groups have tours for those without their own vehicles. Vehicle permits are necessary, and can be purchased on the ferry. The closes ferry to the island departs from Scarborough, on the Redcliffe peninsular. Bookings on all car ferries are essential.
The island was the home of a whaling station, and in the whaling days the bay was almost depleted of these wonderful sea creatures.
Today, Moreton Island is known for its tourist and fishing industry - it has a wonderful beach 38 kilometres long, and the highest sandhill in the world, Mt Tempest.
On the western side of the island is the tourist resort of Tangalooma, where dolphins come into shore at night to be hand fed. There are wonderful walking tracks, and many fishing spots. Day trippers, or holiday makers without a four wheel drive, can access the island via the “Tangalooma Flier.”
North Stradbroke Island too, is only accessible by boat - vehicular and passenger ferries depart from Cleveland and Redland Bay. Straddie has a residential population at three main settlements - Dunwich, where the ferry boats pull in, Amity Point, and Point Lookout.
North and South Stradbroke Islands were one island, until a storm in 1896 forced a channel between them. The island was known by the Aborigines as “Minjerriba” (Giant in the Sun). Aborigines lived on the island for thousands of years, and there is still a small population on the island.
The Goompi Trail is a one hour guided tour, led by a local Aboriginal guide, gives one insight into the local history of the island.
Dunwich was the quarantine station for Brisbane in the 1820’s. Just near the “Little Ships Club” is the historic cemetery where the 28 victims of cholera are buried in the epidemic that raged in 1850. A visit to the cemetery to read the details on the headstones is most interesting.
Amity Point is the islands oldest settlement, a sleepy little fishing village, perched on the northwestern tip of the island.
Point Lookout, on the northeastern tip of the island, is a popular residential and tourist spot. It is from this area that each June, the migrating whales are recorded, as they head for Hervey Bay, further north.
North Stradbroke Island is known for its mining of mineral and silica sand, which is shipped to the mainland and used for making glass.
The island’s economy is based mainly on the mining, tourism, and fishing.
There are many wonderful places on the island for the tourist, including the 500 hectare Blue Lake National Park, which is a sanctuary for the island’s wildlife. There are a number of freshwater lakes, and swimming is permitted in the Blue Lake.
The island is home to some rare flora and fauna, including Australia’s largest ground orchid, the swamp orchid, and the mangroves at Myora are the home of the false water rat, a rare mammal.
South Stradbroke has some tourist resort activity, with an Eco Tourist Resort. Access to South Stradbroke Island is from Southport and Runaway Bay on the Gold Coast.
Bribie Island is the northern most island of the bay, and is approximately an hour’s drive north of Brisbane, with a one-kilometre bridge connecting the island to the mainland.
The island is now a thriving community with two main townships, Bongaree on the Pumicestone Passage side of the island, and Woorim on the surfside. Visitors to the island can benefit from the quiet waters of the Pumicestone Passage, or the surf on the eastern side of the island.
Much of the island is National Park, and because of the safe calmer waters of the passage, is popular for pleasure craft and fishing.
The parks light up in spring with the wildflowers which include fragrant boronias, bottlebrush and wattle.
Mathew Flinders landed on the island in July 1799, and reported a population of 600 Aborigines. Within a century all of these people are gone, and near the bridge on the mainland is a monument honouring the last of the island’s Aborigines, Kal-ma-Mutha who died in 1897.
One of the smaller inhabited islands is Coochiemudlo Island - in the southern waters of the Bay. There is a small population, with a resort, a convenience store, and small restaurants. It is popular for holidays and day trippers. Access is by boat, - a regular vehicular ferry services the island from Victoria Point, and a passenger service services the island both from Cleveland and Victoria Point - the latter with the shorter trip and the most frequent.
Day trippers picnic on the beaches facing Victoria Point, and swim in the quiet waters of the beach, or fish, or use a variety of watercraft.
A mini bus meets each passenger watercraft, and for a small fee takes the visitor on a round island trip complete with fascinating commentary on the island, or locals to their homes.
Other interesting places to visit on the island include the Pottery, and the Dyeworks where fabric is dyed using the local soil. The Aborigines used the red coloured soil to paint their bodies for ceremonies.
Posted on Jul 15, 2008 under Far North Queensland |
A pleasant 370 km journey north of Brisbane, is the city of Bundaberg. “Bundy” as it is affectionately known is a modern progressive city, on the Burnett River which empties into the sea just 17 kms away.
Bundaberg was founded in 1867, is a popular holiday and tourist spot - not only because of the climate which is described as “the most equable climate in Australia with mild winters and summers cooled by sea breezes”.
The Burnett River is popular for a variety of water sports including fishing, boating, yachting, rowing and water skiing.
The river is used for commercial fisherman, dive and charter boats - with trips to The Great Barrier Reef for diving and fishing most popular.
The city itself is a mix of the beauty of landscaped gardens and streets, old buildings side by side with modern buildings, and a dynamic economy.
Some of the city highlights are the Whaling Wall - an amazing mural featuring marine life, parklands and the Zoo.
Further out of the central city area is Bundaberg Botanic Gardens, which features the Hinkler House Memorial Museum, a Historical Museum and the Fairymead House Sugar Museum.
Some of the other places of interest in Bundaberg are the Schmeider’s Cooperage and Art Centre, and the Bundaberg Rum Distillery, and a Winery where the wines are made from locally grown tropical fruit.
Bunderberg is in the centre of a huge sugar growing area - and the fields of sugar cane stretch for kilometers around the city. In years past the cane fields were fired to destroy the dry cane leaves, and the vermin that hid midst the canefields, but there is less burning these days as the cane can be cut “green”. It is a spectacular sight to see the cane fields on fire in the early evening in the middle of the year.
There’s a lot to do as in any modern city, and a vast array of accommodation, restaurants and other facilities for locals and visitors.
At the Port of Bundaberg is the huge sugar silo’s, from where the sugar is shipped around the world.
The beaches on the coastline have their own special attractions, and Mon Repos the Turtle Rookery is a must, especially during the months of November to March.
Posted on Jul 15, 2008 under Far North Queensland |
Just 15 kms from Bundaberg, in central Queensland is the most extra ordinary Sea Turtle Rookery. The turtles have used this area (as well as other areas of north Queensland and The Great Barrier Reef) as a nesting ground for centuries, and it is recognised around the world for the research on turtles that use this area.
There is a Visitors Centre where rangers provide information and guidance to visitors interested in exploring the area and learning about these sea creatures.
There are a number of varieties of sea turtles and Loggerhead, Flatback, Green and Leatherback varieties use this area to nest.
The turtles appear from the sea on dusk - huge beasts pulling themselves slowly up the beach to find a spot in the sand dunes to patiently dig their nest (a deep hole in the sand), over which they balance and lay the eggs. The task must be a huge burden on these animals, it seems to be a slow and perhaps painful and tiring expedition. One by one the eggs drop into the hole, and when she is finished, she flips the sand over the hole until it is totally covered. Then she makes the long trip back to the sea, and never sees her offspring.
Weeks later, the tiny turtles hatch out of their eggs, dig their way out of the sand, and flip their way along the sand to the sea. Sadly many do not survive - as sea creatures including sharks can be waiting off shore, to feast on these new babies.
The turtles come ashore all along the coast here, but those that choose to nest in the rookery, are “supervised” and details collected for research. At night, guided tours are conducted by the Rangers, so that these wonderful sea creatures are treated with dignity and respect.
This surely is one of the great wonders of the world, and if you visit the area between November 1st and March 31st, make sure that you add this trip to your itinerary.
Posted on Jul 15, 2008 under Brisbane |
Bribie Island is a great holiday destination, and a great one-day trip from Brisbane. The island has been the most popular of the Moreton Bay islands. Bribie Island is just 64 kms north of Brisbane, and is the only island accessible by road bridge.
The island has a long history, being visited by Matthew Flinders. He named Skirmish Point, where he had a “skirmish” with the local aborigines, and he named Pumicetone Passage, the waterway between Bribie Island and the mainland. He had seen pumicestone there. He also named White Patch where he and to make some repairs to his ship “Norfolk”.
There also is evidence of the long gone aboriginal people who lived on the island with the remains of a fish trap at Sandstone Point. Bunkers from World War 2 still remain, and a walk along the white sandy beach north from Woorim will reveal some fun emplacements that were erected to protect the city of Brisbane for invaders from the north.
The island is relatively unspoiled with most of the island being National Park. There is considerable residential and other development on the southern tip of the island, but vast tracts of bushland still surrounds the townships of Bongaree, Bellara, and Woorim.
The Pumicestone Passage side of the island is lapped by the calm waters of the passage, and is pleasant for picnicking in the many picnic grounds, fishing, boating and swimming. There are many spots ideal for families in the safer waters, complete with the safety of the shade of many trees.
The Pacific Ocean laps the other side of the island, so there is surf, sand and sunshine.
There are hotels and camping grounds on both sides of the island, and an array of shops - and plenty of take-away food places, as well as restaurants.
The attractions include the National Parks, the Marine Park of Pumicetone Passage with around 350 species of birds, and provides sanctuary to dugongs, turtles and dolphins. Cruises operate along the Passage, so that visitors may have a chance to be up close and personal, with some of these wonderful sea creatures.
There’s plenty of things to see and do in Bribie Island, including:
- Bongaree Jetty - fishing or just watching those that do
- Bowls Clubs
- Cinema
- Recreation Centre with indoor bowls, tennis courts, etc
- Whitepatch Art Gallery
- Nature walks
- Cycling along the many cycling paths on the island
- Bushwalking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Birdwatching
There are three special areas of “talking monuments” where you can hear about the history of that area.
- Solander Esplanade, Banksia Beach - you will hear the story of the landing of Matthew Flinders
- Marine Drive, Bellara - you will hear the story of the history of the island.
- Community Arts Centre, Banksia Beach - you will hear the story of the history of the aboriginals on the island.
Do check out Bribie Island, it is beautiful, the climate is sub tropical so is great all year round, and it is unspoiled. Just the spot for a really relaxing holiday on the Queensland coast.
Take along with you insect repellent - at dusk you are likely to be visited my some great Ossie Mossies!
Posted on Jun 21, 2008 under Sydney |
Sydney offers every category of accommodation – from backpacker hostels to international standard deluxe hotels (A$300-plus per night).
Sydney’s large and diverse accommodation industry caters for all budgets. At the upper end there’s the luxurious Park Hyatt Sydney, set right on the water’s edge, and the Westin Sydney, occupying the classic old post office building in Martin Place. At the lower-priced end, the ever popular Y on the Park, offers budget rooms with a near-city location. There are also many economical, self-catering apartments and reasonably priced guest guesthouses and hostels are plentiful. Bed-and-breakfasts are numerous, especially in outer suburbs and rural areas close to the city.
Sydney’s major hotel areas are around the city centre, Darling Harbour and Pyrmont, Circular Quay, Central Railway, and the inner eastern suburbs. Most hotels have in-room internet connections or wireless areas for laptops, and all backpacker hostels have computers for pay-as-you-go net surfing and email checking.
It’s worth looking on the internet for special deals, both in advance bookings and last-minute rate reductions. By all means use the sites that compare and present hotels together, but if you have a good idea of the place you wish to stay, go directly to their website and look for a ‘specials’ button. You can often get better deals this way. But be aware that there are popular times of the year, such as around new Year and January, when hotels are fully booked, so forward booking at this time of year is essential.
Although Sydney’s CBD is only 7km from the international airport, there are times when a stay at an airport hotel is necessary. Fortunately there are three good options: Hotel Formule 1 Sydney Airport is a good budget option; Ibis Hotel Sydney Airport offers mid-range value, and Airport Sydney International Inn is only a few minutes from the airport, in the quieter suburb of Arncliffe.
Posted on Jun 21, 2008 under Brisbane |
With its languid subtropical air, bustling city centre, and riverside charm, Brisbane is one of the worlds most livable cities. Australia’s third largest city, with 1.5 million inhabitants, is the capital of the northern state of Queensland. The CBD has a collection of tall office towers and the CBD shopping precinct centres around the Queen Street Mall. Once Australia’s most monocultural city, today Asian residents and travellers are energising this increasingly important Pacific Rim city. Inner-city suburbs have many dining options for locals and visitors alike. A CityCat ferry ride is a good way to explore the city and riverside suburbs. Be sure to take a tour to Mt Coot-tha, just 20-minutes drive west of the CBD, to get a good perspective on the city and surrounds. Brisbane’s main attractions, include the magnifident Botanic Gardens in the city centre, the Roma Street Parklands, Queensland Performing Arts Complex, South Bank, and the Queensland Art Gallery.
The city’s inner-city suburbs, such as Paddington and Milton, with their distinctive timber buildings, offer fabulous specialty shopping, great old pubs, and excellent restaurants, while multicultural Fortitude Valley is great for dining and nightlife. You can board Brisbane Citysights Tours for a trip around the city and hop off at most of the city’s main attractions. Later you can relax on one of the River City Cruises or CityCat Ferries and learn about the city’s history and landmarks along the river. A daily ticket, which can be purchased at train stations or on buses and ferries will let you ride the ferries, buses and trains all day for a set price according to zone. The city’s bus system joins central Brisbane with the inner suburbs, while a limited rail system serves the outer suburbs. Both the Sunshine Coast to the north and the Gold Coast to the south are served by a rail line.
An hour’s drive south of Brisbane is the Gold Coast. Australia’s glitzy holiday paradise with miles of sandy beaches, vibrant nightlife and . The low-key Sunshine Coast, two hour’s drive north of the CBD is another beachside holiday district with laid-back Noosa Heads as the prime destination.
Brisbane International Airport, 14km (9 miles) northeast of Brisbane, with rail, bus and taxi links to the city.
Posted on Jun 21, 2008 under Northern Territory |
Swaying palms, monsoon vine forests, dancing birds, crocodiles in the waterways, ancient cultures, ecologically significant areas - it sounds so exotic, it’s hard to believe we’re talking about Australia - but we are. The Top End of Australia’s Northern Territory has all of this and more.
Environment
One of the best things about exploring this part of the continent is the landscape. It’s so dramatic it never fails to make a lasting impression and the number of places to go and things to do is almost endless.
Picture a sunny day in July, floating on a li-lo down the spectacular Katherine Gorge (Nitmiluk). Or bushwalking with a guide through World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park and 60,000 years of Aboriginal culture, not to mention the 275 species of birds, the 1000 different plants or the reptiles and other animals that call it home. You won’t ever have seen anything as amazing as the pillars of the Lost City in the Gulf Region, a helicopter will drop your tour group into this natural wonder.
Climate
Forget about winter chills, the Top End is blue skies and sunshine. Holidaying in the Top End in the tropical summer is like walking into another world. From November to April the skies are alight with Nature’s light shows and waterfalls thunder in applause. Gone are the narrow waterways of the dry season and in their place a single sheet of water stretches to the horizon. The monsoonal rain falls mainly in the late afternoon and overnight, so you can still spend your days touring. The appeal of this time of the year is fast becoming well known but as yet it is not reflected in prices; off season rates apply and they make this time of year even more appealing. Did you know that the temperatures from November to April in the Top End are almost the same as those in Singapore, Bali and Cairns?
Culture
There are so many things to see in The Top End, it’s hard to list them all in a small space. Aboriginal art, history and culture are featured on the Tiwi Islands and at Manyallaluk, and ancient Arnhem Land offers a special experience. Wildlife is easy to find roaming free in the National Parks and it’s also well displayed at the Territory Wildlife Park and the Darwin Crocodile Farm. The jumping crocodiles on the Adelaide River are something you have to see to believe. Litchfield National Park is just 105km by sealed road from Darwin and is largely untouched wilderness with spring-fed waterfalls that flow all year. A day or two relaxing there will really rejuvenate you.
The Top End is Australia’s tropical north and a region that gives its visitors an experience with a difference. Being closer to Asia than any Australian capital city, it has a distinct Asian flavour, especially in Darwin. One other thing that tops of its appeal is - you don’t need vaccinations. Just about all the locals speak English. Well there may be a few words that trick you like - “it’s only 310 km down the track” (the ‘track’ is the local slang for the Stuart Highway), or “would you like a white or a blue can?” - that means a can of Carlton or Fosters beer. You may be able to tell by now that the locals are pretty relaxed and friendly, so rest assured you will be welcomed and given a great holiday.
National Parks
There are many national and nature parks in the Top End. Although fees may apply for some camping sites, there is no entry fee for visitors to Kakadu National Park.
A two hour drive from Darwin is all it takes to reach the heart of a World Heritage region - Kakadu National Park. Its vast expanse is studded with natural jewels like Ubirr and Nourlangie Rock, Yellow Waters, Jim Jim and Twin Falls. Litchfield National Park is located even closer to Darwin, with waterfalls, nature walks and colourful, ever-present wildlife. The beauty of the Top End extends further south into the Katherine region and Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Park, featuring the magnificent Katherine Gorge, made famous in the Australian movie Jedda.
Australia’s tropical north, the Top End, offers year round attractions that are truly memorable and inspiring.
Posted on Jun 20, 2008 under Perth |
Perth, Western Australia’s capital city, fronting the meandering Swan River, is the state’s economic and cultural base. Perth’s people are easygoing and the city, with its inner city parks, natural ambience and feel. The Swan River offers a range of water sports, including sailing, sailboarding and parasailing, and the 50 km of riverside pathways allow forfor walking and cycling access.
Kings Park, a mix of bushland, botanic gardens, walkways and lawns has lots of alkways and is perfect for picnicking, while the view from Kings Park of the Perth cityscape and river is sublime.
Perth beaches, nineteen in all, are close to the city centre and some, live Scarborough Beach are great for surfing.
Shopping in Perth is a favourite past time and there are department and chain stores as well as designer fashion outlets catering for all tastes. And restaurants in Perth feature fresh local produce, fine wines and, quite often, a superb setting, that encourages visitors and locals alike to enjoy the city’s mild climate.
Perth has excellent cultural institutions on the Western Australia Museum and the Art Gallery of Western Australia. Other Perth attractions that are worthwhile include the Western Australia Museum and the Art Gallery of Western Australia, both set in the cultural suburb of Northbridge. The Museum highlights the state’s natural systems and Aboriginal past and includes Megamouth, a huge shark. At the Art Gallery on the weekends, an arts and crafts market is held in the Cultural Centre Mall.
The city edge Kings Park is a great place to get a good feel for the Western Australian natural vegetation. When you visit the park you will learn about the region’s distinctive flora and picnic on the lawns overlooking the city and the Swan River. And you can learn about Australian fauna at the Perth Zoo, where the Butterfly House and native animal displays share pride of place.
The Western Australia Museum highlights the state’s natural systems and Aboriginal past and includes Megamouth, a huge shark. At the Art Gallery of Western Australia on the weekends, an arts and crafts market is held in the Cultural Centre Mall.
Take a ferry from the Barrack Street Jetty to Fremantle and view the mansions of Peppermint Grove and Mosman Park on your way to the historic port city where you can board and old tram for a tour of the city’s sights.
Posted on Jun 19, 2008 under Sydney |
The Sydney Harbour Bridge is the second most visited Sydney attraction - after the Sydney Opera House. This is a bridge located on the Sydney Harbour, connecting the Central Business District (Sydney CBD) on the coast with the residential north sydney suburbs. The bridge offers a beautiful panoramic view of Sydney.
The Bridge was built over a period of eight years, from 1924 to 1932. Since its inception is has been regarded as one of the most beautiful harbours in the world and is the largest in the world. Dr. Bradfield was the one who designed the bridge and the English company Drom Long and Co. were responsible for its construction, which cost a little more than 4 billion pounds. The bridge was designed with 8 dedicated lanes for vehicles, two train lines and a path for cyclists and pedestrians. Do you know how many cars pass by here every day? No less than 161 thousand. Impressive!
The Sydney Harbour Bridge was built with steel arches and is the main highlight with the New Years Eve fireworks display. If you are able to travel to Sydney during this time of the year you will get the opportunity to take many excellent pictures of boats and the sea which are illuminated by fireworks. It’s really beautiful!
You can also enjoy an unforgettable experience doing the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb. Climb to the summit of the bridge and get to know what it feels like to be 134 meters above the Sydney Harbour. If you are not afraid of heights it will be a fascinating ride. Choose to do the Bridge Climb during the daytime or night. Both climbs last about 3 ½ hours. Do not miss the opportunity to take dramatic panoramic pictures of the city including the Sydney Opera House, sea, mountains and the city port. You will feel like you are on top of the world!