Off on an Adventure Vacation in Australia

The Kangaroo Island in Australia is one of the most preferred adventure vacation sites in the country. This is because the place offers wonderful scenery of nature and offers a peek into indigenous wildlife in the area. The place has also become popular for providing access to a close encounter with the flora and fauna unique to Australia.

Aside from amazing Australian fauna, the Kangaroo Island also offers a rare opportunity to walk through immense colonies of fairy penguins and sea lions, kangaroos that are visible in the hills and fields. If you are lucky enough, you can even see koalas munching eucalyptus leaves that you can only see in wildlife channels. People who love seeing animals on the wild such as wallabies, possums, bandicoots, bats, frogs, native birds, and goannas will also enjoy the exhilarating trip.

Ultimate nature trip

The Kangaroo Island is located at the southern coast of South Australia. Although hidden in the rugged coast, the island can be easily accessed for something that is isolated. Considered as an eco-tourism destination, not all people get a chance to discover the place because the government prefers that it remains a semi-tourist destination site. This is to keep the place clean and friendlier to animals that thrive there.

Although it is not as commercialized as other adventure vacation destinations out there, people who are up for the excitement of encountering wildlife will surely like the place. People who are into magnificent landscapes, amazing caves filled with limestone, and great rock formations will surely insist on coming back to the place in the future.

For those who are planning to go on an adventure vacation to Kangaroo Island, here are some of the things that they should consider before finalizing their trip.

1. Number of people who will go on the trip. This is very important to ensure that everything will be provided for individual needs of the people going there. Knowing how many will go on the trip will somehow give you an idea what to prepare and what to do upon getting there. The number of people who will go on the trip will also help you plan your budget and the entire trip as well.

2. The length of stay. This is very important because the length of your stay will give you an idea how many items to bring during your trip. It will also determine the budget that you have to prepare and fix your schedule while you are on your adventure vacation trip.

3. The activities that can be done. There are countless of activities that can be done in Kangaroo Island. Most of which are inclined to discovering and rediscovering the nature. If you will go there, conduct a simple research of the things that can be done and choose from them. Choose those activities that are inclined with your interests and of the people included in the group.

4. Means of getting there. This is very important because you can plan your budget up ahead. The available means of getting to Kangaroo Island is via ferry that can last from 45 minutes to an hour from Cape Jervis located at the tip of Australian mainland in the south, approximately 70 miles from Adelaide and via air travel which usually takes from 20 to 30 minutes from Adelaide.

5. The available options for staying during the adventure vacation. Since it is an isolated island, there are few options to stay at the Kangaroo Island. In fact, there are only two decent places to stay including the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Retreat found at the Flinders Chase National Park and the Southern Ocean Lodge found in Hanson Bay.

The prices of the accommodations range from moderately expensive to very expensive.

Australia Cheap Holidays To Three Cities

Your cheap holidays to Australia can be planned for nature sights, adventure, and unusual things to do and for beauty of the country. Your first stop might be at Adelaide, which is the capital of Australia. The museums and botanical gardens are beautiful at anytime of the year. The maritime museum is a delight to see as well as the markets hosted everywhere you turn. If you are up for an unusual adventure, plan a day trip to Kangaroo Island. Now that thought is not unusual but camel riding is rare for most visitors. Ride a camel around the island while watching for unusual and unique birds that are habitants of the island.

After a few days in Adelaide, your cheap holidays package can take you to Brisbane for some exciting wildlife viewing and a look around the subtropical forest. The time spent here will give you an idea about the culture as well as how the nights come alive and stay alive until the early morning hours. You might even need the next day to recuperate before venturing outdoors. The area does have some fantastic beaches as well. The waters are so clear and feel refreshing. You can even see some of the dolphin in the area if you are on the right beach at the right time.

If your cheap holidays to Australia require nightlife, snorkeling, sightseeing in the forest and plenty of shopping you will find Cairns a great place to vacation. They area is beautiful and it has a snow forest that is just beautiful. The hotels and the restaurants are wonderful with fine cuisine from many different ethnic groups. The hotels are luxurious and have many amenities that keep you comfortable and relaxed. The area is beautiful in Australia and brings about a feeling of warm from the overwhelming beauty of the land.

If you want isolation in the Outback, Alice Springs is where you should spend a few days. The glorious area with scenery that you have never seen before is very popular with adventurous visitors. They have a regatta during September that you cannot miss. It is a fun and exciting to watch as the residence of the area race bottomless boats. You will have plenty of fun when you plan cheap holidays to this area of Australia. You will have excitement, adventure and some great laughs to take home with you.

If you are looking for Outback pubs, Kalgoorlie has some great little pubs that give you a real sense of the Outback’s. When you are there, you can take a tour of the mines that were once mined for gold during the nineteenth century gold rush on Australia. You will find that this area is more suited for the history buff or someone who has never seen gold mines or understood the gold rush itself.

One thing for sure, your cheap holidays to Australia will be exciting and a little educational but in a fun way. Keep in mind, the weather is great and you need to pack your most comfortable clothes to have fun.

A Great Barrier Reef Vacation On Heron Island

A Great Barrier Reef Vacation on Heron Island is a unique experience. Heron Island is a small coral cay right on the Great Barrier Reef Australia, where you can snorkel straight off the beach amidst teeming marine life on an endless multicoloured coral reef.

It is what you don’t see that really makes this such an outstanding destination as a Great Barrier Reef destination. You see there are no buildings above the tree line. There are no daytrippers, because Heron Island is only for its guests, and you won’t find that in many resorts around the world.. The island isn’t large, but it is beautiful, and you could walk around it in about 30 minutes, but it’s large enough to escape from the stresses of 21st century life within a few hours of arriving.
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Heron Island has a unique atmosphere, which is one of relaxation, total relaxation., sophisticated casual relaxation, in a completely understated way, and this sets Heron apart from other resort islands

Heron is not the place to visit on your Great Barrier Reef Vacation if you need sophisticated nightlife, or a multitude of daytime activities, because the emphasis here is on the natural attractions and exploring the island..

The reef diving here is second to none, the snorkelling superb, so you may see turtles, dolphins, humpback whales migrating north, sharks, stingrays, many colourful fish and birds and they are all within easy reach which is fantastic.

The reef walks will teach you about the unique ecology of the Great Barrier Reef. Added to this is the abundance of bird life especially Noddy Terns.

On the other hand you can just lie around, read, and relax!!

In the evenings there might be live entertainment, or you can dance or just have a pleasant drink at the Pandanus Lounge. You will find the food is excellent with a, huge breakfast buffet, and three dinner buffets every week.

If you are a nature lover who doesn’t mind a helicopter transfer then Heron Island is probably the ideal Great Barrier Reef Vacation Spot you could ever find.

For more Australian Vacations and information about the Great Barrie Reef, go to http://www.worldwidevacationspots.com/categories/Oceania%26%2339%3Bs-Hidden-Hotels/Australia/

Australia Shopping And Travel Tips

A traveler to Australia might need a brief respite after arrival due to the distance it has taken to travel to the Continent. Some travelers might be groggy and feel out of sorts for a day or two because of the time differences involved, and the traveler might not be clear on what they are allowed to bring into the country and what is strictly prohibited. Plants and plant by-products require a quarantine period which might slow travelers down considerably.

The shopping hours throughout Australia are generally 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., but in some locations, there are opportunities to shop on Saturday and Sunday and that choice is left up to the specific retailer. The customary enjoyment of tobacco while shopping is not tolerated in any store or restaurant and smoking on any type of public transportation or building is considered to be very unacceptable conduct.

There is a variety of transportation modes available throughout Australia. A traveler can get great bargains on bus tickets if they participate in discount card programs. There are terrific discounts for travelers with this type of membership because the discounts extend to tours at public buildings, amusement parks and arcades and many fine dining opportunities.

Visitors to Australia have free sightseeing trips that they can enjoy. While shopping Australia for many items, there are some tipping rules that will make the shopping go smoother. While dining with friends at lunch or dinner, it is customary to tip all servers and wait staff at least 10 percent of the final bill, and tip the people who help along the shopping path such as porters at hotels and taxi drivers who speed travelers to their next shopping destination.

Taking advantage of many travel discounts will be high on every travelers list. A visitor to Australia will have to be mindful of the time changes throughout the Continent that could have a direct effect on scheduling a vacation or a daily shopping excursion to other parts of the Continent that have not been visited yet. The time changes, in conjunction with the air travel fatigue, might overcome older travelers. It is always a good idea to keep the time factor, and time schedules for transportation and retail locations handy at all times.

When planning vacation trips to any foreign countries, there are many entry rules that will apply. In order to enter the Continent of Australia, travelers are required to have a valid passport on them at the point of entry, and some people run into difficulties because they do not have a visitor visa or student visa to present with the passport. The only exceptions to the two-document rule apply to natives of Australia and those that hold passports from New Zealand.

Duty-free shopping is encouraged at all major airports throughout the world. For travelers that plan to visit Australia, there are rules that apply to duty-free items that arrive with the passenger at the point of entry. Travelers must declare any foreign currencies that they enter Australia with, and remember to declare tobacco products too because there is a certain limit allowed for each person that travels. Age limits will apply to travelers who bring duty-free items into Australia too.

Planning For Travel To All Points Of Australia

To get the most out of traveling to Australia, most people plan the trip for a year or more. The continental land mass of Australia is quite large, and many travelers want to see as much as possible in the time they are in country. Planning ahead allows people to save money on stellar lodging selections and transportation, and arranging for special accommodations could make the trip a once in a life-time experience.

Some travelers want to visit several regions of Australia to get a feel of this gorgeous island paradise. Some will be lovers of the ocean and will find that the Gold Coast is a paradise for surfers, and they will typically select accommodations that are situated directly on the beach or with an overview of the coastline. The sunsets are magnificent on the Eastern Australia shore and making reservations many months ahead of the desired travel time will ensure that there will be ample room choices.

Certain destinations in Australia are centered around business and commerce, but feature holiday accommodations that are perfect for large families. Travelers have the opportunity to switch between accommodations like rustic cabins in the Outback wilderness setting, and luxurious resorts that offer stellar fine dining facilities. A travel can plan and budget travels with the help of a planning calendar and know that when the expenses for travel will be worth every penny spent.

For travelers planning to enjoy the rustic flavor of South Australia, the Kangaroo Island area would be perfect for those that desire to experience a return to nature. The accommodations at cottages, motels, and lodges in this South Australia region fit in well with the unspoiled land areas and many travelers want to experience at least a week in the bush with the option of spa baths and luxury living only moments away.

The South Australia vacation cities are Adelaide, Adelaide Hills, Riverlands, and Kangaroo Island. Adventurers can explore the Eyre Peninsula, Clare Valley, Yorke Peninsula, or the Flinders Ranges where the Outback awaits. Travelers will plan some time in the Fleurieu Peninsula, the Limestone Coast and Barossa Valley and know that they have tasted the best of what the South Australia region has to offer.

For travelers that want to venture into the interior land regions of Australia, the route inward could begin in the Northern Territory, where travelers could plan trips to cities like Darwin which is on the top end of Australia. To reach the Central region of Australia, travelers will need to book accommodations in cities like Tennant Creek, and follow the roads to Alice Springs, and Ulluru to scratch that portion of Australia from their travel map itinerary.

There will always be certain points of interest that no traveler to Australia will want to miss. Tourists always include Sydney, Melbourne, or Perth on the travel planners, but learn by comparing prices, that they can get a full flavored trip if they include a visit to the Blue Mountains, or Coffs Harbour where very few footprints are left in the sand. The Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, and Byron Bay will allow vacationers to get their fill of the ocean from many viewpoints and take many memories home.

Planning An Unforgettable Trip To Australia

A trip to Australia might be the perfect vacation for you. Because the Australian climate is so varied, there’s always a variety of options for destinations and activities for your dream vacation. If you prefer to rough it in the country, you can explore the Outback and climb Ayers Rock. Those who prefer the city can discover the delights of Australia’s major cities: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Canberra.

Whatever your budget, you can find the right Australian travel package for you. Even travellers with the smallest budget can see what Australia has to offer by backpacking around the country and staying at inexpensive hostels that cater to young travellers on a budget. Travellers can also book guided tours, including sailing trips, hikes through the wilderness, or a tour of local wineries. Travel agencies offer travel packages that combine airfare, accommodations, some meals, and guided tours of your choice.

After you arrive at your Australian Destination, you might be confused about what activities you should do. If you took your vacation to relax, you could partake in the top-rate shopping that Australian cities can offer, take in a play, or visit historic points of interest. Australian fine dining is famous for its choice selection of seafood and beef. Tour packages may even offer cooking classes, if you’re interested in learning how to prepare these delicious meals yourself.

Australia is known around the world for its wines, particularly Shiraz, so a cooking class that incorporates wine into the cooking would be an ideal way to experience all the culinary delights Australia has to offer at the same time. If you prefer to be more active, a kayaking trip or a tour of the Great Barrier Reef might be the thing for you. Travellers can climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge, get lessons on surfing, or go parasailing.

If you really feel adventurous, you can try bungee jumping or skydiving. For those who wish to get in touch with nature, a drive along the Great Ocean Road or a day cruise to watch dolphins and whales in the ocean would be a great way to appreciate Australia’s natural beauty.

For more ideas about a perfect Australian vacation, you can find a multitude of websites and guidebooks that can help you plan your trip. Let’s Go, Frommers, and Lonely Planet offer guidebooks updated annually that highlight points of interest, places to stay, and the best restaurants to visit, as well as the general price range and rating for each.

Travel websites can also help you plan a trip. http://Australia.com has a vast amount of resources, including census data, travel specials, climate information, currency conversion and photo galleries. It even has information about temporary work visas, if you’d like to make your vacation an extended working holiday.

Not The Whitsundays, Australia, Part 1

You've probably heard of the Whitsundays - beautiful Australian tropical islands with white sandy beaches and coral reefs. Maybe you've been to a resort on one of the islands, or taken a flight or a cruise from Shute Harbour. All the year round, many visitors come from all over the world, as well as from all Australian states and territories to enjoy the beaches, the reefs, the fishing and many other pastimes. Whether it be to relax on the beach or to enjoy the adrenalin rush of sky-diving, the Whitsundays provide all this and more.

What happens, though, if you enjoy looking at that beautiful blue-green water, with islands, nearby and distant, across the Whitsunday Passage, but can't bear the thought of stepping on board a boat, much less getting into one of those tiny planes, or even worse - a helicopter! And the Great Barrier Reef is a 40km "voyage"....

Or maybe you've "Been there, done that", taken a couple of day cruises, and your budget is blowing out. What else is there to do?

All you really want to do is lie in the sun on a nice sandy beach and relax. Maybe you'll drop in to a hotel for a counter lunch, or in the evening, and visit a couple of nice spots for dinner. You may take a look around the shops, or try a few different beaches.

This was our situation when we arrived at Airlie Beach with our 5th wheel trailer, for a couple of weeks at a tourist park. There is a good selection of caravan parks with various levels of facilities. The major associations are well represented. Free stays are harder to come by in the area. We also had our Westie, Snowy, so we needed a place that allowed pets. We found a good place, as we usually do. We don’t like leaving Snowy behind for day trips, another reason not to visit the Islands this time around. It turned out we found all we wanted, although it wasn’t as we expected!

Our site was backing onto the small Whitsunday airport, with planes and helicopter flights to and from the islands, and for sky-diving, from early morning till dusk. Fortunately not at night! Having spent three years in the RAF back in the days of National Service, it was a familiar sound, and didn’t disturb me at all, I heard no complaints from other visitors either.

The Town of Whitsunday includes Airlie Beach, Shute Harbour, and couple of other places, all in close proximity, so any park is handy for the island cruises and reef
excursions. There are lots of palm and other tropical trees including, in the location called Flametree, of course, flame trees, all around.

Not The Whitsundays, Australia, Part 2

The lush setting was quite a contrast to some of the red dirt sites where we stayed in the Australian Outback. In the background are big, tree covered hills, part of the Conway National Park, which surrounds the area. You come upon views of the Coral Sea and islands around almost every corner. Wildlife is plentiful, especially birds, from lorikeets and cockatoos, to curlews and kookaburras, even the odd bush turkey. There are plenty of bushwalking trails in the National Park ranging in length and difficulty.

Shute Harbour is just that, a harbour for the island cruises, including a vehicle ferry. There is a secure multi-story car park to leave your car while you're away, or you can catch a bus from your park. There is, however, an excellent lookout, just above the harbour, and easily accessible by road. This is provided by the Lions, and has parking for big rigs, while you take your photos of the Whitsunday Passage.

Airlie Beach does not have much of a beach, as such. Visitors always ask, "where are the White Sandy Beaches?". Unfortunately, the answer is only on the Islands. The mainland beaches are all coarse yellow sand, or mud. Shingley Beach, doesn't have shingle either - more mud, or, to be kind, coarse grey sand. This is probably due to the well set out extensive marina in the bay there, no doubt a worthwhile alternative.

Another marina is being developed around the headland, and certainly it will look great when completed, but we felt sorry for the people in the resort hotels and apartments who had paid for their ocean view.

What Airlie does have, is a beautiful long lagoon. This extends along the ocean front, and has its own beach, shallows, and water up to two metres deep. It has stinger free water, (a hazard in the tropics) with permanent lifeguards, places to sunbathe, showers, shady areas and barbecues. And it is free. A boardwalk extends around the shoreline for most of Airlie, and provides places to stop and admire the views.

A typical resort village, Airlie caters for everyone from backpackers to the spare-no-expense holidaymaker. There are many restaurants with almost every kind of cuisine. Nine eating places in one short street and double that in the surrounding area. Shopping centres in the area have the usual big supermarkets and discount chain stores you will be familiar with, plus many of the specialty shops. There is a booming night life, hotels, bars and clubs provide everything you could wish for.

If you don't have your own get-around vehicle, you can rent anything from a car to a push-bike, including four wheel drives, scooters and mokes. We have our own transport, and found it essential for what we wanted to do.

Not The Whitsundays, Australia, Part 3

The Whitsunday region extends South down the coast of Queensland, Australia, as far as Mackay, and North as far as Bowen. The predominant scenery is tree covered hills and miles of canefields.

Mackay, about an hour and a half away, has several beaches, Sarina beach just South of Mackay is particularly attractive, and has places to free park. There are good shopping centres in Mackay, although for the Motorhome traveler, looking for spares, or parts, I would advise looking in Rockhampton, coming from the South, or Townsville from the North.

Inland from Mackay, on the Pioneer River, you can travel the Pioneer Valley to Eungella National Park. The rainforest has walking trails, with spectacular lookouts, and over 200 species of birds, as well as native animals, especially platypus, at Broken River.

On the way to Eungella, at Finch Hatton, turn off for Finch Hatton Gorge and go bushwalking past freshwater swimming holes and beautiful waterfalls. Stop off at one of the picnic areas - you did bring the picnic?

At nearby Mirani is a museum with the history of the sugar industry in the area, as well as the Illawong Fauna Sanctuary, with a variety of wildlife, including crocodiles. An alternative to the more commercial crocodlile farms around the region.

Between Mackay and Airlie, at Bloomsbury, is a turn-off for Midge point, a small coastal town on Repulse Bay. The beach here is long and wide (but not white!) with good fishing, and no-one around. Coconut palms fringe the beach, and islands and headlands complete the scene. Just up the road is the Laguna Keys resort, for the golfers among us. It's a ten minute drive back to the Bruce Highway.

Another twenty minutes brings you to the turn-off for Airlie, at Proserpine. The main purpose for Whitsunday visitors, the airport, is just outside the town, and has flights to the East Coast capitals. Proserpine itself is a pleasant small country town, with plenty of places to stop for a coffee or tea, with home made cakes, or a meal, to make a pleasant break in your journey.

A few kms out of Proserpine on the Airlie Rd, turn off towards Conway Beach, at the Northern end of Repulse Bay. Worth a detour along this road is the turn-off to the Cedar Creek Falls, especially if it was raining last night (it often does). Conway Beach has a fairly steep approach, affording an attractive view over the bay. Nearby Wilson Beach has a boat launching ramp - and a warning sign about cleaning fish there, due to crocodiles in the area. Another half hour will bring you back to Airlie.

Not The Whitsundays, Australia, Part 4

A trip North up the Bruce Highway to Bowen takes about an hour. The approach to the town from the South has the usual Information centre, with a feature of the Big Mango. The pleasant staff at this centre, are very helpful to visitors. On first sight the big mango looks like an Easter egg, but becomes more realistic from a different angle. The next thing we noticed going into Bowen was the BOWENWOOD sign on the water tower above the town, in the style of the HOLLYWOOD sign in that location.

The reason for the sign, we discovered when we were in Bowen, was that part of the town was roped off as a set for the Baz Luhrmann movie "Australia" with Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman. There were sandbagged buildings, red dirt streets and an army tent camp. The idea is to represent Darwin during the war. It all looked very effective. The crew were due to move on to Kunnanurra in Western Australia - over 4000km, 2500miles, for the next shoot - maybe we would see them over there.

Bowen brings more golden beaches within reach. There are several in town, and further up the coast, with island views and tideless clear water, snorkelling and coral, close to shore. Stinger nets are provided in a couple of places - do they work? We will stick to the lagoon and the park pool.

A feature of the main town beach, is the golf course laid out along it, making a beautiful location for the golfer. What a great excuse for an afernoon stroll in the fresh air.

Other noteworthy features of the town are a series of beautiful murals, one by Pro Hart, depicting trains, planes, ships, wagons etc. There are a total of twenty-two murals in all. A historical record of the area can be visualised with this series. There are a couple of high points with lookouts to the islands, and a museum. As Queensland's oldest town, founded in 1861 Bowen was once under consideration as State capital.

Inland you can visit Colinsville, a coalmining town and see the "Coalface Experience", an audio-visual presentation to show the workings of the mine. (Having had a couple of "school visits" to working coalmines in England - "Doon the Pit", I did not partake).

On the way back to Airlie, you can take a side trip to Dingo Beach, said to be white sand, a beachcomber's delight, and Cape Gloucester. The latter is one of the few places on the East coast to see a sunset over the sea, although Airlie can be almost as good.

So there you have it – plenty to do on the Whitsunday Mainland!

Melbourne The Cosmopolitan Capital Of Australia

Ranked the world's most livable city along with Vancouver; Melbourne is a paradise for tourist all over the world, who flock here each year to experience everything this chameleon city has to offer.

As the capital of Australia's south-east state Victoria, Melbourne is often referred to the country's sporting and cultural centre. However this river side city has so much more to offer, including the latest fashion, a great variety of multicultural cuisine and a mix of modern and Victorian art.

Melbourne's trams, with their ornate Victorian designs are a symbol of the rich culture and art that is alive throughout the streets and alleys. The city celebrates a wide variety of annual cultural events, performing arts and architecture. The Art Centre shaped like a ballerina's tutu and lit up every night with thousands of different coloured lights, is the home of performing arts, hosting everything from the Australian Ballet Company, to various operas and plays. The adjacent National Gallery of Victoria continues this theme, running a mix of temporary and permanent exhibitions, with a large collection of both international and national works that explore every facet of the art world. However if the formal restraints of the high end of art and culture is not your thing, Melbourne is also considered to be Australia's live music capital, meaning you can go to any of the world class pubs and hear great live music from some of the city's most talented up and coming artists.

Like all Australians, sport is an institution in Melbourne. The jam packed sporting calender begins in January when the stars of international tennis compete in the grand slam Australia Open, where the atmosphere is magical and the weather is divine. The thrills continue at the Melbourne Cricket Ground or MCG, which hosts the very best in cricket during the summer and Australian rule football during the winter. As the home of the Australian football code, known as AFL, the MCG is mecca for lovers of football and cricket, with organized tours taking you inside the stadium's memorabilia filled halls and even onto the ground itself. Throughout the year you can also enjoy basketball, swimming, soccer and many other sports in Melbourne's specially designed sports precinct.

For lovers of couture and the latest fashion, Melbourne offers the best stores ranging from designer brands to vintage bargains. Melbourne Central, the cities largest shopping complex has over 300 stores sure to placate any shop-a-holic regardless of their personal style and budget. Whilst unlike the unique and modern architecture of Melbourne Central, the Queen Victoria Market is world famous for its great buys and earthy atmosphere. Here you get so much more than a shopping district, out in the open air the scene is vibrant and cosmopolitan, complete with performing buskers and a variety of produce and goods, making for a truly multicultural and unique affairs that has drawn tourists to this historic site for more than 125 years.

A truly diverse and multicultural city, dining in Melbourne is a treat with restaurants covering every nationality in the world. For fine dinning, Southgate is the place to be, offering unparalleled views of the splendid Yarra River and so many choices.

Enjoy a delicious meal at one of the award winning restaurants, a quick lunch at the less formal Riverside Food Court or a coffee and sweet at the numerous cafés and bars.

In terms of multicultural restaurants the options are endless, try Italian food at the stylish Lygon Street, Carlton or Greek food in the very Mediterranean Russell street. But if you're looking for Chinese food, look no further than Melbourne's enchanting Chinatown. Brightly coloured Chinatown offers traditional laneway eateries that will transport you to lively streets of Beijing. More than just food Chinatown, serves up unique shops and stalls as well as Thai, Vietnamese, Malaysian and Japanese restaurants that are sure to tantalize the tastebuds.

With so much to offer it is impossible to squeeze Melbourne into one short article. This sophisticated city may be less than 200 years old and constantly changing but its vibrant energy never fails to excite and enthrall tourists. Impossible not to love, Melbourne's bustling atmosphere of luscious parks, top restaurants, great shops and rich culture cannot be explained, it has to be experienced.

More infos on Melbourne and Australian in italian language on http://www.ciao-australia.com

Make Australian Travel Planning Simple

Thinking about Australian travel always conjures up mental pictures of white sandy beaches and blue green waters, outback adventures, shopping in Sydney and Melbourne, and dining on local delights. For this very reason, people the world over dream of visiting Australia and taking in these sights and activities for themselves. Planning your trip can be a lot of fun, but it can also be overwhelming as you try to decide where you would most like to go in this vast country and what you want to do when you get there, as well as where you will stay and also what sort of transportation you will need. Any type of travel involves a lot of details, and this trip will be no different!

Australian travel plans can be made through an agent, but the problem many people encounter is that their agent has never been to the area they are interested in going to. It can also be a problem because many agents want to sell their customers the most expensive package deals because they earn the most amount of commission. This can be frustrating, but a lot of people settle for the trip their agent plans because they don’t know any better and don’t realize that they can put a trip together on their own.

If you do a bit of research into where you would most like to go in this beautiful country, you can then look into your travel arrangements to that location. Many of the most beautiful places in the country do not have airports right in them, so you will need to trek a bit to get there from the airport. This is usually not an issue, but can get to be a bit confusing or overwhelming because this often means that you have to consider transportation for your vacation as well. There are a lot of things to think about and details to keep straight, and it can be hard to get it all straight. While you can take care of Australian travel plans on your own, there is a lot of information involved and it would be nice to be able to streamline the process, wouldn’t it?

Luxury Vacations In Australia’s Whitsundays Islands

The Whitsundays Island Chain lies along Australia's Queensland in the midst of the famous Great Barrier Reef in the warm waters of the Coral Sea. This group of 74 islands is the perfect destination for travelers interested in a luxury travel vacation. The Whitsunday islands are one of the most popular destinations for tourists, especially local Australians and Europeans. The destination is also becoming very popular for American tourists.

The Natural Splendor

The natural beauty and diversity you find in the Whitsundays are characteristic of any Australian luxury vacation. The islands are mostly protected habitats that are maintained by the Australian government. The coral reefs are the birthing grounds for many tropical marine species. Although they are protected, there are a number of companies that are licensed to lead snorkeling and diving day trips. Some islands are lush tropical paradises filled with exotic flora and fauna, whereas others are barren desert islands. You can see the green expanses of Laguna’s golf greens, the cane fields and sugar mills of Proserpine and the best beach in the world at Whitehaven. Learn how you can save on your next luxury travel vacation by visiting http://www450.pair.com/amtfrank/american-express-exclusives.html.

Different Travel Experiences

Once you have chosen the Whitsundays to be a part of your upcoming luxury travel vacation, you must decide how to best take advantage of the experience. Boating is a popular way to experience the Whitsundays. Although these tiny islands are not accessible by the large luxury world cruise ships, there are often day excursions from nearby Brisbane. You might consider chartering a small yacht to explore these islands, which is not nearly as pricey as you might imagine. If you are interested in discovering the Islands through a land stay, there are a number of luxury resorts that are available. You can even be adventurous by camping on your own deserted island in one of the many national parks.

Choose an Island

Although there are 74 islands, only eight of the Whitsundays are inhabited – making it a perfect place for a truly intimate experience on any luxury travel vacation. Hamilton Island is the most commercially developed island. Hamilton has its own airport, and there are many options for hotel stays, ranging from deluxe to the highest in luxury. Whitsunday Island is the largest in the Whitsunday chain, and is the home of the famous Whitehaven Beach. This beach is so spectacular that it is on most people's "must see" list of destinations to visit in a lifetime. The main attraction is the pure white silica sand, along a five mile stretch. Hook Island is the second largest Whitsunday Island. Hook has one small resort and an underwater observatory, but little else. The rest of the island is a national park. Hayman Island is home to the most exclusive resort and the whole island is privately owned. From Hayman, you can gain access to some beautiful coral reefs.

The Whitsundays are a perfect addition to any luxury travel vacation. The natural beauty and diversity of plant and animal life is attractive for all nature enthusiasts. Although often thought of as pricey and exclusive, there are a number of ways to see these islands, and a number of price brackets. With eight different islands to choose from, the possibilities are endless. Add the Whitsunday Islands to your list of travel must sees. Visit http://www.amtvacations.com/american-express-vacations.html to see more options for you next luxury travel vacation.

Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Australian Visas

In the modern world there are few things governments protect more fiercely than the security of their borders. Australia is no different. As such, there seem to be a countless number of different visas, each appropriate to only a very specific set of reasons for visiting Australia. It is all too easy to become lost in the paperwork and jargon. This article aims to clear the metaphorical fog and explain exactly what visa you require for your particular trip to Australia.

Perhaps one of the simplest travel visas available is the ETA tourist visa. ETA stands for Electronic Travel Authority and represents the fact that this visa no longer takes the form of a stamp in your passport. Instead, if approved, the authorisation is stored electronically against your passport number. The only requirement set for those applying for a tourist visa is that they hold a passport in one of the thirty-four approved countries. However, do not assume that just because you meet this requirement you will then automatically qualify for a visa, this is simply not the case. Therefore, it is recommended that you do not book flights until your visa has been approved, this ensures that you will not be disappointed. The tourist visa is valid for a period of twelve months and allows you to travel to Australia multiple times with each stay lasting no longer than three months. It is possible to study in Australia using this visa on the condition that the course lasts no longer than the maximum period of stay (i.e. 3 months).

Another very popular type of Australian travel visa is the working holiday visa. To satisfy the requirements for this applicants must; be aged between 18 and 30 years olds, hold a valid passport in an approved country, hold a return ticket or be able to prove that you have sufficient funds to purchase one and to cover the initial part of your stay, have no children and be visiting Australia with the intention of travelling rather than for economic or educational reasons. If you are issued a working holiday visa then you will be entitled to stay in Australia for a period of twelve months and undertake temporary employment. The key restriction here is that visa-holders may not work for any one employer for a period of greater than three months. This limitation has been put in place to ensure that visitors do not become too settled in one location; tourism should be the primary motivation for the visit. Studying is permitted on this visa with a maximum course duration of four months. If you wish to study in Australia for a period greater than four months then you will require a student visa. To qualify for such a visa you have to have gained an offer of a place at an Australian college or other educational institution.

Finally, if you wish to visit Australia as a tourist for longer than 3 months but do not wish to seek temporary employment then you will require a long stay visa. The conditions of acceptance for this visa are less stringent than that for the working holiday visa.

Do Your Travel Research – Australia Is Big

Are your travel plans realistic? Can you travel the distance you want in a day? Australia is a big country, just how big, find out here.

I remember years ago I was holidaying in California. And being from Australia you get many questions and everyone is always intrigued by your accent.

Anyway, I started a conversation with this twenty something lady and she was telling me she was going to visit Australia next year.

Her plan was to fly to Sydney, stay for two weeks and take day trips from there. Which sounds like a fabulous plan.

There are heaps of things to see and do around Sydney for day trips. Sydney has a fantastic zoo and aquarium. The Blue Mountains with walks and scenic look outs is a day trip. In the other direction is the Southern Highlands with more scenic points.

Visit famous Bondi Beach and other beaches near Sydney, take in a few National Parks. Oh and I nearly forgot, visit the Opera House and climb the harbor bridge. Well the list goes on and there are more than enough things to see in and around Sydney to keep you busy for more than a fortnight.

But no. Her plan was to stay in Sydney and take day trips to Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef.

I looked at her and asked her again “what are your plans?”. And Yes sure enough she planned to stay in Sydney and drive to The Great Barrier Reef and Uluru for day trips.

But that is impossible I said, and informed her that Australia is almost the same size as the United States. No matter what I said, she would not believe me – If you don’t believe me then go and look at this map http://www.ga.gov.au/education/facts/dimensions/compare.htm.

Australia is the sixth largest country and the largest island in the world.

From Sydney to Uluru is 2,795km that is 1,735 miles and from Sydney to Mackay (middle area of the Reef) it is 1,715km about 1065 miles.

At least one thousand miles – one way. There is no physical way this trip can be done.

Even flying from Sydney to The Great Barrier Reef is at a minimum 4 hours one way flying time. And the Great Barrier Reef itself takes up an area half the size of Texas.

Now, I have not told you this to put you off coming to visit Australia. Far from it. But just come informed. Enjoy your trip, visit the Great Barrier Reef and Uluru and Sydney they are all interesting and worthy of your time.

And when you visit, we’ll say G’day Mate.
Happy Traveling
Lisa Paterson

Discount Airfares To Australia: How To Get Low-cost Tickets

Australia has always been a popular destination for tourists from all over the globe. But in recent years, the tourism industry has risen tremendously. A lot of the credit for this goes to the Summer Olympics that were held in Sydney in 2000. Since then, tourism revenues in Australia reach an impressive $10 billion each year.

So what makes Australia such a popular tourist destination?

Most of the tourists head to Australia to experience the world-famous Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, see the wildlife in the Kakadu National Park, and take a peek at the architectural splendor of the Sydney Opera House. Outdoor enthusiasts also enjoy the surfing at the famous beaches of Brisbane, Sydney and Cairns.

Many people wrongly assume that a visit to Australia is only meant for the more affluent traveler, as transportation expenses can be quite high. While this is generally true, there are also discount airfares to Australia that make it possible for practically anyone to visit this beautiful country – you just have to know where and how to look.

There are actually many places where you can avail of discount airfares to Australia. The most common is the Internet. In this age of technology, you can get almost anything you need just by a few clicks of the mouse. This includes discount airfares to Australia as well.

Tens of thousands of websites offer discount airfares to Australia. You have to be very discriminating in choosing which website you want to buy your tickets from. Many websites actually have scheming companies behind them who are using false advertising to lure customers into their traps. Most of the time, they are not displaying the real deal on their web pages.

In order to avoid being victimized by these companies, it is highly important to read all the fine print on the websites before submitting your credit card information to them to buy your discount airfares to Australia.

Another option is to go directly to the airline companies. They also offer discount airfares to Australia and other places in the world, but the savings you will get might be lower than if you purchased your tickets from a discount website.

Of course, if you want to stay away from all the hassles of preparing your trip, you can just pay a travel agent to do all the hard work for you. With most travel agencies, you can be assured that they will be able to find you great deals on discount airfares to Australia. All you have to do is unwind, relax, and dream of the fun time you will have down under.

Another thing you may try when looking for discount airfares is typing in various keywords, like wholesale, cheap, discount, special airfares. These different words may net you travel sites on the internet that you have never seen before that offer even better deals than those advertising on television. There are many ways to find discount airfares. The key is to know where to look as well as taking the time to research a few things. Time is precious so when we can find a site that we are happy with it is important to remember that for the next trip.

Cheap Holidays To Australia

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to enjoy an entire week of underwater exploring for your holidays? Cheap holidays to Australia are going to provide just that opportunity. You have never experienced underwater exploring as Australia has anywhere else. It is exciting and beautiful to see and do. Although the area has many different attractions you might just end up captivated by the activity under water that you will keep going back for more. The Great Barrier Reef is a hot spot in the country.

The coral reef is beautiful to explore and see the marine life that lives under water. The water is so clear and warm that all the habitants just float by you as you watch in awe. You can do some scuba diving or snorkeling or even utilize the submersible watercrafts that are found around the Great Barrier Reef. Cheap holidays to Australia cannot get any better. They also have glass bottom boats that are great to do some dolphin watching as well as some whale watching without getting wet.

Other areas in Australia offer some great underwater adventures. You will find that the days are spent exploring and the nightlife is spectacular, but day trips to other islands from the Great Barrier Reef are great. Plan a day trip to the island of Lizard, Hayman, Hamilton or Dunk. You will enjoy a day crossing the beautiful waters to reach the islands and then enjoy a day exploring the waters around the island. On your way back, you can relax in the warm sun and rest up for the excitement that the nights bring.

You will find that cheap holidays to Australia do not end underwater, but carry over to the popular nightlife attractions. You can enjoy the area cultures and customs, while dining in some of best restaurants in the area. After the dinner, you can sit back and watch the people dancing to live entertainment or enjoy a quick game of pool. You are not going to be left without anything to do at night. Many of the hotels have activities close by as well as on site entertainment.

Your cheap holidays to Australia will be exciting, adventurous and fulfilling. If you need more than underwater excursions, you might plan your trip around different stops in different cities of Australia. One thing is for sure, you will have the time of your life on an underwater vacation. There is another area of Australia that has a great underwater adventure. Perth has a underwater tunnel for some excitement. The tunnel is a hot spot for visitors to the area. This is something where you do have top get wet, put you can see the marine live every day. Things are never the same from minute to minute in the tunnel.

You are going to enjoy planning your underwater adventures in Australia. The reef or the tunnel as well as the many area beaches that have available snorkeling and scuba diving will keep you busy for as long as you plan your stay.

Best Diving Resorts In Australia

Australia is similar to its Pacific neighbors in many ways. But when it comes to the best diving resorts, Australia has it all with the greatest reefs and the clearest waters. Diving in Australia, whether scuba diving, skin diving, or shark diving will help you open your eyes to the different marine environments we have today.

Double Island

One of Australia’s more famous diving resorts is the Double Island in Queensland. This exclusive place is small compared to other commercial sites yet it gives divers in Australia the space and the seclusion to enjoy their scuba diving expeditions. Lying between the two islands is a shallow shelf of reefs and atolls where one can view the fishes and the corals in emerald-green waters. Double Island is a resort that gives tourist a paradise within a paradise.

Sea Temple Scuba Diving

Another luxurious diving resort can also be found in Queensland. The Sea Temple Resort and Spa is a resort which is carefully built as an Oasis in a desert. The scuba diving resort has a view to the lagoon and an island pool. It is located on the beach at the end of a front that extends for four miles. This resort puts the corals right beside the splendid suites.

Hayman Great Barrier Reef

No one goes diving in Australia without going to the Great Barrier Reef. In this case, Hayman in Queensland is one of the most famous of all diving resorts in the great reef. This resort provides a unique setting for adventure sports aside from scuba diving. Divers can also go kayaking, water skiing, and skin diving on the shallow coves. The Hayman diving resort is strategically located for easy access.

Bedarra Island Diving Resort

Bedarra Island found in the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland provides a secluded hideaway for romantic and intimate trips with your loved ones. In such a silent and serene spot, the diving resort will make the tourist experience the slowest days where time can only be measured by the location of the sun. It has complete amenities despite the far seclusion giving tourists all the time that they need to do lots of things. One can go skin diving, scuba diving, or go through the adventures of different water sports.

Australian Vacations For Everyone

Australian vacations are very popular because you can visit this country and see a little bit of everything. Grand streams and rivers, breathtaking ocean views, and rough and rugged terrain that is full of wildlife and extreme adventures. Every area of the country offers something a little bit different, and the differences are palpable from town to town. There are cities and towns of all sizes, some that the average person has heard of and others that have never been heard of by anyone other than the locals. It is a beautiful country that has something for everyone, and that is why travel to the area is becoming more and more popular all the time.

Whether you are traveling on a budget or not, you will likely find Australian vacations or packages that you will enjoy. Even the most budget restricted individual or family can find a package that will allow them to see all of the sights they have dreamed of seeing. Snorkeling in salt water, rafting in streams and rivers, brush walking with guides, spying wild animals, shopping, walking on the beach, and dining on great food can be a dream come true. There are some great deals that will allow people to travel to and from this beautiful country without breaking the bank. If you have the right resources at your disposal, you can put together an awesome trip for relatively little money.

When you attempt to book Australian vacations it is very common to get overwhelmed. Unless you know exactly where you want to go, it’s easy to get carried away and find yourself in need of direction. Travel agents will often be able to help you, but you can end up paying more than you want to and end up being booked for activities that you are not all that interested in. This can be just as frustrating, so most people find it more worthwhile to book their own trips and deal with being overwhelmed. Instead of being frustrated, travelers need to find an all in one resource that can put all of the information they need at their fingertips in a matter of moments.

If you need some help or some guidance choosing the best hotels, car rental agencies, and what tours or activities you should take part in. This is an absolutely wonderful resource that will put you in touch with all of the most relevant and reputable businesses that can get you where you want to go on your Australian vacations. You can type in any search phrase, click on links that are already provided, and even read up to date news that pertains just to this country and no other. While there are a lot of websites that relate to this topic, none of them are able to link as many great websites and valuable information together in such a way. If you are in the process of planning your trip, visit http://www.aussiespy.com today to learn more.

Australian Museum

The oldest museum in Australia, and one of the most highly respected natural history and anthropological institutions in the world, the Australian Museum has exhibits to appeal to the future Nobel Prize candidates in several fields of natural science. Its palaeontology, anthropology, mineralogy, and zoology exhibits are displayed in a suitably Neo-classical stone edifice, on suitably named College Street, where it has stood since it opened to the public in 1857.

Changes at the Australian Museum

The ensuing century-and-a-half has seen the Australian Museum transformed from a warehouse for scientific and cultural artifacts to a modern sandstone complex housing research, administrative, and educational facilities. The collections are still there, of course; they are growing every year, and even better, are now accompanied by temporary exhibitions and educational programs.

What Will You Find at the Australian Museum?

The permanent displays at the Museum include the Indigenous Australian exhibit, which preserves a record of the many native Australian tribes; the Birds exhibit, with its examples of Australian avians of every shape, size, and plumage colour; and the Skeletons: Framework for Survival exhibit, covering every life form from insects to mammals.

The self-explanatory Insect exhibit, is a great favorite with the Sydney schoolboys, as is the “More Than Dinosaurs” collection of giant reptiles and megafauna, among which were giant kangaroos, koalas, and Tasmanian Devils.

The Biodiversity: Life Supporting Life, display shows the interconnectedness of the tremendous variety of Australian life forms

The permanent exhibits take up three entire floor of the Museum, and are expansive enough that the Highlights Self-Guided Tour Brochure is recommended. And while you probably won’t have time to give each exhibit the attention it deserves, make sure you find a way to stop in at the Search and Discovery Room, where you’ll be able to put your hands on some CR-ROMs, magazines, and books, as well as live exhibits. There’s even something for the pre-school set at Kid’s Island, where youngsters up to five years of age are free to explore.

Recommended Hotels near Australian Museum

For visitors to Sydney who want to take a fascinating look at the natural and cultural history of Australia, from prehistory to today, a visit to the Australian Museum is a must. And the Sydney Marriot, at 36 College Street, will provide them with five-star accommodations just a short walk away!