Australia is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. It features many kinds of beauty. Mostly, it’s a land of natural wonders with spectacularly beautiful open space: its central desert with Aires Rock in its center, its extensive woodlands & grasslands, mountains, and breath-taking ocean coastlines and beaches.
Australia is a very large country (as big as America) whose land comprises of the continental mainland, the large island of Tasmania plus other islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It lies in the southern hemisphere.
Australia is one of those marvellous places where action-packed adventure is everywhere with its numerous wonderful outdoors sites. But beyond adventure travel, there are other things to do on your vacation such as laying on the beach and doing absolutely nothing or visiting its interesting cities.
Top 10 Things to See & Do In Australia
The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef and located in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland in northeast Australia. Whatever you do, don’t skip this site! It is often dubbed as one of natural wonders of the world. It was declared as a World Heritage Site in 1981. It is very popular tourist destination. You can enjoy scuba diving and boating in the warm clear waters of the reef.
Gold Coast is a wonderful coastal city in the southeast corner of the state of Queensland. It is often dubbed as Surfers Paradise. The city is famous for its sunny subtropical climate, popular surfing beaches, grand waterway & canal systems, beautiful skyline & skyscrapers, active nightlife, and countless tourist attractions. You can enjoy the beaches, lovely airs, and vibrant nightlife of the city.
Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, is a very popular destination. You can enjoy shopping at Queen Street Mall in central business district (CBD); enjoy eating & walking at restaurants, cafes, & boardwalks in South Bank; enjoy vibrant nightlife in Fortitude Valley; enjoy shopping & eating at artsy shops and cafes in West End; enjoy dinning at trendy dining places in New Farm; and cruising on the Brisbane River at Brett’s Wharf.
Daintree National Park, in Far North Queensland, is a popular tourist destination. Founded in 1988, the park consists of two sections, with a settled agricultural area that includes the towns of Daintree Village and Mossman. Home to numerous with tropical birds, butterflies, reptiles and countless species of wildlife, Daintree Village is a nature-lover’s paradise.
Melbourne is really the culinary, sporting and cultural capital of Australia. Often dubbed as one of the most cultured cities of Australia, Melbourne is widely known for its Victorian-era architecture, many cultural institutions such as museums, galleries and theaters, and large parks and gardens. You can enjoy every bit of Melbourne.
Royal Botanic Gardens, located near the centre of Melbourne, Victoria, are the finest in Australia and the best in the world. On the south bank of the Yarra River, the Royal Botanic Gardens are 354,000 square metres (35 hectares or 87 acres) of beautifully landscaped gardens. You can see a wide range of flora and enjoy the refreshing scenic beauty of the gardens.
Sydney is a unique city where the sun seems to always shine and where many of its various suburbs are all facing waterfront. Cute ferries take you from one area to another. Located on the south-east coast of Australia, the Harbor City certainly is globally influential in the fields of culture, art, fashion, cuisine and design. The city is home to the Australia’s two most iconic structures Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. You can enjoy the vibrant life of the dynamic city.
Sydney Opera House, designed by Jørn Utzon, a Danish architect, is one of the wonders of the modern world. Situated on Bennelong Point in Sydney Harbour, New South Wales, the opera house is the most iconic building of Australia. It is the most famous performing arts venues in the world. You can enjoy the world famous theatrical, musical, and dance performances at this World Heritage Site.
Australian Museum, originally known as the Colonial Museum or Sydney Museum, is located in College Street, Sydney. Famous in the fields of natural history and anthropology, it is one of the oldest museums in Australia. You can enjoy witnessing wondrous collections of vertebrate & invertebrate zoology, mineralogy, palaeontology, and anthropology, and exhibitions at the museum.
A National Geographic Assignment ‘For Life’ ~ 2008 Travel Photography Scholarship announced.
Making a living out of travelling the world is something many ‘world nomads’ aspire to, and we’re hoping to be able to help a few talented individuals make that their reality through our scholarship support, which sets them up with industry leaders as mentors and provides them true ‘once in a lifetime’ experiences.
Travel Photography Scholarship
National Geographic Channel and WorldNomads announced the 2008 photography scholarship, which will award one exceptional student the ‘chance of a lifetime’ assignment.
The winner will get to accompany renowned wildlife on-assignment National Geographic photographer, Jason Edwards, to photograph the Arid Lands Festival and The Great Hughenden Endurance Camel Race, a quirky 160km camel endurance race run in August.
The Festival and Race are being held in Porcupine Gorge in Outback Queensland, Australia, from 22 – 24 August, 2008.
The scholarship “gives aspiring photographers almost unparalleled initial exposure, with the opportunity to have their images seen by hundreds of thousands of travellers worldwide,” says Managing Director of WorldNomads, Simon Monk. As such the photography scholarship is part of a broader educational program, which includes travel writing, documentaries and podcasting opportunities.
“Making a living out of travelling the world is something many ‘world nomads’ aspire to, and we’re hoping to be able to help a few talented individuals make that their reality through our scholarship support, which sets them up with industry leaders as mentors and provides them true ‘once in a lifetime’ experiences.”
As part of the assignment, the winner will work alongside and receive mentorship from Jason Edwards, gaining valuable hands-on experience in everything from shot set up, technique and composition through to insights into his many years of diverse experience as an award winning photographer.
As well as the opportunity to travel and be mentored, the scholarship also includes airfares from the successful applicant’s nearest international airport plus an Olympus E3 digital camera with 14-54mm f2.8-3.5 Standard Wide Zoom Lens and a new Lenovo Ideapad Y-510 laptop computer to store your photos and keep your journal.
Judges will select a winner based on their ability to photographically ‘tell a story’ about a place that they have visited in an original and compelling manner.
For full judging criteria and to apply, go to WorldNomads.com. Applications close June 30th.
In order to be eligible to enter, applicants must be at least 18, must be currently enrolled and actively studying at a recognised educational tertiary institution anywhere in the world, speak and write fluent English and hold a valid drivers licence.
In 2004 Jason Edwards was awarded the inaugural ‘Pursuit of Excellence’ Award by the Australian Geographic Society, “for his extreme efforts and absolute commitment to obtaining rare and amazing photographs.” Jason Edwards is a photographer with the National Geographic Society and is represented by the National Geographic Image Collection.
Travelers to New Zealand’s North Island can expect unique scenery and adventures beckoning around every corner.
The North and the South Island of New Zealand are very diverse regarding scenery and geographical makeup. The North Island is warm and with a scenery scope from sandy beaches, through rolling farmland to active volcanic peaks. It is home of about 73 percent of the nation’s population and is maybe best recognized for the unique volcanic plateau at its centre. The North Island (115000sq km) is home to Auckland, the nation’s largest city, and Rotorua, the current centre for the Maori culture.
Let’s have a look at two very famous areas of the North Island the Coromandel Peninsula and Rotorua.
The Coromandel Region of New Zealand is truly a special place, a short drive outside Auckland city. Coromandel is located east of Auckland, on the east coast of the North Island. This region is one of New Zealand’s leading coastal holiday destinations due to the wonderful white sandy beaches and sunny weather of the area. It is portrayed as rustic, relaxed, magnificent and unspoiled. On the arrival of the Europeans in New Zealand Coromandel Peninsula was covered in kauri forest, and many huge trees grew there. Coromandel is the name of a town and harbour on the western side of the Coromandel Peninsula. The town of Coromandel is lovely and old. Coromandel stands for New Zealand’s intact beauty displaying natural world as it was meant to be.
Rotorua is located near the centre of New Zealand’s North Island. It sits on the shores of Lake Rotorua and several other lakes are nearby. You will find a great variety in Rotorua attractions, activities and culture which makes this place a very famous New Zealand tourist destination. Beside the geothermal wonders, there are also the more common water activities such as fishing and boating. Tourism is a key industry in Rotorua. Therefore the tourism services are well developed. This region is the centre of Maori Culture and thermal activity for New Zealand. We recommend exploring the geothermal wonders of Rotorua. Enjoy the natural spas, geysers, hot pools and bubbling mud pools Rotorua has to offer. It has the most energetic thermal activity in the country. Afterwards it might be interesting to take in a Maori hangi (a method of cooking in an outdoor pit oven) and concert.
About the Author
Marc Weiss is an editor of the German “New Zealand Journal” (the German title is “Neuseeland Journal“), one of the most comprehensive, German speaking online travel guides to New Zealand. Before joining the “Neuseeland Journal” Marc spent a lot of time exploring New Zealand.
Australia, being famed for its natural beauty attracts many adventurous people. Depending on the landscape different adventures are possible in different areas of the country. Organized tours are available based on the type of adventure.
Airborne Adventures
Ballooning, Paragliding and Skydiving are some of the airborne adventures in Australia. Persons 6 years and above can take a ride in a Hot Air balloon. This is available in most of the cities across the country. Some tour packages also fly over the grasslands and other places of scenic beauty. The flight starts at dawn to have a good view of the sunrise and lasts for about an hour. The rates range from $125 to $200 for a flight.
Paragliding is very similar to parachuting, the difference being the ability to fly up and not float down. This is available along the coast of Australia. The rates are something like $100 for a 15 minute ride to $200 for a one day course.
Skydiving can be done in cities like Sydney and Cairns after a 15 minute instructional course on how to do it. The rates are somewhere around $200.
Nature
Dolphin watching can be done year-round and whale watching from June to November. This is available along the coast of Australia. Kalbarri in Western Australia is the prime destination for whale watching. Catamaran tours take people out in the sea to watch Humpback whales.
Wildlife safaris are available in the Australian Outback and Rainforests. Tours for ten days or more are organized through the Australian wilderness in different parts of the country. The rates range between $4000 and $6000.
Trekking up to the peaks of Mt. Kilimanjaro is quite popular. There are other mountain ranges where tour packages are offered including rock climbing, hiking, bush walking and mountain biking.
Water Sports
Several guided tours are available for Kayaking and Canoeing along the central coast of New South Wales, on the Hawkesbury River near Sydney, Mulgrave River and other such places.
Tours are available for White Water Rafting on Franklin River in South West Tasmania, near Sydney, Cairns and Western Australia.
Scuba diving and Snorkeling are done at places like the Great Barrier Reef and other reefs along the western coast of Australia. Day trips are organized and cost around $80 – $100.
About the Author
Australia Travel provides detailed information on Australia Travel, Australia Travel Packages, Australia Travel Guides, Australia Travel Insurance and more. Australia Travel is affiliated with Australia Travel Visas.
The Great Barrier Reef is a stunning natural sculpture. A key part of the beauty of the area is the Great Barrier Reef biological life.
The Great Barrier Reef is a 1616 mile long coral reef situated off of the coast of Queensland in northern Australia. This humongous coral reef is the largest coral reef system in the world, with over 3000 individual coral reefs and 900 separate islands located within the Great Barrier Reef. People from all over the world come here to explore the thousand year old living coral reef, and see the many different biological species and types of vegetation. The Great Barrier Reef plants, while often not considered as exciting as the animals that live here, are also diverse and well worth seeing.
The Great Barrier Reef vegetation are all aquatic plants that thrive in salt water, so they tend to be sea grasses and algae. Of the 60 different types of sea grass in known existence, over 15 are found here in the Great Barrier Reef. They are important to many of the animals that live in the Reef, as they are a major part of the diet of both the dugong turtle and green turtle. Additionally, they are used as a habitat by much other small marine life, including different types of fish and prawns. Sea grasses are the only flowering bioforms that are able to live in sea water, and most of the sea grasses in this area tend to bear both flowers and fruit in the months of September through December.
One of the other types of Great Barrier Reef vegetation that are abundant in the Reef area is marine algae. Algae can range in size from the minuscule, such plankton algae, to large – with these larger types of algae being seaweed that can grow to many feet long. There are around 500 different types of algae found in the Great Barrier Reef area, with the most common types being found within the groups red algae, green algae, brown algae and golden algae. The different forms of algae provide nutrients for many different sea creatures, such as fish and even marine mammals. Algae in the form of seaweed is also incredibly beneficial to humans; we eat seaweed in many different food preparations, as well as using extracts of seaweed such as carrageenan and alginates for food, cosmetic and even pharmaceutical preparations.
About the Author Richard Monk is with Facts Monk – a site with facts about everything.
Australia has become one of the most popular destinations in the last ten years. Before the early nineties, there were few people who had ever ventured to the land “down under.” Australia has become one of the hottest destinations for travelers interested in luxury vacations because of the interesting sights to behold. Australia calls to travelers interested in experiencing a vacation filled with wonder and excitement. Those looking for a vacation infused with adventure must seek out the three most action packed destinations: The Australia Zoo, The Great Barrier Reef and Kakadu National Park.
The Australia Zoo
Home of Steve Irwin and family, the Australia Zoo is home to some of the continents fiercest animals, including crocodiles! The Australia Zoo lets you get up close and personal with its inhabitants like no other zoo before. You can pet a koala, watch a demonstration with the “crocs”, and celebrate the life and work of Steve Irwin. A visit to the Australia Zoo offers a great experience to travelers of any age wishing for more excitement on their luxury travel vacation.
The Great Barrier Reef
One of the seven natural wonders of the world, the Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest reef, and can be seen from space. With several thousand fish, water mammals, plant life and other aquatic life populate the reef. With over 8 million visitors each year, the reef has become extremely popular with travelers, especially those interested in scuba diving and snorkeling. This attraction is so popular, even luxury world cruises make a stop!
Kakadu National Park
Home to the famous Alligator River system, Kakadu National Park is one of the most diverse natural preserves in the world. The park has several distinct types of land, including flood plains, lowlands, rock lands, hills and basins. It is also the ancestral home of the Aboriginal natives. The park also hosts over over 280 bird species, 60 mammal species, 50 freshwater aquatic species, 10,000 insects species and 1,600 plant species. If you wish to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Australia, or experience the incredible culture of the Aboriginal natives, Kakadu National Park is a can’t miss stop on your luxury travel vacation itinerary.
Travelers searching for a destination to cater to their active lifestyle should definitely consider visiting Australia on their next luxury travel vacation. This destination has some of the most exciting and adventurous sights and attractions than any other place in the world. Australia is considered by many to be the latest and greatest travel frontier. See what adventure seekers are talking about and plan your own Australia adventure!
