Resources
Australia Travel & Holidays
Australia is a tourist destination that should not be missed by any serious traveller. Its ancient landscape is unique in the world and its wild life is unparalleled in diversity and uniqueness. Its location far from the major developed regions of the world has kept it protected from many of the environmental hazards that have damaged other eco systems around the world. Its oceans are clean, its reef still mostly undamaged and its vast outback a haven for its unique wildlife. Even though it is becoming the worlds major source of raw materials its size and remoteness protects it from over development.
The landscape is as varied as the climate which ranges from full tropical in the north to snowy mountain ranges in the south east and Tasmania. Huge areas of rainforest and eucalyptus forests still remain as do wide expanses of arid desert in the interior. Spectacular rocky monoliths like Ayers Rock (Uluru), The Bungle Bungle Ranges and the Olgas attract visitors from around the world. The country has modern cities with excellent tourist infrastructure and stable government creating a safe destination for tourists from around the world. The Australian people are known for their laconic easy going attitude and their desire to see tourists enjoy their country as they do.
There are so many iconic places that a tourist would like to visit. Sydney is the largest city and well known around the world since it was host to the year 2000 Olympic Games. Places like Bondi Beach, The Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House are tourist icons here.
To the north, off the coast of Queensland lies the Great Barrier Reef; this is the largest living organism on the planet and a must see on any Australian travel Itinerary. The Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast and the Whitsundays and the island resorts along the coast provide ideal stopovers for anyone wanting to experience this region. Cairns in the north and Brisbane in the south are great places to start an Australian itinerary.
The Northern Territory is home to the great Australian Outback and places like Darwin, Alice Springs, and Ayers Rock are all located here. Kakadu National Park with its aboriginal culture and spectacular scenery is another must see.
In Western Australia the Kimberley region has a huge contribution to make. The landscape is spectacular with ocean inlets terminating in wild waterfalls and magnificent coastal and island scenery to be experienced. Share the history of the old pearling centre of Broome and take a camel ride along Cable beach at sunset. The sports fisherman will be in paradise with a fishing charter in these prolific waters. Further to the south lies the capital of Perth, the winemaking regions of Margaret River and the wildflowers of the Swan Valley not to mention the towering forests of Karri and Jarrah at Pemberton.
South Australia is the traditional home of the wine making industry in Australia and regions like the Barossa valley and the Clare Valley produce wines that are internationally recognized as among the best in the world.
Victoria and New South Wales are home to the Snowy Mountains. Here is the location of the Australian alpine skiing region and fabulous snow resorts like Thredbo, Perisher Valley, Falls Creek and Mt Hotham can provide the northern hemisphere skier with excellent off season facilities.
The island state of Tasmania lies to the south and is home to some of Australia's most important wilderness and forest regions. The west coast is almost completely undeveloped and world heritage listed and a visit to the Gordon and Franklin river systems is most rewarding. Hobart, in the south, is the capital and home to some of Australia’s oldest historical buildings which date back to the days of the first European settlements. The Port Arthur region has all the ruins of the original convict settlements. The wild windswept coastline provides spectacular scenery and the many small coastal villages are a great destination for a few relaxing days.
A campervan or motor home holiday is a great way to see Australia with depots located all around the country.
Australian Tours
Tours of Australia
Sometimes when holidaying in Australia, it is best to take an organized tour to see the best of the countries great attractions. There are a large number of tour companies operating in Australia and some have many different itineraries on offer. Distances in Australia can be vast and it is often wise to let some one else do the driving and make all of the necessary arrangements for accommodation, food, side trips and finding the way around. Most of the bigger companies have well trained and experienced drivers who have done it all before and know what to expect. They can also provide expert commentary to make sure that you are properly informed.
In the outback, experience can mean the difference between a disaster and having a great time. Proper planning means that you arrive at your designated camp or accommodation on time. It means there is back up if something goes wrong and it means that you eat when and where you are supposed to eat. The logistics of travelling in remote areas are only as good as the thought, planning and experience that the tour company has gained over time. Many areas are almost impossible to see unless you use an experienced tour company.
In the outback it is essential to use four wheel drive vehicles if you want to see some of the more remote attractions. Once you get off the sealed highway you are on your own and your tour operators experience is your link to having a successful tour. Along Australia's coast there are many attractions that can only be seen by boat. The Great Barrier Reef is an excellent example. Dive and snorkeling trips need special planning and an operator with fully qualified staff. Skippers, dive instructors and crew members all need to be properly qualified. The Kimberley in Western Australia is another good example as most of the region is inaccessible and without the proper equipment you will not have a good time. Special interest tours are available all over the country and these provide the opportunity to see an activity that you will not otherwise be able to experience. A Hervey Bay Whale Watching tour, for example, requires the tour operator to have a special permit to enter the marine park and he must operate his vessel under a strict set of guidelines. Similarly a tour to Fraser Island or a fishing charter will require the tour operator to have a permit and is only allowed to go to the areas where his permit allows.
There are many regulations that tour operators must adhere to so that the safety and comfort of his passengers is looked after. The industry is well regulated and you can be assured that every effort to increase your enjoyment and to look after your safety while on the tour is taken care of. If you are planning to holiday in Australia, you can be confident of a great experience if you use experienced Australian tour operators.
Australia is a tourist destination that should not be missed by any serious traveller. Its ancient landscape is unique in the world and its wild life is unparalleled in diversity and uniqueness. Its location far from the major developed regions of the world has kept it protected from many of the environmental hazards that have damaged other eco systems around the world. Its oceans are clean, its reef still mostly undamaged and its vast outback a haven for its unique wildlife. Even though it is becoming the worlds major source of raw materials its size and remoteness protects it from over development.
The landscape is as varied as the climate which ranges from full tropical in the north to snowy mountain ranges in the south east and Tasmania. Huge areas of rainforest and eucalyptus forests still remain as do wide expanses of arid desert in the interior. Spectacular rocky monoliths like Ayers Rock (Uluru), The Bungle Bungle Ranges and the Olgas attract visitors from around the world. The country has modern cities with excellent tourist infrastructure and stable government creating a safe destination for tourists from around the world. The Australian people are known for their laconic easy going attitude and their desire to see tourists enjoy their country as they do.
There are so many iconic places that a tourist would like to visit. Sydney is the largest city and well known around the world since it was host to the year 2000 Olympic Games. Places like Bondi Beach, The Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House are tourist icons here.
To the north, off the coast of Queensland lies the Great Barrier Reef; this is the largest living organism on the planet and a must see on any Australian travel Itinerary. The Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast and the Whitsundays and the island resorts along the coast provide ideal stopovers for anyone wanting to experience this region. Cairns in the north and Brisbane in the south are great places to start an Australian itinerary.
The Northern Territory is home to the great Australian Outback and places like Darwin, Alice Springs, and Ayers Rock are all located here. Kakadu National Park with its aboriginal culture and spectacular scenery is another must see.
In Western Australia the Kimberley region has a huge contribution to make. The landscape is spectacular with ocean inlets terminating in wild waterfalls and magnificent coastal and island scenery to be experienced. Share the history of the old pearling centre of Broome and take a camel ride along Cable beach at sunset. The sports fisherman will be in paradise with a fishing charter in these prolific waters. Further to the south lies the capital of Perth, the winemaking regions of Margaret River and the wildflowers of the Swan Valley not to mention the towering forests of Karri and Jarrah at Pemberton.
South Australia is the traditional home of the wine making industry in Australia and regions like the Barossa valley and the Clare Valley produce wines that are internationally recognized as among the best in the world.
Victoria and New South Wales are home to the Snowy Mountains. Here is the location of the Australian alpine skiing region and fabulous snow resorts like Thredbo, Perisher Valley, Falls Creek and Mt Hotham can provide the northern hemisphere skier with excellent off season facilities.
The island state of Tasmania lies to the south and is home to some of Australia's most important wilderness and forest regions. The west coast is almost completely undeveloped and world heritage listed and a visit to the Gordon and Franklin river systems is most rewarding. Hobart, in the south, is the capital and home to some of Australia’s oldest historical buildings which date back to the days of the first European settlements. The Port Arthur region has all the ruins of the original convict settlements. The wild windswept coastline provides spectacular scenery and the many small coastal villages are a great destination for a few relaxing days.
A campervan or motor home holiday is a great way to see Australia with depots located all around the country.
Australian Tours
Tours of Australia
Sometimes when holidaying in Australia, it is best to take an organized tour to see the best of the countries great attractions. There are a large number of tour companies operating in Australia and some have many different itineraries on offer. Distances in Australia can be vast and it is often wise to let some one else do the driving and make all of the necessary arrangements for accommodation, food, side trips and finding the way around. Most of the bigger companies have well trained and experienced drivers who have done it all before and know what to expect. They can also provide expert commentary to make sure that you are properly informed.
In the outback, experience can mean the difference between a disaster and having a great time. Proper planning means that you arrive at your designated camp or accommodation on time. It means there is back up if something goes wrong and it means that you eat when and where you are supposed to eat. The logistics of travelling in remote areas are only as good as the thought, planning and experience that the tour company has gained over time. Many areas are almost impossible to see unless you use an experienced tour company.
In the outback it is essential to use four wheel drive vehicles if you want to see some of the more remote attractions. Once you get off the sealed highway you are on your own and your tour operators experience is your link to having a successful tour. Along Australia's coast there are many attractions that can only be seen by boat. The Great Barrier Reef is an excellent example. Dive and snorkeling trips need special planning and an operator with fully qualified staff. Skippers, dive instructors and crew members all need to be properly qualified. The Kimberley in Western Australia is another good example as most of the region is inaccessible and without the proper equipment you will not have a good time. Special interest tours are available all over the country and these provide the opportunity to see an activity that you will not otherwise be able to experience. A Hervey Bay Whale Watching tour, for example, requires the tour operator to have a special permit to enter the marine park and he must operate his vessel under a strict set of guidelines. Similarly a tour to Fraser Island or a fishing charter will require the tour operator to have a permit and is only allowed to go to the areas where his permit allows.
There are many regulations that tour operators must adhere to so that the safety and comfort of his passengers is looked after. The industry is well regulated and you can be assured that every effort to increase your enjoyment and to look after your safety while on the tour is taken care of. If you are planning to holiday in Australia, you can be confident of a great experience if you use experienced Australian tour operators.
