Discover Australia ~ What You Need to See and Do, Once You Get There..
"Australia Has Secretly Become the Hottest Vacation/Holiday Spots to Travel"...
by Terry Clark
Table of Content
1. What Should You Take on Holiday
2. What is the Outback
3. What is Kakadu
4. What are Farm Stays
5. Visiting Melbourne
6. Uluru and the Surrounding Area
7. The Great Barrier Reef
8. The Best Spa Holidays in Australia
9. The Attractions of Adelaide
10. Sun Holidays in Australia
11. Sightseeing in Western Australia
12. Secrets for Enjoying Your Holiday
13. Safe Beach Holidays in Australia
14. Planning for a Smooth Australian Holiday
15. Paradise on Earth - Australian Beaches
16. Overview of Australian Cities and Their Attractions
17. Options for Family Holidays in Australia
18. Must See Sites in Australia
19. Must do Activities in Australia
20. Motorhome Holidays in Australia
21. Make Your Holiday in Australia Memorable
22. Learn about Australia Before You Travel
23. How to Travel Around Australia
24. How to Swim with Wild Dolphins
25. How to Protect Yourself While on Holiday
26. How to Pack for Australian Holidays
27. How to Experience Life in an Outback Station
28. How to Avoid Sunburn in Australia
29. How About Seeing Caves in Australia
30. Holiday Company Parties in Australia
31. Gift Buying Tips
32. Fossicking for Opals at Coober Pedy
33. Eco-Friendly Holidays on Heron Island
34. Campervan Holidays in Australia
35. Blue Mountains Fun
36. Beaches - West Coast vs. East Coast
37. Australia's Exotic Vacation Islands
38. How to Celebrate Australia Day
39. Ski Down Under in Australia
40. Saving on Hefty Phone Bills when Going for a Vacation in Australia
41. Renting A Vehicle In Australia Is The Best Way To Enjoy Your Vacation
42. Cruises to Australia with Noble Caribbean Cruises
43. Single ~ Asian ~ Living in Australia
44. Campground Facilities in Australia
45. Use Australia’s Roadways to enjoy its Immense Natural Beauty
46. Baby Bags Australia – Diaper Bags Down Under
47. Top 5 Contemporary Art Galleries in Australia
48. Queensland, Australia, Recently Voted As The World's Most Livable Region
49. Top 5 Sailing Experiences in Australia
50. Travel safety tips for surfing in Australia
More Resources & Travel Tips to Australia
#1. What Should You Take on Holiday
It does not matter whether it is cold winter or warm summer. Australia remains one of the hot spots for those looking for a relaxing vacation. While there may be several holiday destinations to select from, there are many factors that will make you choose Australia. Chief among them is the fact that it is the destination that offers more to those having a group or family holiday.
It is also important to be aware that some of the holiday destinations with big names in the tourism industry may turn out to be disasters. It is not enough to just Google and find a holiday spot that fits your budget. Check factors such as the crime rating; in other words, how safe the place is. Of course, your choice depends on what you are looking for. If you are thinking of a family holiday, then you do not need party spots. Still, Australia will offer you just what you need.
What you pack therefore depends on what you want to experience. The mountaineering or the sea sailing will definitely have a variance in terms of what you need to pack. In this article, we have assembled a few tips to help you pack just what you need so that you never regret your choice. This will also save you the inconvenience of trying to buy essentials which could have been cheaper at home. This does not in any way mean that you would not find quality supplies in Australia. It is just a tip.
Tip no. 1: Do an online search on what you need while on holiday in Australia – in this way you will not only know what you need but also follow comments outlining the challenges or opportunities that others have faced while in Australia.
Tip no. 2: Do your own checklist – this should not be a last minute thing. Instead it should be done at least one week before the date of your departure. The earlier you do this the better. This saves you time, effort and money.
Tip no. 3: Confirm you have everything packed by performing a checklist checking – this means that before you zip your suitcase, you need to be sure that all you listed is on board. A spouse or kids or a travel agent could also help you double check. In general, you should take all essentials, depending on the type of Australia holiday you will be having.
#2. What is the Outback
Australia is one of the most urbanized countries in the world having a large number of cities. Its population is concentrated in these cities. Most of the population is in the western and eastern coast and the greeneries. The red and dry desert areas of the interior are very little populated. This is the reason why travelers and tourists coming to Australia remain confined to these cities and places with tourist attractions. There are breathtaking natural views and adventure activities in Australia that lure tourists and they do not get to explore the real Australia. It is normal for anyone to think of Melbourne, Sydney Harbor and the Opera House and countless places with tourist attractions such as the Great Barrier Reef, even though there is so much more to Australia than these glamorous cities. Probably not many know about the Outback as they never get to visit it.
The Outback is a remote area in Australia inhabited by rural farmers and sometimes Australian aborigines. Even those who may have heard of the word think of it as a place that is sort of secluded and desolate. However, the truth is far from this. These are places that are full of natural beauty and the vast landscape gives one a chance to see the real Australia. It is totally different from all the cities and in a sense, far more intriguing.
There are several ways to get to see the Outback. People who wish to see the pristine and unpolluted areas can do it by taking an aerial view sitting in an aircraft or by getting to the Outback by car and staying there to see it up close. These are the areas that comprise nearly 2.5 million square miles and are, for all practical reasons are devoid of human population.
This area in Australia is referred to as the Outback. There is no particular geographical location that can be termed as the Outback. In fact, there are countless such places and all of them are commonly referred to as Outback. The deep inland that Australians rarely venture into and which is natural and attractive in its own way provides an opportunity to tourists to explore and see what this untouched beautiful landscape has to offer them.
Contrary to what most of the westerners think about the Outback, it is a place that has all the facilities and amenities that one would expect in a major metropolitan city. It is not a jungle and you can expect to find decent accommodation, food and breathtaking natural scenery. Of the countless Outback attractions, Uluru and Alice Springs are considered to be the most popular ones. They lie in the middle of the Australian continent. Of course it is a long drive from any capital city of Australia, so you can easily reach the place by air as there is an airport in the Outback. But because this place is known to many westerners, you would find lots of tourists even here. Given this, the real feeling of an Outback is missing in some places.
Coober Pedy and Stuart Highway are some other remote places that are less popular but no less beautiful and intriguing. Coober Pedy is also known as an Opal mining town, since there are many opal mines in and around the city. There is a vast stretch of land that continues for infinity surprising many tourists. It is surprising, but much of Coober Pedy is actually below the ground and as such it is ideal to visit in the summers as it remains cool. There are many attractions such as hotels and pools that are also underground. You also get to experience shopping at underground shops.
Stuart Highway, on the other hand, is a long road with amenities and services on either side of the road. It is ideal for a perfect long ride if you are in a romantic mood with your partner. One Outback attraction that is remote is called the Outback of the Outback. It is Kimberley and lies in the north western corner of the Australian continent. It offers great relaxation for those who have come to hate the hustle and bustle of big cities and want to enjoy nothing else but tranquility.
#3. What is Kakadu
With a name as weird as that, Kakadu is a national park in the Northern Territory which is located about 200 km southeast of the city of Darwin. With an area of nearly 7,500 square miles, Kakadu is a treasure house of Australian natural wonders and aborigine art and culture. It has become one of the hottest tourist destinations in the country that every tourist wants to visit. Despite the fact that nearly 200,000 tourists come to this amazing natural park each year, Kakadu has retained its freshness and botanical features that are enough to mesmerize anyone. There is so much to see in Kakadu that it has become notorious for overloading the senses of the tourists.
There is a great variety of wildlife in Kakadu. When near any of the several lakes, billabongs and rivers, it is likely that you might see 2 species of crocodiles that are native to Australia. If you are in the park early in the morning, it is common to see wallabies and kangaroos. It is not just the variety of animals but also the flora that will surprise you with its variety. There are over 1,700 plant species found in Kakadu and everywhere you go you will find exotic colored flowers and trees that you will not encounter anywhere else. For those inclined towards art and culture, Kakadu is nothing less than a paradise. All over the park, you will find interesting displays of aborigine art in the form of rock paintings. These paintings are about hunting, religious figures and customs of the aborigines that have lived here for so many centuries. Kakadu has great biological diversity with savanna woodlands, forest rivers, floodplains, majestic landforms, mangroves, billabongs and mudflats.
You will witness an extraordinary diversity of wildlife also with more than 280 species of birds, 60 species of native animals, more than 50 kinds of fish and 75 species of reptiles. These are enough to make you feel as if you are in a different kind of world.
Kakadu National Park is so huge, so it might seem intimidating to cover it on your own. It is prudent to take a guided tour on a 4W ride so as to see everything that is interesting. At the same time, you can learn all about its unique features and stories associated with each of the sites. Aborigines work as guides here and will tell you about their customs and traditions and their long association with this huge land that they consider their own.
If you are on a guided tour, you will be shown archeological evidence that proves Kakadu National Park has been home to aboriginal tribes for more than 50,000 years. There is so much of rock art and paintings that it looks like a real home of the aboriginal tribes. These rock carvings show the customs and traditions of the aborigines and the natural conditions that existed thousands of years ago. It is best if you get a chance to visit the park during the rainy season as then you can witness the bio diversity of the park in its full flow. It is during the rainy season that the real beauty of the park is seen, however, not all areas will be accessible in the rainy season.
If you are fascinated by what you can expect to see in this huge national park, you can either choose to camp there for a few days or have an accommodation just outside the park. There are some decent cottages and hotels that are full of all amenities. The park has been declared as a world heritage site by UNESCO. The Australian government is making efforts to protect the bio diversity of the park. Kakadu National Park is home to some endangered species of birds and reptiles that have to be protected.
The park is huge and a tourist cannot hope to cover the entire area of nearly 20,000 square kilometers on his own. It is better to use the services of a guide to get a chance to see all the important sites of the park in the short time frame that you will have. You will also be much safer from crocodiles. It is better to use a 4Xw to go around the park easily. Just remember to wear appropriate clothing and take plenty of water to drink as well.
#4. What are Farm Stays
If you are a frequent traveler, you may have seen all the tourist attractions in Australia. The hustle and bustle of the metropolitan areas, the magnificence of the structures, the super malls and all the adventure activities like skydiving, hot air ballooning are things you will probably have enjoyed. But have you experienced real life which is full of surprises? Do you want to experience something that is unlike what you have witnessed so far? Yes, I am talking about getting back to our roots and visiting a farm. These farms are the places that are not full of tourists all year round and where you can enjoy a stay that takes you close to the idyllic and serene atmosphere that is a characteristic for farm life in the country side.
If you have a family of small kids who love animals, they will simply love the experience. You will find them overjoyed when they take part in the daily chores at a farm such as milking cows, collecting eggs, feeding hay, exploring the property on a tractor and watching dogs at work. The farms are private properties where hosts provide all the assistance to guests like you by taking you around the property.
Depending upon the location of the farm, you can engage in many other adventurous activities such as scuba diving, forest walks and even trekking in the mountains. How about cuddling a cute koala? Become a child once again as you learn how to throw a boomerang or the art of tattooing your own body from the local artists. Your kids (you included) will be amazed to see sheep shearing and learn where all the wool for their sweaters comes from. Have barbeques and dance around the campfire. In short, you can hope to enjoy life to the fullest when you choose to stay at farms in Australia.
If you are really bored with the traditional vacations and the feel of tourist places does not excite you any more, farm stays are just right for you. You will listen to the sounds of water flowing in wild rivers and the singing of birds. You will feel part of Mother Nature once again. Getting back to the agrarian roots is an exhilarating experience that you and your family will never forget.
When was the last time you woke up early in the morning and felt fresh air inside your lungs? Many people have chosen to live in the metropolitan areas and suburbs and have become so used to traveling around the cities, they do not even know what it is like to wake up and feel a breath of fresh air. Farm stays provide vivid experiences ranging from getting up close to different cattle reared at a cattle station to gaining an understanding of how the different kinds of foods we eat are grown and in what conditions. It is a great learning opportunity for your kids besides giving you an unforgettable and most pleasant vacation that is simple, rustic and endearing.
It is not only about animals and how to care for them, as there is much more to do for enjoying your farm stay. Firstly, it frees you from the humdrum of daily life and keeps you away from all your worries, even though it is for a short time period. It is all about drawing pleasure from all the simple things in life that we take for granted. You may never have experienced the outdoors as you do in a farm stay. The farm stays in Australia are always family focused, relaxing and interactive. They let you have fun and show you what goes on in daily life in rural settings.
Farm stays in Australia have become very popular in the last few years. The reason for this is the transformation of the farm houses into places where guests can arrive and have all the amenities that they require during their stay. This gives a chance to the farmers to make an extra income by entertaining guests on their property. At the same time, it provides a great escape for city dwellers allowing them to get back into the lap of nature and also to our agricultural roots.