There are endless activities to take part in such stations. These include wildlife exploration, looking after cattle, feeding small animals, canoeing, playing tennis, relaxing by the poolside or exploring the vast property. There are massage parlors to unwind in style when you are feeling down after a hard day’s work. There are also hot air balloon rides allowing you to have a refreshing and exhilarating experience up in the skies.
There is a lot of privacy in and around the property which makes even newlyweds go there to enjoy their honeymoon. These couples feel as if they are in a world of their own. For other tourists, it is a chance to immerse in the rich traditions and customs of country life in Australia. The location of Burrawang is such that a tourist can experience aborigine culture first hand. They can learn the art of tattooing or learn how to use a boomerang. You will see and learn to play aborigine musical instruments and how to dance.
Another outback station that tourists can visit for an enriching experience is Ooraminna Homestead Station in the Northern Territory. It is a cattle station adjacent to Alice Springs. The accommodation is nice with air conditioned rooms fitted with all modern gadgets. The suites are perfect for a retreat in a quiet place and provide full comfort to the tourists who wish to unwind after a hectic day of activities around the cattle station. One can take part in all the activities that go around a cattle station such as rearing, feeding and even milking the cows. There are endless bushes, so bush walking is quite an experience in itself. You can do bird watching or just sunbathe and relax under trees to experience a vacation unlike any other.
Another great cattle station is Bullo River Station, also in the Northern Territory. It is located south west of Darwin and is a huge station that covers half a million acres of land. The region has some beautiful natural scenery and provides nice accommodation with all modern amenities. The rooms are all air conditioned allowing you to relax after a day out in the heat of the outback. Apart from the common activities that are offered by all cattle stations, there are helicopter tours, horse riding, wildlife viewing, fishing and even hunting to excite someone who likes to take part in adventure activities. This station is different from other outback ones in its casual lifestyle. The tourists do not feel as if they are guests. The staff is very friendly and make tourists feel at home all the time.
At any outback station, tourists need not be dependent upon a guide to tell them what to do and what to avoid. Even around an outback station, there is so much to explore that tourists are mesmerized and get a feeling that is not present in any of the organized vacations that they may have had before. Taking a trip to an Australian outback station is amazing in the sense that despite being pleasant, the tourists are free to make their own schedule and enjoy life to the fullest.
#28. How to Avoid Sunburn in Australia
Planning to go to Australia to spend your vacation there is indeed a good idea. However, you need to take extra care and attention, since the climate there is very hot. It will be of no worth to see your skin burning immediately on the 2nd or 3rd day of your Australian holiday. Just imagine how you will feel if you experience severe pain and are unable to move. No, you even do not want to think of it. Then, follow these top tips to avoid sunburn.
* Be careful even on cloudy days - keep a better watch on the weather conditions, when you are there. Even cloudy days may be quite bright like the sunny days. Even though you find the sky getting cloudy, the sun is still there hiding behind the clouds.
* Never visit tanning salons - it is a misunderstanding that the tanning salons offer the best way to remain healthy and safe. This is not true. These salons do not provide an automatic tan. Someone with pale skin will soon get sunburned. In any case, if you prefer to use a salon, you should use their services moderately, since the effects of these are highly hazardous.
* Reduce your time spent outside - this is the best way to safeguard yourself from the extreme sun rays. Do not go outdoors when the sun is very intense especially during the midday between 10.00 in the morning to 3.00 in the afternoon. This is the time when the sun is very powerful.
* Stay indoors - if you do not find any relevant way to protect yourself from the intense sun rays, it is best to avoid going outdoors. This may seem a bit annoying, but this can be the only alternative to some people. Spending some time indoors will minimize the risk of sun burning. Australia is well known for many indoor activities as well. So, if this is the option for you, you can spend your time in a luxurious and comfortable way indoors.
* When going out, especially to the beach, then wear a shirt to cover your body to prevent shoulder and back burning. Apply sunscreen whenever you go out in the sun and don’t forget to wear a hat to avoid face burning. The higher the SPF of the sunscreen is the better. Do not forget to reapply it to your skin after getting out of the water.
#29. How About Seeing Caves in Australia
Australia is a country (and a continent too) that is a favorite destination of tourists. This huge land that lies in the southern hemisphere is full of attractions that never cease to surprise those who go there. There is no doubt that Australian cities have a lot of glamour and that there are many activities to do in and around these cities. But if you are in an adventurous mood and wish to explore something new, why not plan a trip to see the amazing natural cave systems in Australia? Australia is an ancient land and this is well reflected in the natural landscape of the country.
Talking about caves, there are many natural cave systems around the country, but New South Wales is particularly blessed in this regard. There are unique cave formations in this area. The Jenolan caves made of limestone are one of the most spectacular cave systems here. They are visited by more than 250,000 tourists every year. There are 11 caves, out of which 9 are open for tourists and are safe. These are the very same caves that were inhabited by the aborigines thousands of years ago. The natives called them Binoomea, a word that means dark places.
As one enters these caves there is an eerie silence and the only sound is that of occasional dripping of water. The magical formations are results of thousands of years of limestone deposition and water flows. The beauty of the color changing stalactites and stalagmites is beyond description. These are not caves for just viewing as Jenolan also makes adventure caving possible. This activity has gained tremendous popularity in recent times and thousands engage in it every year.
Located in the Blue Mountains area in New South Wales, Jenolan caves are something not to be missed at any cost. Some people get lost in the elegance and charm of the bluish appearance of the Blue Mountains and miss an opportunity to see this natural wonder of the world. Forming one of the oldest cave systems in the world, these caves leave visitors spellbound and the only words that come out of their mouth are exclamatory.
You may be surprised to know that some even plan their weddings and honeymoons in and around these caves, for the scenic beauty of the area is really compelling. It makes people come in hordes to see what nature has made in thousands of years. Jenolan caves house arranges memorable weddings and even offers a suite made inside the caves to the newlyweds for their honeymoon. In the last few years, lots of companies have organized their conferences and business meetings there.
Make sure you have a few days to explore the caves to see all the features, as a couple of hours are insufficient to even have a glimpse of the beauty of the place. It is a national park, so you have to leave your pets back home to avoid any disappointment. However, there is accommodation in the form of hotels and cottages around the caves and you can leave your pet there if you so desire.
If you are bored with planned vacations to places with tourist attractions in the cities and always seek thrills as a traveler, there is nothing to beat the experience of visiting the Jenolan caves. It sounds a bit scary to some, but these caves are absolutely safe and there is nothing to worry about during your visit.
No doubt there are other cave systems in Australia too, but Jenolan caves are the most intriguing and most impressive of them all. At the entrance, you will see the Grand Arch which looks like a natural welcome gate. Jenolan caves were discovered by a convict bushranger in 1938 and since then have been a center of attraction for tourists and the locals alike. It is better to take a guided tour as some of the caves are tougher to explore than others and with a guide you can easily make your way through areas that seem inaccessible.
So the next time you happen to be in NSW, do not miss the opportunity to see this natural wonder called Jenolan caves.
#30. Holiday Company Parties in Australia
Most companies offer holidays or parties on a regular basis or once a year. Whichever the case, these parties provide ideal opportunities for building your reputation and even increase your chances of getting a promotion. But at the same time they may lead you to ruining your career. Below you will discover ways on how to attend a company party while on holiday in Australia without hurting your CV.
Since the company party is as a social event it is important that you remember that it is still within a business environment. At the party, you should remain composed because your every move may be monitored and you may not even know it.
Don’t even think about not attending the party for whatever reason because it will damage your reputation. If you happen to have business to attend to elsewhere, then it is best that you devote at least 30 minutes of your time to make an appearance at the party. It would work wonders for you to be there just for a few minutes as compared to not being there at all. At the same time, it is important that you do not overstay by being among the last few to leave the party.
Even though it is a party, it is important that you carry yourself with dignity and respect. Don’t use the party as a way to show your frustration with someone in the company.
Avoid bringing gifts to the party for your boss. This is not just some holiday party in Australia but a company party. It is important that professional etiquette is maintained.
You need to be professional and behave appropriately. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t have fun. Your bosses may have spent a lot of money on hosting the party and making it a success so it won’t hurt to enjoy yourself to the fullest.
Don’t ever assume that because it is a party, you need to wear party clothes. This would be a grave mistake on your part and it would seem so inappropriate. It is always a good idea to dress conservatively even if the invitation says the dress code will be casual.
Devote time to talk to influential people at the party. Such people may boost your career. Refrain from looking desperate or saying bad things about your current boss. The trick is to build your network and seem as professional about your work as you can.
#31. Gift Buying Tips
Going on holiday is often great and fun. However it’s not just about having fun. There are also windows of opportunities for you to buy your loved ones gifts. Just think of how thrilled they will be to receive a gift from Australia from you!
Sometimes things may not go so well, however. The following are tips that can help you when you choose and buy the gifts.
Never throw away the receipt and the package of the gift you buy.
This is because if there ever is a problem with the item, most stores will accept it back if you return the receipt and the packaging. It would be a grave mistake on your part to purchase a product and throw away the receipt only to find that it has a fault. The only option you will be left with is to present that gift to that person the way it is. Needless to say it will be a bit disappointing for the receiver.
Avoid buying gifts that have monthly charges.
It isn’t really pleasing when someone gives you a gift only for you to realize that in order to use it, you must pay monthly bills for it. Now if you know you wouldn’t appreciate such a gift, avoid buying the same for someone else. It is more than likely that that person will not like that gift as well. If for some reason you do decide to buy a gift that requires a monthly charge then you may want to pay the bill for the next six months. After that period, the person you’ve given the gift to may decide to keep it or not.
Avoid buying top end gifts.
Yes, it is good to receive and give an expensive gift once in a while but this cannot happen all the time. It is best left for very special occasions. If you cannot afford it, don’t buy a person a very expensive gift. There is no point in buying something costly if you know it will affect your budget adversely. The person will appreciate the gift whether it is expensive or not. Either way, it is the good intent that matters. However, this does not mean that you should skip buying a quality gift! Find a great gift that will remind the person of Australia. It could be an Aboriginal art object or a koala teddy bear.
#32. Fossicking for Opals at Coober Pedy
If you are from Australia or visiting Australia, then you must take a day or two out and go fossicking for opals at Coober Pedy. Coober Pedy is known to be the world’s largest production center of opals and it contributes to about 80% of the total opal produced in Australia. Coober Pedy lies about 529 miles north of Adelaide and 428 miles south of Alice Springs on the Stuart Highway.
Coober Pedy was discovered in 1915. The town has seen tremendous ups and downs since then, but has now grown into a modern mining town thanks to the multi-million dollar opal mining industry. There are hundreds of opal mines that have been abandoned after opal mining as they have been rendered to be no profit making. A person can always try his luck by fossicking for opals in these abandoned mines. It is adventurous and gives a great feeling of treasure hunt and, who knows, it might turn profitable as well. Coober Pedy is easily accessible by air from Adelaide. A daily bus service can also take you to Coober Pedy. If you want to enjoy the stunning beauty of the Australian country side then drive to Coober Pedy. The Ghan train from Adelaide can also take you to Manguri Siding which is only 42 kms from Coober Pedy.
Opal mines and dugouts
There are many interesting facts about Coober Pedy that one must know before going there. The town has a large number of establishments under the ground due to the extreme temperatures. These include houses, churches, hotels and offices. About half of the population there lives in underground houses known as dugouts. Coober Pedy is a cosmopolitan town and provides good hospitality to the tourists. A tourist can sign up for any of the opal fossicking tours that are run by all major tour operators in Adelaide and Alice Springs.
The climate of Coober Pedy is of a semi desert type. Days are warm and nights are cold. The best time to visit Coober Pedy for opal fossicking is from April to October. During the rest of the year, it is too hot and dust storms are common. For the tourists, the main area for fossicking in Coober Pedy is called the Jewell Box and lies in the eastern part of the town. Here tourists can search for opal by using shovels and spades. Opal can be differentiated from an ordinary stone by the colors present on its surface. When opal is cleaned with water and exposed to sunlight the opal colors can be seen very clearly.
What do the laws say?
Tourists that go fossicking for opals to Coober Pedy must also be aware of the local laws. A fossicker must get a permit if he wants to go opal fossicking. The law allows using only hand held tools to search for opals. Fossicking on private lands and leased land is allowed only after obtaining the written consent of the owners. Fossicking for animal fossils, meteorites and diamonds is not allowed and in case such an item is discovered by the fossicker then it must be turned over to the local authorities. These are the few restrictions that one must be aware of. Permits are easily granted by the authorities to the tour operators. It is also advisable not to stray from your group as there are hundreds of open abandoned mining shafts and if you fall into one of them you will be severely injured and no one will be able to find you.
Other attractions at Coober Pedy
Coober Pedy offers much more to tourists apart from opals. Its moon like landscape has attracted movie makers and many movies have been shot here. The natural scenery at Breakways is breathtaking. Moon Plain makes you feel as if you are on the lunar surface. For art admirers, the Ummona opal museum is a place to visit. It shows the history of the town. It also displays some of the finest opals mined here. Desert cave is the only underground hotel in the world with four star rating. These added attractions are like bonuses to your fossicking trip. Your visit to Coober Pedy is sure to provide much more than opal fossicking. It will give you the adventure and thrill that you want and if you are the lucky one to find an opal, you will surely remember your visit to Coober Pedy forever.
#33. Eco-Friendly Holidays on Heron Island
Are you looking for some environmentally friendly holiday destination where you can spend some time enjoying great peace and delight? Then you should go to Australia. Australia is a country that has lots to offer to the visitors. One of the world famous Australian holiday destinations is the Great Barrier Reef. If you do not want to waste your time, don’t go anywhere else. Just visit Heron Island on the Barrier Reef. It has everything to make you feel content, satisfied and relaxed.
The Great Barrier Reef is amongst the 7 wonders of the world. You will discover several options available here for the tourists. The reef has beautiful and pristine islands. What makes this