Travel guide for Austrila

Capital :

                           Canberra

Largest city :

                                  Sydney 

National language :

                                 English

Currency : 

Australian dollar (AUD)

The Great Ocean Road

There are many beaches that you can stop and swim at along the drive, and also numerous townships, hikes, and other attractions for you to partake in. For more details please visit www.visitvictoria.com.The Great Ocean Road, located in Victoria, is arguably one of the best scenic drives of the world. Its official length is 243 kms (approximately 150 miles), but it will take you a full day to enjoy it due to the narrow and windy traffic lanes (only one in each direction). It hugs the coast line with panoramic views of the ocean and cliffs, and it winds its way through cool climate rain forests.

The Grampians National Park

Its beauty and grandeur are well known to locals, and stuns all who come to visit. You can almost feel the magic of the Indigenous dream time legends in the land around you. For more details please visit parkweb.vic.gov.au and www.visitvictoria.com. Located in Victoria, 175 kms north of Warrnambool (the official end of the Great Ocean Road) is the Grampians National Park and the township of Halls Gap. The park is 1,672 km² in size and is host to amazing hikes, series of low-angled sandstone ridges, and is one of the richest Indigenous rock art sites in south-eastern Australia.

Sydney

While many Australian's will scoff when they read this, believing Australia has many better attractions, the reason Sydney (the capital city of New South Wales)has made the list is because it is such an iconic feature of Australia. For those of you have made a flight from potentially the other side of the world, if you come and don't see Sydney, it's a bit like going to Germany and not drinking a beer, or to England and not seeing London, or America and not trying a hot dog.

There is plenty to see and do in Sydney apart from the well know attractions of the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House, and Bondi/Manly beaches. Sydney is host to the great Taronga Zoo, there are festivals on all year long, it is steeped in Australian pioneering history, and much more. 

Byron Bay

Located in New South Wales, just south of the Queensland border, Byron Bay is popular with not just international tourists, but is also a favorite holiday destinations of Australians. The lighthouse is amazing at sunset (and it is the most easterly part of mainland Australia). There are a range of music festivals over the year that attract international and local musicians alike.

Locals again may turn their nose up at this selection, but it's hard to argue that it's not a beautiful place. However, the price you pay for this is that it is tourist central, home to thousands of backpackers at any one time. Despite this fact, the kilometres of pristine beach, the weather, surfing, scuba diving, and other attractions will ensure that Byron Bay remains one of Australia's top tourist destinations for years to come. 

Fraser Island

Located just off the coast near Hervey Bay in Queensland, Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world. With over 120 kilometres of pristine beaches it's easy to understand why thousands of people visit each month. The most popular way to get around the island is by hiring a 4wd for 2-3 days and explore where ever your fancy takes you.

With inland fresh water lakes, rainforests with rare flora and fauna, the Dingo, wrecks for snorkelling and scuba diving, gorgeous beaches, and much more, it's no wonder this paradise is such a sought after tourist destination. 

The Great Barrier Reef

Located in Queensland, this attraction, along with Uluru and the Sydney Opera House, is one of those attractions that is known by virtually everyone, and is synonymous with Australia. Stretching for approximately 2,300 kms, it is home to a vast wealth or rare, endangered, and unique animal and plant species.

It's hard to recommend one particular area of the reef to visit, but most people agree that the Whitsunday Islands are absolutely stunning, and we recommend taking a 2-3 day sailing trip/tour around the area. With snorkelling and scuba diving areas literally everywhere you are bound to experience wonders that will stay with you for the rest of your life! 

Daintree Rainforest

Located in northern Queensland, approximately 110 kms north of Cairns (and don't forget to stop at Port Douglas on your way, it's stunning), the rainforest is a nature wonderland. It is Australia's largest rainforest, about 30% of Australia's reptile, marsupial and frog species, 65% of the country's bat and butterfly species, and 20% of Australia's native bird species can be found within the Daintree. And let's not forget it's also home to a prehistoric bird, the Cassowary!

With so many things to see and do, including: crocodile boat tours, visiting one of several animal sanctuaries, going on a mangrove adventure tour, hikes, local Indigenous tours/history, it's easy to see why it's such a popular destination for tourists and nature lovers alike. 

Kakadu National Park

Located approximately 200 kms south east of Darwin in the Northern Territory, Kakadu national park covers nearly 20,000 km² (3.2 million acres), and includes the traditional lands of several Indigenous tribes. With over 5,000 rock painting sites, it's easy to see that this area was particularly sacred to the traditional landowners.

It is a natural wonder that holds both a World Heritage Area listing and as a UNESCO site (there are only two other sites in the world that hold both awards). With stunning gorgeous, rare and endangered animals and plants, the notorious salt water crocodile, and many other natural attractions, this park will leave you breathless and in awe of both its history, it's remoteness, and it's power. 

Uluru / Ayers Rock

Enough said. If you come to Australia you must see Uluru (in theNorthern Territory). So many times we have heard people say something like, "I was not going to bother, you know, it's just a rock. But once I started to get closer, and it got bigger, and bigger, and bigger, it's hard to put into words the feeling that overcome me. You could feel the history, the magic, the splendour that is Uluru".

So if you are thinking about not making the journey, rethink your plans and make it happen somehow. Something that we'd recommend is taking a guided tour from Adelaide. These normally span 3 days minimum (and can go for 7+), but well worth it. You'll get to see much more than just the rock that is Uluru! 

Freycinet National Park / Wineglass Bay

Down in pristine Tasmania, sticking out into the sea on Tasmania's mild east coast is the rugged and beautiful Freycinet Peninsula, home to Wineglass Bay. The peninsula is home to numerous other bays which provide beautiful secluded swimming beach, snorkelling and scuba areas, rock pools, and many other attractions.

With many hikes (one goes along the entire peninsula and takes 3 days), guided ranger activities, camping areas, an outdoor theatre, scenic drives, there are enough activities to keep you busy for many days.

More To Come