September 30th, 2010
The Best Beaches in Australia
Australia is known for a lot of its beaches, which are all beautiful and breath-taking. However, some beaches do stand out more than the rest. Here are some of the best beaches in Australia.
Hyams Beach Jervis Bay
Located about two and a half hours away from the capital, Hyams Beach is a prime beach attraction in Australia. It is also considered one of the most natural, because the surroundings consist of natural attractions like kangaroos and plants rather than man-made structures.
Because it has been declared a national park and not just a mere beach, Hyams is continually maintained. Its water are the clearest in all of Australia. Its waters are also marine sanctuaries, and are full of marine life that would impress the diving and snorkeling enthusiast. You can also see dolphins jumping in and out of the waters. The beach also has facilities available for aqua sports like jet-skiing, sailing, swimming and fishing.
Of course, the beach alone is relaxing and perfect for simply walking around.
Palm Beach
Palm Beach is a very well known strip of beach in Sydney. Made for the multitudes of cabbage tree palms, the place is best for people looking for a way to interact with fellow trendy socialites. Palm Beach is the preferred beach for holidays by the wealthy class of Australian society.
Palm Beach is also famous for being the setting of the Australian soap opera, Home and Away, as well as the locations for many music videos.
Palm Beach is perfect for the water sports enthusiast and the avid hiker. Satisfy the explorer in you by heading off to the northern point of Palm Beach where you can find the lighthouse which Aussies have named “Barrenjoey.” Located about 350 feet above sea level, the lighthouse is still operational.
For the trendy and the wealthy, Palm Beach offers a golf club, a sailing club, and a surf school, among others.
Four-mile Beach
One of the few beaches in the Port Douglas area, Four-mile beach gets its name from being a place that one can hike for 4 straight hours. Anyone who loves trekking and hiking will be totally enamored of the place.
When you first enter Four-Mile Beach, you will find yourself in a rocky headland. The headland alone offers a lot of exploring opportunities that you can enjoy even without having to walk the entire four-mile stretch of beach. You can even enjoy a lunch picnic with friends or family in Four-Mile Beach. Children will love the place, as it is bustling with small crabs and other interesting creatures that will occupy their attention.
The ocean in Four-Mile beach is blue and deep, and provides a picturesque landscape when the weather is perfect. Beware, however, of the jellyfishes when in season.
Bells Beach
If you are a surfing enthusiast, then Bells Beach is the best beach for you. Located about 100 kilometers from the city of Melbourne via the Great Ocean Road, the place is a haven for surfers.
What makes Bells Beach special? It is the fact that whether it is low tide or high tide, one can still surf the waves. Bells Beach is famous among surfers because of the different kind of break the beach has, which is called the Bowl. Sharks abound in the area though, so be careful.
If you’re not into surfing, don’t fret! You can still relax and sunbath at the pristine beaches of Bells Beach.
Categories: Beaches |
Tags: Australia, Beaches, Best | Comments Off
July 25th, 2010
The school holidays are fast approaching, and the panic showing on many parents faces reflects the same question: Where can we take with the kids for 2 weeks in winter?? It’s so much easier to travel in the summer in a country surrounded by miles of unspoilt beaches, and outdoor pursuits are on every active family’s agenda, but what about when the temperature drops and swimming is just not an option?
Here are some of the top winter destinations that are far enough away to feel like a decent holiday, yet still close enough to enjoy the drive, where you’ll be able to get outside and get active. Hopefully, this will help give you some ideas on what to do with the brood these winter school holidays:
From Sydney:
· Kosciusko National Park: Think winter holidays, think snow. Roughly six hours drive from Sydney takes you to the Snowy Mountains. You can ski, snowboard, ski cross-country or go tobogganing. Take a class or even just ride a chair lift to the top, build a snowman and enjoy the view! For tips on driving in the snow, download the DriveAway Snow Guide.
· The NSW South Coast: The drive alone from between Sydney to Eden is an adventure in itself, with so many places to stop along the way. Drive along the Grand Pacific Drive which runs for 169kms from start to finish. Take the kids for a walk amongst the tree tops at the Illawarra Tree Top Walk. Fish off the wharf at Tathra or go bushwalking in unspoilt Morton National Park.
· The Blue Mountains: The World Heritage listed Blue Mountains is only a short 60 minute drive west of Sydney to the base of the mountains. You can bushwalk , see the magnificent Three Sisters at Katoomba, visit the Zig Zag Railway at Mt Victoria, take a tour through Jenolan Caves, horse ride through the Megalong Valley, or enjoy great food and shopping in Leura.
· Regional NSW: Visit some of Australia’s most historic villages or get close to nature. Visit Dubbo, about 5½ hours northwest of Sydney, home to the fantastic Western Plains Zoo. Show the kids some colonial history at the Old Dubbo Gaol. See the Observatory at Parkes, or camping or canoeing along the Lachlan River.
From Melbourne:
· Goldfields of Victoria: Only 90 minutes drive northwest of Melbourne you can tour the towns of Ballarat, Maldon and Bendigo. Visit Sovereign Hill, the Eureka Centre and the Central Deborah Gold Mine to learn about Australia’s gold rush history.
· Victorian High Country: Drive the Great Alpine Road between Bairnsdale and Wangaratta, and make the most of the snow season in the Victorian snow fields of Mt Buller, Falls Creek and Mt Hotham.
· Phillip Island: about 90 minutes drive from Melbourne centre, you can see the wondrous Fairy Penguins waddling ashore at sunset at the Phillip Island Nature Park, or do a lap of the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit.
And then of course if you still want to escape the winter blues altogether and soak up some warmth, head out from Brisbane:
· The Sunshine Coast: Just over 2 hours drive north of Brisbane, enjoy some of QLD’s best beaches with year-round warm weather, take the kids to Australia Zoo or take a driving tour to the Glasshouse Mountains.
· The Gold Coast: Less than an hour south of Brisbane, enjoy fantastic beaches, glorious weather and uncontained excitement. And don’t forget the theme parks: Dreamworld, SeaWorld & Movie World.
· The Fraser Coast: Explore miles of pristine beaches, visit Fraser Island, enjoy fishing and boating on the Great Sandy Strait, or visit Hervey Bay where you’re just in time to catch humpback whales in the warm off shore waters.
Categories: Traveling |
Tags: Australia, Holidays, School, Trips, Winter | Comments Off
May 15th, 2010
Looking forward to having a wonderful Australian holiday, but worried about the lodging and travel expenses? Over the last few years, the number of accommodation facilities has witnessed a huge global upsurge. As a result, it has become relatively easy for travelers to find the right kind of lodging that is suited to their budget. If you happen to be the ‘always on the move’ backpacker, there is no reason why you cannot have a great holidaying experience in the city or country of your choice.
The following tips will help you enjoy your holiday even if your funds are in a tight situation:
Join a Holiday Accommodation Exchange Network
A notion gaining immense popularity amongst frequent travelers, the holiday exchange network is a simple means to having undiluted fun at a moderate cost. As a member of a Holiday Accommodation Exchange network, you can put up your own lodging facility on offer, and in turn, opt for a stay in other members’ accommodation facility for a specified time period. Many people choose to exchange the use of their homes for a holiday. This arrangement is extremely lucrative as there is little or no expense associated with securing a place to live during the holiday. Plus, the actual owners can provide a good amount of information on local attractions and must-visits, thereby saving your time and money on unnecessary research.
Opt for Holiday Rentals
Most backpackers opt for a stay in holiday homes and apartments because they are cost effective. This is because you don’t need to pay for all amenities such as daily servicing, room service and other facilities that you won’t generally use. As a traveler, you can save money on eating out; as you are required to self cater in a holiday rental home. In fact, most holiday homes also have laundry facilities where you can wash your own clothes, as well as opt for bedding without paying extra.
Try Unique Locations
Tourists, especially the ones with families, usually prefer to stay in crowded, popular locations. Resultantly, the accommodation facilities in these places are often priced high and mostly taken up. As a backpacker, you should not hesitate in selecting a holiday property that is a reasonable distance from the usual range of properties. In doing so, you can avail attractive discounts and also do away with the incessant bustling prevalent in crowded places.
Take a Break is one of the most preferred online travel resources for backpackers planning a stay in Australia.The portal lists a wide range of holiday accommodation options including holiday rentals, apartments, holiday homes, etc., for short or long stay in various Australian cities.
Categories: Hotel |
Tags: Accommodation, Australia, Backpackers, Budget, Great, Tips | Comments Off
