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Welcome to Australia, that huge country “Down Under” where the majority of the population lives close to the sea while the empty Red Centre, the spiritual heart of the continent, features bizarre rock formations and mystical stories of Aboriginal culture dating back 50,000 years.
Wherever you are heading in Australia you’ll find friendly, outgoing people, vibrant, cosmopolitan cities and amazing, uniquely Australian natural wonders.
Think of a map of Australia like a clock-face, with Sydney and New South Wales at four o’clock, often the point of entry. The historic site of Australia’s first European settlement is possibly the world’s most beautiful harbour, overlooked by the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House. Cruise on the harbour, take a seaplane flight over it; explore the shops, galleries and restaurants of the historic Rocks area. Perhaps take a short stay in the stunning Blue Mountains or the famous Hunter Valley wine region just a short drive outside the city.
Moving clockwise through Canberra, Australia’s Capital, we come to sports-mad Melbourne, recent host of the 2006 Commonwealth Games at the fabulous MCG. Its stunning stadiums and contemporary buildings make Melbourne a glorious mix of past and present with beautiful 19th century theatres and fine Victorian architecture reflecting prosperity of the gold rushes.
Across the Bass Strait from Melbourne, the idyllic island state of Tasmania also reflects the nation’s heritage with historic sites evoking powerful memories of convict colonial Australia.
Over 40% of Tasmania is protected as World Heritage areas and National Parks. A great place to explore at your own pace, self-driving from Hobart in the south or Launceston in the north.
Clockwise again to six o’clock on your map, perhaps drive the awe-inspiring Great Ocean Road from Melbourne to Adelaide in South Australia. Visit Kangaroo Island, take a cruise on the Murray River or knock on some cellar doors in the Barossa Valley!
Western Australia covers about one-third of the continent from seven o’clock on your clock-face almost up to twelve. A huge area but much of it easily reached from Perth. Visit the world-class wineries of Margaret River. Enjoy fabulous beaches and the sparkling ocean from the South West, where the Indian Ocean meets the Southern Ocean, to Australia’s Coral Coast, and up to Cable Beach at Broome in the North West. Watch whales in the south, play with dolphins at Bunbury or Monkey Mia, or swim with the world’s largest fish, the whale shark, at Ningaloo Reef. Inland you’ll marvel at other natural wonders, strange rock formations in the Pinnacles Desert, the Bungle Bungles in Purnululu National Park or the stunning Kimberley Gorges.
Darwin, at Australia’s “Top End”, 12 o’clock on your Australia map, is gateway to more natural wonders and a true “outback” experience. Perhaps join a camping safari, visit Kakadu or Litchfield National Parks, hunt for crocodiles on a Yellow Water Cruise and explore ancient Aboriginal rock art sites at Nourlangie Rock.
Continuing clockwise to two o’clock we come into tropical Northern Queensland and Cairns, gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, another of Australia’s unique, “must-see” destinations. Stay in Cairns or in Port Douglas, just north of the city with easy access both to the Reef and the tropical rainforest of the Daintree and Cape Tribulation National Parks. We offer day-trips to the Reef or extended cruises of 4 or 5-day duration from Cairns, Townsville or the Whitsunday Islands. Island resorts are also available for stay-put holidays on the Great Barrier Reef. While the Great Barrier Reef is a magnificent chain of coral atolls and islands, at about 3 o’clock on your Australia map is Fraser Island, the world’s largest sand island. If you’re planning to visit Brisbane ask about our 3-day package to Fraser Island with a 4WD ride along its famous Seventy-Five Mile Beach.
Returning to Sydney we’ve been round the clock on Australia’s map and it remains to visit the Red Centre. In the Central Australian outback is the town of Alice Springs and the world’s largest rock Uluru (Ayers Rock). Take a glimpse of life in the outback at the Alice Springs School of the Air where lessons are given by radio. From Ayers Rock a variety of one day or extended tours is available to explore Uluru itself, the strange domes of Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) and the magnificent Kings Canyon.
For hints and tips when visiting Australia please click here.
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