Australia Planning a Trip
Outback World Heritage
Western Australia and the Northern Territory are two sparsely populated Australian regions which are some of the most isolated and unforgiving environments on Earth. Yet, they also have some of the most stunning and beautiful places you will ever see. There are four locations here which have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. While difficult to reach, they can provide the most satisfying experiences during a visit to the wonders of Australia.
Uluru/Kata Tjuta
Uluru/Kata Tjuta - Perhaps the most iconic image representing Australia and the outback is that of Uluru. Along with its sister rock formation of Kata Tjuta, Uluru is a marvel of the red center of Australia. You can fly directly to Uluru via Qantas but most people use Alice Springs as a base and travel there by land. Make sure to be there to view sunrise and/or sunset. The iron content of the rock makes the color change throughout the course of the day. Camping and lodging is available in the park. Even though you are in a desert, temperatures can drop below freezing at night. It is possible to climb Uluru, but the locals aboriginals ask that you not.
Date: October 6th, 2008 |
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Getting to the Great Barrier Reef
Since you obviously can’t fly directly to the Great Barrier Reef itself, it’s a common question from visitors as to exactly where it is, where you should stay, and how you should get there. We’ll go over all of that below, and spell out your various options for visiting this famous world wonder.
Where exactly is the Great Barrier Reef?
The Great Barrier Reef is located in the Coral Sea, just off the northeast coast of the Australian state of Queensland. The reef, as you know, is huge, so it can actually be reached from quite a few different cities and islands along this long coast, although the most popular by far are Cairns, Prosperpine, and Townsville.
Cairns
Being the staging area for most GBR trips, Cairns is quite well known by non-Australians, though it’s not really a particularly large city, with a population of only around 130,000. Particularly for Americans, it can be confusing when locals pronounce it as “cans” in a way that might not ring the Cairns bell in your mind right away. Another thing to remember is this area is tropical, so the climate is very different from Sydney or Melbourne.
Date: August 6th, 2008 |
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Land Rovers – Buy one or list yours for free
Although you probably won’t be driving your Land Rover right in the center of Sydney, you will love to use it when you start exploring the surrounding areas. Australia is a vast country, distances between cities are big and the Land Rover is the perfect vehicle to provide both security and speed.
These powerful British vehicles will always be in style and collectors will sure tell you that – along with how much they prize the vehicles, of course. Wonder where you can buy one? Here’s a cool site with nothing by Land …
Date: March 16th, 2008 |
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Sydney to Singapore Safely and Comfortably
Hey Gang,even though I am stil out and about, there is a piece of travel news I can’t let pass unnoticed. Earlier this week, history was made as the Airbus 380 made its much anticipated maiden voyage from Singapore to Sydney. It may have been 18 months late, but it touched down safe and sound. The following article is from Spiegle.
The biggest jetliner in the world touched down safely in Sydney on Thursday afternoon local time, seven hours after taking off from Singapore’s Changi Airport on its inaugural flight. The Airbus A380, as tall as a seven-storey building, was finally carrying passengers — a full 18 months behind schedule.
The 455 passengers, who had bid for their seats in a charity auction, enjoyed a party atmosphere on the luxury Singapore Airlines flight. The passengers were treated to champagne and caviar by the 30-strong crew, came from 35 different countries, with the oldest 91-year-old Leong Lou Teck, the youngest a 10-month-old baby. The first passenger on board was the highest-paying, Briton Julian Hayward, who had forked out €70,690 ($100,380). The plane carried two top chefs, one from Singapore and one from Sydney, who cooked up duck breast, lobster, wok-fried beef and noodles for the passengers.
Date: October 29th, 2007 |
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Living the Dream. See you in November
Hey Gang! I know I am your writer for Australiablog, but I am off living the dream. Got to keep those travelling instincts fresh. I am off galavanting about Europe and will see you wonderful people in early November! YAY!
Europe- the land of fabulous shoes, clothes, food, coffee and wine. The scenery is gorgeous and it is always fun to consider the ancient civilizations that have just continued to build on top of one another. Very interesting.
See you all very soon. Look for some exciting changes and upgrades to …
Date: October 10th, 2007 |
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Melbourne city tour on the free tram
Many cities around the world have special bus or tram routes meant for tourists, which often circle through a collection of the most important sights in the central city. Melbourne has its own version with the City Circle Tram, and the even better news is that it’s absolutely free.
Where the City Circle Tram goes
Exactly as the name implies, this tram literally does a circle (actually more of a rectangle, but you know what I mean) around the Central Business District. It avoids the center of the city, but the stops are frequent so if you have a good map you’ll be able to get within a few blocks of anything you want to reach, and the blocks in the CBD are quite short.
Date: August 8th, 2008 |
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Add your Australia budget hotel or hostel to the Hostel Directory
If you own or operate an Australia hostel, budget hotel or other budget accommodation – or you know someone who does – you (or they) should consider entering the information into the new worldwide Hostel Directory . This will be a huge and global directory of budget accommodation, from hostels to B&B’s and everything else you might think of. Don’t worry about getting spam from it but expect some more bookings.
The site is new but is part of a big travel network so don’t hesitate to spend couple …
Date: July 16th, 2008 |
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Globe Trekker TV Features Uluru in February
Most travelers agree that some of the best travel television programs around come from Pilot Guides Productions, the people who bring us Globe Trekker and Planet Food, among other great shows. Well, each month, Pilot Guides also brings us a host of new online travel programs we can download and then watch at our leisure - which is pretty fantastic. For February, one of the highlights of the available programs is seeing Uluru through Ian Wright’s eyes.
Ian Wright is usually part travel guide and part comedian, but in this clip he keeps both feet on the ground in honor
…
Date: February 4th, 2008 |
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You’re Invited to the BootsnAll Holiday Party
If you love Australia but can’t be there right now, here’s a chance for you to talk about the country you love with a genuine Aussie right here in Portland, Oregon! Come to the BootsnAll Holiday Party in December!
WHAT: BootsnAll Holiday Party
WHEN: Saturday, December 1, 2007 from 7pm until 11pm
WHERE: Lucky Labrador Beer Hall, 1945 NW Quimby St., Portland OR 97209
One of the founders of BootsnAll, Chris Heidrich, is from Brisbane and despite living for years now in the U.S. he has faithfully maintained his Aussie accent. If you’re in the area, come join us at the party and corner …
Date: October 25th, 2007 |
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Single Aussie Men, Where to go to Find a Good Bloke
I came across this fantastic and hilarious article via a link from the Daily Boomerang, a very good daily blog about this crazy life and travelling Down Under. Under the pressures of my day job, I have recently been travelling in and around the Singleton NSW area. The Daily Boomerang called me out as having a possible alternative motive! The nerve! (he he he)
From the Daily Boomerang:
Are you a woman and living in Australia and looking for somewhere to go to meet a good bloke?:
“The young women of …
Date: September 25th, 2007 |
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