| Welcome to Australia Travel, a site devote to anyone | | | | very long strip of yellow sand beach, however the |
| planning on being a tourist to Australia. This site gives | | | | name is not entirely correct The better surfing on the |
| travel advice and some great links that are are going | | | | coast is found off the kirra point breaks and |
| to save you money on your visit to Australia. The top | | | | Coolangatta has the whitest sand and bluest water. |
| tourist spots in Australia tend to be Sydney, the Gold | | | | Surfers Paradise may be more appropriately named |
| Coast and Cairns, they are certainly the most visited. | | | | for its after hours activities. Orchid Ave and the |
| I've lived in all these places so can give you some | | | | surrounding streets are a hot bed of night life with |
| great advice. (For advice of Melboure, Perth, Adeliade, | | | | numerous nightclubs and other going ons. In the |
| Tasmania and other aussie places see upcoming | | | | summer time is it just one event after another with the |
| blogs) | | | | Indy car series, then schoolies, then Christmas and the |
| There are numerous other great places to visit as well | | | | New Year Fireworks - Standing room only as Surfers |
| and I'll give tips where I can. | | | | is packed out at this time. Generally safe though |
| Sydney | | | | except for the odd drunk idiot looking for a fight. |
| Sydney is a huge diverse metropolis with numerous | | | | Theme Parks - the Gold Coast has numerous theme |
| cultures and ethnicities living within the city. The central | | | | parks including Seaworld, Dreamworld, Movie World, |
| city is where you will want to spend most of your time | | | | Wet n Wild, and Currumbin Bird Sanctuary. For more |
| as the surburbs hold little in the way for tourists. Some | | | | on these see the link on the side for (Gold Coast |
| surburbs are no go zones being ethnic gettos with | | | | theme Parks or Seaworld Nara Resort). |
| drug problems and the like. However the central city | | | | The Gold Coast's Hinderland also has much to offer. |
| and the eastern beaches are safe and great places to | | | | Early morning balloon rides, walking tracks and |
| visit. | | | | O'Reilly's. O'Reilly's is a bit of a drive but its worth the |
| The Beaches - you are spoilt for choice here. Beautiful | | | | trip just to hand feed the brightly coloured parrots. Also |
| yellow sand, rolling waves and patrolled. Follow the | | | | there is a tree top walk with a walkway high up in the |
| advice of the surf life savers with their traditional | | | | trees - not for those afraid of heights. There is also a |
| yellow and red hats. Bondi of course is the most | | | | guest house for those who would like an overnight |
| famous with numerous bars, cafes and shops. But | | | | stay. |
| Maroubra is probably better for surfing and swimming. | | | | Cairns |
| Catch the Manly ferry and walk across to the ocean | | | | Cairns is the main gateway to the Great Barrier reef. |
| beach and there is a lovely walk to the heads passing | | | | Viewed from the air the reef shows its true form a |
| numerous restaurants. Cronulla beach is nice to the | | | | series of small reefs and Islands. Beautiful seen from |
| south with some nice walks as well. | | | | the air as emerald coloured jewels they are even |
| Shopping:- There is plenty of shopping to be done in | | | | better close up. A Boat trip out to the reef takes over |
| Sydney. If your from the UK or the USA then the | | | | an hour depending on where on the reef they stop. |
| exchange rate makes it even better for you. In the | | | | The best view is obviously for the scuba divers. Be |
| Central CBD are plenty of shops, one of my | | | | warned though the waters are dangerous with |
| favourites is the Victoria building. Great design with | | | | numerous creatures that can kill so follow the local |
| traditional features. If you're there on the hour go to the | | | | advice. Sharks, Jellyfish, Snakes, Stone Fish, Deadly |
| very top where there is a large clock. On the hour it | | | | blue ring octopus and yes stingrays (although Steve |
| shows scenes of British royality with a bit of a fanfare. | | | | Irwin was only the third person in Australia to die from |
| Hop on the monorail and go to Darling habour (see | | | | a stingray so don't get too carried away). Of course it |
| picture left as seen from the top of Sydney tower). | | | | your sensible there is much beauty that will stay with |
| Plenty of places to buy t-shirts and other souvenirs. | | | | you for the rest of you life. Colourful tropical fish and |
| Also on the ground floor is the best tasting fudge shop | | | | multi-coloured coral. In closer to shore are Crocodiles, |
| I've been to. I recommend the apricot favoured fudge. | | | | and yes they can even be found out to sea. Mine you |
| If your travelling around in the inner city buy a rail circle | | | | my whole time in Cairns (over two years) the only |
| hopper ticket which allows you to get on and off the | | | | Croc.s I saw were in a local crocodile farm and on a |
| train as many times a day as you wish and includes | | | | river boat trip on the Daintree. However further up |
| Redfern station which is right next to paddy's markets. | | | | Cape York they get alot more numerous so follow the |
| Another place to check out is China town just to the | | | | local signs and be careful. |
| south of the CBD. | | | | Cairns is a Tropical environment and as such is VERY |
| Attractions:- No visit to Sydney would be complete | | | | HOT year round (In the wet season expect late |
| without the mandatory visit to the Sydney Opera | | | | afternoon rain - see picture left). The Esplanade has |
| house - an icon of Australia. From there walk to the | | | | been reworked and numerous tourist now sunbake on |
| ferry terminal which attracts numerous entertainers | | | | it. The central city is a backpackers heaven and |
| and gives a good view of the habour. Continue around | | | | numerous night clubs, bars, restaurants cafes carter |
| towards the Sydney habour bridge and you will run | | | | for almost every taste but obviously seafood is a |
| into "the Rocks" and see what old Sydney looked like. | | | | specialty. |
| Lots of bars and places to eat with more shopping. | | | | A visit to the Daintree (where rainforest meets the |
| Hyde park is another place to visit. At night it is lit up | | | | reef) can be relaxing. Though I recommend you take in |
| with lights in the trees. Bring an apple and feed the | | | | a boat ride and see Crocodiles in their natural |
| possums up in the trees. Kings Cross and Oxford | | | | environment. We saw four on our trip with a tiny year |
| street are center of "night life". | | | | old one and a large one capable of making you lunch. |
| Greater Sydney:- If you head out to the blue | | | | Kurranda is about an hours drive uphill, or you can take |
| mountains via train or car Katoomba has great views | | | | the scenic cable skyway or the kurranda train. Views |
| of the Blue Mountains as well as walking tracks. Take | | | | of the Barron Falls and Tropical rainforest abound. |
| the cable car across the gorge and look a thousand | | | | Kurranda has a little market village feel about it. In the |
| feet straight down or take the 'railway' and go down | | | | picture left you see it in full flow but sometimes it can |
| to the bottom. I recommend sitting right at the front if | | | | almost be none existant as water is diverted for the |
| possible. Take in a view of the three sisters. One of | | | | Stanmore hydro power station and due to the impact |
| my favourite place to visit in the Blue Mountains is the | | | | of the dry. |
| Jenolan Caves. Numerous caves to chose from and | | | | Visit the original Site for great deals and photos |
| beautiful to see. Just a tip going down the road to the | | | | (This article is the property of Alastair Harris and his |
| caves make sure you chose a low gear or you will | | | | immediate family. It may be reproduced freely across |
| burn out your brakes. | | | | the internet but must include original links and remain |
| Gold Coast | | | | unchanged). |
| The center of the Gold Coast is Surfers Paradise. A | | | | |