Australia
Just the mere mention of Australia conjures up images of hypnotic and tranquil reefs, deep turquoise waters, white sand beaches, lush green forests and jagged mountains all interspersed with modern cities such as Sydney and Melbourne. Speaking of the cities – you’ll find chic bars and world-class restaurants, alongside modern galleries, theatres and museums, while the wide-open road that stretches from Margaret River to Dover is in our humble opinion – one of the best ways to explore the country, taking you through Perth’s Caversham Wildlife Park and Tasmania’s Bruny islands wilderness coast. But the country just has so much to offer – so we’ve taken our pick of some of our favourite attractions in Australia and added them below!
Australian Food & Drinks? Australia is of course very well known for its world-class beers that mingle with world-class wines and a vibrant fusion cuisine that reveals the multicultural nature of Australia’s cities. As you might expect – the seafood is fantastic. Adelaide, on the south of the island is known for the vast stretches of valleys landscaped with vineyards and it’s here in the Barossa Valley where you’ll find some of Australia’s finest grape varieties. Try a local Barossa Shiraz or an Eden Valley Riesling or if you fancy something a little more familiar then try an Australian Cabernet Sauvignon or a Grenache – all amongst the beautiful scenery of Adelaide’s countryside. You’ll find that Australian cuisine is relatively simple – pairing together European-style cooking with fresh Pacific ingredients. Seafood is a an absolute must – especially along the coastline.
The Blue Mountains – Trekking the Blue Mountains is an absolute delight. The UNESCO listed mountains form a fascinating landscape, complete with ancient forests, deep valleys and at times – vertical cliff faces. It’s an easy adventure to take from Sydney, which is just an hour away, making it ideally situated for a day trip or as a stop between destinations.
The Cities – It’s of course quite true that Australia is better know for its natural beauty – but the cities, from Adelaide to Sydney are stunning and vibrant. Melbourne, situated on the banks of the Yarra River is easily one of our favourites. The city boasts traditional and modern influences, with gothic cathedrals coexisting alongside a stunning collection of modern architecture. It’s great for shopping too with a mix of thriving shopping centres and quaint arcades home to a a lovely café culture. It’s also the hub of Australia’s art, fashion, music and, design scenes. Hobart comes a close second if only for the history and astounding natural beauty that surrounds it.
The Reef – The Great Barrier Reef is of course one of the 7 wonders of the natural world – first discovered by Capt. James Cook in the 1700’s and captivating each and every soul that sees it since then. The reef is just vast – made up of some 3,800 coral banks and islands all nestled up close to Queensland. The Great Barrier Reef is a staggering 2000KM long and is the largest structure on earth that is made from living organisms and rathe fantastically – it can be seen from space. If you’re a diver or even just a snorkelled – then you’ll find that some of the most vivid scenery in the world awaits you there.
Aboriginal Roots – There are plenty of ways to witness the Aboriginal past and present of Australia. We suggest that you take a dusk or dawn trip to the absolutely gigantic Ayers Rock or Uluru for a glimpse of one of the Australian aboriginal communities most sacred sights. The rock is somewhat imposing, rising from the sand as it does, it looks especially beautiful under a sunset.
If you’re ready to book your holiday to Australia, then you’ll find that we have a great collection of holidays available – take a look here – and remember – when you book with us you can save up to 5%.
