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By Alan, on March 17th, 2012
Located in the Northern Territory of Australia is the city of Darwin. This is a city that has often been used by visitors as a gateway to see the beautiful nature in the north of Australia. There is a wide range of accommodation available in the city, from luxurious hotels, to budget hostels.
Darwin is a beautiful city and this is never more evident than at sunset. As the city is on a peninsula, and is surrounded by the ocean on three sides, some of the sunsets you can enjoy here are absolutely spectacular. The city is also incredibly diverse, and there is a great deal of Asian influence from nearby countries.
The weather in Darwin is known to be excellent all year round, and the city doesn’t actually experience the winter. No matter how long you are staying in Darwin, you’re sure to find plenty of activities to do. A nearby National Park, Berry Springs is a beautiful natural attraction that will fascinate any visitor.
Darwin’s Wharf is an interesting part of the city that is rich in history. It was initially used as a place for pearling but became famous after it was bombed by the Japanese in the Second World War. Today, it is a fantastic place to enjoy some lunch, and most restaurants take advantage of the enjoyable climate by offering alfresco dining.Darwin Harbour is the most cosmopolitan part of the city and it is also a location where diving expeditions can be organised.
There are numerous sunken ships around the harbour which were destroyed during the Second World War. There are also many fishing vessels lying on the bottom of the ocean.
Nearby to Darwin Harbour is the Esplanade and Bicentennial Park which is a wonderful place to enjoy a warm afternoon as there are numerous picnic areas and walking tracks to enjoy. It is a wonderful place to relax and just wile away the afternoon.
Casuarina Square is the entertainment centre of Darwin and is also where you will find the city’s largest shopping complex. The range of shops in the centre is absolutely enormous and there will be something for every shopper. There is a multiscreen cinema here if you fancy catching the latest Hollywood blockbuster.
By Alan, on March 16th, 2012
An Advertising Feature
Many flights to Australia land in Sydney, so it makes sense to do some car hire comparison before you get there and have a car waiting for you when you arrive.
From Sydney you can drive a little way north and explore the Blue Mountains which take their name from a bluish tinge that hovers above them, believed to be caused by a reaction between the Gum trees (Eucalyptus trees) and rays from the sun.
There are drives from Sydney to the Glenbrook National Park site here with numerous bushwalks, sites of significance to the Aboriginal community as well as diverse wildlife, plus the odd kangaroo is frequently sighted. Norman Lindsay Gallery is also part of the Blue Mountains area. It is here that the Aussie writer, boxer and multi-faceted artist, lived in a cottage that is now open to visitors.
The Wentworth Falls area is another part of the area. There are numerous viewing platforms where visitors can take in spectacular views of the Jamison Valley, with its waterfalls.
One of the most popular places in the Blue Mountains reserve is Katoomba which is home to Scenic World. Here visitors can choose from four exciting ways to see the Blue Mountains close up and with ease: the Scenic Walkway, Scenic Railway, Scenic Skyway and Scenic Cableway.
The Great Ocean Road is probably the most famous drive in Australia. From Sydney, take a coach or fly to Avalon airport, which has great transport links to both Melbourne and Geelong. You’ll be heading in the direction of Geelong to get to the Great Ocean Road, so take the shuttle and pick up a car there.
The road winds around the coast and passes many spectacular beaches, rainforests and cliffs. The most noteworthy landmark on the drive is the Twelve Apostles. The Twelve Apostles are huge freestanding limestone stacks jutting from the water. There were never actually twelve of them, but nine, and in recent years one has fallen to make that eight. Originally having been part of the cliffs, they were slowly eroded to become arches and eventually individual stacks.
Adelaide is further to drive to from Sydney than driving to Poland from the South of the UK. There’s a train from Sydney that travels to Broken Hill, from where it is possible to take a bus down to Adelaide, but it makes sense to book an internal flight from Sydney to Adelaide. On arrival, pick up a car and make your way to the wineries of the Barossa Valley. There are four scenic drives recommended by the tourism board: the Barossa Scenic Heritage drive through Bethany to Tanuda, the Gawler tour, the drive up Mengler Hill, which goes through the Barossa Valley sculpture park and the drive along Seppeltsfield Road, which has palm trees at its edges and goes past the wineries you may have heard of, Torbeck and the Barossa Valley Estate. Remember to spit as you’re supposed to at the wineries as you’re driving.
All of these drives promise breathtaking views of Australia’s landscape.
By Alan, on March 13th, 2012
Daylesford is known to be one of the most popular spa locations in the whole of Australia and it is a place where visitors can come to relax and get a wide range of wonderful treatments. This town has a vast cloice of accommodation and spa facilities, as well as dining options, that any visitor is sure to love.
Daylesford is built on top of a large number of mineral springs and these are what make the town such a popular location for spas. People come from all over the world to visit this area and drink the mineral water and bathe in it. It is known internationally for its healing properties and this, combined with the excellent spa facilities, is what draws people to Daylesford.
The town is located 600 metres above sea level, which means visitors will be able to enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding area. As well as the very beautiful mineral lakes, there are also stunning stretches of forest and surrounding mountains. Daylesford is only located about half an hour’s drive from Melbourne, but when you are in the town you will feel as if the big city is worlds away.
Many of the businesses in the area have set up here because of the town’s reputation for being a place of seeking natural healing. There are many holistic practitioners in the town who do much of their healing by using the mineral salts collected from the surrounding area. Those who come here to seek holistic treatment will be spoilt for choice as there are almost unlimited options.
While enjoying the spa is certainly the main reason people come to Daylesford, there are also plenty of other activities which you can take part in. The lakes in the area are exceptionally beautiful and hiring a rowing boat to take out onto one can be a fantastic experience. Being surrounded by the natural beauty of this part of Australia will be an unparalleled experience and something you never forget.
There is also a local botanical gardens which were established 150 years ago. They are sitting on top of an extinct volcano and as well as being very naturally beautiful, there is a real sense of history about the place. There is a wonderful picnic area where you could enjoy some lunch, and for those who are interested in rare flowers there are plenty on display
By Alan, on March 8th, 2012
 Canberra is the capital city of Australia and it is an ideal destination for a holiday because it has plenty to offer, but there are also great many attractions nearby the city.
Canberra is located around 300 kilometres from Sydney by car, and as long as you stick to the highway, it is very easy to reach.
There are numerous different attractions in the city including several galleries and museums which can be enjoyed. These are going to inform you about some of the heritage of Australia and you are sure to learn more about the country here than anywhere else in the world.
For those looking for a great place to stay, the Canberra Retreat Bed and Breakfast is located around eight kilometres from the centre of the city and it is a great spot to base yourself while on holiday in Canberra. If you are looking to do some camping in the bush then you could consider heading to Cotter Campground. This camping location has all the feel of the bush, but has some excellent facilities as well.
One of the best times to visit the city is during the floral festival which takes place between September and October. This event takes place in Commonwealth Park and you will find a huge number of flowers on display for local residents as well as tourists to enjoy. There are also numerous events that take place at this festival for your whole family to experience.
Canberra has some fantastic restaurants and they serve up all types of food. If you are looking for some of the best places to eat in the city then you should head to the West Row which can be found in the Melbourne Building.
One of the greatest attractions for tourists in the city is Parliament House. This is one of Australia’s most famous buildings and is where the government sits as well as where the country’s economic power is centred. The building has a very impressive flagpole which stretches up around 80 metres, if you’re looking for the perfect photograph of your trip to Australia, then this is it.
If you want to see the city in a different way than renting a bike for a tour is a great idea. If you want to enjoy a relaxed day, and perhaps a picnic in the park, then you should head to Lake Burley Griffin. This is one of the most scenic locations in Canberra to enjoy a picnic. You can enjoy some cycling in the park but some of the best cycling opportunities are on the thousands of cycle paths all over the city.
The National Zoo and Aquarium is one of the best attractions in the city for a family to enjoy. It is centrally located and hosts the biggest collection of wild animals in Australia. There are different animals from all over the world which are sure to keep children and adults entertained. The aquarium is also a wonderful attraction and has some of the fish that you would see around the Great Barrier Reef on display.
For adults, one of the most enjoyable things to do would be to take a trip out to one of the many wineries located near the city. Not only will you be able to enjoy some spectacular wine, but you will be able to see how incredibly beautiful the countryside surrounding the city is. With so much to do in Canberra, and such beauty in the surrounding area, it really is a perfect destination for those who are coming to Australia for a holiday.
By Alan, on March 6th, 2012
 The latest figures from Statistics New Zealand have revealed that over 364,000 people arrived in the country from abroad during December 2011, the highest monthly figure ever recorded and a significant increase on previous month’s figures of 345,000.
The number of people leaving the country was slightly higher than the number arriving, meaning that New Zealand has recorded a “loss” in nine of the ten months that have passed since the disastrous Christchurch earthquake in February 2011.
Christmas is always a busy time at immigration and the difference between November and December can be explained by the 15,000 more people arriving in New Zealand to visit family and friends for the holiday; over 8,000 of this number were Kiwi citizens returning home from their current countries of residence. Arrivals for holidays were up by over 2,000 people, while 1,200 more people were coming to New Zealand for business events in December than in November.
Figures from Statistics New Zealand for the whole of 2011 show that the country welcomed 2.6 million arrivals, a small increase on 2010′s numbers. However, the country suffered its largest net loss of migrants in a 12-month period since 2001, with almost 2,000 people more leaving New Zealand than arriving there.
Australia was the main beneficiary, a net loss to New Zealand’s nearest neighbours of 36,000 people, though there was a net immigration gain from other countries around the world, including five and half thousand people from the UK, and nearly 5,000 from both India and China.
There were several factors which affected arrivals into and departures from New Zealand during 2011, ranging from negatives like the volcanic ash cloud which disrupted flights to the Rugby World Cup which led to a huge increase in tourists.
The Christchurch earthquake was both a positive and a negative as far as net immigration figures, with many people taking the opportunity to leave New Zealand, while others returned home to visit relatives affected by the disaster.
By Alan, on March 4th, 2012
 Tourists heading for Australia tend to think only in terms of the major cities when they are planning their itinerary.
While any holiday down under has to include some time in Sydney and Melbourne, there are also dozens of interesting and beautiful destinations outside of the cities, both on the coast and inland.
Rural Australia offers a real variety of places to stay too, from camp sites in the heart of the Bush to luxury hotels in coastal resorts.
Those who enjoy exploring the great outdoors have so many options when it comes to this huge, unspoilt country. Kangaroo Island, off Australia’s south coast, is popular with those who enjoy learning about a country’s natural environment, as well as its flora and fauna.
Visit the Seal Bay Conservation Park to see the huge colony of sea lions which have made their home on the island, and make sure you spend at lest one night there so you get the chance to see the penguins arriving at the coast each evening around the towns of Kingscote and Penneshaw. Foodies will also have a great time here, sampling the famous seafood dishes and local wines, as well as Kangaroo Island honey.
Back on the mainland and just south of Perth is the Margaret River, a wine-growing region that also has dozens of great surfing beaches. You can either spend your days relaxing by the sea or try your hand at surfing; there are also lots of hiking trails for those who prefer to get their exercise on dry land. Whales are commonly seen in this area and there are several companies which run whale-watching trips, an unforgettable experience.
One of the largest and most-established wine regions in Australia is the Hunter Valley, located a short drive away from Sydney. Of course, there are so many great vineyards and wineries in the area that no-one wants to be stuck behind the wheel of car. Why not spend the night in one of the welcoming guest houses in the region, or travellers on a budget can always find camp site accommodation wherever they are in Australia.
Brisbane also has its own wine region a short distance from the city’s suburbs. The Barossa Valley is not just home to some of Australia’s most famous vineyards, but also picturesque villages with historic buildings and churches, as well as artist’s communities where you can pick up a unique souvenir of your trip. Again, there are plenty of accommodation options to suit all budgets if you decide you want to spend a few days exploring the Barossa Valley, rather than cramming everything into a day trip.
Finally, visit the Gippsland region to enjoy some of Australia’s most stunning and varied scenery. From the lakes entrance in the east of the region to the stunning Wilsons Promontory in the south, there is no shortage of photo opportunities in this part of Australia.
Even the gentle rolling countryside of West Gippsland has its own charms. Highlights of the area have to be the incredible Ninety Mile Beach in the Lakes Entrance area, the beautiful snowfields on Mount Baw Baw and last, but certainly not least, the unspoilt Philip Island, with its huge penguin population.
By Alan, on February 27th, 2012
 Ben Fogle Swims with the crocs in Australias Northern Territory Sunday the 26thFebruary 2012 sees the second episode of ‘Swimming with Crocodiles’ aired on BBC2 which sees Ben Fogle heading off to Australia’s Northern Territory for some more claw and jaw crocodile adventures.
Throughout the programme, the team will be offering viewers an even greater insight into the subaquatic behaviour of these fascinating reptiles.
You too now have the chance, just like Ben Fogle, to swim with the crocs in the capital city of the Northern Territory, Darwin. The Cage of Death at the Crocosaurus Cove offers plucky travellers the opportunity to dive, within a protective perspex cage, into the depths of the giant Saltie’s lair.
Those who wish to see the crocodiles in the wild first hand should head 65km from Darwin to the Adelaide River, and take part in the Spectacular Jumping Crocodile Cruise. Visitors have the chance to see crocodiles jumping out of the water as they are fed from boats by trained experts, guaranteeing a once in a lifetime up close and personal experience with these prehistoric giants.
Or splash out and enjoy a scenic flight over Kakadu National Park for a bird’s eye view of vast escarpments – you might even catch a glimpse of the famous crocodile – shaped hotel ( Gagudju Crocodile Holiday Inn ) at Jabiru in the heart of dual World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park.
The Northern Territory is home to approximately 150,000 saltwater crocodiles and 10,000 freshwater crocodiles. There are around 25 crocodiles in every mile in the Northern Territory , living as they have done for millions of years.
Book in for a seven day unforgettable, jaw dropping adventure to Australia’s Northern Territory with Travelbag (0871 703 4240, www.travelbag.co.uk) from £1,499 per person. The package features five nights at the three star Travelodge Mirambeena Resort in Darwin followed by two nights at the three star Gagudju Crocodile Holiday Inn Resort , Kakadu National Park, plus enjoy a Kakadu & Yellow Water Wildlife Day tour.
The price also includes international flights to Darwin with Singapore Airlines from London Heathrow. Valid for bookings made by the 10th March for travel between the 1st May and the 15th June 2012.
By Alan, on February 24th, 2012
 For many years now the land down under – Australia to be specific – has been a powerful attraction to visitors looking for a totally different experience.
The wild and wooly character that used to typify the country is still very much in place, but things have changed considerably in many interesting ways.
Australia now has, for example, world class wineries that are comparable to the venerable cellars of Bordeaux or Burgundy in France or Tuscany in Italy.
The Yarra Valley is one of the best of Australia’s cool-climate wine producing regions, and it’s only about an hour’s drive from Melbourne, at the foot of the Dandenong Ranges. This is the perfect weekend getaway; it provides a lovely and relaxing contrast to busy, overheated beaches and urban bustle. The valley, the vineyards and the misty mountains offer an adventure that is ‘cool’ in every sense of the word.
Many of the wineries have fine restaurants where you can have a suburban meal to go with your Pinot Noir, some are tiny family-run operations, but everywhere the wine is outstanding and the countryside is equally delightful. The Valley and the slopes of the Dandenongs offer some great opportunities for hiking and cycling, and there’s a wealth of terrific picnic spots amongst flowering gardens of rhododendron and other, more exotic, flora.
To note just a handful of special attractions, you’ll want to take a tour on Puffing Billy, the hundred-year-old steam train still running on the original mountain track, with stops at Sherbrooke Forest and Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary. You’re likely to spot all sorts of native Australian wildlife including kangaroos, kookaburras and cockatoos, maybe even a lyrebird. On top of that you get a spit-roast lunch and plentiful wine-tasting opportunities.
The Yarra Valley can also be enjoyed from a birds-eye perspective, and floating with the wind in a hot air balloon is always a memorable experience. Advocates say that watching a sunrise from this viewpoint is beyond description, but you can judge for yourself, and have a champagne brunch when you return to earth. Most hotels in Melbourne can book a flight for you, as well as providing transport if needed.
By admin, on February 23rd, 2012
 Going on holiday, regardless of the location, is bound to put a smile on many people’s faces but according to a new survey, Britons are the most happiest when they have escaped to Australia.
Findings by Skyscanner, a travel search site, reveal that Brits who travelled to the Land of Oz for a holiday were more content than in any other country.
The study, which was published in January 2012, asked holidaymakers to rate how happy they were on their last trip abroad and it showed that Down Under came out on top.
UK tourists on holiday in Australia ranked the country 9.7 out of 10 for happiness whereas Greece placed the worse with a score of just 6.2.
The top 10 happiest holiday destinations for British tourists with a score out of 10 were;
1. Australia (9.7)
2. Italy (9.2)
3. In joint place; Canada, Hungary, Malta and Thailand (9)
4. USA (8.9)
5. Spain (8.8)
6. In joint place; UK & Ireland, and Egypt (8.7)
So could this mean that if more Brits enjoy the life Down Under that more will relocate and hire international removals to move there?
Australia may be the top destination by Britons for a break abroad but its neighbouring country New Zealand is also a sure-fire contender.
Note that going on holiday somewhere is a lot different to moving there permanently though, especially depending on what time of the year it is but one can get a taste of the culture and local lifestyle by experiencing it for a certain number of weeks. Before making the big decision and moving to Australia or New Zealand, take a long holiday for a month or so to ensure that you are satisfied with its climate and way of life.
It can be quite costly to hire shipping to New Zealand and Australia services, as well as sell your house in the UK, so it cannot be a choice that is made lightly.
By Alan, on February 21st, 2012
 If you have come for a holiday in Brisbane then there are plenty of activities to keep your family entertained. Most of these are easily reachable from most of the apartments and hotels in the city.
There are many ways to get around and one of the most popular is to hire a car as this gives you a lot of flexibility to explore the city at your own pace. There are also guided buses that work on a hop on hop off basis and also offer a good amount of flexibility when exploring the city.
If you head up north you will find the Sunshine Coast which has a great range of things to do. Golf is a very popular activity here but it is just one of the many activities in the region. Adventure activities such as abseiling and paragliding are also possible and so are more sedate activities such as fishing or boating. It is also possible to try your hand at four-wheel driving which can be a fantastic and exciting experience.
The Gold Coast is regarded as a paradise for surfers so if you are interested in the sport then this is a fantastic place to go. There are also numerous great cafes and restaurants in the area which are worth exploring. If you fancy packing your own food then enjoying a picnic then Lamington National Park this is a fantastic option.
The Gold Coast is also the location where you will find some of the best theme parks including Dreamworld, Movie World and Wet ‘n’ Wild. If you are a lover of theme parks then you can buy a ticket which includes all three for a reduced price.
At Australia’s most eastern point you will find Byron Bay. This is a great place to come and stay and you will find it a wonderful place to just slow down and enjoy a more peaceful pace of life. It can be easy to stay here for several days and just enjoy the beach, cafes and the exciting nightlife. There are also plenty of spas in the area and also water-based activities for visitors to enjoy.
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