Australian Accommodation

Being a Tourism writer most of time is spent on planes and in chauffeur driven cars, or even taxis. Unfortunately for me one of my greatest passions in life is driving. So my dream holiday has always been to drive around Australia, considering the size of the country that is quite a big dream to have. So I decided to follow my dream and to keep a record of it as a guide to any tourist’s domestic or international that would like to try the same thing.

As I said I’ve always wanted to take a long holiday in a beautiful place with lovely weather and long seemingly endless roads where I would be able to drive to my heart’s content. This year I’d decided to finally take the long awaited holiday around Australia and I’m glad I did.
Being an Australian there is a certain amount of patriotism involved in this venture. But it is such a massive and beautiful country that the only way to really appreciate it is to drive across the whole damn thing.

To start things off I organised my car, car hire in Australia is a pretty straight forward process and it wasn’t long before I was all paid up and ready to start the great journey. Driving in on your Australian holiday isn’t that big an issue if you are from the UK or New Zealand as the cars drive on the same side of the road. But for visitors from other parts of the world it can be quite a challenge, but take your time and don’t rush and you can have a great driving holiday around Australia.

My holiday in Australia started out from the gold coast in Queensland where I was staying and decided to move towards the northern territory. This region is a striking study in contrasts. I drove through the lush rainforests of Kakadu and Katherine to the arid red desert of the Red Centre in Alice Springs. I also went to the great rock, Uluru. The land is full of surprises. One minute you’re in a rain forest and the next you’ve crossed into an arid plain. Amazing! I’d never imagined that my Holiday in Australia could be so interesting.

From the Northern Territory I moved south wards to the Southern part of Australia where the wineries are located. I had a fabulous time and really enjoyed this part of my holiday in Australia. I visited a couple of the famous wineries and enjoyed driving through the vineyards.

I was sorry when my two weeks of holiday time in Australia came to an end and I had to come back. I would have loved to extend my holiday in Australia but then work is work.

I’d love to go back. I’m already making plans to take another holiday in Australia and this time I’m going to explore the other regions and the National capital territory.

I had a great time and I’m sure that any one who goes will have a fabulous holiday in Australia.

By: Sam Philp

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The centre of Australia is dominated by millions of square kilometres of sunbaked red earth, punctuated irregularly by geological features that vary in their degree of spectacle from interesting to completely mind blowing. Modern tourists seem to be on a quest for seclusion- as the world gets smaller and smaller we are running out of places to escape the ‘madding crowd’, so we are broadening the scope of destinations we visit. As a result deserts are seeing a surge in the number of annual visitors, as no where else can really offer the isolation and the wide open spaces of a desert. Various spots in the Australian Red centre have benefited from this shift in trends, and one such spot is the Watarrka National Park in the Northern Territory, home to the majestic Kings Canyon.

When in the Alice Springs region a campervan tour to Kings Canyon is a novel way to get out on the road and see some amazing scenery. 350 kilometres south west of Alice, Watarrka National Park lies on the Western Side of the George Gill Ranges, and is characterised by high sided gorges and mountainous rocky landscapes, all showing the same red hue that is seen across most of the outback. As an important conservation area the Park is home to over 600 species of flora and fauna, many of them very rare, and all of them adapted to the desert environment in weird and wonderful ways – think jumping snakes, bearded dragons and thorny lizards!

The main feature of the Park is Kings canyon. At its deepest point it reaches some 270 metres in depth, and its high walls provide protection for the forests of palms and cycads that flourish on its walls and floor. The area has a rich and interesting Aboriginal history, and has been home to the Luritja people for more than 20 000 years. Westerners are relative newcomers to its charms, with the first white man to discover it being Ernest Giles in 1872. Today it is one of the most visited areas in the Northern Territory, and caters towards thousands of visitors a month. There is a visitors centre about 20 kilometres away from the gorge, and although this isnt always manned it provides a good introduction to the history, culture and attractions of the region.

The best way to see Kings Canyon is to take one of the walking trails into the canyon, past the best viewing points and normally away from the crowds. A short and easy walk leads into the centre of Kings Canyon, and is suitable for kids or anyone with mobility difficulties. Theres is a longer one (6 kilometres), which takes about three hours to complete and goes along the canyon rim. From various points on this one you can see such attractions as The ‘Lost City’, which is a series of beehive like rock formations that look like an ancient ruins. Another is the Garden of Eden, a deliciously cool valley with serene waterholes surrounded by lush vegetation.

The Kings Canyon has a little sister too, it lies nearby and is known as Kathleen Gorge. This gorge has a spring fed waterhole at its head known as Kathleen Springs, which are popular amongst bushwalkers looking to cool off after a hot day in the sun. There are a number of bushwalks here that are suitable for children, and there is even one that joins up with Kings Canyon. This should only be attempted by the very fit, and rangers must be notified about your walk before you set out. Many people choose to overnight on this walk, as it is a long distance to cover in a single day.

Being such an isolated spot, accommodation out here is fairly limited. Kings Creek Station is a camel and cattle ranch that has a large and shady campsite where you can park up your motorhome with the other campers. There are also safari like lodgings for travellers who arent into the camping thing! A restaurant and a swimming pool complete the creature comforts, and dont visit here without trying one of their infamous camel burgers!

Your journey to Kings Canyon can go through a number of places. You can include the East Macdonnell Ranges in it, then return to Alice via Uluru (Ayers Rock) and the West Macdonnell Ranges. Research is required here, and you will need to adjust your trip and where you go according to how long you have on your holiday. However long you take and whichever places you visit this holiday is likely to instill a deep affectation for desert environments in you, and be warned it is hard to get rid of. So I guess we’ll be seeing you again next year!

By: Gavin Wyatt

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While planning any holiday and vacation, the main consideration for anyone would be to find a suitable hotel that should be comfortable and it shouldn’t be very expensive at the same time. Often, the customers are keen on saving money on lodging. This is also true and valid in its own way. It looks pretty absurd to shell out a lion’s share of your budget to pay off for a place that would only be used for 8 to 10 hours of the day.

Generally, you state your requirements to your local travel agent and he fixes the deal accordingly. But hotel reservation can also be sought from the World Wide Web and you can have a more detailed choice in selecting the suitable cheap hotel out of numerous, that are available in your desired destination. For this purpose, there are various travel comparison shopping portals that can assist you with your choice. And it is also advisable to reserve your hotel rooms along with a specific travel package as it really cuts down the cost of the reservation that you might have to pay, without the travel package.

The online hotels bookings could also fetch you with a good discount which comes as a privilege to all the netizens. However, there are certain points that one must take into consideration while booking his reservations. There are many phoney travel websites that may not provide you with all the travel facilities as stated. You should also be clear regarding the disadvantages of taking the hotel in the suburbs of the particular destination as you might need to pay a heavy commuting fee for sightseeing. So, the distance of the hotel/resort from the heart of the city should be clearly taken into consideration while you book your stay in a particular hotel.

So, you must be precarious and fully aware about the pros and cons of the cheap hotels that are selected from the World Wide Web. And then you can fully enjoy the benefits of cheap hotels.

By: Adam Jaylin

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From Kakadu National Park to Darwin extends an area known as the ‘top end’ of Australia. It is where warm weather, stunning contrasting outback terrain and delicate vegetation and unique fauna merge, to provide an eco-system vacant of modern society, making it another of the great places to stay in Australia.

Water-lilies drift on billabongs, flocks of magpie geese and cockatoos hang suspended in thermal currents, with caves and rock faces embellished in ancient aboriginal art becoming artefacts from an age passed.

Kakadu – owned by the Aboriginal people – covers approximately 20,000 square kilometres of some of Australia’s most untamed and alluring wilderness. Scattered with rainforest alcoves, forest swamps and dwarf scrubland, Kakadu is home to some of Australia’s most exclusive and rare animal species. However, caution must be taken when exploring this magnificent expanse because the crocodiles that also live here are occasionally prone to chewing on the odd foolish tourist who doesn’t follow their tour guide’s safety instructions!

Ignorant Tourists beware!

Climate ranges from about 19 degrees celsius in July (dry-season) and up to a maximum of about 30 degrees, with a minimum of 25 degrees in January (wet-season) and up to 32 degrees maximum.

Two of the easiest-to-get-to rock-art sites are Ubirr and Nourlangie Rock, with many of the paintings being over 60,000 years old. Luxury travel in the top end is via 4WD with some of the most stunning sites to be seen by pre-arranged and guided safari tours.

Several of the more well known ones are:

Guliyambi East Alligator River Cruises – which show the stark contrast of the landscape and denotes the scenic river setting Magela Cultural and Heritage Tour – which journeys across isolated and restricted areas and allows you to experience aboriginal culture at its rawest Dreamtime Safaris – Stay with the Tablon tribe as they demonstrate their way of life in an exclusive luxury camp setting which provides alternative accommodation

Should you be a collector of rare Aboriginal art, then several art galleries that you can not afford to miss while in Darwin are Aboriginal Fine Arts, Cultural Images, Ampiji, and Indigenous Creations, while Kakadu has The Marrwuddi Gallery and Warradjan Cultural Centre.

Luxury accommodation in the top end includes a tree-top wilderness retreat in the tropical rainforests on the shore of Seven Spirit Bay and the beachside resort of Skycity in Darwin.

Simply Lush (www.simplylush.com) can direct you to either of these spots, and others still, with the click of a button.

By: James Lush

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Tasmania is an island off the South Eastern coast of Australia, separated from the main land by the Bass Strait. Tasmania is the name of the island as well as being one of the seven Australian states. Sometimes referred to as the Natural State, or the Island of Inspiration, almost 40 percent of Tasmania’s land is preserved as a World Heritage Listed area. This temperate island paradise boasts 20 national parks, and the mild sunny climate makes this a prosperous region for making fine foods and wine.

The capitol of Tasmania is Australia’s second oldest city, Hobart. With the River Derwent running through it and Mount Wellington just behind, Hobart does not lack charm and beauty. Many of the historic colonial houses and buildings in Hobart have been preserved, and are now used as restaurants, art studios, cafes and boutique hotels.

Some of the most popular attractions in Hobart include:

• Bonorong Wildlife Center offers visitors the chance to interact with native animals, including koalas, Tasmanian devils, kangaroos, emus and wombats. Open year round, except for national holidays. Tours run twice daily.

• Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens are located near the city center and are home to historic plant collections and a large number of significant trees, some dating back to the nineteenth century. Open year round except for Christmas day and Good Friday. Admission is free!

• Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery is a great place to find out about Tasmania’s history, including its Aboriginal heritage. Also features traveling art exhibits. Open year round. Admission is free!

• Salamanca Place is Hobart’s entertainment hotspot, offering a wide variety of shopping, restaurants, galleries, pubs and nightlife. It is home to the famous Salamanca Market, which is open every Saturday.

• Kayak tours are one of the best, and perhaps most interesting way to see Hobart. Dozens of tour companies offer these tours year round. Most are about 2 hours long.

• Walking tours can be a fun way to see this scenic city. There are many different tour options available, one to suit just about everyone, including historic tours, coastal walks, treasure hunts and ghost tours.

Mount Wellington stands right behind the city of Hobart. When it is not covered in snow, there are many walking trails to explore its heavily forested slopes. Near the top is an enclosed look out which provides spectacular views of the city below.

Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs are located approximately 80 miles south of Hobart. The richly decorated cave is one of the few caves in Australia formed by dolomite. It began forming over 40 million years ago. Admission to the Cave Tour also includes use of the thermal spring pools, changing rooms, hot showers and barbeques for the day. Open year round.

Port Arthur Historic Site is the best preserved convict settlement in Australia. Every feature of this historic site has a story to tell. Besides the historic buildings, Port Arthur also features magnificent gardens, guided tours and a restaurant and café. It is open every day of the year, except Christmas.

The Cradle Mountain – Lake St. Claire National Park is one of the most popular and beautiful natural areas in Tasmania. The park contains a network of walking trails and paths, many of them leading to lookout points with breathtaking views below. There are many picnic areas complete with barbeques throughout the park.

Vineyards and Wineries. Tasmania has over 60 vineyards and wineries, spanning over seven wine regions, mainly on the east side of the state. The wines produced in Tasmania include Chardonnay, Merlot, Riesling and Pinot Noir, just to name a few. Many of the wineries offer tours and free wine tastings.

Look for our series of articles on the six other states of Australia including Victoria, New South Wales, Northern Territory, South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland.

Contact a Professional Travel Agent today to book your dream vacation to Australia!

By: Trisha Garbrick

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