Archive for the Category »Queensland Holidays «

Cairns – A Premier Tourist Destination Of Australia
Serving as an international gateway to the Tropical North Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns is renowned for having some of the most beautiful beaches in Queensland. This tiny city is a great attraction for tourists in Australia due to its relatively inexpensive atmosphere and the huge attention focused on popularizing the tourism industry. The city features a multitude of accommodation option aiming at the different categories of travelers arriving at this city year after year. The hotels in Cairns serve the purpose of different vacationers including budget travelers and backpackers. For families and couples wishing for a lavish stay, there are luxury hotels and resorts for a homely and comfortable lodging facility.

Cairns features a tropical climate and alluring natural beauty, which appeals to a large extent to the tourists visiting this place. Some of the interesting places, which make this city so popular, include the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree National Park, Cape Tribulation, Rainforestation Nature Park, and the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park. This city is also the best place to enjoy wildlife and adventure. A great variety of birds, mammals, reptiles, etc, can be seen in the forests of cairns. Besides, the adventure lovers can also find this place fascinating enough to enjoy to the fullest. Swimming, diving, snorkeling, skydiving, ballooning, sailing, whitewater rafting, scuba diving and kayaking are some of the various options for adventure sports here.

The Esplanade area in Cairns is a place where most of the bars and restaurants are located. This is the place, where you will get to taste red meat and beer, seafood and so on. The eating joint at this place opens at 11 am and lasts till late in the night. There are different small cafes and milk bars for the local people spread throughout the city. As far as nightlife in cairns is concerned, there are a lot many options. In addition to your visit to the bars, pubs and clubs, you can even make a visit to the night markets in Cairns that operate every night of the week till late. These markets with their different collection of stalls specially cater to the tourists.

With the upsurge in tourism and tourists in the city, there has been a relative increase in the lodging facilities available here. The large numbers of hotels in Cairns are spread across different parts of the city. Most of the hotelsin Cairns are stretched across the City Center, Esplanade, Holloways Beach, Kewarra Beach, Palm Cove, Suburban and Trinity Beach. Besides these, there are many other places where you can find some of your favorite hotels in the city.

Some of the world-known chains of hotel have braches in Cairns. Hilton and Sofitel are counted amongst the five-star luxury hotels here offering deluxe accommodations. Holiday Inn is a four-star lodging option, whereas Best Western and Mercure are three- star properties.

By: Alexs Albert

About the Author:
Log on to http://www.asiarooms.com for all other details on Cairns Hotels and to get a complete guide on Cairns as a destination. So, don’t waste time! Reserve your hotel now and get the best hotel deal with Asiarooms.



Category: Queensland Holidays  
Gold Coast Theme Parks – Information, Tickets & Passes
The Gold Coast in Queensland is Australia’s home to theme parks and family entertainment venues. These Gold Coast Theme Parks all adopt their own concepts and provide days of entertainment popular and safe surrounds. Below you will find a brief description of each of the five major theme parks on the Gold Coast.

Movie World

Warner Brothers Movie World gives everyone the opportunity to be a star and experience the magic and excitement of being in the Movies. There are daring rides such as the Superman Escape rollercoaster where those that dare travel 100km per hour in just two seconds! And when you thought Warner Bros. Movie World them park on the Gold Coast  couldn’t offer you any more action – out of the darkness comes an unprecedented thrill ride experience ‘Batwing Spaceshot’ – Get ready for a rapid 4G vertical launch followed by a drop into a breathtaking negative descent – beyond freefall!

Don’t forget all the fun of Looney Tunes Village, and be sure to take adventure to the next dimension with DreamWorks® Shrek 4D Adventure”! – the attraction that puts you in the action with hair-raising, eye-popping, and butt-busting effects so real all your senses will be on ogre-time. Warner Bros. Movie World is an exciting adventure just waiting for you! Address: Pacific Highway, Oxenford (Exit is clearly signed).

Location: 20 minutes north of Surfers Paradise, 45 Minutes south of Brisbane.

Opening Hours: 10am – 5.00pm all year round. Closed Christmas Day, 25 December. Restricted trading hours apply on ANZAC Day, Australia’s National Day of Remembrance on 25 April, with the park opening at 1:30pm.

Sea World

Sea World is undoubtedly one of the long term favourite Gold Coast theme parks and leads you on a journey to discover amazing marine life including dolphins, seals, sharks and polar bears. Enjoy a visit to the Sea World’s Shark Bay, the world’s largest man-made lagoon system, where you come face-to-face with the most feared species of sharks in the world! Visit Polar Bear Shores, watch the 1960′s themed ‘Waterski Wipeout’ show, visit Cartoon Network Cartoon Beach, enjoy the rides and attractions at Sesame Street Beach, where you can watch Bert & Ernie’s live stage show, featuring a full cast of characters singing and dancing up a storm. It’s all happening at Sea World theme Park on the Queensland Gold Coast and a must visit for all the family.

Location: Seaworld Drive, Main Beach. 3 kilometres north of Surfers Paradise

Opening Hours: 10am – 5.00pm all year round. Closed Christmas Day, 25 December. Restricted trading hours apply on ANZAC Day, Australia’s National Day of Remembrance on 25 April, with the park opening at 1:30pm. 

Wet’n'Wild Water World

Australia’s premier water theme park is Wet’n'Wild Water World on the Queensland Gold Coast. Enjoy the fun of be spun out by Whirlpool that sends guests whirling amidst swirling rapids. Dare to experience the  world’s first wet roller coaster as you plunge 30 metres through wild water sprays while spinning on a giant surfboard! Then, take on Australia’s biggest water attraction – Mammoth Falls. Then lay back at Giant Wave Pool or relax at Calypso Beach. Children (under 10 years of age) can also enjoy your visit to Wet’n'Wild World with a paddle or swim in Buccaneer Bay – a playground full of fun and fantasy. The park is patrolled by fully qualified lifeguards and all slides and pools are heated during the cooler months. Dive-in Movies are screened every Saturday night from November to January and every night during December to January school holidays.

Location: Pacific Highway, Oxenford (Exit is clearly signed). 20 minutes north of Surfers Paradise, 45 Minutes south of Brisbane.

Opening Hours: The park opens at 10.00am every day, closing times vary throughout the year – as follows:

27 December – 25 January: 9.00pm

26 January – 30 April: 5.00pm*

01 May – 31 August: 4.00pm

01 September – 26 December: 5.00pm*

Closed Christmas Day, 25 December. Restricted trading hours apply on ANZAC Day, Australia’s National Day of Remembrance on 25 April, with the park opening at 1:30pm.

Whitewater World

WhiteWater World is another popular Gold Coast Theme Park and is operated by Dream world. More than just another water park, White Water World is the most advanced water ride park on earth. They offer a number of  family friendly attractions through to the more extreme and daring waterslides for the brave.

WhiteWater World offers four of the “world’s best” water slides plus family fun and entertainment at the Nickelodeon’s Pipeline Plunge and the aptly name toddler playground, Wiggle Bay. White Water World is all about the Australian surf, sand and sea, and of course a BIG FUN factor!

Location: Adjacent to Dream world on the Pacific Highway, Oxenford. 25 minutes north of Surfers Paradise and 40 minutes south of Brisbane.

Opening Hours: 10.00am to 5.00pm daily (10.30am-4.30pm in Winter), every day of the year, except Christmas Day and Anzac morning (25 April). Extended trading hours during peak holiday seasons.  

Dreamworld

Dreamworld on the Queensland Gold Coast is home to 13 different themed entertainment worlds and even after 25years of operating remains Australia’s favourite theme park. The Gold Coasts Dreamworld them park is located at Coomera adjacent the Pacific Motorway (M1) that links Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Drive time from the Brisbane CBD is approximately 45 minutes and it’s a drive of approximately 20 minutes from the central Gold Coast.

Dreamworld covers a total 30 hectares full of rides, shows and attractions. The 13 different themed worlds at Dreamworld include wild  Tiger Island where magnificent tigers interact with dedicated tiger handlers. There’s also an entertaining Riverboat Cruise, Gold Rush Country, koala and kangaroo sanctuary, water slides and rides like Wipeout, Thunderbolt and the Tower of Terror – the world’s tallest and fastest thrill ride with speeds of up to 160 km per hour. Book your tickets to Dreamworld below and avoid the queues when you arrive.

Location: Pacific Highway, Oxenford (Exit is clearly signed). 25 minutes north of Surfers Paradise, 40 Minutes south of Brisbane.

Opening Hours: 10am – 5.00pm all year round. Closed Christmas Day, 25 December. Extended trading hours during peak holiday seasons.

Click Here to Book your Gold Coast Theme Parks tickets online

By: Jamie H

About the Author:
Jamie Horne is the webmaster of several Victoria, Australia websites including Gold Coast Accommodation



Category: Queensland Holidays  
Explore Backwater Tourism in Kerala
Sandwiched between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats, Kerala is one of the most famous tourist places in India. It is place with lots of tourism options. This beautiful state is gifted with amazing natural beauty, exotic flora and fauna, breathtaking backwaters, emerald paddy fields etc making this place a perfect holiday destination. Nature lovers, holiday makers and honeymooner from all over the country come here to enjoy their holidays in the profound environment of Kerala. Its name has also been listed in the world book of top ten must visit tourist places of this world. So come once and explore that picture perfect state of India and its breathtaking backwater destinations.

There are lots of tourism options for visitors to enjoy their time being in the picture perfect state. But the leading attraction of this coconut tree is the breathtaking backwaters. The easy going sparkling backwater destinations are the heartbeat of Kerala tourism. The unique charms of the backwater not only mesmerize visitors but also leave them spell bound. Once the Kettuvallam (traditional houseboat of Kerala) starts floating over the placid water, door of magical natural slowly starts opening. Visitors mostly enjoy their holidays staying on the houseboat, enjoying the natural beauty from the houseboat.

There are many fabulous backwater destinations in this land of Coconut. Alleppey, Cochin, Kuttanad, Kumarakom etc are names to few. Among all the most fascinating and picturesque one is Kumarakom. Dotted with swaying palm trees, exotic holiday resort and rich flora and fauna, Kumarakom is the finest backwater in Kerala. Visitors can catch the glimpse of rural life of Kerala, exotic natural beauty that is untouched by the modernity of the world. Its beauty and charm is still the same till date as it used to be many years before. The charm of backwaters here can be best explored with a well-organized Kumarakom houseboat cruise. Most of the houseboat here are equipped with all the modern amenities and provide excellent accommodation like luxurious hotels.

Alleppey also fascinates tourists with its picturesque backwater. The backwater destination with greenery, blossoming lily flower, exotic resort gives a refreshing view of the surrounding to visitors. As the traditional houseboat starts floating over the placid water, door of natural beauty slowly starts opening. Visitors can enjoy the panoramic view of the exotic surrounding from the Alleppey houseboat. You will also find ducks giving you the company throughout your journey making you much familiar with the surrounding. The best part of the backwater of Alleppey is that visitors can collect unlimited memories to cherish throughout their lifetime. Visitors can also catch the beautiful early morning sunrise from the houseboat. Watching views of sunrise and sunset from deck of houseboat is simply a cheerful experience.

Cochin is also a popular backwater destination which provides tourists opportunity to explore some of historic monuments as well as backwater & beach tourism. Churches, temples, forts, palaces, Chinese fishing nets, colonial houses, etc are worth visiting attractions of Cochin tours. Watching a sunset views form Chinese fishing nets is very popular activity among couples. Other popular destinations for backwater tourism are Kollam, Kozhikode, Thiruvallam, etc.

By: Joseph Moore

About the Author:
Joseph Moore is an eminent analyst and writer in Travel & Tourism related topics. He has authored many books on tour guide for Kerala Backwater Tours and Houseboats in Kerala. Find more package at http://www.keralahouseboat.org/



Category: Queensland Holidays  
What to Do in Brisbane, Australia
If you live in or around Brisbane in Queensland, or if you are planning to visit this area, you should check out some of the scheduled events that take place in this part of Australia throughout the year. These events are exciting for just about everyone and are family friendly.

Redcliffe Kitefest

This is not just an ordinary kite fest, but an extraordinary event that features spectacular kites from all over Australia. Not only can you see professional kite flyers flying hundreds of large kites but you can enjoy crafts, wine tasting, amusement rides, food vendors and more. This is an annual event that draws about 20,000 each year and is held the third weekend in May of each year at Hornibrook Esplanade.

Brookwater Market Event

From late August until March of each year, you can enjoy some of the finest treats that Australia has to offer when you visit the Brookwater Market every weekend at Tournament Drive right in Brookwater. This market is open to the public and sells everything from fresh produce and bread, to gourmet foods. It is well worth the trip to get the best of the best when it comes to home grown Queensland foods.

Brazilian Latin Cultural Event

If you want to see some of the most exciting entertainment that Brisbane has to offer, you can do so and enjoy a good meal while you are at it at the Brazilian Latin Cultural Event. This event takes place the last Saturday of July and is held right in the heart of Brisbane at Brazilian Touch.

Festival of Sails

The second Saturday in April features the Festival of Sails that takes place at Marine Parade in Redcliffe, Brisbane. Suttons Beach is the best way to see the action of the Gladstone Yacht Race that features 70 vessels. This is a free event and also features craft stalls, entertainment and food stalls as well. It is all you can want I a fun summer festival.

Performing Arts Exhibit

The first weekend in April is home to the Performing Arts Exhibit and entertainment that takes place on Russell Street featuring classical music, ballet as well as performances from budding talent in Brisbane. If you are looking for culture when you visit Queensland, you can find it at the Performing Arts Exhibit.

Youth Symphony

See the best that Queensland has to offer when you visit the Grey Street Cultural Center in Brisbane to see the Youth Symphony perform. This is a free event that is open to the public and is a great chance for you to hear young and talented artists at work. Also featured at this event are dances, also performed by youth dancers. This annual event pays homage to the youth classical musical talent in Queensland and is a must see for anyone who appreciates classical music and dance.

Art galleries, museums, entertainment and theater is all part of the Brisbane experience. You will never be at a loss for something to do when you visit this part of Queensland.

By: Joe Deacon

About the Author:
Joe Deacon loves to travel and Brisbane, Australia events are some of his favorite must-see happenings. Go to Eventsetter.com and see a schedule of Brisbane events running at the time of your visit.



Category: Queensland Holidays  
Top Australian Winter Sun Holiday Destinations
Top 5 Australian Winter Sun Holiday Destinations

Over the past few years, travelling has gotten more and more advanced. You book your flights online. You choose your destinations from the thousands available. More and more people are now looking for unusual destinations because travelling to far off places isn’t the hard part anymore. Also, many tourists like to travel to places which aren’t the usual travelling destinations. On an average Europe, Americas, Caribbean and Mediterranean are the tourist hotspots, but now tourists love to venture to far off destinations.

Australia is one such destination that if you are a tourist looking for the perfect holiday destination, then Australia is the perfect country for you. Just bear in mind that if you’re headed to Melbourne, Sydney or Perth, it’ll be winters. If you think that Australia has much less to offer than the other continents, you need to go there and look at it yourself. Queenland’s Gold Coast will spoil you completely.

The Gold Coast boasts beaches with five star hotels, beach side apartments, miles and miles of the greenest golf courses. With temperatures ranging from 9-21 degrees, even the mildly cold weather won’t be able to keep you inside for long. Popularly known as Australia’s favourite playground, the Gold Coast would be far from a disappointment.

Darwin, perched on a peninsula, is another spectacular destination. It’s the capital of the Northern Territory. If you’re in mood for some adventures, then book your flight right now. Darwin has a large harbour, twice the size of Sydney. Crocodiles, snakes and the trademark red earth are all there in surroundings of Australia. This would be your time to check out the iconic natural wonders of the great country.

If you are a history buff, then you can check out Darwin’s World War II history at the preserved sites including the ammunition bunkers, oil tunnels and air strips.

Cairns is a winter sun playground in the far north of Queensland. Full of different tours, activities and attractions, Cairns is one place you’ll never get bored of. Just like the typical north Queensland, Cairns has a balmy temperature and low rainfall. Your tour to Cairns will not be complete without a tour to the Great Barrier Reef or the Daintree Rainforest.

The Whitney Islands are a group of 74 lush green islands. The temperature hovers between 17 -26 degrees even in winters. The 10 deluxe resorts on eight of its islands, Whitney Islands will not let the tourists get bored. You can spend your day doing water sports or scuba diving, or better yet, go for a hike in Whitney’s deep and lush forests.

The climate of Broome does not feature summer or winter. It’s simple there, either wet season or the dry season. While in Broome, don’t forget to explore the amazing Kimberly Region, Mitchell Falls, and the Bungle Bungles, which are just some of the highlights of the great Western Australia. If you’re in Broome, a must-see sight is the Staircase to the Moon. On a cloudless night, you can see the reflection of the moon in the mud flats which makes it look like a stairway.

By: David R Hughes

About the Author:



Category: Queensland Holidays