It’s a dream for many travellers to travel Australia. With ancient landscapes, pristine national parks, lively cities, charming beach towns and dozens of spectacular wine regions, there is so much to love about visiting the land “down under.”
Whether you’re all about enjoyed the greater outdoors or indulging in world class restaurants and cultural experiences, you won’t forget your first visit to this beautiful country.
The long travel time for most international travellers means you’ll want to spend at least two weeks here, but three or four weeks would be even better. It’s important to remember that it’s a big country, and to factor in travel times. To really cover some ground, plan to fly rather than drive or train (our train system is nowhere near as useful for travellers as those in Europe or the US).
From coast to coast, there are countless destinations to choose from. Whether you’re looking to beach-hop down the east coast, stopping at major cities like Brisbane, Sydney & Melbourne on the way, or you’re looking to experience charming country towns or the Red Centre, the hardest part will be narrowing down your itinerary!
Most Australians grow up pretty spoilt when it comes to beaches. I loved every minute of travelling through beach towns in France, Italy & Greece and always tried to appreciate each destination for what it was, not for what I might have wanted it to be. However, every time we’d be wincing as we hobbled across pebbly beaches in Nice or squeezed into our own … Continue reading Appreciating Aussie beaches in Mooloolaba
Everybody knows everybody, the local businesses support each other and community ties are strong. Known for attracting quirky and creative residents, the villages that surround the main road weaving around the mountain have a decidely ethereal air. On one mountain you can find the oldest national park in Queensland and the third-oldest in the entire world, four wineries, a brewery, a distillery and a fromagerie … Continue reading Where to eat & drink on Mt Tamborine, Gold Coast
It seems ridiculous, but up until Sunday I had a (slightly) irrational fear of whales. Despite this, Sunday was the most amazing wildlife encounter of my life, and I’m still buzzing! On a full day tour with Brisbane Whale Watching, I lost count of the number of beautiful humpback whales that I saw, only metres from our eco-friendly, luxury vessel. It was honestly the most exciting yet relaxing … Continue reading Brisbane Whale Watching in Moreton Bay
When I was studying overseas I was often asked whether I had kangaroos in my backyard. I live in a major city, so sadly I don’t. If I lived in the Bunya Mountains, in Southern Queensland Country, I could have fulfilled my foreign friend’s cliched imaginings of what it is like to be Australian. Well, almost. They still would not have helped me with my homework … Continue reading Postcards: Posing with Wallabies in the Bunya Mountains
In every town I visit, markets are always a must-do, and my hometown is no different. My favourite farmers’ market in Brisbane is the Davies Park Farmers Market in West End. We do our weekly fruit & veg shopping here, so we arrive around 6:30 to beat the crowds which come from 8:00-10:00am. Before it’s busy, it’s easy to dart around to the usual stalls and … Continue reading Davies Park Farmers Markets in West End, Brisbane
Brunch is my favourite meal because it combines the frivolity of a fancy breakfast (no room for sensible-shoes sandwiches) with the generous servings of a hearty lunch. Essentially, larger doses of delicious-but-not-neccessarily nutritious food enjoyed in no particular hurry at all. In an ideal world, every day would begin with a leisurely brunch. I can’t be sure, but I have a suspicion that one of … Continue reading Brunch in Melbourne: Two birds, One stone
Buzzing with events, fine food, diverse nightlife and culture, Brisbane is a sleepy little town no longer. Brisbanites have caught on, but it has taken the citizens of Sydney & Melbourne a little longer. As Brisbane continues to bloom, it seems that the rest of the country – and the world – are finally getting the message. I was at a dinner a few weeks … Continue reading Brisbane takes off
It’s a feeling that has been growing, slowly but surely over the past few months. My job has let me discover the best of the Queensland, the state I lived in for my entire life yet have often failed to notice. Admittedly, my discoveries occur in an office in the city, using the Internet, email and telephone calls to connect with other places and hear … Continue reading 11 Queensland Trip Ideas
A recent weekend getaway was the perfect introduction to the sophisticated city of Melbourne. In a few short days I fell in love with the southern city which was bursting at the seams with boutiques, laneway cafes, and opportunities to appreciate the arts. The importance of art and culture is reflected in the myriad of boutiques where friendly shop girls know the name about the … Continue reading Free in Melbourne: Ballet in the Bowl
Mainland Sydney can be overwhelming. Luckily, Sydney is a city of a thousand faces. After spending an hour and a half battling with dysfunctional and expensive public transport we reached Circular Quay and crammed onto the Manly Ferry with the tourist hordes. Manly is on Sydney’s north shore and is a half hour ferry trip from Circular Quay, or a twenty minute trip on the … Continue reading Seaside Sydney: Shelly Beach, Manly