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Australia, Travel Tips

Australia’s East Coast Highlights

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Australia’s East Coast Highlights

Words: Len Rutledge Images: Phensri Rutledge

Australia continues to attract many visitors because of its animals, lifestyle and sunshine but just about all are surprised at its size. Australia is larger than Europe so don’t expect to be able to see the whole country in one visit unless you are planning on a three month vacation or a two year working holiday. The East Coast is the most populated area so this is not a bad place to start. From Melbourne in the south to Cairns in the north is around 3000 kilometres but there are several great places to visit in between.

Melbourne

We start in the World’s Most Liveable City and quickly see why it has scored this award for several years. Melbourne is Australia’s sporting, coffee, restaurant and arts capital. Depending on your interest you can attend the Australian Tennis Open, the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, the AFL Football Final Series, the Melbourne Cup Horse Racing Carnival and international cricket tests. A recent study found Melbourne hosts over 60,000 live concerts annually, making it one of the live music capitals of the world. The city has more theatres and performance venues than anywhere else in Australia. There are approximately 5000 cafes and restaurants in the city, the highest per capita in the world. Many are top class.

East coast

Flinders Street Railway Station, Melbourne

Canberra

Australia’s little-known capital is well worth a visit. There is nothing old here but there are modern buildings aplenty. Parliament House, the Australian War Memorial, the National Gallery of Australia, the National Library of Australia, the National Science and Technology Centre, the National Zoo and Aquarium, the National Museum of Australia and more, will have you extending your stay.

east coast

Looking towards Parliament House from the Australian War Memorial, Canberra

Sydney

Located on the East Coast of Australia, Sydney is the oldest and largest of the Australian cities and today the city’s attractions are dominated by the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. There is a guided walking tour of the Opera House and you can join a guided ascent of the bridge. Between these two is Circular Quay, the city’s main ferry terminal and just nearby is The Rocks where more than 100 heritage sites and buildings jostle along the narrow streets. Elsewhere, Darling Harbour is a waterfront pedestrian precinct packed with shops, restaurants, museums, exhibitions, and entertainment venues. Sydney is famous for its beaches from tiny harbourside strips of sand to Bondi, Coogee, Bronte, Tamarama, Maroubra, Manly Collaroy, Dee Why, and Narrabeen on the Pacific Ocean.

east coast

Circular Quay with fountain, Opera House and Harbour Bridge, Sydney

Brisbane

Once it was called a big country town but Brisbane has now grown up. Across the river from the CBD, South Bank is home to the Cultural Centre with its world-class galleries and entertainment. You can climb the Storey Bridge, cuddle a koala at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, while Morton Island is the place to feed wild dolphins and snorkel around an old ship wreck. One hundred kilometres to the south is the famous Gold Coast with its excellent beaches, theme parks, restaurants and nightlife. To the north is the Sunshine Coast for more beach activity.

east coast

South Bank artificial beach looking towards Brisbane CBD

North Queensland Islands

With rugged coastlines and surrounding reefs bursting with life, you are spoiled for choice when choosing an island off the coast of North Queensland. Many are wholly or partly National Parks and many have nature viewing, snorkelling and sailing opportunities, and bush trails. Quite a few have accommodation. Some are very up-market such as One & Only Hayman, Hamilton, Orpheus, Badarra and Lizard while others have a range of rooms from excellent to budget. Magnetic Island off Townsville is the easiest to reach with ferries and car barges making the crossing multiple times a day.

east coast

Visitors to our room on Daydream Island

The Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is blessed with the breathtaking beauty of the world’s largest coral reef. This is one of the seven wonders of the natural world, larger than the Great Wall of China, and the only living thing on earth visible from space. A visitor can enjoy snorkelling, scuba diving, aircraft or helicopter tours, bare boats (self-sail), glass-bottomed boat viewing, semi-submersibles and educational trips, whale watching, and swimming with dolphins. Townsville is the headquarters of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and it is home to the world’s largest living coral reef aquarium. Reef trips leave from many other northern towns including Cairns and Port Douglas.

east coast australia

The headquarters of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Townsville

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Australia

5 Incredible Australian Natural Attractions

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As you mention Australia to a foreigner they immediately think about kangaroos, coral reef, endless deserts, and boiling hot weather. Little do people know, but Australia has numerous stunning natural sights that truly make this county stand out from all others. From the north to the south, from east to the west, there are incredible attractions and sights yet to be seen by many people. Some natural attractions are so mesmerizing that leave visitors breathless, and if are wondering what they are, read on to find out.

1. Kakadu

Known for being one of the oldest living nature in the world, Kakadu National Park is a place where you can explore true natural wonders. Kakadu is renowned for its rich Aboriginal history because there are paintings, or rock art galleries that are more than 20,000 years old. You can see naturalistic paintings of various animals and recordings of early Aboriginal contact with European people, which is something that you can’t experience anywhere else. What is more, Kakadu encompasses more than 15000 square kilometers of tropical biodiversity. Next to beautiful flora and fauna, you can explore the stunning sunsets, dazzling waterfalls, gorges, and wetlands.

2. Uluru

Once known as Ayers Rock, but now Uluru, which is an original Aboriginal name is an impressive and statement Australian’s landmark. Located almost in the heart of Australia, Uluru is actually a huge chunk of sandstone and a monolith. It is 348 meters high, 3,6 kilometers long, and around 1,9 kilometers wide, it is the only singular monolith jutting up from its barren surrounding. It is a World Heritage site and a sacred site as well, but tourist can spend the night nearby and watch the incredible sunset. They can also climb the rock and explore the entire base around it, which is a fantastic way to utterly immerse into this one-of-kind natural wonder.

3. Walls of China

Located in the Mungo National Park in NSW region of Australia, Walls of China are certainly a unique, jaw-dropping natural attraction. You would need to drive around 128 kilometers from Mildura, or about nine hours from Canberra to Mildura, so you need to be cautious on the road and drive carefully. If you do happen to collide with another vehicle, which is a common issue on this long road, make sure that you contact trustworthy vehicle accident lawyers Sydney that will help you with the highest quality advice. Once you get there, you will see dramatic crescent-shaped clay dunes that are naturally carved. This hypnotizing natural wonder is worth the drive because they are that mind-boggling, and unlike anything else that you have seen.

4. The Great Barrier Reef

One of the seven natural wonders of the world and the only living thing is seen from the space, the Great Barrier Reef is an attraction that can’t be missed once you arrive in Australia. There are more than 400 different types of coral and 1500 species of tropical fish that inhabit this 2,300 kilometers long area. It actually consists out of 900 islands and 2,900 individual reefs that were born more than 20 million years ago. You can snorkel, dive, and even admire this natural wonder from the air anywhere up and down alongside Queensland’s coast. Only take good care of it by not throwing garbage and waste, because pollution can threaten its environmental surviving.

5. The 12 Apostles

The apostles are majestic natural limestone structures that rise 45 meters from the ocean. They were actually formed by erosion due to severe and harsh weather conditions as the Southern Ocean slowly eroded the soft limestone. They can be seen from the Great Ocean Road, located alongside the Victorian coast, and they are really one-of-kind Australian’s marvel. Even if the name suggests that there are 12 apostles, there are now only eight remaining stones, since the rest have fallen and their base still erodes around 2 centimeters per year. The best time to take a photograph of this powerful and impressive is at the sunset, either from the viewing platform from the cliff top or take the Gibson Steps and go down to the beach to take a close up photo.

Whether you choose to explore these natural wonders on foot, by car or by tour bus, you will undoubtedly return with grandiose and breathtaking impressions, and with the desire to see the attractions again.

Australia

The Best Summer Holiday Spots in Australia

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Have you ever dreamed of an escape to the Land Down Under on a carefree vacation? It is a land renowned for its untamed nature, vibrant cities and easygoing attitude of welcoming citizens. However, be mindful of the fact that the Australian continent comes with steep prices in every respect, and be financially prepared before you embark for its shores.

Going to the far side of the world seems like the ultimate escapade and, if you know exactly what you want, you can turn this fantasy into reality. Therefore, without further ado, here are the ten best summer holiday spots in Australia for your consideration.

Canberra, Australian Capital Territory

If you ever thought about visiting Australia, why not start off with the continent’s capital? With its expansive and meticulously planned cityscape, Canberra is bound to be one of the quaintest yet most breathtaking urban areas you have ever visited.

You really have to spend some time on its streets to truly appreciate the lengths to which urban planning and design has gone to create an aesthetically pleasing modern metropolis that harkens back to classical Greek architecture.

As far as the summer activities go, it boasts an enormous artificial lake smack in the middle of the city, known as Lake Burley Griffin. The lake area is brimming with aquatic activities but, if you wish to take a dip in the salty waters, you are just a few hours away from the prime-time beach areas. Also, if you are in the mood for a daily excursion to Melbourne or Sydney, they are both five to six hours away.

Torquay, Victoria

Also known as Victoria’s surf capital, Torquay is a seaside resort which is immensely popular with people of all generations. Located just outside of Port Phillip Bay which conceals the skyscrapers of Melbourne, it is renowned for its azure beaches with relentless waves that lure brave surfers in from all corners of the world.

However, Bells Beach is not everything this location has to offer. There is also the world’s biggest surf museum, Surf World, the Surf Coastal Walk that spreads for 44 kilometers and connects Torquay with Anglesea, as well as many more summer related activities, restaurants, resorts and interesting places to stay.

Byron Bay, New South Wales

Byron Bay is a gem of a beachside town, hidden somewhere on the coastline between Brisbane and Sydney. With its attractive stretch of beaches, Byron Bay offers a picturesque and lavishing experience for every summer-loving enthusiast.

White sand bay is very popular for surfing, as most beachside hotspots in Australia. You can enjoy whale watching, snorkelling, hiking to Byron Bay Lighthouse, and even skydiving. Treat yourself with a visit to a relaxing spa in Byron Bay accommodation and a stay in the comfiest establishments around. This is an amazing locale for those who just need to get away from the smouldering city.

Great Barrier Reef

Have you ever imagined a tropical paradise that is a perfect place for dreamlike underwater excursions? The Great Barrier Reef is one of the top destinations for scuba divers and underwater explorers in the world. It boasts the largest barrier reef system in existence, with more than 2,900 coral reefs that build into impossible beautiful islands lagoons. It is located in the appropriately named Coral See, right off the coast of Queensland.

Tasmania

We will not concentrate on any particular location in Tasmania, and rather treat the biggest Australian island as a spot of its own. Right off the south-west corner of the grand continent, there is a sizeable chunk of land that looks as if it was chipped away from its “big sister” Australia. Tasmania remains one of the best preserved wild islands in the world, with an amazing ecosystem that is only rivalled by its beautiful vistas.

Sydney, New South Wales

Of course, we cannot talk about holiday summer spots in Australia without mentioning its biggest and most popular (not to mention – most iconic) city – Sydney. Sydney is a perfect city for those of you who enjoy the hectic urban rhythm, diverse cityscape and streets filled with verve. Take a tour of some of the most legendary tourist spots in the world – Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Tower Eye, Bondi Beach, etc.

There is something alluring about the possibility to whisk your friends and family away for a sunny adventure on the precipice of the world. With white sands between your toes and azure waves crashing against your ankles on a vast beach that seems to be going on forever, you will feel you are only one step away from the primordial spirit within each of us, and yet you will never be too far away from a classy restaurant or a luxurious hotel room with a picturesque view.

Summer in Australia, at the very edge of the Pacific, is much more than a season-bound vacation. It is an experience of a lifetime.