• Western Australia

Photo: ljsinoz

- Bibbulmun Track: a 963 kilometre walking trail from Kalamunda to Albany.

- Rottnest Island: located off the coast of Fremantle, this 11 kilometre long and 4.5 kilometre wide island is a popular tourist destination for its diving, snorkelling and beach activities.

• New South Wales

- Sydney Harbour Bridge: Bridge connecting the Sydney CBD to the North Shore. The Sydney Harbour Bridge climb is popular for providing magnificent views of Sydney.

- Sydney Opera House: Performing arts centre in Bennelong Point, Sydney Harbour. It is known for its unique design and varied performances.

- Bondi Beach: Arguably Australia’s most popular beach, most famously featured in the television show Bondi Rescue. At 1 kilometre long, the beach is known for its conditions. The Bondi area has a bustling culture and a variety of cafes and restaurants.

- Hunter Valley: located near Newcastle, this wine-growing region is popular for travellers interested in a scenic get-away.

- Blue Mountains: Mountains area to the west of Sydney. Includes several national parks and tourist attractions such as the Jenolan Caves, the Zig Zag Railway and the Katoomba Scenic Railway.

• Northern Territory

Photo: Charles Foster K

- Uluru: Large rock formation steeped in Indigenous Australian history. A World Heritage listed site.

- Kakadu National Park: area southeast of Darwin known for its diverse flora and fauna, as well as its scenic beauty.

• Tasmania

-  Mount Willington: at 4000feet above Hobart’s harbour, this mountain provides a stunning view of Hobart and the surrounding areas.

- Port Arthur: Housing more than 12,500 convicts from 1830 to 1877, this is Australia’s most preserved convict site.

• Queensland

- Whitsunday Islands: a collection of islands 900km north of Brisbane. Its sheer natural beauty has meant that it’s a popular tourist destination.

- Great Barrier Reef: the world’s largest reef system. It is praised for its ecological diversity, and is popular for fishing, snorkelling and scuba diving.

- Theme parks: Such as Dreamland, Wet ’n’ Wild, Movie World, White Water World and Sea World.

- Cavill Avenue: Surfers Paradise’s main street. It has a vibrant atmosphere and is well known for its shopping and entertainment.

• South Australia

-    Adelaide Zoo: Houses over 1800 native and exotic animals. It is also home to the only two giant pandas in the southern hemisphere.

-    Barossa Valley: 60km northeast of Adelaide, this region is famous for its wine.

• Australian Capital Territory

- Parliament House: the central meeting point for Australia’s federal politicians. Tours of Parliament house feature the history of politics in Australia.

- Australian War Memorial: Displaying the history of Australia’s armed forces and their endeavours.

- Questacon (the National Science and Technology Centre): Features interactive displays promoting learning about science and technology.

- National Gallery of Australia: Australia’s largest public art gallery.

• Victoria

- Great Ocean Road: regarded as one of the most scenic drives in the world, encompassing the natural coastal beauty and unique rock formations such as the Twelve Apostles. There are a variety of Great Ocean Road tours to choose from.

- Federation Square: cultural area and public arena in Melbourne. Includes cafes, restaurants, art displays and large screen that broadcasts events such as the AFL grand final and FIFA World Cup to the public. This is a key landmark in all Melbourne tours.

In order to truly experience Australia and each of its states and territories, be sure to see these landmarks!

Photo: shayhaas

In the United States, Aspen, Colorado still top the list because the hills or the bank account needed is not for the faint-hearted. Aspen boasts of four ski resorts which are home not only of the toughest runs in the country but also for its plethora of four- and five-star resorts and restaurants.

If you are going to Europe, there is the Cortina d’Ampezzo in Italy. Its small-time vibe and relaxed atmosphere rich in Italian culture is a flexible option for every level of skier.

In Asia, nothing beats Hokkaido, Japan which is a home to a dozen of mountains. The Niseko ski area is the cream de la crème for quality and breadth of trails of powdery snow.

It has tons of off-piste runs with four-interconnected resorts. Holiday is never fun without experiencing skiing. Wherever you may be, there will be one near you to satisfy your craving for an adventure.

Photo: geoftheref

A Plan

Knowing where you want to go and what you want to see ahead of time will be very helpful when you arrive in a country as large and spacious as Australia. Since most Australians live right along the edges of the continent, efficiency is key when planning a direction to go as backtracking could cost you days of travel time. Knowing your style of travel will determine what you need to bring and how much money you will spend. Backpacking and travelling in a van are the cheapest ways to go, but if your stay is shorter, you may want to stay in hotels, B&B’s or serviced apartments. Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are all very tourist-friendly cities, but will start eating into your budget if you aren’t careful.

Protection

Australia has a reputation in many foreign countries as being a dangerous place to travel, mainly because of the sun, the hot summers and all the poisonous things that live here. If you are prepared and protect yourself well, then you won’t need to worry about these things when you get here. Having appropriate clothing for the heat, bringing sunscreen with a high SFP rating and arming yourself with travel insurance, are all things that will make sure you have a fun and safe holiday.

Paperwork

Being organised with the administrative stuff when you travel can be pretty tedious but is no less important. Like when travelling anywhere, make sure you have a photocopy of your passport, ID and credit cards just in case you misplace your wallet. It is also wise to have contact information for your people back home just in case there is an emergency or you want to send postcards. Also bring copies of any prescriptions you have including those for medications or eyeglasses.

Extra Money

There is no way you can budget for every little thing when preparing to travel, especially in a country like Australia that is actually quite expensive to travel in. Emergency health costs often need to be paid for up front, and unexpected weather might have you making new spur-of-the-moment plans that will cost you extra.

Australian Knowledge

Having Australian knowledge is more than just knowing about the culture and understanding the slang, it is also about understanding the extreme weather and how different it can be depending on what part of the country you are in or what season it is. Learning tips about how to avoid a run-in with poisonous snakes or spiders is also important, such as checking your shoes before you put them on, avoiding walking through tall grass, and learning to identify something that is dangerous. Water safety is also very important in Australian culture; you will want to know how to spot a rip, how to help someone who is in trouble and when to know that it is safe to swim.

Before trying out any sports, you must first learn some tips on safe water sports and where to get training for them especially if you never lived near the sea before. You may know how to swim, but swimming in the sea is very much different from swimming in the pool. Sea currents can be tricky, so you also need to remember to never go swimming without a companion or the lifeguard on the beach.

Some of the water sports holidays that people get a liking to aside from scuba diving include swimming with dolphins or sharks or the friendly whale shark; windsurfing, dangling above the waves in parachute, or riding water sports ride like Jet Ski and banana boat. But swimming in unknown waters can be a health hazard especially if you are not familiar with the place. Getting sick in your vacation will definitely cut it short and this will lessen the fun and enjoyment you should experience on your holiday.

To have the best water sports holiday, make sure you made the necessary preparations to keep it safe by contacting a reputable travel agency, have travel insurance, and know the place that you are going to by talking to people who had been to the place so you would know what to expect.

Photo: Christolakis

By driving through the state you’ll not only be able to access areas and locations you might ordinarily never have seen, but you’ll also be able to marvel at the range of scenery on offer. We’ve created a list of some of the best road-trip destinations in NSW, and you’re bound to find more than a few that you want to try out yourself!

Snowy Mountains

The Snowy Mountains region of NSW is a stretch of country located about halfway between Sydney and Melbourne, just southwest of Canberra. Encompassing some dizzying alpine territory (including Mt Kosciusko, Australia’s tallest peak), the region is spectacularly beautiful during either winter or summer. Highlights in the summer include hiking, fishing, whitewater rafting and other alpine pursuits, while in winter it is all about the Melbourne tours, snow sports—and of course, the après-ski!!

Murray Region

Along the Victorian border and out west to Moama and Echuca stretches the Cobb Highway, a meandering route through gum trees and farmland that takes in the best that Colonial NSW has to offer. Quaint townships with sandstone buildings and long histories dot the way through, and you’ll be enchanted by the old-world feel of life in the Murray Region.

New England

The New England region of Northwest NSW is an historic area where tradition and country go back a long way. Glen Innes, Moree, Inverell and Armidale are all solid farming communities where there is also a strong Indigenous history and spirituality. Check into some charming Inverell accommodation or take a drive out across the flat, vast plains to get a feel for the farming Australia you rarely see in the guidebooks!

Rainforest Country

Northeastern NSW is the region of the rainforest, and it is here that some of the most beautiful and picturesque countryside can be seen. With coastal Byron Bay a main drawcard, there are so many smaller attractions around the seaside town that yield many rewards for the curious road-tripper. Hinterland towns and villages such as Kyogle, Alstonville, Rosebank and Bangalow are all stunningly gorgeous places to visit, with the region rich in coffee and macadamia crops.

If you get a chance, make sure you stop off at Minyon Falls, a beautiful waterfall that drops over 100 metres to the palm-fringed river below. Also, local farmers often sport ‘loyalty boxes’ out the front of their properties, where they offer their produce in return for your small change. The practice of loyalty boxes is a charming throwback to simpler times, and the fact that they can still exist is testament to the thriving community spirit of the towns in the Byron Hinterland.

Yet the fun part is that no two beaches are alike and each of the beaches offers visitors something new, different and exciting to experience. The west coast, offers a picture perfect romantic experience, where you can have long lazy walks next to the gently swaying waves of the Caribbean Sea. While the east coast, is an adrenalin junkies wildest dream, where the invincible Atlantic comes crashing down on the rocks spitting its surf and spray.

So let’s check out the various reasons why Barbados is calling out the beach bum in me:

Soak up the Sun – Crane Beach
Located on the south-east coast, Crane Beach is a stark contrast between the sandy slopes and the rugged terrain sprinkled with just the right amount of palm trees and refreshing fauna. If you are looking forward to a lazy vacation in luxurious settings then The Crane, a five-star resort nestled on the crane beach is just the thing for you.

Just Lie Back and Relax – Bottom Bay
Bottom Bay a secluded south-east corner of the island, just below Apple Hall, is the heavenly version of solitude. No noisy bar, hotel or tourist attractions– just you, the gentle lullaby of the waves and absolute tranquility. Although it takes some time to find this gem of a beach spot, I think that you will agree with me that it is well worth the effort.

Bite into the Local Flavor – Speightstown Beach
All Barbados beaches are public areas, even though a lot of the west coast is prime property of high-end hotels and expensive holiday homes. However, Speightstow is rightly called Barbados’s ‘second city’ and is a joyful and vibrant display of local life mixing with tourists flocking to the local beaches. The place comes alive and vibrates with the rhythm of life on weekends. So head to the party at Speightstown Beach!

Another gem set into the west coast is Brandons Beach
Brandons Beach is considered by many of the locals to be the place to go to for unrivalled views of the legendry Caribbean sunset. Possibly the best place to enjoy this uplifting spectacle is at one of the bars, especially Weisers Bar – an exceptionally popular hang-out where you can get lost in the splendors of the view mixed with deliciously heady cocktails.

Get Swept in the Surfing – Bathsheba Beach
If your dream destination involves a heady mixture of adrenalin then you should head for Bathsheba Beach, Barbados’s wild child!

This Atlantic-lashed surfing paradise is famous for its temperamental tides and is the ideal beach for those who love to master the strong waves. Bathsheba’s mighty waves are not for the faint-hearted!

Jamie is a travel writer and blogger for UK travel specialists www.tropicalsky.co.uk, and in his spare time he loves to practice his windsurfing in anticipation of his next trip to the Caribbean.

Cheap flights are available 

There are many cheap flight websites out there, but the rule remains: if you’re going to buy the flight separate from the hotel, it’s better to book in advance. However, if you’re booking an all-inclusive with flight included, last-minute deals abound. In either case, flying in the summer is always cheaper than in the winter, as many Northerners enjoy taking a tropical vacation between November and March. Travel off-season and save!

Look for cabanas and hostels

You could probably spend a fortune on two nights in luxury Fiji hotels, but there are many smaller and more modest resorts that provide excellent value for a low price. Some of them are isolated beach resorts, and others are youth hostels in the heart of bigger cities like Nadi or Suva. Some hotels and resorts sell unoccupied rooms for cheaper at the last minute; it’s always better, again, to go during the off-season.

Travelling around the islands

Travelling around the islands and in the cities can be challenging. If you’re staying on a resort, they probably have their own boat and will take you to your hotel. Backpackers have to take often unsafe local boats to hop in between the islands, so avoid them if the weather doesn’t look too good or if the boat seems overcrowded. There are no life jackets, most of the time…

In the cities, however, transport is easy and cheap. Buses are effective and regular and have developed quite an extensive network. If you’re walking around in rural parts of the main islands, you can often just hail a bus on the road and it’ll pick you up.

Hitch-hiking isn’t exactly recommended (it’s not always safe) but it you absolutely have to resort to it, drivers expect to be paid the equivalent of a bus fare. Locals do it a lot themselves, especially in the rural parts of Fiji. However, avoid hitching around Nadi and Suva, as there is more criminality around these cities. Never hitch alone.

Buying and haggling

When you’re out at the market, you may be tempted to haggle the price of produce or souvenirs. You can certainly haggle with Indians—they’re used to it and it’s a cultural expectation. However, Fijians will not haggle for prices, so don’t bother.

Prices will be pretty low in general, but expect higher cost in upscale malls. Open-air, public markets are your best bet for the best prices.

And while you’re in Fiji, you can prepare the next leg of your trip in Asia by booking a room in one of many Malaysia hotels. After all, with all the money you’ve saved in Fiji, there’s no reason you shouldn’t stick around a little longer!

Photo: h00j-A

Because of Sydney’s proximity to the ocean, people generally see it as more of a summer city, leaving its southern sister Melbourne to take the rains as a better cold-weather destination. While it’s a lot easier to get a tan during a Sydney summer, there are so many reasons that you should visit in the winter, too! Here are 5

1. There are Far Less Crowds

Sure, summer in Sydney is fantastic…until you try to get into a restaurant on a Friday or Saturday night. Or Sunday morning. Or anytime, for that matter. Sydney is notoriously overrun with tourists and locals enjoying their city in summer, which also means that there’s less room for you to take part! Paying the Harbour City a visit in the cooler months will give you a better shot of seeing all there is to see without the crowds and crush!

2. There’s a Winter Festival! Really!

Yep, you heard us, so sure is Sydney of its winter charm that each year there is a Winter Festival held on Bondi Beach. The festival features wintry goodness from around the globe, including a full ice-skating rink set up on the grassy patch at the beach, as well as mulled wine, winter-themed games and delicious food and beer to sample. Yep, there’s no hibernation for this city…

3. It’s Still Pretty Sunny

Sydney never gets too many grey days in a row, so even when you visit during the winter months you’re bound to have a few sunny days! Walking along the coastal walkways in the crisp autumn or winter air and watching the gentler sun create patterns on the water is pretty darn nice…and what’s even better, you’re not going to feel ridiculously hot and humid while doing it!

4. We Have Great Art And Theatre. Indoors.

Sydney might be good-looking, but it’s got substance, too! Just because it looks good in a bikini doesn’t mean there’s not plenty going on inside…like the multitude of art, theatre and literary events that scatter the city year-round. The Sydney Writer’s Festival is held in Autumn and there are world-class museum and gallery exhibitions held throughout the year.

5. The Blue Mountains

If ever there was a place that suited cold weather, the Blue Mountains would be it! The gorgeous Blue Mountains region boasts not only spectacular scenery but a thriving food and wine scene, complete with some of the most charming B&Bs in the country. Now, a B&B is always fun, but it’s even better when it has a roaring log fire to cozy up next to!

Whether you’re taking a Sydney Harbour cruise and checking out the sites or enjoying the crowd-free harbourside walks in the crisp air, winter in Sydney has a lot to offer the visitor…find out for yourself!