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Australia Travel Tips
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| Regional Information
in Australia |
Australian Capital Territory
New South Wales
Northern Territory
Queensland
South Australia
Tasmania |
Across Australia are natural wonders second to none. Ancient sites echo the time of our indigenous people and land and sea formations forged over time are humbling in their grandeur.
Collections of fine art and fascinating exhibits in the many galleries and museums illustrate Australia's passion for the beautiful and unusual. While the abundance of amusement parks and zoos show Aussies take their recreation time very seriously!
There's a lot more to Australia than perfect beaches and cute wildlife! When it comes to Australian tourist attractions consider some of the featured attractions. |
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| Australian Capital Territory |
Welcome to the home of the nation's capital. Its full name, Australian Capital Territory, is a bit of a mouthful so the state is known simply as the ACT. You could easily miss the ACT when looking on a map. Its tiny proportions of less than a 100 square kilometres makes it far smaller than the huge state of New South Wales that completely surrounds it. |
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The ACT was built for the specific purpose of creating a neutral location for the seat of government in Australia. It's here that federal parliament and the serving politicians and associated ministers meet and administer the policies that run our fair country. The ACT is also the location for many foreign embassies and consulates. |
Having had the luxury of designing and planning this state with much forethought has meant that the ACT has flourished in both its political and cultural aspirations. Home to some of Australia's most significant examples of architecture, the state also has the finest collections of art and exhibits as well as moving memorials of Australia's history.
It's hard to believe that less than 100 years ago the state was a blanket of wild bushland. Amongst this bush a city grew, and with the environment in mind and a few clever extras such as the man-made Lake Burley Griffin it has retained a peaceful and natural setting. The true wilds are only a short distance to the south of the state where the Namadgi National Park and the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve offer majestic natural scenery.
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This thriving capital of the ACT and was named after the aboriginal word 'kamberra' meaning 'meeting place' and is the hub of the nation's government endeavours. The city and state work effectively in partnership to encourage the growth and accomplishments of this inspiring region.
Come to Canberra to see the sights of a new and bustling city built for governance and for tranquillity. While this may sound like a contradiction, it has been achieved beautifully by building the nation's capital amongst a beautiful and wild environment.
Steeped in indigenous history and surrounded by undisturbed nature, Canberra is a city within a lush blanket of native flora and striking landscapes. Developing arts and culture in society is important for Canberrans and is achieved through incredible galleries and museums, appreciation for the history of the area and the artistic pursuits of the local people. |
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With Canberra being a relatively new and carefully planned city in Australia, some people think it's a bit on the boring and conservative side. Being the nation's seat of government and politics probably doesn't help that image. However, to the contrary, Canberra is a graceful and industrious city surrounded by an awesome and mostly untouched natural environment. And its residents have a nearly utopian approach towards conserving the city's quality of life.
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New South Wales
Welcome to New South Wales. Australia's oldest state is packed full of amazing attractions, places of spectacular natural beauty, unique history and a bunch of fun activities for all to enjoy.
From beaches to the ski slopes there is no shortage of fun for the adventurous. The awesome surf breaks of the coastal regions draw keen surfers from all over NSW, while the crisp white slopes of the Snowy Mountains bring snow boarders and skiers from all over the country. And with Australia's tallest mountain, Mt Kosciusko, as a stunning backdrop everyone can enjoy the scenery whether on the slopes or not.
Central and Outback NSW, while opposite in climate and terrain, are equally stunning with their arid desert plains stretching for miles. Hiding mysterious underground caves and ancient records of fascinating Indigenous rock art, as well as magnificent rocky gorges and native bushlands, the Outback has an appeal all its own.
The state capital of Sydney is Australia's most recognisable place. The oldest city in Australia, Sydney abounds with well-known tourist attractions such as the Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. And as the first port of call for most international travellers it plays host to many major touring events, concerts and exhibitions.
There is just so much to see and do in New South Wales that you're spoiled for choice! In any of its regions you will find delicious dining, from the sumptuous seafoods of the South Coast to the local produce and exquisite wines of The Hunter.
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Photo courtesy Tourism New South Wales |
Northern Territory
A land of contrasts, the Northern Territory is rich with striking scenery. From the lush rainforests of Kakadu and Katherine to the arid red plains of the Red Centre in Alice Springs and the great rock, Uluru, the land is full of surprises.
The state's capital of Darwin has seen some hard times, but with devastation comes rebuilding and the city is now a bustling centre set in a simply stunning environment. Looking out over the Darwin Harbour at a sultry sunset is relaxing at its best whether from a chic harbour-side restaurant or the deck of a yacht.
The natural beauty of the NT has to be seen to be believed. The wilderness of Kakadu National Park featured in the famous Aussie movie Crocodile Dundee, and is a place of untamed rainforests and thundering waterfalls.
South in Katherine, massive gorges one after another are walled with towering limestone cliffs. Taking a boat tour through the Gorge is the perfect way to see it, although canoeing would be just as good!
Rising grandly from a featureless flat expanse of dusty plains is the ever-remarkable Uluru. This huge red rock is fascinating to behold and tends to humble visitors. Looking at this ancient monolith is like looking back on millions of years of earth's evolution and a little bit of the spiritual connection with the land can be felt by all who visit it.
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Photo courtesy Northern Territory Tourist Commission
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Queensland
With regions such as the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, it's little wonder that Queensland brings to mind lazy days on sunny beaches. The warm waters and top beach breaks beckon surfers from around the world, and seaside towns show relaxed Australian culture at its best.
Brisbane, or 'Brissy' as the locals call it, is Queensland's capital city. With its thriving arts scene and a love for markets and alfresco dining, Brisbane offers a relaxed sophistication in its entertainment and leisure time.
The Great Barrier Reef, as one of the natural wonders of the world, is a truly amazing experience for divers with an abundance of colourful marine life, while all along the Queensland coast are hot spots for keen boaties and anglers.
If wilderness and waterfalls are more your thing you don't have to go far. Queensland has spectacular national parks to explore with an array of native plants and animals - and no they don't all bite!
So, if you're wanting the ever-appealing tropical island holiday, but with a truly cosmopolitan world-class city at your doorstep. you can't go past Queensland.
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Photo courtesy Tourism Queensland |
South Australia
Wine connoisseurs you won't be disappointed, with regions such as the Barossa, Clare Valley and the Limestone Coast, a large selection of acclaimed wineries will satisfy your every tastebud.
Touring the countryside from the buzzing capital city of Adelaide, through the Adelaide Hills and out into the valleys is pure pleasure and can be done by car, on a bicycle or by hot-air balloon. Quietly landing in a hot-air balloon in the midst of grape laden vines in a vineyard for a breakfast of sparkling wine - what a way to start the day!
The cooler climate and waters of the Southern Ocean bring the playful antics of the great Southern Right Whale, dolphins, seals, sea lions and penguins. Watching these charming marine creatures from the peninsulas and beaches along the coastline is a joy for young and old.
On Kangaroo Island many more native animals can be seen in a stunning protected environment that has evolved mostly untouched and unspoiled due to its separation from the mainland.
The elegant city of Adelaide, rich with a multicultural vibe that pulses through the lives of its residents, is home to many unique attractions and events. Festivals of music and art are celebrations for locals and enthusiastic visitors alike.
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Photo courtesy South Australia Tourist Commission |
Tasmania
Tucked away at the far south of the country and across the untamed waters of Bass Strait, lies Tasmania a place rich with heritage and spectacular natural history.
Many of its sites from the old penal colony of Port Arthur on the southern Tasman Peninsula to the city of Launceston in the North East maintain their pioneer and colonial heritage. Buildings of elegant Victorian style grace the streets of Richmond, near Hobart, and the ruins of the old government house of Highfield, at Stanley, stand proudly on a bluff beside the ocean.
Farming of all kinds on the land and in the sea is a successful industry for Tasmania. Merino sheep farming produces fine wools, dairy lands are common on the lush pasturelands in the north and freshwater trout and salmon are plentiful in the rivers and streams. Offshore, seafoods such as lobsters and oysters are a delicacy and in demand across the country.
In the South East of the state lies the ancient Tasmania Wilderness. These age-old forests are thick with giant trees that are hundreds, if not thousands, of years old. The special woods of the fragrant Huon Pine forests are highly revered and sought after for their fine timber qualities.
Lake St Clair, the country's deepest lake, was literally carved out of the earth by ice glaciers thousands of years ago and many waterfalls, lush ferneries and ancient mossy boulders create a true rainforest wonderland.
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Photo courtesy Tourism Tasmania
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