Australia is a continent of contrasts, natural beauty, cosmopolitan cities and diverse culture. Its land mass is huge, similar in size to mainland USA and Europe. Its natural treasures include the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru (Ayers Rock), tropical rainforest, the Bungle Bungles and some of the best beaches in the world. A land where 40000 years of Aboriginal heritage lies side by side with its new world culture.
Australia is the smallest and driest continent in the world. Located in the Southern hemisphere and surrounded by crystal clear beaches, fascinating marine life and island escapes. This unique country has every kind of scenery imaginable: snowfields, rainforests, an ethereal red centre, sprawling deserts and sheer mountain ranges. Lets not forget the gorgeous coastline with its stunning beaches and breaking surf.
The West Coast is Australia's last frontier. There are still unexplored regions of the north west with nomadic Aboriginals still roaming and living off the bush. Whilst few travellers make it to this unspoilt wilderness, those that make the effort are rewarded with unforgettable experiences. Some of the highlights include the Bungle Bungles National Park, Windjana Gorge, El Questro Station Broome, Ningaloo Reef, Monkey Mia and the Pinnacles. The Kimberley region between Kununurra and Broome has many roads closed during the wet season. During the dry season (May to October) most roads are accessible.
Australia's outback is legendary and a must see for many of the more intrepid travellers. Over the last 30 years, the outback has become a lot more accessible with better roads services running between Adelaide to Darwin but to get to the more remote townships you still need a 4WD. If you want to do the Outback in comfort, rail is the best option. The famous Ghan train operates between Adelaide and Darwin a couple of times a week with stops in Alice Springs and Katherine available plus Coober Pedy. The train has 3 class including an airline style seat for the backpackers and sleeper cabins for a few more dollars. The public coach network system is very good in the outback with daily services between the major hubs. When self-drive travelling to the outback it is crucial that you plan your route well and notify the relevant authorities. Make sure you carry plenty of water and manage your fuel stops in advance, as petrol stations can be 200/300km apart. If you are staying on the Stewart Highway, all the roads are sealed so this is fine to travel in campers or 2WD but if you want to get off the main road into more remote places like the Tanami, Oodnadatta or Strezleki Tracks then you will need a 4WD. During the months of November to April some of these tracks will be closed due to bad road conditions so check with local authorities before heading out.
Dive in the Great Barrier Reef
Planet's largest and most complex ecosystem. It is one of the seven natural wonders of the world so it would be a shame to miss out. The world's longest coral reef is brimming with jaw-dropping marine life from sharks and stingrays to turtles and rainbow-coloured fish. Stay in one of 900 tiny islands scattered throughout the 2600km stretch of coral such as Bedarra island. With more than 2900 individual reefs, this is the largest coral reef in the world. 900 islands come together in an area 344400 square kilometres wide. Snorkelling and diving options give you the opportunity to explore a unique underwater world of tropical fish and multi-coloured corrals. The best way to see the Great Barrier Reef is by diving or snorkelling. Most operators provide diving courses to suit all levels of experience. The majority also provide diving and snorkelling equipment. Scattered along the Queensland coast you will find numerous tour operators offering day and overnight cruises to the Great Barrier Reef. You don't need to be into snorkelling and diving to get to know the structure and wildlife here because there are plenty of other options to explore the reef like glass-bottomed boats and semi-submersibles. Operators also offer information sessions in relation to the marine environment.
To see
Devils Marbles
Tennant Creek, site of the last gold rush in Australia
Katherine Gorge,(pronounced Kath Ryne)
Katherine, modern town, one of Australia's most ancient histories, the first people here were the Jawayn and Dagomen Aborigine tribes who founded their culture on the nearby Katherine River
Edith Falls
Timber Creek
Lake Argyle, nine times the size of Sydney harbour
Kununurra
El Questro Station, an oasis amongst one million acres of Kimberley wilderness
Pentecost River
Emma Gorge
Chamberlain Gorge, some of the aboriginal rock art is over 18000 years old
Turkey Creek
Purnululu National Park
Old Halls Creek, site of the first gold rush in Western Australia
Great Sandy Desert
Kimberley Ranges
Geikie Gorge
Kimberley's Dry Barrier Reef, these ancient rock formations date back some 350 millions years
Tunnel Creek National Park
Windjana Gorge, a national wonder full of outback flora and fauna, abundant wildlife (freshwater crocodiles)
Derby, site of the famous Prison Boab Tree, local aboriginal peoples traditionally used the spherical nuts of the Boab as decorative ornaments depicting cultural scenes
Nitmiluk National Park
Kakadu National Park,(Northern Territory) offers rich fauna and flora and a glimpse into Aboriginal history
Nourlangie Rock, famous for its Aboriginal art
Yellow Water Billabong
Mataranka Thermal Pools
Cape Byron, Australia's most easterly point, famed for its rural and its beaches, one of the best areas to surf
Fraser Island, Queensland, Australia's largest sand island, diverse rainforest, wildflowers, mangroves, birds and dingoes
Surfers Paradise, on the Gold coast
Hervey Bay, whale watching
Darlings Downs, fertile farming lands
Forest Glen Wildlife Sanctuary
Rockhampton, gateway to the tropics, beef capital of Australia
Mackay, Australia's sugar capital
Whitsundays, 74 tropical islands in the heart of Queensland's coast
Townsville
Undara, famous throughout the world for lava tubes
Long Island, relaxed atmosphere
Airlie Beach, ideal base to explore the Whitsunday's from
Daintree National Park, rainforest
Mossman Gorge
Cape Tribulation National Park
Fitzroy Island, covered in rainforest and surrounded by reef
Hunter Valley, NSW's most popular wine producing region
Port Stephens
Nelson Bay
Coffs Harbour
Tully River
Hinchinbrook Channel, dotted with islands
Port Douglas
Outer Barrier Reef
Great Keppel Island, located off the Queensland coast near Rockhampton, tropical paradise is surrounded by natural bush land with 15 miles of white sandy beaches and small secluded bays
Kangaroo Island (South Australia), one of Earth's last unspoiled refuges
Jindabyne, a town with a relaxed alpine village feel
Blue Lake glacier
Mt Kosciuszko
Lakes Entrance
Ninety Mile beach
Wilsons Promontory National Park
Torquay
Bells Beach
Apollo Bay
Otway National Park
Twelve Apostles
Loch Ard Gorge
London Bridge
Bay of Martyrs
Bay of Islands
Grampians National Park
Hollow Mountain
MacKenzie Falls
Bordertown, home of the rare White Western Grey Kangaroos
Murray River
Yourambulla caves
Clare Valley
Flinders Ranges
Wilpena Pound
Coober Pedy, the underground town
Kings Canyon
Kata Tjuta (the Olgas)
Alice Springs
Devils Marbles
Banka Banka cattle station
Litchfield National Park
Barramundi Gorge
Bungle Bungle National Park
Gibb River Road
Port Hedland
Karijini National Park
Ningaloo Reef
Shell Beach
Monkey Mia, dolphins sighting
Kalbarri National Park
Pinnacles
Transport
When travelling around Australia, you cover vast distances. For example, to travel from Melbourne to Cairns would be a similar distance as travelling from London to Moscow or Los Angeles to New York. So you want to make sure your transport is comfortable and reliable. Coaches are by far the most popular and offers a very good network right across the country. When it comes to trains, Australia does not have the fast trains that Europe and North America offer but this is still the most comfortable way to travel. Regarding budget airlines, with greater competition, if you are flexible on time and date of travel, you can get some great deals in between Australia's major hubs.
Accommodation
Australia leads the way in state of the art backpackers. The hostel industry is heavily regulated by the government with most hostels offering clean and comfortable accommodation. There are still a few rogue hostels out there so it is strongly recommended to only use properties that are part of the following chains: YHA, Nomads, BASE or VIP.
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