Australia

Forget about just throwing another shrimp on the Barbie, sunbathing all day or hitting the surf in the early hours – while you can of course do all of this in Australia, this amazing country has so much more to offer! The huge contrast of mountains, gorges, beaches and desert plains give visitors a host of outstanding beauty spots to explore, as well as a myriad of wild and exciting adventure activities to indulge in. Each territory with vast variations of climate, landscape and terrain offer those travelling to Australia a wealth of different holiday experiences.

Northern Territory

The tropical northern territory is a fascinating land of Aboriginal meets non-Aboriginal, contemporary meets remote and busy commerce meets the tranquil serenity of the coast. A mix of impressive storms, bright sunshine and hazy nights are all there to greet you when you arrive along with busy days and thrilling nightlife in cities such as Darwin.

Darwin is a great showcase for Australia’s northern territory which is renowned for its museums, parks, galleries and beaches as well as its fabulous cuisine – ranging from buffalo and kangaroo to mud crabs, crocodile and the infamous Barramundi. Explore the nearby Kakadu National Park, Australia’s biggest and most treasured, with rugged slopes, lush rain forest and 50,000 year old rock art galleries. Adventure seekers and outdoor enthusiasts will love the opportunities that Kakadu throws up, like four-wheel adventures to Jim Jim Falls or Barramundi Gorge, canoeing down East Alligator River or bush walking through forests and wetlands. The Park’s hidden glory comes in the form of an impressive collection of Aboriginal rock art, in fact it is home to Australia’s highest concentration of indigenous art, so make sure you check out the famous Lightning Man and the Rainbow Serpent.

Further south, but staying in the Northern Territory, is Alice Springs – the most remote town in Australia. This is one of the best places to indulge in a hot air balloon flight over the mountains, get adventurous on a bike ride around the gorges or even join a troupe of quad bikes in a thrill ride across the plains. A visit to Alice Springs probably isn’t complete without a trip to see the site where a comet crashed into the earth millions of years ago at the breathtaking Gosse Bluff and why not drop in on the Royal Flying Doctor Service – the first flying medical company of its kind in the world.

Ayers Rock

One of the most recognisable symbols of Australia is the mighty Uluru – although you will more than likely know it as Ayers Rock. This massive sandstone rock formation is famous for the vibrant colours that transform it at various times during the day – from orange to red and back again. Sacred to the Aboriginal people of the area, the Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara, Ayers Rock boasts an impressive amount of springs, waterholes and cave paintings for you to explore. Bring your tent and travel gear and you can even camp at the base of the Rock for a truly unique and memorable experience.

Following the limestone ridges along the Grampians you will be delighted to discover spectacular displays of wildlife, rocky peaks and sloping valleys – once again offering the opportunity for a wealth of adventure activities and outdoor antics amongst stunning views such as bush walking, rock climbing, abseiling, fishing and canoeing.

South Australia

Heading down into South Australia, many travellers end up in Coober Pedy – the ‘Opal Capital of the World’, a fascinating place where the locals spend most of their time underground in authentic cave homes, retreating from the heat. Most of the world’s supply of opal comes straight from the Cooper Pedy mines and you can take a tour of these along with treating yourself to a few tourist trappings from the art gallery, underground museums and potteries.

The city of Adelaide by the coast of South Australia is hip and happening; bursting with life amongst the sophisticated city districts, shopping boulevards and gardens. It’s the perfect place for a retreat from your travels through the harsh outback with over 700 restaurants, cafes and pubs for you to enjoy in between the festivals and art shows.

A visit to Australia isn’t complete without a drive through nature on the spectacular Great Ocean Road which winds alongside the dramatic coast line from Geelong to Portland. You can feast your eyes on a myriad of surf beaches, ports, mountain ranges, parks, volcanoes and rain forests. A road trip doesn’t get better than that!

Victoria

Melborne, in the State of Victoria is sophisticated, edgy and multicultural and produces some of the best art, music, fashion and design in the world. The first thing you will notice when you visit Melbourne is just how much its people value their sport and outdoor living. The entire city and its districts are geared up for outdoor activities as well as setting an example of how to live life to the full with countless festivals, exhibitions and concerts. Outside of the city itself, you can escape the hustle and bustle with a visit to the Yarra Valley wine region or indeed any of the beautiful surroundings of a city that is considered one of best in the world.

Those of you interested in experiencing life under the stars can do worse than make Canberra, Australia’s capital, your base from which to explore the surrounding bushland and national parks that make up over half of its territory. Hikers, campers and nature lovers of all persuasions flock to the natural wonders of Canberra with its delightful mix of leafy towns, beautiful coastlines and Snowy Mountains.

Sydney

Whilst Canberra is the capital of Australia, the city that gets mistaken for this the most is Sydney. This laid back city of sun and beaches attracts millions of people each year from all over the world hoping to chill out on the New South Wales coast.

Surfing, cafe culture and laid back lifestyles are the order of the day in Sydney. Its beaches, like Coogee and Bondi Beach, are recognised as some of the best in the world. The city and its surroundings are a traveller’s paradise with countless road trips to be had through some of the most stunning landscapes and fascinating wildlife spots. Visit the Blue Mountains, Lord Howe Island, the Willandra Lakes and the plethora of national parks, vineyards and forests that dominate the State. See if you can spot a Kangaroo or better still a penguin, turtle or whale amongst the tiny islands off the coast!

To really get the most out of your visit to Australia grab every opportunity to get out and sample its adventurous spirit. What better way to experience everything this colossal country has to offer than to abseil, kayak, cycle or hike your way around its cities and bushland…

More great pictures from Australia…

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