Holiday Australia

Home to around 2 million people is the capital city of Queensland, Brisbane. It is situated half way up the East Coast of Australia and is the gateway to the tropics making summer burning and sticky and winter cold and wet. September is the finest moment in time to visit since the weather is starting to heat up with temperatures in the 90’s but the moisture is not that bad. You can make the most of the outside activities the area has to offer as there are mostly sunny days. Here are several of the highlights to make your holiday in Australia enjoyable.

Southbank is a favorite haunt of both locals and tourists. Located in the hub of the city it was originally the location of Expo 1988. The main attraction is the children’s playground and artificial beach, its exactly like a lagoon out of a picture book with lapping water, sand and palm trees but without the crabs and jellyfish. An add-on bonus on behalf of the shopaholics is that it is surrounded by cafes, boutiques and restaurants. There is always something happening with fireworks, concerts and other events. Each Friday night you can join in the latin dancing in the streets of Southbank and the markets that function all day Friday and over the weekend.

A tiny stride from Southbank is the Cultural Center which houses the Queensland Art Gallery, Queensland Museum, the State Library and Gallery of Modern Art. There is also a modern cinema with the cheapest motion picture tickets in town.

Located just outside the city centre in an otherwise unassuming suburb is Mount Coot-tha. Spectacular views of the city and surrounds are to be observed on the lookout accessed by a long road that winds up the mountain. On a sunny day it is feasible to spot as far as Moreton Bay. At the lookout is an elegant restaurant where you can benefit from a meal as well as the landscape whilst more adventurous types can take advantage of the bushwalking trails, plus a track down to Slaughters Falls. At the bottom of Mount Coot-tha is the Mount Coot-tha Botanic Gardens which is a wonderful place to relax.

The Gold Coast is one of the most glitzy holidays places in Australia and it is the place people go to enjoy a good time. It is situated south of Brisbane and is roughly a one hour drive. With nightclubs, hotels, shops, casinos, beaches and theme parks it is always packed with folks and the traffic from Brisbane on weekends and public holidays can be very slow. The most prevalent theme parks are Seaworld, Dreamworld, Movieworld, Warner Bros and Wet n Wild. It is worth spending a few days in the plaza and malls as there is always something happening.

These are just several of the many attractions you can catch in Brisbane and are on my must witness list each moment I visit. Other places of significance include the Bribie Island, Moreton Bay, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary and the Story Bridge.  Whatever you decide to execute I am certain you will enjoy your holiday in Australia.

A holiday in Australia is a grand experience and there is an boundless amount of ways you can splurge your time. From beaches, wineries, cities, rain forests and tropical hide aways you are guaranteed to discover your great adventure.  You probably have an idea of what you would like to see and do but often comprehension of the little things about a country can make the difference between a holiday that is enjoyable and one that is frustrating.

You will probably land in an Australian capital city like Cairns or Sydney. All airports have car hire booths and taxi stands.  Most will have a shuttle bus to the city or your hotel. Public transport options at airports can vary.  Sydney International Airport is first-rate with regular trains to the city.

All cities have a range of accommodation to suit every budget. All major towns and capital cities have residential suburbs in the outlying areas and a Central Business Center (CBD) in the heart of the city. The majority of unfilled accommodation will be in the CBD. You will also come across restaurants, shopping precincts, nightlife and cultural centers close to the CBD.

Other currency is rarely accepted as the Australian Dollar is the standard currency. Money can be exchanged at money exchange centers and banks. All purchases in Australia include a Goods and Services Tax(GST) and this is by law incorporated in the advertised price. Tipping for service is not expected.

Most public transport will branch out from the city into the outer suburbs. If you dont want to spend much time travelling on public transport then you should stay close to the CBD and avoid expensive taxi and bus rides. All capital cities have buses and trains with Sydney and Perth providing limited ferry services. Melbourne also provides trams. Public transport runs a lot more frequently during weekdays then weekends so keep this in mind when planning trips.

Australia is viewed as a land of beaches and sunshine but the weather can vary depending on location and season. Having lived in Australia all my life I would have to say the best time to holiday in Australia is April/May and September/October. At these times of the year it is fairly mild throughout most of the country. Temperatures are still warm enough to swim and it is mostly sunny weather without the high temperatures of summer. The wet season is over in the north of the country and the heat and humidity are more bearable. The southern most states of Tasmania and Victoria may be a little cool but overall it is the best time to experience the widest range of activities.

Armed with the above know-how I hope you find your holiday in Australia to be an amazing experience that surpasses your expectations.

Australia is a huge, beautiful country and has a great deal to offer people of all ages. From a metropolitan holiday to the great Australian outback holiday. A holiday in Australia can be as expensive or as cheap as you like, depending on your taste and amount of money to spend. There are 3 to 5 star hotels at one extreme or for those who love the natural wilderness there are camping holidays with many national parks and caravan sites for free.

For those after a metropolitan holiday in Australia the cities to see are Perth, Gold Coast, Sydney or Melbourne.

Melbourne is considered very trendy for Australian cities with its variety of Victorian and modern buildings. It has a large variety of cultural food and shopping. Other worthwhile trips whilst in Melbourne is a drive along the Great Ocean Road. This is a 200 mile drive along some of the most spectacular coastline.

Sydney is the business place of Australia and has a large range of designer clothes shops and restaurants. See the beautiful Sydney Harbour by ferry as well as Darling Harbour and The Rocks. The Blue Mountains, Bondi Beach or Taronga Zoo are also worth a visit.

The Gold Coast has a lot to offer visitors and is well prepared for families with a good range of family motels, resorts or tourist parks for vacancy and plenty of theme parks and rides.

Perth in W.A., is a city with many untouched beaches. Western Australia also offers the blow hole, tree top walk and a large range of wineries.

For a more far flung holiday in Australia then the upper northern part of Queensland would have to be  on the list of places to visit. The Great Barrier Reef is a big attraction with snorkeling around the reef with the abundance of fish. Or you could see the ancient rainforest in the world, the Daintree rainforest. If you are after a more adventurous holiday take a journey to the Australian outback along the Savannah Way. You can then journey to Darwin or the heritage listed Kakadu National Park and explore the wonderful nature walks and wildlife. There are many wilderness parks in this area if you are after a cheap camping holiday. If you like the idea of a guide there are also many paid tours.

The Whitsunday Islands are beautiful isolated islands perfect for a peaceful holiday away from the fast pace of the metropolitan cities.

Port Douglas in Cairns is also a wonderful visit.

A holiday in Australia is missing something without seeing the native koalas, kangaroos or abundance of bird life that make this vast country home. So are you now excited to take a holiday in Australia? The choice is yours. Are your tastes heading for the rugged outdoor adventure or the comfort of our fantastic choice of motels? Let the fun and adventure begin.