Posts Tagged ‘Australia travel’

If you are heading to Sydney during in November then make sure the Sculpture by the Sea is on your must do list. This is an important Sydney event and is only here for a short time. The last date is 15th November.

This unique event combines some of the most amazing sculptures with probably the best coastal walk in Australia. During the first two weeks of November, the Bondi to Bronte coastal walk comes alive with fascinating and often querky sculptures to delight all ages.

The competition is now in its 12th year and last year attracted over half a million visitors. There are over 100 different sculptures to appreciate with 9 different prizes on offer. All of the sculptures are designed to respond in some way to the beautiful coastal setting.

Last year the prestigious $30,000 prize went to Mark McCelland’s “She Thought” which was a large bronze sculpture with a key hole allowing visitors to see the ocean horizon.

A word of warning about this exhibition. It gets VERY busy and it makes the experience so much better if you can linger and admire the artwork on your own rather than part of a huge crowd. Get up early to avoid the crowds, especially if the weather forecast is for a sunny day.

Make a day of it. Bondi, Tamarama and Bronte all have BBQ facilities. Bring your own food and enjoy the views. Alternatively there are plenty of cafes in both Bondi and Bronte for you to take a well deserved rest. Some venues put on special events to coincide with the exhibition. Many run their own Sausage Sizzle and BBQ in hidden away terraces.

If you want to find the right place to enjoy the views and food, try the Bondi Icebergs RSL for some cheap eats with amazing views. Don’t forget to bring some photo ID with you otherwise you will be refused entry no matter how old you are. For something a little more sophisticated, try Icebergs Dining Rooms where you’ll be greeted with a sumptuous BBQ.

In Bronte the small row of cafes offers something for everyone. SWELL is a good choice for those wanting something more upmarket. Jennies is a good all rounder but particularly good for those of you who like coffee.

You’ll also be able to pick up brochures at key points along the walk, which will help explain a little more about the sculptures. Whilst you may be lucky and get free drink samples, make sure you take plenty of water with you as the walk is still strenuous in places with hills and steps. It makes it a difficult walk with young children or those of you with prams and strollers.

If you aren’t planning to be in Sydney in November but really like the sound of this event, don’t worry! You can catch the same event in Perth during the month of March. This one takes place on Cottesloe Beach and is almost identical to the Bondi version.

This is one part of the Sydney beach culture that you won’t want to miss. Make it an early start one day this week to really make the most of it. Avoid the weekend crowds if you can!

Jennifer Schellington has nearly half a decade of experience in travelling Australia and has recently become a new Mum. Her website, www.realaustraliatravel.com offers practical information for planning your trip to Australia as well as what to do and where to go. Click here for more details on Sydney and it’s attractions

Queensland Holidays

If you are looking for a beach experience in Australia then look no further than Queensland, known by the locals as the Sunshine State.

With its beautiful coastline and tropical islands, it’s no wonder this is a firm favourite with locals and holidaymakers alike. It’s the second largest state in Australia and offers something for everyone.

Choosing where exactly to go in Queensland can be tricky as there really is so much to choose from. There are however some watch outs. Queensland can be split into North Queensland and the rest. The north is often referred to as Tropical Queensland and this area is best frequented between May and October. Outside of this time could mean very hot humid temperatures and lots of rain.

Warmer than its counterparts of NSW and Victoria, the rest of Queensland offers lovely temperatures nearly all year round. It’s probably not warm enough for the beach in winter but Autumn and Spring are certainly very pleasant.

It’s hard to decide where exactly to recommend for a Queensland holiday as there really are so many amazing places. A great option is a road trip from Cairns all the way down to Sydney or even Melbourne. It’s a long trek and you would need at least 4 weeks to complete it.

If a road trip sounds great but you don’t have the time, consider a trip from Noosa on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland, down to Sydney. This will probably take you 2 weeks but could be done more leisurely if you have the time.

A road trip might not be your thing. It’s easy to hop on a plane from any of the major Australian cities up to some of the best destinations in Queensland. The most popular are probably Brisbane, The Gold Coast, The Sunshine Coast, The Whitsundays and of course Cairns for the Great Barrier Reef. The last two are best visited between May and October but you can go outside of these times. Just expect some rain and humid conditions.

Perhaps one of the most memorable trips in Queensland is Fraser Island.. An island made entirely of sand, it’s a chance to get back to nature and enjoy the scenery and some 4 wheel driving. The lakes are beautiful and even if you are not a usual camper, have a go on Fraser Island. You really won’t regret it.

It’s almost impossible to come to Australia and not come to the Great Barrier Reef. Discover a whole new world under the sea near Cairns, in the tropical north of Queensland. Stay in Port Douglas, or better still, Palm Cove, a delightful small beach town just 20 minutes from Cairns.

Whatever you are looking for in a holiday, Queensland is sure to over deliver. From beautiful beaches to vibrant cities, you’ll love the Sunshine State.

Want to find out more about Real Australia Travel?, then visit Jennifer Schellington’s site on how to choose the best Queensland Holiday for your needs.

When visiting the Sunshine Coast of Australia, you will be amazed at all of the wonderful things there are to do on your trip. As is the case whenever you go on a vacation, the most important thing you can do before you visit the Sunshine Coast is to research all of the many sites and attractions there are, so you can be sure that you see everything you want during your stay.

The Sunshine Coast region is very unique in the things that there are to do and perhaps one of the most amazing attractions in this region is the Bellingham Maze. This outdoor hedge maze is quite a sight to see and as you travel through it you will feel like you are on more of a magical adventure than just walking through a maze.

The Bellingham Maze will have you traveling in towards the deepest part of the mazes center, and then back to the outer edges again before you can make your way out. Once you have completed the Bellingham Maze your trip to Bellingham is not complete though. Bellingham offers a wide variety of other mazes and puzzles to keep your mind and imagination occupied for hours. Bellingham also offers a small caf where you can relax at a table and sample the local delicacies, but be warned that the tables in the caf have puzzles on them as well. The caf even has a gift shop, where you can purchase souvenirs or puzzles to remind you of your visit to Bellingham,

With so many puzzles and mazes, Bellingham will be sure to stimulate your brain and your imagination. Bellingham also has a spectacular aviary that houses a wide variety or birds. After you have had your fill of puzzles, it is nice to take a relaxing walk through the aviary, with so many beautiful birds all around you.

Perfect for school trips and family vacations Bellingham is home to Snow White and her cottage and a surprising little puzzle lies there for you as well. A location that is full of fun for the whole family; be sure to include a trip to the Bellingham Maze on your next Sunshine Coast getaway. It is truly different from anywhere else in the world.