Posts Tagged ‘Australia’

Australia is probably not the first place that comes into mind if you think about swimming with sharks. But actually Australia is a great place to swim and dive with sharks.

You can do everything from a simple one-day aquarium shark dive to a several-day live-aboard shark diving tour. You can also do cage diving in Australia.

Do you want to try to scuba dive with grey nurse sharks and wobbygong sharks? Then you should go to South West Rocks, which is voted among the top ten scuba dive sites in Australia. Sheer walls plunge to an average depth of 30 meters in an area that is rarely affected by current.

But the greatest thrill of them all is a great white shark dive. And you do not have to go all the way to South Africa to do it. This special kind of scuba diving can also be done in Australia.

It is possible to go on a great white shark diving expedition from Sydney. But Adelaide and Port Lincoln in South Australia is more popular departure points from tour dive sites with great white sharks.

Those two places are the main departure points for live-aboard great white shark cage dives. From here you head out into the clear blue waters of the Southern Ocean to the Neptune Islands. The main attraction is the great white shark, but you will also see many bird species, dolphins, thousands of fur seals, and the beautiful and rare Australian sea lion.

So if you are on vacation in Australia and you have never tried a cage dive among great white sharks, Australia is a great place to try it for the first time.

If you are not into several days of shark diving expeditions, a more easy way to dive with sharks are in an aquarium. Australia has several places to do that; like Melbourne, Sydney and the Sunshine Coast.

If you are not a certified diver you will normally be offered and introduction to diving in a pool (certified divers can skip this part). After the introduction to diving and the sharks, you can start the actual shark dive in the big tanks of the aquarium. Sometimes you can even feed the sharks. If they like, your family and friends can watch the dive from outside.

So if the thought about great white shark diving scares you a little too much, an aquarium shark dive is a great way to feel the thrill that a close encounter with sharks gives.

If you are going to Australia, you can have a great shark dive; no matter if you choose the ultimate great white shark dive or a more normal aquarium shark dive.

Morten Elm is writing about shark diving in the Shark Diving Guide. Here you can also read more about shark diving in Australia.

Sydney is one of the world’s favorite cities. Set on a stunning harbor the shopping and dining variety are superb and you are within easy access of the great outdoors. Sydney was voted by the readers of Conde Naste in 2008. Sydney is a gay friendly city and its wide range of attractions encourages gay travel to this part of Australia.

The city has a full calendar of Gay and Lesbian events but the biggest of them all is the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. This parade and celebration is held each year in late February and it is a Mecca for fun. The parade is such a part of the general Sydney calendar that it is an attraction for non homosexuals who want to watch the parade, and the parade is shown on commercial TV.

The beaches are endless and the best time to be here is from October to March, the Australian summer period. North Bondi is always a classic, but if you want to find a nude beach there are four in easy reach of the city center. If you are a little more energetic you can make the 30 minute walk from Bronte to Bondi to enjoy the coast.

Food and cafes are a way of life here. The range of cuisine is immense and you will be able to find an option that suits your budget. One of the highlights of Sydney must be sitting in the sun at a cafe on the harbor and watching the people and boats go by.

The main gay district of Sydney is centered around Oxford Street; affectionately know as the pink stip. Here there are many gay friendly bars and clubs and a wide range of shopping opportunities from start up designers to the much more high end range of shopping options.

Gay travel to Sydney Australia is a rewarding experience. The seasons are the opposite of those in the Northern hemisphere so if you are in need of some sun and fun, in a gay friendly environment, Sydney is a prime destination.

While you are in Australia, nose around some of the other spots.  You will find Queensland to be gay friendly, as well as a delightful, alternative getaway.  Plus, you’ll find gay resorts in Queensland as well.

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.

In the Indian Ocean off the Horn of Africa lies a small archipelago of four islands and islets. Although closer to Africa, the islands are part of the Republic of Yemen. The archipelago consists of the main island of Socotra and three smaller islands known collectively as The Brothers Abd al Kuri, Samhah and Darsa.

The islands were separated from the mainland so long ago that much of their flora and fauna has evolved here, making the islands of great ecological importance. Due to their geographical isolation, the islanders have also had little outside influence, and arriving on Socotra is like stepping back in time.

The culture on Socotra is very different from the ways of the modern world. Until the airport was built in 1999, the only way to get here was by boat, and during the monsoon season the strong winds and high seas made the island inaccessible.

Most Socotris still live without electricity, running water or a paved road. Until 1990 the island still had a barter economy, and even today most people in the mountainous areas still live in caves. The main island is a little over 130 km (80 mi) long and around 35 km (21 mi) wide.

Socotra is a place of contrasting landscapes, with the turquoise lagoon at Qalansiya and the white sand dunes at Ras Moroi, the flower-filled alpine meadows of the Haghier Mountains and the desolate cave-riddled plateau of the interior. Rising to over 1,500 m (4,921 ft), the Haghier Mountains loom over Hadibo, the island’s capital, and dominate the skyline.

The red granite peaks are peppered with silver lichens which grow thickly on the bare rocks above the tree line. Streams bubble down from the misty heights, teeming with lively fish and freshwater crabs. Limestone plateau spread east and west, providing alkaline soils for the iconic Dragon’s Blood Tree for which the islands are famous. The locals collect the blood-red resin, known as cinnabar, from the tree by making incisions in the bark.

In the ancient world, it was used to enhance the colour of precious stones and glass, and as a pigment in paints, and had various medicinal qualities. The long isolation of the Socotra archipelago and its fierce heat and drought have combined to create a unique endemic flora and fauna.

There are no fewer than 300 plant species, 113 insect species, 24 reptile species and six bird species that can be found nowhere else in the world. Botanists rank the flora of Socotra among the ten most endangered island flora in the world, and steps are being taken by the government to protect this unique and spectacular habitat.

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The Sunshine Coast of beautifully temperate Australia is truly paradise. A natural wonder to behold, the Sunshine Coast is home to some of the most incredible National Parks to love and explore. You can find further information about each of these parks either by researching further about the Sunshine Coast on the web or by checking them out by name if you would like to learn more about your upcoming visit to this region.

MAPLETON FALLS NATIONAL PARK – A place to view the most incredible waterfall by the same name, Mapleton Falls pours from the western portion of the Blackall Range.

The MOUNT COOLUM NATIONAL PARK is a place like no other. It is a region filled with wetlands and flying falcons everywhere you turn.

The NOOSA NATIONAL PARK is a great place to get close and personal with some of the most famous cretures in Australia. Koalas, froglets and black Cockatoos all call this park home.

GLASS HOUSE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK is a group of nine volcanic plugs rising abruptly out of the coastal plain. Experienced rock climbers can these volcanic crags, while others can enjoy a scenic drive or a relaxing bushwalk.

The SUNSHINE COAST HINTERLAND GREAT WALK is a 58km hike through the Blackall Range. During the hike you are privileged to some of the range’s most scenic areas: warm subtropical rainforest, tall open eucalypt forest and picture perfect waterfalls. This is essentially a three day hike, depending on if you are taking full day walks or half day walks.

COOLOOLA NATIONAL PARK – This park offers many modes of getting around including four wheel drive vehicles, river boat, or just hiking on foot. There are tons of walking trails and many offer picturesque views of the coast line as well as incredible sights throughout the rain forest. Explore in amazement this rugged national park and stay the night if you dare.

While planning your trip to the Sunshine Coast of Australia try to find time to place these National Parks on your itinerary. It will truly provide your trip with fabulous scenery, adventurous activities and relaxing walks.

There are a large array of Sunshine Coast Hotels to choose from when planning your trip to Australia. For a complete listing, at a suitable price, go to www.sunshinecoastinformation.com.au. They have information on Sunshine Coast Accommodation as well as other places of interest.

South of Cuba in the heat of the western Caribbean, the three Cayman Islands are the visible summits of the Cayman Ridge, an underwater mountain range which drops suddenly into the 7,100 m (22,000 ft) Cayman Trench, separating them from Jamaica.

Grand Cayman is by far the largest. The Sister Islands of Cayman Brac and Little Cayman are mostly a wilderness of fruit trees, orchids and cacti where tranquility and an authentic West Indian culture are the main attractions. Just 145 km (90 ml) to the southwest, Grand Cayman at first resembles nothing so much as a transplanted American urban nightmare.

The capital, George Town, and Seven Mile Beach, its renowned local playground, are full of condos, resorts, satellite dishes and mini-malls. The streets teem with bankers and the faceless suits of the institutions that have made it the world’s fifth largest financial centre.

Five days a week, cruise liners decant up to 22,000 tourists, joining the millions each year whose holidays have given the Cayman Islands the eighth highest GDP per capita in the world.

George Town is so busy, loud, and determinedly up for it, you feel the privateers and pirates of former times have merely put on modern dress in their eagerness to empty your wallet.

In the small towns and villages outside George Town, the atmosphere changes immediately. Grand Cayman’s true self is African-European, deeply Christian, conservative and church-going (there are lots of churches).

The locals are openly friendly and well-mannered, laughing and hospitable. Isolated by the central mangrove wetlands -3,440 hectares (8,500 acres) of lush forests, emerald green parrots and bright orange frogfish, the mainspring of the complex ecology that maintains both the turtle grass and shrimp mounds of North Sound Marine Reserve, Rum Point typifies Grand Cayman at its best.

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As the weather starts to cool off in the States, many may be looking for a vacation escape. The Gold Coast in Australia may be the answer to your prayers. With warm weather and white sandy beaches, it is the perfect retreat from the winter blues.

Of course the weather is only one reason to travel to Australia, which provides beautiful scenery and gorgeous sites year round. The temperature in Australia is moderate all year, which means no matter when you visit you will have great beach weather. There is an added benefit of going to Australia during our winter, since you get to experience the great summer climate in Australia, and you also get to avoid the cold here, but really any time of year is a great time to visit.

No more tanning booths in the winter time just plan a vacation to the Gold Coast, and you will enter paradise. Surf or snorkel the days away and party all night long, in Surfers Paradise you will find some of the most incredible nightlife and sun and surfing by day. These regions of Australia contain perhaps some of the most incredible beaches in the entire world.

Australia is more then just beaches, and fun in the sun, though. There is also the Outback, the rainforests, rural areas and of course gorgeous cities to see. You can lay in bed listening to the sound of the ocean, or head to theme parks that are fun for the whole family. There are so many things to see and do in Australia, that after your first visit you will absolutely want to keep coming back.

Whether you would prefer the popular tourist areas, with their modern resorts and landmarks, to something more secluded and scenic, Australia offers it all to you. You can do everything from visiting art museums, to visiting amusement parks with rides and games, from shopping in the major cities, to exploring the rain forests. And for you golfers, Australia has some of the most gorgeous golf courses you will ever see in your life. Remember, no trip to Australia is complete without visiting the countrys Gold Coast region. This tropical region is the perfect place to escape the approaching cold weather.