Australia
Australia is high on many people’s list of places they most want to visit and as the world becomes ever smaller, that dream comes ever closer to becoming a reality. So what are you waiting for? ...the great Australian experience is right there for the taking. From ancient aboriginal culture to the natural world, the infinite Outback, amazingly diverse cities, laid-back coastal living, superb food and world-renowned wines, a trip to Australia is more than just a holiday – it’s an experience to be savoured.
Culture
The indigenous Australians are part of the world’s oldest continuous culture. Believed to be at least 50,000 years old, man is thought to have lived in Australia long before Western Europe was populated. Whether you’re talking about the Aborigines or the Torres Strait Islanders (the two indigenous groups in Australia), they all love to share insights into their culture through art, story telling, dance and music. There’s nothing like a first hand experience and whilst the heartland of the Aboriginal world is Uluru, pretty much every place offers opportunities to immerse yourself in the culture – even in the cities. Most of them have Aboriginal art galleries, where the profits go to support local indigenous communities. Try and get to see some rock art – Kakadu National Park has one of the greatest concentrations of this, where you can see images which were carved to pass on stories and lay out road maps.
The Great Outdoors
The Australian Outback is claimed to be some of the oldest terrain on the planet and the locals, with typical Aussie understatement, call it their “backyard”. Dotted with amazing landforms, rugged, remote and with roads that stretch on into infinity with the horizon shimmering in the heat, the outback is authentic Australia. This is a place of glowing red sunsets, rich ochre soil, deep black night skies, treeless plains, empty tracks, unique wildlife, tall tales and larger than life characters. After all, where else in the world would you find a Reg Smith who thought it would be a good idea to start the Henley-on-Todd regatta (based on the one in Henley-on- Thames) in Alice Springs - a town which is almost 1,000 miles from the nearest large body of water? Out on the plains the temperatures can soar to over 40°C and some of the roads are unsealed, so attempting them with anything other than a 4WD would be foolhardy. The alternative is to let the train take the strain. The famous Ghan travels from south to north from Adelaide to Darwin via Alice Springs and the equally well known Indian Pacific speeds from east to west across the Nullarbor Plain – a treeless area, which is bigger than Belgium!
There’s a romance about this land, where the only change to the landscape is from parched red earth to grey brown, dusty and flat, but it certainly is the ultimate Australian experience. In a country with over 30,000 miles of coastline (it is, in fact, the world’s largest island), and a population of 20 million it’s no surprise that there are more beaches than you’ll find in almost any other nation and they are the most unspoilt and least crowded you will ever come across. Beach living is what Australia is all about and unsurprisingly, 80% of Australians live within 30 miles of the sea. They love the sun and the surf and enjoy a relaxed way of life which is the envy of all who visit. A stroll along the beach, a swim in the sea, maybe a touch of surfing followed by a barbie are a huge part of what Australia is all about. Surf beaches like Bondi, Manly and Surfers’ Paradise are iconic and the 1,500 mile long Great Barrier Reef is probably the most famous coral reef in the world and all of this is here!
There’s a romance about this land, where the only change to the landscape is from parched red earth to grey brown, dusty and flat, but it certainly is the ultimate Australian experience. In a country with over 30,000 miles of coastline (it is, in fact, the world’s largest island), and a population of 20 million it’s no surprise that there are more beaches than you’ll find in almost any other nation and they are the most unspoilt and least crowded you will ever come across. Beach living is what Australia is all about and unsurprisingly, 80% of Australians live within 30 miles of the sea. They love the sun and the surf and enjoy a relaxed way of life which is the envy of all who visit. A stroll along the beach, a swim in the sea, maybe a touch of surfing followed by a barbie are a huge part of what Australia is all about. Surf beaches like Bondi, Manly and Surfers’ Paradise are iconic and the 1,500 mile long Great Barrier Reef is probably the most famous coral reef in the world and all of this is here!
Cities
Australia’s state capitals are gateways to the glory of the individual states, but make no mistake, you should take time to spend at least a couple of days in them to uncover the unique city styles of each of them. Whilst everyone knows Sydney and the iconic Opera House and Harbour Bridge, those other cities all have something special too. Stay in Melbourne, the sports capital of Australia; set on the banks of the Yarra River, it blends mid 1800s architecture with modern glass skyscrapers to offer a surprisingly diverse cityscape. Adelaide, the festival capital, is a magnet for art lovers and its compact size makes it so easy to get around. The city is surrounded by greenery and, only 20 minutes away, the beaches along the coastline stretch into infinity. Brisbane is the hub of a huge holiday region, but this green city, which enjoys a sub-tropical climate, is famed for its friendly charm and lies at the heart of a region bounded by surf beaches, mountains and rainforests. And if adventure is on your list, then Darwin is the starting point for it all. But take time to check out the capital of the Northern Territory with a harbour twice the size of Sydney’s, this truly multi-cultural city is closer to Jakarta than Canberra.
And on that subject, the nation’s capital should not be forgotten. Home to the Australian government and a vibrant diplomatic community, the modern culture of the country is reflected through the many museums and galleries which the city is proud to possess. Far out west, but the nearest city to us, is Perth – a place for relaxed and easy living where blue skies, friendly people and uncrowded beaches are the order of the day. And last but by no means least, try to fit in a visit to Tassie’s port capital, Hobart. Australia’s second oldest city is proud to show off its convict heritage and Battery Point is probably the most faithfully preserved colonial era suburb in the country.
And on that subject, the nation’s capital should not be forgotten. Home to the Australian government and a vibrant diplomatic community, the modern culture of the country is reflected through the many museums and galleries which the city is proud to possess. Far out west, but the nearest city to us, is Perth – a place for relaxed and easy living where blue skies, friendly people and uncrowded beaches are the order of the day. And last but by no means least, try to fit in a visit to Tassie’s port capital, Hobart. Australia’s second oldest city is proud to show off its convict heritage and Battery Point is probably the most faithfully preserved colonial era suburb in the country.
Food and drink
Australian cuisine has made quite a reputation for itself over the last ten years. Driven by the arrival of immigrants from diverse regions in Europe and the Far East, the Pacific Rim cuisine, which has developed, is becoming world renowned. Australia’s casual lifestyle is perfect for taking it easy and eating alfresco whilst you drink in the view and sample the seafood. However, they haven’t forgotten their roots and bush tucker, traditional Aboriginal food, is making an appearance on many restaurant menus. Don’t panic, though, we’re not talking about bugs and creepie crawlies, but rather herbs, fruit and vegetables like lemon myrtle and bush tomatoes. Kangaroo meat is becoming popular – not least because it has no cholesterol and is low in fat. You can also take tours with Aboriginal guides, where you will learn how they survived off the land by catching animals, digging up roots, eating leaves and even using them for medicine. New World wines have made quite a name for themselves in recent years, overtaking even the French in popularity, and Australia has been at the forefront of that revolution. Whether you just sip a glass with dinner or take the full wine tour – you can hire a chauffeured limousine to save you worrying about driving – this is an experience to savour. And, of course, there’s something rather special about cracking open a cold beer on a blistering hot day whilst sitting on the veranda of the local pub in a country town – the Aussies would probably say that it’s about as near to heaven as you can get and they should know – they drink around 100 litres each every year!
