London Court

London Court attracts many local and foreign visitors each year due to its extremely welcoming atmosphere and fascinating features. Built in 1937, London Court is the very essence of Tudor England, taking visitors back in time. One of the most popular features is the decorative clock which was modeled after one of the dials in the clock tower of Big Ben in London. With lovely shops and friendly merchants, London Court is a delightful place to visit.

Kings Park and Botanic Gardens

The people of Perth are incredibly proud, and rightfully so, of their Kings Park and Botanic Gardens. The park is one of the city’s most frequented and popular attractions, both for tourists and the local residents. Resting just outside of the city centre lines, the garden gives visitors the view of the city but in the serenity of lovely greenery, trees and flowers. It also has views of the peaceful Swan River. A portion of the park consists of native bushland with many of Australia’s own native plants represented. While aesthetically pleasing, the park is also an educational attraction as children view the various plant life.

The Barracks Arch

The Barracks Arch is considered a symbol of Perth’s rich history. The original Barracks were built in 1863 as a housing for the retired Enrolled Pensioner Force and their families. These were the guards who protected the people from the convicts that were brought over from abroad and therefore were well-respected. The three-story building was designed in Tudor style and looked something like an English castle. When the Barracks were demolished in the 1960′s, the Arch was left standing as a proud architectural monument. The public cried out to preserve this beautiful erection and succeeded in saving a piece of it for themselves.

The Old Mill

Who can visit Perth and not stop by for a look at The Old Mill? The Old Mill stands firmly as one of Perth’s oldest historic landmarks. It was built in 1835 and is a place of peaceful serenity sitting next to the Swan River. Quaint and quiet, The Old Mill takes visitors back to a much simpler time, cutting out the noise and distractions of the busy city. This Perth jewel was nearly destroyed in 1955 during the building of the freeway, but the voice of the people prevailed and it is now protected by the National Trust for the enjoyment of tourists and residents alike.

Perth Zoo

While the people of Perth are warm and welcoming, they are not the only residents of this fascinating Australian city. The many animals at Perth Zoo welcome visitors and are happy to please the crowds with their fascinating personalities and characteristics. The Perth Zoo is located just outside the city centre. Popular features include: The African Savanna; the Asian rainforest; the Nocturnal House; and last but not least the Australian Walkabout which is home to such amazing species as Kangaroos, Koalas, Wallabies and Dingoes. Don’t leave Perth without paying a visit to the native wildlife at Perth Zoo.

What’s your favorite thing to do in Perth?

Photo by: basykes

Australia is one of the most popular gap year destinations in the world and a haven for younger travellers. It has world class beaches, thriving exciting cities and incredible attractions. It’s one of the best places for adventurous activities and outdoor excursions. There’s so much to do throughout the country that many people decide to spend a year or more exploring this vast country. If you’re thinking about planning a gap year break to Australia we thought we’d look at some of the highlights and what you can get up to when you’re there.

The Cities

The highlight of a trip to Australia will probably be the scenery but the cities are simply incredible and a brilliant place to start a trip. Sydney is everyone’s first port of call and offers incredible architecture, stunning culture and a night life and atmosphere that will make you instantly fall in love with the country. There’s Sydney harbour and the Opera house to explore, Sydeny tower and amazing night clubs and bars throughout the city so you won’t be bored for a second. From here you can head to Perth with its parks, concert halls, museums and theatres. Perth has a much more laid back atmosphere and is beautiful in every way possible. Finally Adelaide is a must stop destination with its vineyards and its location surrounded by national parks, nature reserves and, to the west, an incredible coastline with fantastic beaches and quiet seaside outskirts.

The Outback

The Outback is vast and words can barely do justice to the scale and beauty of Australia’s countryside. You can travel by bus through the regions or rent a car to see some of the most incredible natural sites in the world. Start by taking the great ocean drive to see some of the best scenery. Stop off at wave rock near Hayden and watch the sea breaking futilely against the stone. See Ayers rock the largest single rock in Australia and absolutely incredible. You’ll want to spend as much time as possible exploring the outback as it really is one of the most exciting, incredible and breath-takingly beautiful places in the world. Just don’t step on a snake!

The Beaches and the Great Barrier Reef

While the outback and the cities are fantastic there’s one thing that really brings in the crowds; the beaches. Australia’s beaches are what dreams are made of with warm white sands, warm waters and the best surf in the world. The atmosphere along the beach towns, the parties, the surf and the shores are the ultimate summer holiday destination. You can stay in waterfront hostels and enjoy the beautiful beaches for months on end. There are outdoor activities galore from surfing and windsurfing to skydiving, bungee jumping and rock climbing. Then, of course, there’s the Great Barrier Reef which is one of the natural wonders of the world and absolutely stunning. The sheer density and diversity of sea life on offer here makes this a wonderful destination and you’ll want to explore this as much as possible on your holiday.

Other Gap Year essentials

While these are undoubtedly some of the highlights of any trip to Australia there’s plenty of other activities and things you could do on your holiday. One thing we’d really recommend is trying to take part in a gap year project of some kind. Throughout the outback and on the Great Barrier Reef you can find hundreds of conservation projects and it’s a great chance to really get to understand the area and immerse yourself in its beauty. You can also try to get jobs on tour boats or in hotels if you just want to make a little extra spending money between trips to the beach. Whatever you choose to do Australia is an incredible gap year destination.

Visit Columbus Direct for great deals on gap year travel insurance in and around Australia.

Photo credits in order of appearance: Lake McKenzi, A Bush Turkey? And Nearly Set… By Will Ellis

Laze on the beach in North Queensland

If you’re keen on avoiding the cold weather all together, tropical North Queensland is certainly the place for you during winter. July to September is northern Australia’s dry season, with the average temperature floating around 25°C, which pretty much guarantees plenty of sunbathing weather.

The city of Cairns is a popular destination for tourists and backpackers alike thanks to its proximity to the Great Barrier Reef. The Reef is best explored up-close, and there are plenty of scuba diving opportunities available around the Cairns area.

Go skiing in Victoria

Are you after a more authentic winter experience? If so, you’ll be glad to know that Australia is home to some of the world’s best ski resorts, most of which can be found amongst the slopes of Victoria. There are hundreds of ski runs across ten alpine locations that are all just a day trip away from Melbourne.

Mount Buller, which is just a three-hour drive from Melbourne, is a popular resort with snowmaking facilities and a lift system capable of moving over 40,000 per hour. If you’re going skiing, it’s highly recommended that you buy some comprehensive Australian travel insurance.

Explore the Desert

Exploring the alien landscape of the Simpson Desert is perhaps as far away as you can get from any kind of traditional winter activity. The Simpson Desert spans across 200,000 square kilometers and contains the world’s longest parallel sand dunes.

Temperatures during the Australian summer (December to February) make the desert too dangerous to cross, but during the winter months, it’s just right. The safest way to cross the desert is via four-wheel drive, with plenty of supplies and a carefully planned route.

Celebrate “Christmas” in the Blue Mountains

OK, so it’s not exactly Christmas but you’ll certainly be forgiven for thinking that it is. Every year, between July and August, the Blue Mountains celebrate Yulefest, complete with snow-covered mountains, roaring fires, roast turkey dinners and carol singers.

The festival was started 30 years ago by Garry Crockett, proprietor of Kataoomba’s Mountain Heritage hotel, after some Irish guest pointed out that the wintry weather reminded them of Christmastime. Since then, Yuletide has become a popular event, attended by people from all over the world.

Attend a Winter Festival

There are just as many winter festivals happening around this festival-loving country in winter as there are in summer — covering film, music, writing, food and more.

Photo by: jwbenwell

Beyond Bondi

However, there is more to beaches in New South Wales than Bondi. Other famous beaches include Coogee, Collaroy and Manly, whilst there are many more secluded beaches upon which you can laze the day away. Many beaches also have excellent shopping facilities as well as a diverse range of restaurants on the shoreline. The nightlife also attracts its fair share of locals and tourists in search of a good time. Visiting the beach, is one of the top things to do in Sydney.

Most beaches have their own surf club so if you fancy some boarding, the lesser known destinations may be better to visit as you will get more instruction from the local professionals, as well as a greater amount of space on the water. Sports are popular on Australian beaches and there is always a game in which you could participate. Beach volleyball, cricket and football are particular favorites, not to mention swimming in the sea.

The beaches in Sydney are divided into three geographical areas. The Northern beaches stretch from Manly up to Palm Beach, whilst the Southern beaches go from Bondi down to Cronulla, which is on Botany Bay. The harbour beaches are famed for their quieter and calmer conditions, often attracting families. Picnic areas with barbecues are also popular, particularly during the Christmas period when families celebrate the festivities by cooking meats in the sun.

If you are staying in one of the hotels in Sydney and are planning on going to the beach, using sunscreen is advised as the sun in Australia is extremely intense. A beach hat should also be worn. Most beaches are extremely easy to reach from downtown Sydney, with Wynyard Bus terminal serving the Northern beaches and the Central Railway station serving the south.

Photo by: Rosino

Touring Australia can be like visiting several different countries at once; with sweltering summer heats and chilling winter snow to sophistication, class and the great Aussie outback, the options seem endless. Make the most out of your next holiday and explore Australia the right way.

Walking & Hiking Tours

Whether you want to take a leisurely stroll through the breathtaking Australian bushland or opt for a more adventurous hiking tour through the great Australian outback, this is surely one of the best ways to get up close and personal with all that Australia has to offer. Travelling around the Northern Territory, an unforgettable experience is a hiking expedition through the West MacDonnell Ranges, just a hop, skip and a jump from the town of Alice Springs. Don’t miss out on seeing one of the great world wonders, by booking yourself in for a walking tour of the world renowned Uluru.
For a more leisurely look at the beauty of Australia, take a walking tour around Maria Island, located in picturesque Tasmania. This magnificent walking tour offers visitors an insight into the true splendour of Australian wildlife, with pristine beaches and historical Blue gum forests. A walking tour is the perfect activity for any Australian holiday, whether you are travelling solo, with your family or as a couple.

Go Cruising

Whether you are searching for a quaint cruise along one of Australia’s most infamous rivers, or looking for the adventure of a lifetime as you scale the Australian coastline, cruising can often be one of the best ways to explore all that Australia has to offer. Most Australian cruises vary in length from a day trip right through to month long expeditions. Choose to explore just a piece of Australia with a Kimberley River cruise or plan a longer journey and explore the northern Australian coastline from Sydney through to Perth, with numerous stops along the way. Cruising is the perfect option for the traveller who wants undefined luxury and comfort, but still wants to explore all of the wonders of Australia.

Rail Journeys

Rail travel is one of the best ways to see the Australian countryside. Don’t bother yourself with the sweltering Australian heat and humidity, as you ride in air-conditioned comfort for the entirety of journey. From Adelaide to Darwin, The Ghan will take you on a magnificent adventure through the Red Centre right up to The Top End. The Northern Territory is home to some of the most famous tourist attractions in the world, and the safest way to experience these is by climbing aboard a train for the ‘Rock and Rail’ tour. One of the greatest journeys in the world, the ‘Rock and Rail’ will depart Adelaide and take you on a magical journey through the Red Centre, leaving you in awe of the enormity of Uluru, whilst continuing on to the breathtaking views of The Top End of Australia. If the outback isn’t really your thing, the Indian Pacific can take you on an unforgettable journey from Sydney to Adelaide, passing the great Murray River on the way.

Whether you are the adventurous type, prefer to travel in style or simply want to get the most out of your Australia holiday, consider booking in for a walking tour, a cruise or a rail adventure for the perfect Aussie expedition.

Photo by betta design

Think of the Australian Outback, and it’s likely to be one image that comes to mind first – Uluru. There’s good reason for this, of course, as the great red rock is an iconic image of not just the Outback but of Australia itself. As you might expect, however, there’s much more to the Outback than just Uluru.

Here are some of the not-to-be-missed destinations and attractions in central and western Australia – besides Uluru.

Mount Augustus – There’s another great red rock in Australia’s Outback, and it’s actually bigger than Uluru. Mount Augustus is in Western Australia, and there are two trails up the mountain as well as hikes around it.

Devil’s Marbles – As you might guess from the name, this is a particular rock formation of boulders that sit on the surface of the earth. Like Uluru, these rock formations in central Australia are culturally important to the Aboriginal people.

Coober Pedy – You may have heard of the underground hotels that are famous in this part of Australia; it’s not a tourism gimmick. The area around this town is so hot and dry that most of the residents live underground in cave-like homes, too.

Bungle Bungle National Park – You might not think of the age of mountains, but some mountain ranges are older than others. The Bungle Bungle range in northwest Australia dates back more than 350 million years, and there’s plenty of room for camping and hiking.

Antony Gormley Sculptures – Outside the Western Australia town of Menzies lies the salt plain of Lake Ballard, 10 square kilometers of which serve as a gallery for more than 50 metal statues by artist Antony Gormley. Residents of the area were the inspiration for the sculptures, and since the statues are spread out from one another it can take a few hours to see them all.

Ancient Empire Walk – Australia’s southwest is home to a thick forest of enormous trees, complete with a canopy boardwalk suspended 40 meters above the ground. This Valley of the Giants is part of the Walpole-Nornalup National Park.

Camel Rides in Broome – Yes, you can visit the gorgeous Cable Beach in Broome without riding a camel, but why would you? It’s worth it, if only to confuse friends later by telling them you rode a camel across the sands of… Australia.

Bradshaw Paintings – Rural Australia may be mostly uninhabited now, but it wasn’t always so. A visit to the Kimberley region gives you a chance to check out rock art that some experts believe dates back 60,000 years.

Riversleigh Fossils – Australia’s best-known fossils are in northwest Queensland, where visitors can check out animal fossils that are as much as 30 million years old. The area was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994.

Broken Hill – This mining town may not feel as rural as it is once you’re there, since it’s quite a popular stop for visitors to the Outback, but since it’s still a working town it’s more than just a tourist attraction.

Visiting Australia’s Outback gives you a chance to get to know a completely different side of Australia than the one showcased so beautifully by the big, cosmopolitan cities on the east coast. And checking out rural Australia also can get you great travel discounts and exclusive offers for visitors willing to make the trek.

photo by Shek Graham

The clear warm waters and blue skies of Queensland make this region the number one dive haven in the world for Queensland holidays.

1. Cod Hole at Ribbon Reefs in North Queensland offers scuba divers a large selection of local potato cod, as well as red bass, emperor and Maori wrasse. Divers can actually see the fish being fed by dive masters. Coral, anemone, giant clams and pyramid butterfly fish abound in this Queensland holidays paradise.
2. Osprey Reef on the Coral Sea in North Queensland has a reputation as one of the most glorious dive sites worldwide is well deserved, for its pristine soft coral and year-round viewing of white tip reef sharks, which are comfortable being around people. Divers can watch from 20 meters deep in a natural amphitheater. Crabs, shrimp, octopus and nautilus are viewed as well.
3. The SS Yongala Wreck in Townsville offers an amazing variety of marine life to the diver in this 110-meter wreck, long considered to be one of the most intact wrecks in the world. Gropers, barracuda, turtles, sea snakes and clown rays are a few of the sea creatures that abound here.
4. Wheeler Reef in Townsville offers one of the greatest biodiversity on this platform reef that offers white sands, bommies, brilliant soft coral, an amazing assortment of fishes and is rated as a superb night dive.
5. Bait Reef at Whitsundays on Great Barrier Reef is an ideal spot for Queensland holidays and is a well-known dive and ideal for snorkelers and scuba divers. Beginners dive to 30 feet, but more advanced divers can explore the true beauties deeper.
6. Hardy Reef at Whitsundays on the Great Barrier Reef is a patch reef, with dives up to 70 feet. An overnight pontoon is available.
7. Heron Island in Central Queensland hosts a nesting ground for green turtles on this coral cay that’s dense with vegetation. Shore and off-shore snorkeling and diving.
8. Lady Elliott Island in Central Queensland is located on the southerly end of the Great Barrier Reef, with 19 dive sites in the vicinity. Coral gardens makes an ideal dive at night, offering a gorgeous bounty of marine life. Manta rays, stingrays, turtles and reef sharks are teaming in this dive. Reef sharks are seen patrolling the reef wall. The Lady Elliott Eco Resort includes reef walks, snorkeling and diving.
9. Wolf Rock on the Sunshine Coast is made up of four volcanic pinnacles for gorgeous swim-through dives to see the black coral trees, soft spiky coral and hard corals, as well as spiral sea whips. Coral trout, perch, cod and travelly are among the fish life in this dive.
10. The HMS Brisbane was sunk in 2005 and is the newest wreck, and sits upright on the ocean floor, 28 meters down. It’s largely been kept in original condition. Access to divers is granted via holes into the forward engine room and boiler room, where divers can view the diverse marine life of sponges, corals, crustaceans and urchins. This dive is restricted to certified divers with a licensed dive tour operator.

photo by gruntzooki

If you are one of those dreamers who has decided to take off on your own epic adventure, you are probably wondering where to go. For those of us living in the northern hemisphere, a country like Australia seems so far away and difficult to get to, but if you are planning an extended trip, making Australia part of your trip makes sense. Time is finally on your site. If you do decided to go to Australia, then you might want to add Melbourne to your RTW trip itinerary.

Melbourne is known as Australia’s cultural capital, and it won’t take long in this city to see why. The variety of architecture around the city is stunning, and there are tons of options for museums, theater, galleries, and shopping. If you are into sports, the you’ve come to the right place as they are fanatical here in Melbourne. Learn Australian Rules Football or catch a cricket match during your time here to really integrate yourself into the culture. There are also plenty of places to explore beyond the city limits, making Melbourne an even more attractive place for RTW travelers.

Photo credit: 1

This is part of the reason why you should consider adding Sydney to your itinerary if you are planning a trip around the world. Long term, RTW travel gives you the freedom of having time, so who cares if it takes you several days of flying to get there. Time is on your side, so traveling to Sydney as part of your RTW trip gives you an opportunity that you may not otherwise have.

Many long-term, round the world travelers are traveling on a pretty tight budget, so traveling in an expensive, western city like Sydney may be rough on the budget. But there are plenty of ways to travel in Sydney and not spend a fortune. Our sister site over at BootsnAll has been updating all their city pages to offer indie travel tips that help travelers get the most of their trips to each city. If you are planning a trip to Australia, then it would be beneficial to check out the indie travel tips for Sydney and find out why you should add this wonderful city to your RTW trip.

Photo credit: 1

While in the Gold Coast on a media trip, I was given the opportunity to eat at two very nice restaurants, each with differing menus, however, much like in the question this post is posing.

Glass – Glass is a restaurant located right on the Marina Mirage over in Main Beach (a 3 minute walk from Gold Coast Helitours), with seating right on the water. It is classy and laid-back at the same time. Only, the actual process of looking through the menu and deciding what to eat took us far longer than expected given the choice — something I both love and hate at the same time. Since I lack taste buds for liking certain foods that others often love (like mushrooms and seafood), I find that menus heaps of choice make sure I am able to find something that makes my mouth water. On the other hand, it got to a point where I had to just close the menu and decide on the last item I saw because there were too many good options to choose from.

Little Truffle – Little Truffle is a restaurant in Mermaid Beach serving up modern Australian cuisine spiced with European flair – extremely delicious – and with the exact opposite mindset when it comes to the menu. The chef even came out for a chat with us at dinner and explained that their restaurant believed in offering up a few options on the menu, but doing them to the best of their ability. And, what I had was spectacular — confit pork belly with pea and mint puree and caramelized apples — but I definitely had but a few to choose from. It wasn’t an issue at Little Truffle because I liked many of the options, but I have been to certain restaurants where I had to pick one specific dish, and I wasn’t happy about it.

It probably depends on a person’s specific tastes, but I’m curious to hear from you on what your preference is for menu choices: a lot or a little.

Photo credit.