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In places like Uluru, (Ayers Rock to all those who don’t speak the language), which is a great big rock right in the middle of the outback, you can see ancient aboriginal rock art, painted by the local people hundreds (or perhaps even thousands) of years ago.
Maybe you might even purchase some of the local Australian art to take with you as a reminder of your Australian travels and the best holiday of your life…
As you travel Australia you'll find that we have wonderful beaches, probably the best beaches in the world in my humble opinion, where you can idle away lazy days, and stark Australian outback (otherwise known as “the bush”) to explore and delight in.
Queensland.
In Queensland the climate is superb; Australians don’t call Queensland “The Sunshine State” without good reason.
They say about Queensland that it’s beautiful one day and perfect the next, I live in Queensland and I have to agree.
Of all the states you'll travel in Australia, Queensland is, for my money, the very best place to live or to visit on your Australian vacation.
New South Wales.
New South Wales, or “The Premier State” as they like to be known, is the business capital of Australia (although those who live in Melbourne would probably dispute that).
The weather here is generally a little milder than in Queensland, but they do have their days.....
One of the leading tourist destinations for those who travel to Australia and home to a multitude of Australian icons, New South Wales is a state that has many facets, a wonderful abundance of fabulous getaways, stunning beaches, mountain retreats, country escapes and unforgettable experiences, all radiating from the exciting heart of Sydney.
Western Australia.
Western Australia is a vast open space.
Perth, the capital, is a great little city, the beaches are white, the atmosphere is relaxed and the people are laid back and very friendly.
The climate?
Can be very hot in summer and can also be quite cool in winter.
Whatever time of year you travel to Australia you must visit Western Australia, you'll find sun, adventure, an awesome natural environment and very friendly people, and nowhere else in the world can you experience and interact with such unique natural attractions.
Victoria.
As for Victoria, the beautiful Australian countryside will blow you away.
Not stark like the Australian outback states but the Victorian mountain country is something else.
Nestled at the South Eastern tip of Australia, Victoria is Australia's second smallest state, covering 227,600 square kilometres, roughly the size of the British Isles.
Compact it may be, but for those who travel to Australia, Victoria has a wealth of diverse regional areas and attractions, from sweeping coastline and pristine beaches to national parks and forests teeming with wildlife, from mountain ranges to beautiful lakes to Australia’s largest city, Melbourne.
You can ski in the snow in Victoria in winter and you can roast in the summer and it’s not uncommon for Melbourne, the capital, to have all four seasons in one day…..
South Australia.
South Australia has some of the finest vineyards in the world, (the cellar doors will astound those who like to try a drop), and some of the nicest churches (perhaps worth a visit after you’ve tried a drop too many…?).
Adelaide is called the "City of Churches" after all.
The weather in South Australia is quite visitor friendly, unlike so much of Australia, but it can get extremely hot in the summer (that’s from November to March for our visitors who travel to Australia from the Northern hemisphere) and likewise quite cool in the winter months.
In South Australia you can drink world-beating wines among acres of vines, swim with cuttlefish and seahorses and dolphins, make Adelaide your resting place while you attend an international festival or two, visit the eco-wonderland that is Kangaroo Island....
Yes, South Australia truly is a brilliant blend.
The Northern Territory.
The Northern Territory of Australia is home to Kakadu National Park and Alice Springs and is Australia's "wildlife sanctuary".
Equivalent in size to France, Italy and Spain combined, the Northern Territory is bordered by Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia.
Blessed with an abundance of natural environments the Northern Territory is famous for its spectacular wildlife.
Here you can see crocodiles and snakes, wild bulls and horses and camels, scorpions and even some of the biggest termites in the world, if that's what turns you on...
The Northern Territory can be wild and dangerous but the people are warm and friendly and the weather is always hot and sultry, it’s a magical place.
Tasmania.
Then there's Tasmania, the "little" island just to the south of the Australian mainland.
Old growth forest abounds, penguins flourish and the Tasmanian Devil is alive and well.
Tasmania is the ultimate self drive holiday destination for those who travel to Australia.
The compact size and rich diversity of Tasmania mean new sights and new experiences around every corner.
Bed and breakfast or great hotels, the choice is yours, just don't forget to take your warm, waterproof clothes with you.
The Australian Capital Territory.
And we mustn’t forget the Australian Capital Territory, or the ACT as it’s known in Australia.
This is the place where the federal government of Australia sits, the place where our national treasures are held and where all the important decisions of state are made.
The climate in the ACT is much the same as New South Wales, I guess you’d expect as much considering it’s location, (it’s an enclave of that state for those who don’t know).
Canberra, it’s capital, and “The ACT” are often used to mean the same place but whatever you call it many believe it’s still full of hot air, who am I to argue?
A word of general warning is probably not out of place here.
If you intend to be travelling in Australia the distances between centres can be vast so flying is often the best option.
Looking at any Australian map, unfortunately, doesn't give those travelling to Australia for the first time any real idea as to how far it is between major cities, or how long it will take to travel.
As an example, Sydney to Brisbane is only a few centimetres on most maps but it will take you 12 - 16 hours to drive but less than an hour by air.
Brisbane to Perth is 5 (yes five) days!
As you are travelling in Australia you'll find the major Australian roads are generally of a very good standard, probably comparable to anywhere in the world however there are still a lot of dirt roads.
These will be marked as such on most Australian maps and should not present any problems most of the time but on occasions they will become impassable, if you intend to be travelling any distance on these dirt roads it’s wise to seek some information from the local police before you set out, you’ll find them very helpful.
It’s also a good idea to tell the police where you’re going, if you’re going to be travelling off the “beaten track”, and about what time you expect to arrive, every year visiting tourists go missing, some never to be seen again.
Whatever you're looking for, as a holiday traveller you're sure to find it in Australia, and, of course, your Australia travel guide, The Discount Travel Guide is here to help you.
Just follow the links to find whatever it is you need, and, as always, if you can't find what you're looking for just write and we'll do our best to find it for you, in the meantime................enjoy,
John.
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