Australian Holidays are Full of Adventure
There are so many different kinds of things to see and do on this island continent.
"The Land Down Under" is a place of great beauty and mystery; rugged on one hand, calm and relaxing on the other.
Australian holidays allow visitors to choose from days on the beach, time spent exploring the outback, or excursions under the water watching the marine life of the largest barrier reef in the world.
What you do on your Australian holiday is entirely up to you. Many of your activities will depend on the area of the continent you choose to visit. Here are some samplings and a little information about each region.
Queensland
One can do a bit of everything in Queensland. Relax on the beautiful Northern beaches or explore the rainforests of tropical Northern Queensland. This is also a great area in which to hike and camp.
Visit Magnetic Island, in the Townsville region, which boasts the largest number of sunny days per year.
This region also provides easy access to the Great Barrier Reef, the ultimate destination for scuba divers. Also check out the pretty city of Brisbane, the capital of the Queensland district.
Victoria
The bustling city of Melbourne is one of the highlights of this region. Known for its stupendous shopping and fine restaurants, Melbourne is cultural and elegant, with beautiful parks and plenty of museums.
A delightful spot for an Australian holiday is nearby Mornington Peninsula, with its wonderful beach towns of Sorrento and Rosebud. Surfers flock to this region for the great waves.
New South Wales
This region includes the majestic city of Sydney, a perfect sightseeing destination known for its stunning opera house and world-famous Harbour Bridge.
You'll also want to make a stop in Hunter Valley to visit one of Australia's fine wineries in this area. The Central Coast and the sub-tropical northern end of NSW include a number of quaint beachside towns and the opportunity to enjoy a variety of watersports.
South Australia
Known for its wine production, this area was first settled by the Germans. More than 40 wineries grace the region and the small towns surrounding them are warm and welcoming.
Don't forget to visit the city of Adelaide, where you can find a good meal and some great scenery as well.
Northern Territory
The amazingly beautiful Northern Territory is the ideal location for adventure travelers on an exciting Australian holiday. Guests will want to visit the site of the world famous Ayres Rock as well as the rugged Kakadu National Park, where they can camp and spot a crocodile or two!
Western Australia
This region, the largest of all, is a terrific location for those who want to indulge in lots of water activities. The city of Perth, located on the banks of the Swan River, is home to boating, fishing, windsurfing, and dolphin spotting.
In nearby Margaret River, you'll find a mecca for surfers. Wineries are also plentiful here and a visit to the Mammoth Cave, with artifacts dating back 35,000 years, is a must for those on holiday in Australia.
If you don't mind crowds of other tourists like yourself, you'll need to travel to Bunbury. This town boasts a Mediterranean climate with white sandy beaches and a rip-roaring nightlife.
Tasmania
Travel to this incredible island to experience beautiful beaches and coastline, rugged mountains, amazing wildlife, and natural forests. Much of the land is under protection by the National Park System and those areas provide a great place to see local wildlife as well as native plants.
Choosing an Australian Holiday
If you have a particular activity in mind, determine which region will best suit your needs. Australian holidays may include such adventures as safaris, scuba diving, sailing, wine tours, cultural excursions, hiking or walking trips, and surfing adventures.
During the winter, there's plenty of snow for skiing and snowboarding in the mountains of New South Wales, in the snowfields of Victoria, and in Tasmania.
When to Go
Remember, Australia is in the Southern Hemisphere, so the seasons are the reverse of those in the Northern Hemisphere. In southern Australia, the winter months happen from June to August and the warmer summer months are December through February.
However, northern Australia, being mostly in the tropics, defines its seasons by the amount of rainfall. The wet season begins with the first monsoonal rains, usually around November, and ends around April or May. The dry season lasts from April or May through October.
Because of its diverse climate, you'll find Australian holidays that can be enjoyed during every season.
Posted by Pat on Tuesday, October 18, 2005