Australian Vacation

An Australian holiday is unlike any other in the world. The bountiful surroundings are certainly unparalleled: where else in the world can you experience natural, powder-white beaches, lush rainforests, rugged terrain and spectacular, mountain vistas during a single holiday?
Visitors travel from all other the world to experience the raw, unspoiled beauty of Australia, and in the process discover this country’s unique culture, history and recreation, all of which leave a lasting impression worthy of daydreams and fantasies.
A holiday in Australia is limited only by one’s imagination: from crashing surf breaks and exciting celebrations to challenging hikes and exciting sites, Australia is the place to discover a country rich in sites, sounds and experiences.
Sydney
Perhaps one of the most popular sites in Australia is Sydney, best known for its superb location alongside one of the most beautiful harbours in the world.
This dynamic city is a popular tourist attraction, and a Sydney vacation is not complete without a trip to the Sydney Opera House, Darling Harbour, the Sydney Aquarium and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, which is the sight of some of Sydney’s best celebrations and fireworks displays.
Western Australia
The natural beauty of Western Australia, including its gorgeous coastline and towering rock formations, makes this part of Australia popular among outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers.
Perth is one of the most popular parts of Western Australia, and is appreciated for its beautiful beaches, wildlife parks and its abundance of marine life.
Queensland
As the fastest growing state in Australia, Queensland is an area of Australia known for its spectacular surroundings, such as the Great Barrier Reef, Australia’s Outback and the World Heritage Rainforest.
Known as Australia’s Sunshine State, QLD is a marvel in natural beauty, exciting, outdoor adventures and world-class cultural activities
Gold Coast, which is Queensland’s second largest city, is one of Australia’s most popular tourist destinations undoubtedly because of its spectacular beaches, wide variety of theme parks and its superb, recreational activities.
Some of the best surf breaks can be found along the beach of Surfers Paradise, which is visited by more than four million people each year. Surfers Paradise is also well known for its great shopping and fantastic cuisine.

Travel Insurance For Your Australian Journey

Knowing which travel insurance policy to select can be difficult. Should you choose the cheapest policy? Do you need medical coverage? Do I really need travel insurance at all? All of these questions can easily be answered by considering just a few simple facts and knowing exactly what to look for in your travel insurance policy.

Give it thought ahead of time
Travel insurance should definitely be purchased if you are traveling outside of Australia, and should at least be considered if you are traveling extensively or far from home even throughout the country. Review your existing insurance and medical policies to ascertain if you are fully covered for loss or injury while traveling. Keep in mind the nature of your travel and the length. If you are venturing into the Amazon or plan on being abroad for a large amount of time, you’re coverage needs may be just a little more than extensive than someone who is traveling to visit Grandma. If you travel frequently consider annual multi-trip insurance, if you don’t travel very much then purchasing single trip insurance may be wiser. If your current coverage is inadequate then you should find a travel insurance policy that includes the following attributes.

Medical travel insurance
Your health is more important than anything else when you are traveling. If you are sick or injured while traveling you want to make sure that you are covered. Private hospitals throughout the world range from affordable to downright exorbitant. Make sure your travel insurance policy covers your hospital stay, medicines, medical evacuation, and any health conditions that you have. You can even purchase medical only insurance if you’d like.

Lost luggage and travel cancellations & delays
We all know that when it comes to travel, Murphy’s Law is the only law, “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong”. Of course no one wants to get to the baggage claim in a foreign country only to discover that your insurance is lost, or to approach the ticket counter to find out that your flight has been cancelled..indefinitely. But guess what? It happens. Refuse to be a victim of circumstances; make sure your travel insurance covers the full loss or theft of your luggage from a car, hotel, airport, and any other reasonable place.

Quality over cost
Purchasing cheap travel insurance should not be your ultimate goal when selecting a travel insurance policy. Everyone loves getting a bargain but insuring that your health and property are adequately covered in case of an emergency is much more important than saving a few dollars. Purchase direct travel insurance or comprehensive travel insurance only after receiving several quotes and remember that travel insurance should cover your travel needs from the moment you begin your trip.

Australian and Gold Coast Holidays In The Current Economic Climate

Most of Australia’s best holiday destinations are on its east coast. With the bulk of the country’s population living in the cities of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, it is really convenient to travel to the closest destinations, especially during the current credit crisis and while the Aussie dollar is low against the greenback. Queensland travel destinations like the Whitsunday Islands and the Gold Coast are showing a marked resilience to the current drop off in tourist numbers. Gold Coast accommodation has been in high demand over the Christmas and New Year periods despite predictions that there would be high vacancy factors. There has not yet been many signs in the domestic travel market in these regions that a recession is looming.

The main tourist areas on the Gold Coast like Surfers paradise, Broadbeach and Main beach have been fully booked over the Christmas, New Year break. Reports from tour operators on Fraser Island say that conditions are actually booming. Managing director of the Fraser Island co. Mr. Shane Boyd said they were experiencing their busiest holiday period for over five years and there were still plenty of inbound group bookings out of Europe, well into the New Year. The level of the Australian dollar against the Euro was obviously having a positive effect, he said. The Whitsunday Islands are always a popular tourist destination for Australians because it is so easy to get to. With a domestic airport on Hamilton Island you can fly right to the resort and it can’t get any easier than that. Regular daily flights operate from all southern capitals.

While the immediate future of the economy is still running into uncharted water, it is still a little uncertain how levels of participation in the travel industry will be affected however a low Australian Dollar is positive for both domestic and international visits alike so hopefully the impact in 2009 will not be as dire as some pundits have been predicting.

The Casual Beach Atmosphere of Broadbeach

As part of Australia’s fabulous Gold Coast, Broadbeach is the destination for vacationers seeking a laid-back, casual beach holiday.

This popular Queensland vacation spot is situated next to Surfers Paradise, yet boasts a less hectic, more casual atmosphere. Many visitors of Surfers Paradise enjoy visiting Broadbeach for a break from the hustle and bustle; likewise, vacationers of Broadbeach enjoy heading to Surfers Paradise for an evening of excitement.

Wherever your Gold Coast holiday plans may take you, make sure you include Broadbeach on your itinerary. This fabulous beach community boasts all the pleasures of a Gold Coast holiday, including sandy beaches, fantastic water sports, exciting day trips and tours and, of course, the warm, tropical waters and the warm, Australian sunshine.

However, don’t mistake the laid-back atmosphere of Broadbeach for a lackluster vacation; on the contrary, this vibrant, progressive, beach community features a fantastic nightlife scene, Conrad Jupiter’s Casino and loads of family entertainment. The boardwalk is family-oriented, as well, as it features picnic areas, barbeque grills, a children’s playground and even a duck pond.

The cuisine of Broadbeach is also fun and causal. Many, great restaurants can be found along Albert Avenue in Broadbeach, where it is common to find a fantastic variety of alfresco restaurants, cafes, gelato bars and coffee bars, just to name a few. The local and international cuisine of Broadbeach is well known in this region, and is why so many visitors appreciate the dining found here.

Broadbeach, in keeping with its family-friendly atmosphere, also hosts many fairs and festivals throughout the year. It is also a great place for both upscale boutiques and casual retailers, thanks to the wildly popular Pacific Fair Shopping Center, which includes over 250 stores.

The accommodation found in Broadbeach can be both casual and high-end. This beach community boasts budget-friendly hotels, family-friendly resorts and luxury accommodation.

From high-end holiday rentals to cheap accommodation deals, QLD Travel can pair you up with quality accommodation for your next Broadbeach holiday. Cheap deals and holiday rentals are plentiful and easily accessible when you use QLD Travel.

Family Accommodation Meets Resort Splendor on Daydream Island

Day trippers and vacationers alike will find something to love while on Daydream Island. As the closest island of the Whitsundays to the mainland, a day trip or a holiday to Daydream Island is both easily accessible and convenient.

Many tourists and Australians choose Daydream Island as their holiday destination of choice because of its close proximity to Shute Harbour on the mainland at Airlie Beach, its great, outdoor recreation, its fabulous accommodation and its accessibility to the rainbow-colored coral of the Great Barrier Reef.

This family-friendly island of the Whitsunday Islands of Queensland is a great place to engage in lively water sports, from mild to adventurous, including swimming, reef fishing, snorkeling, kayaking and parasailing. The dense, tropical forests of Daydream Island are also a fabulous spot from which to experience the beauty of the surrounding bushland.

The natural surroundings of the Whitsunday Islands are spectacular, and like no other in the world. This is the place to connect with nature and enjoy outdoor, family entertainment and recreation!

Many visitors of Daydream Island also choose to spend their time enjoying the beautiful variety of birds and wildlife, including the annual migration of the humpback whales. There are many day tours, including seaplane and helicopter rides, which enable visitors of this tropical destination to understand the immense beauty and diversity found here.

Loads of family fun can be enjoyed on Daydream Island, as well, thanks to the great variety of entertainment choices, including miniature golf, an open air cinema, a kids’ club, a gymnasium, a kids’ jungle-themed playground, tennis and croquet courts and three swimming pools.

The Daydream Island Resort and Spa, which is the centerpiece of the island, is a family-friendly resort that includes some of the finest accommodation on the Whitsundays. Some of the amenities of this luxury resort include spacious suites and expansive balconies with panoramic views.

If you are looking for cheap deals on your next Daydream Island vacation in Australia, then look no further than QLD Travel. QLD Travel can find a great deal, travel package or vacation package for a splendid Daydream Island holiday.

Hayman Island Luxury in the Whitsundays

There are 74 islands of the Whitsundays, yet for those seeking the finest in resort living, there is only one.

Hayman Island is the destination for resort splendor and spectacular surroundings, and is arguably the finest island for a Queensland vacation destination. Hayman Island, as part of the Whitsunday Islands, is located just off the North Queensland coast of Australia. It is an absolutely breathtaking island where the warm waters of the Coral Sea meet the powder white beaches, and where the most discriminating of visitors come to unwind and refresh.

The exclusive Hayman Island is considered to be of the most luxurious destinations in the Whitsundays, if not all of Queensland, for many reasons. The sandy beaches of this resort island blend beautifully with the natural bushland to create a spectacular, tropical locale. Over 14 hectares of tropical gardens, secluded bays and pristine beaches surround the lovely Hayman Island Resort, which is the only development on the island. For many, there is simply nothing that can compare to a Hayman Island Holiday.

As a member of the exclusive organization called The Leading Hotels of the World, the Hayman Island Resort is an exceptional hotel for those individuals who demand the highest luxury and finest service.

Guests of the Hayman Island Resort, in addition to the outstanding accommodation, enjoy a wide range of upscale amenities, including swimming pools and lagoons (which wind throughout the property), tennis courts, manicured gardens, a kids’ club, six restaurants, a marina, a spa and trendy bars. A shopping arcade further exemplifies the resort atmosphere, and provides visitors with everything they need for a perfectly rounded vacation.

Visitors to Hayman Island, in addition to indulging in the resort’s amenities, may enjoy walking the many trails of the island, diving and snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef and engaging in a wonderful array of water sports, including sailing, game fishing and scuba diving.

QLD Travel can arrange great Hayman Island Package Deals, and can even arrange a variety of cheap deals for those seeking a Hayman Island vacation on a budget. If you want to travel Australia and explore its superb destinations, then QLD Travel can help.

Exciting Australia Holidays Begin in Surfers Paradise

If you’re looking for a Queensland holiday destination where you can stroll along pristine beaches, engage in some of the wildest adventure sports, dance the night away at the hottest nightclubs and partake in spectacular, annual celebrations, then Surfers Paradise is the place for you.

Surfers Paradise offers what few other spots along the Gold Coast do; excitement, beauty and adventure, all rolled into one, spectacular resort town.

If you’re bringing the family and the kids, you’ll flip, over Surfers Paradise amazing array of theme parks. Exciting days spent screaming down a roller coaster or sliding down a wild water slide can be found in Surfers Paradise, at Dreamworld, Sea World, Warner Brothers Movie World and Wild Water World, just to name a few!

If you simply want a laid-back, relaxed beach atmosphere, then Surfers Paradise is perfect for you. From its pristine beaches to its casual cuisine and beachfront markets, Surfers Paradise is a hot spot along the Gold Coast for a truly relaxing holiday getaway.

 

 

 

Surfers Paradise is also the spot for those seeking electric excitement and a trendy atmosphere. Its hip nightclubs and trendy bars are a great source of nighttime entertainment while staying in Surfers Paradise.

Nature lovers and sports enthusiasts also find Surfers Paradise to be the Australian destination of choice. Backpackers, surfers, water skiers, snorkelers and swimmers will all find the exceptional surroundings of the Gold Coast’s Surfers Paradise to be a fine example of the natural beauty found along Queensland’s coast. The amazing surf of Surfers Paradise has drawn surfers to this area for years!

Other outdoor enthusiasts will find that the four-wheel-driving adventures along Surfers Paradise are a fantastic way to soak in the splendor of this resort destination. Day trips and guided tours are also a popular site in Surfers Paradise.

Surfers Paradise accommodation ranges from quaint villas to high-end, luxury resorts, thereby accommodating many types of budgets, lifestyles and desires. QLD Travel can show you the varied accommodation of Surfers Paradise, as well as travel package deals and cheap deals, to make your Surfers Paradise vacation a truly memorable one. A holiday rental in Surfers Paradise is made easier through QLD Travel.

The Allure of the Whitsunday Islands

There is no secret why so many visitors choose the Whitsunday Islands as their ultimate holiday destination. Comfortably situated along the backside of the mainland’s tropical rainforest, the Whitsunday Islands offer the best of resort living and some of the finest natural surroundings along the Queensland Coast.
The islands of the Whitsundays share a close proximity to one another, which means that island hopping and cruising along the islands’ many passages and lagoons is a popular treat for vacationers of this magical land.

During a Whitsunday Islands Holiday, the first thing you’ll notice is the spectacular, powder-white beaches, which practically beg to be strolled and frolicked along. The beautiful stretches of pristine beach lend themselves to the serene, almost surreal, surroundings of these superb, Queensland islands. Just a few of the sought-after destinations of the Whitsundays include Airlie Beach and Whitehaven Beach. Whitehaven Beach, in fact, is arguably one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

If the coastline doesn’t draw you to the Whitsundays, then the close proximity to the exceptional beauty of the Great Barrier Reef certainly will. The Whitsunday Islands are located in the heart of this spectacular natural wonder of the world, which thereby enables visitors to explore the rainbow-colored reef in many different ways. From snorkeling to diving to sailing, there are many tours which depart every day from the Whitsundays to the Great Barrier Reef, thereby enabling visitors on holiday to experience this truly magnificent natural gem.

 

 

Although the Whitsundays are comprised of 74 islands, there are a few that stand out from the crowd. The first of which is Hamilton Island, which is the largest island among the Whitsundays, and the most popular, as well. Hamilton Island provides easy access to the Great Barrier Reef from its harbour, from which many day trips and boat tours embark every day. Sailing the Whitsundays from Hamilton Island provides a fantastic cruise journey to the Great Barrier Reef.

Hayman Island is another popular spot in the Whitsundays, mainly because of its luxury accommodation. From upscale cuisine to trendy boutiques, Hayman Island is the place to be for the most discriminating of guests. Daydream Island, on the other hand, is geared towards family resorts and hotels.

The Whitsunday Islands provide a great array of fantastic travel packages, budget hotels and luxury accommodation, and QLD Travel can find them all for you. If you’re looking for a Whitsunday Islands Package Deal, then look no further than QLD Travel.

Getting to Know Hamilton Island

Queensland’s pride and joy has to be the Whitsunday Islands; and Hamilton Island, which is the largest of the 74 Whitsunday Islands, is a fine example of the sheer beauty found along the Queensland Coast of Australia.

Hamilton Island, because of its beautiful surroundings, outdoor recreation opportunities and fine accommodation and cuisine, has made this island of the Whitsundays a popular and trendy vacation spot.

 

 

 

Hamilton Island is easily accessed via airplane from the mainland, and is therefore a popular holiday destination for both Australians and worldwide tourists. Combine its prime location with its close proximity to the Great Barrier Reef and Whitehaven Beach, and you have a beautifully well-rounded holiday location for all.

The Great Barrier Reef, which is arguably one of the most awe-inspiring natural wonders of the world, and Whitehaven Beach, which is well known as one of the finest beaches in the world, are both easily accessed from Hamilton Island. There are numerous, daily tours to and from these spectacular sites, thereby providing tourists on holiday with the best that Hamilton Island has to offer.

Many visitors to the Great Barrier Reef enjoy water sports and recreation, including diving, snorkeling and water skiing, while visitors to Whitehaven Beach find some of the most pristine stretches of coastline on which to frolic in the sand or wade through the turquoise waters.

Many visitors also head to the trails of the surrounding bushland, where they can explore via a four-seater golf buggy. These lush, tropical surroundings, which make up the majority of Hamilton Island, are the place to experience the richness and diversity of the land.

As if the natural surroundings and sights weren’t enough to keep visitors entertained, Hamilton Island also offers a great array of dining options to suit virtually any taste and budget. Most of the cuisine of Hamilton Island is laid-back and casual, reflecting the low-key atmosphere of the island.

Some of the Hamilton Island accommodation are downright luxurious, and several, high-end resorts are in the process of being constructed. There are many hotels, villas and cottages to suit budget-conscious travelers, as well. QLD Travel can provide visitors with virtually any type of accommodation, from high-end luxury suites to cheap deals on hotels and villas. There are many deals available for Hamilton Island Holidays, including travel packages, and QLD Travel can find them for you.

Cairns: Experiencing the Best of North Queensland

As far as resort towns go, Cairns is definitely a keeper. Let’s start with its magnificent location, nestled between the Great Dividing Range and the Great Barrier Reef. Visitors on holiday in Cairns have the rare opportunity to witness some of the most awe-inspiring sites of Queensland, if not Australia.

The sheer diversity offered by the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef, which are, incidentally, both natural wonders of the world, make Cairns, Australia a popular vacation destination for million of visitors every year.

The pristine, unspoiled environment of Cairns makes it the perfect holiday destination for visitors looking for eco tours and outdoor adventures, including some of the most extreme sports adventures around. This is the Queensland destination for snorkeling, hiking, surfing, sailing and swimming, just to name a few!

 

 

 

A great spot to become one with nature is Port Douglas, which offers easy access to both the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. Spend the day snorkeling among rainbow-colored coral, diving off the coast or exploring the beauty and tranquility of the lush rainforest. While in Port Douglas you will also want to make time to experience the Mossman Gorge and Four Mile Beach.

Of, if your prefer, use your time in Cairns to laze along the many beaches, including Trinity Beach, Clifton Beach, Palm Cove Beach and Ellis Beach, jus to name a few.
Cairns, although certainly a special location for enjoying the breathtaking beauty of North Queensland, is also a beautiful resort town, dotted with beautiful accommodation, splendid cuisine and loads of culture and entertainment.

Palm Cove Beach and Trinity Beach, for example, boast great, luxury accommodation. The five-star resorts found in this area of Cairns speak of high-end luxury and service, and are a fine example of some of the outstanding accommodation available in Cairns.

Luxury resorts aside, there is also a nice variety of affordable Cairns accommodation, as well. QLD Travel can find you great travel packages and cheap travel deals while staying in Cairns. The hotels of Cairns often offer cheap deals, and QLD Travel can find them for you.

Always make sure you purchase full cover travel insurance before you leave – that way you can be assured of a completely stress free vacation!

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