Sydney Travel Guide

June 9, 2011 By
Sydney may be the most popular tourist destination for people visiting Australia for the first time. Visit one of the travel sites: Travelocity, Expedia or Orbitz to find great package deals that include your round-trip flight, hotel and rental car. By contacting your local travel agent you may be able to find deals with packages that include one or more of the popular tours available in Sydney. There are always cheap domestic flightsonce you arrive in Sydney to other destinations in Australia so it’s a great place to start your adventure.There are many things to see and do while in Sydney but here are the top five:

1. Manly Ferry

Taking the Manly Ferry is perhaps the best way to see the city, its harbor and the harbor bridge. Finding a seat near the front or the back of the ferry will net you the best views of the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The ferry ride lasts for approximately 30 minutes to Manly and about 15 minutes back to your starting point.

2. Sydney Harbour Cruise

If you head to Wharf no.6 on Circular Quay, you can find many ships offering cruises of the harbor. These cruises are often more organized than the ferry ride and offer a tour operator who will give you facts and tidbits about the city. The cruises do cost more but they also last longer so would be the choice if you like tours of this nature.

3. Ferry to Darling Harbor

Ferries to Darling Harbour travel under the Sydney Harbour Bridge and offer views of the city as well as the Opera House. Darling Harbour is home to the Sydney Aquarium, Monorail and Powerhouse Museum as well as restaurants, bars and shops. Darling Harbour also holds festivals during the year that you may be lucky enough to visit.

4. Walk to Shelly Beach from Manly Wharf

Shelly Beach offers chances to see the Manly Penguin and to look out over the sea from atop cliffs. You can do this walk on your own or take a guided tour for $28. The tour starts at 1030am daily and takes about two hours to complete. If you want to hear stories about Manly and its history the tour may be a better choice.

5. North Head

Many tourists head to North Head hoping to catch a glimpse of the migrating humpback whales. It’s best to do this on a calm day if you have any hopes of seeing the magnificent beasts. North Head is quite a hike from Manly so plan on taking a cab or bus if you haven’t rented a car for your holiday.

If you’re organized and plan your itinerary with some thought, you can do a few of these things in a day, giving yourself more time to visit other top spots in Sydney! There is so much to do in the city that it really is recommended that you either consult a guidebook or a travel agent when making your plans. You don’t want to come home and realize you missed something you would have loved to see!

Filed Under: Destinations

Resort Accommodation

September 9, 2010 By

How to Choose the Best Resort Accommodation

A resort, for many, is splendor epitomized. From outstanding amenities and services to superb accommodation and facilities, a resort holiday is certainly like no other.

Whether you’re looking for island resort accommodation or spa resort accommodation, one thing’s for sure: your resort accommodation should reflect your needs, wants and desires, and allow you to revel in your luxurious holiday.

How to Find the Best Resort Accommodation for you:

  • Where do you want to stay? This is, perhaps, the biggest decision to make when planning a resort holiday. Do you want to frolic on the beach, experience the excitement of a city or head to the mountains for the ultimate, private destination? Use the Internet to research your options regarding resort accommodation.
  • What is your budget? There are plenty of resort options for every budget, so don’t be worried about finding an island resort or spa resort in your price range. In particular, there are loads of resort hotels offering discount resort packages because of the poor economy. Your holiday resort accommodation doesn’t have to break the bank!
  • What type of resort accommodation are you interested in? Are you looking for a resort hotel that is for adults only, or are the kids coming with you? Does your luxury resort hotel need to be family-friendly, or do you prefer resort accommodation for a romantic honeymoon? Many luxury resort hotels cater to different types of travelers, so consider your options when choosing your holiday resort accommodation.
  • What type of room are you interested in? Once you have chosen the holiday resort accommodation that best suits your needs and your lifestyle, you should consider what type of hotel room you desire. Do you merely need a room for sleeping, or do you envision spending a lot of time in the room? Resort hotels and luxury resorts have rooms that range from standard to over-the-top luxury for those special island resort or spa resort holidays.
  • What kind of luxury resort amenities are you interested in? Do you want a luxury resort that features plenty of adventure activities, or do you desire a pampering holiday, complete with a spa, hot tub and massage service? From casinos to golf courses and fitness centers, today’s luxury resort hotels offer plenty of amenities and services to suit even the most discriminating travelers.

Once you have settled on a resort hotel, an island resort or a spa resort, use a travel website to find the best in holiday resort accommodation at the best price. A discount resort holiday can be easily found using a travel website, as many resort hotels and luxury resorts use travel sites to advertise special packages and discounts.

Filed Under: Destinations

Australian and Gold Coast Holidays In The Current Economic Climate

April 14, 2009 By

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.

Filed Under: Destinations, NSW, Qld, Vic Tagged With: , , , ,

Understanding Kakadu’s Many Seasons

April 8, 2009 By

Kakadu National Park is an area rich in biodiversity, vast landscapes and truly spectacular surroundings.

Consisting of over 1,980,000 hectares of land, Kakadu boasts many, different landforms, all of which showcase the beautiful biodiversity of this amazing, Northern Territory region. Kakadu is astoundingly different, depending on the time of the year. In fact, the landscape throughout Kakadu can be dramatically different from month to month. It is because of this that the Aborigine people of the area, the Bininj/Mungguy, recognize six, different seasons, which include:

Yegge – Yegge runs from May to June, which is the cool season in Kakadu. Yegge is a time for new growth in the area.
Wurrgeng – Wurrgeng runs from June to August, which is the early dry season of Kakadu. Wurrgeng is the time when creek beds dry up and floodplains dry out.
Gurrung – Gurrung runs from August to October, which is the hot, dry season.
Gunumeleng – Gunumeleng runs from October to December, which is the pre-monsoon season. It follows Gurrung, and is the time when streams fill up and new growth becomes predominant.
Gudjewg – Gudjewg runs from December to March, which is the monsoon season. The extreme heat and humidity encourages an abundance of new plant and animal life, and the woodlands begin to thrive once again.
Banggerreng – Banggerreng, which includes the month of April, has long been recognized by the Bininj/Mungguy people as the harvest season. With clear skies and receding waters, plants are fruiting, thus bringing an abundance of food and new life to the region.
With the beautiful diversity of the land and the difference of the seasons, there are always things to see, do and experience in Kakadu throughout the year. Darwin provides easy access to Kakadu, making a holiday in Kakadu very convenient.

A vacation in Kakadu is made simple through NT Travel with completeNT Accommodation and travel bookings.. From fine, Kakadu accommodation to excellent sightseeing and adventure tours, NT Travel can make your next Kakadu National Park holiday exciting, adventurous and memorable. If you are looking for cheap deals or an all-inclusive travel package, then look no further than NT Travel.

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Experiencing the Best of the Perisher Ski Resort

April 8, 2009 By

New South Wales’ most popular ski resort is, without a doubt, Perisher (also still referred to by its old name, Perisher Blue). High atop the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales, along the Snowy River Shire and within Kosciuskio National Park, Perisher is a fantastic example of the outstanding ski resorts found throughout Australia.
Located about 600 kilometers southwest of Sydney, Perisher Blue is the largest ski resort in the southern hemisphere, and consists of four, separate villages within the resort itself: Perisher Valley, Smiggin Holes, Guthega and Blue Cow.

• Perisher Valley – With an elevation of 1,720 m, Perisher Valley boasts excellent slopes, beautiful resort accommodation and a great variety of amenities and services to make your stay both comfortable and luxurious.
• Smiggin Holes – Located 1,680 m high atop the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales, Smiggin Holes is a popular destination for both beginner and advanced skiers and snowboarders. This village offers great ski resort accommodation. Smiggin Holes is most commonly reached by flights from Cooma.
• Guthega – With an elevation of 1,640 m, Guthega boasts an excellent array of ski facilities and quaint accommodation. Many of the runs of Guthega are tree-lined, which therefore holds snow much longer than other resorts. There are great lodges and hotels found in Guthega, thereby offering guests quality ski resort accommodation.
• Blue Cow – With the highest elevation at 1,890 m, Blue Cow is Perisher’s only day-only resort. Located within close proximity to the Perisher Blue Resort, most visitors reach Blue Cow by either ski lifts or skitube.

 

Skiing In NSW - Great Holiday Destination

Skiing In NSW - Great Holiday Destination

 

 

So if a holiday overseas isn’t what you are looking for and you would prefer to stay down under, try a NSW ski holiday. The NSW Ski Holiday Accommodation options are vast and can offer plenty of options for those on a budget or those looking for luxury.

If the Snowy Mountains are calling you this winter, consider the Perisher Blue Ski Resort for fantastic skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing, and choose NSW Travel to make your holiday dreams come true. Fantastic dining, world-class shopping and exciting nightlife can all be found at the Perisher Ski Resort.
You may choose lodging within the ski resort, or at nearby Jindabyne, but whatever your choice, NSW Travel can provide you with a great variety of travel packages and cheap deals to make your New South Wales ski holiday unforgettable.

Always remember to buy travel insurance before a holiday – this is especially important for adventure holidays that may involve skiing. Cheap Travel Insurance can be found easily enough if you shop around online – just be sure to find a policy that fully covers your travelling needs.

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Can’t Miss Australia-Spots to Experience and Explore

April 7, 2009 By Leave a Comment

An Australia holiday is whatever you want it to be: romantic, adventurous, relaxing or quiet. Whatever your desire, there are certain spots in Australia that can’t be missed.
Aunz Travel can help make your Australian vacation dreams come true with a great array of Australia travel deals and Australian tours to suit a variety of tastes, wants, desires and budgets.  A well-rounded Australian holiday may take you from the harbours of Sydney, to the beaches of the Gold Coast, to the cultures of Melbourne, to the sandy beaches of Perth, and beyond.

Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is the place to discover the splendor of one of the most spectacular wonders of the world. Located along the Queensland coast, the Great Barrier Reef is the place to stroll along the white sand beaches, explore the surrounding island national parks, and discover the diverse marine life. Snorkel along the coastal hubs of Cairns, Port Douglas, Townsville, Bundaberg, Rockhampton, Mackay, Mission Beach and Proserpine and discover the techni-coloured coral reefs that have mesmerized visitors for centuries.

 

Holiday At The Great Barrier Reef, Queensland

Holiday At The Great Barrier Reef, Queensland

 

 

Northern Territory
The rugged beauty of the Northern Territory is for the adventurous side of us. This beautiful area of Australia is home to Ayers Rock and Kakadu National Park, where Aboriginal rock art and the surrounding rainforest areas speak to this spectacular spot of Australia. Explore the colorful landscapes and the rugged terrain and discover what so many visitors already have: that the landscape of the Northern Territory is unsurpassed.

Cairns
The tropical surroundings and the relaxed ambience make Cairns a popular travel destination in Australia. The Cairns Foreshore Promenade, along with its expansive, saltwater lagoon, is the centerpiece of this dynamic city. A plethora of restaurants, hotels and bars, all with views of the lagoon, can also be found in this exciting spot.

Broome
The first time you swim in the turquoise waters of Cable Beach and stroll along its white sand beaches you will discover the magnificence of Broome. Discover Chinatown and its many sidewalk cafes and retail shops and head to Gantheaume Point and see 130 million-year-old dinosaur footprints.

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Travel Australia

March 12, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Been dying to visit “the land down under”? Longing to see the beautiful Sydney Opera House up close and personal? Then wait no more! You can start planning to travel Australia today! With the recent increase in air fare costs, many believe that travelling affordable abroad and even locally are a thing of the past. Well fear not, because affordable Australian travel is still available. Whether you are travelling from Australia or travelling in Australia, planning your trip has never been easier or more affordable than it is today, with the help of the internet.

Many travellers mistakenly think that the only way to save on travel is to plan ahead and book their trips well in advance with the larger travel companies. Well that’s no longer true! Whether you are a stickler for doing things in advance or a last-minute procrastinator, you can plan your trip to Australia online at any time, and still take advantage of huge savings on everything from rental cars to RV’s. Reading travel information online is a great place to start your Australia travel plans. Whether you are searching for cheap flights to Australia or travel advice in general, a simple search on the internet can point you in the right direction.

Not only does the internet allow you to research the cities that you wish to travel to in Australia, but you can also see some great pictures, gather information on a wealth of tourist destinations, and read personal reviews of other traveller’s experience, all at the same time. Even if you aren’t very internet savvy, don’t worry! You can always leave the research to the experts, and simply fill out a short questionnaire or general information form on most travel sites. The usual turnaround time for a response to your inquiry ranges from seconds to no more than 24 hours by the best travel sites, and you can even opt to have them call you directly. How’s that for customer service? The internet is a hot spot for locating cheap Australia travel deals. Many travel companies offer great affordable travel packages on air and hotel accommodations, as well as adventure packages. Whether you are looking for a great deal on a hike through the outback or on great seats to the next opera, you can find it all online. Don’t delay another day on your trip to Australia; beauty, relaxation, and fine food await you.

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Top 8 Worst Travel Destinations

March 12, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Everyone needs to take a good vacation every once in a while, in order to recharge and get away from the hassles of everyday life. But there are a few places that you definitely don’t want to go if you’re looking for a way to relieve stress, as they will prove to be unpleasant, uncomfortable, and downright dangerous. Here are eight places that would inspire even the most trusting traveler to pick up some travel insurance.

1) Iraq

For Americans, this is a no-brainer. It’s always high on the list of any Top Ten Worst Travel Destinations compilation, which tells you something right there. This war-ravaged land has been struck by terrorism, crime, and instability, so bad travel doesn’t get any worse than this.

2) Thailand

The country of Thailand is still struggling to recover from the disastrous tsunami that ripped through its coastlands. The area is prone to natural disaster, and is also chock full of violence due to struggles between the Islamic militants and the government.

3) Cancun

This place is way less exciting than most people make it out to be. Unless you’re a drunken frat boy visiting the city during Spring Break, you’re probably not going to be impressed by the insane amount of tourist traps and overcrowding.

4) Bombay

The fun mix of overpopulation, pollution, governmental corruption, and communal violence makes Bombay one of the worst cities in the world for tourists to visit. In some places, the population density is one million people per square mile, and breathing the air here for one day is equal to smoking 200 cigarettes.

5) Liverpool

Travel information about Liverpool is poor, so most tourists don’t know what they’re getting into when they travel to this place. This city has the highest crime rate in all of England, and is also covered by a dense fog the majority of the time. Unless you want to spend your entire vacation sulking underneath a huge rain cloud, you should probably stay away from Liverpool.

6) Dubai

This Arabian city has garnered a lot of attention in the past few years due to its bustling commercial areas and phenomenal architecture. However, the town is dominated by huge corporations, and has quickly become an expensive tourist feeding frenzy. In our opinion, it’s not worth the money.

7) Singapore

In short, this place is just plain creepy. It has the highest rate of police per capita of any other country in the world, and has become a complete communist dictatorship where you can be fined just for looking at someone the wrong way. It also appears to have the most number of plastic trees of any countries we’ve visited.

8) Guatemala City

This is easily one of the most dangerous places in the world, due to the large amount of street violence that occurs between gang members and police officers. Even the city busses have bullet holes in them, so steer clear of Guatemala City.

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