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The great food and wine of the Hunter Valley

Located in the central coastal region of the Australian state of New South Wales, the gorgeous Hunter Valley (also known as the Hunter Region) is quite simply one of the most remarkable destinations within the country. With rich cultural traditions and ase-inspiring vistas, it has long been producing some of Australia’s best boutique wines, something which is delightfully matched by the region’s excellent gastronomical offerings: from premium beef as well as dairy products to a cornucopia of fresh fruits and veggies. All of this, topped off by the breathtaking settings which can be explored in various different and unique ways, make the Hunter Valley a natural choice as a top Australian destination (clearly attested to by the 2+ million annual visitors).
Cheese tasting - Hunter Valley

Fine dining is one of the defining features of the valley, strongly focusing on local products. With cattle raisers throughout the valley that supply many areas of the country, a good steak is always going to appear on the table of one of the outstanding restaurants visitors will likely get to know. Among such establishments are the Pokolbin area’s Casuarina and San Marino restaurants; the Lovedale area’s Mojo’s on Wilderness and Lynkeys of Lovedale restaurants; and the Mount Broke Wines’ Cow Cafe.

Following the gastronomical theme further, the valley’s many cheese farms are well worth a stop and will receive visitors warmly, offering up what all wine lovers know to be the best accompaniment possible to a tasty cup. Give your taste buds a real treat and liven up your day of touring by checking out places like the Smelly Cheese Shop, the Hunter Valley Cheese Company or Binnorie Dairy.

There are many world-class wineries waiting to receive visitors and indulge what is surely their top priority while exploring the Hunter Valley. Having been turned into the outstanding wine country which it is known as today by the Hunter River and its tributaries (constituting one of the nation’s principal river networks), the valley is particularly clogged with vineyards in the areas of Pokolbin, Wollombi Valley as well as Broke Fordwich. As you tour through the region, you’ll probably enjoy the exceptional flavors bottled by Tintilla Estate, the Adina Vineyard and the Private Moorebank Vineyard, among many more.

Your trip through the Hunter Valley could be that much more unique by opting to get around via less usual means, such as a hot air balloon ride, horse and carriage, in a luxury limo or even just on bike. Then, to end each day in the right way there are many exceptional Hunter Valley accommodation choices, from the Belford Cabins to the Capers Guesthouse and Cottage to much more.

Phillip Island is a great holiday destination

visionsofvictoria1030403-302Visited by some 3.5 million tourists every year, Phillip Island in Australia is a great holiday destination. The island is 140 km from the city of Melbourne, in Victoria. There’s no problem when it comes to Phillip Island accommodation as there are numerous types of excellent facilities. These include B&Bs, resorts, hotels, apartments, holiday parks, camp sites, cottages, or caravan parks.

The island is about 10,000 hectares in size. At its widest point it is 9 km, while its length is 26 km. Phillip Island has 97 km of beautiful coastline. It is one of the most attractive places in Australia with its natural beauty, clean beaches, peaceful wetlands, and an abundance of wildlife.

visionsofvictoria919890-302The Penguin Parade is a late afternoon experience not to be missed. As the sun begins to set, you can see the procession of penguins hurriedly waddling to the safety of their homes in the dunes. From boardwalks and viewing stands you can watch the penguins in their natural habitat. The Penguin Parade center also has some interesting educational and interactive displays.

Take a day tour on a catamaran and see the biggest fur seal colony in the southern hemisphere. Or visit Australia’s latest marine attraction, Nobbies Center. Here you can discover amazing facts about sharks, dolphins, and seals. There are camera-like devices that you can operate yourself so that you can zoom up close on these amazing creatures.

Of course no visit to Australia would be complete without seeing Koala bears. Phillip Island is home to the Koala Conservation Center in the Oswin Roberts Reserve. The center provides a safe and secure home to the islands population of Koalas. You can watch them from tree-top viewing areas.

To see these delightful creatures face-to-face you can take a walk through the woodlands. If you are lucky you might spot some young joeys. To see these babies venturing out of their mothers’ pouches for the very first time is a unique experience. Although Koalas are commonly called ‘bears’, they are actually marsupials.

One of the sweetest attractions on Phillip Island is the chocolate factory. You can watch delicious, creamy chocolates being handmade. During your visit you’ll be given a frozen banana dipped in chocolate. There are some awesome displays that include an amazing ‘chocolate fall’ made of 400 liters of running chocolate.

Other island attractions include an illusion room called ‘A Maze’N Things‘, tenpin bowling, Grumpy’s Mini Golf, and the Phillip Island Fun Shed. You can also take a helicopter ride to view the island’s scenery, or charter a boat and fish at the Rhyll Trout and Bush Tucker Farm.

The National Vietnam Veterans Museum recently moved to brand new premises near the airport. There are 6,000 displays and artifacts on view. The museum was created to preserve the aircraft, vehicles, memorabilia and photographs in remembrance of the Australian soldiers who were involved in the Vietnam War.

With regards to Phillip Island accommodation, the best way to select your preferred facility is to go online and look at photos and read up about the many options. After you have compared prices and made a choice you can book online. You can also book tickets for any activities, tours or attractions.

Relax with a Weekend in the Hunter Valley

Hunter Valley GardensAs far as weekend trips are concerned, the beautiful Hunter Valley in New South Wales, Australia, has everything it takes for a perfect getaway. Plus, it’s only 2 hours north by car from Sydney, making it accessible to tourists from all over the world. In fact, every year, 2.5 million people visit the area to take advantage of the winery tours, hot air balloon, and many other attractions the Hunter Valley has to offer.

Hunter Valley Accommodation is easy to find throughout the entire region, no matter your budget or the type of occasion. But the three most popular places to stay are Pokolbin, Cessnock, and Lovedale.

Pokolbin
Pokolbin can be found at the heart of the Lower Hunter Valley wine region. This area is not only the oldest wine region in Australia, but it’s also one of the country’s most famous. It has over 120 wineries, the oldest of which are nearly 200 years old. Take a tour and try the acclaimed Hunter Valley Semillon or the popular Australian Shiraz that are made here.

In addition to wineries galore, you will also enjoy Pokolbin’s selection of more than 60 restaurants and have your choice of over 160 places to stay. Golfers can get a bit of exercise at one of the region’s world-class golf courses. Visitors to this area can also take a stroll through the southern hemisphere’s largest rose garden, which is found in the 60-acre Hunter Valley Gardens, along with shops, restaurants, a chapel, and other attractions.

Cessnock
The picturesque Cessnock area is Pokolbin’s neighbor. A group of the small towns Paxton, Millfield, and Bellbird make up this area, which was named after Scotland’s Cessnock Castle as a tribute to the area’s early Scottish settlers. Cessnock marks where the Hunter Valley wine region starts and is also visited for is collection of antique shops, craft shops, and art galleries.

Lovedale
Finally, you have Lovedale, which much like Pokolbin and Cessnock, is a great place for wine tours. But along with its many wineries, Lovedale also has exciting activities to offer, like hot air balloon and horseback rides, which are great for visitors looking to quench their thirst for adventure while taking in the breathtaking landscape.

Great Attractions in Historic Hobart

Customs House HobartAnyone with the slightest interest in history will be fascinated by the town of Hobart and its suburbs in Tasmania. Whether you want to check in on some places listed in the National History Register or start at Salamanca Market and improvise, you won’t be able to avoid countless picturesque and intriguing spots along the way. You have numerous Hobart Accommodation options available when you need a break. Here are some great attractions in the area.

Battery Point
Standing on the coast of Battery Point, it’s easy to imagine the days when great navies roamed the high seas and batteries protected the shores. Those days – and the cannons once used – are long gone, but Battery Point still has a distinct 19th century flavor. For an even closer look at the area’s early days, visit the Colonial Museum. Arthur’s Circus, which features some of Hobart’s oldest homes, should not be missed.

Female Factory
For women convicted and sentenced to a labor prison, ending up at the Cascades Female Factory was the worst case scenario. Begun in 1828 after expanding the site of a rum distiller’s factory, this prison camp has many original sections intact, allowing the visitor a glimpse into a long-departed piece of history.

The site ceased being the Female Factory as of the 1850s, but as different hospitals and other governmental institutions took its place, some of the yards were preserved. The entire site was left unused after 1904.

Parliament House
The John Lee Archer Parliament House in Hobart is the place to see history and modern government in action at the same time. Completed in 1841, the building was both Customs House and Parliament for Tasmanian officials until the early 1900s, when Customs offices were moved.

Still the seat of government for all Tasmania, Parliament House is open to visitors interested in parliamentary procedure or just excellent architecture.

History Tours in Historic Hobart
The History Tours of Hobart are an interesting and fun way to step into the past of this coastal area.

For a taste of the hard life of a Female Factory inmate, spend the afternoon on Louisa’s Walk, complete with live actors and a Cascades tour.

To enter the past of rum-running gamblers and lascivious women, take the Pub History Tour and stop in for refreshments at some of the old haunts along the way.

Laneways and arcades in Melbourne

For the best of shopping and architecture during your visit to Melbourne, you’ve got to explore the city’s numerous acclaimed laneways and arcades. If you only have a couple of days in town, focus your efforts on exploring a few of the city’s favorite spots, where a dazzling dinner and ideal shopping can both be found in ambiance you might not be expecting.

Degraves St
For a quick cup of coffee and some excellent conversation while people-watching, there’s no better street in the entire city than Degraves St, where a variety of different shops share the skinny and compact street with delightfully cosmopolitan cafes and a couple of restaurants. Incredibly old-fashioned, right down to the cobblestones, Degraves St recently experienced a sort of revival among the young and the chic in Melbourne, with loft space here the chosen upwardly mobile hipster form of Melbourne Accommodation lately. It’s definitely a romantic and bustling part of town, and just a few feet away from the crowded and vibrant business district.

Another delightful outdoor experience, Centre Place combines the atmosphere of one of the city’s regal arcades with another lively street scene, where travelers and locals mix in the street, each on their way to their own exciting next stop. The narrow streets of Centre Place are dotted with popular pubs, delicious restaurants, and some of the city’s most bustling bars. Expect to see everyone from bankers after-work to college students just starting out the night. It’s definitely one of the best mixes of people in the city.

Block Arcade
If you weren’t planning on doing much shopping but wanted to see the best in art and architecture that Melbourne has to offer, then get immediately to the arcades. Preserved with love and a delicate touch, both Block Arcade and Royal Arcade are a testament to the city’s affair with Victorian architecture and dazzling, Italian inspired spaces. Whether you’re interested in window shopping or simply seeing some of the most beautiful ironwork in the entire city, Royal Arcade and Block Arcade are definitely worth visiting. While Block Arcade tends to focus more on a mixture of different merchants, Royal Arcade is well known throughout the city for its vast array of clothing shops. And of course, there’s no shortage of visitors who spend their time in the common spaces, rather than in the stores, taking photographs of the immaculate glass and beautiful design. That alone is worth checking out one of the arcades while visiting Melbourne.

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