Archive for » June, 2010 «

Discover what Mudgee in Australia has to offer
Wednesday, June 30th, 2010 / OzBlogger

Church in Mudgee Mudgee has the air of a quiet hamlet waiting to welcome you when you arrive. The name means nest in the hills in the aboriginal language. Nestled right up in the foothills it offers a pastoral and relaxing ambiance of warmth and agricultural. Take a seat and enjoy a glass of wine while the town shows you her beauty.

The wine culture of Australia is fast becoming important not only in New South Wales but in the world. That means that this little hamlet has a front row seat to some amazing new varieties of wine from the over forty wineries that make their home here. Where you have wine you have food. Mudgee delivers on that front too. The restaurants are filled with local agriculture more than just in your glass. All this is set in a town that boasts four National Trust of Australia buildings. Take a historic walk through the town before or after you enjoy your lovely meal.

With wine and agriculture brings new types of delicious goodies. The honey from this area is special and delicious. It is a great gift to bring back after your vacation away. Try also the olives and the olive oil that is a budding industry for this region.

The proximity to Sydney makes this the perfect spot for a weekend vacation. Go to the beauty of this area and unwind from the hustle and bustle of your world in one of the many Mudgee accommodation nsw options available. Enjoy a glass of wine and a delicious meal while you settle into the relaxing day in front of you.

The area is a plethora of not only wonders for the taste buds but sights for the eyes and spirit as well. For the adventurous there are many natural places to roam. The Coolah Tops National Park is the view to show the land below you and admire the beauty of the region. Or enjoy meandering the Goulbum River in a canoe and stop on the shore to enjoy a picnic lunch. There are four National Parks here so there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Mudgee Observatory is open to see more than just the landscape but peruse the skies above. The vistas are huge and the astronomers can fill you in on all the stunning stars, planets, and galaxies you can see.

Take a helicopter ride to survey the region, vines, and all the beauty of the land below you. Rent bikes and take a tour through the vines and stop to taste wine along the way. Maybe you want to sit back and relax and let someone guide you to wonderful wines. Pack a picnic basket with goodies like local honey and olives and enjoy a blissful day of delicious tastes.

Planning your getaway around the various festivals that occur here is another way to see the town of Mudgee shining. Savour the new and exciting varieties of wine at the Wine Festival that occurs in September. Or find your inner movie star at the Short Film Festival that happens in March. The Music Festival is in December to bring your year to a musical close.

Category: central west explorer country  Tags: , , , ,  Leave a Comment
Visit Katoomba to see the natural beauty and splendor of the Blue Mountains
Monday, June 28th, 2010 / OzBlogger

This area has been drawing adventure seekers and nature lovers alike for over 150 years. No visit to New South Wales would be complete without seeing Katoomba, the home of the legendary Three Sister and Echo Point resting atop a 170 meter steep cliff.

When visiting the beautiful Blue Mountains, this is the perfect place to stay. With exceptional dining, shopping, lodging, and attractions everyone is bound to discover something in this area they enjoy. One popular choice for lodging is the relaxing Bed and Breakfast.

Katoomba Three sisters Bed and Breakfasts can be found from the cliffs of Echo Point, overlooking the exquisite Three Sisters, to the tree lined avenues of the city itself. This quaint little town is excellent for taking a relaxing stroll, shopping for antiques, or just enjoying the local bistros and wine.

During your stay at Blue Mountains there many good Katoomba cottage options available to the traveller for lodging. Some might enjoy getting closer to the outdoors by either camping or RVing. While others still might wish for a relaxing spa like retreat as a way to unwind. Wherever your taste fall on the comfort scale Blue Mountain has just the right room for you.

If you desire a unique way of seeing all Blue Mountain has to offer farm stays or cave renting are something you may want to check out. Farm stays offer a real life snapshot of life in New South Wales. As you stay at a local area farm and see firsthand the joy of simple farm life. During a farm stay you will have excellent accommodations but also gain an appreciation for a farmer’s way of life. There is also a cave, Hatters Hideaway, which can be rented the same as a hotel or resort room.

If it is history you seek, this region is rich in history. At the numerous assorted local antique and book shops. From Bygone Beauties in Leura to Mr. Pickwicks Fine Old Books in the heart of town; your imagination can soar to the mountain peaks as you are whisked back to the old days of this charming mountain village.

Blue Mountain has a great many modes of transportation available to its many visitors including trolleys, city rail, chartered buses, and local taxis. Chartered buses are the best way to see the sites for larger groups. Trolleys offer and excellent and relaxing way to take in the sites. One of the favorite off the beaten path ways to see a different view of the city are the ghost tours. This area is rich in mysteries and secrets many will be shared on the Blue Mountain Ghost Tour. Along with secrets this tour offers many of the less popular but very beautiful sites such as the rain forest and waterfalls. Sure to please any traveller, try your hand at the evening Ghost Tours available.

Whether your interests involve horseback riding, bush walking, rock climbing, or just spending time with nature, Katoomba has something for you. With interesting and friendly local people just waiting to accommodate you, your visit to scenic New South Wales Australia and gorgeous Blue Mountains will be the best trip you ever take to anywhere.

Category: Blue Mountains  Tags: , , ,  Leave a Comment
Port Arthur is must see when touring Tasmania
Wednesday, June 09th, 2010 / OzBlogger

Port Arthur Located in Tasmania, Port Arthur is an extremely well-preserved convict settlement. For much of the 1800′s, criminals from Britain and Ireland were sent to Port Arthur. The location had been used as a timber mill but throughout the 1800′s became known chiefly as a prison. Port Arthur was ideally placed because it was surrounded by water with only a tiny, heavily guarded strip of land linking it to the mainland.

The prisoners at Port Arthur produced many of the basics that they needed. They made shoes and leather goods, clothing and wooden tools. In this way, the prison population was largely self-sufficient. However, this was no idyllic community. The prisoners worked in chain gangs and beatings were not uncommon. Port Arthur came to be known as ‘hell on Earth’. Port Arthur accommodation, thankfully, would not be described this way!

Port Arthur1 The tourist industry at Port Arthur began to take hold as early as the 1920′s. After the prison closed, the name of Port Arthur was changed to Carnavon in an effort to shake off its dark history. However, tourists were very interested in the original convict settlement. Therefore, it was renamed Port Arthur in the 1920′s. Since then, it has been a tourist destination for Australians and visitors from around the world.

Today, visitors can take guided tours of the many original prison buildings at Port Arthur. You can also visit the island which is home to the graves of prisoners, known as the Island of the Dead. The suffering and death which occurred at Port Arthur has led to many ghost tales. The night ghost tour is devoted to the ghost stories surrounding the settlement.

In contrast to the dark history of Port Arthur, the area is recognized for its natural beauty. Hiking, caving and boating are some of the activities which tourists enjoy while visiting the area.

It is wise to book your accommodation well in advance because Port Arthur is one of Australia’s most popular tourist destinations. The inns, Bed and Breakfasts and hotels tend to fill up quickly, particularly in the summer. Because Port Arthur is located on an island, there are not as many accommodation options as there are in sprawling cities.

There are a number of small independently run accommodation options in Port Arthur. These include pubs with accommodation, bed and breakfasts, and boutique hotels. You can also find self-catering lodges and cabins which include a kitchen. Many are positioned with views of the Port Arthur bay. Other options include motor home resorts. An RV can be one of the cheapest choices for accommodation in Port Arthur. Hotels and motels are another possibility. They usually have a large number of rooms, which can be especially helpful when travelling in a large group.

Category: Hobart  Tags: , , , ,  Leave a Comment
Burleigh Heads is a great spot for your next holiday on the Gold Coast
Saturday, June 05th, 2010 / OzBlogger

Burleigh Heads The suburb of Burleigh Heads is found on Australia’s popular Gold Coast in the state of Queensland. It has a population of around 8,000 residents. Perfectly positioned in the middle of 2 resort towns, Coolangatta and Surfers Paradise, it provides the ideal holiday destination for those who want warmth, sea and sunshine.

The climate is ideal all year long. Temperatures during summer days average at 28 degrees (Celsius). Temperatures during winter days average at 22 degrees (Celsius). The temperature of the sea water during summer averages 22 degrees (Celsius), and during winter the average water temperature is 17 degrees (Celsius).

The area is a perfect alternative from other towns on the Gold Coast which swarm with tourists. Burleigh Heads provides a more peaceful setting. James Street is situated in the centre of the suburb and has a village-like atmosphere. Here you can find an assortment of delis, cafes, shops, pharmacies, hairdressers and restaurants. There a number a different accommodation option available. Choice from motels to luxury Burleigh Heads Apartments.

Gorgeous lines of pandanus trees and pine trees flank the main shopping center. Industry booms in the western part of Burleigh Heads with a variety of international manufacturing and exporting companies. This is where the Billabong brand has its headquarters.

The locals refer to the headland as ‘The Point’. During weekends it is a popular site for cricket matches, surfing and barbecues. Every Sunday afternoon, crowds gather to enjoy a ‘dance and jam’ session with music provided by local musicians. Burleigh Heads has a very religious community, and the main beliefs are Hare Krishna, Christianity, and Buddhism.

The local residents have a great sense of humour and are laid back, friendly and helpful. This makes visitors feel relaxed and welcome. The area is very child friendly which is the reason why so many families come to this part of the world for holidays. There are lots of fun activities for children.

The sea provides excellent surf breaks, making conditions ideal for swimming, body boarding and surfing. The beaches are bordered with pretty parklands that have barbecue and picnic sites, and showers. There are a number of first class restaurants close to the beach. Enjoy a meal and then browse through the wares at the arts and crafts markets.

During your stay, you could book an overnight tour to the waterfalls and rainforest. After enjoying a guided walk, tuck into a gastronomic picnic near the waterfall. In the evening you will be served a three-course candle-lit dinner in a garden. Overnight accommodation is provided by a guest lodge.

Category: Gold Coast  Tags: , , , ,  Leave a Comment