Archive for » February, 2012 «

Perth Events: 5 Good Reasons to Visit Western Australia
Monday, February 27th, 2012 /

Did you know that Perth, Western Australia, is one of the world’s most remote major metropolitan cities? Its distance from the other major cities in Australia is both one of its advantages and disadvantages. As a relatively isolated city, it has the advantage of having created a unique culture with every conceivable modern convenience, but it has the disadvantage of being so far away, relatively few overseas visitors to Australia make the effort to travel to Perth and discover the wonders of Western Australia. In an effort to redress this imbalance, major Perth events have been organized to entice more Australian and overseas visitors to discover Perth.

The Perth Cup

The Perth Cup is one of Australia’s premier horse racing events. True, it is not quite the extravaganza of the Melbourne Cup, but aficionados say it is a tougher race and those who are willing to travel to Melbourne for its yearly event also make the trek to Perth for this much anticipated race. The Perth Cup is held every January at Royal Ascot Raceway.

Perth Festival

Also called the Festival of Perth and the Perth Festival of the Arts, the Perth Festival runs for several weeks in February and March every year. The reason why it has so many names is partly because, as Australia’s oldest festival and one that is held throughout Western Australia, it covers a lot of ground. The Perth Festival has a global reputation for being one of the most diverse and innovative festivals of its kind. Whether you’re interested in the classical arts, circus, contemporary music, theatre, film, writing or anything else that’s creative and exciting, you will find it at the Perth Festival.

Perth Royal Show

The Perth Royal Show has been an annual event for over a hundred years. Organized by the Royal Agricultural Society of Western Australia, its original purpose was to promote the WA agricultural industry. While this is still a big part of the show, agriculture alone is not what draws over a half a million people per year to the Claremont Showgrounds for this Perth event. A family event, the Perth Royal Show includes a number of agricultural competitions, a fairground, rides, inexpensive "show bags" for children and many other attractions. The Perth Royal Show is held during the spring school holidays in the last week of September or first week of October.

Fairbridge Festival

The full name of what’s come to be known simply as the Fairbridge Festival says it all. The Fairbridge Festival of World and Folk Music is a celebration of music and culture from around the world. Held in the village of Fairbridge, about 50 miles outside of Perth, it is a family oriented festival. Since the village itself has few accommodations, elaborate camping facilities are constructed to accommodate the thousands of visitors who attend this event, which is held annually in the month of April. 2012 marks the 20th anniversary of the Fairbridge Festival and it is slated to be the biggest and best yet.

Telstra Drug Aware Pro

Along with the Bells Beach Pro, the Margaret River Pro is one of Australia’s premier international surfing competitions. As at Bells Beach in Victoria, the Margaret River has changed its name a few times over the years as event sponsors have changed, but regardless of the name, it remains a classic surf contest at a classic big wave surfing location that attracts the attention of the entire surfing world. Now called the Telstra Drug Aware Pro, it is held for a full week during the prime surfing month of March and includes both men’s and women’s events. Over the years, the contest has expanded into a full-fledged festival, with music, arts, crafts and food stalls included in the program lineup.

Australia’s oldest and largest multi-arts festival and the only statewide multi-arts festival in Australia. The Perth International Arts Festival has an enviable world reputation in the arts for its innovative development, presentation of new works and provision of quality arts.

Come and see many of the great things to see and do in Perth all year round. There are numerous great Perth accommodation options to choose from to suite any budget.

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Three Reasons To Head To Sydney
Tuesday, February 21st, 2012 /


Wherever you are in the world, from the Americas to Africa and from Europe to Asia, you haven’t really lived life to the full if you haven’t visited Australia yet. The country is perhaps the most unique nation on earth, and continues to be a magnet for tourists from all over the globe. The largest city, Sydney, is the major draw, and here are three good reasons why.

Never a bridge too far

If you are fortunate enough to have no fear of heights, the city of Sydney offers the ultimate thrill in the form of the Bridge Climb. The world famous Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of the most iconic landmarks in the world, and these days visitors can take part in an organised climb that offers the finest views across the city.

Bridge Climb

It really is an unforgettable experience, and something that all visitors to Sydney should undergo. Even if you’re just visiting the city for a long weekend, you need to set aside enough time to do this. And be ready to take your camera with you as well, because the photos you create will be among the most spectacular you will ever take.

Take to the beach on two wheels

The city of Sydney and the surrounding area is home to some of the world’s finest beaches, but there is a unique way to really enjoy them. Hiring a bike provides the perfect way to explore the local vicinity, and to discover secluded coves and plenty of stunning views. You’ll be amazed at just how much unspoilt landscape there is to see from the saddle.

Bondi Beach

And if you’re in the mood to be shown around instead, why not take a guided bike tour? A local expert will be able to show you all the undiscovered secrets of this stunning part of the world, and to hear fascinating stories that will give you an insight into why Sydneysiders are so proud of the beautiful neighbourhood of Manly.

Soak up a little culture

Every major city of the world has a quirky bohemian district, and Sydney is no different. The Rocks is popular with tourists and locals, and offers visitors a wonderful selection of restaurants and bars, as well as plenty of shopping opportunities for those who like to indulge in a little retail therapy on their travels. Its location on the south shore of Sydney Harbour makes it easily accessible for everyone.

Every weekend, the area hosts a bustling market with stalls selling everything from tourist souvenirs to fresh fruit. There are also several museums and art galleries close by, including the city’s famous Museum of Contemporary Art, a must-visit for culture lovers from all over the globe. If you’re in the mood for a gentle stroll, there are walking routes in the area which give the visitor a unique chance to soak up the heritage of this wonderful location.

Museum of Contemporary Art

David Rice is based in the UK but plans to visit Australia soon. He plans to get around on a budget by looking for the best cheap car hire Sydney can offer.

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Devonport Tasmania: Australia’s Market Garden
Monday, February 06th, 2012 /

Devonport, on the northwest coast of Tasmania, is often called "Australia’s market garden." Situated on the banks of the Mersey River in a fertile valley, this one area provides 40% of Tasmania’s fruits and vegetables and provides the Australian mainland with much of its produce as well. The rich bounty from Devonport’s soil has made the city one of Tasmania’s most prosperous. Easily accessed by air or by sea, it is a popular tourist destination.

Devonport

While Devonport has an airport with regular flights to and from Melbourne, it is better known for its iconic passenger and vehicle ferries, the Spirit of Tasmania I and II. As they wind their way slowly up the Mersey River, making a sharp turn into port, they skirt the city so closely, many onlookers remark that it seems like they are "driving" up the main street in town. Devonport’s permanent population is only just over 20,000, so the arrival of the big passenger ships swells the population appreciably when they arrive.

Mainland Australians know Devonport as an ideal place to begin a Tasmanian vacation. It is blessed with beautiful countryside and the town itself has a relaxing, welcoming feel to it. Not surprisingly, the restaurants in Devonport are heralded as some of Tasmania’s finest. Local restaurant owners take their pick of the best seafood that comes into port each day and have Australia’s freshest produce practically at their doorstep.

The Don River Railway

Aside from dining, there are plenty of other activities for visitors in and around Devonport. The Don River Railway is one of the most popular family attractions in the vicinity. Owned and managed entirely by volunteers, attractions include a fascinating railway museum and a half hour ride on a genuine restored steam train. For the artistically inclined, there is the Devonport Regional Gallery, which displays primarily contemporary art by Tasmanian artists. Another popular Devonport attraction is the fascinating maritime museum and its wonderful collection of model boats, chronicling the history of sailing from the age of the great sailing vessels to current times.

Many visitors to Devonport use the town as a base from which to explore Cradle Mountain and Lake St Clair. The Cradle Mountain-Lake St Claire National Park owes a debt of gratitude to Gustav Weindorfer, a migrant from Austria who fell in love with the pristine wilderness and made it his goal to have the area declared a National Park. Weidorfer began his efforts in 1912 and within his lifetime saw his dream come true. Today, the park is a World Heritage listed site.

St Clair National Park

There is something for every nature lover at Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. Those who are looking for a challenge find it in the 40 mile (65km), six day Overland Trail hike from Cradle Mountain to the north shore of Lake St. Clair. If you’re only in the area for a short time or don’t wish to do serious hiking, yet want to immerse yourself in the beauty of nature, you can go on the twenty minute "Enchanted Walk."  Of course, most visitors take much longer than 20 minutes to complete the walk, stopping to soak in the sights along the way.

You will love everything about your visit to Devonport and Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. Take your cue from the thousands of visitors who preceded you and make your Devonport accommodation your "base of operations." This way, you can enjoy all the region has to offer in comfort and style.

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Day Trips from Beautiful Brisbane
Sunday, February 05th, 2012 /

The city of Brisbane, Australia is the capital of the state of Queensland and a vibrant and creative community, with a youthful atmosphere, a great arts scene, friendly locals, and lots of fun attractions for tourists to explore. It is also an ideal base for explorations into the rest of Queensland. There are many excellent destinations that can be easily reached within a short drive from the city, and it’s easy to rent a car and get out on the road! If you are staying in Brisbane, here are a few ideas for excellent day trips that you can take around the nearby area:

Glass House Mountains National Park 

This area of outstanding natural beauty is located approximately an hour north of Brisbane, and is an area of flat plains studded with the cores of ancient volcanoes which formed 25 million years ago. The mountains got their name from Captain Cook, who thought that they resembled glass houses as he sailed past them in 1770. The drive through the mountains is incredibly scenic, and there are many cute roadside shops which sell locally made jam and macadamia nuts. This is a great place to go hiking, and you will have many choices of trekking paths from easy 30 minute walks to intense four-hour journeys.

Glass House Mountains

Fraser Island

If you are looking for some of the most pristine and unspoiled camping in Australia, you will find it here on beautiful Fraser Island. This World Heritage Site offers wild forests, dunes and lakes just 200 miles north of Brisbane. Its white beaches, freshwater lakes, ancient rainforests, and wildflowers are officially protected so that they can be enjoyed by many generations of visitors. While you are here, check out the shipwreck of the Maheno, a 1935 passenger steamer buried deep in the sand north of Eli Creek. Access to Fraser Island is by ferry, which you can take from River Heads or Inskip Point near Rainbow Beach.

Redcliffe

Redcliffe is located just 45 minutes north of Brisbane, and this historic city is known for its excellent beaches, friendly locals, great shopping, beautiful weather and delicious food. There are many things to do on a day trip to Redcliffe, such as checking out the history of the area at the Redcliffe Historical Society Museum. You can also stroll along Redcliffe’s seaside, which has been a popular tourist destination for almost 185 years. Why not sit back and enjoy a picnic on the beach with some savoury, crispy fish and chips from a local shop? While you are in Brisbane, there are many reasons to get out of the city and explore the surrounding region. These are just a few of the great day trips which can be easily reached from Brisbane.

Elena Price is a freelance writer who researches far-flung places for Etihad Airways. For more details about flights to Brisbane, see the destination information page.

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