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Margaret River – Western Australia’s Premier Destination
Monday, August 01st, 2011 /

Visitors to Australia are typically greeted with a g’day mate and a warm smile. Australians are known for their warm and friendly demeanor and legendary hospitality. Nowhere is this more evident than in the Western Australian region of Margaret River.

Margaret River

Margaret River Wines
Margaret River is famous for the outstanding wines produced throughout the region. Today there are more than 200 vineyards and 60 wineries in the area that is known as Willyabrup Valley, one of the finest environments on earth for wine growing. Although only around 40 years old, the Margaret River wine industry has already been recognized as one of the world’s finest, producing award winning Sauvignon, Blanc, Semillon, Chardonnay and Shiraz wines and produces the majority of premium wines in Australia.

Margaret River Wines

Culture and Cuisine
Along with its winelands, the Margaret River region also boasts pristine beaches, lush forests and a climate reminiscent of the Mediterranean. The natural beauty of the area is complimented by a thriving arts and cultural scene. The rich culture of the native Aboriginal people is found alongside the cosmopolitan lifestyle of the art community as well as the free-spirited surfing crowd, creating the wonderfully diverse charm that is unique to the Margaret River area.

Connoisseurs of gastronomy will be right at home in Margaret River as well! Even the most discriminating diners will be delighted with the variety of fine dining establishments in the region. Throughout Margaret River are many award winning restaurants featuring some of the finest chefs found down under.

Margaret River culture personifies the personality and charm of the friendly, laid back lifestyle that characterizes Western Australia.

World-Class Surfing
Margaret River is synonymous with some of the best surfing on earth. Each year, thousands from around the globe gather along the beautiful coastline to challenge the outstanding waves and breaks that make this destination a favorite for surfers of all ability levels. There are two world-class surfing events held in the region annually: the Margaret River Masters and the Margaret River Classic. These events showcase the best surfers in the world as they compete in these World Qualifying Series events. Throughout the rest of the year there are several smaller competitions held in the area. You can also decide on a beautiful Margaret River cruise vacation if you’re up for it.

Natural Attractions
Margaret River is home to some truly breathtaking scenery and natural wonders that should not be missed. The Shire of Augusta offers the ideal place to experience Australia’s natural beauty at its finest. Pristine beaches where the Blackwood River meets the ocean offer the perfect location for diving, water sports, fishing or just lounging on the beach. For the more adventurous, the extensive system of underground caves that lie beneath the area offer some spectacular exploration opportunities. Many are closed to the public but near Yallingup and Cape Leeuwin are some excellent caves that are open and waiting to be explored.

One of the jewels of the Margaret River region is the Jarrah-Karri Forest. Located near Pemberton, the Valley of the Giants, as the forest is called, is home to many giant eucalyptus trees that include the karri and the jarrah. Wildflowers carpet the forest floor in the spring time, various shrubs and flowering vines add to the allure. Native marsupials including the Tammar Wallaby, the Numbat and the Quokka along with many colorful bird species make their home in this beautiful location.

Author Bio: Zac is a travel writer working for various Australian travel companies. For a perfect vacation he recommends cruises like Princess Cruises or sailing down Margaret River during sunset.

Category: Great Southern  Tags: , ,  Leave a Comment
Lennox Head and Ballina on the NSW Far North Coast
Thursday, June 23rd, 2011 /

Nestled in tropical New South Wales, Lennox Head and Ballina are home to some of Australia’s most stunning stretches of coastland and the country’s most gorgeous beaches.  About 200 kilometres down the coast from Brisbane, sitting on Australia’s most easterly point, Ballina has long been a magnet for surfers, with its natural beauty and ideal rolling waves.  Today, it is attracting visitors because of its rich fishing, its incredible number of unspoiled soft sand beaches, great whale watching and a distinctive fresh local approach to cuisine.  There’s so much more to Ballina than just the nearby Big Prawn traveller attraction!

Lennox Head

Just north of Ballina is Lennox Headland with the village of Lennox head just a little north of the Headland situated at the southern end of Seven Mile Beach. It has a small but growing rapidly population. With tourism being the main source of income.

For thousands of years, the Aboriginal people hunted and fished the rich waters along these shorelines.  The 1st English settlers came into the region for the beautiful cedar forests, making a fortune selling the raw material back to Victorian England.  They made their homes in what’s now East Ballina, attracted from the region’s many oysters, fertile land and its many fresh water lakes and rivers.

These days, that love of fresh seafood remains a big part of living in Lennox Head and Ballina, which explains why the Big Prawn was built in Ballina in 1989, attracting notice and tourism for one of the best areas of being in this coastal community.  Vacationers who love to fish can choose from deep-sea fishing excursions and brilliant freshwater choices. Everyone who loves to eat can take pleasure in a few of the freshest and most wonderful seafood dishes, prepared in the region’s world class dinning establishments.

The Big Prawn

Aside from the seafood, visitors flock to the area because of its stunning headlands, hours of sunshine, fresh ocean breezes, and rugged waves.  It’s easily accessible, just 200 kilometres south of Brisbane, and sitting right on Australia’s Pacific Highway.

Regardless of whether you’re intending to surf, swim or just sit and relax, there are all kinds of great Ballina and Lennox head accommodation options available all across the region.  You can camp in the countryside, or select a caravan park right near the beach.  You can find a delightful bed and breakfast, as well as many holiday homes in the area.  From families to friends, from surfers to seniors, there are lots of options in this area of the far north coast of New South Wales for all kinds of holidays you can dream up.

One of the biggest draws in the area would be the surfing, but there has been lots of growth of other water sports and activities within the region.  Fisherman flock to Richmond River, and youngsters love heading out on boat tours to observe the humpback whales frolic and dolphins play.  Nonetheless the largest draw in Ballina and Lennox Head are the beaches, the endless powder soft sand that keeps going and going.  The beachfront stretches more than 30 kilometres along the coast from Ballina to Lennox Head.  You will discover dunes, sheltered coves, striking reefs, and views that seem to go on without end.

Not all of regions charms are on the coast. Probably the most interesting places near Ballina is Lake Ainsworth, which is nicknamed the Coca-Cola Lake because the nearby tea trees has given the water a brownish hue.  Locals say the water helps heal cuts and abrasions, and might help relieve the pain of sunburn.

Visitors who have an interest in the history of this region can go to see the Ballina Naval and Maritimes Museum, or if you’re interested in the legacy of local plant life, you’ll be able to stop at the Thursday Tea Tree Plantation, and the Macadamia Castle in nearby Knockrow.

You can spend a day on a new beach in thei sreagion on every single day of your holiday, surfing, swimming, snorkelling, splashing or even snoozing.  It doesn’t matter what you plan to do for your perfect tropical holiday, you’ll find precisely what you need on the Ballina and Lennox Head Coast coast.

Category: Far North Coast NSW  Tags: , , , ,  Leave a Comment
The massively popular Byron Bay
Friday, February 25th, 2011 /

The town of Byron Bay, Australia’s easternmost town on the far north coast of New South Wales, is anything but a big city. The town itself has a permanent population of only about five thousand and the entire shire has a permanent population of only around 30,000. While Byron Bay locals may be small in number, they are big on hospitality, hosting over 1.5 million visitors per year.

Byron Bay

The massive popularity of Byron Bay is a fairly recent phenomenon. Until the late 60s, it was just a peaceful country town whose only claim to fame was as the largest producer of dairy products in the Southern Hemisphere. Back then, the only tourists were the surfers who came there to ride the "secret spot" known only as The Pass. The Pass didn’t remain a secret for very long, though and when the Flower Children heard about Byron Bay from the Soul Surfers who discovered it, it quickly developed into a haven for the seventies’ alternative lifestyle community.

These enterprising new arrivals started many of Byron Bay’s first tourist oriented businesses. They opened surf shops, gift shops, galleries, arts and crafts shops, cafes and, most importantly, backpackers’ resorts. Word spread about Byron Bay largely by word of mouth and by the early eighties, it was on every young globetrotter’s "must see" list. Attracted by the laid-back lifestyle, the spectacular beaches and the magnificent surrounding countryside, they came in droves.

1990 marked a turning point and challenge for Byron Bay. That was the year the first "BluesFest" music festival took place at the Arts Factory. Even the organizers of the event had no idea how popular it would become. It quickly outgrew its original venue, but continues to this day, attracting tens of thousands of visitors from all over the world every year.

BluesFest

Byron Bay’s new-found prosperity led to further development, but it has always been kept in check by the locals’ fierce determination to keep it from becoming another highrise resort town like Surfers Paradise. Their efforts have largely paid off and to this day, Byron Bay somehow manages to retain its unique atmosphere and yet still cater to the millions of visitors who flock there every year.

Byron Shire is more than you see from Lawson or Jonson Streets, the main streets in town and the centres of the tourist activities. Take a stroll out to the world famous Byron Bay Lighthouse and, after you’ve feasted your eyes on the glittering Tasman Sea from Australia’s easternmost tip, turn around and look to the verdant hills behind the city. Tucked away in the hills are many fascinating towns and villages, all of which can be easily visited by car or shuttle bus.

Main street in Byron Bay

Although Byron Bay also caters to families and well-heeled travellers looking for luxury resorts and five star cuisine, it still retains the best of its alternative lifestyle appeal. Whether you choose a backpackers lodge or a luxurious resort as your Byron Bay accommodation, it will be designed with your comfort and minimal environmental impact in mind. The grounds will be beautifully landscaped with native flora and the atmosphere will be wonderfully relaxing. Byron Bay is almost synonymous with laid back, so soak it up as long as you can.

Category: Far North Coast NSW  Tags: , , ,  One Comment
Kangaroo Island: a Magical Australian Experience
Thursday, March 25th, 2010 /

Kangaroo IslandIn 1802 a British and a French explorer set foot on Kangaroo Island, an island in the south of Australia. They discovered the land, naming areas and mapping it out. The island was full of kangaroos, an animal they had never seen before. At first the men and their crews easily hunted these large, dark animals since the kangaroos were not scared of the humans, using the kangaroo meat regularly for steak and soup. The island’s name comes from the abundance of the animals that were seen on the land.

Today Kangaroo Island is the 3rd largest island in Australia and is known for a lot more than just kangaroos, which are no longer hunted. Beaches, wine and honey production, wildlife, nature, and lighthouses are just a few of the reasons that each year over 140,000 tourists are drawn to the island, making reservations at the Kangaroo Island accommodation options. With so much to do, at least a few days are needed to see one of the country’s most popular vacation spots.

As in most of Australia, surfing and beaches are a main attraction on Kangaroo Island. Each part of the island has different conditions, some stronger than others. All the beaches have one thing in common; they are beautiful, clean, and well taken care of by locals, which is something they expect from visitors as well. Enjoy fishing, sailing, scuba diving, surfing, and swimming. The water off the island is always very cold, so when participating in a water sport a wetsuit is recommended. Researching the different conditions is a good idea, as choppier waters, such as in the south, are better suited for more experienced surfers and swimmers.

Agriculture is a large part of the Kangaroo Island economy. The island was proclaimed an Australian wine region in 2001, although wine has been produced on the island for many years before that. 494 acres of vines and 30 growers result in 18 home made brands. Some of the wines are exported to Asia, the United States, and Europe. Visitors to the island can tour the various vineyards for wine tasting, beautiful views, restaurants, and to learn about the individual wines.
ki6

In addition to wine, honey is widely produced on Kangaroo Island. All of the bees on the island are Ligurian Bees, a gentle Italian bee that was first brought to the island in 1884. The island’s honey producers are proud to make delicious pure strained honey from the Ligurian Bees. Other bees or bee products are prohibited to enter the island, in order to prevent disrupting the natural bee population. Visit Island Beehive for more information about tours, bees and the process of extracting honey.

Besides kangaroos, Australia is known for several other unique animals, many of which reside on Kangaroo Island. Due to the isolation of the island foxes and rabbit are easily kept off the land, allowing the other animals there to thrive without being hunted or disturbed. Walking trails and guided tours, including at night when some of the animals are most active, are available in the National Parks. The most common animals that will be spotted are Kangaroo Island Kangaroos, Tammar Wallabies, Australian Sea Lions, New Zealand Fur Seals, Heath Goannas, Echidnas, and Koalas. These animals are observed from a distance so as not to interrupt their normal activity.

Kangaroo Island is fortunate enough to have a beautiful and natural environment that is well taken care of. In fact, over one third of the island is declared as National Park or Conservation, protecting the natural habitats and the animals that live there. The natives expect that all visitors have the same pride and respect for the land as they do. They ask that visitors take care to walk on beaches as opposed to driving, unless necessary, to cooperate with tour guides and follow the rules, not to litter, to wash shoes off after a wildlife tour to avoid passing along fungus, and to observe wildlife from a distance for the animal’s safety and your own. Take advantage of the beautiful environment including the beaches, the National Parks, and the wine vineyards.
The Cape du Couedic Lighthouse on Kangaroo Island

The island’s beautiful lighthouses are as much a part of history as they are a tourist attraction. Kangaroo Island holds the first lighthouse in South Australia, which was built in 1852, and since then two more have been built on the island. Each is beautiful in its own way and each has a unique history. Tours of the lighthouses and museums are given daily.

Kangaroo Island is a breathtakingly beautiful and unique part of Australia that is waiting for your visit. Look into Kangaroo Island accommodations to get started on your Australian adventure.

Other Kangaroo Island Resources
Parndana Wildlife Park
Australian Wildlife Walkabouts
Kangaroo Island on Hubpages
Kangaroo Island on Squidoo

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