Sunday 22 January 2012

100 things…Tourist Attractions in Australia


One of the booklets in my series of travel guides is going to be tourist attractions in Australia so i have found the best tourist attractions and some information about them. All this will be included in the booklet.

1. Ayers Rock, Uluru, Northern Territory
Immerse yourself in the timeless landscape of one of the world's most beautiful natural wonders. Everything about Ayers Rock (Uluru to the native Aboriginals) is magnificent – from its sheer size, to its spiritual significance and its glorious changing colors from sunrise to sunset. Uluru holds deep Aboriginal significance to the Anangu people. They believe the natural rock sculptures are landmarks left by ancestral beings during their travels. They ask that tourists respect their culture and do not climb the 348-metre (1,141 ft) high monolith.

2. Daintree Rainforest, Far North Queensland
Don’t miss out on one of the most diverse and beautiful rainforests in the world – the Daintree Rainforest. More than 135 million years old, this ancient wonder holds a fascinating 430 species of birds, including 13 species that are found nowhere else in the world. Walking and hiking are a pleasure amid the lush surrounds of this tropical paradise, with many boardwalks through mangroves that lead to creeks and beaches.

3. Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory
Kakadu National Park an Australian Natural Icon covers almost 20,000 square kms and is 257 kms East of Darwin the capital city of the Northern Territory, Australia.
Kakadu National Park is a World Heritage listed area that has been listed for it's cultural and natural heritage and Kakadu is the largest terrestrial national park in Australia.
Life in the park does depends on the water, also in respect to the tropical monsoon climate that produces the downpours of the tropical humidity of the "wet" season, and the milder weather of the "dry" season.

4. Cradle Mountain, Tasmania
Cradle Mountain is the starting point for the world-famous Overland Track, a magnificent 5-day walk that will take you through the heart of some of the finest mountain terrain in Australia’s island state of Tasmania. Situated in the World Heritage-listed wilderness of Lake St Clair National Park, Cradle Mountain’s jagged and wild landscape offers a history lesson in geological wonder.

5. Barossa Valley, South Australia
One of Australia's most prized wine regions is the Barossa Valley. The peaceful rural setting beckons with undulating hills, magnificent old churches and fine wine at more than 50 local wineries. Take a wine tour through the region, famous for its rich red wines like shiraz and cabernet sauvignon. And if you’re traveling down to Adelaide, make time for Kangaroo Island, home to kangaroos, possums, bandicoots, goanna and the Australia Sea Lion. It's a short trip by plane or ferry to this unspoilt wilderness, featuring budget backpacker accommodation.



6. The Grampians, Victoria
There's something quite magical about The Grampians – a spectacular national park of steep mountains, just 3 hours’ drive from Melbourne. Ideal for bushwalking, abseiling, picnics or relaxation, The Grampians are at their best in spring, when colorful wildflowers paint a romantic bush setting. Challenging day or overnight walks offer backpackers a true Aussie bush adventure, where you’re bound to cross paths with kangaroos, koalas and the laughing kookaburra.

7. Fraser Island, Queensland
Fraser island is a place of exceptional beauty, with its long uninterrupted white beaches flanked by strikingly coloured sand cliffs, and over 100 freshwater lakes, some tea-coloured and others clear and blue all ringed by white sandy beaches. Ancient rainforests grow in sand along the banks of fast-flowing, crystal-clear creeks.
Fraser Island is the only place in the world where tall rainforests are found growing on sand dunes at elevations of over 200 metres. The low "wallum" heaths on the island are of particular evolutionary and ecological significance, and provide magnificent wildflower displays in spring and summer.

8. Great Barrier Reef
Checking out the Great Barrier Reef is one of the must-do activities in Australia. The variety of bio-diversity that this reef supports has to be seen to be believed. The Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin, Dwarf Minke Whale, Flatback Turtle, Olive Ridley Turtle and Salt Water Crocodile are some of the species found here. There are a wide variety of birds living near this reef. It’s one of the greatest heritage sites in this continent country. Located off the Queensland coast, the Great Barrier Reef is in the Coral Sea and is the largest coral reef in the world. ‘Live aboard’ is a floating guest facility that is offered in many places along the coast. A scuba diver would find this reef really fascinating. You could also try snorkeling and diving.


9. Kangaroo Island
A small and serene beautiful place with a population, Kangaroo Island in one of the famed spots in Australia. This unique part of the continent gives you an opportunity to brush shoulders with wallabies, goannas, koalas, kangaroos, echidnas, dolphins, sea lions, penguins, fur seals, eagles, whales and ospreys, just to name a few. With one third of the island conserved in National Parks, the distinctive variety of flora and fauna present in the island will leave you completely enthralled.

10. Snowy Mountains
In the Snowy Mountains there is the Mount Kosciuszko which can be explored either by foot or by ski if you are going in winter. There are guided tours for different age groups and depending on how fit you are, you could opt for any of these hikes. This, the highest mountain in Australia has Alpine flowers which could be blooming if you go at the right time of the year. Ningaloo Reef, another reef in the West Coast off Australia is a white sandy lagoon. You can actually walk to this coral reef. Swim along with the many species of fish and other water creatures. Also, make time to visit the Ningaloo Marine Park. Glen Helen with its Ormiston Gorge, and Pound National Park in Australia’s Outback Northern Territory is along the legendary Finke river. The walks in the park can range anywhere from a thirty minutes right up to a three days. You'll find that the accommodation is more than decent and the presence of other attractions makes this place very tourist friendly, and Alice Springs are close by.

11. Whitsunday Island
If there is a paradise, it undoubtedly looks like Whitsunday’s islands in Queensland. Most trips to the islands start from the town of Airlie Beach, known mainly for cheap alcohol and its pubs and discos. You can go on an organized cruise from Early Beach to Whitsunday’s and choose different packages. Some sleep on board, while others stay at vacation villages near the island, where you can also find five star hotels. During the cruise, you can take part in various activities such as snorkeling, diving, swimming or lazing around on deck with a cold drink and staring at the amazing view. The island’s most famous beach is Whitehaven Beach, seven kilometers of white sand, and one of the most photographed beaches in the world.

12. Great Ocean Road
The Great Ocean Road, one hour drive east of Melbourne, runs along the southern coast of Australia and is one of the most beautiful driving roads on earth. Its length is two hundred and fifty kilometers, and it starts at the Trecky surf resort, ninety kilometers from Melbourne. The road was built in 1930 in memory of soldiers who fell in WWI; it passes by magnificent cliffs and lonely beaches. Main attractions include the resort towns of Loren, Apollo Bay, and picturesque Port Fairy. Otway National Park offers hiking paths through rain forests, rivers, and amazing waterfalls. Campbell National Park, on the western side of the road, is located in an area known for its rocks jutting out of the ocean, the most famous of these being called “The Twelve Apostles.”

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