Archive for the Category »Australia «

Australia’s Capricorn Coast for a tropical vacation
Wednesday, March 21st, 2012 /

Queensland’s Capricorn Coast gets its name from the fact that it is situated on the Tropic of Capricorn. If you know anything about the Tropic of Capricorn, you will know that it marks the southernmost tropical latitude. This makes for an ideal tropical climate, being a little cooler than many other hot and humid tropical locations. In Queensland, Keppel Bay is crossed by this invisible line and the coastal regions and islands surrounding Keppel Bay are the Capricorn Coast.

Yeppoon’s population of sixteen thousand won’t appeal to you if you are looking for a Gold Coast style tropical vacation. If you are looking for a laid back tropical vacation in a place that has just enough restaurants, bars and cafes to satisfy your appetite but an absence of all the annoying hype and hustle, then you will love Yeppoon and its community.

That’s not to say that the lucky locals in Yeppoon aren’t there to help make your stay enjoyable. On the contrary, they welcome visitors and will go out of their way to make sure your holiday is a memorable one. If you are the type of person who welcomes a pretentious atmosphere and overpriced meals and attractions, then Yeppoon is not the place for you. In Yeppoon, you can enjoy a great meal at a delightful alfresco sidewalk café just a short stroll away from a tranquil beach and the turquoise sea, but your day won’t be spoiled when your friendly local waitress delivers your bill.

If even Yeppoon is too big and busy for you, there are many other smaller Capricorn Coast communities to choose from. Those who come to the Capricorn Coast to explore Great Keppel Island often choose to stay in the Rosslyn area, because its harbor is where the ferry lands. All the action in Rosslyn is centered around the harbor. Step away from the harbor and you can have the long, pristine Kemp Beach almost all to yourself or you can go a little further south and explore Bluff Point National Park on its well maintained walking track.

Great Keppel Island is better known than any other place on the Capricorn Coast. There’s a reason for this. It is simply beautiful. Great Keppel Island has everything you want in a tropical resort except for the price tag and the pretension. You can take your pick of 14 pure white sandy beaches, explore easily accessible coral reefs with just a mask and snorkel, enjoy a leisurely or challenging walk through stunning tropical forests or just relax in the sun. The ferry ride from Rosslyn Bay takes only half an hour, so you can spend the day on Great Keppel Island or stay a week if you like – the choice is yours.

Between the various communities on the Capricorn Coast mainland and Great Keppel Island, you will find a Queensland accommodation in this area that suits you to a tee. If you’re looking for a real tropical vacation in a perfect setting, with perfect atmosphere, then the Capricorn Coast is what you’re looking for.

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Enjoy the Snow at Mt. Buller
Friday, March 09th, 2012 /

June through September are the winter months in Australia. This makes Mt. Buller a great place to visit if you love the snow and are traveling to Australia during the Northern Hemisphere summer season. While Australia may not be the first place you think of when you think of skiing and snowboarding, after you have been to Mt. Buller, you won’t be able to stop thinking about it.

Mt. Buller

The ski season officially begins on the Queen’s Birthday weekend in early June and ends whenever the snow melts, usually in late September. Those who are lucky enough to live in Melbourne can reach Mt. Buller in as little as three hours and many of them take advantage of every opportunity to hit the slopes of Mt. Buller. Sydneysiders aren’t so lucky. It takes 9 hours to traverse the 478 miles (770km) trip on the Hume Highway (the fastest route) to Mt. Buller, but that doesn’t stop thousands of them from making the trip.

Why is it worth going out of your way to drive to Mt. Buller when you have closer snowfields you can go to in New South Wales? One of the reasons is the size of the skiable terrain. There are over 740 acres (300 hectares) of slopes to choose from on Mt. Buller. These range from beginner’s slopes like Burnt Hunt Spur and Bourke Street to black runs for experts only like the back of Summit and Chamois. There’s a half pipe for snowboarders and a challenging ultra cross course and all the slopes are constantly being groomed to ensure they are in good condition.

Mt. Buller

For the children, Mt. Buller has two toboggan parks. One of them is located right in the village and has its own snow making machine. The other is conveniently located at Horse Hill Chairlift. Take the lift to the top and there is more family fun awaiting at the snowtubing park. For a fun and safe thrill, the kids can race down the slopes in an inner tube.

All the activity is going to make you hungry, tired and sore and once in awhile you’re going to have to take a break. You can do it in style at Mt. Buller. There are over 30 restaurants and bars in the resort and for a complete restoration package, you can indulge yourself at Breathtaker on High Spa, the only complete alpine spa in Australia. With steam rooms, a sauna, a lap pool and a number of therapeutic treatments available, Breathtaker’s luxurious ambience will take your breath away.

In the summer months, too, Mt. Buller is a great place to visit and enjoy outdoor sports. Mountain biking is especially popular during the summer season. Ride cross country wherever you like or, for a special thrill, take the chair lift up to the top and then make your way back down. You can choose your route: either straight down a ski run or criss cross the mountain and explore the terrain.

With many family and package deals available, you can afford to stay at a Mt. Buller accommodation and ski to your heart’s content. Further discounts apply in the off season and in some cases, you can even get a "Snow Guarantee" package. Winter or summer, you’ll love the Mt. Buller and the Victorian high country, so put it on your list of places to see in Australia.

For Sydney siders looking of something a little closer to home check the Snowy Mountains accommodation options as an alternative to Mt. Buller

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Eyre Peninsula–A Completely Different Vacation
Tuesday, February 21st, 2012 /

What do you think of when you dream of a vacation at a coastal resort? You probably think of lying in the sun and relaxing, don’t you? Then you remember the last time you went to a popular beach resort and are reminded of all the crowds and hassles. A holiday on the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia is a completely different experience.

Nullarbor Plain

You can sit back and just relax on the Eyre Peninsula, but if you do, you’ll miss out on some of its biggest attractions. You will be too excited to relax when you get your first glimpse of the Nullarbor Plain. What will you find there? Well, it won’t be trees. The word Nullarbor literally means "devoid of trees" when translated from the Latin. If that’s the case, what’s so exciting about it?

Like Broken Hill and other outback areas, the Nullarbor Plain is a place of timeless beauty. Unlike other outback locations, though, it is unique in that it is on the coast. The sheer cliffs that plunge into the sea are thought to have originally raised from beneath the surface of the ocean some 25 million years ago and have remained largely unchanged since then.

Port Lincoln

From Port Lincoln, you can take a plane flight over the Nullarbor and you’re sure to love it, but you have to explore it on the ground to really appreciate it. From land, you can get a close up look at the landscape and the wildlife, which includes indigenous species like wombats and emus in abundance. Beneath the surface of the sea, you are given the opportunity to get up close and personal with other forms of untamed wildlife. If you’re up to it, you can even view Great Whites from a shark cage!

For the truly adventurous, caving expeditions in the Nullarbor are available. Because of the extreme depth of the caves and the genuine dangers associated with them, most of these can only be explored under the supervision of National Parks and Wildlife Officers. A few of them, though, including Murrawijinie Caves (not far from the Nullarbor Roadhouse) and Koonalda Cave are viewable without prior permission.

If it’s beginning to sound like the Nullarbor is too much adventure for your family, don’t worry. There is more to the Eyre Peninsula than high adventure. Port Lincoln, one of the largest naturally protected harbours in the world, is a great place to relax and enjoy the bounty of the sea. You can cook up a fresh catch on your own or enjoy a delicious meal at a harbour side restaurant.

The whole family will love Glen-Forest Tourist Park. With 60 acres of vineyards and 70 acres of animal park to explore, it is one of the most popular Eyre Peninsula attractions. Both wine lovers and nature lovers love Glen-Forest Tourist Park.

You can sleep under the stars on the Nullarbor or sleep in a comfortable Port Lincoln accommodation  at the water’s edge. Then there are all the other accommodations that are available in the towns and villages that dot the peninsula landscape. For a coastal holiday like no other, visit the Eyre Peninsula.

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Whale watching in Victor Harbor
Tuesday, February 07th, 2012 /

Located just 52 miles (84km) from Adelaide, Victor Harbor, on South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula, was originally a whaling station. While the whaling days have finished, Victor Harbor’s whale watching days are in full swing. Every winter, tens of thousands of visitors flock to the Bluff to view the southern right whales from the rocks. While they often come first to view the whales, they stay on to see everything else Victor Harbor and the Fleurieu Peninsula have to offer.

From 1837 to the mid-1860s, Southern Right Whales were so extensively hunted, their numbers dwindled from an estimated 200,000 to just a handful. They got their unusual name because these slow moving whales, who feed close to shore, were the "right" whales to kill. Their numbers were decimated so quickly, whaling was no longer a viable industry and the few remaining whales migrated to safer waters to breed and feed.

Fortunately, efforts have been made to protect the species and today, their numbers are up to around 7000 and growing. Since the 1990s, they have been coming back to Victor Harbor on their migratory circuit from the sub-Antarctic. They have been coming in ever increasing numbers, too and with each passing year they can be seen more frequently from the same place on the Bluff where the old whalers used to raise a red flag to alert the ships in harbour of their arrival.

Another "Must See" Victor Harbor attraction is the horse drawn tram that runs across a long wooden causeway out to nearby Granite Island.  Many people think this colourful tram is just a tourist attraction, but in fact it has a proud place in Victor Harbor history as part of the first public railway line in Australia. Originally, the railway ran from the Murray River port of Goolwa and Port Eliot, 11 kilometres (6 miles) away. Horses were used instead of coal because they were more cost effective. The line was extended to Victor Harbor and from there out to Granite Island.

The horse-drawn tram today is used for pleasure purposes only, but it is such a big attraction that there is a causeway crossing every 20 minutes. The ride out to Granite Island across the wooden causeway is just part of the attraction. Granite Island is also home to a colony of the world’s smallest penguins. The penguins are best viewed at night and the best way to see them is on a guided tour. Strict rules apply in order to protect the little penguins and their environment.

Southern Right Whales can be viewed best during the winter months, but that doesn’t mean you can miss taking a walk out on the Bluff in the summertime. The views from the Bluff are breathtaking. Close you eyes and imagine what it was like for discoverer Mathew Flinders when he encountered Nicolas Baudin, the French "interloper" in 1802.

As the Fleurieu Peninsula’s  largest centre and an increasingly popular tourist destination, there is no shortage of Victor Harbor accommodation options. It’s easy to get to, too, with regular bus and air services from Adelaide. Put Victor Harbor on your "Must See" list of South Australian destinations. You’ll love it.

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Fine Wine and More in The Barossa
Wednesday, December 14th, 2011 /

The Barossa Valley of South Australia is Australia’s premier wine growing area. So intertwined are the Barossa and wine, they are virtually synonymous. Barossa wines are hailed as some of the world’s finest and thousands of visitors flock to the valley each year just to enjoy the wine. When they get there, they are pleasantly surprised to discover that the Barossa Valley has even more to offer then wine.

The Barossa Valley was originally settled by German immigrants in the first half of the 19th century. Originally, the settlers were Lutherans who were being persecuted at the time in their native country. When the news got out that the Barossa Valley was blessed with the perfect climate and soil for vine growing, more Germans migrated to the area and have a strong cultural influence in the Barossa even today.

Those first settlers didn’t have it easy. They slept in tents and their first enterprise was back breaking labor in the limestone quarries. The first permanent buildings in the Barossa Valley were made out of those stones and their early building efforts are a testament to the skill, faith and labor of the early settlers. The spires of the many old Lutheran churches in the valley, set against the green vines in the vineyards, is a lovely sight.

Many of the vines you see in the Barossa Valley have their origins in Europe, since the settlers brought their roots with them from Germany. In fact, some of the oldest Shiraz vineyards in the world are in the Barossa Valley, their European counterparts having been destroyed by disease not long after they were brought to Australia in the mid-nineteenth century. Other varieties that can be found in the region include both reds and whites, including Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Semillon and Grenache. The red varieties grow best in the Barossa Valley itself, while the whites thrive best in the Eden Valley and Menglers Hill areas.

It goes without saying that a region that has such a proud wine growing heritage is goint to celebrate its heritage from time to time. The longest running celebration in the Barossa Valley is the biennial Barossa Vintage Festival. Every other year, this extravaganza is held over the Easter holiday season. Featuring music, grand balls, sumptuous dinners and a world renowned wine auction, it has been going strong for over sixty years.

While it is true that the main attraction of the Barossa Valley is the wine, it is also true that visitors to the region are delighted to find many other attractions in the region as well. With its growing popularity as a tourist destination came a variety of wonderful galleries, shops and, restaurants and cafes. Proud of its heritage, the Barossa Valley also has fascinating museums that chronicle its history. The locations of some of these are as interesting as the museums are. For instance, the Barossa Historical Museum is housed in a charming old post office that was built in 1865, while the Herbig Family Tree is located inside of an old, hollow gum tree.

You won’t want to miss the Herbig Family tree. While you may choose to stay in a more comfortable Barossa Valley accommodation, you will love visiting this unique historical site. The tree itself, a red gum, is estimated to be as old as 500 years. Friedrich Herbig moved into the inside of the tree in 1855. In 1858, he brought his bride there to live with him and 2 of their 18 children were born in their tree home. While Herbig, his wife and children eventually moved to a more comfortable home, the tree remains, alive and well.

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Caloundra on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast
Monday, December 12th, 2011 /

When you look at an aerial view of Caloundra on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, the first thing you will notice is the beaches. While the whole of the Sunshine Coast is lined with beaches, Caloundra has more than its fair share. In fact, a rundown of all Caloundra beaches forces you to categorise them. In Caloundra, you can find family beaches, sports beaches and romantic beaches.

Caloundra

There are more than one of each category of beach, too. For example, four different Caloundra beaches are classified as family-friendly beaches. They are all different, but they all are protected from the brunt of the waves that pound the surf beaches in the area. Bulcock Beach, for example, is a small beach not far from the Caloundra town centre. Families love to go there for picnics and to stroll out onto the boardwalk. The other three family beaches, Golden (the largest), Currimundi and Dicky Beach, are all equally family-friendly.

Moffat Beach is another kettle of fish altogether. Surfers from all over Australia know that when they are on the Sunshine Coast, they will head straight for Moffat Beach in Caloundra. Moffat isn’t just for surfer’s though. The coastal walk out to Moffat Headland is something everyone will enjoy and the wonderful alfresco cafes in Moffat cater to everyone’s appetite.

South of Moffatt is a long stretch of isolated beaches and tidal pools known as Shelly Beach. Romantic couples stroll hand-in-hand out to the more isolated parts of the beach to enjoy being together in a marvelously tranquil natural environment. The currents are very strong on this exposed part of the headland, so it’s not recommended for children, but it does have a wonderful undeveloped wilderness feel to it.

Also classified as a "romantic beach," but really enjoyed by everyone is the long stretch of beach known as Kawana Beach. You can stroll for miles on Kawana Beach, keeping your feet cool by walking on the hard-packed low tide sand. If you prefer, rent a bicycle in town and take the wonderful coastal bike path, stopping off for a dip in the sea when the spirit moves you.

Caloundra

Of course, no matter how much you love the beach, you will want to get away from it from time to time and see what else Caloundra has to offer. You may be surprised to discover that there are over a dozen great art and craft galleries in Caloundra and its neighbouring towns. The Sunshine Coast attracts creative types and the galleries feature the works of many local artists and craftspeople, as well as national and international artists.

Caloundra was officially recognised as the tidiest town in Queensland in 2008. The pride the Caloundra locals take in their community is evident everywhere, including Caloundra accommodation options. Whether you stay at a campground, a backpackers lodge, a family motel or a fully appointed 4 1/2 Star Caloundra resort, you will be taken care of in style and comfort. If you’re looking for a great Sunshine Coast getaway, stay in Caloundra – the city of beaches.

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Visiting the South Coast NSW
Thursday, October 27th, 2011 /

Take the Pacific Highway south from Sydney and when you reach the Illawarra district, you have begun your exploration of South Coast NSW. There seems to be a magical border crossing there. The climate becomes a little cooler and the scenery a little greener. There are longer stretches of road between towns and each of the areas you visit has its own unique atmosphere. Many south coast attractions are on the coast, but others, sometimes overlooked by travellers on the Pacific Highway are inland gems you just don’t want to miss.

Kiama Lighthouse

Kiama is likely to be your first stop on the South Coast. This delightful seaside town is the perfect place to call your base of operations. Not only does Kiama have many wonderful attractions in its own right, its central location means that you can easily reach many other popular destinations without spending half your day driving.

From Kiama, a short drive inland will take you to Berry. Berry is a rural village steeped in heritage and charm. It will enchant you even before you arrive in the city centre as you pass through the rolling hills of the surrounding dairy lands. Don’t expect a sprawling metropolis in Berry. The total population of the city is around 2000, but the town centre is accustomed to catering to the needs of visitors and you’ll love all the restored buildings and wonderful shops.

A little further inland and you come to Kangaroo Valley. Like Berry, it is a small town, but it has a unique character all its own. Many people say Kangaroo Valley is one of the most beautiful valleys in the world. As you cross the historic Hampden Bridge, you will likely agree and when you look down on Kangaroo Valley from a distance, your thoughts will echo the words of explorer George Evans, who described the valley as something "no painter could beautify" any further.

Just twenty minutes drive back towards the coast and you arrive in Nowra, the regional centre of the south coast and its largest town. Situated on the Shoalhaven River, Nowra has an abundance of natural attractions. For a fascinating look at Nowra through an artist’s eyes, visit Bundanon, the rural property Australia’s great artist, Arthur Boyd bequeathed to the state as an artist’s retreat. It is only open to the public on the first Sunday of each month, but is well worth planning a south coast holiday around.

Whenever you happen to be in Nowra, you can take a Shoalhaven River cruise. As you make your way slowly up the river, the scenery will always be changing. One minute you will overlook a long, flat landscape and the next you will be passing by sheer sandstone cliffs.

You can return to your Kiama accommodation or choose Nowra for your South Coast accommodation. For that matter, you might be intrigued by one of the other famous landmarks south of Nowra. Mollymook and Bateman’s Bay are just a couple of the coastal towns that will enchant you before the south coast turns into the Sapphire Coast and you continue on the Pacific Hwy south as far as you like. Be careful, though: you may become so enchanted by the south coast you will decide never to leave.

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Amazing Phillip Island
Friday, October 21st, 2011 /

Located only 90 minutes drive from Melbourne, is the extremely  well liked Phillip Island. Found between Bass Strait and Westernport Bay, the island is a popular tourist holiday spot, where there is always plenty to keep the holidaymaker busy. With an excellent range of Phillip Island accommodation, Phillip Island makes a great holiday spot.

The Amaze n things park

The Amaze n things park has a huge number of activities with something suitable for every family member. The crazy golf course, known as the maxi-mini has ever changing layout, it is constructed over artificial turf and is bound to be a hit with children and adults alike. The other attractions within the park are the twisting maze passageways and the illusion rooms that will make you feel confused as you watch water running uphill and the walls in the rooms shrinking. There are also caravans in the park that are equipped to help you to enjoy your stay.

koala conservation centre

If you like animals then there’s a koala conservation centre where you are able to come face to face with the koalas by taking to the elevated treetop boardwalks. In the centre you will learn about the breeding of koalas as well as seeing them in their natural surroundings. You will get the chance to walk through the bush and experience the fascinating Australian wildlife. Take a look in the gift shop when you are there, you may find some souvenirs.

A number of the many other nature attractions are the Nobbies centre, where you can see many species of marine animals such as sharks, dolphins and seals. The penguin parade, the most popular attraction in Australia and also the largest colony in the world is to be found here. As the sunsets each day, countless little blue penguins come from the water to make their way to their sand dune burrows by parading over the beach.

For chocolate addicts, there’s the wonderful attraction of the chocolate factory, called Pannys, this is every chocolate addicts dream, with free samples of secret recipe sweets available on arrival, and machines try out while you find out more about chocolate. You will even get a chance to make your own chocolate, who could resist the temptation? There is also a cafe in the factory where guests can have many chocolate goodies along with a coffee.

When you’re looking to dine in the area, there are a variety of wonderful restaurants serving all types of international cuisine. Many of them are located on the Esplanade. For families, many of the restaurants have child facilities. There are several good online resources related to Phillip Island available to help plan your stay on the Island.

Phillip Island Grand Prix

There are several sporting activities that you may either watch or participate in, these include the Phillip Island Grand Prix is host to motorbike and racing car championships. Participate in water sports from Woolamai beach, whether you would like to learn or are an experienced surfer, there are a number of places suitable for either level of skill and local experienced surfers can be found for lessons.

If you favor to remain on dry land you could tour the island on foot or cycle. There are routes and paths to suit every level of fitness, soak up the sun while observing the local wildlife and flora, experience local farmers markets and enjoy the views of the coast.

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Seeing Sydney on a Budget
Thursday, September 29th, 2011 /

There’s many ways to describe the amazing city of Sydney: Stunning, friendly, coastal, diverse, buzzing – but expensive! Sydney stands out as the most expensive city in Australia, and in the top 20 most expensive cities in the world. For travellers, most of the everyday living costs and utility bills don’t apply. However the basic travelling essentials like food, drink, transport and entertainment do contribute to the high price tag associated with travelling around Sydney. 

Sydney

Throughout this article, we’ll provide you with some little short-cuts to help make ends meet so you can still get to experience this must-see world famous, and largest Aussie city.

Food/Drink
Vegemite sandwiches and 2 minute noodles will suffice for a few days, at best. However you’re going to need real food that sustains your hunger. In and around the city hotspots such as Kings Cross, China Town the CBD and Circular Quay, keep your eye out for bakeries and food kiosks. Many offer cheap yet nourishing breakfast options such as coffee/muffin or coffee/toasty or ham & cheese croissants/coffee for under $5.00. Tip: Some offer discounts if you eat out rather than require table service. 

China Town

And for lunch or dinner, there’s plenty of specials being offered in exchange for your travelling dollar. For under $10.00 The Bodega Cafe in Surry Hills offers a great menu with loads of specials for between $5.00 – $10.00 per main meal – Make sure you try their famous wagyu burger and Chorizo roll with chimichurri. Other super-cheap eat-outs for chomping around town include the 60 + Asian restaurants in China Town. Take your pick from these cuisines on every corner: Korean, Thai, Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese. Entrees start at just $2.00 as well as yum cha for under $6.00 per person. If you like it spicy, Flying Fajita Sistas in Glebe offers authentic Mexican Tacos and tequila shots for $3.00.       

Sightseeing and Culture
Getting from A to B isn’t a problem, and there’s no shortage of free or low-cost places to go and see, and the mono-rail can get you to any of the central locations around the city. If the $200 price tag attached to the Sydney Harbour Bridge climb isn’t an option, for under $10.00, head to Pylon Lookout for the same vantage point.

Hyde Park hosts the historical Anzac Memorial. Hyde Park is akin to New York’s Central Park, offering magnificent beauty and nature walks overlooking the water, and provides hundreds of tall trees that inhabit sleeping bats scattered throughout the park, perfect for a picnic or even as a cheap yet romantic dating idea with your boyfriend or girlfriend. An ideal location to ‘pop the question’ if you have romance and dating in mind with your sweetheart. For an afternoon of more famous Sydney treats, jump on the bus (grab a 3 day travel pass for $12.00) and head 10 minutes East to Bondi Beach, and chances are, you’ll spot a celebrity or two!

Hyde Park

The Art Gallery of NSW and the Contemporary Art Museum offer free entry for those with an appreciation for world class art exhibits. Other famous museums and galleries include the Powerhouse Museum, as well as various other galleries scattered throughout the Rocks, which showcase some of the finest Aboriginal paintings in the country.

Accommodation
Your best bet for cheap accommodation will be a hostel, starting from $25.00 for a shared dorm. And if you require some privacy for both yourself and the person you might be dating or your boyfriend/girlfriend, expect to shell out around $50 per night. Check out the deals offered by the YHA which has several central locations around Sydney. YHA accommodation typically has clean facilities and friendly staff with an NRMA rating of 3 stars.

Entertainment
The singles and dating scene is one of the most vibrant and diverse in the world. Whether you’re in town as a solo traveller looking for love, lust, casual dating or just any type of companionship, the scene is electric, and you’ll simply never want to leave. Happy hour venues are always a good option, and these are aplenty in Sydney. We’ve also tracked down some other cool entertainment venues with a very reasonable price tag. The Mars Lounge offers $10.00 cocktails until midnight. The Sanctuary Hotel at Darling Harbour offers $3.00 drinks before 9PM, the venue is also a hotspot for backpackers. While you’re at Darling Harbour, check out some other trendy venues like Tokio Hotel and Home Bar – but only stop by these bars if money is no object.

This Sydney travel piece was written by Matt Fuller. Matt also writes about other related topics including singles dating travel, online dating sites advice, Sydney entertainment reviews and free dating websites tips for single people.

Category: New South Wales, Uncategorized  Tags:  Leave a Comment
Australia’s famous Bondi Beach
Monday, September 26th, 2011 /

Bondi symbolizes Australia as much as the kangaroo, Uluru or the Sydney Harbour Bridge do. While the kangaroo represents all that is unique about Australian wildlife, Bondi symbolizes the Australian lifestyle. Australia is one country that treats leisure time seriously, somehow managing to combine work and recreation into a seamless unit.

Bondi Beach

Bondi has been synonymous with surf since the aboriginals named it thousands of years ago. Originally pronounced "Boondi", the word means "the sound of waves crashing against the rocks." It is a perfect name, since the waves do crash against the rocks on the two headlands that border sandy Bondi Beach.

Today, all the action at Bondi takes place on the beach between the two headlands. Directly in the middle of the beach is Bondi’s iconic Surf Lifesaving Club. First established in 1907, the Bondi Surf Lifesaving Club is the oldest club of its kind in the world. The club’s primary objective throughout its history has been to live up to its name and save lives. Many of the surf life saving techniques used by this club have been adopted throughout the world, especially since Sunday, February 6, 1937. On that day, club members made over 300 rescues in a single day. Although five lives were lost, the club received international acclaim for saving hundreds of lives.

Bondi on a hot day

In its early years, most of the beach goers to Bondi got there from Bondi Junction via the old Sydney tram line. The last tram to Bondi ran in 1961. Since then, buses have largely replaced trams and a large parking area has been created behind and around the surf club. On a busy Sunday in the summer, Bondi lifesavers have to keep track of as many as 20,000 beachgoers, while the local restaurants and cafes are kept busy keeping them fed. Fortunately, there are enough surf lifesavers and businesses to cater to everyone. Mishaps in the ocean are rare, thanks to the lifesavers and no one goes without sunblock, a beach hat or a hearty meal thanks to the dozens of shops and restaurants lining Campbell Parade, the main traffic thoroughfare.

While Bondi attracts the greatest crowds on hot days, it is a popular destination 365 days a year. In the middle of winter, surfers brave the cold winter waters to ride the waves and the world famous "Bondi Icebergs" jump into the icy waters of their salt water pool. Those who prefer to stay warm and dry exercise by jogging or walking on the scenic coastal walking trail that starts on the southern end of Bondi and goes around the headland to beaches further south.

Bondi to Bronte Walk

Bondi is equally popular at night, when the pubs, entertainment venues, restaurants and other nightspots come to life. Bondi’s nightlife reflects its diverse community and tastes. As you wander down the street, you may hear the strumming of an acoustic guitar coming from inside a cafe/bookshop, the sound of electric guitars inside a local pub or the tinkling of piano keys from inside a lavishly appointed gourmet restaurant.

Bondi’s fame has spread throughout the world and almost everyone who visits Sydney also visits Bondi at least once before they go back home. Many of them choose to stay in Bondi. That is easily done, since there is a Bondi accommodation for every lifestyle and budget. The Bondi backpacker accommodations are some of the most popular in Australia. At the other end of the scale, you can choose a 5 star resort with spectacular views. Whatever you’re looking for, you can find it in Bondi.

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