Australia Travel Ideas

Australia is an enormous nation of great diversity and intrigue. The vast quantity of attractions, natural landmarks, breathtaking stretches of coastline and fascinating cities may seem overwhelming when planning your holiday, even if you've visited Oz before! The sample interaries below are simply suggestions for how your time down under might be best spent according to your tastes and lifestyle.

First time travellers

People travelling down under for the first time will probably want to visit Australia's most famous and photographed landmarks such as the Great Barrier Reef, the Sydney Opera House, Ayers Rock and the idyllic Whitsunday Islands. Even if you have 2 months in which to travel around Australia, there is absolutely no way in which you could manage to see all that this varied and fascinating continent has to offer. People are unaware of the travelling distances within Australia, and think that they could tour in a campervan for a week and visit Sydney, Perth, the Great Barrier Reef and end up in Melbourne. The journey from Sydney to Perth alone takes 56 hours on the road, so internal flights are the best way to incorporate a vast variety of locations into a short stay.

Suggested holiday plan for first time visitor to Australia:

• On your way to Australia, why not incorporate a stopover to alleviate the symptoms of jetlag. This also gives you the opportunity to visit places such as Singapore, Bangkok or Hong Kong and sample the eastern culture.
   
• From Cairns, exploration of the nearby World Heritage Listed Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics Rainforest. Accommodation for your chosen number of nights in one of a variety of hotels, resorts and hostels nearby for varying budgets.
   
• Internal flight from Cairns to Ayers Rock to explore Uluru and The Olgas and learn about the local Aboriginal history and dreamtime. Your choice of accommodation.
   
• Internal flight from Ayers Rock to Sydney. From here, exploration of the Sydney Opera house, Harbour Bridge, the historic Rocks area and the intriguing convict history.
   
• On your flight home you could include a stopover in a different Eastern location, or even further afield in Los Angeles or Dubai.

Family holidays

Australia boasts a multitude of activities, attractions and locations to appeal to both parents and children of all ages. From sunbathing on the Sunshine Coast, to riding white-nuckle rollercoasters on the Gold Coast, to swimming with dolphins in Port Stephens; there is something to satisfy families with varying tastes and interests down under.

Suggested travel itinerary for family travellers to Australia:
 

• Travel from Brisbane to the Gold Coast for relaxation on the glorious beaches, adrenalin-fuelled excitement at theme parks such as Warner Bros. Movie World and Dream World, world-class shopping , watersports and exploration of 'the green behind the gold' - the lush hinterland area behind the beaches.
   
• Internal flight from Brisbne to Sydney. Sightseeing of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge climb, scenic harbour cruise and shopping.
   
• Swim with dolphins in Port Stephens - a 2 hour drive north of Sydney, for a memorable experience with these enchanting marine creatures.
   

Over 50's travel

Holidaymakers over the age of 50 may be looking for a relaxing, cultural holiday down under. There are an abundance of activities available for such travellers in Australia such as the east and west coast wineries in the Hunter Valley and Margaret River regions, nature walks and explorations in the Blue Mountains and Tasmania, Aboriginal tours, culture trails and museums, and peaceful retreats. There are however, more active and energetic pursuits on offer such as 4WD tours across the outback, bungee jumping and watersports, treks though the rainforest and rollercoaster rides on the Gold Coast. Slow paced or action packed - the choice is yours!

Suggested travel itinerary for relaxing over 50's holiday:
 

• Transport to the Gold Coast for relaxation on the golden sands and gentle exploration of the 'green behind the gold' - the Gold Coast's lush hinterland area.
   
• Internal flight to Cairns
   
• From Cairns take a glass-bottomed boat cruise of the Great Barrier Reef and sail out to the Whitsunday Islands for an idyllic retreat stay
   
• Internal flight to Sydney for sightseeing of the Opera House, Botanical Gardens, Harbour Bridge and day trip to the nearby Hunter Valley for wine tasting and gourmet cuisine.

The above itineraries are suggested holiday plans only, and include a small selection of the wealth of tourist activities and locations accessible in Australia.

Adventure holidays

Australia is a country packed with green, open spaces, both choppy and calm waters, rugged cliff faces and sandy white beaches to provide perfect adventure terrain. Below are just a few examples of how adrenalin junkies might best spenf their time down under:

• Visit the beautiful beaches of the Gold Coast to kayak, sail, surf, snorkel and dive in the clear, blue ocean.

• Take a hot air balloon ride over the Hunter Valley Wine region.

• Take the plunge with an exhilirating bungee jump in Cairns overlooking tropical rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef

• Take a rally driving course at Grantie Park Raceway, Seymour - approximately 1 hour's drive from Melbourne.

• Tour the breathtaking Great Ocean Road on a Harley Davidson motorbike.

• Rock climbing in the Blue Mountains