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Springtime Beach Escapades in Australia

Springtime is usually associated with beginnings, awakenings and other dynamic notions. So, no wonder Australia, vibrant and joyful, attracts so many people between September and November. Apart from the always popular city breaks, hiking tours and visits to outposts, the most in-demand destinations are the magnificent and renowned beaches.

Despite the existence of coastline paradox, which makes it impossible to say exactly how long Australia’s coastline is, it’s safe to say that it’s among the longest ones in the world. It happens every now and then that great potentials simply don’t deliver. However, this can’t be further from truth when it comes to the beauty of Australia’s beaches and what they have to offer.

Surfing

The obvious first choice. There are few keen surfers who haven’t heard or dreamed of hitting the waves at Bells Beach in Victoria, Byron Bay in New South Wales and, well, the name says it all, Surfers Paradise in Queensland. Naturally, there are hundreds of less famous and less frequented beaches which offer amazing surfing experience, as well. Whatever your preference, there is a wave waiting for you at one of Australia’s pristine and breathtaking beaches.

Beach festivals

These are becoming increasingly popular, attracting hundreds of thousands of tourists, some ready to travel more than 15 hours just to feel the world famous atmosphere. Bands and DJs heat up the stages all over the continent in spring, while after-parties may either cool everyone down or keep the temperature up, depending on the crowd.

Since these festivals last for several days, it’s vital to book accommodation early enough. Luckily, you can choose from a wide offer of private accommodation units, campsites and hotels in the vicinity of the beaches. Depending on the part of Australia you’re visiting and the dates of your visit, you might be lucky enough to attend one of the many festivals organized there

One of the premier surf beaches in Australia. Unfortunately, we could not get any closer as they were setting up for some big surf competition. On to our next scenic stop.

Diving and snorkeling

There aren’t many more awe-inspiring places for divers and snorkelers than the Great Barrier Reef and the area around it. Whether you’re an experienced diver or a complete novice who’s never donned the equipment before, you’re bound to find your own piece of heaven underwater.

You may organize your own trip or decide to join a guided tour. If you’re interested and can afford the time and money, you could take a diving course and become at least a certified recreational scuba diver.

Canoeing and kayaking

Usually associated with tranquil backwaters and inlets or inland white-waters, canoeing and kayaking off the shore provide you with an opportunity to see the marvelous coastline from another perspective. Plus, you’ll be getting an excellent workout while doing something fun.

Chances are, whichever part of Australia you choose, dolphins are quite likely to keep you company while you paddle your way off the coast. They might be accompanied by seals or other curious sea creatures, which would only bring the experience to a whole new level.

Chilling and eating

Perhaps an adrenalin rush is not what you’re after this spring, but it doesn’t mean you can’t have some extraordinary time by the water. For example, you can throw your own beach party for your family or friends. What better way to celebrate one of Australia’s greatest contributions to the culinary world – a barbecue breakfast, than having it at one of nature’s greatest gifts to us – a beach in Australia.

Millions of people flock to the beaches in Australia each year in search for fun, excitement or relaxation and an overwhelming majority of them find what they want. A lot of them find even more than they bargained for, while some find exactly what they need, though they didn’t have that particular experience in mind before embarking on their journey.

You’re probably not a jolly swagman who’s going to camp by a billabong, but someone looking for a spring holiday with a twist. Well, look no further, because you’ve chosen your destination wisely. Now all you need to do is make up your mind about what you’d like to experience, but keep it open. What might happen could be just the thing you need.

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Byron Bay

Exploring the Wonders of the Outback Wildflower Trails

The arrival of spring and balmy weather in Western Australia gives a definite green light to all adventurers and nature lovers to pack their bags and set out to explore the wildflower trails. Australia’s renowned Golden Outback region is a fantastic and fool-proof pick.

The area is packed with no less than 12,000 wildflower species in all colours of the rainbow that provide a breathtaking view for the visitors. Awaken your inner wild child and embark on this exciting journey, but not before you hear our suggestions and tips.

Comprehensive travel guide

We have gathered a selection of essential tips that will ensure you have a pleasant and safe holiday in this beautiful region:

Make sure to have a paper and digital version of emergency info and contacts at all times
Act in accordance with the local health and safety guidelines
Although stops with food can be found at every 100-300km, fill up the tank and bring enough food that doesn’t spoil easily
Acquire permits for travel on Aboriginal lands through the Department of Aboriginal Affairs
National park passes are required as well
Obey the strict quarantine laws regarding the transport of food and plants
Get acquainted with the holiday dates and join the merrymaking
Don’t forget to exchange your currency on time if you’re a foreign citizen

Following the coastline

Coastal wildflower trip is quite a lengthy adventure since it takes up 5 whole days on average. This trip gives you a unique chance to admire the spectacular wildlife scenery during the blossoming season from August to November.

Stage 1

While conquering the distance between Perth and Hyden (4h of drive, or 340km), you’ll run into a tapestry of kaleidoscopic flower species. The patch from Brookton to Boyagin Nature Reserve features deryandras, kunzeas, hibbertias, grevilleas and isopogons, among others. Travelling farther to the Dryandra Woodlands will give you the opportunity to feast your eyes on magnificent pink and lemon orchids.

Stage 2

For starters, don’t forget to make a break for the amazing Wave Rock, a giant granite cliff shaped by the weather and erosion into a wave-like structure. This day includes the trip from Hyden to Esperance (7 hours of drive or 500km) through captivating woodland and wildflower zone. Make a stop in Norseman to dine and recuperate.

Stage 3

Once you arrive in stunning coastal place of Esperance, you’ll get the chance to roam the Cape Le Grand National Park, enjoy the sky-blue waters of Lucky Bay and take part in the local festivals. Apart from variety of spring blossoms, you’ll also be surrounded by lovely marsupials such as grey kangaroos, bandicoots and pigmy honey possums.

Stage 4

When the patch between Esperance and Hopetoun is concerned, the sites worth the visit include Ravensthorpe’s nickel mine, Monjingup Lake reserve and Stokes Inlet National Park. Wattles, mallees, peas and royal hakea are some of the famous wildflower species in the region.

Stage 5

Instead of repeating the trip on the way back to Perth, head via astonishing Wheatbelt wildflower area near salt lakes Grace, Wagin, Dumbleyung and Williams and marvel the local scenery.

Granite path

This one is a fairly manageable trip for business people and families with kids as they can conquer it in the span of a weekend (two days). Springtime is ideal for this type of road trip (late August till October) since the weather is agreeable and the countryside is teeming with vegetation.

Make the best of your drive between Perth and Merredin (260km) and check out the historic town of York. The first ever inland European settlement in Western Australia offers a wide range of attractions, such as vintage car displays, arts and crafts workshops and picturesque farmlands. The shire of Narembeen and Bruce Rock are also some of the cool stops on the way to Merredin.

On you second day, head home via Mukinbudin (464km) and make sure to visit the Billyacatting and Talgomine Rock to soak in the colourful landscape of everlastings and wildflowers. Yellow-spotted donkey orchids and one-sided bottlebrush are the pride of this region. Round up your trip by picking some popular wreath flowers at the Koorda and Wongan Hills.

At-home wildflower oasis

If you get thoroughly impressed with this trip, you might want to make your own wildflower garden in the backyard when you return home. First and foremost, go for the resistant native plants. Place them in a sunny spot away from the shrubbery. Prepare the soil carefully and utilise some handy garden tools, such as quality garden sprayer and rakes. Add organic fertilisers, plant the seed and wait patiently.

Australia’s wildflower trail paths are a great opportunity to explore the country’s natural and cultural landmarks. Simply get a free transfer car and make use of our suggestions to plan a fabulous springtime trip.

Article by Lillian Connors.

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Wildflower

Boyagin Nature Reserve

Wave Rock

Cape Le Grand National Park

Narembeen

How to Truly Enjoy Cairns

The largest part of the Australian land still remains unknown for both Australian tourists and foreign visitors. While the majority of people go to Victoria and South New Wales or the Great Barrier Reef, Australia generously displays a variety of other natural and historical spots. The beautiful town of Cairns is one of such places. Its proximity to the Great Barrier Reef and a strategic location on the coast of the Coral Sea make it a perfect place for visitors striving for peace and natural beauties.

A culinary tower of Babel

Like many other Australian towns and cities, Cairns is a blend of people from different parts of the world. This is why restaurants and bars here offer a wide range of different cuisines, fusing them together into a unique melting pot of various cultures. Therefore, if you want to try something tasty from that pot, you can choose from a wide range of traditional Australian restaurants, as well as places that offer Greek, Italian, Thai food and other specialties.

As for unusual local meals to try in Cairns, you should go for smoked crocodile, a kangaroo burger and various delicacies made from emu meat.

Beach relaxation

As for the beaches, the most logical choice in the town centre is Lagoon, placed inside the Esplanade, which is a strip of hotels, restaurants, bars and recreational facilities. You can observe the Great Barrier Reef from this promenade, especially if you choose one of the accommodation units in this part of the town. Also, swimming in the sea by Trinity Beach is a great in-Cairns experience.

Alternatively, tourists can visit dozens of breath-taking beaches outside Cairns. The most famous one is Palm Cove, which is actually a fancy resort, about 25 miles north of Cairns. On the other hand, if you’re less into luxury spa beach resorts and more into long, soothing beaches, continue driving another 20 miles to the north and indulge yourself with the gold sands of Four Mile Beach in Port Douglas.

Learning about the Aborigines

Visiting this part of Australia has to be accompanied by several educational courses on the Aboriginal culture. Hence, when in Cairns, do as the Aborigines did. Learning more about one of the oldest cultures in the world will take you back to the times when people were a rare species on this planet – about 40,000 years ago.

So, the tourists that want to see how the Aborigines lived should apply for The Bama Way. This journey from Cairns to Cooktown is enriched with various features of the Aboriginal way of living. In addition to learning about their customs and beliefs, you’ll have a chance to hunt animals with a spear and collect bush food.

Moreover, don’t miss the Mossman Gorge Center – the home of the indigenous Kuku Yalanji people – as well as the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, which will expand your knowledge of Aboriginal stories, dance and music.

Hail the giant – The Great Barrier Reef

The peak of your Cairns adventure should be a visit to the Great Barrier Reef. Visible from space, this enormous coral reef consists of about 3000 smaller, independent reefs, spreading to about 130,000 square miles.

The most economical way to see this giant of nature is a daily boat trip from Cairns or Port Douglas. Most operators offer snorkeling and diving in this coral realm, which should be more than enough for a drained wallet.

On the other hand, a higher budget will allow you to book a helicopter tour and observe the reef from above or stay a night in one of the hotels placed on the islands inside the Reef.

Adding North Queensland to your Aussie itinerary will give you a chance to meet Australia as it once was, due to numerous Aboriginal sites. Also, the natural attractions and the urban coziness of Cairns should let you have a relaxing and affordable holiday.

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North Queensland: A Kayaking Paradise

Australia definitely has a soft spot when it comes to water sports. From Perth to Brisbane, from Darwin to Adelaide, the entire coast of Australia provides hundreds of stunning places for kayakers, surfers, divers and other water enthusiasts. However, there are slight differences that make some places more suitable for certain activities than others. North Queensland is a place that can freely called a kayaker’s paradise, with many splendid sites dedicated to this exciting water activity. Although non-kayaking water activities are also available.

Snapper Island

Situated some 90km north of Cairns and reachable from Wonga Beach, Snapper Island is a breath-taking kayaking venue. It is about 2km far away from the coast. You can get there from the mainland in two ways: by kayak or by boat. Once there, you can rent a (glass-bottom) kayak and enjoy the amazing coral strings at the bottom of the sea as well as a wide array of Queensland fish once you start cruising around the island. Also, consider fishing on days when you are taking rest from kayaking. Find out more about fishing in this part of Australia here.

In addition, when on Snapper Island, it would be a shame not to stay a few days at the West Point campsite and feel the friendly Snapper Island ambience.

Dunk Island

About 250km south of Snapper Island, kayakers can spend some great leisure time on Dunk Island. This paradise situated about 4.5km off the Queensland mainland, about three-quarters of this island enjoys the same level of protection as national parks. When you get aboard your kayak, you can take easy rides round the island and enjoy the wonderful view of crystal sea depths and some rare animals, such as dugongs or local turtles. In addition, you should set free your adventurous spirit and explore the beautiful bays with azure water and lovely sandy beaches.

As for non-kayaking activities, the 5.5km ascent of Mount Kootaloo is a true challenge for every nature enthusiast, which makes visiting Dunk Island a great mixture of kayaking and mild trekking.

Goold Island

Some 25km southward from Dunk Island you will come across Goold Island. Although it would be a real adventure, it is not recommendable to kayak the distance between those two islands. It would be smarter to start your kayak trip to Goold Island from Cardwell instead. The distance here is 17km, which is a great paddle training session for every well-trained kayaker. When kayaking around this island, you can find shelter in its secluded beaches, enclosed by unusually high sea cliffs.

Another thing that makes this island more interesting is its mixture of climates; a borderline case of continental and rainforest climate. If you like this island so much that you would like to stay there for a few days, you should try camping in Goold Island National Park.

Hinchinbrook Island

The southmost isle in this string of best kayaking places off the Queensland coast, Hinchinbrook Island is a huge island that offers a wide array of different activities. Of course, you should first try all the kayaking features this island has to offer. For instance, you can start your adventure in Cardwell, paddling to Macushla Camp, all the way across Missionary Bay and Hinchinbrook Channel. If you still haven’t had enough of kayaking, you can proceed to Cape Richards and Nina Bay. Finally, you can finish your kayaking trip in Lucinda – a town on the Queensland mainland.

Spending your holiday kayaking around Queensland islands is a unique opportunity to see an immense number of breath-taking coves, bays, forests and mountains. What’s best, you can now rent a free car and embark on an effective recovery session for your stressed body and soul, which will show you why this part of Australia is among the most attractive areas Down Under.

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Get Ready for the Whale Watching Season Down Under

As the largest sea creatures, whales awake people’s curiosity wherever they show up. If the area in which they can be observed is also a tourist destination, whale-spotting becomes an important attraction, and Australia is among the top destinations where people can witness the migrations of these stunning mammals, usually from May to October, due to colder conditions off the Australian south coast in that period. Here are the best spots, along with a few extra tips, to help you have the ultimate whale watching experience Down Under.

From Perth to Broome

Although Western Australia is less popular than its fellow states in the east and the southeast, you can still find some extraordinary spots along its coast. The best area to observe whales in this part of Australia is definitely Exmouth Gulf in the north of Western Australia, as well as different spots along Ningaloo Coast and Kimberley Coast.

If you want to see humpback whales in dozens of herds, you should visit Exmouth Gulf between August and October. As the deep ocean area here gets pretty close to the coast, whales can be observed from a reasonable distance, and if you are lucky to go for a whale tour during the high season, whales might come close to your boat and pose for some amazing selfies, too.

Albany is also worth recommending, in the far south of Western Australia. The highest probability is that you will see good old humpbacks there in the period between June and November, as they like the shelter provided by the local bays. As for the area surrounding Cape Leveque, the northernmost tip of the Dampier Peninsula, the best time for whale watching is in August and September.

East Coast whale strip

When the near-Antarctic waters become too cold, whales start moving northwards along the Australian East Coast. The end goal of their migrations along this route is the Great Barrier Reef. Here they stay throughout their mating season.

The most crowded area whale-wise in the east is the Gold Coast, especially the region between the Whitsunday Islands and Eden (home of the Killer Whale Museum). Tourists who want to observe the incredible migrations of these sea giants should also know that they can do it twice; the first time when they are moving northwards and the second time when they are moving back to the south, at the end of the season.

The thing with whales is that they are not too eager to move unless they do not have to. Therefore, you have to ‘chase’ them to take a closer look. You will probably manage to get the most of your whale trip if you visit Point Danger, North Stradbroke Island or Byron Bay as your destination for this whale-watching quest.

Expert tips

When it comes to whale-watching trips, people should set their priorities before they opt for one of the numerous options. If you only want to be able to see the migrating whales from a safe distance, going on a comfortable yacht excursion should be enough for your taste. Such offers can be found along both coasts.

However, daredevils will not be satisfied with such average tourist offers. So, if you would like to get closer to the whales to get the big picture (literally), finding a less crowded excursion on a smaller boat would be a more reasonable. Also, those who want to get a better insight in whales’ behavior and habits can use a time lapse Brinno camera and make some outstandingly realistic photo stories.

Watching whales off the coast of Australia can be compared to observing condors in the Andes or elephants in Kenya. It is one of those unique miracles that this planet can offer. So, if you are a nature lover, you should definitely rent a free transfer car and check out Down Under between May and October to feast your eyes on the emperors of the mammal world.

Tips to Help You Feel Like a True Local in Brisbane

Brisbane might be the most typical city when it comes to the Australian way of living. The eastmost city of Australia, this wonderful place is a home to 2.3 million people and an attractive tourist destination. What you need when visiting Brisbane is not to be dragged around like a lost tourist, but to taste and feel the real Brisbane. Now you will learn some tips on how to behave the way Brisbanites do.

Enjoy South Bank

Brisbane is an aquatic city, since it is not only situated on the shore of the ocean, but the Brisbane River also flows through this city. Its South Bank is one of the coziest places in Australia. Here you can ride your bike or go for a walk by the river.

South Bank is also known as a perfect mix of entertainment and leisure. Everybody who wants to see what the citizens of Brisbane do in their free time should visit this area, rich with artistic venues, as well as park areas, restaurants and bars. It is the hub of fun and recreation in Brisbane. Here you can have a look at the calendar of forthcoming events in South Bank.

A touch of vintage Brisbane

Real enthusiasts are sick and tired of mass tourism items and mainstream activities. It would be much more exciting to witness some genuine Brisbane art and buy souvenirs manufactured by local artists. Those who want to see some original Queensland art should visit the Stanley Street Plaza, the central cultural point of Brisbane. Its collective markets are brimming with authentic jewelry, made by local artists and influenced by old and new customs of Queensland. You will see hundreds of young designers and artists talking about their work and introducing tourists to the remarkable art tradition of Brisbane.

Wine and dine like a Brisbanite

When you feel that your feet need a rest, it is time to try some local food and drinks. Brisbane offers so many great restaurants that recommending any of them would be unfair. You’d better have a look at this list of the best restaurants, compiled by the Gourmet Traveler Magazine and see what suits your needs. If you want to eat like a local Queenslander, try local fruit, like pineapple, avocado and mango. Also, seafood is very popular with local people.

On the other side, you should not experiment too much with drinks. Australia is famous for its wines, so just go and try some splendid red wine specials to give your taste buds a real treat.

Swim in the heart of the city

Although an artificial beach on the Brisbane River, Streets Beach is a perfect choice for the people who want to feel the real Brisbane beach pleasure. The water area looks like a lagoon and the beach itself is covered with gold sand. It is a great place to recover after a long afternoon stroll around Brisbane. However, if you want to swim in the ocean and see the surrounding area, you should visit the beaches presented in this overview, published by the Brisbane Times.

Brisbane does not fall behind Sydney and Melbourne in any sense. On the contrary, it has a sort of that cool charm that those two biggest Australian cities do not have anymore. It offers its residents and visitors exciting entertainment hubs, classy museums and galleries and vast parks meant for recreation. All these features definitely make Brisbane a city of future that everybody going Down Under should visit.

Text by Lillian Connors and Photos creative commons.