Vintage Australia

Advantages: Attractive countryside, attractive wines
Disadvantages: Creeping urbanisation, and industrial-scale production

...Adelaide, capital of South Australia, is a pleasant place, but, as so often with cities, some of the best places to visit locally are found outside the city itself. To the east, Mount Lofty and the Cleland Wildlife Park offer good walking and spectacular views across Adelaide to the ocean beyond. To the south, long and almost deserted beaches stretch past the mouth of the Murray River towards Kangaroo Island. And to the north-east lies Australia's most important wine-growing area, centred on the Barossa Valley. Under the guidance of our Australian friends, my wife and I saw - and enjoyed - all three during our short stay in Adelaide. Among them, though, I would without hesitation recommend the Barossa Valley as providing the best combination of cultural and scenic interest, as well as the tastiest refreshment along the way...

torr 06.07.2005 · Read review
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Review of Barossa Valley (Australia)

Australia - Some Highlights!

Advantages: So much to see
Disadvantages: Such a long flight away

...I have not long returned from a gap year away where I spent most of my time in Australia working. This is definitely a country, which has lots to offer. I spent 6 months here and you could definitely spend longer. Below are some of the highlights of my trip: **SYDNEY** There are lots of things to see and do here, the Opera House being the most obvious. We paid to do a tour inside here, which I would recommend as you can see inside the theatre and its running. You can climb in Harbour Bridge but it's not for the faint hearted though as it very high up. If you take the boat to Taronga Zoo you can see the Opera House from the water and the views of Sydney skyline are amazing from the zoo, plus there are lots of different animals in the zoo to keep you entertained all day. Blue Mountains is a must see, it is two hours out of Sydney but...

DeniseKelly40 11.07.2008 (04.09.2008) · Read review
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Review of General: Australia

The real Australia!

Advantages: Scenery, wildlife, beaches, lovely towns - pretty much everything!!
Disadvantages: Long drives to see anything (but in a way makes it good as not crowded)

...Having just had a 2 week holiday in Western Australia I thought it only right I should share it with you all! This is more an overview of the places I visited rather than an opinion on the whole state because even though I covered more than 2500 miles in 7 days I didn't cover hardly any of the state when you look on the map because it's that big! Western Australia covers 2.5million square kilometres and constitutes about one third of Australia, is well over half the size of Europe and yet it's population is a mere 1.6 million. Getting anywhere is a long drive, and hours upon hours staring at perfectly straight roads without seeing another vehicle is not uncommon. This is what adds to the character of the state though and I actually loved it because it feels so untouched and un-touristy compared to the East coast of Australia. If...

Allyalcock 09.11.2005 · Read review
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Review of General: Western Australia

Amazing chance to meet Australia's Animals

Advantages: Very interactive!
Disadvantages: Can't think of any!!

...the Australia Zoo website. The QR Citytrain has a service that runs between the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Beerwah. The Australia Zoo then runs a courtesy coach from Berrwah station to the Zoo. We decided to do a Day Tour to the Zoo, we booked this through our hostel, and you can also book through a travel agent. We went with a company called Croc Connections, the man that runs it used to work at Australia Zoo and is full of information, on the way to the Zoo we got to watch some of Steve Irwin's DVD's which was really interesting and insightful. The driver had thought of everything and even had a cooler with soft drinks in the back that we could buy for just $1 a can. On the way home we also stopped off at a great fruit and veg store to get some supplies for the way home. The price includes travel to and from the Zoo and your entrance...

LIZKEMPO 08.11.2008 · Read review
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Review of Australia Zoo

Australia - a country with it all!

Advantages: Anything you could possibly want in a holiday all in 1 country!
Disadvantages: Far from anywhere, long way to get anywhere

...and PIN to make sure you have an address first or a friend's/relative's you can send it to. Banks and ATMs are readily available in all major cities and most towns so money is easy to get to. **TRAVEL** Depending on the time you have in Australia and the places you want to see, flying is great for saving lots of time on buses/trains and is often a lot cheaper too! The main operators for domestic flights in Australia are Virginblue, Qantas and Jetstar, go to their websites and you can book with your credit card. Backpacker buses are great for meeting like-minded people, for stopping and seeing things along the way (compared to your general bus that just goes from A to B), for getting around, for getting to all the good places (your driver knows where to go and is a fountain of knowledge on the whole area!) and for convenience...

Allyalcock 03.07.2006 · Read review
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Review of General: Australia

Rubbish Australia!

Advantages: Nice & Warm, some impressive scenery
Disadvantages: Expensive, nothing apart from the above to recommend it

...', there are always a good few idiots around, wherever you go. Not only is this true of the big towns but also of smaller places such as the Whitsundays. Perhaps its because I am just not a lagerboy that i didn't appreciate them being around all the time. If I did want to see drunk teenagers from Croydon being sick on the street, i wouldn't spend £700 on a plane ticket to do so. If I wanted a guarantee of sunshine for the..erm...view, then I could buy a ticket to Ibiza for a fraction of the price. I dunno. I hate to be so negative, clearly a lot of this is due to me having a bad time there, but its honestly my opinion and its about time somebody said this******* Australia is a popular holiday destination with most of us Brits. I wonder why? Is it the decent exchange rate? The sunshine? Is it the fact that it is about as far away from grimy...

bergmcberg 04.03.2005 · Read review
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Review of General: Australia

Crikey its Australia Zoo!

Advantages: The croc show! Its a great zoo all the animals look happy!
Disadvantages: Steve irwin wasnt there!

...CRIKEY ITS AUSTRALIA ZOO!! ****History**** Australia Zoo was first opened by the parents og the famous Steve Irwin in 1970 (Bob and Lyn Irwin). From an early age Steve helped manage crocodiles, reptiles and looked after animals calling the zoo his home. In 1992 Steve and his wife Terri took over management of the zoo. They believe in "conservation through exciting education." The message throughout the park draws on the importance of conserving our precious wildlife and their natural habitats. ****Getting to the Zoo**** Admission into the zoo for a Family 5 Ticket (2 adult and 3 children)$160.50, for a Family 4 Ticket (2 adult and 2 children) $146.00, Single Adult Ticket $49.00, a Pensioner Ticket $39.00, a Student Ticket $39.00, Child Ticket: $29.00 (Child is 3-14 years) and children under 3 is free. You...

DeniseKelly40 23.11.2007 · Read review
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Review of Australia Zoo

Sydney Australia a dream come true!!

Advantages: Great city opera house
Disadvantages: expensive

...Sydney General Before I went to Australia I had this image in my head of the Sydney Opera and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, this was the first thing I thought about when I thought of Australia, so the first thing I did when I arrived was drive down to see it for myself! I was so excited, I almost had to pinch myself as it all felt like a dream but I really was in Australia at last. Standing by the Opera House was a dream come true; it really is a remarkable site and one I will not forget for a very long time. The structure and design is fascinating and I spent a good while walking around it all. The view of the Harbour Bridge opposite is startling it is so huge if you look closely you can make out the small figures of the brave climbing over the top of it. The thing I love about Sydney the most is its beaches, with so many to...

LIZKEMPO 27.09.2008 · Read review
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Review of Sydney (Australia)

Its not so Lonely in Australia!

Advantages: So much information
Disadvantages: Slightly bulky to carry

...+ Lonely Planet - Australia + The lonely planet Australia book is a must of you are travelling around Australia. It gives you lots of very useful information about the country, things to do and see, currently and lots more. As I was planning my trip and didn't have a clue on what there was to do and see in this large country so I decided to get this book and I was very pleased with it. + CONTENTS + This book has everything imaginable that you could need to try and plan an itinerary by yourself. At the front there is a map of Australia which gives you an idea where all the towns are, where train stations run and a key so you can work out distances. It is quite detailed and gives you an overall feel for the size of this country. Highlights - this section will give you some highlights of Australia showing some stunning...

DeniseKelly40 17.01.2008 · Read review
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Review of Lonely Planet Australia - Lonely Planet

A must see destination in Australia

Advantages: amazing lakes, sand dunes, brilliant camping experience
Disadvantages: get dirty and smelly but that really doesn't matter when you're having such a great time!

...Fraser Island is a must see destination in Australia. You can get to the island from Hervey Bay or Rainbow Beach which on the Sunshine Coast just above Brisbane, although Hervey Bay is closer and offers a larger variety of tours to choose from. Different tours are available - you can either go on a guided tour where a guide drives you round and does most of the stuff for you or there is the self drive tour which I have to say I think is the better choice. On the self drive tour you are in a group of 10-12 people and are left to do everything by yourself. Although this might sound a bit daunting it really was one of the best things I ever did. If you are 21 or over and hold a driving license you are able to drive the van but if you'd prefer not to you don't have to. The road are bumping paths through the forest or the long beach which is...

frankiefromings13 17.02.2009 · Read review
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Review of Fraser Island (Australia)