South Pacific Paradise? Bruny Island, Tasmania

Advantages: Stunningly Beautiful, Unspoilt, Unique
Disadvantages: Located at the very end of the world...

..., but the first European to land on the island was a French Admiral, Bruny D'Encetastreaux, after whom it was later named. Captains Bligh and Cook both anchored on the Island in the late 18th century, with Bligh rumoured to have planted the island's very first apple tree. Cook's relations with the island's natives during his 1777 visit were by all accounts amicable, and he took back the first ever Eucalyptus specimens from Bruny. However, the story of the Aboriginal people of Bruny, subsequent to European settlement, was to be a brutal and tragic one, and one that closely mirrored that of their counterparts on mainland Tasmania. It was tantamount to Genocide. Those few that escaped slaughter, or did not succumb to introduced diseases, were eventually transported to Flinders Island, where a similarly bleak fate awaited them. More than 20...

snowbunni 29.11.2005 · Read review
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Review of Tasmania (Australia)

Gorgeous scenery, friendly people and a relaxing alternative to mainstream tourism in Australia

Advantages: wilderness, friendly, relaxing, adventure, 'non-touristy', quiet
Disadvantages: distance, 'non-touristy', quiet

...Tasmania is often missed out by travellers to Australia but those who take the time to travel down to this beautiful island state find that it is well worth it. To give a general idea, Tasmania is the size of Ireland with a population of less than half a million and vast areas of National Parks and World Heritage Areas. It is a rugged, mountainous island but this is not to say it doesn't have its share of beaches - some of the most beautiful in the world. If you like your holidays to include theme-parks, nightlife, and tropical beaches then Tasmania is not for you. On the other hand if you like bushwalking, adventure sports, skiing, or simply getting away from it all and relaxing then Tasmania is the ideal location. The climate is mild with warm summers and bracing winters cold enough for skiing in the mountains but not as cold and wet...

jomaree 12.07.2000 · Read review
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Review of General: Tasmania (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

  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)

Wine, cheese, convicts, blue sea

Advantages: Perfect if you are looking for outdoor activities
Disadvantages: Not as perfect if you are looking for night life

...I went to Tasmania a couple of years ago and since I wrote a diary during my travels I decided to share my experience. I flew to Lauceston from Melbourne while a couple of friends came across with the ferry so that we could take the car with us. I do not know much about tranport in Tasmania but if you can choose , get a rental car and drive aroud yourself because the petrol is cheap in Oz and this state is so small compared to Queensland or the Northern Territory and in a week you can see quite a bit. Day 1 We drove to Swansea and from there we got to the real attractions: Freycenet Park and Coles Bay which are in the East Coast. There you can choose to do different walks, long or short, depending on what you are up for. We walked for 6 miles through the best scenery I have ever seen: rolling hills, perfectly blue sea, white beaches...

giovannacossali 01.12.2006 · Read review
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Review of General: Tasmania (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

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

Amazing chance to meet Australia's Animals

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

...If you want to experience the wonderful wildlife that Australia has to offer then a trip to Australia Zoo is a great way to do it! I have to say it was one of the highlights of my trip. The Australia Zoo is very well known as it was created by the wonderful Steve Irwin, Steve has sadly passed away but his good work for conservation is still going on and he is has certainly not been forgotten. Price: Adult Ticket: $52.00 Pensioner Ticket: $41.00 Student Ticket: $41.00 Child Ticket: $31.00 Child is 3-14 years (Child Under 3 FREE!) - Family discounts are also available. Opening Hours: 9-5pm 7 days a week Location: The Australia Zoo is located in Beerwah, this is close to Brisbane but closer to Noosa. Complimentary bus services run from Noosaville, for more information on pick up spots and times please see...

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

...Australia is popular with all travellers, from budget backpackers to luxury holidaymakers, and it isn't surprising considering anything you could possible want to do on a holiday, you can do here. If your idea of a perfect holiday is sunbathing on the sand and the most energetic thing you do is walk to the cocktail stall you can do it here, if you perfect holiday is skiing or snowboarding you can do it here, if your perfect holiday is shopping in the big cities you can do it here, if you enjoy sightseeing, bushwalking, hiking, camping, adventure holidays, getting close to nature and seeing extremes of climates and landscapes you can do it all here! Australia is the 3rd biggest country in the world but the smallest continent. It has a population of around 20 million - more people live in London and it's surrounding suburbs then in...

Allyalcock 03.07.2006 · 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