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... Read review

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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 20,000 years... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: The experience, The scenery, Meet new friends, It goes on...
Disadvantages: Need some money first, Travelling time

..., is in the monsoon belt and has just two seasons; hot and wet, and hot and dry. It is best to avoid South Australia and Tasmania from May to September. The rain will only remind you of home. -Visas- These are essential. Get visas at The Australian High Commission (Australia House, Strand, London WC2B 4LA, tel 020 7379 4334, www.australia.org.uk). Three-month tourist visas are free if you turn up in person from 9am-noon, Mon – Fri. To save queuing, some travel agents will process them on your behalf. -Car hire- Cars can be hired at major airports or in major city centres with Hertz, Thrifty and Avis etc. Average daily costs are around A$70 for a small manual. You’ll need an international licence and have to be over 21 (over 25 for a 4WD). -Phones- The east coast is nine hours ahead of GMT, the west seven. To call Oz from the UK, dial 44... Read review

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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... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful