Adrenaline junkie? Dominic Godwinson suggests activities downunder that can satisfy your thrill-seeking needs.

Alice Springs in summer, an excellent place for hiking.

Written by Dominic Godwinson

If you are looking for a great vacation full of fun and adventure, look no further than fabulous Australia! With a diverse ecosystem that ranges from the arid outback to the subtropical climate of the Gondwana Rainforests, Australia has an action-filled excursion for everyone. So make your plans, pack your bags, call your travel agent and don’t forget your travel insurance cover. It is time to head for adventure!

One of Australia’s best known features is the remote areas of dry desert known as the outback. While it is sparsely populated, there are still many places to visit there. Alice Springs in the Northern Territory is a well-known destination in outback. With a population just under 30,000, the town is big enough to provide comforts for a traveler yet still small enough to retain its outback charm.

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A luxurious fruit picnic on the beach.

If grey winter weather starts to get you down, why not treat yourself to a summery Christmas on the beach? Australia flights can be a great present as well if you drop a hint to your loved ones. Temperatures are often in the mid-30s on Christmas day, and although greeting cards show snowy scenes with robins and reindeer, the only white you’ll see in Australia is the sand.

Local Traditions

Many Australians remember their British heritage with a traditional Christmas dinner, but it is increasingly common to beat the heat with barbeques or picnics. It is a tradition in Sydney to take a picnic to Bondi Beach to enjoy some seafood and a cold beer in the summer sun along with thousands of other festive revellers. You might even see Santa ride past on a surfboard.

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Emily Buckley suggests a 2-day itinerary in Melbourne, Australia’s second most populous city.

Written by Emily Buckley

Hidden bars down meandering alleyways, graffiti art that wouldn’t look out of place in a gallery, dozens of museums, beautifully preserved Victorian architecture, and coffee shops, bistros, cafes and restaurants of international stature — Melbourne is Australia’s arty, subversive, culturally cool member of the family. Famous for hosting the Australian Open tennis tournament, often experiencing four seasons in one day, and for serving up the best coffee in the country, spend 48 hours in Melbourne and you’ll fall in love with the city.

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Gavin Wyatt guides campervan explorers and other travelers to the sights and attractions of Tasmania’s the Huon.

View from the Tahune Air Walk in the Huon Valley by ShadeNinja

Written by Gavin Wyatt

The deep south of Tasmania is a land evocative of fairytales. The fruit growing in the lush valleys and plains is plumper than anywhere in Australia, and the snow capped crags and alpine moorlands lying on the horizon complete the storybook setting. Its all real though, lying there waiting to be explored by intrepid campervan adventurers such as yourself. And with the Huon Valley, the centrepiece of these southern parts, being just a 40 minute drive from Hobart, there is no reason not to take a drive around this magnificent region. Give yourself time though– there is lots to see and do!

At Stephen’s place in Geeveston by jessibot

While Hobart seems to have advanced with the times and has a very modern appeal to it, the Huon Valley has kept the charm of its past eras adding to the feel that your drive is taking you into another world. Apple and timber are the chief incomes here, and thick forests and fruit laden apple plantations line the road for much of the way. The small settlements dotted up and down the coast are centres for the production and process of these two industries, as they have been for many years. Towns like Geeveston have managed to retain the quaint heritage of the early days of their settlement, and they are a charming place to base your campervan and tour the surrounds from.

Apple & Heritage Museum by epeirogenic

To immerse yourself in the apple growing heritage of this region pay a visit to the Huon Apple and Heritage Museum. Here you will be transported back to the early days of apple production with its displays of working machines, and other artifacts and photographs. A former packing shed, there are also over 500 different varieties of apple on display here! In Geeveston you can also become better acquainted with timber industry and its past with a visit to the Forest and Heritage Centre. Forests are an integral part of Tasmania, and this centre provides a hands on interpretation of foresting practices and how these align with preservation and conservation. You can also enjoy the collection of antique machines, and take a ride on a sculptured log truck!

South Cape Rivulet by Rick McCharles

The coastline of the southern parts of Tasmania is spectacular. Some parts are inaccessible, they are simply too wild and rugged. This does not detract anything from their beauty, which you can still enjoy from afar at various lookout points. The rocky headlands that protrude into the sea are punctuated by pristine white beaches, and one of the most unforgettable of these is Cockle Creek, which also marks the farthest point south you can drive in Australia. Its sapphire-blue waters are a great spot for a morning swim, and the drive through the forests to reach here is spectacular.

Waratah lookout, Hartz Mountains National Park by Aschaf

The ultimate spot for appreciating the mountains of this region is the Hartz Mountains National Park. Accessed from Geeveston, the amazing peaks here offer a wide variety of bushwalks where the views of the surrounding landscapes will blow you away. In winter the summits are snow capped, and when the warmer months come and the snow melts it cascades down the mountain sides in very impressive waterfalls. With the spring the wildlife comes out to play, and the green forests fill with the cry of the numerous bird species. Its a special time of year to drive through this region, and camping is permitted throughout the park, which means you can stop your campervan wherever you please.

The end of the Tahune Walk by Simon Lieschke

Bushwalkers will be in their element in the Tahune Forest Reserve, where you can experience a hike with a difference over the Tahune Airwalk. This is a 600 metre long platform elevated 20 metres above the ground with a cantilever in the middle that rises to 48 metres in height. The views from up here of the forest and the junction of the Picton and Huon Rivers are well worth the climb. Its also the best place to see the Huon Pines growing in their natural riverine environment. The walk is an easy one and can be managed by most people, although the climb up the cantilever is a bit trickier.

Hastings Caves by daecon

For more natural wonders head to the Hastings Caves and go on a tour through these cavernous chambers that started their formation over 40 million years ago. The stalactite adornations hanging from the ceilings and glistening in the torchlight create a rich tapestry like a scene from a science fiction movie. Outside there are incredibly warm natural thermal springs that are a refreshing place for a dip, after which you can make use of the barbecue and picnic facilities. Its a perfect days outing!

Any time of the year is a good time to visit the Huon Valley and the south of Tasmania. The variety and the diversity of the countryside and its attractions are such that you can fill a thousand campervan holidays, and you will find after a few days here you will just want to stay forever! March is a popular time to visit, because of the “Taste of the Huon” festival which is a celebration of the fresh produce this fertile region is famous for. So bear that in mind when you plan your holiday to the Huon!

Gavin Wyatt is a journalist with a passion for travel. Originally from Zambia he has traveled around the world to end up on the sunny shores of Australia. For more of his articles, visit Discovery Campervans. His guest post was originally published at travelarticlelibrary.com

Trisha Garbrick recommends the best beaches, national parks and theme parks of the Gold Coast.

Written by Trisha Garbrick

Australia’s Gold Coast stretch of coastal towns starts north of Surfers Paradise and stretches south to the state border with New South Wales in the south. The northern end (especially Surfers Paradise to Broadbeach) is more commercialized, with plenty of action for backpackers. The southern end caters mainly to vacationing families. Away from the coast, the western side, called the “hinterland”, consists of mountain ranges covered with rainforest, much of it part of national parks.

The Gold Coast has a sub-tropical climate with plenty of sunshine year round, an average of 300 days a year! Summer temperatures range from 66 to 83 degrees Fahrenheit, and winter temperatures range from 48 to 69 degrees Fahrenheit, making this a great vacation destination!

The most popular things to do in this area include:

Beaches. There are 40km and well over 30 beaches to see and swim or surf in. Almost all are patrolled by volunteer and professional lifesavers. Some of the best beaches include:

- Surfers Paradise has a long stretch of beach, with flags and patrols every few hundred meters along the beach. Sure to find a place for a swim, but the beach right outside of Cavill Ave is generally very busy and packed with tourists, just walk north or south along the beach to find a (slightly) less crowded alternative.

- Broadbeach is about 3km south (40 minutes walk, 5 minute drive) of Surfers Paradise and will generally have the same surf conditions as Surfers Paradise. The upside, however, is that it’s not that far away and nowhere near as busy as Surfers.

Burleigh Heads © Martin van Rensburg

- North Burleigh is 4km down from Broadbeach (and over a small hill). It’s generally less popular than its bigger brother, Burleigh Heads, but a good place to go if there are winds blowing from the north as the hill provides a bit of protection. Although if there are northerly winds, swimming in the afternoon isn’t such a good idea as they’ll bring in the stingers.

- Burleigh Heads is only 2km south of North Burleigh and a nice beach with a large park and a hill that is good for picnics. There are cafes surrounding the beach and the hill cover means that this beach is usually pretty nice when there are winds coming from the south (whereas others like Surfers will be blown out and horrible).

Hinterland. Referred to as “the green behind the gold” (a reference to Australia’s national colors – green and gold), the Gold Coast Hinterland is home to three national parks, numerous mountains, creeks, waterfalls valleys, and natural rock formations. The area is mostly covered in sub-tropical rainforest, but sections have been cleared for dairy farm land and wineries. The Hinterland is best seen by car or on a bus tour.

The parks include: Mt Tamborine, Springbrook, Numinbah Valley and Currumbin Valley.

The Gold Coast region is big on theme parks. Investigate ticket discounts before you go, as multi-park passes, combined travel and entry, and multi-day passes can usually be obtained at a discount.

- Sea World is the oldest and also one of the most established theme parks in Australia. It’s the closest to heart of the Gold Coast and will be interesting for those who have a liking for marine animals. Lots of shows and live acts, and you could easily spend a day here without going on any rides. It still does have some thrill rides, with the corkscrew roller coaster, and speed water slides.

- Dreamworld is a traditional theme park with a popular tiger zoo and the home of the Australian Big Brother House. Bountiful in rides; thrilling and otherwise. Features a great little kids’ area with Wiggleworld. If you are in it for the rides, and not the theme, then this is the place to be.

- Warner Bros. Movie World is a movie themed park with Warner Bros. themed rides and Looney Toons walking around all over the place. It is the most themed of the Gold Coast parks. Pretty crazy rides but not as extreme as some other parks. Depending on your blood pressure this may be a good thing.

- Wet’n'Wild is a water theme park with a wide range of slides, a wave pool, ‘dive-in movies’ at night in the wave pool and even a river where you can just lie in a tube and float around and around! A definite must during the summer, though best left to a day that isn’t stupidly hot or the queues are just ridiculous.

- Australian Outback Spectacular has a new Epic Outback Show, complete with stampeding cattle, wild horses and an Australian Dinner.

- WhiteWater World is a newer water park next to Dreamworld, said to be just as good as Wet’n'Wild, if not better.

- Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, originally famous for its bird feeding of rainbow lorikeets, this park has expanded to have a number of animal exhibits. Although the lorikeet feeding still takes place just inside the entrance, there are hundreds of native Australian animals on display in natural bushland and rainforest settings around the park. There are open enclosures where you can get close to the usual assortment of kangaroos, emus, wallabies, etc. There is also an abundance of dining and shopping options in this area.

Trisha has been working with the Travel Team (www.travelteam.com) for over 10 years. She has traveled extensively across the world and has been booking travel to Australia for 8 years. This guest post was originally published at travelarticlelibrary.com

Couple watching sunrise

A shared moment at Mt Cootha, Brisbane, Australia.

Visiting Oz for the first time? Micah Waters offers ideas that will make your trip unforgettable.

Written by Micah Waters

From the sandy beaches of the Gold Coast to the vibrant nightlife of Sydney, we’ve got the top Australia travel ideas that will make your trip to the Outback one you’ll never forget. Given the massive size of Australia, the best way to get around if you’re set on seeing all of the great sites is to take internal domestic flights between major cities.

A few of Australia’s most famous attractions to consider: Ayers Rock, the Great Barrier Reef, the Sydney Opera House and the Whitsunday Islands.

Ayers Rock and Alice Springs are considered part of the famous Outback, which encompasses more than 2.5 million square miles. Alice Springs is the unofficial capital and just a short distance away is the massive monolith known as Ayers Rock. Contrary to mpopular belief, the Outback isn’t all desert; visitors can enjoy beautiful waterfalls, deep gorges and scenic mountains as well.

Surfers Paradise © James Farmer

The Gold Coast (so aptly named) is famous for its gorgeous beaches. Aside from fun in the sun, visitors can enjoy a myriad of water sports, upscale shopping and theme parks such as Warner Bros, Movie World and Dreamworld. Surfer’s Paradise is a popular Gold Coast suburb which is known for its exciting nightlife and (as the name implies) surfing.

Animal lovers should consider visiting the famous Melbourne Aquarium or the Healesville Sanctuary (both located in Victoria) which boasts more than 200 native Australian species.

Let’s not forget road trips. Renting a car? Remember that Australians drive on the left side of the road.

Plus, Australia boasts a wide variety of beautiful, awe-inspiring national parks such as the Royal National Park, Christmas Island, Norfolk Island and Pulu Keeling National Park.

What are your favorite attractions in Australia?

Matthew Kepnes on why the South Pacific offers some of the best tropical islands in the world.

Written by Matthew Kepnes

The South Pacific is known for a lot more than just being the name of a Broadway musical. It’s also home to fabulous tropical islands, Polynesian culture, world war two, historical sites, coral reefs, and volcanoes. There are thousands of tropical islands in the South Pacific that make breathtaking tropical destinations for your holiday.

With so many tropical destinations to choose from, there is something for everybody in the South Pacific.  Some islands are so small they are only beach and a surrounding reef.  Others are so big they contain volcanoes, lots of wildlife, and even canyons. For the lover of tropical beaches, you have many options if you head to this part of the world.

Here are five of the best islands to visit:

Fiji

For those seeking adventure, Fiji remains the best island to choose from. This country has some 322 islands. Fiji has excellent diving and Kadavu is one of Fiji’s best dive sites. The more energetic can go trekking in the Nausori Highlands overlooking Nadi. Taveuni also offers good hiking in the Bouma National Heritage Park.  Most of the action happens in the western islands but no matter where you go this place is heaven.

French Polynesia

A visit to here is like stumbling upon a parallel universe where hedonistic daydreams come to life. One of the biggest honeymoon destinations in the world, Tahiti offers pure paradise and a lot of romance. Tahiti is famous for its expensive resorts whose bungalows sit over the ocean, providing an excellent way to take a morning swim- simply dive out of your bed! There are fancy spas, hikes, sailing expeditions, and tours specially designed for couples. Be warned though- French Polynesia is not cheap and trips to Tahiti will cost you an arm and a leg.

Vanuatu

Vanautu lies just south of the Solomon Islands. The real attraction of Vanuatu is its phenomenal sightseeing. Underwater visibility at its peak hits fifty meters, revealing limitless schools of colorful fish darting around spectacular coral reefs, as well as a formidable array of submerged WWII wreckages.

Micronesia

Visitors to Micronesia can enjoy spectacular diving, for example the many underwater wrecks in Chuuk. The ruins of Nan Madol in Pohnpei are also worth the trip, providing a fascinating view back to the 13th century Saudeleur dynasty who ruled there. Or if all you want to do is wind down, find a nice atoll and bask in the sunlight. It’s the kind of place where you pack your watch away and forget about time for a while. Don’t forget the sunscreen though.

The Cook Islands

This south pacific island group is pretty far off the map. OK, not too far but they are considerably less visited than some of its neighbors. These islands are named after James Cook, the intrepid man who discovered them. If you want Polynesian culture, unspoiled by mass tourism, this is where you should go. Woodcarving is a common art form in the Cook Islands. Weaving is another major cultural activity. Cook Island culture is most famous for Tivaevae, or path quilts. And if culture doesn’t interest you, just find peace and quiet among the palm trees.

For those looking for amazing tropical islands, you can’t beat the South Pacific islands. They offer some of the best beaches, best diving, and the best ocean in the world. There is great food and culture on these islands too. Polynesian culture is rich, diverse and has a long history. By far, I think that the best tropical islands are in this part of the world.

Matt is an avid traveler and beach lover. His ideal life is laying on the beach all day and working under the stars at night. You can find more information about his travels at Nomadic Matt’s Travel Site and more information about the best tropical islands at his other website, Best Tropical Islands

Today’s guest blogger Cate Dowman explores the café culture in New Zealand.

Written by Cate Dowman

Yes there’s a lot more to this country! As much as I love NZ, I have begun to tire of telling people there is more to New Zealand than pristine landscapes, mountains and Lord of the Rings. Oh and sheep.

When you visit NZ you will be pleasantly surprised at its cafe culture, which may only be less than 20 years old, but has become very much a part of the NZ lifestyle. And I mean cafes that make really good coffee, homestyle cooking and atmosphere. For a good number of New Zealanders (kiwis), life revolves around cafes be it work meetings, networking, weekend brunches, family outings, the list goes on.

It doesn’t matter where you go in the cities or towns, you will always come upon a cafe, locally owned and operated selling good coffee, tea and food. That’s just how it is in this country. You won’t often find a Starbucks or MacCafe (Amen!), except for inner city locations.

In July this year I was travelling through the western coast of the South Island with a friend. It was winter and winter in this part of the country means freezing cold and annoyingly windy. I found a small cafe in the town of Greymouth, where I had stayed overnight, and gravitated towards it unknowingly. It was zero degrees Celsius outside, and cosy degrees inside. Naturally the cafe was popular. I sank into an old sofa, no untrue let me rephrase, the sofa’s springs were so far gone, it had no choice but to let me sink into it. I was cast into the sofa but that was ok because there was jazz playing softly in the background and warming my hands was a cup of my favourite coffee: flat white.

© Cate Dowman

Most Kiwis and Aussies know what I’m talking about when I refer to a flat white. I have not been able to explain it properly to non Australasians but here goes. Take a doubleshot of espresso and add hot steamed milk, just a little, not too much or you will end up with a latte. It all goes in a cup smaller than a cappuccino size and bigger than a double shot espresso size.

This is a great drink for people who like their coffee strong without having to drink it black. If you end up with a drink thats milky and weak, you have either a lousy barista or the wrong drink.

To find out more about the history of cafes in Australasia you can read about it on this website I recently discovered, Cafe Culture Downunder.

It’s an informative website dedicated to coffee lovers and coffee professionals. A great read if you have some spare time.

So, to all you expat Kiwis and Ozzies who are, at this moment, pining for a good flat white, I dedicate this post to you.

Travel Blissful recently got in touch with David Stanley, the author of Moon Handbooks South Pacific, Moon Fiji, and Moon Tahiti, published by Avalon Travel Publishing of Berkeley, California. Today, David shares his experiences on guidebooks, travels, the future of tourism in the South Pacific, and tips for aspiring guidebook writers.

Erica Johansson: Your guidebooks about the South Pacific have served travelers since 1979. How often are you updating the Moon Handbooks? And when is it time for the next edition?

David Stanley: Right from the start we’ve brought out new editions of our guides every three years. And since the current editions of both Moon Fiji and Moon Tahiti were published in late 2007, new editions aren’t due until late 2010. This does vary occasionally. The first edition of Moon Fiji came out in 1985, but two military coups in 1987 delayed the second edition until 1990. The sixth edition went to the printers just as a third military coup was unfolding in Fiji in May 2000. Thus the seventh edition came out a year late in 2004. The current eighth edition was published in September 2007, well after the December 2006 coup. The latest Fiji coup had little affect on tourism so there was no reason to delay the new edition.

Competition from the internet has had a bigger impact on guidebooks than politics. Last year the publisher and I agreed that Moon Handbooks South Pacific would be allowed to go out of print when the current eighth
edition sells out. The cost of updating the book has increased as sales have declined, and it became simply uneconomic to produce a new edition. The entire book is now freely available online at http://books.google.com/books?id=EDGapfBX-CAC&printsec=frontcover which is great for travelers, but it will never be updated again.

The South Pacific truly seems like paradise, especially Tahiti. What are your favorite destinations and why?

Moon Handbooks South Pacific covers 15 countries and territories, each with a character of its own. There are good things about all of them. Those interested in meeting the people and having a wide selection of travel options at a reasonable price should chose Fiji. Nature lovers might pick Samoa where small family-operated beach resorts allow travelers to experience Samoa’s lush environment while learning about the country’s rich Polynesian culture.

The Cook Islands is perfect for anyone looking for a traditional beach holiday amid good facilities. French Polynesia has some of the most striking scenery in the region, and the happy mix of French style and Polynesian charm makes the islands a delight to visit.

Those into archeology and history should consider Easter Island and Tonga. The true adventurer will encounter outer islands which never see another tourist in Vanuatu and Solomon Islands.

Any destination (or island) you don’t like? If so, why?

Frankly, I’m not enamored with New Caledonia. It’s very expensive and doesn’t have the flair of French Polynesia. Immigration from France has introduced Parisian snobbery to the capital Noumea, and English-speaking tourists are sometimes cheated by French business people. For example, the 1,000 and 10,000 Pacific franc notes are confusingly similar and I’ve had people switch them on me more than once. New Caledonia is also the only South Pacific destination where I’ve experienced credit card fraud. On the
plus side, hitching around New Caledonia is a breeze and you can camp free in many places.

For someone who’d like to travel between the islands. Which is the best option?

By “between the islands” you mean islands within a single country, correct? About the only way to get from country to country is by scheduled flight. Within the countries, however, there are often local cargo boats that accept passengers. Government-subsidized supply boats sail from Tahiti to all parts of French Polynesia and deck space is quite cheap.

Highspeed catamarans operate between Tahiti and Moorea every couple of hours, and Fiji also has fast cats from Nadi to the Mamanuca Islands, the Yasawa Islands, and Vanua Levu. The two main islands of Samoa are connected by regular car ferries. Ferry travel is also possible in New Caledonia and Vanuatu but Solomon Islands is the real adventure hotspot for anyone looking for copra boats to forgotten islands over the horizon.

Last year I read Theroux’s “The Happy Isles of Oceania: Paddling the Pacific”, about his travels from the Solomons to Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Tahiti and the Marquesas, and couldn’t help but fall in love with the book. Which is your favorite travelogue on the South Pacific?

I also enjoyed Theroux’s book. More recently, J Maarten Troost has written a pair of travel books about his experiences in Kiribati, Vanuatu, and Fiji. I like Troost’s “The Sex Lives of Cannibals” about his experiences on Tarawa more than the sequel “Getting Stoned with Savages”.

How do you view the future of the tourism in the Pacific?

Tourism will become more elitist as fuel prices push airfares up. By elitist I mean that in place of the packaged masses currently delivered to the South Pacific islands on Sir Richard Branson’s cheap flights there will be a much smaller number of upscale tourists rich enough to pay whatever is asked. Another select group will have the time to travel more slowly, thereby greatly lowering their daily costs. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing as today’s golden hordes of holidaymakers burn oceans of fossil fuels on their quickie trips from Auckland and Sydney.

What are your tips for someone who’d like to author a Moon Handbooks guide?

Go into guidebook writing for the love of it and not for the money. The time when you could get rich writing for Lonely Planet is over and you can only expect to cover your bare expenses these days. It can be an interesting experience researching a guide, but have another source of income in reserve. Moon Handbooks is one of the only large publishers which still allows its authors to retain their copyrights and pays royalties, however the income is quite low. Lonely Planet updaters are now paid flat fees and must sign away all rights in their first contract. Lonely Planet may look good on a resume but there’s no future in writing for them.

Any last words?

As Tony Wheeler, the founder of Lonely Planet, once wrote, the hardest thing about travel is deciding to go. After that, it’s easy.

I’ve visited 196 countries and territories over the past 40 years and try to get to a few more every year. I visited Belarus in August and should be on my way to Turks and Caicos tomorrow but I’ve had to postpone my trip until December due to Hurricane Ike. There’s nothing like going to a new place and experiencing another way of life. It’s simply tops.

For more information on the South Pacific, visit David’s personal website at http://www.southpacific.org

Renowned writer, director and producer Baz Luhrmann will create and produce a unique international campaign for Tourism Australia. The campaign, which will coincide with the release of Luhrmann’s movie Australia, will run from October 2008 until the middle of next year.

“The combined weight of the film and this campaign will provide Australia with its most powerful push in decades,” said Managing Director Geoff Buckley. “This is a remarkable, and we think, unique project.”

Mr Luhrmann said, “When Tourism Australia came to us, we were reticent at first because we did not want to confuse the promotion of the film with a tourism campaign. The more we talked, the more I realised that we both had the same aims; to celebrate the truly unique and transformative power of this ancient and extraordinary continent. With this in mind, we agreed to put our team into the conception and realisation of a contemporary campaign which, while not aping the film, reflects this singular and attractive truth.”

Sydney Sunset © Tim R

In consultation with Mr Luhrmann’s production company Bazmark Inc., print executions will be developed by Tourism Australia’s creative agency DDB Worldwide. The campaign will run across print, cinema, television and online platforms.

On the road to Glenorchy © Marcus Adamsson

Stunning view along the road to Glenorchy.