Tag Archives: Australia

4 World-Class Surfing Cities

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Hunting down the best waves is no easy task, but a dedicated surfer is committed to finding the best surf spots. There are hundreds of beautiful beaches around the world perfect for surfing. Narrowing down the list was hard, but here are four of the best cities for surfing in the world. Grab a surfboard from IsleSurfBoards.com, and get ready to go.

Zuma Beach, Malibu, California

Zuma Beach 4 World Class Surfing Cities

Zuma Beach. CC Image by Julie Horton (Flickr).

Zuma Beach is one of the most famous beaches in the surfing world. Surfers and beach lovers go nuts for Zuma. The long stretch of beach has perfect waves and turquoise waters. Malibu may be full of rich people, but the small-town vibe is still apparent. This makes Malibu loved by all, and it is protected by many. The clean beaches and perfect surfing conditions make it a hot spot for competitions and surfing lessons. Everyone loves Malibu.

Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina

Kill Devil Hills 4 World Class Surfing Cities

Look, Waves! CC Image by TimothyJ (Flickr).

This little town is surprisingly incredible for surfing. A majority of eastern beaches are flat, and the waves aren’t great for riding. Kill Devil Hills is an exception. The swells are consistent throughout the year, and the water remains a nice temperature until the middle of winter. The summer is prime time for surfing here, but the winter months are suitable if you just have to catch a wave.

Gold Coast, Australia

Gold Coast 4 World Class Surfing Cities

Gold Coast, Australia. CC Image by shibuya246 (Flickr).

This famous beach is known in surfing circles as one of the best in the world. Sparkling waters and perfect waves are the attraction here. It’s a tourist spot, and it is expensive. You can still expect great things from surfing the waves at the Gold Coast. It’s often called a surfer’s paradise. There are numerous break points to hit up for your surfing fix.

Jeffrey’s Bay, South Africa

Jeffreys Bay 4 World Class Surfing Cities

Jeffrey’s Bay. CC Image by Scott Hadfield (Flickr).

Jeffrey’s Bay is another famous hot spot that touts some of the best waves in the world. Clean beaches and perfect weather make surfing here a dream come true. June, July and August are the best months for surfing. Many of the world’s most elite events are held here too. The Billabong Pro WCT is hosted here yearly.

If you stay in the United States, you are sure to find some fantastic beaches to catch some waves at. If you decide to leave the country, there is a whole new world of excellent opportunities. Surfing around the globe offers limitless possibilities to learn the tides of different beaches, and you will have the experience of a lifetime.

Diverse Australia Culture: Sydney and the Outback

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Sydney Opera House Diverse Australia Culture: Sydney and the Outback

By STEVE JUBA

I used to live in Sydney and from the moment my plane touched down at Sydney Airport I could feel a strong connection to this land and country. The brief, but life changing six months I spent there has forever shaped my goals and outlook on life. In fact, I fell in love with traveling throughout Australasia so much that it shaped my career. I now plan unique cultural adventures throughout the world and take people along for the ride. Our photography travel club is actually heading back to Australia next year!

The quality of life in Oz is arguably the best in the world making the people an absolute delight. They are friendly, outgoing, and have a wonderful sense of humor (plenty of sarcasm to boot). If you’re planning a trip to Australia and are overwhelmed by the numerous destinations and activities, then take a look at the two below. Make sure to pencil enough time in to at least experience Sydney & The Outback.

The Outback and Sydney share a commitment to the diverse culture of Australia. The Outback is home to the keepers of Australia’s past, the aborigines. On the other hand, Sydney is the center of modern Australian culture with the Opera House and the Harbor Bridge.

Below are some fun facts and highlights of my two favorite parts of this sun-burnt country:

  • Temperatures in The Outback vary from 120°F in summer to 15ºF in winter.
  • Nearly every time it rains, The Outback experiences a flash flood.
  • Roads into The Outback are becoming easier to travel; visitors should still use the services of a guide when venturing off the highways.
  • Visitors need a permit to enter aborigine land.
  • Be sure to check out Uluru & the Olgas – the most famous and stunning rock structures of the Outback.
  • There are about 60 beaches in Sydney. They are staffed with volunteer lifeguards during peak swimming periods. Be sure to check out Manly beach across the Harbor!
  • Sydney has an abundance of parks, fields, and recreation areas including Luna Park; a restored 1930s amusement park.
  • From Sydney, visitors can take a ferry over to Cockatoo Island. The remains of the island’s industrial past is still visible and roaring festivals are held here throughout the year.
  • The Taronga Zoo in Sydney is massive. Hundreds of animal species can be seen with great shows and informational discussions.
  • Darling Harbour in Sydney is filled with light and color once the sun goes down. Be sure to wine, dine, and dance in this world class harbor.

Bottom Line: A trip to Australia is not complete without The Outback and Sydney on the list!

Steve is a Boston native who currently resides in San Francisco. After living in Sydney in 2008, he’s devoted his life to travel and compassionate adventures with his travel clubs and other company Destination Earth.

With over 5 years experience travel blogging, creating, and escorting tours, Steve’s passion for travel, adventure, and people shines through on each journey. His attention to detail, kind demeanor, and ability to adapt to any situation make him an excellent travel planner and adventure leader for PhotoFly & Singles by the Bay Travel Club!

Places to See Before You Die: The Great Barrier Reef

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Great Barrier Reef Places to See Before You Die: The Great Barrier Reef

By STAYSURE

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the seven wonders of the natural world – and for good reason. The vast coral reef is the world’s largest, and is packed with colourful underwater flora and fauna, with colourful, shimmering fish darting around its more than 3,000 individual reef systems and coral cays.

The vast and unique marine park stretches over more than 3,000 km, and lies almost parallel to the coast of Queensland, going from near the coastal town of Bundaberg, up past the tip of Cape York. It is genuinely out of this world, being the only living organism that can be seen from space.

From underwater it is simply stunning, with more than 400 kinds of colourful coral, as well as sponges, molluscs, rays, dolphins and more than 1,500 species of tropical fish, over 200 types of birds and around 20 different types of reptiles like sea turtles. It also plays home to stunning giant clams, some of which are more than 120 years old.

However, the Reef is not only to be enjoyed from underwater, as the land around the Reef is truly idyllic, with paradisiacal tropical islands galore featuring some of the world’s most sun-drenched golden beaches. Tourists can choose from a variety of luxury resorts and retreats, from the stylish eco-cottages of Pumpkin Island Eco Retreat to the secluded lodges of Haggerstone Island and Orpheus Island’s elegant beachfront accommodation. In fact, there are so many options when it comes to fantastic places to stay and tours of the Reef that there really is something to suit everyone’s individual tastes and requirements.

What we’re trying to say is that a trip to the Great Barrier Reef really is like nothing else on Earth, making a visit there a vital addition to any bucket list.

Exploring the Reef

There are a number of options when it comes to exploring the Reef itself, from hot air ballooning and helicopters which allow you to see its vastness from the air, to diving into the crystal clear water itself. No matter where you stay, you’re never more than an hour away from a fantastic diving spot.

Such organised tours are a common feature in most destinations and to get a real idea of the reef, visitors are advised to see it from both the sea and the air.

As when embarking on any such adventure activities when on holiday, you want to ensure you can enjoy exploring the reef worry-free by securing a great travel medical insurance policy.

With 3,000km of reef on offer, where should I stay?

With the Reef being so vast, there are seemingly endless options when it comes to destinations and accommodation – making them challenging to narrow down. It is important to think about what you want from your holiday before deciding on a specific destination.

For example, if you can’t wait to see the spectacular natural beauty of the Great Barrier Reef, but at the same time are most comfortable in a vibrant city destination, then Cairns is a great location to choose. The lively city features plenty of luxurious accommodation, as you would expect, and is the perfect destination from which to explore the wonders of the Reef, as well as the stunning scenery of the surrounding tropical rainforests.

Meanwhile, Port Douglas is an extremely popular option with Reef tourists thanks to its plethora of five-star hotels and glamorous Four Mile Beach. It is well known as the favourite spot from which to explore the northern areas of the reef and rainforest coast, and more than 100 day tour options depart from the resort every day.

Other destination options include the architecturally beautiful Rockhampton, the thriving metropolis of Townsville, Queensland town Ayr and historical Cooktown.

Tourists seeking true luxury will look to the Reef’s islands, however, like tropical lizard island (all sandy shores and exotic palms), idyllic Daydream Island with its three fabulous beaches, and the super-exclusive Haggerstone Island.

Staysure are the over 50s experts, specialising in providing over 50s holiday insurance.  Travel Insurance Medical, part of the Staysure family, specialises in covering people with pre-existing medical conditions. Both companies offer 220 pre-existing medical conditions covered for free, which can include high blood pressure, asthma and diabetes.

48 Hours in Melbourne

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Melbourne 48 Hours in Melbourne

Melbourne at night.

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.

Day 1

Art in Federation Square

Begin your Melbourne adventure in the city’s hub, an imposing glass and zinc building with a vast open square in which street theatre and live music are often performed. Check out the fantastic indigenous art at the Ian Potter Centre and then lunch on the terrace at Feddish, which serves contemporary Australian cuisine and offers views of the Yarra River.

Shopping and Graffiti-Gazing in the Laneways

Head away from the modern shopping centres and main streets and into Melbourne’s meandering alleyways for one of the best shopping experiences in the city. The Victorian arcades, including Block and Royal Arcades, offer some of the best boutiques as well as a bucketful of historic charm, whilst Centre Place, Degraves Street and Flinders Lane are the places to go for vintage clothing and one-off items by local designers. Whilst shopping, keep your eyes peeled for the seriously good graffiti art which adorns the street walls – branch off into side streets such as Hosier Lane, Rutledge Lane, and Duckboard Place for a real insight into laneway art. For dinner you’ll be spoilt for choice but try MoVida, a lively, award-winning tapas restaurant.

Day 2
St Kilda 48 Hours in Melbourne

Sunset in St Kilda.

Hop on the number 96 tram for the short journey to Melbourne’s popular seaside suburb that’s reminiscent of Coney Island. Head straight to Miss Jacksons for breakfast, which serves up some of the city’s best cafe food in a century-old former bank, walk off your meal along the promenade by the beach and end up at Lunar Park, St Kilda’s iconic Edwardian-era theme park. Lunch at Soul Mama, a vegetarian eatery right by the beach with fabulous ocean views.

Chill Out in the City’s Parks

Take the tram back to the city and visit one of Melbourne’s many excellent parks. The Royal Botanic Gardens are spread over 890 acres of lakes, lawns and a huge number of themed gardens, including the Australian Rainforest Walk and the Elizabethan Herb Garden. Look out for native cockatoos and kookaburras and take in the 12,000 species of plants. Picturesque Fitzroy Gardens houses Captain Cook’s cottage, originally built in 1755 in a village in Yorkshire and transported and rebuilt in Melbourne brick-by-brick in 1934. End the day with a gourmet meal by the river on restaurant-lined Southbank.

Emily Buckley has travelled the world but considers Australia to be a second home and Melbourne one of her favourite cities. As a regular writer for HotelClub, a leading accommodation website, she has often written about the many fantastic attractions, restaurants, bars, museums, galleries, shops, parks, beaches and hotels in Melbourne.

7 Places to Go Scuba Diving in the Southern Hemisphere

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Diving 7 Places to Go Scuba Diving in the Southern HemisphereThere are some fantastic scuba diving destinations in the southern hemisphere, ranging from the pristine dive sites of the Galápagos Islands in the Pacific to the world famous Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

1. Galápagos Islands

With their healthy marine environment and a wide variety of endemic species, the Galápagos Islands in the Pacific offer an amazing diving destination. Forming a national park and a biological marine reserve, local diving tours are coordinated by knowledgeable guides who are licensed by the Galapagos National Park Service.

2. Australia

Attracting around two million visitors each year, Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is one of the most famous scuba diving destinations in the world. The World Heritage-listed reef is considered one of the greatest natural wonders of the world, offering easy access; warm, clear waters; and vibrant marine life.

3. Madagascar

Madagascar’s reefs have suffered less damage from bleaching and pollution than many other Indian Ocean reefs, and are home to an abundance of marine life. Spots such as Nosy Be in the north and the offshore island of Tsarabanjina are very popular, but you can still seek out quieter, less well- known diving locations.

4. Borneo

The northern part of the island of Borneo, in the Malaysian state of Sabah, has some excellent dive sites. Various locations offer the potential for very different diving experiences – from spotting turtles around Sipadan Island, hammerhead sharks around Layang Layang, and migrating whale sharks around Lankayan, to macro diving around Mabul or Kapalai.

5. Tanzania

The Pemba island group off the coast of Tanzania offers some of the most interesting diving in East Africa, with incredible underwater scenery, abundant marine life, and hard and soft coral gardens. Some of the vertical coral cliffs plummet to depths of more than 800 metres, and with excellent underwater visibility it can be an awesome experience to peer over the edge.

6. South Africa

South Africa’s east coast benefits from warm waters brought in by the Mozambique Current, and the dive sites around Sodwana Bay – the country’s “diving capital” – offer the most southerly hard coral reef systems in the world, with a diverse range of tropical fish and visits from the larger pelagic fish.

7. The Seychelles

The marine life around the Seychelles, especially the more remote coral islands, can be excellent, and there are sites suitable for both novices and experienced divers. Beautiful marine landscapes of coral outcrops and underwater caverns are joined by a rich marine life, including more than a thousand different species of fish.

Remember to take out scuba diving travel insurance or great value holiday insurance in Oz, which will cover you for diving and any other activities you plan to participate in during your trip.

Mr & Mrs Smith’s Travel and Hotel Guide Books

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Australia Mr & Mrs Smiths Travel and Hotel Guide BooksAs boutique and luxury hotel specialists, Mr & Mrs Smith offers the best hand-picked boutique and luxury hotels for romantic escapes. When I discovered Mr & Mrs Smith in 2007, I couldn’t help but ask myself: “Why didn’t I think of this?! Such a brilliant idea!” In early 2009, I had the pleasure of sharing an interview with co-founder and CTO Tamara Heber-Percy, who offered appreciated insight into the world of the company.

And in mid 2009, thanks to a giveaway by Jen Laceda, I won a copy of the original Mr & Mrs Smith guide to hotels in the UK and Ireland, which I found myself reading for hours on end. Although published in 2003, the guide didn’t feel outdated the least bit and made me smile, sigh and daydream as I read the reviews and admired the visuals. I was pleasantly surprised by the review of Rick’s (not a hotel, a cocktail bar with ten contemporary rooms) in the heart of Edinburgh, the same goes for the section on how to play strip poker. The guide also includes chapters on how to throw a frisbee and how to fly a kite – skills that may come in handy in the British countryside or in one of London’s many parks. The terrific insider reviews were followed by a smart diary-style calendar of events in the UK and Ireland, recommended pack list, useful numbers, and witty bios of the anonymous reviewers as well as the Mr & Mrs Smith team. If you haven’t had the chance to read the guide yet you can pick up your own copy at UK/Ireland Hotel Collection. Do also check out UK/Ireland Volume 2.

In 2010, much to my delight, I received review copies of two new hotel guides in Smith’s series of stunning books, Australia/New Zealand and France, courtesy of Mr & Mrs Smith.

Australia/New Zealand by the Melbourne team covers the sexiest stays down under, 33 in total, from a gourmet getaway in sassy Sydney to a coastal hideaway on New Zealand’s South Island.

Cleverly organized, the guide categorizes hotels after rates, size and style, followed by regional guides with engaging intros, recommended reads, local specialities, what’s worth getting out of bed for along with splendid shopping tips and diaries of events.

Apart from personal accounts from local tastemakers, the exceptional reviews include style and setting statements, “Need to know” (rooms, rates, check-out, facilities etc), “In the know” (favorite rooms, hotel bar and restaurant, room service, dress code) as well as suggestions on local eating and drinking. In other words, everything you need to know to make the most out of a stay. Since the hotels were reviewed anonymously with no special treatment, you know what to expect and will likely not experience any unwelcome surprises.

Among the different places, all excellently portrayed, Lord Howe Island’s beach house Capella Lodge and The Louise, a hillside vineyard retreat in Barossa Valley, especially triggered my desire for luxurious hotel breaks.

At the end, exclusive extras for BlackSmith members, such as chocolates and a bottle of local bubbly, a one-hour massage treatment, or a round of golf, plus useful numbers and website adresses, provide more incentive to book that next trip.

France Mr & Mrs Smiths Travel and Hotel Guide BooksMr & Mrs Smith’s guide to France brings the wow-factor up a notch with the mindblowingly beautiful Château de Saint Paterne by the Loire and equally sincere reviews of 30 other carefully selected properties, from Paris to Provence, as well as new insider destination guides and amusing sections on how to eat cheese, taste wine, look Parisian, and be a flâneur.

Gorgeous photography and compelling descriptions capture the essence of every place and a colorful layout (every region and review has a distinct look) make it a joy to read. How about a luxury guesthouse close to Grasse, a beach hotel along Côte d’Azur, a castle in the countryside of Poitou-Charentes, or a mountain chalet near Chamonix?

As usual, writers offer does and donts with tips on arts, culture, activities, beaches and day trips. Bios of the hand-picked reviewers and Mr & Mrs Smith’s team wrap up the guide. A plus for the handy ‘on track’-piece on train travel throughout the country.

Every Smith guide includes a free BlackSmith membership card, giving access to special offers and members-only privileges.

If you’re a style-conscious traveler who values attention to detail and a hotel that can be a destination in itself, I bet you would love any guide in Smith’s coffee-table collection. They can be purchased at Smith Travel & Hotel Guide Books.

Australia Travel Ideas For First-Time Visitors

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ayers rock Australia Travel Ideas For First Time Visitors

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 a short distance away is the massive monolith known as Ayers Rock. Contrary to popular belief, the Outback isn’t all desert; visitors can enjoy beautiful waterfalls, deep gorges and scenic mountains as well.

surfers paradise Australia Travel Ideas For First Time Visitors

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?

Baz Luhrmann Will Produce International Advertising Campaign

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sydney Baz Luhrmann Will Produce International Advertising CampaignRenowned 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.”

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.

Photo: Tim R