The Story Bridge is an icon in Brisbane that goes over the winding Brisbane River. The bridge was built in the Great Despression to boost morale and employment and it remains to be the largest steel bridge in Australia. It was designed and built mostly by Australians from Australian materials.

Sydney Harbour Bridge has an adventure climb and so does the Story Bridge. The climb takes and 2 and half hours, along the way you will learn about the bridges and Brisbane’s history. At the highest point of the bridge you will enjoy stunning views of the city, the winding Brisbane River and the mountainous landscape beyond Brisbane.
www.storybridgeadventureclimb.com.au/

 
Brisbane Botanical Gardens at Mount Coot-tha

The Brisbane Botanical Gardens are at the foothills of Mount Coot-tha which is about a 8 kilometre drive from the Brisbane city centre. The gardens where started in the mid 1970s and it has over 20,000 specimens of plants. Which include many native Australian plants, exotic herbs, shrubs and trees. the garden has many interesting features to see like a Japanese garden, a Tropical display dome, a lagoon and bamboo grove, a fern house, a National Freedom Wall which celebrates 50 years of peace.

There is also a Planetarium, you will see stunning views of Brisbane, the river, More and Stradbroke Islands, the Glasshouse Mountains, there are also walking trails and picnic areas for a great day out. www.brisbane.qld.gov.au

 
Treasury Casino & Hotel

The Treasury Casino and hotel is in the heart of the city, both the casino and hotel are in beautiful heritage buildings. The Treasury Casino occupies the historic Treasury Building and the hotel is located in the Lands Administration Building.

Both buildings are just a short walk away from the inner city botanical gardens, historic walks and bikeways, department stores, specialty shops and cinemas. Also the airport is only 25 minutes away.

The Casino is open all day and night with more than 100 gaming tables and more than 1,000 gaming machines, with several restaurants and bars to keep all visitors entertained.
www.treasurybrisbane.com.au/
Not everyone can get to a casino easily as they are usually only in the cities so a fun alternative is to try online casinos from home.
www.onlinecasino.com.au and if you want to play on a Mac
www.onlinecasino.com.au/mac   
The Heritage Treasury Hotel is luxury accommodation at its best, the casino is a few steps away and so is the Queen Street Shopping Mall. The Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, the Performing Arts Complex, CityCat ferry terminal, South Bank Parklands, the City Botanic Gardens, the Performing Arts Complex are all very close to the Treasury Hotel.  http://www.treasurybrisbane.com.au

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary was started in 1927 is one of Brisbanes most visited tourist attraction. It doesn’t just have koalas, it has many Australian native animals like Kangaroos, possums, dingoes, emus, Australian birds and reptiles. The park has over 100 koalas and you can get your photo taken with a koala for a small fee.
http://www.koala.net/

Hanging Rock Picnic Races, Festival of Sydney, Australian Tennis Op Melbourneen melbourne , Country Music Festival Tamworth, Midsumma Festival, Tunurama Festival, Australia Day Concert, Chinese New Year, Cricket Test Match Sydney.

FEBRUARY

Festival of Perth, Leeuwin Estate Winery Music Concert, Adelaide fringe, Adelaide Festival of the Arts.

MARCH

Australian Formula One Grand Prix, Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival, Yarra Valley Grape Grazing, Begonia festival Ballarat, Moomba festival Melbourne, Easter Fair Maldon, International Flower Garden Show Melbourne, Bright Autumn Festival, Anzac Day.

APRIL

Melbourne International Comedy festival, Royal easter Show Sydney, Rip Curl Pro Surfing Competition Bells Beach.

MAY

Australian Celtic Festival Glen Innes, Kernewek Lavender Cornish Festival, Torres Strait Cultural Festival.

JUNE

Three Day Equestrian Event Gawler, Sydney Film festival, Laura Dance and Cultural festival, Darling Harbour Jazz Festival.

JULY

Yulefest Blue Mountains, Brass Monkey Festival Stanthorpe Queensland, Alice Springs Show, Cairns Show, Melbourne International Film Festival,  Camel Cup Alice Springs.

AUGUST

 Almond Blossom Festival Mount Lofty, City to Surf Race Sydney, Shinju Matsuri Festival Broome, Melbourne Contemporary Art Fair, Mount Isa Rodeo.

SEPTEMBER

Open Garden Scheme, Mudgee Wine Festival, Festival of the Winds Bondi Beach, Royal Melbourne Show, Australian Football League Grand Final, Tulip Festival Bowral, Carnival of Flowers Toowoomba.

OCTOBER

Melbourne Fringe Festival, Australian Rugby league Grand Final, Melbourne International Arts Festival, Henley on Todd Regatta Alice Springs, Melbourne marathon, Lygon Street Fiesta.

NOVEMBER

Sculpture by the Sea Bondi Beach, Great Mountain Race of Victoria Mansfield, Melbourne Cup.

DECEMBER

Carols by Candlelight Melbourne, Christmas at Bondi Beach, Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, Boxing Day Test Match, New Years Eve.

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Great Gift Ideas For Anyone Who Loves Camping and Travelling Australia

BIG4 Holiday Parks announces Australia’s BIGgest night of charitable camping.

Keep Friday 11 November free to give camping a go and support a local community cause with BIG4 Holiday Parks. Join thousands of happy campers for one night of charitable camping under the stars,
and pay just $20 to secure a site at participating BIG4 Holiday Parks, with all proceeds going to local causes.

BIG4 Holiday Parks is proud to launch Camp and Care with BIG4, a
charitable night of camping held at a wide range of Parks across Australia. The event encourages families and friends to try camping for the first time and to explore a new holiday destination close to home.

Ray Schleibs, CEO of BIG4 Holiday Parks, says Camp and Care with BIG4 allows families and friends to enjoy a quality weekend together, whilst also supporting a local community cause.

“BIG4 Parks are integral members of their community and Camp and Care with BIG4 gives everyone the opportunity to enjoy a night of camping at a flat fee of $20 per site, with the added bonus of knowing the Park has donated this money to a local person, group or organisation in need,” Schleibs says.

 BIG4.com.au/comecamp

“For the past six years, BIG4 has run a free night of camping known as Come Camp with BIG4 to reintroduce people to the best holiday park accommodation on offer in Australia. As the event and our Parks continue to grow in popularity, we decided to use this popularity to assist local charities and other community causes,” says Schleibs.

Many Parks will be hosting additional activities over the weekend to celebrate the event such as pancake breakfasts and face painting, in-park concerts and BBQs to name a few. The event will no doubt be a date marked in all Australians’ diaries, just as it has been for the last six years.

BIG4 Holiday Parks is well known for being located at key tourism destinations across the country with a variety of different settings and Park experiences to choose from. Whether the Park where you choose to camp is situated on a famous coast or beach, set amongst lush bushland or close to a world-famous winery, there are over 180 locations Australia-wide to choose from depending on your holiday style – majority of which will be taking part in this great event. Each individual Park
offers a unique experience and showcases impressive facilities ranging from resort style pools and adventure playgrounds, through to giant
jumping pillows and bike hire to keep the whole family entertained.

Keep Friday 11 November free and reserve your powered or unpowered
camping site at BIG4.com.au/comecamp

Details
on participating parks and their selected community causes will be made
available within the next few weeks.

What: Camp and Care with BIG4

Where: BIG4 Holiday Parks across Australia

Date: Friday 11 November 2011

Cost: $20 per site (All proceeds go to
a local charity
or fundraising cause of the individual Park’s choice)

Booking: BIG4.com.au/comecamp

If you visit Australia you won’t struggle to find place to relax and sit on the beach. Indeed, you can go to the Whitsundays to visit the world’s best beaches, or head to Sydney to sit on the famous Bondi Beach.

But if you want the whole package you should check out Byron Bay, one of the best places in the world for some seaside relaxation. It is worth taking a flight to Australia just to visit this amazing spot!

Byron Bay is a town located a few hours north of Sydney, and a bit below Surfer’s Paradise on the Gold Coast. The weather is great all year round so this is a nice place to visit no matter the season.

There is a wonderful golden beach that stretches for kilometres and you can have an amazing time surfing, swimming, playing on the beach and sitting on patios that overlook the seaside.

Yet it isn’t just the beach that makes Byron Bay appealing – the town is absolutely amazing and it is chock full of lovely cafes, fun bars and interesting stores.

This community has long been popular with thoroughly alternative folks who have covered their hometown with great things to see and do – so you can spend pleasant hours away from the beach browsing galleries and stopping to drink expresso coffee and thoroughly complicated sandwiches.

Byron Bay manages to combine beach side living with a thoroughly charming town – this is quite the accomplishment, especially when you consider places like Surfer’s Paradise. So if you want some perfect, seaside relaxation in Australia look no further than Byron Bay.

The Weather

If you like hot weather you will love Sydney – it is generally quite hot there and there are great beaches at Manly and Bondi Beach. Indeed, there are few big cities so well set up for those who like to laze by the seaside. The same cannot be said for Melbourne and though there is a nice beach at St. Kilda’s the weather is less than ideal. The city sees a fair bit of rain, and you may never get the warmth you can expect further north.

Nightlife

Sydney certainly has some great nightlife with many bars and great clubs, yet Melbourne has a more interesting scene with alley-way bars and fun clubs everywhere. Section 8 is a particularly fun place to visit, as this former car park is one of the trendiest spots in town.

The Food

Both Melbourne and Sydney have access to great eateries. Restaurants like Aria in Sydney provide haute cuisine which leads the charge of Australia’s newly gained reputation for culinary greatness. Melbourne has a slightly different feel as many people like to head to China Town to sample cheap and delicious fare.

Travelling On

Of course there is more to see in Australia than these two cities, and it is important to fly into one which is surrounded by things that interest you. If you head to Sydney you can drive north up to the Gold Coast to enjoy the lovely beaches and the serenity of Byron Bay. If you base yourself in Melbourne you will be able to drive on to Adelaide and Kangaroo Island via The Twelve Apostles in Port Campbell National Park.

If you are looking to fly into Sydney and Melbourne you should be able to choose between these two great metropolises. Then again, the best situation would be to take in both cities as they are both truly exciting, in their own unique ways.

John and Jan Tait are respected travel writers who have been guiding Australian travellers around the country for many years with their books and information.

Explore Australia by Caravan and Motorhome is an  award-winning publication.  The book shows their extensive knowledge and passion for travelling around Australia.

Explore Australia by Caravan and Motorhome

Using a campervan is the best way to enjoy your vacation and explore the beautiful island of Tasmania. Don’t think that a campervan will be too big to drive around in. The accessibility it provides is unmatched making the campervan the perfect option for a driving holiday. You can be as flexible as you want, changing your plans as you desire. It is also an affordable option as you can save by preparing meals in the kitchen of your vehicle.

To begin your journey you may want to start at the capital city of Hobart. Here you will want to take in the amazing scenery and take a hike up Mt. Wellington. It is 1270-metre high; with a 360-degree panorama view so beautiful you’ll be glad you made the trek. Spot the city, Derwent River, and Tasman Peninsula from here.

Now that you have seen the river from a high, reward yourself with a cruise down the Derwent River to the Cadbury chocolate factory. This is a great tourist attraction that the whole family can enjoy for less than $20! Stroll around Sullivans Cove to see fishing boats, luxury yachts, and ships come and go to Antarctica. If you’re into art, find your way to Salamanca Markets in Hobart where there are lots of art galleries and working studios. Buy the perfect hand crafted souvenir for a friend back home at the local market.

Travelling using a campervan will give you a sense of freedom you can have no other way. If you are the more adventurous type, park your vehicle at Flenders Island for a diving experience you will never forget. Tasmania’s warm waters are home to lush kelp forests and reefs in a variety of distinctive oceanic habitats.

Taking a romantic getaway? Then try campervan hire in Tasmania. It will give you the privacy you’re looking for, minus other hotel guests or expensive room service bills. Even if you’re taking a family holiday, a campervan will still be suitable as children will absolutely love all that a motorhome has to offer. It provides a place to stay and transportation all in one. Just being close to nature is a great reason in its self to travel through Tasmania this way!

Using a campervan gives you the same freedom with using a car. But you might want to book your arrangements before coming down to Tasmania. Campervan hire companies in Australia are easy to find on the internet. Have a good journey!

Here are a few of the many great attractions that you can visit and explore while in New South Wales.

Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge
Visiting the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge are ‘must see’ attractions. They are the centre piece of Sydney and are very ‘Awesome’. Take a cruise to really appreciate their beauty.
www.sydney.com/Sydney_Opera_House

Blue Mountains
The Blue Mountains is one of Australia’s natural wonders. Stretching for over one million hectares, it is an inspiring mix of rainforest, canyons, tall forests and heathland.
www.visitbluemountains.com.au

Bondi Beach In Sydney

Scenic World – Katoomba
Scenic World sits on the edge of the escarpment overlooking the Jamison Valley. The scenic rides and experiences include the world’s steepest railway, a spectacular cableway, a glass floored skyway and a boardwalk through an ancient rainforest.
www.scenicworld.com.au

Taronga Zoo – Sydney
Taronga Zoo offers an unforgettable day out. It is just 12 minutes from the city by ferry. You can enjoy breathtaking views of Sydney Harbour and free shows and keeper talks throughout the day. Taronga Zoo is one of the many major tourist attractions in Sydney.
www.taronga.org.au

Royal Flying Doctor Service – Broken Hill
Going to a RFDS Visitors Centre will help you understand how amazing and unique this service is.
www.flyingdoctor.org.au

Western Plains Zoo – Dubbo
This Zoo has over 3 square kilometres of wild and wonderful bushland with 700 animals, which offers a safari adventure right in the heart of NSW.
www.taronga.org.au/taronga-western-plains-zoo

Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk
The Illawarra Fly is a unique 500 metre walk in the treetop canopy, 20 to 30 metres above the ground.
www.illawarrafly.com

Sydney Harbour Bridge

Australian Opal Centre – Lightning Ridge
The Australian Opal Centre is an extraordinary national museum in Lightning Ridge. That was created to preserve, display and research the greatest ever public collection of Australian opals.
www.australianopalcentre.com

Timbertown – Wauchope near Port Macquarie
Timbertown is considered by many to be one of Australia’s finest Heritage Parks. Which has been created to demonstrate the struggles and achievements of our pioneers.
www.timbertown.com.au

Check Out More interesting Sydney and New South Wales Attractions

 Australia’s favourite holiday park provider, BIG4 Holiday Parks, is adding a sweetener for those planning a spring getaway by offering a ‘Stay 4, Pay 3’ promotion during the months of September, October AND November.

 Holiday-makers can extend their long weekend by an extra day for free, at more than 40 participating BIG4 Parks located at some of Australia’s top tourist spots. Families and individuals may choose to follow the sun to warm Airlie Beach in Queensland, take in the breathtaking views of the Flinders Ranges at Port Augusta in South Australia, or enjoy a quiet weekend in quaint Queenscliff in Victoria – the options are endless.

 BIG4 Holiday Parks participating in the ‘Stay 4, Pay 3’ promotion include:

• BIG4 Narooma Easts Holiday Park, Narooma NSW
• BIG4 Moruya Heads Easts Dolphin Beach Holiday Park, Moruya Heads NSW
• BIG4 South Durras Holiday Park, South Durras NSW
• BIG4 Nambucca Beach Holiday Park, Nambucca NSW
• BIG4 Bathurst Panorama Holiday Park, Bathurst NSW
• BIG4 Valley Vineyard Tourist Park, Cessnock NSW
• Twofold Bay Beach Resort, Eden NSW
• BIG4 Lake Macquarie Monterey Tourist Park, Lake Macquarie NSW
• BIG4 Lakeside Holiday Park, Mulwala NSW
• BIG4 Saltwater @ Yamba Holiday Park, Yamba NSW
• BIG4 Beachfront Holiday Resort, Tuncurry NSW
• BIG4 Bungalow Park, Burrill Lake NSW
• Easts Beach Holiday Park Kiama, Kiama NSW
• BIG4 Broulee Beach Holiday Park, Broulee
• BIG4 Point Vernon Holiday Park, Hervey Bay QLD
• BIG4 Tweed Billabong Holiday Park, Tweed Heads QLD
• BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort, Airlie Beach QLD
• BIG4 Beachcomber Coconut Caravan Village, Mission Beach QLD
• BIG4 Port Douglas Glengarry Holiday Park, Port Douglas QLD
• BIG4 Brisbane Gateway Resort, Brisbane QLD
• Discovery Holiday Parks – Robe, Robe SA
• Port Augusta BIG4 Holiday Park, Port Augusta SA
• BIG4 Porepunkah Holiday Park, Porepunkah VIC
• BIG4 Parkgate Resort, Halls Gap VIC
• BIG4 Castlemaine Gardens Holiday Park, Castlemaine VIC
• BIG4 Beacon Resort, Queenscliff VIC
• BIG4 Port Fairy, Port Fairy VIC
• BIG4 Badger Creek Holiday Park, Healesville VIC
• BIG4 Swan Hill, Swan Hill VIC
• BIG4 Riverside Swan Hill VIC
• BIG4 Whiters Holiday Village, Lakes Entrance VIC
• A Shady River Holiday Park, Echuca-Moama VIC
• Ashley Gardens BIG4 Holiday Village, Braybrook VIC
• Geelong Riverview Tourist Park, Geelong VIC
• Golden River Holiday Park, Mildura VIC
• Boathaven Holiday Park, Wodonga VIC
• BIG4 Inverloch Holiday Park, Inverloch VIC
• BIG4 Waters Edge Holiday Park, Lakes Entrance VIC
• BIG4 Wye River Holiday Park, Wye River VIC
• BIG4 Phillip Island Caravan Park, Phillip Island VIC
• BIG4 Plantation Caravan Park, Carnarvon WA
• BIG4 Albany Gardens Holiday Resort, Albany WA
• Woodman Point Holiday Park, Fremantle WA
• Perth Vineyards Holiday Park, Swan Valley WA

BIG4 Holiday Parks’ General Manager of Marketing, Kari Hunter, says the promotion falls at a perfect time, giving people the opportunity to take a well deserved short break before their summer holidays come around in the lead up to the warmer months.

“The extra night allows another whole day of quality time together seeing the local sights and attractions, adding more value to a weekend away from home. The added incentive is a great motivation for everyone to treat themselves to a longer break than usual, something the average Australian doesn’t seem to do enough of,” Kari says.

 BIG4 Holiday Parks offers an impressive range of accommodation styles and facilities that are perfect for all groups. Those travelling light or in bigger groups can relax in luxury style cabins with private decks and spacious bedrooms. For caravanners or campers pitching tents, a spacious grassy powered site or convenient ensuite site will ensure a great night sleep is guaranteed under the stars.

For more information about BIG4 Holiday Parks around Australia, please visit BIG4.com.au