Budget Camps and Stops Australia

Camping Around Tasmania

Cool Camping Australia: East Coast

Camping Around Northern Territory

1000 Great Places Travel with Kids in Australia

Back Roads Australia (DK Eyewitness Travel Back Roads)

Travel Australia

Explore Australia by Caravan and Motorhome

West Coast Australia Footprint Handbook (Footprint Handbooks)

Pet Accommodation on Australia’s East Coast

Explore Australia 2012

To the Top End: Our Trip Across Australia

Complete Caravan Chef

Holiday in South Australia

Holiday in Western Australia: Free and Low-cost Stops

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

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.

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

The Plaque nearby has this information for visitors to read.

‘Kadimakara’ was constructed by a world reknown Japanese sculptor,  Mr Mitsuaki Tanabe to draw attention to the the need to conserv the last remaining areas of wild rice in the world.

It is situated in the Mareeba Tropical Savannah and Wetland  Reserve, one of the  only small number of areas in the world which supports pure wild rice, which predates and is uncontaminated by commercial rice.

The sculpture has been kindly donated by the artist to Ausralia and its people.

The sculpture is made of stainless steel, is approximately19 metres long, 11.36 metres wide and over 2 metres high at the head.  It weighs in eccess of 10 tonne.

Mr Tanabe was supported in this project by the Rotary Club of Shizuoka in Japan in District 2620. The five sections of the sculpture were transported from Japan in two large comtainers and the Rotary Club of Mareeba of District 9550, under the guidance of Mt Tanabe, reassembled the lizard in its new home at the Mareeba Wetlands Reserve. It was officially unveiled on Saturday 17th June 2006 by its creator and by the Hon. Warren Entsch, Federal member for Leichhardt.

The Rotaty Club of Mereeba is proud to be involved in placing this sculpture in our district highlighting the vital importance of biodiversity and the conservation of genetic diversity.

Photos and Infomation supplied by a reader – Thanks

Visiting the Great Barrier Reef, one of the seven natural wonders in the world, was a dream come through for me. This magnificent attraction, along the Queensland coastline in Australia, was awarded World Heritage Site status by UNESCO as a unique place for protecting some endangered species of wildlife.

My adventure to the Great Barrier Reef included learning about this one-of-a-kind tourist attraction. As the largest reef system worldwide, the Marine Park extends over 1,800 miles and it can be seen from outer space. It comprises of over 3,000 individual reefs and coral cays and more than 1,500 species of fish and a wide range of marine animals and wildlife.

No vacation to Australia is complete without a visit to the famous Great Barrier Reef. For my trip from the USA to Australia I left nothing to chance, therefore, I got travel insurance cover for the non-refundable portion. My journey included traveling from Sydney to the northeastern beach town of Cairns, which is about miles 45 kilometers from the Outer Reef.

The day tour was from 9:00 am to 5 pm and I spent 5 hours at the Marine World on the Outer Reef. The 90-minute trip on the fast, stable, spacious and air conditioned motor catamaran was comfortable. The tour package offered many options for swimmers and non-swimmers to experience and learn about the Great Barrier Reef at an affordable price. It included snorkeling equipment, presentation by On Board Marine Biologist, glass bottom boat and semi-submersible tours and refreshments and lunch.

As a newbie to water sports, one of the best ways to see the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef was by snorkeling. After getting some useful tips on how to use the snorkeling equipment, I was fitted with a mask, fins and snorkel. I was then ready to begin the guided tour and experience the amazing underwater life at the Outer Reef. By using the stairs provided, it was extremely easy getting into the water from the snorkel platform at the sheltered coral lagoon. The water clarity was of the highest quality, which made for excellent visibility and I was able to look at the bottom of the lagoon to see the breathtaking view. It included different colours, shapes, textures and movements of the array of corals and marine life.

One of the highlights of the snorkeling trip was swimming alongside Wally the Giant Maori Wrasse and taking pictures with my underwater camera. It was also good to have floating rest stations that were strategically placed at points so that I could take a break from my snorkeling activities.

On the 30 minute semi-submersible tour, while sitting about 1 meter underwater, I was able to see the colorful coral gardens as well as schools of fish, including reef fish, red bass, angel fish and Jump Headed Parrot fish. I even saw Minke whales and friendly reef sharks. Another way I was able to experience the colors and beauty of marine life in the Outer Reef was by taking the 30 minute glass bottom boat tour.

My adventurous trip to the Great Barrier Reef was an amazing one filled with fun, excitement, information and wonderful close-up views of a diverse range of coral reefs and marine wildlife. Overall, I would recommend this once-in-a life-time experience to everyone.

About the author: Dominic Godwinson, global finance and travel insurance expert and travel enthusiast. Dominic writes about various topics related to finances.

Australia has so many sights and attractions that are beautiful to view from the open road.  Cruising down the road, taking in the majesty that Australia has to offer can be a real thrill and camping with the family can bring you even closer to nature. Here are our top five most spectacular road trips not to miss across the wonderful and diverse land of Australia.

1. South – Southern Flinders Ranges – The ranges are a short drive due north of Adelaide near Crystal Brook.  This range makrs the beginning of the Outback, and stretches from the Spencer Gulf towards the Great Plains.  Hiking is a great pastime here thanks to the excellent rails and the clear markings.  But this place is not reserved just for the adventures by foot.  Bike trails are also spread throughout the area, adding another entertaining way to enjoy the area.
2. North – Nature’s Way –Starting at Darwin in the Northern Territory is a road called nature’s Way.  The drive moves beside the wetlands of Mary River and ends at the National Park in Cacadu.  All along the way you will see signs of the Aborigine roots that are scattered throughout this untamed area.  Once you reach the park you can witness crocodiles from the saltwater basking in the sun and moving about their native area. Lots of waterfalls and lookouts along the East Alligator River add more scenic pleasures throughout the park.
3. Simpson Desert – A real outback adventure awaits you on your travels through Simpson Desert.  When you prepare to leave, pack lots of food and water and top off your fuel tank.  The views will include awe inspiring sand dunes and colorful vegetation as far as the eye can see.
4.  West – Coastal and Esperance Trail – People who long for the beauty of the ocean and sandy beaches will feel like they are in heaven on this trail.  The route can take two days to cover in its entirety, but it is worth it.  Travelers can see the beautiful Southern Ocean as well as take in the sights of a small group of islands and terrific beaches.
5.  Victoria – Great Ocean Road – This route has a little something for everybody.  Due to the breathtaking views, this road is compared to some of the most luxurious areas in the world. The trip begins at Anglesea and goes all the way to Warnambool, including a pass by the Twelve Apostles.  Travelers will be amazed at the hillsides covered in eucalyptus and have their breath taken by the high cliffs.

Kristy writes for DriveMyCarRentals.com.au which can make enjoying one of these incredible road trips both cheap and memorable offering long term car rentals with everything from Holden’s to BMWs for hire. DriveMyCarRentals.com.au is a new peer to peer car rental community which provides access to more makes and models than any car rental company in the world from economy to luxury, from sports cars to classic cars, even caravans and with savings of up to 60% on traditional rental costs.

IMB TO OFFER CARAVAN INSURANCE

Caravanning is a growing trend in Australia. There are more than 300,000 caravans currently registered and more than 70,000 of those are touring around the country at any given time. Australia’s ‘Grey Nomads’ tend to travel on average three times per year, for 14.5 weeks at a time.

IMB, one of Australia’s largest building societies, with more than 180,000 members, is now offering specialised caravan insurance to its members.

The IMB insurance policy, offered in partnership with CIL, division of Vero Insurance, covers caravans against accidental damage, theft and attempted theft, storm, hail and flood damage, malicious damage, fire and explosion and electrical motor burnout. Considering most caravans cost between $70,000 and $600,000, the IMB caravan insurance policy is a sensible investment for owners.

IMB’s caravan insurance policy provides:
•Alternative accommodation expenses up to $100 per day if the caravan is not fit to live in following an accident or loss
•A new replacement caravan if it is a total loss in the first year of registration of the caravan
•Automatic contents cover up to $1000
•Authorised emergency repairs if the caravan cannot be towed after an accident
•Reasonable costs to collect and deliver the caravan back to the owner following repairs
•Reasonable costs to remove and store the caravan after an accident if it cannot be towed
•Up to $20m for legal liability claims.

The policy is valid anywhere in Australia. IMB can also insure caravans permanently on site.

Robert Ryan, IMB’s Chief Executive Officer says that IMB, as a member-focused institution, is committed to making financial and personal security matters easy by offering a comprehensive range of products and protection for all members. The introduction of Caravan insurance demonstrates IMB’s dedication to providing relevant, superior and valued products to its members.

IMB’s caravan insurance partner, CIL Insurance, provides comprehensive caravan insurance anywhere in Australia. As a division of Vero Insurance, CIL has been supporting the RV industry for more than 45 years and currently insures more caravans than any other insurer.

For more information on IMB’s products visit www.imb.com.au  call 133 462.

Last time we were there we met up with friends who live in Sydney and whom we met at Ayers Rock Resort about 10 years ago. They took us on several drives along the coast and inland mainly in southern Sydney. We also drove through the Royal National Park which is the first recognised National Park in the world.

Things To Do In Sydney

There are many things to do in Sydney, everyone that visits should see the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. There are also plenty more things to do in Sydney like the walking around the ‘Rocks’, go on a harbour cruise, visit Taronga Zoo and Luna Park.

Sydney Tower Skywalk

If you want the best view of Sydney try the Skywalk on top of Sydney Tower only 260 metres above ground level. Of course you will be wearing Skysuits and harnesses for your own safety. What A View!!

Star City Casino Sydney

The Star City Entertainment Centre has everything you need, accommodation, dining, beautiful views, casino, nightlife, special events and theatre shows.

Star City is on one of the world’s most beautiful harbours, great for a night out with friends or a date. Also you can enjoy the high stakes action, Star City’s gaming rooms are as spectacular as their location. If you want to play casino poker online visit  pokersites.com the best online casino poker review www.pokersites.com/country/australia

 Sightseeing and Adventuring in Sydney

Sydney Sightseeing and AdventuresIf you are visiting Sydney and looking for more adventure how about an amazing full throttle jet boat ride in the harbour. See the unique harbour views while going flat out sliding and aplashing in all directions. Many cruises on the harbour can be enjoyed as well as sea plane flights over the sydney Australia beaches and other locations, aerobatic flights, sky diving, rock climbing in the Blue Mountains, drive a racing car around Eastern Creek race track, Harley rides, hot air ballooning and so much more. Enjoy your Sydney experience, make your trip to Sydney one to remember.

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