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.

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

Joining a frequent flyer program may be something that you’ve never considered doing.

Aren’t they just for suit-wearing executives who fly back and forth from Sydney to Melbourne?

Not so. Australia is a nation of travel lovers, some out of necessity and some because they want to.

Migrants are visiting relatives in ‘the old country’ from time to time, wanderlust travelers are jetting off to explore new places and so on the list goes.

First up, people who typically are spending a a few thousand dollars or more per month, pay of their balance each month and intend to book a flight somewhere are suitable for a frequent flyer program. But in the pursuit of points, don’t go out of your way to spend money in order to earn points.

Whatever you spend your money on has to on purchases that you’d be making regardless of points or incentives otherwise its spending for the sake of spending. With that in mind, here are 10 simple tips to help you get the most from frequent flyer programs.

#1 Entitlements, Privileges and Benefits

This is the exciting bit and probably the reason you’re reading this blog post. The entitlements are numerous and attractive. As a member of frequent flyer program you’ll enjoy quicker check-in times and boarding times at the airport, preferential seating on the flight, get extra checked baggage allowance and access to those plush airport lounges.

Now the really attractive bit – you can redeem your points for upgrades to business or first class seats or get huge discounts on tickets. Depending on how far you fly you could even redeem the points for a free ticket.

#2 Earning Points

It is super important to know that to get the most out of a frequent flyer program and therefore you need to understand a little bit about how your points are earned. Points can be earned for every dollar spent with the airline program when you book a flight or buy from a participating retailer in a promotion.

#3 Boost Your Points

Programs like Qantas and Velocity really do make it very easy to earn points. One of the thee most effective ways to earn a bucket-load of points is to sign up for a credit card that is linked to your frequent flyer program. That way you shop using your credit card as you ordinarily would do and in the process you earn points. Most cards have a 1-to-1 ratio: spend one dollar and earn one point. Take a look at the comparison tables on a site like FrequentFlyerCreditCards.com.au to see which cards offer the best dollar to points ratio and overall best value.

Hot tip: Make sure you pay off your monthly credit card bill (something you should do anyway) otherwise the value of the frequent flyer points will be eaten into by the interest you’re paying on that monthly statement!

#4 Big Spender?

If you intend on spending a lot of money, 2000 or more per month, then you should consider the option of getting an uncapped frequent flyer credit card. That way you won’t hit caps or limits and every single dollar you spend will earn points.

#5 Tiers

Airlines have set up their frequent flyer programs to have tiers. For example, Qantas have three levels: Silver, Gold and Platinum. Velocity also have 3 tiers: Red, Silver and Gold. You will be eligible for better benefits, bonus points and more points earning potential by reaching milestones associated with your rewards program.

#6 Airline Partners

The available partners within your frequent flyer program will make a big difference in how you use your rewards. Qantas are teamed up with oneworld and a bunch of other airlines meaning their network is massive. Velocity Rewards are primarily used on Virgin Blue, V Australia, Virgin Atlantic or Virgin America but can points can be transferred to seven other airlines notably Delta.

If partner options are limited or you don’t do want to fly with the partners involved in a reward program, then it won’t be the best fit for you. It’s also important that you understand how your points will transfer for use with those partners. For example, do those points transfer on a point-for-point ratio to another program? If not then you need to question if its worth it.

#7 Flight Destinations

Where an airline flies will greatly affect the benefits you receive from your card. So, start with your destination and work back from there. For example, if you know that you want to fly from Sydney to Tokyo or Brisbane to Singapore but the airline’s frequent flyer program doesn’t fly there, there then there’s no point. Choose a frequent flyer program that casts a wide net of destinations.

#8 Restrictions

There are going to be restrictions on when, where or how you use your points which can be frustrating. Getting to redeem your points is subject to capacity and availability so if the flight is booked up already then you’ll not get to muscle your way on just because you hold a frequent flyer card.

#9 There’s Fees to Pay

There’s a once-off joining fee for the Qantas program of $82.50. And if you sign up for a frequent flyer credit card there’s an annual fee which is usually not much more than the average credit card’s annual fee. There’s actually a couple of cards out there which have no annual fee but they aren’t directly linked to the Qantas or Velocity program.

#10 Use it or Lose it

Fees associated with a program and your frequent flyer credit card will still need to be paid whether you use it or not. Therefore, your card might be costing you money if you don’t fly on a regular or semi-regular basis. Be aware that points eventually expire. It takes 18 months for Qantas points to expire if you don’t earn or use the points and 3 years for Velocity Points.

David is the co-founder and travel writer for FrequentFlyerCreditCards.com.au where you can compare credit cards for frequent flyers and read more free tips like this blog post.

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Plan your own exciting holiday

www.travel-australia-planning-guide.com/travel-in-australia.html

You can choose to travel alone or with friends or family, one thing is for sure you will meet plenty of interesting people from Australia or overseas. Your accommodation, meals, attractions are arranged for you and most will be paid for already.

The range of tours is amazing, they can be for a day, several days, weeks or months. The size of the group can vary from 10 or 20 up to 50 or more using mini buses or the larger coaches.

You can arrange a tour from most reasonable size towns, Visitor Centres and accommodation places every where in Australia.

You may like to book with one company for a long tour as your complete holiday or you can include several short tours within your holiday. For example you maybe going to Central Australia and your vehicle is not a 4WD so to be able to see the more remote places you can take a day adventure tour.

There are many types of organised tours to go on, like adventure, nature, travelling through several states or within a region of Australia. Going on any tour is a easy and great way to explore and holiday in Australia.

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Plan your own exciting holiday

www.travel-australia-planning-guide.com/travel-in-australia.html

We have used several different map books, this one by far is most impressive. The cover is a hardback so it can’t get bent or creased like every other map book we have. With the spiral binding the maps will actually sit campletely flat on the table. The maps are very clear, detailed and easy to follow.

The authors of the book actually check as many sites as possible themselves and have travelled 90,000 kilometres in the past 2 years. So they really do know what they are talking about as they have experienced travelling Australia and know what campers and travellers really appreciate.

This book features over 3500 listings of rest areas, free camps, station stays, national parks, state forest and parks and low cost caravan parks.

Also included are dump points, pet friendly sites. the latest free camping sites, author recommended sites and includes the latest Hema Road Atlas.

Camps Australia Wide also sell a Caravan Park Listing Book with over 2300 caravan parks listed. Other camping books also available.

This map book is far superior to any other map book we have owned, we have bought several over the past 2 decades as it’s best to use an updated maps when you are travelling anywhere in Australia. Another great thing about Camps Australia Wide map books updates are available online. No need to buy a new book to get updated information.

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Plan your own exciting holiday

www.travel-australia-planning-guide.com/travel-in-australia.html

There are many styles of maps and guides, they come in books like an atlas, folded maps usually of each state or territory or of more detailed areas like 4WD maps or topography.

Local tourist maps and local guides can be picked up from a Tourist Information Centre, Tourist or Holiday Park or other accommodation.

If you are 4WD driving it is worth getting the detailed maps that are available, sometimes they come with the information pack when you buy a National Park permit. They will also be available at camping stores or map stores online.

A Guide book is an invaluable tool when you are camping and travelling as they will give you information for the towns attractions, acommodation or area that you are visiting.

There are three types of guides that can be used to help you when camping and travelling.

Free Guide Books are usually available from Information Centres which are usually in every town or your place of accommodation. The maps show the town and local area, attractions shops etc.

Most tourist information websites have the same information, so you can search for a town, region, area, state or territory in most cases there will be a tourism site. They should have the most reliable and up to date information as they would be updated regularly with local events, attractions and local news. For example this is Australia’s Tourism website www.australia.com

Accommodation Guide Books sometimes can be bought that covers camping accommodation like Caravan, Holiday, Tourist parks or they may cover camping sites as well as hotels, motels, B&Bs, holiday houses, resorts etc.

4WD Guide Books can be purchased from bookshops or online, they give you itineraries and instructions to travel in particular areas for example ‘the Kimberley’ or the ‘Outback’. Usually these are made for 4WD trips, where you need a lot more detail in maps and instructions as there are fewer signposts for directions available. Also a lot more care has to be taken and safety becomes an issue so this type of guide will include a lot of vehicle and personal safety and communication information.

Next time you are planning a holiday or trip take the time to check out road maps and travel guides as they it will make your planning easier. While you are travelling you will have all the information you need for an Aussie Adventure.

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Start planning your road trip adventure.

www.travel-australia-planning-guide.com/road-trip-planner.html

Driving the Stuart Highway can be done is 3 ways – express, scenic or extremely scenic.

The Express itinerary could be done in 5 days travelling about an average 550 kilometres per day, this would usually be done if you are in a hurry or you have travelled this highway many times.

Use this Street Directory Map to follow the itineraries for a guide.

This itinerary example starts from the south leaving from Port Augusta SA

• Port Augusta to Coober Pedy 542 kilometres
• Coober Pedy to Alice Springs 690 kilometres
• Alice Springs to Tennant Creek 531 kilometres
• Tennant Creek to Mataranka 547 kilometres
• Mataranka to Darwin 422 kilometres

The Scenic itinerary takes about 2 – 3 weeks

• Day 1 – Starting at Port Augusta SA to Coober Pedy SA
• Day 3 – Coober Pedy to Ayers Rock Resort  or other Accommodation – Visit Uluru -Ayers Rock and the Olgas
• Day 5 – Drive to Alice Springs stay for 3 days and visit area
• Day 8 – Alice Springs to Tennant Creek – Visit Devils Marble (has camp ground)  Explore Tennant Creek
• Day 10 – Tennant Creek to Mataranka – Visit Daly Waters Pub (has campground)
• Day 11 – Mataranka to Katherine
• Day 13 – Katherine to Darwin
• Day 14 – Visit Darwin, Kakadu N.P.,  Litchfield N.P. and many other attractions around the area – you can easily stay a week to a month.

The Extreme Scenic Itinerary could take 2 months or more.

• Starting at Port Augusta you can visit Woomera, Flinders Ranges and Lake Eyre and then return to the Stuart Highway
• Then travel to Coober Pedy and stay for several days exploring this very unique opal mining town
• From Coober Pedy travel north to Ayers Rock Resort or another accommodation like Curtain Springs. There is plenty to in this area, visit Uluru, the Olgas etc- if you have a 4WD vehicle you can drive to Alice Springs via the Mereenie Loop and stay at Kings Canyon and Palm Valley. Tours are available if you don’t have a 4WD.
• Alice Springs has many attractions & experiences to enjoy, you can drive to Ormiston Gorge, Glen Helen Gorge and other natural attractions. You can easily spend several weeks in the area.
• Leave Alice Springs and head north to Devils Marbles and Tennant Creek and stay a night or 2
• Leave Tennant Creek and drive to Daly Waters Pub, stay in the campground or basic accommodation. Enjoy this unique pub, beefnreef meal is available everynight.
• From Daly Waters drive to Mataranka and enjoy the thermal springs and the Barra Jumping show and more. Stay 2 or 3 nights
• Drive to Katherine, explore and cruise Katherine Gorge, stay 2 or 3 days
• North of Katherine there is an amazing amount of activities to and places to see. Just a few of them is Berry Springs, Howard Springs, Litchfield National Park, Darwin, Adelaide River, Kakadu National Park. This Top End area could easily keep you busy for a month.

The Stuart Highway or Explorers Way is an exciting drive with plenty to see & do, although there is some long drives with not a lot see in some areas in the Outback. The amazing things you do see well and truly makes up for it. These itineraries are only examples, please check ahead for your accommodation prior to leaving or along the way.

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Travel with us on our exciting family adventure travel holiday driving on the Stuart Highway Australia.

http://www.travel-australia-planning-guide.com/family-adventure-travel.html

There is no reason why you can’t have a great holiday when working with a limited budget. You may wish to stay in a 5-star hotel but in reality you will probably be staying in a tent, cabin, motel, backpackers, homestead, which my family has done plenty of times and we had many wonderful holidays.

Plan your holiday within your budget so it can be relaxing and you are not stressing about what you are spending. You can still get out and see all the sights, enjoy being with family and friends and meet new people. There are many free activities that you can enjoy. Don’t forget to take plenty of photos or videos so you can create memories to look back on in the years ahead.

Depending on your budget, it may be possible to treat yourselves to something special that you have always wanted to do. This could be hot air ballooning, abseiling, swimming with dolphins, scuba diving, playing golf, visiting gardens or art galleries, seeing the whales, going on a flight, seeing Uluru (Ayers Rock), or experiencing one of thousands of other things you can do.

Remember that the little extras can quickly add up. Consider taxi fares, restaurant meals, takeaway food, drinks, fuel for your vehicle or car rental, tips, entry prices for attractions, souvenirs and any medications you may need. Allow for all these things in your budget. Plan ahead, budget and you will have a great holiday.

If you are planning your holiday months or even a year ahead, be smart and start saving now. Put away as much as you can into a separate account or somewhere else so you won’t be tempted to spend it.

Even if you are on a budget you can have a great time and holiday, there are many activities you can do for free.

Look out for them, sometimes they can be the highlight of your holiday. Happy Travelling!

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Start planning your exciting Aussie Holiday

http://www.travel-australia-planning-guide.com/

• Take all your documentation and check the list of items that are not allowed on board a plane.
• Dress very comfortably, loose clothing is a must.
• Remember where you parked your car, write it down if necessary.
• Arrive early for domestic your flight, you need to check in at least an hour before the flight departs. International flights require you to be checked in about 3 hours before departure.
• Use a neck pillow if you find sleeping upright is uncomfortable, the nexk pillow will support your neck and head.
• Use the on board videos or music with the headphones supplied, they help pass the time.
• Take a good book or magazine to keep you busy for several hours at least.
• If the person next to you won’t stop talking to you pretend you are asleep, you might get lucky and really fall asleep.
• If you have kids travelling with you pack some small bags of snacks to bring out occasionally and some playing cards, books or travel games.
• Try not to annoy other travellers, even if others are
• Don’t drink to much alcohol, have at least one drinks of water in between.

Enjoying your flight is very important to starting your trip off right. You can make yourself more comfortable by using the above flight travel tips for a more comfortable flight.

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When you are driving across Australia or along the coast you will be amazed by the variety of stunning and unique scenery.

http://www.travel-australia-planning-guide.com/road-trip-planner.html

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!. The total distance is about 20,000km around Australia. 

CORRECT including Central Australia and Tasmania

2. At 100km/h it will take you 200 hours or eight and a half days of continuous driving   

WRONG  Not possible to drive 100km/h everywhere

3. You will want to stop and look at things so allow about five hours driving per day  

YOUR KIDDING Not allowing for any sight seeing/rest days. Driving every day is not a holiday.

 4. It will take you 40 days. 

The world record is 25 days – 2 men driving virtually non stop

5. I would allow an extra two weeks for stops and diversions making about eight weeks for the journey.  

Eight weeks is the absolute minimum to drive around half of the mainland and you would not be seeing much along the way – 3 or 4 months or more  is the recommended length of time.

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Planning to Drive around Australia is not to be taken lightly, I have heard of a basic trip being done in 4 months, usually the suggested time is at least 6 months, even better is 8 to 12 months. To actually enjoy the trip  extra days need to be included so you not driving everyday, as it is easy to stay in many places for a week or two.  Some travellers drive for 2 years and are still going. Australia is HUGE!!