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.

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

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.

Most of you seasoned frequent travellers probably already know most of the tricks of travel in the most inexpensive manner possible– however, for those of you who might still need a few tips to make your travel less costly, here are some ideas that you might not have thought about:

1. Travel light – get your items into one bag if at all possible, one that you can carry-on and not have to pay the extra ‘bag’ fees, which can get pricey. Most frequent travellers have this down to a science – and know what they will use and won’t use, which develops in seasoned travellers.

2. Try to fly on a flexible schedule – most people who travel have specific dates in which they need to get to their destination, especially if it is a vacation. Some of us have specific vacation schedules – however, if you plan in advance, you can find some pretty amazing deals on airfare and other forms of travel. Sometimes, even flying into an alternate city can save hundreds on tickets.

3. Browse for the deals – when planning a trip, make sure you check every avenue available for travel. Even travel agents can have or know of some specific sales or discounts on plane fare, cruises or overseas travel. Check cheaptickets.com and Travelocity and places that offer specials. No doubt if you do your homework, you can find tickets to your destination for less than you expected.

4. Make sure you sign up for all of the available airline programs that you possibly can. For example, Qantas has a Frequent Flyer program that can help you to more a elite status, as well as United Airlines, Australia –which lead to more and more savings – and rewards come to those who sign up and stay in contact with the airlines, and I mean every airline you might use in the future. Frequent traveller programs vary for each airline and the rewards can be offered at different times as well. Those rewards really save you money in hotels, airfare, insurance, car rentals, upgrades, pre-boarding time and special vacation package deals.

5. Do the same with the car rental places. Sign up for every possible service they offer, such as the ‘Preferred Member’ service. It saves money, time and frustration when travelling. Membership is n ice because sometimes when the car rental place knows you are coming, as a member, you gain special benefits such as an agent starting your car to warm it up for you during cold winter months.

6. Sign up for credit card rewards – these can pay off big in many ways. Credit cards offer free travel and free hotel after you reach a certain status with their company, and American Express offers member rewards annually, sometimes minimal sometimes larger, depending on your expenditures, but these rewards save you money on travel.

7. Join frequent flyer forums, for info on the latest deals and sometimes even cheap or free tickets. A good one is Flyertalk –where frequent flyers meet and post their encounters and specific tips they have learned in years of travel. They claim “Flyertalk” is an interactive community that provides up-to-date information on travel-related loyalty reward programs. It’s the hub that brings everyone together — from leisure travelers to mileage junkies — to converse about programs, get the latest program buzz or discuss how to maximize points or miles. You’ll even get some good general travel information!” on their website – however there are many others available via search engine.

8. Carry food with you at all times. You never know when a delay will keep you waiting for hours, and we all know how expensive food can be at airports. Having snacks and foods with you will cut back on frustration, hunger pangs and save a bundle in food costs. Things like dried fruit, nuts, fruit leathers, and those individually wrapped cheese sticks are great, and keep for days.

9. Be nice at the airports and other travel agencies – the nice guy always wins in this situation. An airport agent who has been yelled at most of the day due to delays will welcome a smiling face, and has the ability to bump you to a higher class, for free. Always remember that when travelling, you get more with honey than you do with vinegar.

10. Last, but not least by any means, consider your ‘travel window’ and start looking at hotels and airline tickets at least 2 months in advance. The worst thing is to jump in and buy tickets, only to find out that they were discounted the following week. Know where to look, and check with travel agents, they sometimes have the inside info to future specials and deals, or better yet, check out Smarter Travel for tips on the best time to travel, and the best deals.

Using good old common sense will generally save you money, and planning ahead saves headaches. Always take more cash than you expect to use, but control spending as much as possible – and relax and enjoy the ride!

Ally is part of the team that manages Australian Credit Cards, a free travel money cards comparison service in Australia. Before joining ACC, she was a Media Planner with McCann Worldgroup Philippines, Inc., with award-winning executions, including the Levi’s 501 “Live Unbuttoned” global campaign.

 Join thousands of other happy campers around Australia as BIG4 Holiday Parks prepares for its biggest night of the year, opening up their Holiday Parks for one night only of FREE camping under the stars. 

The unique national campaign, Come Camp with BIG4, will be held at a wide range of BIG4 Holiday Parks nationally in 2010. The event was a huge success last year, hosting approximately 10,000 outdoor enthusiasts.

The 5^th of November is sure to impress experienced campers, families and even welcome newbie’s to the world of adventure and fun that the BIG4 Holiday experience provides.

This year, Come Camp with BIG4 will again support their charity partner, The Humour Foundation’s Clown Doctors^TM. Participating parks will be holding fundraising activities and all parks will donate a percentage of money raised from the sale of BIG4 memberships sold over the entire weekend to the charity.

The renowned BIG4 park facilities range from resort style pools to giant jumping pillows so the activities on offer are sure to delight guests of all ages. Activities will vary between parks from pancake breakfasts, to face painting and even mysterious treasure hunts – these are just a few of the exciting activities guests can enjoy.

James Shearer, acting CEO of BIG4 Holiday Parks, says Come Camp with BIG4 allows families and friends to enjoy a night together, and is a nice introduction for people that wouldn’t normally camp.

“Come Camp with BIG4 gives couples, friends and families the opportunity to enjoy a free night of camping. It’s the perfect excuse for a night away.

“Everyone is welcome – we want to encourage people to come along that would normally shy away from camping. Come Camp with BIG4 will no doubt be an event marked in all Australian’s diaries, as it was last year,” added Mr Shearer.

Keep Friday 5 November FREE and reserve your FREE powered or unpowered camping site at

big4.com.au/comecamp

Come Camp with BIG4

Where: BIG4 Holiday Parks across Australia

Date:     Friday 5 November 2010

Cost:     FREE

              Booking: big4.com.au/comecamp

For further information, images or to arrange an interview please contact:

Lauren Burl

P: 03 8416 6771

M: 0419 325 447

E: lauren.burl@che.com.au

Fleur Williamson

P: 03 8416 6728

M: 0416 659 162

E: fleur.williamson@che.com.au

About BIG4 Holiday Parks

BIG4 Holiday Parks is a Franchise Group comprising more than 180 holiday parks across Australia, including recent National Tourism Award winner BIG4 Beacon Resort and State Award Winners BIG4 Deniliquin Paringa Holiday Park, BIG4 Renmark Riverfront Holiday Park, BIG4 St Helens Holiday Park, BIG4 MacDonnell Range Holiday Park and BIG4 Beachlands Holiday Park. The group provides a range of high-quality accommodation options from powered ensuite sites for caravan and motorhomes to luxury cabins. With a consistently high standard across all its parks, BIG4 has also set the standard within local holiday park experiences and is the recognised industry leader. BIG4 Holiday Parks’ BIG4 Club has over 170,000 members who enjoy significant discounts on accommodation bookings as well as ongoing benefits and discounts with BIG4’s partner organisations. Being a BIG4 Member means you’ll not only get savings on BIG4 accommodation, but also access a whole host of other holiday benefits thanks to BIG4’s Local Member Benefits program. BIG4 Holiday Parks recently signed a master licensing agreement with North America’s Kampgrounds of America (the leading campground operator in Nth America and Canada) for the Australian, New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and East Timor markets. BIG4 is a proud supporter of The Humour Foundation’s Clown Doctors™, a philanthropic organisation committed to bringing a little cheer to children and their families’ undergoing treatment in Australian hospitals. For more information on BIG4 Holiday Parks visit big4.com.au

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Plan your own exciting holiday

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

Online campervan and car hire company DriveNow™ introduces their up-to-the-minute campervan and motorhome rental website to all travellers across Australia and New Zealand, comparing the lowest prices and guaranteeing the best option at the highest quality.

DriveNow.com.au partners with reputable campervan brands including Apollo, Backpacker Rentals, Britz, KEA Campers and Maui to provide road-trippers with all the best models under one roof. This means that those planning a trip away can choose from a great range of self-drive campervan rental vehicles at substantially discounted drive-away prices, on one easy to use website.

Vehicle pick-up is available from all major Australian cities and airports including Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne, Cairns, Adelaide, Alice Springs, Hobart, Darwin and Sydney. With a great choice of vehicles, from luxury motorhomes to budget and 4WD campervans, DriveNow prices start from only $25 a day depending on the chosen vehicle and size of your family or group. 

Managing Director of DriveNow™, Russell Matters says that with different campervans and motorhomes available in the market, the selection of vehicles provided ensures that all travellers’ needs and budgets can be met.

“Motorhomes offer state of the art facilities to make your holiday a safe and comfortable one within a real ‘live-in’ environment, whereas campervans still offer comfort, but are smaller and have more basic  facilities,” explains Matters.

“Depending on your budget and requirements, you can book and pick up at any location, a 2 Berth campervan, complete with linen and cutlery, for as little as $35 a day. Alternatively, a high quality six berth motorhome that accommodates six people and comes fitted with double beds, a gas cooker, air conditioning, a shower and TV and DVD players can be hired for $90 a day.” he says

Offering convenience and comfort, DriveNow prides itself on the quality of its campervans so travellers can rest assured that they are cruising in the most reliable fleets available. There is no better way to see the Australian landscape than on the road in a trustworthy campervan and being in control of your own itinerary.

What better way to spend time with the family, than to hire a campervan and take the kids on a road trip. Hire a 4 Berth Campervan, for two adults and two kids for just under $750 for a whole week, or for a larger family, a 6 Berth Campervan for as little as $769 for a seven day period.  There’s no need to pack bedding or cooking utensils as these are all provided.  Other family benefits include baby booster seats for as little as $5.50 per day.

DriveNow.com.au donates $5 from each baby and child restraint booked through the site to Children’s Hospital Foundations Australia (CHFA), helping to make a real difference to sick and injured children nationally. These funds will be used for research, services and equipment within the main Children’s hospital in each state. DriveNow also offer their customers the option to make an additional contribution upon payment.

DriveNow also offers a “Double the Difference” lowest Price Guarantee. They will match any genuine price for an Australian and New Zealand based business and website. Not only that, you will get a bonus discount equal to DOUBLE the difference between the prices you have been quoted.

Making a booking at DriveNow.com.au is quick and easy online with instant confirmation. Alternatively, call 1300 547 214 to get helpful advice to secure your next Campervan Holiday.

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Start planning your road trip adventure.

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

For anyone deciding to travel to Australia, I think it must be compulsory to be given one of those maps that shows Europe fitting inside the country with room to spare.  I think the size of Australia is one of the most shocking aspects to tourists that come here with only a few weeks to explore as they quickly realize that it’s not all fun and games when trying to see as many of those iconic sights scattered about.    It takes planning to make the most of your time down under, which is why size matters immensely in Australia.

The Dilemma:  Flying versus Driving

I met a traveler the other day that had literally 5.5 days to spare, and he for some reason thought he was about to do the driving trip from Sydney to Cairns in that amount of time.  After being smacked back into reality, he then decided to take a cheap flight to Brisbane and start from there.  It was a much more reasonable plan that would allow him to actually see some sights along the way.

In some cases, such as this, catching a flight within Australia is necessary, but the problem is that – in my mind – the journey is one of the best parts.  There’s nothing like driving to the Outback and seeing the towns get smaller and  more spread out, and what about the curvy and jungle-encased roads of tropical north Queensland?  It’s the scenery that you really get to see when driving in Australia.

 It’s not only the scenery you miss when flying over driving; it’s the little fun bits in between.  Take, for instance, Granite Gorge.  Granite Gorge is a nature park near Mareeba (about an hour’s drive from Cairns) that tempts tourists to visit with the promise of seeing and feeding rock wallabies.  Adorable? Yes, and definitely worth it in my opinion.  However, chances are you will not make it to fun little places like this from the main cities unless you are self-driving.

It’s About Being Realistic

As in the driving example above, it’s about being realistic about your options.  If you are dead-set on driving through Australia and are on limited time, you will definitely be better off trying to narrow your focus by choosing one region or one state.  By doing so, you’ll get to really know that area as opposed to grazing over the surface.

On the other hand, flying from major city to major city and hitting all the big named places can be just as amazing.  I guess it all comes down to your personal travel preferences.  Here are some ideas to keep in mind:

• Your trip length.
• Your willingness to drive in a foreign country.
• The likelihood you’ll return to Australia.
• Your budget.
• Your love, or hate, of flying.

 All of these points should be considered when planning a trip down under, but I often feel that distance from one location to the next isn’t stressed enough.  Let’s face it, Australia is pretty gigantic.  And, I think it’s safe to say that this is one place where size really does matter.

About:  Brooke Schoenman is the expert author for WhyGo Australia, an online travel guide with life. 

She currently resides in Sydney, Australia and tweets about her Aussie life daily.

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Plan your own exciting holiday

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