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

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

 BIG4 Holiday Parks across Queensland are offering travellers a ‘Pay 4, Stay 6’ accommodation incentive to visit the beautiful sunshine-state for their next holiday.

 Visit any of the 23 participating BIG4 Queensland Parks listed below, between 14 March and 10 June 2011, for a great break that won’t be forgotten.

 Choose from a diverse range of BIG4 Holiday Parks designed to suit every travelling style whether it is a family holiday, a road trip with a group of friends or a romantic weekend away with someone special. And with destinations from the Gold and Sunshine Coasts right up to Rockhampton and Cooktown, there’s a holiday to suit everyone.

 Each unique Park is located close to tourist hotspots and all showcase a wide range of accommodation options including modern ‘city-style’ cabins big enough for the whole family as well as grassy ensuite sites where you can pitch a tent for the ultimate outdoor holiday.

 The Park facilities on offer also ensure the kids are kept well entertained and parents relaxed. From adventure playgrounds and giant jumping pillows to outdoor entertainment areas and spa pools, BIG4 Holiday Parks offer a unique holiday experience that suits both the modern and the traditional traveller.

 To take up this offer, simply browse the participating parks at big4.com.au, choose an accommodation or site option that best suits your needs, enter the promotional code ‘QLDONSALE’ and enjoy your Queensland adventure.

 Participating parks include:

 BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort, Airlie Beach

BIG4 Airlie Cove Resort and Van Park, Airlie Beach

BIG4 Atherton Woodlands Tourist Park, Atherton

BIG4 Brisbane Northside Caravan Village, Brisbane

Brisbane Gateway Resort, Brisbane

BIG4 Cane Village Holiday Park, Bundaberg

BIG4 Cairns Crystal Cascades Holiday Park, Cairns

Aussie Outback Oasis Cabin and Van Village, Charters Towers

Cooktown Holiday Park, Cooktown

Ashmore Palms Holiday Village, Gold Coast

NRMA Treasure Island Holiday Park, Gold Coast

BIG4 Point Vernon Holiday Park, Hervey Bay

Fraser Lodge Holiday Park, Hervey Bay

BIG4 Innisfail Mango Tree Holiday Park, Innisfail

BIG4 Kingaroy Holiday Park, Kingaroy

BIG4 Port Douglas Glengarry Holiday Park, Port Douglas

Discovery Holiday Parks – Rockhampton, Rockhampton

BIG4 Forest Glen Resort, Sunshine Coast

BIG4 Maroochy Palms Holiday Village, Sunshine Coast

BIG4 Toowoomba Garden City, Toowoomba

BIG4 Townsville Woodlands Holiday Park, Townsville

Kahler’s Oasis Caravan Park, Warwick

BIG4 Capricorn Palms Holiday Village, Yeppoon

 The offer is available on selected types of accommodation and sites and is subject to availability at each park (availability and options will differ from park to park).

About BIG4 Holiday Parks

BIG4 Holiday Parks is a Franchise Group comprising more than 180 holiday parks across Australia. 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