Australia is home to the world’s oldest living culture with the Aboriginal Indigenous people having a continuous history spanning more than 50,000 years. Visiting Australia is an opportunity to discover a culture like no other on earth and experience it firsthand through art, dance, stories, music and the land around you.
One reason visitors flock to Australia is to see the unique range of native wildlife that roams this beautiful country. From koalas sleeping in gum trees, kangaroos hopping across open plains, sea lions basking in the sunshine, and a sea filled with whales, penguins, marine life and more, there really are wildlife experiences available throughout the land.
Australia’s sunshine State, is an easy starting point in Australia or add on to a New Zealand vacation. Four easy to reach destinations in Queensland offer varying vacation options and are the perfect addition to any South Pacific itinerary.
Victoria may be one of Australia’s smallest States, but it is seriously big when it comes to offering diverse vacation experiences.
Looking at a map of the world, Tasmania is the small island under mainland Australia. Don’t let its small size convince you that this is a one or two day destination. Tasmania is jam packed with friendly wildlife, delicious food and wine, award-winning whiskey, stunning scenery and some of the freshest air on the planet. Add to that it was named Lonely Planet’s fourth "Top 10 Regions in the World to Visit in 2015" and then ask yourself "Why have I not visited?"
When you think of Australia’s Northern Territory you are immediately flooded with images of Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (Olgas) rising from the red desert floor. While these are both iconic representations of the Northern Territory scenery, they signify just a small section of the vast landscape found in this amazing area of Australia.
It is time to pack your bags and get on a plane to Tropical North Queensland. This area of Australia is jam packed with stunning landscapes, heavenly islands, World Heritage-listed attractions and thrilling adventure activities.
Did you know that Australia’s food and wine scene is bursting with creative chefs, skilled purveyors and exciting winemakers producing fresh and innovative flavors that are the envy of the world? With a rich and varied landscape capable of supporting a variety of fresh and tantalizing produce coupled with a long immigrant history, Australia’s fusion food really sets itself apart. Multicultural diversity influences each producer’s enthusiasm, passion and experimentation in a different fashion allowing for a uniquely Australian style to unfold.
The Aboriginal peoples of Australia are considered one of the world’s most ancient living cultures. With a history dating back more than 50,000 years, their culture is rich with spirituality and wonder. Their deep connection to the land is showcased through their rituals, art, dance, music and Dreamtime stories - the time when their ancestral spirits created the land and all life. A trip to Australia wouldn’t be complete without experiencing at least some of the cultural activities of the Indigenous peoples. Sure, Australia has beautiful beaches, the Great Barrier Reef, the Whitsunday Islands, and so on – but there’s a lot more to offer when you get a more cultural and historical perspective.
Recently we found out about Duane and Kim, an Australian couple planning a trip around the world. As we are huge fans of long term travel and extended career breaks, we naturally wanted to learn more about this intrepid couple and their exciting trip. After all, they have no set date to return home! Their plans will take them from Australia to Southeast Asia, and then into China, over to Europe and then to the U.S. We asked them a number of questions about their trip and their planning process, so read on to find out what they said.