The Best of Australia’s East Coast

Aaron Bradford — Wed, 16 May 2012 06:17:07 +0000

Originally posted on Travel Asia - Travel Europe| Bangkok to Krakow.com

Photo from Flickr by Maedi

The east coast of Australia includes thousands of miles of shoreline. Within a week to ten days, visitors can view the highlights from Melbourne to Cairns.

Melbourne

The trip begins at Melbourne. The city is popular because of its diversity and dining, its unconventional art shows, shopping and shows.

Phillip Island

Phillips Island is 140 km east from Melbourne. The island is 9 km by 24 km and accessible by car. Signs indicate the site off the Monash Freeway, and drivers can reach the island by a bridge. The island is a fantastic place to observe the penguins, pelicans and koalas. The penguins are in their natural environment at the Phillip Island Nature Park. Visitors can view the penguins from the boardwalk, viewing platform or tour. The Koalas are on view at the Koala Conservation Centre near Cowres. The pelicans are seen at the San Remo Fishing Port.

Sydney

Sydney will take several days to visit. It is known for its harbour. Essential to the tour of Sydney a cruise of Sydney Harbour to determine how the geography of the Harbour has created the city’s character. Other spots to visit in the city are the night view of the spotlight on Harbour Bridge, the Sydney Opera House and Bondi Beach.

Byron Bay

Byron Bay is a favourite getaway site close to Sydney. It is a celebration of beaches, bars, restaurants, shops, spa and massage. Visitors to the beach can walk around the lighthouse and take in the boutiques. The Julian Rocks Marine Reserve displays marine life and permits snorkelling among the turtles. Visit the Hinterland to see the Crystal Castle.

Brisbane

Brisbane is Queensland’s hectic capital. Visitors can cruise on the river or take a ferry to Moreton Island where they can feed a wild dolphin by hand.

Noosa

Noosa is a town in Queensland about 125 km from Brisbane. It is on the sea and is known for its stunning beaches, national park, treks in the forest, restaurants, shopping and nightlife. It is off the beaten track so gets travellers can relax. The town is popular with backpackers but, with its protected beaches, would be a suitable site for families.

Fraser Island

Fraser Island is one of Australia’s National Parks. It is unusual because it consists totally of sand. It is 123 km in length and 22 km in width. It has lengthy sand beaches and rain forests where the trees grow to immense heights out of the sand. It takes a 4WD to drive on the beaches and through the rainforests. Camping is permitted on areas of the beaches.

Cairns

Cairns is in the north of Queensland. The tours take in the rainforest inland and the tropical beaches. Many QLD holiday packages will include Cairns as the hub for discovering the Great Barrier Reef with is diving, snorkelling or viewing the water from a glass-bottom boat.

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Photo from Flickr by MikeBehnken

No trip to Thailand would be complete without making at least a whistle-stop visit to Bangkok. Having booked the flight, organised your worldwide travel insurance and arranged accommodation, it’s time to plan your day in Bangkok.

Temples and Palaces

Famed for the impressive architecture, graceful spires and priceless treasures within them, the temples and palaces of Bangkok should be on every day-trip list. Wat Arun (the Temple of Dawn), with its decorated 70-metre spire is one of the city’s most famous landmarks. The central Buddha image was cast in the reign of King Rama II and sits over the spot where his ashes are buried.

The Grand Palace is where you’ll also find Wat Phra Kaew, with its famous Emerald Buddha. Being a sacred site, visitors must follow a strict dress code of long sleeves and no bare shoulders or feet.

Markets

Lively, chaotic and colourful, Bangkok’s markets are in complete contrast to the often reverent atmosphere of the temples. In the Chinatown market you’ll find local delicacies cooked on the spot. Experiment with dishes such as bird’s nest or shark fin soup while browsing the wares of hundreds of stalls and small shops.

For a different market experience, a visit to the floating markets of Bangkok is a must. Small boats throng the canals clamouring for attention. Some are floating kitchens selling food cooked on the boat, while other have local goods and produce for sale. The most famous and popular among tourists is the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Noisy and chaotic, it’s an experience not to be missed.

Evening Relaxation

After a hectic day shopping and sightseeing, it’s good to relax and wind down with a meal. One of the best ways of seeing the city by night is to take a dinner cruise along the Chao Praya River, taking in such sights as the lit temples and soaring modern skyscrapers as you enjoy the luxury on board.

An alternative way to view the city by night is to have your evening meal in one of the many stylish rooftop restaurants in Bangkok. Choose carefully and you’ll get the perfect bird’s-eye view across the vast city in an awe-inspiring panorama. Book your table for late afternoon and enjoy cocktails as you watch the sun setting over the Chao Praya River.

A day in Bangkok isn’t much time to spend when there’s so much to see and do, but it’s enough to give you a rich taste of Thai city life.

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photo from Flickr by: whistler1984

If you love traveling and exercise then a travel exercise mat is the first thing you should pack. Forget packing your spare underpants, electric shaver or portable cooker, an exercise mat is the perfect travel companion. I have traveled the world and one of the first things I love is unfolding my backpack and getting out my foam exercise mat. A foam exercise mat will provide you with a soft and comfy area to exercise on no matter where you are in the world. I recommend that you go online and order packaging foam in bulk and then cut out a 6ft. by 3 ft. piece of fabric. The Internet is a great place to shop and also a lot cheaper than buying from a High Street store.

Types of Foam Exercise Mats

There are many types of foam exercise mats to contemplate buying. Each one can be used for various unique routines and exercises.

Heavy Foam Exercise Mats: These soft and durable mats are perfect for people who sweat a lot when exercising as the fabric absorbs any liquid. Similar to acoustic foam these types of mats make the ultimate travelling companion.

Pilate Mats: These Pilates mats are slimmer and lengthier, but their sleekness makes them perfect when travelling as they take up hardly any space in your suitcase.

Endurance Mats: Slightly heavier than your usual travel mats, these are easily folded up and can withstand the roughest of textures. I recently used one on a rocks face and the fabric lasted the whole holiday.

Two in One Exercise Mat: If you fancy yourself as the ultimate hard core traveller – think Bear Grylls meets Ray Meers – then this is the exercise mat for you. Not only can these be used to perform exercise routines on, they can also be used as a makeshift sleeping bag.

Exercise Mats Don’t Have to Cost the Earth

If you are thinking of looking at buying a travel exercise sleeping bag and do not want to pay a small fortune, then I recommend that you shop online and buy your materials in bulk.

Size: Your Exercise mat needs to fit you
· Luxury: Obtain fabric that is soft as your body will be in constant contact with it.
· Material: Make sure your material is durable and comfortable – foam is ideal.
· Grip: If you do a lot of balancing stretches or exercises where you rely on the grip of your exercise mat then you need to choose a material that provides the perfect texture .

Did you enjoy these tips? Do you recommend any travelling mats a camper should go for?

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China has in of the oldest histories in the world, not to mention one of the most famous dynasty’s- the Ming dynasty, which has seen countless antique-hunters turning up Ming vases and plates on Bargain Hunt for years.

photo from Flickr by: robennals

China is home to one of the greatest wonders the world has ever seen, the Great Wall of China. The wall is made up of several different parts, each one built by rulers to protect their province in the North from Mongol and Nomadic raiding tribes in the

photo from Flickr by: top drawer

South. Different rulers built each part of the wall at different times, but perhaps the most famous of these sections is the wall that was built by the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, between 220-206BC.

Although nothing much remains of this part of the wall there’s plenty of the remaining walls, most built during the infamous Ming dynasty, to marvel at; archaeologists have found that there is 8,852km of wall-plenty for everyone.
The wall stretches from Shanhaiguan in the East to Lop Lake in the West, following a route that runs closely along the southern edge of Inner Mongolia.

phto from Flickr by: sofocles

The area with the highest tourist footfall is the part of the wall that runs through the Beijing municipality, known as the Badaling or Juyongguan pass. It is nearly eight meters high and five meters wide and has been one of the key areas of the wall, having many guards throughout history that have been charged to man the wall and protect the capital.

Before venturing to China, it’s worth noting that the Chinese alphabet is one of the more difficult languages for tourists to get their heads around. Luckily there are many Chinese translation services on offer, including tours on the great wall that are run in different languages for a modest fee.

photo from Flickr by: GlassMagic

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photo from Flickr by: Andrew Morrell Photography

Having just returned from a trip to Hong Kong with our 3 month old, I feel like a seasoned veteran in the art of flying with a baby already. There is so much conflicting advice on the web and a huge amount to think about before and during the flight. Now that we’re back in the UK, here’s 10 pointers we picked up along the way:

1) If you think you need 90 minutes at the airport before the flight, think again. Take whatever worse case scenario number you have in your head and add 30%. There will always be unexpected events (nappy changes, feedings, tantrums) when you’re flying with a little one. Heathrow & Gatwick airport are particularly busy (remind me never to look at Jobs at Gatwick Airport) and you will definitely need the extra time here.

2) Always make sure you book a bulkhead seat. Most airlines won’t allow you to do this online so you can either make your booking online and call the customer support line to request a bulkhead or just call and make the entire booking over the phone.

3) Call the airline ahead of time to reserve a “skycot”. These nifty little baby cots are a god send and will allow you to sleep as well as baby.

4) If it’s logistically possible, bottle feed baby during take off and landing. As we’ve all experienced, pressure in the ear can be extremely painful and this is magnified by about 10 for the baby!

5) If your baby is anything like our 3 month-old, they’ll get bored quickly so have a steady supply of toys ready to distract them. Resist the temptation to bring more than a handful though as you have to carry them around with you and they’re just one more thing to keep track of.

6) Don’t worry about other people on the flight. Babies cry and other passenger need to deal with that fact! This can be a massive stress point for parents, so don’t worry!

7) Always ask the cabin crew for help. These folks have seen it all before and (in general) are always willing to help out (whether it’s warming up a bottle or taking baby for 20 minutes). Seriously, they love it! I was really impressed with the team on our flight and it made me think a bit about getting an airline or travel agent job!

8) Try your best to relax and enjoy the flight. It will seem hard at first (particularly in the first hour of the flight) but after that, giver yourself and your partner an opportunity to relax and chill out. It’s your holiday after all!

This is a guest post from Andrew Hunter, Community Manager at Adzuna.co.uk

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Photo by Flickr by southernfaux

The ‘grey nomad’ troupe is known for their well-worn path around and through Australia’s outback roads, pristine coastline and caravan parks. Throw in the occasional ‘Wicked Van’ backpackers and the odd family 4WD holidaymakers and you’ve got most of those out exploring the open roads covered.

But this is the kind of experience that shouldn’t be left until ‘later in life’. As young guns, we’re quick to shoot off, up to South East Asia, across to South America and off to bask in a European summer. But let’s consider what lies right here in the back yard. Once you get a taste of the red sand, empty beaches, limitless roads, big skies and pristine bush land and forest you’ll be saving up for a vehicle, not a round the world ticket. Yes, cheap international flights are tempting but flights and road travel around your own country can be even more so.

One of the beauties of a road trip is that you can pull out of any driveway and start your trip, and a great place to start on an ‘almost’ countrywide route is Melbourne… The logic? Start your exploration of Australia’s natural assets with a farewell in its most cultural city. If you’re going to pick up a new vehicle for the trip, you might as well do it there. Plus with forward planning, flights to Melbourne are always reasonable!

So, Melbourne – Adelaide, Adelaide – Alice Springs, Alice Springs – Darwin, Darwin – Broome, Broome – Perth… THEN sell the car and get cheap flights back to Sydney or Brisbane and start the trip up the east coast taking in all of NSW and heading into the land of sunshine. Divert inland to see the amazing diversity of this state with the outback’s red sand and the lush tropics of the north.

That rough outline is enough to keep anyone busy for months. Everyone’s ideas of ‘highlights’ – whether it’s a quiet night sky or good swimming hole – will be different, but in terms of ‘sights’ on the Melbourne to Perth route, you can’t miss these:

The Twelve Apostles, VIC: See the majestic structures battling the elements in the angry southern seas. If you’re lucky you’ll catch a beautiful sunrise or sunset.

Barossa Valley, SA: It’s not far from Adelaide but with the wide red sand stretch from Adelaide to Alice Springs take a pit stop in Australia’s most famous wine region. Be sure to choose a designated driver while the rest of you enjoy some wine tasting!

Uluru, NT: How could this not make the list? It’s almost a given that a trip to the world’s largest monolith and sacred indigenous site is a must.

The Kimberley, WA: It’s a broad ‘to do’ item but take the time to explore the gorges, plains, valleys, and dramatic scenery of the Kimberley. This is without a doubt one of the most beautiful and untouched parts of Australia.

Cape Leveque, WA: 200 kilometres north of Broome on a narrow peninsula is the breathtaking Cape Leveque. Book into on one of the ‘tag along tours’ offered by local indigenous elders and learn about the area’s dreamtime stories, throw a line in or go mud crabbing.

Then there are the many National Parks, scattered across this country, waiting for intrepid ‘explorers’ like you to pass through. NSW and Queensland included! Hit those roads.

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photo from Flickr by: Rafa http://www.micamara.es

Whether you call it Majorca or Mallorca, there are two sides to this picturesque Balearic Island. Often the Island is tainted with conceptions as a place for loud Brits and other northern Europeans to enjoy a package holiday. While this can be the ideal for many people, Majorca holidays can be the complete reverse. When Majorca is explored fully and travellers look to miss the large touristy resorts, a magical Island steeped in history awaits. With small flight times from the UK, Majorca can work as a great location for a starter traveller trip to Europe. Whether it be a base to start you’re exploring, or as a setting to move on to the rest of Europe and Africa, your time in Majorca will guarantee a taste of Spanish culture in a beautiful setting.

Mallorca, as residents of Island refer to it, is a location that offers traditional Spain and a bit more. The north of the Island is less populated than the south, Pollensa is the ideal base to explore this region and its renowned mountain regions. Pollensa Holidays offer close proximity to the Tramuntana mountain range. The range is 90 km in length and covers almost a third of the Island and its highest point Puig Major reaches a mighty 1445 metres. It has recently been awarded World Heritage status, displaying its high cultural and physical significance to Majorca.

One way of enjoying the Tramuntana mountain range is to explore its lower regions by scooter, or for the fitter type try a push bike. Many professional cycle teams use this region as a setting for practice. This personal and unique experience is unforgettable as you meander through the region’s rocky and colourful landscape, large sections of pine forest and the varied wildlife are particular highlights. To end the trip you should aim to end up at the Cap de Formentor. This spectacular peninsula is a 20km drive or ride from Pollensa and offers stunning views from a 400 metre high viewpoint, below awaits sandy beaches and the world famous Hotel Formentor for a point of relaxation and further wonder.

Another point of exploration in Pollensa is the town’s fishing harbour. The laid back atmosphere of the port gives you an authentic taste of Majorca. The horseshoe bay offers a location to take in the regions atmosphere and explore the stylish local restaurants and bars that surround the bay. As the sun sets sit and enjoy some local cuisine, recommended is the Tango restaurant which offers Spanish cuisine in a rural garden setting.

Pollensa holidays in Majorca can be experienced by all people, and exploring the Island fully gives you a unique perception of this Mediterranean gem. The islands versatility and mix of culture is what makes the Island so appealing, exploring it can define whether it is Majorca or Mallorca for you.

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France vacations are nothing without a visit to the Eiffel Tower, but while you’re in Paris, there’s more to see than just the one building you can see from virtually anywhere. The City of Light’s most recognizable structure was built nearly 130 years ago, yet Parisian architecture was making breakthroughs centuries beforehand and has continued to change the way the world looks at architecture in the century since. Definitely take the time to peruse Paris’ endless amount of original architecture if you find yourself visiting. The following are five locations you should seriously consider:

Notre Dame Cathedral

photo from Flickr by: alixwilliams

Construction began on Notre Dame Cathedral in the year 1163 and didn’t finish until 1343. The awe-inspiring enormity of the building is sure to leave everyone who walks by it and walks through it utterly breathless. The cathedral is the definitive example of European Gothic architecture and a testament to engineering in an age without construction cranes, when multiple generations had to devote their lives to a task they’d likely never live to see finished.

Arc de Triomphe

photo from Flickr by: OliverN5

Commissioned by the Emperor Napoleon to commemorate his conquering of the majority of mainland Europe, the Arc de Triomphe is an epic monument that dwarfs the bug-like cars that buzz around beneath it. The structure is an easy landmark to find and there’s nothing to pay or any lines to wait in to see it. It sits at the cortex of the Axe Historique, or the Historic Axis, that unites virtually every famous landmark in the heart of Paris. Word of advice: don’t try darting across the sprawling intersections that wrap around the monument; there’s an underground walkway beneath the road that takes you right to it.

The Louvre Palace

photo from Flickr by: fachxx00

If you’re loitering around the Champs-Élysées, you have no choice but to visit the Louvre Place home of the Louvre Museum. Even if you aren’t an art fan or just don’t want to wait in the never-not-enormous line to get in, the building itself is an amazing work of art in and of itself. Simply walking around it is enough to leave you inspired by its 17th-century arched-supported pavilions.

Stade Roland Garros

Unless you utterly despise the game of tennis, there’s no reason not to stop by the Roland Garros complex where the French Open is held every year. Two years ago, there was approval to expand Stade Roland Garros which famed French architect Marc Mimram was commissioned to design. Each court is its own exquisite take on the flowing-fabric arena roofing that has come to dominate stadium construction in the last 20 years. It’s an entertaining half-hour walk around the complex and tours are offered daily.

Centre Georges Pompidou

photo from Flickr by: Panoramas

The Pompidou Centre is where the Paris Museum of Modern Art is held, and the structure itself is if anything the proverbial take on designing a building to reflect what’s inside. The signature style of the Pompidou Centre is that air vents, gas lines, water pipes, and every other utility that traditionally lies hidden behind walls is placed on the outside of the building. What results is a cyber-punk structure straight out of science fiction. When the design was unveiled in the late 70s it ignited its fair share of controversy. In Paris, no worthwhile piece of architecture is ever made without first being hailed as the worst sight to ever be placed upon the Parisian landscape.

When at the top of the Eiffel Tower and you see the whole wide city of Paris beneath you, think of all the beautiful buildings that at that point look like blips. When you’re back on ground level, don’t shrug off the temptation to look further to find more amazing feats of French architecture. You won’t have to look very far.

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Photo from Flickr by: darrenriley

Many famous people have been born in Lancashire, England and have begun their careers there. They include artists, musicians, actors, and more. The artists, such as Alison Wilding, have works that have been viewed by people all over England and around the world. Actor Ian McShane has been in many films, including “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” and “Kung Fu Panda”.

Alison Wilding was born in Blackburn, Lancashire in 1948. She was trained at Royal College of Art and has been nominated for a Turner Prize for her artistic endeavours. Her work as a sculptor has been exhibited all around England and many people have stayed in hotels in Manchester while they were in town to view her amazing sculpture exhibits.

Zoe Ball is a famous actress who was born in Blackpool, Lancashire in November 1970. She is a television and radio personality that has followed in the footsteps of her famous father, Johnny Ball. Zoe Ball was the first female to host the BBC Radio 1 breakfast show, which many people listen to when they are staying at hotels in Blackpool. She has also hosted other programs including several popular children’s programs.

Actor Ian McShane is best known for his role as Blackbeard, starring opposite Johnny Depp and Penalope Cruz in “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides”. He was born in Blackburn, Lancashire in 1942 and has voiced several popular animated characters such as Captain Hook on “Shrek the Third” and Tai Lung on “Kung Fu Panda”.

Tannia Mallet is a model and actress that was born in Blackpool, Lancashire in May 1941. It is a beautiful resort town by the sea and there are many spectacular hotels in Blackpool that travellers can stay in to experience the beauty that Tannia Mallet was born surrounded by. She is known for her role as Tilly Masterson in the famous James Bond film “Goldfinger”, but began her modelling career at the age of sixteen and was one of the most well-known models in England in the 1960s.

Liam and Noel Gallagher from the popular band 1990s British band “Oasis” were born in Manchester England. They are famous brothers that can be spotted all around town, even at some of the prestigious hotels in Manchester. Oasis disbanded in August 2009 when Noel Gallagher abruptly left the band, but the rest of the band members are still making music under the name “Beady Eye.”

Many other famous people have been born in Lancashire, England and the area is rich in natural beauty and culture. The area is known for its musical tradition, but there are famous people of many different types that were born and began their careers in Lancashire.

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Photo from Flickr by: Jesus Vivas

Benidorm is without a doubt the most popular holiday destination on the Costa Blanca, and that this fact has structural consequences, is clear. The old centre of the former fishing village is still intact in all its beauty; however, it had to give space to the dominant superiority of hotels, resort and apartment complexes. Benidorm has long being one of Spain’s more popular destinations with tourists, though as we all know it has quite a few. Now the resort has a TV attributed to its fame, this is one of the main reasons why cheap holidays in Benidorm remain a popular choice amongst sun seekers over summer no matter where they are considering spending their time away.

Benidorm is after Manhattan the city with the most skyscrapers per square meter. More than 85 million tourists have visited this gorgeous metropolis since the sixties. An extremely active vibe is reported from the plazas and avenues, which surround the exciting skylines. Although the statistics read a population of 68,000, the actual number of inhabitants is in the stars.   The accommodation offers leave nothing left to be desired and are designed for the comfort of travellers. It is, therefore, worthwhile to select more carefully, as each lodging provides a unique ambience, dozens of amenities and recreational activities. Despite all the construction mania, Benidorm holds plenty of outstanding highlights for visitors.

It is home to two large, breathtaking beaches and several smaller ocean shores in the vicinity. Here, travellers can unwind, rejoice in the stunning panorama or take some long strolls along the coastline. The waterfronts are the ideal place for water sport enthusiasts because swimming, sailing, snorkelling, surfing and water-skiing are only a few activities both locals and tourists enjoy together.   Benidorm, furthermore, has two entertaining amusement parks, an agricultural and a wax museum as well as an excellent infrastructure. Adventurers encounter an oasis in Benidorm, as they can have fun at the theme park Terra Mitica, which provides spectacular excitement.   

Shoppers will not feel bored either, for they can spend plenty of hours bargain hunting in the abundance of shopping centres and boutiques of the city. Animal lovers should stop by the marine zoo Mundomar, and adventurers will have a blast of a time trying the water attractions in Aqualandia and the Terra Natura theme park.   Since Benidorm is famous for various festivals and processions that take place annually, travellers should inquire locally whether one of them is coming up soon, or not. The metropolis provides supreme gastronomical delights in one of its first-class restaurants. Mouth-watering paellas, exotic dishes and unique desserts are awaiting the hungry traveller.   Benidorm holidays, moreover, have a veritable and vibrant nightlife, where people get together in a bar or dance-club. The Spaniards are extremely night-active individuals; therefore, tourists do not have a problem to have a fun evening out in town. Benidorm is a charming metropolis that is full of life and flair; it beckons visitors since the last fifty decades.

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Bangkok to Krakow » travel

The Best of Australia’s East Coast

Melbourne

Phillip Island

Sydney

Byron Bay

Brisbane

Noosa

Fraser Island

Cairns

Temples and Palaces

Markets

Evening Relaxation

Types of Foam Exercise Mats

Exercise Mats Don’t Have to Cost the Earth

Notre Dame Cathedral

Arc de Triomphe

The Louvre Palace

Stade Roland Garros

Centre Georges Pompidou