Australia’s main tourist attractions are Sydney, the Great Barrier Reef, the Gold Coast of Queensland and Uluru (Ayers Rock), in the rugged outback of the Northern Territory. Other attractions in the continent range from the wild flowers of Western Australia to the vineyards of the Barossa Valley, and from Western Australia’s ghost towns to the remarkable wildlife on the island of Tasmania. It is possible to visit the relatively undisturbed Aboriginal communities on Bathurst and Melville Islands, about 80km (50 miles) north of Darwin, providing valuable insights into the continent’s
ancient indigenous culture. The Australian coastline has thousands of miles of beautiful beaches. Information on resorts, excursions, places of interest, sports and activities within Australia is given under each individual State section.
Norfolk Island
Situated 1700km (1056 miles) off the east coast of Australia, Norfolk Island is not part of any State but is instead administered by the Australian government. The island is best reached by air from Sydney. Its history as one of the world’s harshest penal colonies has left the island with some of Australia’s finest Georgian colonial architecture. Many of the island’s small population are directly related to the mutineers of HMS Bounty who settled in the area. A variety of accommodation is available. There is excellent buswalking and the island boasts 40 different plants and animals that are unique to the island.
Australian Capital Territory
Canberra
Canberra is an elegant city of wide streets, gardens and parkland. The Old Parliament House is impressive and complemented by its replacement, a grand modern edifice completed in 1988, Australia’s bicentennial year. There are guided tours around Old Parliament House (home to the National Portrait Gallery) and the new Parliament House, where visitors can view both the Senate and House of Representatives. Parliament House also offers free guided tours daily where visitors can learn about the role and function of the Federal Parliament. The Australian War Memorial is deservedly one of the city’s most popular attractions, and is the scene of the annual ANZAC Parade; it contains archives, galleries displaying relics, photographs and art. Lake Burley Griffin, a vast manmade waterway named after Canberra’s architect, features prominently throughout the city area. Cruises and boating are popular. Blundell’s Cottage (built 1858-60), which predates the lake, is a stone-slab construction calling to mind the location’s earlier incarnation as a sheep station. The new, architecturally radical National Museum of Australia (located on the shores of the lake) displays a vast range of exhibits, chronicling Australian life from the first indigenous peoples through to modern times. It is a further cultural addition to the present National Gallery of Australia, National Library of Australia and National Science and Technology Center (Questacon). The Australian Institute of Sport offers guided tours by elite athletes and the interactive Sportex Center with facilities for virtual rowing and virtual golfing. Some of Australia’s deadliest and most colorful reptiles can be seen at Canberra’s Australian Reptile Center. The center is open daily and, apart from the permanent displays, features special exhibitions. The National Archives of Australia hold archive material and Commonwealth records from Federation Day to the present. The Archives also feature special exhibitions and are open daily.
Beyond Canberra
There are several hills in the immediate area of Canberra; from the 195m (650ft) Telstra Tower, topping the 825m high (2750ft) Black Mountain, there is an excellent view of the area for those who do not get dizzy in revolving restaurants (meal optional). Hot-air ballooning trips provide other ways of taking in the view. Glenloch Sheep Station, located in Belconnen on the outskirts of Canberra, is a popular tourist attraction. Activities include sheep shearing, boomerang throwing and sheep-dog demonstrations, rounded off with a traditional Australian barbecue lunch. The Canberra Deep Space Communications Complex, 40km (25 miles) southwest of Canberra, contains a collection of space models and memorabilia (including a sizeable piece of the moon) and interactive exhibits covering 40 years of space exploration. The Snowy Mountains are to the south of Canberra, in New South Wales, and provide excellent opportunities for winter skiing and summertime pursuits such as bushwalking, horseriding and watersports. Organized trips from Canberra are available; for details, contact the Canberra Tourism & Events Corporation.
National Parks & Nature Reserves
Approximately half of Australian Capital Territory consists of nature reserves and national parks. Just 40km (25 miles) southwest of the capital, the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve in Tharwa, near the Canberra Deep Space Communications Complex, features a wealth of Australian fauna and wildlife in a natural bush setting. The park is open daily and a number of bushwalking trails are provided where visitors can observe kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, platypus, bush birds and water birds in their natural habitat; visitors are able to watch native birds being fed. Further south is the Namadgi National Park, which is part of the Snowy Mountains and offers spectacular views and walking tracks. The park contains a number of prehistoric sites with Aboriginal rock paintings as well as a variety of rare sub-alpine species of flora and fauna. The Jerrabomberra Wetlands, a well-known bird and wildlife sanctuary, are situated on the edge of Lake Burley Griffin. During drought in inland Australia, the wetlands, one of the most important bird habitats in the region, become a refuge for large numbers of water birds from surrounding areas. The Murrumbidgee River flows from the mountains in the south through the ACT; the Murrumbidgee River Corridor is a designated park area, popular for picnicking, walking and horseriding
New South Wales
New South Wales is perhaps the most varied of all the States. The landscape ranges from snow-capped mountains with excellent skiing facilities to long, golden sandy beaches, and from the utter emptiness of the Outback to the cosmopolitan vitality of the State capital, Sydney.
Sydney
The State capital is perhaps best known abroad for the Sydney Opera House on Bennelong Point, a building whose distinctive shape is echoed by the sails of the boats in the almost equally famous Sydney Harbour. Tours of the Opera House are available daily (0830-1700), except Christmas Day and Good Friday. The Opera House hosts many of Australia’s opera, ballet and theater companies and symphony orchestras. Sydney is also a major commercial and business center with first-class conference and exhibition facilities. The city-center skyline rivals that of Manhattan, with the added attraction that Sydney is far more likely to be seen under a clear blue sky. There is a spectacular view of the city and its surroundings from the 305m-high (1000ft) Sydney Tower above the Centerpoint Shopping Complex (daily 0900-2145). The city has a great number of concert halls, museums, art galleries and theaters. Among the many other interesting sights Sydney has to offer are the Harbour Bridge (the third-longest single span bridge in the world), Taronga Zoo, the Royal Botanic Gardens, the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the Australian Museum. The Rocks area (the site of Australia’s first European settlement) has been largely restored to its original state and features cobbled streets, gas lamps, craft shops and small restaurants. This district of the city also contains one of Sydney’s oldest buildings, Cadman’s Cottage (1816), as well as the ’Lord Nelson’ and the ’Hero of Waterloo’, the city’s oldest pubs. Tours around Olympic Park – venue of the 2000 Olympic Games – have become a popular visitor attraction, and include a visit to the Olympic Village.
Apart from exploring various quarters such as Chinatown, Paddington and Kings Cross on foot, there is Darling Harbour, one of Sydney’s newest precincts, which is a five-minute monorail ride from the city center. This bustling area contains numerous attractions including the Harbourside Shopping Center, Gavala Aboriginal and Cultural Education Center, Panasonic IMAX Theater, the Chinese Garden, the Powerhouse Museum (design and science), the National Maritime Museum, Cockle Bay Wharf and the Sydney Aquarium. The city can also be enjoyed from the water, with harbor cruises departing from Circular Quay.
Other ways of seeing the city are from the bright red Sydney Explorer Bus which stops at 26 popular tourist spots on its 36km (22-mile) loop around the city, from the monorail train, or from a scenic flight aboard a seaplane or helicopter. The city has many beautiful green spaces including Hyde Park, The Domain and Centennial Park as well as the stunning Botanic Gardens with views of the Bridge, Opera House and Harbour. Sydney is also justly famous for its many excellent beaches in and around the city, such as Manly, on the north shore (15 minutes by JetCat), or Bondi, Watson’s Bay, Bronte, Clovelly or Coogee to the south. Most beaches are within reach of public transport. For reasons of safety, people should swim in the areas marked with flags only. Botany Bay, the first foothold of British settlers, is still a botanist’s delight with mangrove swamps and native wildlife as well as museums and picturesque walks.
Beyond Sydney
New South Wales caters for all kinds of holiday, whatever the time of year. Visits to the Hunter Valley wine district and the Blue Mountains (a World Heritage Listed National Park), to the west of Sydney, are highly recommended. Home to famous wine makers such as Wyndham Estate, Rosemount and McGuigans, the Hunter Valley has over 80 wineries and many restaurants. Nearby Port Stephens is a great spot for watersports and dolphin and whale watching. Lightning Ridge, to the northwest, is a frontier town where the world’s only source of black opal is to be found. The region of the Snowy Mountains in the southeast of the State, including Mount Kosciuszko, Australia’s highest peak, is popular during the skiing season (June-October) as well as in summer for bushwalking. Resorts in the Snowy Mountain region include Thredbo and Perisher Blue, the latter incorporating Guthega, Perisher Valley, Blue Cow and Smiggins.
Uncommercialized and unpretentious, Broken Hill and the surrounding national parks of the New South Wales outback offer a taste of the original Australian wilderness. Featuring ancient landscapes, aboriginal culture and unusual flora and fauna, they are among the hightlights of the region. The Menindee Lakes, 113km (70 miles) from the town by a good road, cover an area of water eight times the size of Sydney Harbour with an abundance of birdlife and provide a major attraction for motor boat and sailing craft owners.
Lord Howe Island Group
This island group is situated 700km (400 miles) northeast of Sydney, covering 146,300 hectares (361,520 acres) and comprising Lord Howe Island, the Admiralty Islands, the Mutton Bird Islands and Ball’s Pyramid. Lord Howe Island consists of rich lowland and mountains covered with lush vegetation, surrounded by white sandy beaches. Mount Gower and Mount Lidgbird (875m/2695ft and 777m/2394ft respectively) are both of volcanic origin and provide a stark contrast to the low-lying areas along the coast. Lord Howe Island has the southernmost coral reef in the world and boasts some of the rarest flora, bird and marine life. Owing to a strict conservation policy, the number of visitors on the island at any one time is limited to 393 and the number of cars is also restricted. The bicycle is the main mode of transport.
Willandra Lakes Region
This region covers 370,000 hectares (913,000 acres) of semi-arid country in the southwest center of New South Wales and is renowned as one of the world’s earliest known cremation sites; the archaeological discovery of skeletal remains and stone tools indicated that homo sapiens inhabited the area 40,000 years ago. The region also contains a system of Pleistocene lakes formed over the last two million years, most of which are fringed on the eastern shore by dunes. The area incorporates the Mungo National Park, which is open to visitors daily. The park offers good opportunities for walks along the famous Walls of China, orange-and-white dunes, as well as many native species of birds and animals.
Greater Metropolitan Area
Sydney Harbour National Park features forts, secluded beaches and spectacular views. Guided tours to historic buildings are available; the most popular trails for walkers are the 5Bluff’ track to Watson’s Bay, the ‘Hermitage Foreshore’ track to Vaucluse and the ‘Manly’ scenic walkway; the ‘Fairfax’ walk on North Head is suitable for wheelchair access. The Royal National Park is the oldest park in Australia and the second oldest in the world. Wattamolla and Garie are popular swimming spots while Garie, Era and Burning Palms are best for surfing. The park offers a variety of walking tracks along its 30km (19-mile) procession of headlands, cliffs, forests and beaches. Camping is possible at Bonnie Vale; for bush camping, a permit is required. Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park (40 minutes north of Sydney) is noted for its Aboriginal rock carvings (which can be seen on the ‘Aboriginal Heritage Walk’) and extensive walking tracks (one of which, the ‘Discovery’ track, has wheelchair access); beautiful water views and good sailing facilities are available at West Head and picnic areas can be found throughout the park. The park also includes a koala sanctuary. The Blue Mountains National Park (a World Heritage listed park), just 90 minutes drive west of Sydney, offers waterfalls and panoramic views featuring landmarks such as the ’Three Sisters’. There are numerous bushwalks on offer; the ’Fairfax Heritage Walk’ at Blackheath is a wheelchair-friendly track to Govetts Leap lookout.
Northeast
The Myall Lakes National Park near Port Stephens is the largest coastal lake system in the State and an important habitat for many species of waterbirds. Visitors are offered a range of activities, including a rainforest walk at Mungo Brush, campsites, caravans and cabins along the lake shores and beaches, as well as houseboat accommodation facilities. The mountainous Barrington Tops National Park in the Hunter wine-making region is crossed by six rivers and is known for its dramatic altitude variations, allowing visitors to experience snow-capped mountains and subtropical rainforests in a day’s walk. The best views and walking trails are at Gloucester Tops, Carey’s Peak and Williams River. The ‘Riverside’ walk is suitable for wheelchairs. Mount Warning National Park, 12km (7 miles) from Murwillumbah, offers a fantastic trek through rainforest communities, culminating in a challenging rock scramble, to reach the 1100m (3608ft) summit of the ancient volcano. Views from the top take in the expanse of the bowl-shaped Tweed Valley. Dorrigo National Park and Border Ranges National Park, both in tropical New South Wales, contain large stretches of rainforest, with walking tracks, educational tours, picnicking and camping all available; at Border Ranges, the rainforest grows on the rim of an extinct volcano.
Central
Rock climbing and mountain walks attract visitors to Warrumbungle National Park, near Coonabarabran, whose ‘Grand High Tops’ track through the remnants of ancient volcanoes ranks high among Australia’s many spectacular walks. The park is noted for its bizarre rock outcrops.
Outback
The Mutawintji National Park, situated 130km (82 miles) northeast of the old mining town of Broken Hill, offers the classic Outback experience. Homestead Creek is the main camping base (booking required) in this park on the back of an ancient mountain range, with spectacular gorges and a variety of native animals. Tours to the Mutawintji Historic Site, which contains an important collection of Aboriginal art engraved on a hillside, are also available. The nearby Kinchega National Park is similarly rich in Aboriginal sites and contains large areas of forest backwaters and lakes; camping and accommodation in former sheep shearers’ quarters are possible (booking required).
Southeast
South of Sydney by 450km (281 miles), the Kosciuszko National Park and Snowy Mountains National Park feature some of Australia’s highest mountains, including Mount Kosciuszko (the highest) as well as the great Snowy, Murray and Murrumbidgee rivers. Wintersports are popular from June to September while, in the summer, nature enthusiasts can enjoy rare alpine flora. The main attractions of Morton National Park are its waterfalls – one at Fitzroy Falls, the other at Bundanoon. Camping is possible (booking required).
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory is a huge and diverse region. The north, the ‘Top End’ of Australia, is subtropical, with such high rainfall in the rainy season that much of it is accessible only by air. The south of the Territory is an arid desert, known as the ‘Red Center’.
Darwin and the Top End
The territorial capital, Darwin, which was savaged by Cyclone Tracy on Christmas Eve 1974, has been rebuilt and has grown over the years to become a modern, multicultural, provincial city. Darwin and the rest of the Top End have two distinct seasons. In the tropical summer from November to April, monsoon conditions mean late afternoon thunderstorms, high humidity and heavy downpours. This is the green season when the waterfalls flow and the wildlife abounds. From May through to October is the ’dry’ season, with unlimited sunshine and balmy evenings. The wetlands begin to dry out, confining the bird and animal life to ever smaller areas. The Top End is the area to see lush tropical vegetation, either in Darwin’s Botanical Gardens, the Crocodylus Park just outside Darwin, or in the Territory’s various national parks (see below). Also south of Darwin are the Howard Springs and Berry Springs nature parks, Territory Wildlife Park and the birds’ haven Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve. There are many good opportunities for fishing near the city, for example at Mindil Beach or Vestey’s Beach. The Tiwi Islands, comprising Bathurst Island and Melville Island, are Aboriginal islands rich in history and culture. The islands are a short flight from Darwin, but they are accessible only by organized one- or two-day tours.
The Red Center
Alice Springs is located in what is almost the geographical center of the continent. A pleasant little town, set in red desert country, it is a popular tourist resort and a base for exploring the wonders of the Outback. There are many excellent hotels and motels, a casino, a variety of restaurants and varied sporting facilities ranging from golf and tennis to hot-air ballooning and tandem parachuting.
The Royal Flying Doctor Base is open daily to the public (excluding public holidays) and the School of the Air is operational during the school term. There are also museums and preserved buildings which help the visitor to appreciate the history of this remote town. Not least among these are the Dreamtime Gallery and the Aboriginal Arts & Culture Center. The Telegraph Station Historical Reserve, 3km (2 miles) north of the town, is an historical reserve featuring original buildings, restored equipment and an illustrated display including early photographs, papers and documents. Anzac Hill War Memorial lies just behind Alice Springs and provides a panoramic view of the town and surrounding ranges.
The region around Alice Springs is pitted with colorful gorges, canyons, valley pools and awe-inspiring chasms. These include Standley Chasm, 57km (35 miles) west of Alice, Glen Helen Gorge, 140km (9 miles) west, Ormiston Gorge, 130km (80 miles) west, Kings Canyon, 330km (205 miles) southwest and N’Dhala Gorge, 96km (59 miles) east, which is also notable for its ancient rock engravings. Palm Valley lies around one-and-a-half hours’ drive to the southwest and Rainbow Valley to the southeast on the edge of the Simpson Desert.
Uluru (Ayers Rock)
Alice Springs is the main base for tours to Uluru – approximately 460km (285 miles) or five hours’ drive away – and the East and Western MacDonnell Ranges. Uluru is the world’s largest monolith and plays an important part in Aboriginal mythology, in which it is believed to have been created by ancestors of the Aborigines. Visitors may still climb the rock, although to do so is considered a gross sacrilege by the indigenous people, or explore some of the fascinating caves at its base. Sunset and sunrise must be seen as the sun’s rays change the rock’s color from blazing orange to red and even deep purple, depending on the atmospheric conditions. 22 km (13 miles) from Uluru (Ayers Rock) is the Ayers Rock Resort (Yulara) – a village built to cater for the growing number of visitors to the area. The resort contains top-class hotels, lodges, self-catering maisonettes, shops, bank, restaurants, post office, caravan park and campsites and caters for all the needs of the traveller. Tours depart throughout the day for the Rock, the nearby Olgas and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, as well as other points of interest.
Uluru (Ayers Rock) has its own airport with daily flights to Alice Springs and direct connections to Sydney and other Australian cities. Car hire is available and all major coach companies service Ayers Rock on a daily basis.
Other points of interest in the Red Center include Aboriginal tours to Pitjantjatjara country, and the Ross River Homestead for horseriding, log cabins and boomerang throwing. Kings Canyon (Watarrka National Park), 4 hours’ drive southwest of Alice Springs, offers spectacular views, while visitors can discover the ‘Lost City’ (a maze of eroded earth domes) and the ‘Garden of Eden’ (a sheltered green waterhole) when walking around the canyon. Hotel accommodation is available at the Kings Canyon Resort. Campsite pitches are available at Kings Creek Station. Tennant Creek offers trail rides, half-day cattle drives and gold mine tours. An hour’s drive from Tennant Creek is the impressive formation of 7m (23ft) boulders called The Devil’s Marbles.
National Parks
Kakadu National Park
This may be found about a three-hour drive to the east of Darwin down the Arnhem Highway. The park includes the flood plains between the Wildman and the Alligator Rivers, which empty into Van Diemen Gulf to the north. It is bordered by the Arnhem Land escarpment, where the spectacular waterfalls of Jim Jim and Twin Falls cascade hundreds of feet into crystal-clear rock pools below. At Ubirr (Obiri Rock) and Nourlangie Rock are fascinating galleries of Aboriginal rock painting, many dating back over 20,000 years. These paintings show mythical and spiritual figures and an ancient lifestyle which still holds great significance for the Aboriginal people today.
Within the park there are several resort-style hotels and a number of camping and caravan sites from which to explore this beautiful area. Numerous creeks, rivers and billabongs provide excellent fishing, particularly for the much prized barramundi, which is found in abundance here. Thousands of birds inhabit the wetlands – over 275 species – and wildlife abounds throughout the year.
Aerial tours over the Arnhem Land escarpment depart daily and local fishing trips can be easily arranged. A popular way to explore the waterways is on a boat cruise on the South Alligator River or scenic Yellow Water, giving access to nature at its best. It is possible to spot crocodiles basking on the riverbanks, and the graceful jabiru (Australia’s only stork) wading amongst the water lilies. Kakadu National Park is the habitat for all wildlife common to Northern Australia and as such provides a diverse and exciting experience in the tropical Top End. Tours and safaris from two to 21 days are available by air, coach or 4-wheel drive from Darwin.
Katherine Gorge/Nitmiluk National Park
The township of Katherine is in the area known as the ‘Never Never’ about 350km (220 miles) southeast of Darwin. This is pioneer territory, made famous by Mrs Aeneas Gunn in her book We of the Never Never. Katherine Gorge, some 30km (20 miles) northeast of the town, is one of Australia’s great natural wonders and the famous boat cruises through the spectacular gorges, towering up to 60m (200ft) high, are a highlight of any visit to the region. There are, in fact, 13 gorges and each has its own glowing colors and fascinating outcrops, steep canyon walls above cool, blue waters. Marked walking tracks are well maintained for easy access to features of interest in the park. Canoeing, swimming and boat tours are all available (May to September) along with scenic helicopter rides over the gorges. There is a good range of accommodation both in the town and Nitmiluk National Parks, and campers and caravanners are also well catered for.
Litchfield National Park
Only one-and-a-half hours’ drive south of Darwin, Litchfield National Park is ideal for day trips or can be included in longer tours of the Top End. Six waterfalls provide the main attraction of the park. Other attractions include rainforest, bush walks, weathered sandstone formations, spring-fed streams, impressive cathedral termite mounds and wildlife, such as birds, possums, wallabies and lizards.
Queensland
Brisbane
Brisbane is the economic hub and State capital of Queensland, with a year-round warm subtropical climate. Australia’s fastest growing city, it is the gateway to many coastal resorts and itself offers many attractions. Probably the most famous of these is the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary,which can be reached via a river cruise. The Botanic Gardens is a splendid shady reserve at the south end of the city center, accessible by a new footbridge. City Hall in King George Square houses an art gallery, museum and clocktower observation deck. Other buildings of note include the State Parliament House with its glittering copper roof, St John’s Cathedral, The Mansions and the Old Windmill, the city’s oldest surviving building and once a treadmill worked by convicts. The Queensland Cultural Center at South Bank contains the Queensland Art Gallery, Queensland Museum and Performing Arts Center. The South Bank Parklands, on the site of the 1988 World Expo, boasts an interesting Maritime Museum and an enormous artificial swimming beach. The Brisbane Powerhouse is a lively alternative arts venue, and the looming art deco Castlemaine Brewery offers enjoyable daily tours with samples of its famous product. Brisbane’s many festivals are another major attraction; see Social Profile section for further information.
Beyond Brisbane
Probably the best beach area in the country, the Gold Coast region 80km (50 miles) south of Brisbane comprises 42km (25 miles) of white surf beaches, theme parks (Sea World, Movie World and Dreamworld), a casino, hotels and restaurants. It has year-round sunshine and lively tourist facilities. The partying never stops at Surfers Paradise, a Miami-style high-rise strip overlooking a crowded beach. Inland are lush green mountains, rainforests, walking trails and scenic villages. Nature lovers will also appreciate the Lamington National Park in the McPherson Mountains, and the Currumbin Bird Sanctuary. An hour’s drive north from Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast offers miles of untouched wilderness, lakes, mountains and unspoilt beaches with surf ranging in condition from mild to wild. Arts and crafts trails, nature walks and awe-inspiring views can be found in the hinterland, where the Glasshouse Mountains can be found.
Cairns is the major gateway to the far north. As well as the Barrier Reef, there are rainforests in the Atherton Tableland to the west, and to the south is Mission Beach with 14km (9 miles) of white sandy beaches, looking out to Dunk Island. To the north, there is the charming old town of Port Douglas attracting many visitors, as well as Daintree, which has services to Cape Tribulation National Park, and Cooktown, close to Endeavour National Park where excellent examples of Aboriginal rock art can be found. Beyond this lies the wilderness of Cape York Peninsula. Townsville is North Queensland’s largest city, boasting an international airport and a casino. Cruises are available to nearby islands, as are trips to the Barrier Reef for diving, walking or whitewater rafting. This pleasant city, its streets lined with palm trees and tropical flora, has a number of interesting attractions on offer, such as ReefHQ, the largest coral aquarium in the world, with a transparent walk-in tunnel, and Magnetic Island, a resort island with superb beaches, diving opportunities, bushwalking tracks and a koala sanctuary, only 8km (5 miles) offshore and a 25-minute ferry ride from the city center.
Great Barrier Reef
This playground and beauty spot is also one of the world’s great natural wonders. It stretches for 2000km (1200 miles) along the Queensland coast, its width varying from 25km (15 miles) to 50km (30 miles). There is unique plant and animal life to be found, with visibility often as deep as 60m (200ft).
Dotted along the coast are 25 island resorts, lying on or between the Barrier Reef and the mainland. Heron and Lady Elliot Islands are coral cays renowned as the best diving spots on the reef. Lizard, Bedarra and Orpheus Islands are quiet, secluded and luxurious hideaways. Hayman Island is an international resort, with 5-star luxury facilities. Long Island, Great Keppel Islands, South Molle, Hamilton and Lindeman Island are all-year-round resorts with facilities for families. Tropical Dunk Island and Brampton Island are popular with honeymooners. Fitzroy and Hinchinbrook Islands offer unspoilt beauty. Camping facilities can be found at Fitzroy, Hook and Keppel Haven on Great Keppel Island.
Outside the main reef areas, the islands of Fraser, Moreton, Bribie, North and South Stradbroke offer some of the best unpopulated surfing beaches and national parks in Australia.
South Australia
Adelaide
Adelaide is home to more than two-thirds of the State’s population. It has a 30km (18.6-mile) stretch of attractive coastline with excellent white sandy beaches. The best view of Adelaide and the surrounding countryside can be had from Mount Lofty, to the east of the city. Adelaide is a spacious city surrounded by parkland, golf courses and the botanical and zoological gardens. The city itself has a European atmosphere, primarily because of the large German and southern European minorities. The streets are filled with cafes (especially lively Rundle Street), European-style churches, art galleries and antique shops. Adelaide also has a vibrant nightlife along Rundle and Gouger Streets. One of the key attractions in the city is the Festival Center complex in the parkland overlooking the Torrens River. It houses an excellent theater company, and boasts a concert hall, two theaters, a restaurant and an amphitheater. Another very popular attraction is the Central Market between Grote and Gouger streets. In March of even-numbered years, the world-renowned Adelaide Bank Festival of Arts is held, featuring everything from jazz to classical theater and ballet, along with a diverse Edinburgh-style Fringe Festival (see Social Profile section). The South Australian Museum has the largest collection of Aboriginal artifacts in the world as well as a huge exhibition of Melanesian art and New Guinean wildlife. There is also a new permanent exhibition on the Antarctic Explorer, Sir Douglas Mawson. The National Wine Center, featuring exhibitions, a tasting gallery and restaurant, opened in 2001 in the Botanic Gardens. Tandanya – National Aboriginal Cultural Institute offers a rounded view of Australia’s indigenous culture. The swimming and skating on Glenelg Beach are popular Adelaide activities.
Beyond Adelaide
55 km (34 miles) from Adelaide is Australia’s wine cellar, the Barossa Valley, originally settled by German refugees in the 1830s and still indelibly marked by their influence. The main townships are Tanunda, Angaston and Nuriootpa, all notable for Lutheran churches and the vineyards where tours and tastings can be arranged. The other major wine regions in South Australia are the Clare Valley, Riverland, McLaren Vale and the Coonawarra wine district in the southeast.
Two routes through Australia’s Red Center begin near Adelaide, one being the Stuart Highway which goes to Darwin. The start of the Great Ocean Road begins at the haunting Coorong Wetlands, south of Adelaide, and goes on to Victoria.
Taking a Murray River steamer will afford the visitor a view of lush pastureland, limestone cliffs and the wine country. The Murray–Darling–Murrumbidgee river network is one of the largest in the world – 2600km (1615 miles) from source to sea – and brings irrigation to a wide area. The vegetation and wildlife evoke images of the Deep South in the USA.
Opposite Adelaide in the St Vincent Gulf lies Australia’s third-largest island, Kangaroo Island. Off-road exploration of this natural wildlife sanctuary rewards the traveller with the chance to see penguins, koalas, wallabies and kangaroos as well as the large sea lion colony at Seal Bay; the rugged coastline is also noted for fine fishing. There is a variety of accomodation available, including a campsite.
Naracoorte Caves Conservation Park near the southeast border with Victoria is notable for its caves containing stalagmites, stalagtites, bats and fossils.
South Australia’s best slice of the outback is to be found in the ancient Aboriginal heritage area of Flinders Ranges, a region of granite peaks and spectacular and colorful gorges, dotted with eucalyptus trees. In the center of the Flinders area is the popular resort area of Wilpena Pound, a natural ampitheater 16km (10 miles) long and 6km (3.7 miles) deep; accommodation is also available at Arkaroola, at the northern peak of the Flinders. The opal town of Coober Pedy is so hot that 45 per cent of the inhabitants live underground; even the church is underground, and in fact the name of the town means ’white man lives in a hole’. The area produces 90 per cent of the world’s supply of opals and those who wish to dig for the semi-precious stones can obtain a miner’s permit.
Tasmania
Hobart
Tasmania’s capital is Australia’s second-oldest city after Sydney and is situated on the south side of the island. The city has strong links with the sea, typified by the wharves, jetties and warehouses – some dating back to the 19th century – which cluster around the waterfront. Examples of the island’s history can be seen in the Maritime Museum of Tasmania, the convict-era buildings of Battery Point and the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. The sweet-toothed will enjoy touring the Cadbury Chocolate Factory. Mount Wellington, towering 1270m (4170ft) to the west of the city, provides the backdrop to Hobart. From the lookout at the top (about 20km/12 miles by road) the clear air offers a spectacular view of Hobart, its suburbs, the Derwent Estuary and Storm Bay. Apart from the view, the area has picnic facilities and walking trails. The Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens offer a long walk through beautiful scenery.
Beyond Hobart
The popular Tahune AirWalk is a one-and-a-half hour’s drive from Hobart, offering a suspended 45m-high walkway above spectacular forest canopies. It is part of the Huon Trail which includes the Hastings thermal pool, caves and sheltered bays of the D’Entrecasteaux Channel. AirWalk admission fees are A$9 for adults and A$6 for children. Launceston, Tasmania’s second city on the north of the island, retains much of its colonial Georgian/Edwardian flavor. It is the natural gateway for the rural beauty of the island, including the Cataract Gorge and the Launceston Lake Wildlife Sanctuary. City Park is frequented for its Botanical Conservatory and Monkey Island featuring Japanese mecaque monkeys. The new Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery at Inveresk near Launceston features original Tasmanian and Aboriginal art as well as various temporary exhibitions; entry fee is A$10. Port Arthur, 100km (82 miles) east of Hobart, is the site of a penal colony built in the early 19th century. Guided tours are available including a popular ghost tour. There is a new one-and-a-half hour trail along the cliffs and beaches. Not far away is Eaglehawk Neck, noted for its bizarre rock formations and the highest sea cliffs in the southern hemisphere.
National Parks
Tasmania is an island of wilderness; there are 20 national parks, including the world’s last temperate-climate rainforest, and its wildlife includes the unique and fearsome little marsupial the Tasmanian Devil. Some of the more notable national parks include Cradle Mountain/Lake St Clair, famous for the Overland Track walk; Mount Field, known for Russell Falls, the Tall Trees Walk and autumnal colors of the only deciduous Australian tree - nothofagus gunii; Freycinet on Tasmania’s east coast, which contains Wineglass Bay (one of the world’s top ten beaches); Narawntapu (formerly Aspestos Range in northern Tasmania, renowned for its wildlife; Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers, with walks, camping grounds and incredible views; Ben Lomond, Tasmania’s main ski resort; the Southwest, a major part if the World Heritage Area, and Walls of Jerusalem.
Victoria
Melbourne
Melbourne is a highly cosmopolitan city of over three million people with sizeable Italian and Greek minorities. Located in Carlton Gardens on the northern edge of the city center, the ultramodern Melbourne Museum is Australia’s largest museum. Its features include a living Forest Gallery, Aboriginal Center, Children’s Museum and IMAX Theater. The chilling Old Melbourne Gaol has Ned Kelly’s armour on display. The National Gallery of Victoria: St Kilda Road houses Australia’s greatest collection of international fine art. The NGV: Australian Art is one of the attractions of Federation Square, a new city block devoted to culture. Rialto Towers Observation Deck offers panoramic views of the city and surrounds. Other places to visit include the Royal Botanical Gardens, Parliament House, the Melbourne Cricket Ground and the vibrant beach-side esplanade in St Kilda with its vibrant cafe culture. Also recommended are a trip to the races, a ride in one of Melbourne’s trams, a river cruise down the River Yarra, or a visit to the huge Melbourne Zoo, with its intricately recreated animal habitats.
Beyond Melbourne
35km (22 miles) from the State capital are the Dandenong Ranges, which provide excellent views of the city over the peaks from the Summit Lookout. At Mount Dandenong itself is the sanctuary named after William Ricketts, one of the early champions of Aboriginal rights. His haunting carvings of Aboriginal faces still stare out over the forested landscape and are part of the Galeena Beek Aboriginal Culture Center. Victoria was also the home of the outlaw Ned Kelly, often regarded as a national hero in Australia, and was the scene of the eventful days of bushranging during the gold rush of the 1850s and 1860s. Sovereign Hill, 120km (75 miles) northwest of Melbourne, is an old gold-rush town from this period, now restored to its original condition. Other towns of this era are Ballarat and Bendigo, respectively 115km (71 miles) and 150km (93 miles) from Melbourne. Nostalgia is also available in the shape of ‘Puffing Billy’, a train of bright red carriages which runs along from Belgrave to Gembrook through the Dandenong Ranges. In the east of the State is Gippsland Lakes, a lush fertile region dotted with lakes and parkland. The west is drier, with huge sheep-grazing lands. Towards the center are the Grampian Mountains, famous for wild flowers, birdlife and offering some of the world’s finest rock climbing. Victoria is also home to Brambuk, a cultural center exhibiting the arts, crafts and historical records of the Western Aboriginal people (open daily 1000-1700).
National Parks & Nature Reserves
Phillip Island Nature Reserve, 140km (87.5 miles) from Melbourne, is famous for its rich wildlife, particularly birds, koalas, fairy penguins (which can be seen marching up the beach in the evenings), and fur seals (large colonies of which can be observed at the Seal Rocks Sea Life Center). Another famous wildlife sanctuary is in the Wilson’s Promontory National Park, southeast of Melbourne on the southernmost tip of the Australian mainland. The Port Campbell National Park, southwest of Melbourne, contains some of the most beautiful – and dangerous – coastlines in Victoria. It is here that the awesome rock formations, The Twelve Apostles, can be seen from the stunning Great Ocean Road.
Western Australia
Perth
Perth is sunny all year but pleasant owing to temperate breezes. Modern skyscrapers overshadow colonial buildings such as the Town Hall and Perth Mint. The Swan River winds through the city, and a cruise upriver to the vineyards is very popular with tourists. A futuristic tower resembling a giant swan, the Swan Bells, houses the old bells from St Martin-in-the-Fields, London and is open daily for viewing. Kings Park, a beautiful park overlooking the town, the Art Gallery of Western Australia in James Street and the historic His Majesty’s Theater are also worth seeing. The most popular beach destinations are Sorrento, Cottesloe, City, Scarborough and the nude bathing beach at Swanbourne. 17km (11 miles) north of the city center, AQWA – The Aquarium of Western Australia at Hillary’s Boat Harbour showcases over 4000 sea creatures in their natural environments. South of Perth is Cable’s Water Ski Park with thrilling water rides and Adventure World, a favorite family entertainment complex on Bibra Lake with thrill rides, native animals, parkland and waterways in beautiful surroundings. Fremantle, 19km (12 miles) from the city, is a port full of historic houses and buildings such as the Court House, all of which have been superbly restored. Freo, as it is known, can be reached either by a one-hour boat trip or a 20-minute drive from Perth. The excellent Western Australian Maritime Museum and Fishing Boat Harbour, with its many outdoor seafood restaurants, are its other attractions.
Beyond Perth
Rottnest Island lies 20km (12.5 miles) offshore. This haven for watersports enthusiasts is connected to Fremantle by ferry services. The marsupial quokka is unique to the car-free island. Well to the east of Perth is the thriving gold-mining town of Kalgoorlie with its Museum of the Goldfields, and towns which were once the center of Western Australia’s gold rush, such as Coolgardie. Also interesting is Wave Rock, a 2700-million-year-old formation resembling a tidal wave, close to Hyden. The Darling Ranges, behind Perth, are popular with visitors and contain several national parks. The Avon Valley, a 90-minute drive from Perth, is an agricultural area. In this region can be found the town of York where the York Motor Museum and the Residency Museum are worth seeing. Nanbung National Park, 240km (150 miles) north of Perth, is well known for its amazing limestone pillars, The Pinnacles. At Monkey Mia, on the mid-western coast, there are wild bottlenose dolphins that come into the shallows to greet visitors. Also in the north of the State, The Kimberley, a wild semi-desert region rich in Aboriginal legends, has in recent years become a thriving diamond-mining center. The city of Broome, on the north coast, is the pearl capital of the world. At the opposite end of the State is Albany, founded in 1827 and the first European settlement in Western Australia; it is noted for its blowholes and winter whale-watching. Augusta, to the west, is also visited by several species of whale.
