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In order to thoroughly explore all that Australia has to offer I suggest you take your time, if you have the time to spare. I recently spent eleven weeks backpacking in Australia, and that wasn't even adequate time to see everything. I did, however, manage to visit five of the seven regions missing out only on Western Australia and Tasmania.
I arrived in Sydney without planning a thing beyond three nights accommodation at a hostel downtown. The hostel provides information about a variety of tours that are offered as well as accommodation in other cities. I happened to come across a brochure for a company called Oz Experience. Oz Experience is a coach company that provides transportation as well as the chance to visit places that you would not find on a 'traditional' coach tour. There is flexibility in choosing where you want to stay and how long you would like to stay for. The drivers are helpful and knowledgeable, recommending places to stay, things to do and places to eat. From the several tours Oz Experience offered, I decided on the 'Knobs & Bells" which would take me from Sydney - Adelaide - Melbourne - Alice Springs - Cairns - Brisbane - Sydney and places in between that I could not have imagined. The ticket was valid for one year, meaning that if I wished to spend more time in one city I could pick up the tour again at my leisure. This flexible timetable is an excellent bonus for many travellers who wish to customize their tour.
Although my preference has always been 'hotel' accommodation, I stayed mostly in hostels while travelling on this trip and I was pleasantly surprised as some were actually very nice. Prices range anywhere from A$12 - A$30 per person/night depending on the location and the quality of the facility. This kept my accommodation costs to a minimum and allowed me to spoil myself occasionally on some of the more costly events, sightseeing tours or admission fees.
Sydney is a thriving metropolis full of interesting people and great things to see. The harbour, of course, is the main attraction and is the site of the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, both spectacular architectural structures. Make sure to include a Harbour Cruise, which depart several times throughout the day and offer many options to suit your interests. This is a great way to learn a bit more about the history of the harbour and get a closer look at the million dollar homes that dot the shoreline. I stayed in Sydney for three weeks throughout my adventure, and I visited the harbour almost daily because of the many exciting attractions and activities. The Sydney Botanical Gardens are located beside the Opera House and located within is the home of the Prime Minister (you can take tours throughout the day). There are also several museums and plenty of other interesting things to see such as the fish market and the Sydney Aquarium. Also, take the opportunity to visit some of the famous beaches in the area. Bondi and Manly Beach are only a bus or water taxi ride away.
From Sydney I travelled to the capital of Australia, Canberra, to see the Parliament House - another architectural gem. It is built into a hill and there are grass ramps covering the building which allows visitors to climb up to the roof and enjoy the spectacular view of the city.
Next stop was Victoria. Victoria has so many things to see such as Great Ocean Road. There are many interesting configurations to see along this stretch of coast, created by thousands of years of erosion on the limestone cliffs. The most famous rock formations are the 12 Apostles as well as the London Bridge. The Razorback and the Grotto are less famous but just as spectacular as the others. Visit the beautiful sandstone ranges of Grampians National Park. Wildlife thrives in this area and was the first place that I saw a koala in its natural habitat. I also visited Phillip Island to see the penguin parade where the Fairy Penguins return to their underground burrows from the ocean.
Take the opportunity to visit the wineries of the Barossa Valley in South Australia to taste some of Australia's world famous wines and ports. Visit Coober Pedy, the town that goes underground to escape the heat to try your hand at mining opals. Visit Flinders Ranges National Park which is the home of Wilpena Pound, a natural ampitheatre measuring 11km x 8km in size.
The Northern Territory is a beautiful but rugged and sparsely populated area of Australia. The main attraction here is Kakadu National Park which is the home of Ayers Rock (Uluru), The Olgas (Kata Tjuta) and Kings Canyon. There are scenic lakes and fabulous aboriginal stories to go along with each of the rock formations. This is one of the most culturally significant areas in Australia.
Queensland is the home of the magnificent Great Barrier Reef. The best places to access the reef from are Cairns and Port Douglas. You can take a snorkelling or scuba diving day trip or for the more experienced divers there are trips that last several days. Make sure to take the opportunity to do some sailing while you are in this area. The Whitsunday Islands are gorgeous and plentiful and Whitehaven Beach is an absolute must see. Whitehaven is said to be one of the world's most beautiful beaches with its pure white silica sand and gorgeous blue water. Stop by Rockhampton which lies on the Tropic of Capricorn or Bundaberg where they make Bundaberg Rum. There are several wildlife sanctuaries to visit in Queensland and this is one of the only places that allows people to hold koalas. I visited the Billibong Sanctuary and had the chance to hold a koala, a wombat, a crocodile, and a couple of different pythons. If you are a fan of Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter, be sure to visit him at the Australia Zoo, you may even have the chance to meet him. The Gold Coast of Queensland is the place to be if you are looking for exciting night life, magnificent beaches and unlimited fun. There is a Sea World here, waterparks and a WB Movie World.
Australia is a fabulous destination whether you have a week or a year, whether your preference is hotel accommodation and rental car, or hostel, tour bus and back-pack. There is no lack of things to see and do for all ages or travel types.
For more information or pricing about Oz Experience or Australian Holidays please contact or give us a call (780) 459-6661 and one of our consultants would be more than happy to assist you.