Travel and Tourism Information
Travel - International
AIR
The national airline is Qantas (QF) (website: www.qantas.com.au). About 25 international airlines fly to Australia.International Airports Facilities: All airports have a duty free shop, bank/bureau de change, restaurant/bar, tourist information kiosk, car hire and taxi stand; these will almost always be available on arrival and departure of international flights.
Sydney Airport (SYD) (Kingsford Smith) (website: www.sydneyairport.com) is 8km (5 miles) south of the city (travel time – 30 minutes). To/from the airport: Airport Link connects the airport to Sydney Central Station (travel time – 13 minutes). Coaches meet all incoming international and domestic flights, departing every 20 to 30 minutes. There are many courtesy guest shuttles; enquire at hotel when booking is made. The international terminal is separate from the domestic terminal. Passengers may be set down at city airline terminals and some city hotels, motels and guest houses on request. There are also buses and taxis.
Adelaide Airport (ADL) (website: www.aal.com.au) is 6km (4 miles) west of the city (travel time – 30 minutes). A new terminal is currently under construction. To/from the airport: Coaches meet all international and domestic flights. Buses and taxis are available to the city and hotels.
Melbourne Airport (MEL) (Tullamarine) (website: www.melbourne-airport.com.au) is 22km (14 miles) northwest of the city (travel time – 30 minutes). To/from the airport: Skybus Coach (24 hours) or taxis are available to the city centre. There are also regional bus links from the airport.
Perth Airport (PER) (website: www.perthairport.com) is 12km (7 miles) northeast of the city (travel time – 25 minutes). There are separate international and domestic terminals. To/from the airport: Airport buses meet international and domestic flights. Taxis are available.
Brisbane Airport (BNE) (website: www.bne.com.au) is 13km (8 miles) northeast of the city (travel time – 35 minutes). To/from the airport: Coach services are available to the city, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and major hotels. Coaches meet all international flights. A rail link between the airport and the city was introduced in 2001. Taxis are also available.
Darwin Airport (DRW) (website: www.darwinairport.com.au) is 13km (8 miles) northeast of the city (travel time – 20 minutes). To/from the airport: Coaches and taxis meet all incoming international daytime flights.
Hobart Airport (HBA) (website: www.hobartairpt.com.au) is 16km (10 miles) east of the city (travel time – 25 minutes). To/from the airport: Coaches meet all incoming flights. Buses and taxis are available to the city.
Cairns Airport (CNS) is 8km (5 miles) north of the city (travel time – 10 minutes). To/from the airport: Coaches meet all incoming flights. There is also a shuttle taxi service, limousines, car hire and taxis.
Canberra Airport (CBR) (website: www.canberraairport.com.au) is 8km (5 miles) east of Canberra (travel time – 15 minutes). To/from the airport: Taxis and shuttle buses are available to the city centre.
SEA
The Main ports: Cruise liners dock at Sydney (website: www.sydneyports.com.au), Melbourne(website: www.portofmelbourne.com), Hobart (website: www.hpc.com.au), Perth (Port of Fremantle) (website: www.fremantleports.com.au), Adelaide and Brisbane (website: www.portbris.com.au).Travel - Internal
AIR
Australians rely on aviation to get from place to place as inhabitants of smaller countries rely on trains and buses. The network of scheduled services extends to more than 150,000km (95,000 miles) and covers the whole continent. Both first-class and second-class service is available, with meals and hostess service on many routes. Recent deregulation of Australia’s domestic airlines means that flight services are more competitively priced. Aircraft can be chartered by pilots who pass a written examination on Australian air regulations and have their licences validated for private operations within AustraliaThe major domestic airlines are: Jetstar Airways (website: www.jetstar.com.au), Qantas (website: www.qantas.com.au) and Virgin Blue (website: www.virginblue.com.au), which serve the major resorts and cities throughout Australia. In addition, Rex Regional Express (website: www.rex.com.au) operate throughout New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria; Air North (website: www.airnorth.com.au) operate throughout the Northern Territory; Macair Airlines (website: www.macair.com.au) operate throughout Queensland; Skywest (website: www.skywest.com.au) operate throughout Western Australia and several small airlines operate to the islands off Tasmania (see Tasmania section)
SEA/RIVER
There are 36,738km (22,600 miles) of coastline and many lakes, inland waterways and inlets, all of which can be used for touring by boat. From paddle steamers along the Murray River to deep-sea fishing cruisers along the vast Barrier Reef, all are available for charter or passenger booking. Most tour operators also handle shipping cruises. The Spirit of Tasmania is an overnight car-ferry service linking Melbourne with Tasmania daily (website: www.spiritoftasmania.com.au).RAIL
Over 40,000km (24,850 miles) of track cover the country. Due to the vastness of the country, internal flights are a preferred option for travelling long distances, particularly as rail travel can be slow and relatively expensive. For further information on rail transport within the different States, see the individual State entries or contact Rail Australia (website: www.railaustralia.com.au).Other express service links (not always daily) from the state capitals are as follows: The Canberra Monaro Express links Canberra with Sydney in four or five hours. The XPT Express runs from Melbourne to Brisbane via Canberra and Sydney. The Sunlander and the Queenslander link Brisbane with Cairns (31 hours). The Prospector links Perth with Kalgoorlie and this is one of Australia’s fastest trains (six to seven hours). The Spirit of the Outback runs Brisbane to Longreach via Rockhampton. There are also a number of scenic rail journeys available, including the Kuranda Scenic Railway that links Cairns with Kuranda via a 34km- (14 mile-) climb through tropical rainforest; the Great South Pacific Express service along the East Coast from Sydney to Cairns via Brisbane has been temporarily suspended.
Several routes have motor-rail facilities. Long-distance trains are air conditioned and have excellent catering facilities and showers. Reservations for seats and sleeping berths are essential on all long-distance trains and are accepted up to six months in advance. Luggage allowance: All interstate rail passengers are allowed 50kg (111lb). Medium-sized suitcases and hand luggage can be placed in the passengers’ compartments. Large suitcases must be carried in the guard’s van and checked in 30 minutes prior to departure. Sleeping berths: Single and twin apartments are available for a surcharge on most inter-capital overnight services. All ‘Twinettes’ have two sleeping berths and wash basin. Twinettes are available either first-class or holiday-class; the first also offer individual showers. ‘Roomette’ (single compartment) cars have showers at the end of each car. These are first-class only. Cheap fares: Unlimited travel, valid for 14, 21 and 30 days, with seven-day extensions available, is available with an Austrailpass, which must be purchased outside Australia, and can only be used by non-Australian passport holders. Only economy-class passes are available. Each State operator offers its own Austrailpass scheme. The Austrail Flexi-Pass is valid for eight, 15, 22 and 29 days within a six-month period, although it cannot be used on the Ghan or the Indian Pacific. The pass only offers economy-class accommodation. Both the Austrailpass and the Austrail Flexi-Pass must be purchased outside of Australia. The East Coast Discovery Pass offers six months’ travel on the eastern coast. An Austrailpass does not include meal or sleeping berth charges. The passes must be used within 12 months of issue. There is also a Backpacker Rail Pass and a Great Southern Railway Pass available.
Representative in the UK
Rail Australia, c/o International Rail Limited, Chase House, Gilbert Street, Ropley, Hampshire SO24 0BY (tel: (0870) 751 5000; website: www.international-rail.com). Most major tourist attractions can be reached by train; tickets for multiple destinations can be purchased from travel agents outside Australia.ROAD
Traffic drives on the left. Road signs are international. The speed limit is 60kph (35mph) in cities and towns in most states but 50kph (31mph) in Victoria and Western Australia, 50kph/31mph in all suburban areas and 80-110kph (50-68mph) on country roads and highways unless signs indicate otherwise. Seat belts must be worn at all times and driving licences must be in the driver’s possession when driving. Driving off major highways in the outback becomes more difficult between November and February because of summer rain, as many roads are little more than dirt tracks. Road travel is best between April and October. Distances between towns can be considerable, and apart from ensuring that all vehicles are in peak condition, it is advisable to carry spare water, petrol and equipment. Travellers are advised to check with local Automobile Associations before departure in order to obtain up-to-date information on road and weather conditions. Bicycle helmets must be worn by all cyclists.Coach
Major cities are linked by an excellent national coach system, run by Greyhound Pioneer (website: www.greyhound.com.au). Tasmania also has its own coach service, Tasmanian Redline Coaches (website: www.redlinecoaches.com.au). There are numerous other companies operating State and Interstate services. The main coach express routes are: Sydney to Adelaide, Melbourne (inland), Brisbane and Canberra; Canberra to Melbourne; Melbourne to Adelaide; Adelaide to Alice Springs, Perth and Brisbane; Darwin to Alice Springs, Cairns, Perth and Kakadu; Alice Springs to Ayers Rock; Cairns to Brisbane; Brisbane to Sydney (inland and coastal) and Melbourne. Coach passes are available for travel on a variety of routes for between seven days and one year, such as the All Australian, the Sunseeker, the Aussie Reef & Rock, the Coast to Coast etc. The Aussie Kilometre Pass allows you to purchase your travel in kilometres and then travel in any direction on the national network to the distance purchased. It is advisable to purchase these passes before departure from country of origin. Coaches are one of the cheapest ways to travel around Australia, as well as one of the most comfortable, with air conditioning, big adjustable seats and on-board bathrooms; some also have television and the latest videos.Car Hire Available at all major airports and major hotels to those over 21 years old. Documentation: An International Driving Permit is required by nationals of countries whose official language is not English. International, foreign or national driving permits are generally valid for three months. An International Driving Permit is only valid in conjunction with a valid national licence. Permits must be carried at all times while driving.
URBAN
Comprehensive public transport systems are provided in all the main towns. The State capitals have suburban rail networks, those in Sydney and Melbourne being particularly extensive, and trams run in Melbourne and Adelaide. Meter-operated taxis can be found in all major cities and towns. There is a minimum 'flagfall charge’ and then a charge for the distance travelled. Taxi drivers do not expect to be tipped. A small additional payment may be required for luggage and telephone bookings. Some taxis accept payment by credit card. For further details, see individual State entries.Resorts & Excursions
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 Centre (Questacon). The Australian Institute of Sport offers guided tours by elite athletes and the interactive Sportex Centre with facilities for virtual rowing and virtual golfing. Some of Australia's deadliest and most colourful reptiles can be seen at Canberra's Australian Reptile Centre. The centre 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 dailyBEYOND 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. Organised trips from Canberra are available; for details, contact the Canberra Tourism & Events Corporation (see Contact Addresses section)National Parks & Nature Reserves Approximately half of 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. For further information contact the ACT helpline (tel: (02) 6207 9777; website: www.environment.act.gov.au) or Environment Australia, GPO Box 787, Canberra, ACT 2601 (tel: (2) 6274 1111; fax: (2) 6274 1666; website: www.ea.gov.au)
Introduction
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 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 theatre companies and symphony orchestras. Sydney is also a major commercial and business centre with first-class conference and exhibition facilities. The city-centre 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) AMP Tower above the Centrepoint Shopping Complex (daily 0900-2145). The city has a great number of concert halls, museums, art galleries and theatres. 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 centre. This bustling area contains numerous attractions including the Harbourside Shopping Centre, Gavala Aboriginal and Cultural Education Centre, Panasonic IMAX Theatre, 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 harbour 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 or from the monorail train. 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 hydrofoil), 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 walkBeyond 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, 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 Kosciuzsko, 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. Uncommercialised 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 ownersWorld Heritage Regions
Areas listed according to the World Heritage Convention are internationally recognised as cultural and natural places of such outstanding value that they ought to be preserved for the benefit of humanity. Natural World Heritage areas often represent an important stage in the Earth's evolutionary history. For further information contact the Australian Heritage Commission, GPO Box 787, Canberra, ACT 2601 (tel: (02) 6274 1111; fax: (02) 6274 2095; website: www.ea.gov.au). New South Wales has two major World Heritage listed regions as outlined below (additional World Heritage areas are indicated in the National Parks section)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 tourist beds on the island is limited to 400 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 centre of New South Wales 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 animal
National Parks
For further information about parks and nature reserves in New South Wales contact NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service, 43 Bridge Street, Hurstville NSW 2220 (tel: (02) 9585 6444; fax: (02) 9585 6555; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; website: www.npws.nsw.gov.au).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 'Bluff' 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 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 Coonabarabram, 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 Motwingee 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 Mootwingee 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
Introduction
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 Centre'.Note: There are many places and objects in the Territory that are of special significance to the Aboriginal people and laws protecting these sacred sites carry heavy penalties for entering, damaging or defacing them. It is necessary to obtain a permit before entering Aboriginal lands. These permits are not issued lightly, nor are they generally issued for touristic purposes. Some areas that have historic significance to the Aborigines are open to the public - for example, Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Corroboree Rock near Alice Springs, and Ubirr Rock in Kakadu National Park (see National Parks section). Visitors are welcome at these places, but due respect should be shown for the site and its historical significance. For further information, maps and permit application advice, contact the Tourist Commission (see Contact Addresses section)
The Red Centre
Alice Springs is located in what is almost the geographical centre 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 Centre. 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 colourful 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.
Château Hornsby, the Northern Territory's only vineyard, is situated approximately 10km (6 miles) from the town centre and is a venue for tastings, barbecues, and Aboriginal corroborees.
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 colour from blazing orange to red and even deep purple, depending on the atmospheric conditions.22km (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 up to four 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 Centre include Aboriginal tours to Pitjantjatjara country, and the Ross River Homestead for horseriding, log cabins and boomerang throwing. Kings Canyon (Watarrka National Park), four 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. One hour's drive from Tennant Creek is the impressive formation of 7m (23-foot) boulders called The Devil's Marble
National Parks
KAKADU NATIONAL PARK: This may be found about a 3-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 Waters, 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 2 to 21 days are available by air, coach or four-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 colours 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 Park 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.
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 centre, 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 Centre at South Bank contains the Queensland Art Gallery, Queensland Museum and Performing Arts Centre. 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 it famous product. Festivals such as the biennial Brisbane Festival, Ekka (Royal National Exhibition) and Livid (rock music and arts) are other major attractionsBeyond 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 surfing 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 centr
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.
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 cafés (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 Centre complex in the parkland overlooking the Torrens River. It houses an excellent theatre company, and boasts a concert hall, two theatres, a restaurant and an amphitheatre. Another very popular attraction is the Central Market between Grote and Gouger streets. In March of even-numbered years, the world-renowned Telstra Adelaide Festival is held, featuring everything from jazz to classical theatre and ballet, along with a diverse Edinburgh-style Fringe Festival. The South Australian Museum has the largest collection of Aboriginal artefacts 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 Centre, featuring exhibitions, a tasting gallery and restaurant, opened in October 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 activitiesBeyond Adelaide
55km (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 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 Centre 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. 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 colourful gorges, dotted with eucalyptus trees. In the centre of the Flinders area is Wilpena Pound, a popular resort area; 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 permi
National Parks
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 sceneryBEYOND HOBART: The popular Tahune AirWalk is a one and a half hour's drive from Hobart, offering a suspended 45m 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$8 for adults and A5.50 for children. Launceston, Tasmania's second city on the north of the island, retains much of its colonial Georgian/Edwardian flavour. 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 the 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
Tasmania is an island of wilderness; there are 17 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; Mole Creek Karst, known for the colourful flowstone formations of King Solomon's Cave; Freycinet on Tasmania's east coast, which contains Wineglass Bay (one of the world's best beaches); 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; Southwest and Walls of Jerusale