Australian Travel Online
North Queensland
The North Queensland region extends from Mission Beach/Tully in the south to Cape York in the north and Gulf Savannah in the west of Queensland. While the Great Barrier Reef is the number one tourist attraction in this area, North Queensland includes many other things to see and do. On the mainland you can find Cairns, Cairns beaches, Palm Cove, Port Douglas, Kuranda (and the Skyrail), Cairns Highlands, Cape Tribulation and the Daintree Rainforest, Cape York Peninsula and Cooktown and Gulf Savannah. On the water you will find the resort islands of the Great Barrier Reef like Haggerstone Island, Lizard Island, Green Island, Dunk Island and Bedarra Island. To explore the Great Barrier Reef you can either; cruise to the reef, day trips on the reef or take a scenic flight over the reef. The choices are endless!
Central Queensland Coast
The towns scattered down the central Queensland Coast are filled with Australian character. From Hervey Bay in the south to Mission Beach in the far north, the central Queensland Coast is unique. Check out beachside and towns like Rockhampton, Yeppoon, Gladstone, Agnes Water, Mackay, Bundaberg, Cardwell, Townsville and Bowen. These beautiful holiday destinations will appeal to independent travelers, romantics, couples and families. With so many attractions over a wide area you may need different types of transport to get you where you want to go. Campervan hire, a train journey or a boat cruise offer different perspectives on this wonderful and diverse region. There is also a great range of islands that you can holiday on like Orpheus Island, Heron Island, Wilson Island, Lady Elliot Island and Fraser Island. There are also the popular Airlie Beach and Whitsunday Islands of Hayman Island, Daydream Island, Long Island, Hamilton Island, Brampton Island and South Molle Island.
South East Queensland
The south east is home to the Queensland capital of Brisbane and 2 wonderful holiday destinations - the Gold and Sunshine Coasts. The Gold Coast features fun all day and all night. With wide golden beaches, amazing wildlife sanctuaries, fun filled Gold Coast Theme Parks, a lush hinterland, restaurants of all types, a buzzing nightlife and quality resorts. The Gold Coast has the trendy Sanctuary Cove - a waterfront marine village, Surfers Paradise - the busiest and most well known beach on the coast, and the shopping mecca of Broadbeach. The Sunshine Coast is unspoilt but cosmopolitan, where five star resorts are in harmony with pristine rainforests and wetland sanctuaries. The star of the Sunshine Coast is Noosa - great swimming, surfing and luxury accommodation. However Coolum, Alexandra Headlands, Caloundra and Mooloolaba all have different characteristics and are great places for a holiday. Just off the Gold Coast shore you can find the water sport paradise of South Stradbroke Island.
New South Wales Coast
Between Tweed Heads in the north, to Eden in the south you'll find some fantastic beaches, bustling cafes and restaurants, abundant accommodation and wide range of attractions. Why not try the popular and laid back lifestyle at Byron Bay, the lush Tweed Heads valley, the scenic Port Stephens and Port Macquarie, the world famous Bondi Beach and Manly Beach, and the historical Newcastle. On the South Coast you can view wildlife, try diving, sailing, or sea kayaking; but if fishing is your thing why not go to Batemans Bay, Narooma, Merimbula, Bermagui, Ulladulla or Jervis Bay.
Sydney
Sparkling both day and night - and Sydney reflects the Australian personality - a bit brash, a bit cheeky but warm, outgoing and friendly. And it knows how to party! There is something for every visitor - first class hotels, restaurants, beaches, theatre, sight seeing, nightlife and its overall vibrancy. Kings Cross is Australia's best known entertainment area; Darling Harbour is one of Sydney's leading waterfront destinations is now alive with activity day and night; The Rocks is the historical heart of Sydney's and a tourist precinct in its own right, with many beautifully restored buildings from Sydney's early days as a colonial town. Sydney is also the gateway to the wine lovers region - the Hunter Valley and to the natural wonderland of untamed bush, spectacular rock formations and native wildlife that is the Blue Mountains.
Victoria
There is something for everyone in Victoria. This state includes; The Bays and Mornington Peninsula that are full of attractions; The Great Ocean Road - one of the greatest scenic drives you will ever find; the gorgeous Yarra Valley wine region and spectacular Dandenong Ranges; Phillip Island, home to an amazing collection of wildlife - Fairy Penguins, Australia 's largest seal colony and the Koala Conservation Centre. And for those that like it cold try snow holidays at Mt Buller, Mt Hotham, Falls Creek, Mt Buffalo and Mount Baw Baw.
Melbourne
Multi-cultural Melbourne is a famous for its sense of style and sophistication. Glamorous shows and festivals are a trademark of the city, along with its restaurants shops and cafes. The Yarra River marks the southern border of the city centre and contains many attractions. North Melbourne includes the MCG, Melbourne Zoo, Queen Victoria Markets and Flemington Racecourse home to the famous Melbourne Cup. Most of Melbourne's fashion action happens along Richmond's Swan Street and Bridge Road showcasing Australia's finest young designers. Seaside St Kilda is famous for its people watching, cafes and bars and only 15 minutes from the CBD.
Tasmania
Tasmania is Australia's most southern state and has a long heritage, beautiful green landscapes, an untamed wilderness full of wildlife and fauna. Tasmania is also home to an array of quality accommodation and succulent food and wine. Hobart, the capital of Tasmania, is shaped by water so take a river cruise, or stay on land and drive to the summit of Mount Wellington. In Launceston you can see the scenic Cataract Gorge Reserve or turn up the adventure with some rock-climbing, hang-gliding or whitewater rafting. Be sure not to miss Tasmania's most recognisable landmark, Cradle Mountain or Tassie's resident critter, the elusive Tasmanian Devil.
South Australia
The choice is staggering of things to do in South Australia: meet the locals in friendly bush pubs up north; taste globe-trotting wines at cellars doors across the Barossa Valley; watch whales in the west and mooch on the Murray River in the east. South Australia has many diverse tourism regions – and all are within an easy day's drive of Capital, Adelaide. Don't forget Kangaroo Island with its sea lion colony, The Remarkable Rocks, Admirals Arch and untouched wilderness on Australia's third largest Island.
Western Australia
Situated on the Swan River, Perth is the capital of Western Australia and only minutes from the city are several wonderful beaches. Down the road is Fremantle, a bustling port town less than half an hour from Perth. It is famous for its night life, pubs and coffee strip centred around the quaint harbour complex. Rottnest Island is Western Australia's very own island holiday getaway, popular for fishing, snorkeling and diving (around a number of shipwrecks). No holiday to Western Australia would be complete without seeing Monkey Mia and experiencing the feeding of dolphins or visiting Cable Beach, one of the most famous and beautiful beaches in Australia. In contrast, the wild and wonderful Kimberley Region is one of the world's last great wilderness areas.
Northern Territory Australia
There are 2 main sections of the Northern Territory - the Top End and the Red Centre. Australia's Northern Territory is one of the last remaining genuine outback regions where you can fully experience the awesome grandeur of nature first hand. The Top End is lush, green and tropical - a total contrast to the harsh, arid beauty of The Red Centre. Darwin, the Territory's capital, is the northern gateway to Australia. The Red Centre is the heart of Australia and contains Ayers Rock (Uluru), Mount Olga (Kata Tjuta), the MacDonnell Ranges and Kings Canyon. The town of Alice Springs has evolved into a modern Outback town, with all the creature comforts of a capital city.
Vehicles
Australia is a BIG country - 4400km from Perth in the west to Brisbane in the east and nearly 3900km from Cape York in the North to Melbourne in the south. To get out on the road and discover this country for yourself you will need either a rental car or a campervan. If you are not wanting to drive too much you could hop on one of the train journeys that cross this vast land. The Indian Pacific Train crosses Australia from East to West while the Ghan does the trip from north to south. If the sea is more your thing there are plenty of cruises to choose from. There are cruises at the Great Barrier Reef, The Whitsundays, Sydney Harbour, Murray River and the Northern Territory's Top End.
