Australia Dining Reviews

Melbourne is the trendy metropolitan city of Australia. Known for its cafes, restaurants, stylish shopping and shows, it is an excellent location for a driving holiday with magnificent scenery and attractions all within an hours drive of the city centre.

Victorias capital promises to keep you fascinated from dawn to way past dusk. In the heart of the city, visit the lush Royal Botanic Gardens, popular for a quick lunch or stroll. Federation Square is a meeting place which has become a well known landmark within the city, and Brunswick Street is known for its eclectic cafés, shops and atmosphere. You also cant miss the extensive Melbourne Museum which displays some of the best art, sculptures and technology this city has to offer.

In summer there are free programmes organised in the parks and gardens of Melbourne for people of all ages. The fun in the sun programme encourages everyone to get outdoors and enjoy a picnic and some activities together.

Maybe you could plan your stay to coincide with the Royal Melbourne Show, held 20-30 September each year? The show is Victorias largest public event with rides, fantastic food,rural displays and of course, plenty of showbags.

How could you visit Melbourne without shopping? The Queen Victoria Market will keep you captivated with its myriad of stalls and food halls. You can catch a tram or walk here from the centre of the city. There are also shopping spree tours, of course, which will take you to the best bargains. Why not end your spree with a trip to the Rialto Towers, the tallest office building in the city? A small charge gives you a tour guide and one of the most incredible panoramic views of Melbourne.

For a touch of class, board a dinner and cabaret cruise on the Yarra River, or dress up for an opera or show at the Melbourne Arts Centre. The busy restaurants, clubs and shows bring the city to life at night.

If you want to stay a while longer in the city, there is every type of accommodation you could imagine. From five star in the centre of the city to bed and breakfast such as Treetops at Blackburn.

Just ninety minutes drive from Melbourne, Philip Island offers a rare opportunity to see fairy penguins at play as you watch the ‘Penguin Parade’. Sunsets are also exciting as guided tours are available to watch the penguins march. There is plenty of wildlife in this nature reserve. The fur seals will steal your heart at Seal Rocks, as will the cuddly koalas at the Koala Conservation Centre. There is a fantastic walk along Philip Islands headland that gives you breathtaking views plus a look at the Pinnacles which are unique rock formations off the coast.

Journeying on, the scenery keeps getting better with natural beauty such as Wilsons Promontory National Park at the most southern end of Australia, featuring long white beaches and incredible wildlife. The Great Ocean Road would have to be one of the most scenic drives in Australia, with 300 kilometres of winding roads which stretch from the headlands to beach views and rainforests. It is absolutely fantastic for a self drive holiday as there are so many places to stop and admire the views. It is most famous for its Twelve Apostles. These giant limestone rocks have been formed over the years by the pelting waves, and are best admired at sunset as the colours change before your eyes.

If you love adventure and rugged scenery, there are plenty of exhilarating moments waiting for you further out from the city. The Grampians are three hours drive west of Melbourne, and are especially stunning in Spring when almost 1000 species of flower are blooming. There is also Mt Buller, famous for its accessible ski fields and resorts. Mansfield Caravan and Camping Ground is the most popular place to stay if you are going to stay here for a while. With view of the mountains in the distance its a great place to relax after a day of adventure.

With so many sights and dynamic attractions, it is hard to know where to start. Depending on your tastes you can sit at a café admiring views of the city skyline and enjoy watching the world go by, or you can set off to explore the wonders of the surrounding areas. One thing is sure, Melbourne will capture your heart and call you back again and again.

About the Author
Jenny Brewer is a travel agent whose passion is writing. After spending her leisure time writing time writing childrens stories, she now enjoys writing about travel destinations. For more of her articles visit Australia Car Rentals

Famous for the Three Sisters, Katoomba Scenic Railway and breathtaking scenery, the Blue Mountains National Park needs to be visited at least once in a lifetime. It is a fantastic option for the driving holiday for so many reasons.

Accessible via Katoomba and only two hours from the harbour city of Sydney, the Blue Mountains are a paradise for those yearning to escape the hustle and bustle of the city life. With dense rainforest, waterfalls, deep gorges and world class bushwalking trails, it is a haven for the seasoned traveller, with great accessibility by road and plenty of accommodation to suit all tastes.

Springtime is one of the best times to visit Katoomba and the surrounding mountains as the dazzling colours and beauty are a photographers delight. The temperatures are on average a lot lower than Sydney, but most of the year the climate is moderate in the mid teens. Make sure you come prepared with warm clothing especially on the long walks as mountain weather can change quickly.

There are plenty of camping grounds available, one of the most popular is the Euroka campground at Glenbrook. Only 4km from the entrance gate, the sites have excellent amenities and kangaroos at your doorstep.

Located on over one million hectares of pristine wilderness, the Blue Mountains comprise of eight conservation reserves, such as the Gardens of Stone and the famous Jenolan Caves. There is something here for everyone. The massive cliffs and canyons are an adventurers paradise, with abseiling, rock climbing and mountain biking some of the popular sports available.

For those who do not wish to risk life and limb on their holiday, there are plenty of alternatives. Birdwatchers will be close to heaven as the canopy is filled with the sounds of birdlife, as well as native animals. However, the extensive range of trails and walks available are what draw people year after year, and there really are walks for every type of fitness level. Young and old, fit and.not so fit.

So, where do you start? Firstly, you need to be prepared with a good map of the area, sturdy walking shoes and plenty of water. Echo Point is one of the most famous lookouts to see the Three Sisters and the Jamison Valley. The Princes Rock Walk only takes half an hour to reach one of the most scenic lookouts over Kings Tableland. This is great for the whole family. Spectacular Kanangra Falls is located, not surprisingly, in the Kanangra Boyd National Park. With its reputation as being one of the best in Australia make sure you put this on your ‘must see’ list.

One popular attraction is Katoomba Falls.Pack a picnic lunch, and be prepared for paradise as you venture through the rainforest paths into a beautiful gully set off by the falls. With rock pools and majestic trees you might want to set some time aside here. Another famous attraction is the Katoomba Scenic Railway, which is the steepest railway in the world, so for firsts you will have to get on board and hang on tight!

Needing a challenge? There are walks for you in the Grand Canyon and Sassafras Gully, with wilderness trails that take you to incredible rainforest and breathtaking scenery. Why not try the Wollemi National Park which feature magnificent rock formations and the famous glow worm tunnels. The Grand Canyon Track is another popular walk, which stretches for 5kms deep into the Canyon.

Govetts Leap is a famous trail which takes you to the stunning views from Evans Lookout. Its great for the adventurous, but you may have to think twice if you are not too keen on heights. There are also many walks to choose from around Hazelbrook, most popular being the Valley of the Waters walk which basically follows the path of the falls down the valley.

Most visitors just want to see the raw beauty of the Blue Mountains, and that is why this magnificent wonder is internationally popular. No matter what type of traveller you are, it will take your breath away.

About the Author
Jenny Brewer is a travel agent whose passion is writing. After spending her leisure time writing time writing childrens stories, she now enjoys writing about travel destinations. For more of her articles visit Australia Car Rentals

23.03.2007. 01:31

As the capital of New South Wales, Australia, Sydney has plenty of the major attractions in the country, including the Sydney Opera House, the Harbour Bridge and the miles of open beach plus the famous Bondi and Manly beachs. Then you can get out of the urban area– bordered by the South Pacific Ocean in the east and the Blue Mountains on the opposite side– will provide many exciting outside activities.

Some of Sydney’s main festive attractions include the Sydney Film Festival, World Environment Day, and Big Day Out, a rock musical festival which travels throughout Australia. Sydney is home to some fantastic outdoor sites, national parks, botanical gardens, and sunny beaches–including the popular Bondi Beach.

If you decide to try the indoors, Sydney offers a lot to keep you entertained. You might want to check out the Sydney Theatre Company or the equally renowned Sydney Dance Company. Both are known internationally for their exceptionally talented performing artists.

Only a day jaunt from Sydney, the Blue Mountains provide a number of activities: from spelunking in caves to riding up or down the mountain on The Scenic Railway, you will have the opportunity to explore both the natural phenomena of the Blue Mountains and the small towns and historic villages that highlight the region.