Archive for category: Oceania

Are you a tourist exploring the rich sights of Australia and found yourself at a loss as to what to visit first in the Kimberley? Or perhaps you’re a native looking to indulge in some domestic tourism, and you’re itching to see what the best Kimberley tours can offer you in terms of exciting stuff to do.

Whichever the case, you are definitely spoiled for choice, as this part of Western Australia is host to a huge number of must-do activities that you and your family are sure to enjoy, no matter your tastes or budget. What’s more, it’s also got its own fair share of historic and awe-inspiring sights to explore!

With that said, if you’re on a tight schedule or there’s just too much on your itinerary, you may find it difficult to choose just which must-do activities in the Kimberley you’re going to actually enjoy. This could cause you a lot of stress and wasted time.

In order to help you prioritise and manage your time in the Kimberley better, we’ve assembled all the top activities in the Kimberley into the list below.

Ride a camel on one of the most picturesque beaches ever

The Kimberley is home to Cable Beach, one of the most picturesque beaches that you’ll ever find anywhere else. Not only is it a great location to snap your photos and enjoy the sun, but you can also treat yourself to a camel ride along the coast. Ride one of these magnificent beasts of burden and enjoy the beach as evening slowly unfolds, allowing you to enjoy the sunset and stars like never before.

Fly over the Martian-like landscape of the Bungle Bungle Range

If you’re looking for a surreal, out-of-this-world experience, then hop on a scenic flight and enjoy the eerie alien landscape of the Bungle Bungle Range. This gigantic mountain range is known for its unique beehive-shaped peaks of karst sandstone. What’s great about the Bungle Bungle Range is that it’s been formed completely by Mother Nature’s own hand and not by some avant-garde modern art sculptor looking to make a statement. Definitely consider this if you’re itching for something new and exciting.

Marvel at the Horizontal Falls

If you’ve seen one waterfall, then it’s reasonable to assume that you’ve seen them all. After all, it’s just a lot of water falling down someplace high, right? Well, what about a waterfall that goes horizontal? This is exactly what the Horizontal Falls are in the Kimberley, specifically the Talbot Bay area. Thanks to a unique island formation and erratic, crazy tidal currents, the water flowing through this specific series of parallel coastal gorges make for some furious, fast-flowing water that truly lives up to its name—a waterfall that’s lying on its back. To experience it in the best way possible, book a sea plane or jet boat to it.

See how pearls are farmed in the Willie Creek Pearl Farm

Pearls are one of the most gorgeous and naturally-occurring gems in the world, and if you’ve ever been curious about them, then you can learn all about it firsthand at the Willie Creek Pearl Farm. Located just a few kilometres from Broome, the Willie Creek Pearl Farm will give you a personal guided tour about all the ins and outs of the modern pearl industry. Their staff can walk you through the entire farming process—from seeding, harvesting, and finally to grading the pearl itself. Make your Kimberley trip an educational one with this particular activity.

Dive in the Rowley Shoals Marine Park

Are you into diving and want to see the underwater wonders of the Kimberley? If so, then you should definitely find the time to fit visiting the Rowley Shoals Marine Park in your itinerary. Travel just some 260 kilometres from Broome and you’ll be treated to one of the best diving experiences ever. With three coral atolls to its name—specifically the Mermaid Reef, the Imperieuse Reef and the Clerke Reef—you’ll be treated to marine life that you can only see in Australia and nowhere else. You’ll also come face to face with some of the more well-known aquatic fauna, such as manta rays, whales, sea turtles, and dolphins. Giant shellfish and clams will also be greeting your underwater jaunt. If you just want to relax and chill, though, then you’re welcome to simply beach-comb, or watch the whales and dolphins frolic from the safety of a chartered boat.

Shop for souvenirs in Ganada

No trip to Australia or to the Kimberley is ever complete without nabbing your own share of souvenirs, and Ganada is home to the best that you can ever buy. Travel directly to Chinatown, Broome and you’ll be spoiled for choice with only the most authentic and high-quality souvenirs that feature aboriginal Australian culture in prominence. They have everything from locally-made art and crafts, such as books, paintings, scarves, and T-shirts, to something a bit more exciting like boomerangs and didgeridoos.

The Kimberley is the spot to be in West Australia

There are so many interesting activities in the Kimberley that trying to include them all in your itinerary would be nigh impossible. However, if you’re really pressed for time and you want to experience only the absolute best that this chunk of Australia can offer, then the above-listed activities should serve you well. Just remember to hydrate frequently, as Australian weather can get quite hot. Enjoy!

There’s much to see and do in Australia. Spend your days exploring the cosmopolitan cities? Yupp. Do nothing other than lay on the beach and soak up the sun? Sounds good to us! However, while it can be fun to enjoy the laid-back pace of life that the country provides, let’s not forget that this land is a mecca for adventure! If you’re ready to get the adrenaline pumping, then you’ll find plenty of opportunities. Below, we take a look at five ways to find your adventure, whether you’re a native Aussie or you’re just visiting the Land Down Under.

A View From Above

>Australia looks pretty darn beautiful from ground level, but can you imagine what it would look like from the air? All that space, all that natural beauty, with not an obstruction in sight! To get up high and have a memorable experience, you have two options. The first is a hot air balloon. You’ll go up, cruise around the sky in peace, and then gently touch down when the adventure is over. The other is a skydive. This is slightly (ok, extremely) less peaceful, and definitely not for the faint-hearted. You will get a pretty awe-inspiring view, though, as you’re hurtling and then gliding towards earth.

Under the Sea

Being on land is all good and well, but if The Little Mermaid has taught us anything, it’s that it’s better down where it’s wetter! Australia is famous for all its awesome snorkelling opportunities, and the good thing about it is that almost anyone can take part. You’ll be able to explore all the colourful marine life that makes up the Great Barrier Reef as if you were a fish! There’s nothing quite like seeing fish and turtles doing their thing in their natural environment.

Following the Wildlife 

In a land as big as Australia, you better believe that there are plenty of enchanting animals roaming around. Being on the prowl trying to see a wild creature in the flesh is exciting enough, and it only gets better when you finally spot one! So what do you have to look forward to when you’re searching for wildlife? Well, you might just see a kangaroo, or a little penguin, or a koala bear, or maybe a quokka (which if you didn’t know, might just be the cutest creature on earth). 


Into the Park 

It’s kinda hard to know where to start when we’re talking about Kakadu National Park. It’s massive, it’s amazingly diverse, it has bags of Aboriginal history; or in other words, it’s a land that’s ripe for adventure. Go swimming, hiking, take in the views – you can do it all. Word of advice: don’t forget to bring your camera!

Into the Wild

Now, you’ll want to have some experience if you’re planning on going camping in Australia. But if you’re familiar with the outdoors, then you’ll find plenty of opportunities to enjoy all the natural beauty this land provides in an intimate way – and you’ll also find out just why Australia is so good for stargazing!

With its unique ecosystem, friendly locals, endless sunshine and host of idiosyncratic charm, it’s no wonder that Australia continues to draw legions of tourists from around the world. Few countries in the world can offer the same diversity of local plant and animal life as well as the same blend of cultures, arts and delicious foods reflecting influences from across Europe and Asia but with a distinctly Aussie twist. Yet, for one reason or another, some tourists just don’t think to look north when arranging their holidays. Perhaps they’re lured by the familiar charms of Sydney with its iconic opera house and the wistfully trendy appeal of The Rocks. Or likely they’re drawn to the capital city of Canberra with its impressive War Memorial and parliamentary buildings. Yet, venturing further north to the state of Queensland offers a quintessentially Aussie experience and a greater concentration of incredible sights and activities the likes of which you won’t find anywhere else in the country. Here are just a few of the many jewels in the northern state’s crown…

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Brisbane

As historic as Canberra, as picturesque as Sydney and as cool as Melbourne, Brisbane has a whole lot to offer those hungry for a quintessentially Aussie experience. You can rent a party boat and trail the Brisbane river, knocking back stubbies as you wind your way to the picturesque Moreton Bay. You can get up close and personal with one of Australia’s most iconic marsupials the koala at Lone Pine Koala sanctuary. You can scratch your cultural itch at the GOMA (that’s Gallery of Modern Art to me and you) or even check out some underground opera in the cavernous Spring Hill reservoir; home to the Underground Opera Company. Finish up your trip by watching the sun set over this amazing city from Kangaroo Point (home of the iconic Story bridge) or Mount Coot-tha; the highest point in the city.

Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef

For those who thirst for adventure, few destinations offer the combination of adrenaline rush and astonishing natural beauty of Cairns. From here you can engage in a host of activities from snorkelling to skydiving. You’ll also find a host of cosmopolitan bars and restaurants as well as the famous swimming lagoon. But Cairns is, of course, also the gateway to the great barrier reef. This network of over 600 varieties of hard and soft coral spanning over 2,000 km. The reef is a UNESCO world heritage site and offers some of the most breathtaking snorkelling and diving opportunities anywhere in the world.

The Gold Coast

For those who love to be beside the seaside but at their own pace, the Gold Coast offers some of the best beaches and surfing to be found anywhere in the entire country. It’s home to some of the country’s best theme parks including Wet ’n’ Wild, Sea World and Dreamworld as well as some areas of outstanding natural beauty. Check out the criss-crossing hiking trails of Lamington National Park where you’ll explore miles of picturesque mountain ridges and rainforest that are home to the region’s many beautiful bird species.

The land down under really does have it all. Tropical weather, stunning beaches, incredible cities, extraordinary wildlife, wilderness and so much more. Regardless of the type of vacation you’re after, you’ll find what you’re looking for in Australia so if this is a place you’ve always wanted to go to but are yet to visit, there are plenty of reasons to make it your next vacation. If you’re planning your trip, here are a few interesting places to look into.

The Great Barrier Reef

One of the seven wonders of the natural world, the colossal Great Barrier Reef is the largest living thing on Earth and can even be seen from space. Located off the coast of Queensland in northeastern Australia, it’s made up of thousands of reefs and hundreds of islands, molluscs, fish, hard and soft coral and so much more. There are lots of different dives and tours, with companies, you can even go whale watching. Expect to see everything from manta rays to sea snakes thousands of varieties of incredible fish species. You could go scuba diving, snorkelling or hire a yacht and navigate the waters yourself. It’s a must- see if you visit Australia, chances are this will be on your bucket list already since it’s such a spectacular sight.

Australian Cities and Beaches

If a city break is more your thing, you will be spoiled for choice with Australia. You have Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne and many more to choose from, where you can go shopping, visit attractions, dine out and enjoy the hustle and bustle. But best of all, because Australia’s cities are along the coast, you’re never too far away from the beach too. This means you have the unique opportunity to split your time between a city break and a beach vacation without much travel. Once you’ve shopped til you dropped and need a break from the busy city, you can head down to the beach and lie in a hammock while sipping a cocktail. Perfect!

The Outback

If you want to do something completely different, how about exploring the fascinating yet challenging terrain of the outback? There are tours and camel treks, you can head into the wilderness and really feel what it’s like to be away from everyone and everything. You will see species of animals and geological formations that exist nowhere else on earth. Take Purnululu National Park known as ‘Bungles’ for example. The landscape is dominated by orange and black striped domes or the ‘Three Sisters’ an incredible trio of rocks standing proud at nine hundred metres tall. There are mountains, waterfalls, gorges and so much more. Many people report having a spiritual experience in the outback, being disconnected from the rest of the world can help you tap into your true self.

Whether you want excitement, romance, relaxation or a spiritual awakening, Australia is the ideal place for your next vacation. So do some research and make note of some of the incredible places you want to visit while you’re on your trip.

Australia is a huge place, but you didn’t need anyone to point that out to you. Still, the point is that you’re not going to be able to see it all (unless you return for hundreds of trips). Nonetheless, that doesn’t mean you have to feel disheartened about missing certain key parts. If you plan your adventure well then you can see all the greatest sights of Australia in one fun-packed trip. Here are the things you definitely need to see when you visit the land down under.

Sydney.

It wouldn’t be a trip to Australia without seeing the beautiful capital of New South Wales: Sydney. We’re putting this one on the top of the list, however, because it’s not even the best place you’ll see in Australia. Still, even though capitals often aren’t the best thing a place has to offer, they’re certainly places that you need to see. Sydney is no exception, as it’s the hub of culture, entertainment, and iconic sights (often rolled into one in the case of examples such as the Sydney Opera House).

There are also a heap of beautiful beaches in the capital, and if you want to get a taste of Australia at the beginning of your trip then you should definitely head down to the coast. You don’t really need a guide for that part of your trip; you’ll find so many incredible things along the coast, such as surfing and boating opportunities, that you’ll want to just go with the flow, so to speak.

Melbourne.

Melbourne is another stunning city that you certainly have to see. Of course, there’s a lot of culture and entertainment in the center of the city, but there’s also a tonne of beautiful scenery and nature trails to explore in the surrounding area of Melbourne. You might want to consider hiring a 4 wheel drive because there’s nothing more satisfying than packing your belongings into a car and heading off into the wilderness. You could camp beneath the stars, or simply admire some of Australia’s beautiful natural landscapes from its long stretches of open road.

The Great Barrier Reef.

When it comes to exploring the beauty of nature in Australia, the Great Barrier Reef is certainly one of the best sights you’ll possibly see whilst you’re down under. It’s something that you have to see to believe and words certainly don’t do the reef enough justice. Diving down there is certainly something you’ll have to try (with professionals) because there’s an entire underwater kingdom unlike anywhere else in the world.

The ecosystem in the coral down there is over 2300km long. That’s a long way, in case you were trying to estimate the length in your mind. There are hundreds and hundreds of different species down there too; the kind of fish that, again, you won’t see anywhere else in the world. You could always go to a zoo in Australia, but the best way to experience wildlife is to simply go out and see it with your own eyes.

If you’re planning a trip to Australia sometime in the future, or if you live there already and fancy exploring what makes the country so great, here are all the places that you won’t want to miss out on.

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Blue Mountains

If you consider yourself a tracker that enjoys long hikes through the wild bush, then the Blue Mountains is one to visit. It’s dramatic scenery, small villages, eucalyptus forests, steep cliffs and waterfalls are what make the area such a magical place. Because of the interest it brings from people all over the world, it’s now possible to get a panoramic view of the mountains while being transported in a glass bottom cable car that is suspended right above the steep gorges!

Sydney Opera House

The Sydney Opera House is one of the world’s most famous and distinctive buildings. Whether you’ve been to Sydney or not, you’ll recognize this building because it’s so iconic. As it’s a multi-venue performing arts centre, you can expect to see the biggest and the best shows, exhibitions and performances that are being held there every day.

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The Bungle Bungles

With such an interesting name, who wouldn’t want to visit this place? The park is famous for its dramatically sculptured ‘beehive’ towers formed from sandstone that vary in appearance, all due to the rainfall that creates striking and vivid colour patterns. So if you’re in the Western parts of Australia, research some tours of the amazing bungle bungles so that you can get an informative day out, and some awesome selfies.

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Taronga Zoo

With over 4,000 animals to see, why wouldn’t you want to visit the Taronga Zoo at least once or twice (or eight times…) The zoo was officially opened in 1916 and is still standing strong to this very day, and is always improving. Don’t just expect to see animals though; there are also plenty of events that get thrown and even concerts too.

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Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is an underwater world full of brightly coloured fish and stunning coral that has an ecosystem of over 2,300km-long! There are over 1500 different species of fish and sea life that live in the Great Barrier Reef, including the whole cast from the film Finding Nemo. Having said that, due to mankind, the wildlife is slowly deteriorating and has drastically changed in appearance within the last few years, so you should plan a trip sooner rather than later if you want to experience it.

Bondi Beach

Bondi Beach is the hotspot for tourists and locals to go to. With enormous waves to ride, white-gold sand to sink your feet into, incredible sand sculptures made by talented artists, and smooth trails to skate down with your weapon of choice, whether that be rollerblades, skateboards or even a Segway. And don’t forget the delicious restaurants and cafes that are lined up along the strip.

So why wouldn’t you want to explore Australia? There’s such a variety of different things to see and do – you’d be mad to miss out.