Australia, Land of Sunshine and Variety

Australia is a top holiday destination because of the stunning variety it offers tourists. Must -see classics include the famous Sidney Opera house and Ayer’s Rock, but also less well known (and crowded) spots such as Coober Pedy, an opal town in Southern Australia, famous for its underground dwellings and scenery, as seen in Mad Max III.

Australia exerts such a charm on its guests, many of them return every year to find there are always more delights to be discovered. Ecology-friendly tours, 300 days of sunshine per year in some locations and stunning natural flora and fauna have given Australia an almost unfair advantage over the rest of the world where tourism in concerned. Determined to make the most of its natural resources, the country has opened its doors and receives more than 4 million visitors a year, with open arms. Tourists will find destinations and entertainments to suit all tastes and budgets, with good savings possible in many places by a little research and a few phone calls. Many guests return for the second or third visit, to see what they missed in previous trips, and spend more time in places they had too little time in on the original visit.

For the budget conscious traveler (and who isn’t, these days?) Australia offers many savings. So along with a guide to the top ten destinations that should not be missed; our experts have put together a selection of tips to allow guests to see and do more, for less.

Sydney, the Emerald City

Located on an inlet of the Tasmanian Sea in New South Wales, the three titles associated with this bustling multi-cultural modern city describe it perfectly. Known as,” The Harbor City”, “The City of Villages” and “The Emerald City”, because the city sits on low hills surrounding the harbor, Sydney features entertainments, shopping districts and restaurants reflecting almost every cultural group in the world. The inhabitants are rightfully proud of the number and size of open green spaces like parks and botanical gardens, such as the centrally located Hyde Park. Sidney is often called, “one of the most beautiful cities in the world”, no doubt because of its abundance of stunning outside locations to meet, relax and enjoy a picnic.

What to See and Where to Go

• Must-see destinations include the Tower over looking the beaches, Luna Park, and Royal Botanical Gardens along with the famous Sidney Opera House and Sydney Harbor Bridge.
• Less well-known sights include the world’s largest movie screen at the IMAX Theatre and didgeridoo players at the Outback centre, both located in the Darling Harbor area.

Sydney Savings Tips

• Choosing a hotel slightly off the beaten track, as opposed to one of those closest to beaches will save a significant amount on hotel bills. See more detail and save money by getting around on foot or a rental bicycle. Cyclists and walkers will love the Sydney Green Ring, a corridor spanning nearly 40 km in a circle around the Erskineville suburbs. Easily accessible via public transport and not far from downtown, the route crosses the Anzac and Pyrmont Bridges.
• Try eating out to avoid costly room service and hotel restaurant tariffs. This is easy to do as visitors in Sydney are spoilt for choice, with food to suit every taste from classic French cuisine to West Indian curries.
• For a romantic evening with a breathtaking view, grab a bottle of wine from any of Australia’s famous vineyards and head up to North Head National Park to see the sun set over Sidney Harbor. Well worth the cost of a 5 minute taxi drive from Manly Wharf, this location is a secret well kept by photographers who produce stunning images of the city from this vantage point.
• Use the excellent local transport to get around, right from the moment you arrive at the airport, located 6 miles from the city center. Cheap, reliable and comfortable, the choice of bus or train speeds tourists to hotels in just 13 minutes.