|
|
Southern Australia is an vast area of great contrasts with the land ranges from desert to plains to fertile wine-growing areas set amid rolling hills.
Melbourne
Capital of Victoria and Australia’s second-largest city, Melbourne is often voted the most livable city in the world. For one thing, it’s sited on the Yarra River and scenic Port Philip Bay. Plus, it’s Australia’s vanguard city for sport, fashion, shopping, cuisines, music and nightlife, and is home to a host of museums, galleries and theaters, and large parks and gardens.
Transport:getting there and getting away
Melbourne’s centre for domestic and international flights is Tullamarine Airport. It’s located 14 miles northwest of the city center and accessible by skybus.
Spencer Street Railway Station is served by interstate trains. The Sydney-Melbourne XPT runs between Australia’s two largest cities daily. The trip takes 10 1/2 hours. The Overland connects with Adelaide daily. The trip time is 12 hours.
Bus services connect Melbourne with other major cities and regional areas of Victoria.
Melbourne’s public transport system, known as Metlink offers a wide range of options for getting around the city. These include trams, trains, and buses. Melbourne has the world’s oldest tram network which now runs over 200 miles of track. Trams are the most popular with tourists and locals alike for travel around the city and inner suburbs. Taxis are plentiful and Melbourne has an excellent network of bike paths.
Climate:
Melbourne has a capricious climate. It ranges from rainy to gusty and it often oscillates between warm and chilly in the space of one day. However it seldom gets really too hot or too cold. Winter temperatures range between 6°C and 13°C. In summer, it rarely gets above 35°C.
Accommodation:from cheap stays to luxury resorts
Check on the internet for the range, location and cost of hotels in Melbourne
Melbourne accommodation is varied and good value.
Events:what’s on and what’s hot
Melbourne’s social calendar is comprises equally of sporting and cultural events.
*The year kicks of with Midsumma Melbourne, an annual pride event in January. It’s a three-week bash featuring a music, cabaret, and drag acts.
*Australian Football League Grand Final in September is the annual showcase of Aussie Rules Football.
*Melbourne Fringe held annually in September and October is the city’s exuberant art fest.
*LIVID Festival held in October is one of the country’s largest rock festivals.
Adelaide
Much of Adelaide’s charm comes from its location. It sits on the narrow Adelaide Plains between Gulf St Vincent on the Southern Ocean and the eucalyptus-covered hills of the Mount Lofty ranges. Today’s Adelaide is famous for its festivals, arts, sports events and wine from nearby vineyards.
Transport:getting there and getting away
Adelaide’s spanking new airport offers international connections to Auckland, Hongkong, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. On the domestic front, it’s just an hour’s hop to Melbourne and less than three hours to Sydney, Brisbane, or Canberra. There are also buses and interstate trains.
Getting around the city is easy via train, tram and bus services that use the Metroticket unified ticketing system. The compact city center is fine for walking and there are two free bus services for the footsore. There’s also a tram that runs from Victoria Square to the seaside suburb of Glenelg.
Climate:
In a word, Mediterranean. Summer in Adelaide is scorching with temperatures leaping to 40°C and above. Winters are damp and miserable but never really cold. Spring and Autumn are the most pleasant seasons, balmy and temperate.
Accommodation:from cheap stays to luxury resorts
Check on the internet for the range, location and cost of Adelaide hotels.
Events:what’s on and what’s hot
*Womadelaide, an outdoor festival of world music and dance, is held every February to March.
*The jewel in Adelaide’s social crowd is the Adelaide Arts Festival held at the beginning of March in even-numbered years. It features drama, dance and music, along with a writers’ week, poetry readings and art exhibitions. The Fringe Festival runs at the same time.
*Adelaide International Guitar Festival is in November.
Whangarei city is the regional capital of the Northland region located in the northernmost corner of New Zealand, about 160km from Auckland. Northland is composed of 3 main districts; Far North District, Kaipara District and Whangarei District.
Whangarei district is a diver’s paradise, with stretches of unspoilt coasts and offshore islets such as the world famous Poor Knights Islands – an archipelago sited only 50km from the Whangarei city. It’s an uninhabited region renowned as a nature reserve offering warm waters, crystal clear visibility and a spectacular marine life thriving within vibrant coral reefs. The purpose built dive boats will take you to specific diving spots that best suits your skills and interests, presenting you with a unique diving experience.
If you prefer Kayaking in a secluded bay, Tutukaka harbor offers just the right place for you. Not only kayaking, you can also snorkel, paddle and even trek and fish. Tutukaka is also famous for surfing as well as for stretches of sandy white beaches with a rocky landscape. You can also find other attractions here, such as game-fishing and numerous sporting facilities including tennis and golf, dotting the area.
If you fancy mechanical devices, Claphams Clocks will definitely pique your interest. It is the Southern hemisphere’s largest timekeeper collection claiming to about 1,400 clocks and timepieces. The museum was founded by a resident of Whangarei by the name Archibald Clapham in the 1940s and later in 1961 the collection was bequeathed to Whangarei District Council. It’s located at Quayside, Town Basin where international yachts are gathered, along with a multitude of shops, galleries and restaurants.
You can trek through a nature trail by visiting the A.H. Reed Memorial Kauri Park, which is the remnant of the original Kauri forest that used to span across Northlands. The specialty of the park is the canopy walkways, where you can capture a breathtaking view of the park which includes 500 year old Kauri trees. And just 5km from downtown Whangarei, you can capture the stunning scenery of Whangarei falls – renowned as the most photographed cascade in New Zealand.
And how about a first hand encounter with world’s most endangered big cats? Visit Zion Wildlife Park to discover these fascinating felines reared personally by New Zealand’s famous Lionman Craig Busch. The site houses endangered big cats such as the Barbary and white lions, Royal white and orange Bengal tigers, Serval cats and a black leopard among others.
And for a historical tour capturing New Zealand’s renowned Kiwis, try the Whangarei Museum and Kiwi House at Heritage Park. The museum features numerous collections of Maori taonga, treasures of the Maori – the indigenous people of New Zealand. The Kiwi house is home for nocturnal kiwis, morepork owls and native geckos.
There are also a number of theaters in Whangarei, including the Octagon Theatre which hosts various interesting shows and events. The Repertory Society hosts their shows at the Octagon theatre offering regular classic live shows. There are many hotels in Whangarei, including the Kingsgate Hotel Whangarei, where you can relish modern conveniences and scrumptious delicacies while residing close to the city center.
With a rich history influenced by its Chinese roots as well as the Portugese colonial reign, Macau is a spellbinding mix of the orient and the west. It is this alluring diversity that attracts visitors in their multitudes to the beautiful peninsula of Macau, and what better vantage point to view the country’s breathtaking landscape, than the Macau Tower Convention & Entertainment Centre (MTCEC). Soaring at an incredible 338 meters, making it the world’s 10th tallest structure, the imposing tower overlooks the serene Pearl River as well as Macau’s man-made Nam Van Lake development
Commissioned by billionaire Stanley Ho Hung-Sung, Macau’s casino tycoon, the Tower is designed to resemble the Lotus flower, a symbol of modern Macau. The building has since become a landmark of the entire region and is used for broadcasting and telecommunications purposes as well as being a significant tourist attraction and observation point. At 4 lofty levels, the Macau Tower is taller than Sydney’s AMP Tower, the Sky Tower in Auckland and the Eiffel in Paris. Standing at 223 meters above ground is the Main Observation Level which has a double-height ceiling and 2 sections of glass floor. A café is also available on this level. The plush revolving Tower Restaurant serves delectable dishes from a range of cuisines making for an unforgettable gastronomical experience while the restaurant itself gently completes a single revolution in 60 minutes. The Outdoor Observation Deck at a height of 233 meters towards the sky has an elegant interior of marble floors and is an awe-inspiring experience. Visitors can feast their eyes on the panoramic view of Macau’s lush landscape, the glistening Pearl River, the Macau islands of Taipa and Coloane and on a cloudless day, a few of the picturesque Hong Kong islands in the far distance.
With theaters, shopping malls and restaurants, the Tower is a haven of exhilarating activities, enough to fill an entire day’s itinerary. For the more daring visitor, the Skywalk–X walking tour of the outer rim on the observation platform of the 61st floor is a spine-tingling test of nerves. Now famous as a bungee jumping spot, the 1.8 m wide walkway around the tower boasts an impeccable safety record, but is nevertheless a heart-thumping experience.
The Macau Tower Convention & Entertainment Centre rises majestically from the heart of the Macau Peninsula and is part of the scenic view from the panes of the casino resort and largest single structure hotel in Asia, The Venetian Macao Hotel. It is the quintessential luxury Hotel Macau that is guaranteed to suit the needs of every traveler. The Venetian is a highlight of Macau fine dining with restaurants that are famed for producing culinary masterpieces.
By now, you have probably seen an electronic cigarette. They are made to look like cigarettes but aren’t. In fact, smokers don’t really smoke electronic cigarettes. Instead, they “vape” because the nicotine in them is not burned but is instead turned into a fine mist, which is inhaled. A very recent invention, the electronic cigarette was pretty much unknown just a few years ago. Today, however, the electronic cigarette is becoming very popular with smokers. Sales continue to increase. Many smokers are purchasing the electronic cigarette to quit smoking. But, are they effective as a smoking cessation device?
The answer to that question is that nobody really knows. There is very little scientific data on their effectiveness as a smoking cessation aid. Because there is so little scientific data, electronic cigarette retailers are not permitted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market the electronic cigarette as smoking cessation device. Instead, most cigarette retailers market the electronic cigarette as being a “safer alternative to smoking” or as being an alternative to smoking when smoking is not permitted, such as on airplanes and in movie theaters.
Even though there is little scientific evidence on the electronic cigarette, many people believe that it is safer than real cigarettes. Such a belief is certainly very plausible, given all the known dangers of smoking real cigarettes. In addition, some preliminary research does back up the contention that the electronic cigarette is safer than real cigarettes. In clinical trials at the University of Auckland, in New Zealand, electronic cigarettes made by the Runyan company were found to be safer than real cigarettes. However, the researchers did conclude that further testing needed to be done.
Until there is FDA approval, the electronic cigarette can not be sold as a smoking cessation aid. However, many smokers buy it for that purpose. How effective the electronic cigarette is for quitting smoking remains to be seen.
If you find you need directions a cab driver or a newspaper vendor will be a good source for directions. If you are in a busy shopping area, you may find a policeman that will be able to point you in the right direction.
Black cabbies own their own vehicles, never leave garbage or food in their taxis. They take care of their cabs and take pride in the appearance so don\’t make their working life harder. If your Cabbie is sociable, they can be a great source of information. Some black cab drivers will not pick up someone who is extremely drunk, and prefer that you do not smoke in their vehicle.
As of July 1, 2007, you are not allowed to smoke in restaurants, pubs, bars, the Tube, and in theaters. You will be issued a 200 pound fine if you violate this law. This also includes enclosed places where people work.
Become familiar with the local Tesco, Sainsbury\’s, and M&S foods. These are grocery stores and you can purchase inexpensive snacks and lunches to take back to your room. This is a great, and more economical alternative to eating out every night.
If you plan on visiting London in the summer months, you will need to be sure the hotel you choose is equipped with a good air conditioning system. Many hotel rooms do not have enough cross ventilation and you may find you room unbearably stuffy and hot. When traveling the Tube, know that the temperature can be up to 10 degrees higher than outside. Wear layers of clothing you can peal off.
Don\’t try to keep up with the locals when it comes to drinking alcohol. Drinking is a large part of the social culture in London, and British beer is stronger than US varieties. You should also know that the Imperial Pints served by the London pubs are 4 oz larger than the pints served in the US. Three British pints add up to 5 bottles of American beer.
When ordering in a restaurant or pub, you may signal by holding up 2 fingers for 2 pints. Whatever you do, make sure your palm is facing the waitress or bar maid. If the back of your hand is facing them it is the British equivalent to giving someone the finger.
If you come across an unattended bag or parcel, do not touch it. Call 999 the emergency help number, this is also true in any type of emergency where you require assistance. This number will also get you in touch with the police in an emergency, and obtain lifeguard assistance. This number can be accessed from any pay-phone. You may also dial 112 to harmonize with other European areas who use that number. If you dial 911 from a mobile it will be directed to the 999 number. 911 will not work on any pay-phone.
Take care when crossing the street, as cars in London are driven on the left side and Americans have had the phrase “Keep To The Right”, burned into their brain for years. It can be a bit confusing to you and London van drivers move quite fast down small side streets. Try to cross the street with a group and not alone.
London is right up there with the most popular destinations in the world for leisure and business. London has the finest transportation system of any European city. With over 500 local rail stations, 200 Tube stations, and 600 bus routes.
London boasts 5 international airports: Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and City. Each airport has a connection to Central London by Tube, Express train service, and coach. You may also choose to get to Central London by Taxi, but this can be a more costly alternative. Make sure the taxi you use has a meter, and ask for an estimation of how much it will cost before you start. The Heathrow express train will travel to Paddington station on London\’s West side, and the Gateway express travels to Victoria, on the South side of London. You will be able to access all of London from either of these stations.
First of all you should invest in a mini atlas, which contains maps of London that show areas to about seven miles outside the city center in all directions. The atlas also contains an index of all roads, streets, lanes, and squares in London. You will always be able to see where you are when you have this atlas. This book also has maps of the London Underground and a great deal of other information. You can also purchase a second version of the mini atlas that extends 16 miles out of the city instead of 7. You will probably not need this unless you want to visit the outlying areas.
London is separated into dozens of boroughs. Kensington, Chelsea, and Knightsbridge are where you want to go for shopping, wonderful cafes, wine bars and pubs. Clerkenwell, Shoreditch, Soho, and Camden have fantastic night entertainment. Primrose Hill, Maida Vale, and St. Johns Wood, are residential areas that are very quiet. The West End, Covent Garden, and the South Bank are where you will find theaters, street performers, and many restaurants and bars.
Public transportation in London is very large and can be quite expensive. To travel the Tube you will want to purchase an Oyster card at any Tube station. This will allow you seven days of unlimited travel on the Tube or any buses within the area of zone 1 or 2, and costs a reasonable flat rate. When in a Tube station be aware that the left side of the escalator is only for people who are walking.
Black cabs and minicabs are the two types of taxis in London. All Black Cabs are not black in color, they are the larger cabs and are a bit more expensive because the fares are regulated. Minicabs are an unlicensed cab with any driver that may or may not be insured.
If you will be traveling by taxi at night, you should use a black cab or go to an official mini cab office. Do not go with anyone who asks you on the street, if you need a taxi. Especially in Picadilly, Soho, and around the Oxford Street area, where there are many unlicensed and illegal drivers. You will need to take care anywhere around London, even if they offer you a cheap fare, you may find yourself in a dangerous situation.
Sydney is the best loved city in Australia, and the oldest. Today, Sydney has grown into a lively city with lots of get-up-and-go and is definitely one of the most preferred holiday destinations for a number of reasons. Known as The Harbour, due to its location on the south-eastern coast and situation around Port Jackson, it has a booming tourism industry attributable to stunning natural attractions, soaring skyscrapers, excellent shopping and restaurants, awe-inspiring architecture and its friendly and warm locals.
The city has to be most well-known for Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. Its beautiful beaches stretch for miles, and for those who like fresh air then this is a city that can provide a city feel with the cool wind of the ocean, and is within easy travelling distance to national parks, rivers, bays and coves.
Sydney has the most amazing natural views, the perfect warm climate, and long stretches of tropical beaches. Whatever your interest you are guaranteed to find sights and attractions that will keep you entertained and grabbing for your camera at every opportunity. Culture is found at various venues around the city, check out the Sydney Opera House, the City Recital Hall, Griffin Theater Company, Company B and the Wharf Theater online for their programme of events.
If it is architecture you are fascinated with then the city has fine examples of Edwardian, Victorian and Georgian architecture. With the vast array of festivals organized you are certain to catch one of them, particularly in the summer months, people flock here in their thousands for the Sydney Festival, Australia’s largest celebration, the Big Day Out which is a rock music festival, and the Sydney Film Festival, to name just a few.
One of the more famous is the Mardi Gras, an annual gay pride parade and festival for the LGBT community that offers a great way for visitors to soak up the atmosphere. Organized events over 3 weeks generally start off with an outdoor fair, ideal for anyone with a family and children as there is entertainment, music, theatre and an art show. The Parade is a part of the festival definitely not to be missed, commencing at Hyde Park, turning up Oxford St and into Flinders Street before finally coming to a halt at Moore Park. Once the parade is over then the partying begins!
There is no similar event in the world that is as large as Sydneyâs Mardi Gras and the parade is a mix of community groups from Sydney itself or from all over Australia, as well as individual participants. Float after float streams through the streets of the city with costumes getting more and more elaborate and extravagant, and colourful.
The parade and following party draws in thousands of visitors both from Australia and abroad. If you are planning on going to join in the party then itâs advised you book accommodation well in advance as the city is packed and hotels are taking bookings months before.
And finally if all you want to do is lie on a sun-soaked beach and chill out the where better than Sydney? With its oceanic climate itâs perfect for beach lovers. Take the short trip to Bondi Beach and take a swim or go surfing in its deep blue waters.
There is a range of Sydney accommodation and hotels just book early to avoid having to pay more than you intended or not able to stay in the area of your choice. Instead of a hotel why not choose to stay somewhere a little more private whilst youâre in the city? Fully serviced two and three bedroom executive apartments can be found in a central location and with a balcony and views of the city skyline. You can be close to all the major tourist attractions and entertainment whilst feeling as if you are at home!
About Auckland
Auckland is the biggest metropolitan area within the country of New Zealand. This metropolitan area has more than one million inhabitants. Auckland is located on the northern half of North Island. It also lies on the isthmus of land that combines the northern peninsula to the rest of North Island.
This wonderful metropolitan area is also composed of 4 separate cities such as the Manukau City within the south Waitakere City in the western region, North Shore City in the northern region and the Auckland City itself that lies around the isthmus. The local government area including rural places, islands and small towns within the Hauraki Gulf is also known as the Auckland Region.
There are 4 districts in the Auckland metropolitan area. The first one is the Auckland City. It is also considered as the central part of Auckland. The second one is Manukau which is located at the outer east and south portion of Auckland. The next district is called Waitakere which is lies on the western part of Auckland while the last district is the North Shore, located on the north section of the Auckland Harbor Bridge and the Waitemata Harbor.
Auckland is also known as the “City of Sails” for there are numerous yachts in the area that grace the Hauraki Gulf and the Waitemata Harbor. The area is also called the “City of Volcanoes” for the area was built on a volcanic field which consists of 48 volcanoes. On the other hand, all the volcanoes in Auckland are extinct although the volcanic field is not.
This metropolitan area is the largest city in the entire Polynesia. For most Polynesian nations, there are significantly more expatriates that live in this area than in their own homelands. The area’s rich Pacific cultural diversity is often celebrated at sporting matches and festivals. Moreover, the area often rates very well in quality of life polls around the globe which constantly makes them one of the top 5 places that has high quality of life. Furthermore, Auckland budget hotels are abundant. Here, tourists can relax and unwind as well as enjoy the sites and the cultural heritage of the area.
Cheap Hotels in Auckland
Bamber House – This hotel is located at 22 View Road, Mt. Eden. From Queen Street, the place is easily accessible for you can catch busses at the IMAX Theater up to View Road. For inquiries, more information, reservations and other concerns, you can contact the hotel personnel at +64-09-623-4267. You can also request them to send you a fax copy of their room rates through their fax number +64-09-623-4267. Room rates start at 25 US dollars for dormitory style and about 66 US dollars for doubles per night.
BK Hostel – This hotel is located at 3 Mercury Lane, Auckland. For more information about room rates, special packages and other concerns, you can contact them at 64-09-307-2252. This hostel doesn’t have dorm rooms but they have single, triple and twin rooms that start from 40 US dollars to 81 US dollars. It has a nice atmosphere. Room amenities include a laundry area and kitchen.
Queen Street Backpackers – This hotel is located at 4 Fort Street, City Center. This is a very cheap hotel in Auckland. For more information about hotel amenities, reservations, room rates and other stuff, you can contact them at +64-09-373-3471. The hotel’s fax number is +64-09-358-25412. Shared rooms start at around 25 US dollars while private rooms start at 65 US dollars.
|
|
