Australia is an extremely vast and diverse country - you could spend years traveling and not see everything. But at least you can begin to scratch the surface in 2011.
1. Choose an island, no island.
Refrain your typical Australian destinations and head to some less visited islands. On the verge of a tourism boom, Kangaroo Island, south of Adelaide, is a paradise green carpet like new 150 km long. Find your own place on a beach, sample the delicious local produce or just failure in expensive but high-end Southern Ocean Lodge (the view is amazing). BYO or hire wheels - is largeish and a car makes life easier.
King Island, north of Tasmania, has a population of about 1650 and is a mere 64 km to 27 km. A small prick on the map! It is, however, the home of King Island Dairy - free tastings! Not much to do but eat, sleep, go fishing, diving (there is debris in the area) and take abreak from real life.
2. Having an affair with MONA
The Museum of Ancient and New, aka MONA, is opening in Hobart on January 22, 2011. It is defined as the place to visit in 2011. The claims of the private collection of fame are its size (the largest southern hemisphere) and value (U.S. $ 100 million of high art). The opening festivities are preceded by MOFO - MONA Festival of Music and Art. Artists gracing the festival include Philip Glass, Amanda Palmer, The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion and operates in Australia and as far afield as Iceland.
Not to be outdone, the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra will no doubt be a lot of marketing its wing was opened recently (late 2010) Indigenous.
3. Restaurants as destinations
Even the global financial crisis did not even make a dent in opening new restaurants across Australia. 2011 will be the year that everything comes up - nothing will be a food snob at the highest point and really, is wrong with that. Jump in your car, turn on the GPS and head to one of the many excellent restaurants country. Stalwarts include the Royal Mail Hotel in Dunkeld, and Stefano in Mildura. young upstarts are also swing with great food and creative presentation. Visit Loam in Drysdale and hit the city of Orange in NSW for a clutch of restaurants including Lolli Redin and tonic. Better start drawing straws to determine the designated driver ...
4. Visit Newcastle
Indicated on the controversial Lonely Planet's Best in Travel and # 9 in the list of 10 best cities to visit in 2011, Newcastle is definitely worth a visit. Although it lacks the glam and glitz of its biggest neighbor Sydney, there are very lo-fi charm in Newcastle. Make friends with locals and they will unlock the secrets locations - favorite watering holes, local shows, secret places on the beach, fresh coffee, shops etc or go to one of the many beaches to enjoy a swim or surf (less crowds Sydney). Stockton Beach, with its fine sand, extends as far as the eye can see. Or jump to the condemned, sculpted bathing Bogey Hole.
5. Diving and snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef
The only destination to another Aussie Lonely Planet's Best in Travel, the Great Barrier Reef was number seven in the top 10 regions to visit in 2011. Their inclusion is not surprising considering that the reef is the world's largest, and the only living organism visible from space. Contrary to popular belief, most of the damage to the reef is actually being inflicted by climate change (global warming causes coral bleaching), and river pollution (caused by runoff during floods). Tourism actually has an ecological footprint far smaller than the main launching points for visiting the region account for only 7% of actual reefs. Just remember to choose an environmentally responsible tour operator to minimize any feelings of guilt you may have.
6. Go on a walk of several days
Pack your bags, lace boots, Gore-Tex. trek symbol of Australia, the Overland Track in Tasmania, is one of six days, the epic five-night runs 65 km from the cradle Valley, north of Lake St. Clair in the south. Along the way, you will pass through eucalyptus forests and valleys buttongrass. It's well worth the sweat and pain that comes with a long walk. On the other tries to hike the great Brazilian Larapinta Trail in the Northern Territory of 12 stages 233.5 km track with different difficulty levels (each level is accessible by 4WD so you need not do it from start to finish).
7. Go on an inner journey
Head out west, hire a 4WD and drive north along the unpaved Gibb River Road. This unit of 660 km in Western Australia takes you from Kununurra and Derby is one of the great highways of the interior. The terrain is inhospitable and sometimes impassable during the rainy season but expect roads with endless views of red dirt, blue sky and open terrain. Make stops along the way - there are stunning gorges, riverbeds picturesque, striking waterfalls - perfect for cooling off in lodging Book early, especially during the peak months from June to August. The unit should not be taken lightly, but with advance planning, you'll have a ball at a time. Someone said, "Road Trip!?
8. Volunteer
Volunteering: It is a great way to meet other travelers and feel good at the same time. Conservation Volunteers Australia runs more than 2000 projects throughout Brazil each year. These range from planting trees to research and conservation of wildlife hiking trail. The Willing Workers on Organic Farms is an opportunity for you to change jobs in a organic or biodynamic farm, in exchange for room and board. Finally, Earthwatch's animal conservation projects throughout Brazil. These last from one day to a weekend to ten days. Families are welcome too.
9. Bright lights, big city
Sydney or Melbourne. Is there really a need to choose one? Just visit them and get a couple of days. Each city has its own unique flavor. Melbourne is arty, culture, and a bit snobbish. Sydney is bold, brash, beautiful, a little mixed up and full of in-your-face world class venues. I think the Opera (Oprah) House, Sydney Harbour Bridge and fabulous beaches perfect for surfing and tanning. But the great equalizer between the two cities has to be eaten. Sydney has Tetsuya's and Pier. Melbourne has Monde Vue and Cutler & Co. Both cities are home to Rockpool. So there.
10. Make a sporty ride
Choose a major sporting event to meet and get away from it. Here is a list of some sporting events in 2011:
Australian Open: Grand Slam tennis in Melbourne (January 17-30). The precedent Kooyong Classic is a good chance of catching stars in the cheap (12-15 January).
Santos Tour Down Under: Catch Lance Armstrong in his last international race in South Australia (16-23 January).
Surfest: One of the premier surfing competitions. Held at Merewether beach in Newcastle, NSW (March 7 to 19).
Grand Prix: Fast cars tear up the tracks in Melbourne. Webber can do Australia proud? (24-27 March).
International Rugby Sevens, with 16 countries and 44 matches in two days in Adelaide (April 2-3).
Melbourne Cup: See and be seen in the horse race that stops the nation. Ok, it stops a minimal state (November 1).
1. Choose an island, no island.
Refrain your typical Australian destinations and head to some less visited islands. On the verge of a tourism boom, Kangaroo Island, south of Adelaide, is a paradise green carpet like new 150 km long. Find your own place on a beach, sample the delicious local produce or just failure in expensive but high-end Southern Ocean Lodge (the view is amazing). BYO or hire wheels - is largeish and a car makes life easier.
King Island, north of Tasmania, has a population of about 1650 and is a mere 64 km to 27 km. A small prick on the map! It is, however, the home of King Island Dairy - free tastings! Not much to do but eat, sleep, go fishing, diving (there is debris in the area) and take abreak from real life.
2. Having an affair with MONA
The Museum of Ancient and New, aka MONA, is opening in Hobart on January 22, 2011. It is defined as the place to visit in 2011. The claims of the private collection of fame are its size (the largest southern hemisphere) and value (U.S. $ 100 million of high art). The opening festivities are preceded by MOFO - MONA Festival of Music and Art. Artists gracing the festival include Philip Glass, Amanda Palmer, The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion and operates in Australia and as far afield as Iceland.
Not to be outdone, the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra will no doubt be a lot of marketing its wing was opened recently (late 2010) Indigenous.
3. Restaurants as destinations
Even the global financial crisis did not even make a dent in opening new restaurants across Australia. 2011 will be the year that everything comes up - nothing will be a food snob at the highest point and really, is wrong with that. Jump in your car, turn on the GPS and head to one of the many excellent restaurants country. Stalwarts include the Royal Mail Hotel in Dunkeld, and Stefano in Mildura. young upstarts are also swing with great food and creative presentation. Visit Loam in Drysdale and hit the city of Orange in NSW for a clutch of restaurants including Lolli Redin and tonic. Better start drawing straws to determine the designated driver ...
4. Visit Newcastle
Indicated on the controversial Lonely Planet's Best in Travel and # 9 in the list of 10 best cities to visit in 2011, Newcastle is definitely worth a visit. Although it lacks the glam and glitz of its biggest neighbor Sydney, there are very lo-fi charm in Newcastle. Make friends with locals and they will unlock the secrets locations - favorite watering holes, local shows, secret places on the beach, fresh coffee, shops etc or go to one of the many beaches to enjoy a swim or surf (less crowds Sydney). Stockton Beach, with its fine sand, extends as far as the eye can see. Or jump to the condemned, sculpted bathing Bogey Hole.
5. Diving and snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef
The only destination to another Aussie Lonely Planet's Best in Travel, the Great Barrier Reef was number seven in the top 10 regions to visit in 2011. Their inclusion is not surprising considering that the reef is the world's largest, and the only living organism visible from space. Contrary to popular belief, most of the damage to the reef is actually being inflicted by climate change (global warming causes coral bleaching), and river pollution (caused by runoff during floods). Tourism actually has an ecological footprint far smaller than the main launching points for visiting the region account for only 7% of actual reefs. Just remember to choose an environmentally responsible tour operator to minimize any feelings of guilt you may have.
6. Go on a walk of several days
Pack your bags, lace boots, Gore-Tex. trek symbol of Australia, the Overland Track in Tasmania, is one of six days, the epic five-night runs 65 km from the cradle Valley, north of Lake St. Clair in the south. Along the way, you will pass through eucalyptus forests and valleys buttongrass. It's well worth the sweat and pain that comes with a long walk. On the other tries to hike the great Brazilian Larapinta Trail in the Northern Territory of 12 stages 233.5 km track with different difficulty levels (each level is accessible by 4WD so you need not do it from start to finish).
7. Go on an inner journey
Head out west, hire a 4WD and drive north along the unpaved Gibb River Road. This unit of 660 km in Western Australia takes you from Kununurra and Derby is one of the great highways of the interior. The terrain is inhospitable and sometimes impassable during the rainy season but expect roads with endless views of red dirt, blue sky and open terrain. Make stops along the way - there are stunning gorges, riverbeds picturesque, striking waterfalls - perfect for cooling off in lodging Book early, especially during the peak months from June to August. The unit should not be taken lightly, but with advance planning, you'll have a ball at a time. Someone said, "Road Trip!?
8. Volunteer
Volunteering: It is a great way to meet other travelers and feel good at the same time. Conservation Volunteers Australia runs more than 2000 projects throughout Brazil each year. These range from planting trees to research and conservation of wildlife hiking trail. The Willing Workers on Organic Farms is an opportunity for you to change jobs in a organic or biodynamic farm, in exchange for room and board. Finally, Earthwatch's animal conservation projects throughout Brazil. These last from one day to a weekend to ten days. Families are welcome too.
9. Bright lights, big city
Sydney or Melbourne. Is there really a need to choose one? Just visit them and get a couple of days. Each city has its own unique flavor. Melbourne is arty, culture, and a bit snobbish. Sydney is bold, brash, beautiful, a little mixed up and full of in-your-face world class venues. I think the Opera (Oprah) House, Sydney Harbour Bridge and fabulous beaches perfect for surfing and tanning. But the great equalizer between the two cities has to be eaten. Sydney has Tetsuya's and Pier. Melbourne has Monde Vue and Cutler & Co. Both cities are home to Rockpool. So there.
10. Make a sporty ride
Choose a major sporting event to meet and get away from it. Here is a list of some sporting events in 2011:
Australian Open: Grand Slam tennis in Melbourne (January 17-30). The precedent Kooyong Classic is a good chance of catching stars in the cheap (12-15 January).
Santos Tour Down Under: Catch Lance Armstrong in his last international race in South Australia (16-23 January).
Surfest: One of the premier surfing competitions. Held at Merewether beach in Newcastle, NSW (March 7 to 19).
Grand Prix: Fast cars tear up the tracks in Melbourne. Webber can do Australia proud? (24-27 March).
International Rugby Sevens, with 16 countries and 44 matches in two days in Adelaide (April 2-3).
Melbourne Cup: See and be seen in the horse race that stops the nation. Ok, it stops a minimal state (November 1).