Monday, November 21, 2005
Adelaide & South Australia



The deserts of Southern Australia hold great surprises despite their harsh conditions. The deserts offer great clues concerning the country's history long before European settlers. The Flinders Range north of Adelaide hold Aboriginal cave

Adelaide's urban character combines laid-back living with respect for South Australia's rugged environment. At the end of summer, city parks are crowded with parrots fleeing the parched desert. Bushfires are always a major concern in the area, especially since the Ash Wednesday flames that devastated the region in 1983. Adelaide has a multiethnic population and thriving urban art and music scene.
Well guys...thank you all for exploring Oz with me! I am so excited to go to Australia/New Zealand over winter session. I hope that everyone has been able to recapture their Aussie experience or learn a little something for future travels.
Monday, November 14, 2005
The Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is made up of 3,000 individual reefs and 900 islands. I'm just going to share some information on some of the major islands and about the reef in general. Even if you were to spend your entire time in Australia just exploring this gorgeous phenomenon, it's likely that you would miss something. There's just too much to see and do!
Lady Elliot Island - This island is a 100-acre coral on the southern tip of the Great Barrier

Heron Island - The waters of Heron Island are gorgeous, teeming with fish and coral. Heron Island is a national park and bird sanctuary, making it a great place to learn about indigenous life on the reef. Thousands of birds live here and are joined by a large number of migrating birds from September through March. Between July and October, humpback whales pass the island on their journey from the Antarctic. The island doesn't offer many activities since its single accomodation accepts only 250 guests and no day-trippers.
Brampton Island - This 195-acre island is proclaimed to be one of the prettiest in the area. The biggest attraction is the water of course, especially snorkeling between Brampton and adjoining Carlisle islands. However, the hilly interior's rain forests are home to kangaroos, rainbow lorikeets, and butterflies. Most of the island is national park, but the resort area is quite lively.

These are only a few of the hundreds of islands that make up the Great Barrier Reef. These pictures don't do justice to the beautiful islands (from what I've heard). I can't wait to see them for myself! The reef is actually 1,640 feet thick in some places. The Reef is made up of zillions of tiny poylps, which have been building up for thousands of years. The Great Barrier Reef attracts thousands of divers and snorkelers every year. They come to see the coral (of course), over 2,000 species of fish, dolphins, dugongs, sea urchins, turtles, as well as 400 species of coral. I don't think words can describe the Great Barrier Reef. I can't wait to explore first hand!
Monday, November 07, 2005
Cairns


Big-game fishing is a major industry in Cairns. Fish weighing more than 1,000 pounds have been caught in the waters off the Great Barrier Reef. The docks for boats that conduct tours of the Great Barrier Reef are found at Marlin Marina and Trinity Wharf. The actual heart of Cairns is City Place, where much of the town's pubs and shopping areas are found. The Great Barrier


The Great Barrier Reef is made up of 3,000 individual reefs and 900 islands. Amazing! The reef was established as a marine park in 1975 and serves as a home for sea life, turtles, and birds. The reef fringes the Queensland coast. Altogether the reef covers an area bigger than the United Kingdom, forming the largest living feature on earth and the only one visible from space!
I have to say that just looking at all of the pictures and reading about all of these great places makes me so excited for my trip! I love water and sun so I know I'm headed to the right place. I think that the Great Barrier Reef is #1 on my list to see!!
Monday, October 31, 2005
The Outback


There is a common misconception that the Outback is simply desert land, and although it is vast and rugged, it is still an exciting place to visit. The Outback has several different places to visit depending on your interests. Try your hand at fossicking-searching for gold-in the frontier gem-field towns of Sapphire and Rubyvale or visit Hughenden, known as dinosaur country because of ancient fossils found in the region.
One city to definitely visit is Mount Isa, especially if you enjoy diversity and experiencing

More to see in the Outback:
- Stockman's Hall of Fame - bring to life the early days of white Australian settlements, pay tribute to the pioneers who sought to tame the Australian Outback
- gem fields of Central Queensland - world's richest sapphire fields; Gemfest takes place the second week in August, when miners, merchants, and traders swap their wares.
- Outback @ Isa Explorers Park - has exhibits of fossil findings and experience an underground mine dressed in a miner's outfit-hard hat, white suit, and headlamp. (How cool is that!?!?)
See...there's more than just desert to see!! Enjoy!!
Monday, October 24, 2005
Queensland the "Sunshine State"
Local license plates deem Queensland the "sunshine state" because of its laid-back stretch of


Major cities in Queensland include Fraser Island, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Brisband, and Cairns (just to name a few). Don't worry...I'll cover them all in detail in posts to come. Brisbane is considered an up-and-coming city. The city is a formal penal colony turned big country town. The Gold Coast, which I canNOT wait to visit, has 300 days of sunshine a year with an average temperature of 75 degrees. Gold Coast is the most developed tourist destination in Australia, I just want to be there now! The Sunshine Coast is as

There's so much to see and do in Queensland...I'll break it up over the next few posts to let you guys see everything. I can't wait believe how close my trip is...I'm ready to leave NOW!!
Thursday, October 20, 2005
Melbourne


Melburnians do love their sports!! They will be hosting the 2006 Commonwealth Games. The city is sports mad! The nation practically shuts down for the Melbourne Cup horse race each year. In January the city celebrates the Australian Tennis Open held in Melbourne Park.
Australian Rules Football.

Although Melbourne loves sports...there is more to see and visit...explore the city further.
Monday, October 10, 2005
Canberra

DON'T MISS...
- Parliament House - Senate and House have public galleries; best time to observe is during Question Time when the government and opposition are most likely to be at each other's throats.
- Royal Australian Mint - can watch Australian coins being minted.
- Australian War Memorial -
Serves as a memorial to Australians who served their country in wartime and as a military museum; this is a shrine of great national importance and the most popular attraction in the capital.
- National Zoo and Aquarium - Explore the underwater world then wander over to the 15-acre wildlife sanctuary to see koalas, penguins, dingoes, kangaroos, and Tasmanian devils!!
- And although it wouldn't be #1 on my list...Federal Golf Course - the 18 hole, par 73 is regarded as the most challenging of the city's greens
- Balloon Aloft - provides spectacular sunrise views over Canberra
or sunrise panoramas over Lake Burley, Griffin, Parliamanet House, and other local sights. (sounds like an awesome way to see everything!!)
How amazing would a hot air balloon rider over the city be??
To learn more about Canberra visit this site or just ask and I'll see what answers I can come up with. Only 82 more days until I leave for Australia....can't wait!!