Iconic Australia in photos

If you are planning a trip to Australia or already decided to go to Australia, here are some photos to inspire you to see and experience this amazing country.
 
"Ta-da!" | Uluru, Northern Territory, Australia



 "Well, it has been a very long week" | Port Douglas, Queensland, Australia


 
Only in Australia.... | Birdsville, Queensland, Australia



Sydney Skyline | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia


 
"The coast is clear!" | Kings Canyon, Northern Territory, Australia
 
 

Sydney Harbour Lights Up | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia


 
Simply stunning |  Bunker Bay, Western Australia


 
"Road-trip time!" | Going across the Nullarbor on the Eyre Highway, Western Australia



"Come on Mum, let me out!" | Cleland Wildlife Park, South Australia

Explore Australia | Fan Photos

What else can we say - wow! | Cape Hillsborough, QLD



Anyone for a dip? | Perth, WA



Uluru in the rain - a very special sight to see! | Uluru, NT



"Oh, it's you again!" | Baird Bay, SA

 

The beach is waiting for you. | Rottnest Island, WA



Just another day on Flinders Street..... | Melbourne, VIC



Tamarama, Sydney, NSW


 
"Say cheese!" | Baird Bay, SA
 


 Crazy clouds.....| Lord Howe Island, NSW

Changing face of Lake Eyre, Australia

Going to Australia? Consider visiting South Australia and view Lake Eyre from the air.

Have a glimpse at this remote part of Australia and see this magical place through low level aerial pictures with their astonishing detail.

Award-winning Australian artist Peter Elfes has been documenting the Lake Eyre and the encompassing desert for the last four years.

'Silcrete Island' - Lake Eyre, SA, Australia

Water coloured by pink algae surrounds an island in Lake Eyre. This rare transition in water colour only occurs once the water has been present in the Lake for several seasons - Peter Elfes.

'Lake Eyre Reflections' - Lake Eyre, SA, Australia

Clouds reflect off the surface of Lake Eyre at the beginning of a rain period - Peter Elfes

Travel to Australia during the Winter in Europe and US

Top Winter Sun Destination: GO TO AUSTRALIA

Getaway to somewhere warm and sunny. Somewhere you don't have to worry about wrapping up in layers of thermal cloths to stay warm. 
 Somewhere safe and friendly where you can forget about the hassle and bustle of your everyday life. Well at least for a few weeks.


With the winter season in Europe and North America in full gear, we're dreaming of warm destinations that suit the sun-seeker in all of us. Whether you're looking to lounge poolside in sunny Queensland or sip champagne in some of the best wine region in the world you'll find it Australia.

In the land down under the seasons are opposite to those in Europe and North America. It means that from November to April it's the hottest and most sunny in the Southern Hemisphere which makes it perfect holiday destination to travel to. So instead of visiting exotic destinations when it's summer in Europe, save up your annual leave to energize and reinvigorate in the sun and experience

A visit to Australia and New Zealand is always the answer. Both countries are the number one holiday destination on many people’s wish lists and with increased number of flights and new connections appearing on horizon almost every day, it has never been easier to make your dream a reality.

All you have to do is pack and we can take care of the rest.

Going to Australia: What to Pack

What to pack and what to wear on your holidays in Australia?

You basically want to create a small yet versatile capsule wardrobe. On holiday less is always more so make sure you take only the clothes you really love to wear. And keep it casual. 

1. You are likely to be exposed to intense sunlight wherever you go in Australia, therefore remember to pack sunglasses, a sunscreen with an SPF of 30+, a broad-brimmed hat and long-sleeved shirts with higher neckline to prevent burning. And a good moisturizer will be a nice relief after a day in the outdoors. 

2. It is very casual in Australia and you can even wear jeans to casinos but if you plan to visit restaurants, smart casual attire is the winner. If you plan on experiencing the nightlife of Australia's major cities, also pack some evening wear and dress shoes, as many clubs and bars have dress codes and will turn away if wearing sneakers or thongs.

3. For women, a little summer dress comes in handy in the evening. For a smarter look for sightseeing or shopping during the day, take a lightweight jacket.


4. Natural fibres will work better in the heat (for me linen is always a winner) and it is worth popping in a lightweight cardigan and a scarf for cooler weather or overly fierce air conditioning. 

5. Complete with Accessories. Take a few nice statement pieces of jewellery which you can throw on in the evening to feel a little bit more dressed up but it's not wise to take anything too valuable - suitcases have a tendency to go missing.

6. For men again the word is casual and calf-length shorts/ board shorts and casual shoes will be perfect. But in the evening a jacket, long pants and covered shoes 

7. Packing a rain jacket, ideally with a detachable lining, is also a good idea. 

8. Outside of the main cities, do not bother with dressy wardrobe.

9. Take comfortable, lace-up footwear for all the walking, thongs for the beach and sandals for going out.

10. You can buy all your toiletries here and best shopping malls to do that are David Jones and Myer but beware as you might find that they are cheaper in your country

11. And don't forget your swimsuit if you plan to spend some time on the beach. You might even consider learning to surf when visiting Bondi Beach

When arriving in Australia make  sure you are NOT carrying food of any description in your suitcases or hand luggage. The dogs at the airport have a very sensitive sense of smell and they will find it and you may be fined, which is not a great way to start your trip.

The Best of the Best - Park Hyatt Sydney

An iconic Sydney experience. The Park Hyatt Sydney certainly delivers. Nestled between two world-famous landmarks, the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, the panoramic views are second to none.

The recent $65 million renovation brought many improvements, but the real treasure is it's Sydney suite which beckons with a suite-to-parking-spot lift, cozy fireplace and a balcony just the stone's throw away from the Opera House.

What we love the most: new floor-to-ceiling glass doors in the 155 guest rooms open onto private balconies and unequaled panoramas of Circular Quay and the Sydney Opera House.  

The iconic Park Hyatt Sydney has recently been reopened after an 11 month dramatic refurbishment that saw every aspect of the hotel being transformed.

The new rooftop pool at the Park Hyatt Sydney features a heated outdoor swimming pool, a whirlpool, plush day beds and three new private cabanas with breathtaking views of the harbour and Sydney Opera House. — in Sydney, New South Wales.

The 21 year-old Park Hyatt Sydney was first built in 1990 and was previously the site for the NSW Water Police Station, dating back to 1913.

 The new restaurant, The Dining Room, serves an Australian-inspired menu using produce sourced from specialty local farmers and fisherman. The dining space has large open-air windows allowing for natural light and fresh air. — in Sydney, New South Wales.

The architecturally designed guest rooms at Park Hyatt Sydney feature floor-to-ceiling glass and open onto private balconies – to make the most of the breathtaking harbour views. — in Sydney, New South Wales.

The Sydney Suite is one of three new rooftop suites at Park Hyatt Sydney, with near 360 degree panoramic views of Sydney Harbour, a private outdoor terrace, king beds, sauna, fireplace, indoor and outdoor dining area for 8 and round-the-clock butler service. — in Sydney, New South Wales.

 




The Park Hyatt Sydney is situated in one of Sydney’s most scenic harbour front locations – right between the world-famous Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. — in Sydney, New South Wales.

Planning your next holidays? Lessons travellers can learn from Hurricane Sandy

Storms can strike at any time and yes there are things we can do to avoid some major dramas. Being stranded and not able to go back home is stressful enough so here are some precautions to take into consideration

 

Read a small print when buying travel insurance.

There are plenty of travel insurance policies out there but watch out as not all of them will cover you for money lost if your flight is cancelled due to bad weather. Also, not all of them provide 24/7 emergency travel services which is not ideal when stuck far away from home. Another thing to remember is to make sure a travel insurance policy covers all planned activities e.g. skydiving, diving, skiing, abseiling and white water rafting

Call an airline’s overseas reservations number to avoid being on hold for hours.

When an airline's local phone lines are busy, try to call it's overseas office. To make the call cheaper, remember to recharge your Skype account before you leave home.

Be proactive and search for flight and seat availability yourself.

Whenever the crisis strikes, travel agents all around the world are working really hard to find seats for those whose flights were cancelled. So if you want to have someone who will do all the hard work for you, talk to the travel agent who specializes in airfares. But if you decide to book your flight online you will have to deal with the airlines direct. To speed up the rebooking process, use some tools to find out seat availability yourself. This way you can tell the airline agent what exactly you need and you won't have to wait on hold for hours. One of the best free tools is FlightStats.com which allows you to check both flights and seat availability out of the airport where you are grounded.

Tech Travel Essentials

Everyone has got favourites when it comes to travel essentials. Here are a few essentials that Stephanie from My Life Scoop always takes with her. Happy travels, everyone!

1. wooden iPad cover and stand, $90
2. wood tripod, $400
3. DIY tech organizer
4. universal converter, $25
5. solar powered charger, $70
6. bluetooth headphones, $99

 1. ear bud holder, $27
2. iPad mini cover, $58
3. alarm clock, $24.80
4. point and click translator, $279
5. car charger, $39.99
6. solar powered water bottle, $29.95

Source: http://mylifescoop.com

7 Great Walks of Australia

Australia is a world-class walking destination. The collection of great walks located in stunning settings includes seven high-end Australian walking journeys:

The Arkaba Walk in South Australia  

Traversing the ancient Flinders Ranges in outback South Australia is an experience that immerses you in the story of the land. 600-million years of geological history echo through the stratified layers of Wilpena Pound and the Elder Range. Large numbers of Red and Western Grey kangaroos, wallaroos and emus are regular sightings along the walk, and the country is littered with the stories, and often heroic failures, of early pioneers who tried to eke a living from the harsh but beautiful country.  

Bay of Fires Lodge Walk in Tasmania

At the edge of Mt William National Park in north-eastern Tasmania, the magnificent coastline known as the Bay of Fires provides dramatic landscapes, ecology, and wildlife. Immerse yourself in one of the most pristine environments that Tasmania has to offer; walk the soft sandy beaches, explore coves, kayak the Ansons River and enjoy the uncomplicated luxury of our accommodation at the Forester Beach Camp and award winning Bay of Fires Lodge.


Freycinet Experience Walk in Tasmania

The Freycinet Experience is the original guided walk on Tasmania’s east coast, taking you through the pink granite Hazard Mountains and rich coastal forests, and the purest of white-sand beaches including the world-renowned Wineglass Bay.









The Great Ocean Walk in Victoria 
Discover beautiful Victoria on the striking Great Ocean Walk coordinated by the good people at bothfeet. Stroll through the seaside village of Apollo Bay, continue on through cool-climate rainforest, remote beaches and coastal cliff tops, concluding with a Twelve Apostles scenic helicopter flight. 







Larapinta Trail in the Northern Territory

Soak up the ethereal scenery of vast flood plains, razorback rocky outcrops and the glorious scale of this ancient land, walking the high ridgelines of the West MacDonnell Range, led by your guides at World Expedition.









Maria Island Walk in Tasmania 

Maria Island is a delightful blend of rare wildlife, convict heritage, and elegant accommodation. On the multi-award winning Maria Island Walk, you’ll enjoy gentle walking by day and candlelit gourmet dining at night.









Cradle Mountain Huts Walk in Tasmania

Discover one of Australia’s most spectacular World Heritage Areas while trekking the world famous Overland Track in the peaceful and exquisite terrain of Cradle Mountain and Lake St Clair National Park, Tasmania.








 
Source: http://greatwalksofaustralia.com.au/