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/

The full glory of earth’s total solar eclipse, only in Australia

Around 25,000 tourists from all over the world are expected to descend upon northern Australia next month, in readiness for what will be just the second solar eclipse of the year.

The total eclipse will only be visible from Northeast Australia © PiLensPhoto - Fotolia.com

This time round, Australia is the only populated landmass in the world that will be treated to a total eclipse of the sun – and even then, only the smallest sliver of its northernmost coastline will be in for the treat, hence, Australia is where it’s at for thousands of astronomically-inspired tourists.

Authorities are getting ready for a massive influx of visitors, with more than 50,000 visitors expected to arrive to see the magical event, roughly half of whom will travel from overseas. As well as the eclipse itself, tourists will be treated to a wide program of events to mark the occasion, including the world’s first ever Total Solar Eclipse Marathon, and hot air balloon rides for an even more magical experience.

The majority of tourists are expected to head to Cairns and Port Douglas in Australia’s northeast, which are the only two cities that will get to enjoy the full two minutes of the moon fully obscuring the sun. A partial eclipse will be visible from much of the South Pacific howver, including Australia and New Zealand, southern South America and parts of Antarctica.

Organizers will be offering a unique perspective of the eclipse, from a hot air balloon © Dmytro Shevchenko - Fotolia.com

The number of eclipses varies, with anywhere from two to five visible each year. This year’s only other eclipse took place back in May, and even then it was only a partial event. Previously, in 2011, there were four partial eclipses. Only very rarely are we treated to five eclipses in one year – the last time this occurred was in 1935, and it won’t happen again until 2206.

Source: http://www.argophilia.com/

Shell Beach in Western Australia. Stunning.

Australia | Shell Beach in Western Australia is made up of millions of tiny shells which are up to 10m deep and stretch for over 120km ... OUCH!