Cycle your way through South Australia with professionals | Tour Down Under | by DMC Australia

19-26 January  2014
See the WorldTour pro cycling teams race in South Australia for UCI WorldTour points and the Santos Ochre Leader's Jersey. 

This is the first stop on the world cycling calendar and the Santos Tour Down Under is sure to kick off the cycling year in exhilarating style.

The biggest cycling race in the southern hemisphere is a week-long event that brings the top WorldTour professional cycling teams to race on the streets of Adelaide and regional South Australia each January. Up for grabs are important UCI WorldTour points and the Santos Ochre Leaders Jersey.

Would like to try to join the professionals. It's now or never. Let us know, we are here to help with you travel to Australia.

Lizard Island on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia is a place reserved for the fortunate few

Little wonder this island consistently makes the Top 10 Hotels of the World list. The beaches of this Great Barrier Reef island resort are plentiful, 24 in all, with fine powdery white sand, undisturbed but for the occasional footprints.

Queensland nature photographer Adam Gormley gives a snapshot of the beauty of Lizard Island, through his amazing images and experiences exploring the area.

  The tropical paradise, secluded from the rest of the world. Lizard Island is the Northern most beach resort in Australia, and boy it is fantastic!











Can you think of a better place to sit, relax and watch the beauty of nature as the full moon sets? Yes I know, this is too early in the morning for most people, but it's well worth getting up early on a full moon, especially when you’re in a paradise like Lizard Island

Mermaid Cove, Lizard Island

It has to be the most fitting name for this beautiful cove beach on Lizard Island. If you do visit Lizard Island, do yourself a favour and order a packed picnic lunch, jump on a tinnie and it's a 20 minute trip. You'll most probably have the whole cove to yourself, with nothing but the coral sea on the horizon.


  
This amazing juvenile Barramundi Cod was photographed just off Lizard Island, in Watsons Bay. They call this area the Giant Clam fields, and there are hundreds of the clams










Let us know if you would like to explore this part of Great Barrier Reef and we will help you to customize your trip to Australia.

The Best Coral Reefs in Australia

If you are after Australia's most amazing scenery, you can definitely find some of it beneath the waves. Here are some recommendations put together by Australian Geographic

 1 Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia
About 1055km north of Perth, this park is home to the largest fringing coral reef in Australia. Swim among whale sharks, the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef's most famous regular visitors, when they arrive in April for the coral-spawning season.

2 Rottnest Island, Marine Reserve,
Western Australia
Scalyfins, nudibranchs and Western Australian dhufish are just some of the many marine creatures gracing the reefs near Rottnest Island, 25km off the coast of Perth. Snorkel at the coral communities near one of the island's secluded beaches, or join a guided diving tour to see the surrounding reef's treasures.

3 Solitary Islands Marine Park, NSWMore than 550 species of reef fish, 90 species of hard coral and 600 species of mollusc have been identified in the 72200ha park. The first marine park established in NSW, Solitary Islands is home to a range of habitats - open ocean, estuaries, beaches and subtidal reefs.

4 Ribbon Number Three Reef, QLDLocated in the north of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, this 1100ha outer-shelf ribbon reef has benefited from its remoteness. At Steve's Bommie dive site you can see minke whales, barracuda and batfish between June and August, and other species like whitetip reef sharks and blue-stripe snapper year-round.

 

5 Green Island National Park, QLDJust 27km offshore from Cairns, this is a popular place to explore reefs in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Snorkel near the fragile, branching corals in the sheltered lagoon, or see almost 200 varieties of hard coral and more than 100 types of soft coral from a glass-bottomed boat.

Here are many more places in Australia perfect for nature lovers.

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.