Planning a holiday? Well, Australia can be your answer. Australia will not cease to amaze you, from the time you step your feet onto the land, till the time you decide to take off.
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Australia is one of the Commonwealth countries, located in the Southern Hemisphere. It has constitutional monarchy and has federal division of power. The Queen is the head of the state and is represented in Australia through the Governor General.
The mainland of the Australian continent is the island of Tasmania and other smaller islands located in the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean.
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Australia was inhabited by the Aborigines before the European settlers made the land their home. It was initially discovered by the Dutch explorers. It was in 1770 that Britain claimed half of the eastern region.
Yet Australia has retained its natural beauty and charm. There are a number of scenic places along with the man-made scenic spots as well, which attract thousands of tourists everyday.
The Great Ocean Road
This scenic road is located an hour's drive from Melbourne. It is among the most beautiful roads in the world.
The road runs for 250 km and it was constructed in the memory of soldiers who were killed in World War II. The beauty of this road is that it passes through beautiful cliffs and lonely beaches.
There are many places of attraction on the stretch of the Great Ocean Road. If you are the kind who likes hiking, then you have ample opportunities for the same in the Otway National Park.
Then there is also the Campbell National Park, which is located on the western side of the Great Ocean Road, which is well-known for the rocks jutting out from the ocean. The famous among these rocks are the "Twelve Apostles".
Ayers Rock - Uluru
The old name of Uluru is Ayers Rock.
It is located in the Red Center and is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Center. It is the world's largest monolith rock, which is positioned against the flat surroundings, giving it a stark contrast.
A number of people visit Uluru either at sunrise or at sunset to view the color change, which is both mysterious and magical. Therefore, it is not uncommon to see it being referred to as a physical and spiritual center.
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The Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is among the top places to visit in Australia, what with the rich bio-diversity it has to offer. It is located off the Queensland coast and is in the Coral Sea. It is the largest coral reef in the world.
In the Great Barrier Reef, scuba divers will come across the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin, flat back turtle, dwarf minke whale, saltwater crocodiles, olive ridley turtles, etc. At the same time, one will also come across a huge variety of birds in the reef as well.
Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island is the 3rd largest island in Australia, next only to Tasmania and Melville Island.
To get to this island one has to take a ferry from Adelaide. It is among the best places to visit in Australia with kids for the wonderful wildlife that it has to offer.
In Kangaroo Island you can spot albino wallabies on your visit there. Along with the albino wallabies, you will also be able to spot some sea lions, little blue penguins, etc. If your kids are animal lovers, they will love feeding the blue penguins at sunset.
Sydney Harbour Bridge
Sydney Harbour is a natural harbor. The Sydney Harbor Bridge is located against the backdrop of the harbor. A lot of adventurous people walk across the top of this bridge, which has a steel coat hanger-like structure 134 meters above the sea level.
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People who do dare to climb the Sydney Harbor bridge are rewarded with a panoramic view of the city. The bridge is located centrally and therefore about 20% of the population of Sydney can see the bridge at least once a day.
Gold Coast Dreamworld
One of the interesting places to visit in Australia is the Gold Coast, especially Dreamworld on the Gold Coast. There are a number of exciting rides and a number of entertainment avenues. They are enjoyed not only by the kids, but by people of all generations.
There is an Imax Theater, Wiggles World, etc. It was in one of the studios in Dreamworld that the TV show 'Big Brother' was filmed.
Kings Canyon
Among the interesting places to see in Australia is Kings Canyon, which is situated in the Watarrka National Park. It is 270 meters deep.
A trek to the rim of the canyon will bring you to the Garden of Eden swimming hole, the different rock formation of the Lost City. It is important to start the trek early in the morning to avoid being fatigued. This will also give you a lot of time to investigate the areas around the canyon.
Purnululu National Park
The Purnululu National Park is located in Western Australia. Although not many people visit the place, it has numerous scenic sights. It is very rarely that one comes across a number of travelers in the area.
When you are visiting the park, it is a must that one heads straight to the Bungle Bungles, which have the tiger stripped sandstone rocks, which is a mesmerizing site. One can either choose to trek to the rocks or also have an aerial view of them.
Vineyard in Barossa Valley
If you particularly are a wine lover, then you should head to the Barossa valley. The famous wine brands from the Barossa valley are Orlando Wines, Wolf Blass, Yalumba, etc. Taking a tour around the different wineries in the valley is something most tourists enjoy.
Walls of Jerusalem National Park Tasmania
Walls of Jerusalem is a part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. The park has been so named, because of its resemblance to the walls in the city of Jerusalem.
If you are planning on visiting Australia during its summer months between December to February, then you will be able to see wildflowers in full bloom. The dolerite peaks along with alpine vegetation and endemic conifer forests, make the park very beautiful.
Sydney Opera House
A performing arts center in Sydney, the Sydney Opera House is located near the Sydney Harbor Bridge on the Bennelong Point in Sydney Harbor.
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Open since 1973, it has many performance venues where more than a million visitors come every year to attend over 1500 performances hosted by it.
Apart from theaters and performance venues, the Sydney Opera House also has cafes, bars, retail stores, and a recording studio. Designed by architect Utzon, it became famous for its construction and design, and earned him the Pritzker Prize in 2003. In 2007, it was inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage Sites' List.