Australia Travel – Things to Do for Nature and Food Lovers

Australia is a world full of natural wonders and fantasies. While its metropolitan areas, as showcased in our article on Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, are pulsating with vibrant city life, the serene calm and beauty of the famous Australian Outback can be enjoyed in the sprawling landscapes of Australia.

Australia's Great Barrier Reef
Australia’s Great Barrier Reef (image by University of Denver)

Here are some natural wonders you should not miss if you are travelling to Australia:

  • The Tropical Rainforest in Queensland, Australia: The tropical rainforest stretches north, south and west from Cairns, along the Queensland coastline, and extends for more than five hundred kilometers. This rainforest, which is the oldest on the planet, is home to 200 rare or threatened plant and animal species and was included on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1986. Discover this natural wonder by hiking, driving or taking the Skyrail gondola.
  • The Great Barrier Reef: Located outside the northeastern Pacific coast of Queensland, the Great Barrier Reef covers 344,400 square kilometers and is the largest coral formation in the world. The Great Barrier Reef is surrounded by more than 2,600 coral reef islands and is home to numerous kinds of sponges, corals, mollusks and fish. Dive in this vivid and colorful underwater world and admire pretty rainbow reef fish, green sea turtles and strange gigantic clams. Bring an underwater camera – this will be an unforgettable experience.
  • The Gold Coast: Located in Queensland, Australia, the Gold Coast stretches from Stradbroke Island (about 56km south of Brisbane) to Coolangatta on the New South Wales border. This 40km breathtaking beach houses many restaurants and hotels. Surfers Paradise is the capital of the Gold Coast and attracts thousands of revelers throughout the year with its hotels, restaurants, clubs and shopping opportunities. It is an ideal destination if you are interested in diving, surfing or swimming. The Gold Coast region is also renowned for its theme parks, such as the Movie World and Dream world.
  • Uluru – Kata Tjuta National Park: Located in the Northern Territory of Australia, Uluru is also known as Ayers Rock. This impressive stone formation is 348 meters high with a 9.4-kilometer circumference and is sacred to the local Anangu aboriginal people. Since the park was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is visited by almost half a million people every year. Its remarkable and spectacular landscape makes Uluru the best known landmark destination in Australia, along with the Sydney Opera House.  Many visitors choose to climb up the rock although the local Aboriginals prefer that people refrain from climbing it out of respect for their culture. The local visitor center provides a brochure for the Base Walk, which circles the rock and enables the tourists to see the diverse flora and fauna. Uluru appears to take on different shades of colour, depending on the light that strikes it.
Uluru - also known as Ayer's Rock
Uluru – also known as Ayer’s Rock (image by hekris)

 

  • Kata Tjuta, located in the same park as Uluru, consists of 36 rock domes of different sizes. Geologists believe that it once was a much bigger monolith than Uluru, but erosion has dramatically reduced its size. Its highest point is Mount Olga which reaches about 550 metres above the surrounding plain. It is also a sacred site for the local Indigenous people.

 

  • The Blue Mountains are located just west of Sydney and offer breathtaking sceneries in a relatively unspoiled highland region. Hikers will love the interesting sandstone formations and the deep gorges that dissect this plateau. Given their unique cultural and natural significance, the Blue Mountains have been designed as a UNESCO World Heritage Area.
  • The wilderness of Western Australia: Western Australia is the perfect destination for travelers who love natural landscapes. This vast land, which covers one third of the entire country and hosts one tenth of its population, is home to a variety of fabulous plants and unique animals, such as koalas, quokkas, kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, platypus, emus, possums, etc. The magnificent and spectacular wild forest and lakes are perfect places to observe the amazing animals in their wonderful natural environmen
  • The Great Ocean Road: The Great Ocean Road is the perfect coastal driving road to discover Southern Australia and the province of Victoria. Along this 240-kilometer coastline, which starts at the Torquay (96 kilometers south of Melbourne), you can observe the most outstanding and fantastic scenery of Australia:  the “Twelve Apostles” (a series of rock pillars which rise up from the sea), rough cliffs, sandy beaches, wildflowers and plants.
Australia's Blue Mountain
Australia’s Blue Mountain (image by Gary Hayes)

Australia is a land full of natural wonders. Before leaving, do not forget to experience the food and wine in Australia. The English-style sausage, mashed potatoes, “meat and three vegetables” and of course the “Sunday roast” are typical Australian dishes you will see on the menu. Due to many decades of immigration in Australia, you can also taste food from all over the world. Australia’s wine production is also renowned. As a wine lover, make sure not to miss Hunter Valley in New South Wales as well as Barossa Valley 56 kilometers from the city of Adelaide. If you enjoy food and wine festivals, here are just a few of many really interesting festivals you should also attend:

  • The Sydney International Food Festival: This festival takes place every year in October. You can discover food from all over the world and many exhibitors will provide you with free samples.
  • The Melbourne Food and Wine Festival: This festival takes place in March. Besides tasting extraordinary food, you can also learn the art of cooking from top kitchen chefs.
  • The Margaret River Wine Festival: This festival takes place in Western Australia in March and lasts for 5 days. Make sure to enjoy your wine with some delicatessen and participate in local activities.
Australia's Hunter Valley
Australia’s Hunter Valley (image by das farbamt)

With the tolerant mindset of its people, Australia presents a peaceful environment for both nature and humans and offers a perfect combination of both to the traveler. The country’s wonderful landscapes and its warmhearted hospitality will make your holiday in Australia unforgettable.

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