Australia Travel Tips – Best Places To Visit
July 24th, 2009 by Johanna Lloyd, under Travel and Leisure. No Comments
Looking for Australia Travel Tips and the best places to visit in Australia?
Any trip to Australia needs to take in the key attractions – Sydney, the Great Barrier Reef and the Opera House. There are however some hidden gems of places that the locals just don’t want you to know about. They want to keep them just for the locals. Well, this local has decided to share a few of those secrets.
Beaches in Sydney
Most people think of Bondi Beach when you mention Sydney Beaches. So go ahead and tick it off your list. If you want to get a bit more out of Bondi, head up Hall Street.(Ravesis is on the corner.) The main strip behind the beach is called Campbell Parade and is slightly over priced and despite its recent face lift, can still be a bit grungy. Get off the main street and up the side streets and you’ll find some lovely cafes selling exceptionally good coffee and food.
Head for the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk – you won’t be disappointed. The walk hugs the coast line and cliff edges so you get to see beautiful coastal views for the entire walk. There’s a few hills and steps so its best not to attempt this walk when it’s really hot. Stop off at the local’s favourite beach, Bronte This beach is generally full of locals and has a great green area behind the beach where you can play ball games or enjoy the free BBQ facilities. You must go for brunch or a coffee at the strip of cafes. Swell is the more sophisticated but expensive cafe. Bogey Hole and Jennie’s offer more affordable options.
Sydney’s best beaches can be found in the Northern Beaches. It means getting out of the city. You can catch a bus that will take you all the way to Palm Beach. It takes about an hour and a half though so its better to hire a car so you can stop off where you fancy. I’d try Dee Why as the beach and cafes are great. Avalon is good for browsing its boutique shops and a stop off at the Newport Arms Pub is a great way to experience a real Australian Pub, overlooking Pittwater River.
My favourite beaches up there are Whale Beach and Palm Beach. There is a restaurant at Whale beach called Jonah’s. It’s expensive and is strictly for a special occasion, but the view is stunning. Palm Beach is where “Home and Away” is filmed and has very orange sand. There’s Barren Joey Lighthouse that you can climb and I recommend having lunch at Barren Joey’s Guesthouse. The interior is delightful and the there are glimpses of Pittwater opposite.
Tasmania’s Bay of Fires
Most visitors to Australia miss out Tasmania. That’s a big mistake. It has the most stunning and dramatic scenery and I’d argue, the best in Australia. Whilst you have to visit Cradle Mountain and Wine Glass Bay, you must make the trip up the coast to the Bay of Fires. This area is breath taking. The sand here is so white it’s blinding. The waters are so clear you can see the fish from the beach.
To get the most from the Bay of Fires, you should do the 4 day walk. The scenery is out of this world and the accommodation is amazing. The Bay of Fires Lodge is legendary. If you don’t fancy the walk, you can stay here outside of the key walking season. It’s open from 9th May to 15th September just for lodgings.
That’s just two hidden gems. There are lots more! If you want to know more then visit realaustraliatravel.com
