Tourist Attractions of Australia

Australia’s main tourist attractions are Sydney, the Great Barrier Reef, the Gold Coast of Queensland and Uluru (Ayers Rock), in the rugged outback of the Northern Territory. Other attractions in the continent range from the wild flowers of Western Australia to the vineyards of the Barossa Valley, and from Western Australia’s ghost towns to the remarkable wildlife on the island of Tasmania. It is possible to visit the relatively undisturbed Aboriginal communities on Bathurst and Melville Islands, about 80km (50 miles) north of Darwin, providing valuable insights into the continent’s
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ancient indigenous culture. The Australian coastline has thousands of miles of beautiful beaches. Information on resorts, excursions, places of interest, sports and activities within Australia is given under each individual State section.

Norfolk Island
Situated 1700km (1056 miles) off the east coast of Australia, Norfolk Island is not part of any State but is instead administered by the Australian government. The island is best reached by air from Sydney. Its history as one of the world’s harshest penal colonies has left the island with some of Australia’s finest Georgian colonial architecture. Many of the island’s small population are directly related to the mutineers of HMS Bounty who settled in the area. A variety of accommodation is available. There is excellent buswalking and the island boasts 40 different plants and animals that are unique to the island.

Australian Capital Territory

Canberra
Canberra is an elegant city of wide streets, gardens and parkland. The Old Parliament House is impressive and complemented by its replacement, a grand modern edifice completed in 1988, Australia’s bicentennial year. There are guided tours around Old Parliament House (home to the National Portrait Gallery) and the new Parliament House, where visitors can view both the Senate and House of Representatives. Parliament House also offers free guided tours daily where visitors can learn about the role and function of the Federal Parliament.

The Australian War Memorial is deservedly one of the city’s most popular attractions, and is the scene of the annual ANZAC Parade; it contains archives, galleries displaying relics, photographs and art. Lake Burley Griffin, a vast manmade waterway named after Canberra’s architect, features prominently throughout the city area. Cruises and boating are popular. Blundell’s Cottage (built 1858-60), which predates the lake, is a stone-slab construction calling to mind the location’s earlier incarnation as a sheep station. The new, architecturally radical National Museum of Australia (located on the shores of the lake) displays a vast range of exhibits, chronicling Australian life from the first indigenous peoples through to modern times.

It is a further cultural addition to the present National Gallery of Australia, National Library of Australia and National Science and Technology Center (Questacon). The Australian Institute of Sport offers guided tours by elite athletes and the interactive Sportex Center with facilities for virtual rowing and virtual golfing. Some of Australia’s deadliest and most colorful reptiles can be seen at Canberra’s Australian Reptile Center. The center is open daily and, apart from the permanent displays, features special exhibitions. The National Archives of Australia hold archive material and Commonwealth records from Federation Day to the present. The Archives also feature special exhibitions and are open daily.

Beyond Canberra
There are several hills in the immediate area of Canberra; from the 195m (650ft) Telstra Tower, topping the 825m high (2750ft) Black Mountain, there is an excellent view of the area for those who do not get dizzy in revolving restaurants (meal optional). Hot-air ballooning trips provide other ways of taking in the view. Glenloch Sheep Station, located in Belconnen on the outskirts of Canberra, is a popular tourist attraction. Activities include sheep shearing, boomerang throwing and sheep-dog demonstrations, rounded off with a traditional Australian barbecue lunch. The Canberra Deep Space Communications Complex, 40km (25 miles) southwest of Canberra, contains a collection of space models and memorabilia (including a sizeable piece of the moon) and interactive exhibits covering 40 years of space exploration. The Snowy Mountains are to the south of Canberra, in New South Wales, and provide excellent opportunities for winter skiing and summertime pursuits such as bushwalking, horseriding and watersports. Organized trips from Canberra are available; for details, contact the Canberra Tourism and Events Corporation (see General Info section).

Activities in Australia

The range of activity, adventure and special interest holidays is almost limitless. Detailed information is given under each individual State section. Below is a brief outline with practical information on some of the most popular sports and activities available in Australia. Further trade information can also be obtained via the Tourism Australia (website: www.australia.com).

Bushwalking
This is an Australian term coined in the 1920s to distinguish serious walkers from casual hikers. Australia’s wilderness areas, national parks and vast tracts of sparsely populated countryside make bushwalking one of the country’s most popular pastimes. Maps are widely available, either from the many guide books on offer or from State government offices. Fires are a threat during summer, and walkers must respect fire ban warnings. Outdoor clothing and equipment tends to be expensive. Each State and Territory has its own independent parks authority.

Self-drive tours
Three-quarters of Australia’s land mass lies in the outback. 4-wheel-drive vehicles are a favorite means of transport and there are a number of scenic highways and roads leading to the often remote outback destinations. On such journeys, it is not unusual to drive for hours without seeing another person. It is advisable to take extra water and petrol in case of emergencies.

Diving
With 36,735km (22,826 miles) of coastline, Australia provides outstanding opportunities for watersports, particularly diving and snorkeling. The tropical waters along the 2500km (1500 miles) of the Great Barrier Reef and its multitude of tiny islands form one of the world’s best known diving locations. Requirements for dive courses (which are widely available) vary from state to state, but generally, beginners must be at least 12 years of age and have a medical certificate of fitness in accordance with Australian standards. To obtain the basic scuba-diving qualification, visitors can participate in either a one-week full-time course or a two-week part-time course; tailor-made courses are also available. Certified divers must be able to produce their international certification card and log book for solo dives, unless they participate in fully supervised dives with a professional.

Fishing
The seas off the east coast are reputed to be one of the world’s best game-fishing areas, and the waters off north Western Australia are also particularly abundant. The area north of Queensland is well-known for marlin fishing while the streams in the high country in New South Wales and Victoria are very good for trout. Newspapers and radio have comprehensive tide and fishing reports. Fishing license requirements vary from state to state.

Surfing
There are surfing schools all over the country, offering instruction for beginners or advanced surfers.

Golf
Facilities are excellent and the settings often spectacular.