James Allison
We take you to a land of stylish cities, breathtaking beaches, natural wonders and untamed wilderness, amazing Australia never ceases to surprise. Australia covers a huge area of almost three million square miles. For the discerning traveller seeking somewhere different, it is a single destination offering every imaginable type of holiday. No other country has so many contrasts, no other nation can offer such a rich cultural tapestry and nowhere else on the globe has so many stunning natural wonders. Sophisticated Sydney with its famed Opera House always promises to delight.
A tropical north
Head for the tropical north and the Great Barrier Reef, one of nature's most stunning creations. Stretching endlessly in the middle of this great land, is the untamed Outback with the great monolith of Ayers Rock.
A friendly welcome
Everywhere else there are countless surprises coupled with a tremendous sense of hospitality. With competitive airfares now available Australia is no longer a 'once in a lifetime' destination.
AdelaideThere is far more to the South Australian capital than church spires, cricket and its laidback attitude. Adelaide is an unhurried gentle city with wonderful museums and residents who really know their wines.
On a city break to Adelaide you can wander the easily navigated, airy streets - generally the city is very green and you can enjoy the river and various parks and squares. The official town centre is Victoria Square which is met by the happening Hindley Street, Gouger Street and Rundle Street; on a holiday to Adelaide spend your evenings browsing the menus of the city's bars and restaurants or check out any of the other Adelaide attractions. The nightlife is renowned and the cafes and other eateries boast a superb quality of food.
Explore the city on an Australia holiday and head to the shopping strip of Rundle Mall. If you are looking for more culture on your trip meander down North Terrace - it is lined with museums and galleries and leads to the spectacular Botanic Gardens.
On a holiday to South Australia you have a superb choice of beaches - over 60 km in fact. The metropolitan coast has soft white sand and stretches out as far as the eye can see. The city plays host to annual festivals such as the Festival of Arts, Fringe Festival and many more food and wine celebrations. When choosing your worldwide holiday think of Adelaide, it makes a surely perfect city destination with many features of a beach holiday - you can roll two holiday experiences into one.
BrisbaneQueensland, situated in the northeast corner of Australia, is the country's holiday playground, attracting visitors all year round. It is known as the "Sunshine State", and the major attraction is the incredible underwater world provided off its coastline along the Great Barrier Reef. The reef is a World Heritage listed marine park that stretches for more than 1,250 miles along the Queensland coast; it is dotted with idyllic island resorts and contains one of the most diverse animal and plant ecosystems on earth.
Brisbane is the capital city of Queensland, while Cairns, in the tropical north, is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Besides being the gateway to the 'sunshine state', Brisbane offers great weather and is a city of bright lights, beautiful parks and an exciting cultural scene. The city offers the very best in food, shopping and arts entertainment with a relaxed sub-tropical flair, as well as many other Brisbane attractions. Visit the Queensland Art Gallery & Museum, tour the rainforest sanctuary, come face to face with the koalas at Lone Pine or head out of town for fine beaches.
Further south, beyond Brisbane, the coastline is known as the Gold Coast. Here visitors can swim and surf all year round at 35 patrolled beaches along the 45 miles of coastline. The Gold Coast is also the home to many of Australia's theme parks.
PerthLocated on the banks of the Swan River, Perth enjoys more hours of sunshine than any other state capital in Australia. This modern city has it all-glittering skyscrapers, sophisticated shopping malls, riverside and beachside restaurants and cafes, over 50 miles of sandy beaches and a diverse selection of surroundings attractions to explore.
The great barrier reef
The Great Barrier Reef is actually a series of smaller reefs. Reefs form under water and can be made of coral, sand, or rock. The top of the reef sits about two to three feet below sea level. Coral reefs are found in warm, shallow, clean water. The Great Barrier Reef is the largest reef of all, stretching an amazing 1,250 miles, or 2,000 kilometers, across the blue of the ocean. It forms a natural break water between the strong waves of the Pacific and the coast of Australia. It's location is in the Coral Sea, the area of the Pacific close to Australia's northeastern coast. The waters around it cover roughly 80,000 square miles, or 208,000 kilometers, an area slightly smaller than the state of Minnesota.
Reefs may be found as deep as 250 feet below the surface. Corals that grow below 150 feet don't make very good reef builders.
There are three different groups in which all reefs are classified. The first reef type is called a Fringing reef. This reef is formed as coral grows in the shallow waters along the shores of land. A barrier reef, such as the Great Barrier reef, grows some distance from the shore before coming close to the surface. A lagoon separates the barrier reef from the shore. An Atoll reef is a circular reef, usually with a lagoon in the center. The waves of the lagoon cover a submerged island. The reef grows in layers over the island.
is one of the more common corals on the reef. It is also one of the fastest growers. It can grow up to 4 inches, or 10 centimeters, a year!
Not only do the corals make up the reef itself, but they are home to many different creatures. Many types of fish depend on the coral to protect them.
Hundreds of miles along the reef have not been explored, but of what has, the beauty is breath taking
