Popular Sights

Sunday, January 03, 2010

Darwin is the Capital City of the Northern Territory Where Asia meets the Dreamtime An exciting, eclectic mixture of cultures A place that is truly uniquely Australian while being home for more than 60 different nationalities, people who come from all continents of the globe. A focus for festivals, food and fashion.

Set on a rocky peninsula reaching into one of the most beautiful natural harbours on the north Australian coast. Elevated above the cliffs, surrounded by water on three sides, a city fanned by soft cool breezes that contribute to its tropical charm. The tropical climate encourages outdoor living and locals and visitors alike take advantage of this lifestyle to stroll through Darwin's leafy streets, browsing through the art galleries and enjoying cafe life, discovering little hidden corners of the city. The contrasts are exquisite. A Chinese temple with its statues of the Immortals, the smoke from incense drifting slowly upward, lies only twenty metres behind busy Cavenagh St, but exists in a different world, timeless and peaceful. Darwin - a city of contrasts and tempting tastes. where shady parks suitable for quiet contemplation lie only metres from streets full of shoppers, the smells of food drift on the air from sizzling grills, flaming woks and bubbling saucepans. Darwin - take time to enjoy its wonderful trees that surprise our visitors, exotic flowering trees, frangipani, Pride of India and poincianas, the shady raintrees, banyan and tamarind trees delight the senses and leave images of a truly tropical city. Darwin - A city destroyed three times - first by the cyclone of 1893, then by the bombs of World War II, next by Cyclone Tracy. The spirit of survival undiminished, Darwin has grown and developed to become the modern city of today, a monument to the tenacity and courage of its people.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Australia's Diverse Ecosystems

There's more to Australia than Crocodile Dundee and putting shrimp on the barbie. It's actually an incredibly diverse country. From cosmopolitan cities, to the immense expanse of the Outback, to the sub-tropical Gold Coast, Australia is a world in a country. Here's a closer look at some Australian states and territories and the unique highlights of each.

South Australia. Home to Australia's picturesque wine country, South Australia enjoys a moderate climate year round. The lovely town of Adelaide, known as "The City of Churches," attracts travelers with a wealth of cultural events and the unspoiled natural habitat on Kangaroo Island.

Northern Territory. Visitors can experience tropical, crocodile country in the north of this large territory and the heart of the Outback in the South. Its most famous attraction is Ayres Rock, said to embody the spirit and strength of the ancient Aboriginal culture.

Queensland. Also known as Australia's Sunshine State, Queensland boasts the captivating Gold Coast, including the Great Barrier Reef. Visit Brisbane, one of Australia's fastest growing cities, and enjoy the tropical rainforests surrounding Cairns, the gateway to the reefs.

New South Wales. Home to the Pacific's pearl city, Sydney, New South Wales enjoys a subtropical climate and a wealth of natural resources.

Victoria. The smallest of the states, Victoria is also Australia's most populous. The capital city of Melbourne combines old European elegance and new-world style.

Tasmania. Known as the "Apple Isle," the abundance of lakes, mountains, beaches and waterfalls make this tiny island appealing to travelers. Initially a prison island, Tasmania is also infamous for the rare marsupial wolf that calls it home-the Tasmanian Devil.

Information obtained from Globus Journeys.

To view Globus Australia vacations, click here.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

The vastness of the Land Down Under is hard to imagine and it is filled with so much to see and do. The possibilities are endless. Cruise the Great Barrier Reef, catch sunrise over majestic Ayers Rock, shop and dine in urban sophistication in Sydney, witness the magic and scenic splendor of mystical lands... Every moment of every day in every location is a travel experience that will exceed your expectations.

Each tour itinerary on our site is an expertly crafted for an exceptional travel experience and offers unparalleled insights into the culture, history and people in every unique region. Your Travel Director will introduce you to places you would never find on your own and will make every experience come alive as only a Trafalgar travel professional can. Combined with luxury coaches, legendary trains and breathtaking cruises to the Great Barrier Reef every detail is handled to ensure that you have the ultimate vacation. You will also have ample free time to discover and enjoy those things and places that are most special to you.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

The Sydney Opera House is a late modern architecture masterpiece. It is admired all over the world and proudly treasured by the Australian people. It was created by a young architect who envisioned the potential provided by the site against the gorgeous backdrop of Sydney Harbour.  The architect,  Jorn Utzon died in Copenhagen in November 2008 at the age of 90, but his astonishing style and creative art still lives on at the opera house.

The structure represents creativity, both in architectural form and structural design. It is a great urbanized sculpture carefully set in a remarkable waterscape, and it is considered a world famous iconic building. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Not only is this a place to see great works of art, music and theatre, but it is also a breathtaking piece of history to admire. Every year, visitors from around the world come to visit the Sydney Opera House in Australia.

When visiting the Sydney Opera House, there are many options to choose from such as special tours and show packages. You can indulge in an evening of exceptional entertainment and delicious food. When purchasing your performance tickets, just add a show plus package. Enjoy a 2-course pre-theatre dinner, a couple of drinks, and choose between Parking or The Essential Tour. Also, you may choose from a range of casual and fine dining restaurants. The Gold Show Plus package is $98 per person, and the Silver Show Plus is $78 per person. These packages change as often as the shows do, so please be sure to check with your travel agent or the Sydney Opera House website, to find out which package sparks your interest and what is available at the time you are traveling.

In its short lifetime, the Sydney Opera House has earned an incredible reputation as a world-class performing arts center. It has become a symbol of both Sydney and the Australian nation. If you are an individual who can appreciate beauty and history under one roof, then this is an experience in life that you do not want to pass by. There is never a shortage of choice when there are over 2,500 performances each year. Keep in mind that many Australia packaged vacations include a tour and show of the Opera house in the price.

The Opera House is only one of the many things to enjoy in Sydney. Other popular sites are the Sydney Aquarium and Wildlife World, the Royal Botanic Gardens, China Town and the Harbour Bridge. Try to spend a minimum of three nights in the city to have time to take it all in.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

New Zealand’s largest city is sometimes referred to as the ‘City of Sails’, as it reportedly has the most boats per capita in the world. It also has the world’s highest concentration of Polynesians and is situated on a narrow peninsula between two harbours, providing some lovely harbour views.

Things to Do & Places to see in Auckland:

Auckland Museum:  Situated in the Auckland Domain, this museum has the largest display of Maori and Pacific Island artifacts in the world. Open 7 days a week, 10A to 5P. Entry is a NZD$5 donation.

Beaches: Auckland boasts some find and protected harbor beaches. Some of the most popular include Mission Bay and St. Helliers on the east cost, and Takapuna and Milford on the North Shore.

Coast to Coast Walkway:  If you feel energetic, try the 13km walk from downtown Auckland linking Albert Park, Domain, Mt. Eden, Cornwell Park, One Tree Hill, Jellicoe Park and Onehunga. It takes about 4 hours. Maps can be obtained from the Visitors Information Centre, Sky City Hotel.

Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World:  A world first, travel through an acrylic tunnel on a moving conveyor to view this amazing aquarium. Recently added Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter. Located on the water front at Tamaki Drive, 6 KM east of town, this unusual venue provides fascinating entertainment 7 days a week, 9A to 6P

One Tree Hill:  A short bus ride will take you to one of the highest points in Auckland, an extinct volcano cone 183M high. The hill is largely bare except for an obelisk to Sit John Logan Campbell. One Tree Hill is worth a visit to take in the magnificent views of the city and harbour.

Parnell Village:  An old established part of Auckland only 2 KM from the city center. The shops and homes in the village have been refurbished to recapture the turn of the century charm. Parnell Road contains an interesting array of arts and crafts shops, restaurants and galleries.

Sky Tower:  Rising above the Sky City Casino at 328M, the tallest building in the southern hemisphere provides wonderful views of Auckland city and the surrounding area.

Victoria Park Market:  A 15 minutes walk from downtown Auckland, the market offers unusual arts and crafts, as well as souvenirs, clothing, a wide variety of foods and entertainment. Open 7 days per week 9A to 6P.