Travel

New Year in Australia? Why not! It’s likely to be nice and warm which is far more civilized than being freezing cold in the northern hemisphere, waiting to welcome in the start of the year!

Australia is one of the first countries to welcome in the New Year due to its time zone. In fact New Zealand is before Australia but it is usually the Australian Sydney fireworks that are broadcasted worldwide to mark the beginning of the New Year.

All the major cities in Australia put on a show. The Brisbane River attracts over 50,000 people to witness the fireworks display and the Southbank attracts plenty a high proportion of visitors. In Perth, the race course at Gloucester Park is the largest and most recognised display in Perth..

Melbourne and Sydney are however the key venues if you are planning to see in the New Year in Australia. Melbourne puts on a great display with great views from Alexandra Gardens and anywhere along the Yarra River. But it’s nothing compared to the show you can expect in Sydney.

Each year the Sydney fireworks take on a theme. This theme has a symbol every year that is placed at the centre of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Last years theme was creation, asking us all to rethink how we can make a difference to global warning. The 2010 theme is still underwraps.

It’s expected that half a million people will turn out to watch the Sydney fireworks. It’s hardly surprising given they cost over $5m Australian Dollars.

So how can you beat the crowds to ensure you have a wonderful New Year’s Experience?

Sydney Harbour is the place to go but it is also where all the crowds are. People start getting their place early – from around 3pm. There’s lots of things to keep the crowd entertained including aerial flight displays. At 9pm the family fireworks show allow the younger audience to enjoy the fireworks too and to say this is the warm up, they are usually pretty amazing!

A good option is to get yourself on a boat. There is a Harbour of Light Parade which is a parade of rope lighted boats and you can buy tickets to be on these boats. You are guaranteed the best view in the house. The only draw back to being on a boat is that you are usually required to be on there all evening – 7-1pm which can be a long time.

The Opera House itself, is a great way to see in the New Year. Not only do you get treated to a night of opera, there is an after party where you have a perfect view of the bridge and fireworks. Amazing but expensive!

If you are looking for something that is more family orientated then head to Darling Harbour. It’s prohibited to bring in alcohol and there is live entertainment from 6pm.

Taronga Zoo also does some good packages and has a perfect view of the bridge and opera house. You can enjoy a tour of the animals before enjoying your own picnic and of course the views.

For the young party animals amongst you, head to Bondi Beach. There’s no view of the Harbour Bridge and fireworks but this is where the action is. Every year there is a different event on the beach. This year it will be a dance theme with international DJ’s spinning the decks. Carol Cox and Roger Sanchez are just two from the star studded list that will be performing this year.

Being in Australia and especially Sydney for New Year is something you will remember forever. It really is a great experience. So get planning in order to make it simply the best.

Jennifer Schellington has nearly half a decade of experience in traveling Australia and has recently become a new Mum. Her site, www.realaustraliatravel.com offers practical information for planning your trip to Australia as well as what to do and where to go. Click here for more details on Sydney Australia

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Broadbeach is a the ideal location for your next Gold Coast holiday with a broad range of restaurants, cafes and entertainment venues making it a great choice and a popular Australian holiday destination. Broadbeach accommodation on the Gold Coast includes and excellent selection of Gold Coast hotels, Gold Coast motels and Gold Coast resorts to suite all budgets and needs with everything from cheap accommodation with basic facilities to fully equipped luxury accommodation with all the trimmings. There is a great village like feeling to Broadbeach with many local award winning attractions.

Broadbeach is known as a diners’ Mecca, with the champagne salons, the exclusive culinary delights of the regions restaurants, gourmet foods, brassieres, and bistros providing world class food in addition to the many Gold Coast accommodations in this area. One example is Conrad Jupiters which offers a 24-hour nightclub, casinos, bars, restaurants and lounges and access to a host of alternative entertainment along Broadbeach. The cabaret performances at Jupiters include terrific night shows and the aerial acrobats are something that have to be seen to be believed.

Musicians and other entertainers throng the streets of Broadbeach. Dancers and artists perform in the town mall and the Pacific Fair of Broadbeach is a great Australian retail centre boasting of more than 300 stores. Cinemas and dining facilities that offer international cultural mix are added attractions in the Fair. Art galleries, jewelleries and boutiques such as the Aria, Niecon Plaza, the Oasis Shopping Centre, and the Phoenician provide exciting shopping experience.

The special Friday lantern lit night markets or fortnightly beachfront markets that are held in Kurrawa Park offer local artefacts, fashion products, beauty products and jewellery individually hand-made by the artisans of Broadbeach. The other attraction in Broadbeach is the Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre, where top Australian and international recording artists perform throughout the year and regular business conferences are held. It is also the home of the Gold Coast Blaze National League Team of Basketball.

Gold Coast hotels, apartments and Gold Coast resorts in Broadbeach include Air on Beach apartments, Antigua Beach Resort, Aria Apartments, Aruba Sands, Aruba Surf Resort, Beach Haven Resort, Belle Maison, Boulevard North Apartments, Boulevard Towers and BreakFree Aruba Beach to name a few. If you need more variety in Gold Coast accommodation, Breakfree Diamond Beach Resort, BreakFree Neptune, BreakFree Savannah Resort, Broadbeach Central Convention Motels, Broadbeach Central Holiday Units, Broadbeach Pacific Resort, Broadbeach Travel Inn Apartments, Browns at Broadbeach, Capricornia Apartments and Conrad Jupiters are the other options.

Cruises, attractions and some excellent Australian Gold Coast Tours and holidays are available at Broadbeach for your Gold Coast Australia holiday. With eco friendly tours, Gold Coast theme parks, beaches, waterways, canals and the annual whale watching expeditions that are available as these majestic kings of the sea migrate south; Broadbeach in Gold Coast Australia makes for a very popular Australian holiday destination.

Learn more about a Gold Coast Holiday. Stop by Bailey Jamieson’s site where you can find out all about Broadbeach Hotels and Resorts and what is the best choice for you.

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Have you discovered all that the Gold Coast is Australia has to offer? When you visit the Australian Gold Coast you can chose from a range of excellent accommodation options such as hotels, motels, apartments and of course the famous Gold Coast Resorts. From your Gold Coast accommodation you can access to all the attractions the region offers including surf and swimming beaches, theme parks, tropical forests and waterfalls, golf courses and tours

The Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia, is a dream destination. The weather in the Gold Coast is absolutely great. The golden sand beaches, sporting venues, golf courses, fishing charters, unlimited attractions along the coast and inland had been attracting thousands of visitors to the Gold Coast Australia. Gold Coast holidays are suitable for the entire family, whether you could afford only cheap accommodation or you wish to have luxury surroundings, are easily available. Whether it is hotel accommodation, motel rooms, self-catering Gold Coast holiday apartments, attractive seaside and inland Gold Coast resorts, a wide range is on offer for your Gold Coast holiday accommodation.

Many people may ask, what is so special about the Gold Coast? With popular destinations such as Coolangatta, Burleigh Heads, Broadbeach, Main Beach, Mermaid Beach and Surfers Paradise together with the many other family freindly location this question is soon answered. These beaches and others along the Gold Coast offer a range of popular swimming and surfing beaches

Apart from what nature offers, several national and international events and proceedings are complemented by hugely attractive activities, enhancing the experience of entertainment in the Gold Coast Australia. The Nikon Indy 300 festival of motorsports, the ANZ Ladies Masters Golf tournament, the horse racing extravaganza of the Conrad Jupiter Magic Millions and the Gold Coast Airport Marathon had become focal points for visitors and tourists. The International Boat Show at the Sanctuary Cove, the surfing competitions in Roxy Pro and Quiksilver and other cultural and musical festivals in Gold Coast had been attracting thousands of tourists every year to the Gold Coast.

By coordinating your Gold Coast holiday with your accommodation and transportation needs it is possible to maximize the number of special events, festivals and attractions that you can experience. Most of the suburbs on the Gold Coast have their own events including the towns, suburbs and villages of Mermaid Waters, Broadbeach, Canungra, Carrara, Coolangatta, Currumbin, Beaudesert, Carrara, Southport, Ashmore, Bundall, Burleigh, Eagle Heights, Main Beach, Mount Barney, North Tamborine, Rathdowney, Robina, and Surfers Paradise. By reserving your accommodation on the Gold Coast early can secure the best budget prices, cheap accommodation deals and last minute offers with Gold Coast hotels or Gold Coast resorts

Want to find out more about Gold Coast Australia, then visit Bailey Jamieson’s site on how to choose the best Gold Coast Accommodation for your needs.

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Like many countries these days, you need a visa to enter Australia. The only exception to this rule is if you are a citizen of New Zealand.

Which Visa is Right For You?

The 3 month tourist visa is by far the most popular Australian Visa. You can travel around Australia for a maximum of 3 months and you can apply on line. Unless you have criminal convictions, the process is very simple and your visa is usually granted in less than 48 hours. Current cost is approx $110 AUD.[1:4:J]

If you need to stay longer then there are other visas that are valid for 6 months and 12 months. The other option is to apply for an extension to your 3 month visa whilst you are here in Australia. Be warned though, if you aren’t granted an extension they will insist that you leave the country when your three months are up.

The Working Holiday Visa is another great option if you are under 30. It is also known as the Work and Holiday Visa depending on which country you are from. Most countries are eligible but you should check that your country is part of the programme. This visa is valid for 12 months and allows you to combine work and travel. The idea is that it helps to pay for your travels. There are a few restrictions such as only being able to work for the same employer for 3 months at a time.

This visa costs approx $240 and the application is done on line. This visa is usually processed in less than 48 hours. When you arrive in Australia you will be asked to apply a visa label to your passport. This will be your proof that you are allowed to work.

For those of you who are already 30 but want to travel when you are 31, I think this is still possible. Check on the immigration website but I think it does allow travel providing you have already applied for your visa.

Generally, it’s really hard to enter Australia if you are over 30 and want to work in Australia At this point, I would recommend getting some advice from an Australian Immigration Lawyer. This is because there are lots of visas available and the rules change regularly.

Staying for Longer

If you do intend to stay more permanently in Australia then there are a couple of options. You can apply for Permanent Residency through the points system (175 Visa) Here you need 120 points to qualify. You earn points for your English proficiency, your skill and any Australian work experience you may have. The more that a job is in demand, the higher the points you can get, making it easier to enter the country. Another option is to find a business to sponsor you (457 Visa) This gives you 4 years in the country with that one employer.

If you really want to live and work in Australia then you can find a way. But expect the process to be difficult with an exceptionally large amount of paperwork. Currently applications for Skilled Migration have been put on hold due to the World Recession. Immigration are only processing applications for jobs that are in high demand. So, expect the process to take a few years rather than months.

Jennifer Schellington has nearly 5 years of experience in traveling Australia and has recently had a baby. Her website, www.realaustraliatravel.com offers practical information for planning your trip to Australia as well as what to do and where to go. Click here for more information on Australian Visas

Do you love spending time outdoors or trying out new and exciting activities? If so, spending adventure holidays in Australia is an idea you should seriously consider. Indeed, Australia is not just home to kangaroos and koalas, but also to spectacular natural landscapes that provide the perfect backdrop for outdoor activities, such as the following.

Diving – Get ready for an amazing underwater adventure as you plunge into the clear, sapphire waters of Australia. Don’t forget to bring an underwater camera, too, so you can take pictures of the dolphins, manta rays and the schools of small tropical fishes that make the Great Barrier Reef their home. This reef is the largest coral reef in the world and is located just a few metres off the coast of Queensland. If you happen to be on the opposite side of the country, you can explore Ningaloo reef, instead, which is equally beautiful and serves as the feeding grounds for whale sharks between April and June.

Canoeing and Kayaking – There are many beautiful and untamed rivers in Australia, too, which are perfect for water activities during your adventure holidays in Australia. Canoeing and kayaking are two popular activities, which, in some instances, can be enjoyed even at night during the full moon. If you would rather stay in the ocean, though, you can try sea kayaking, particularly on the waterfront of Tasmania. Sea kayaks are available for rent for a few hours or even as long as a week.

Hiking – There are many fun land activities to try, too, such as hiking or bushwalking as the Australians call it. Put on your hiking boots and set out for the Blue Mountains, a panoramic scenery just 90 minutes away from Sydney, or visit the Kakadu National Park, the largest nature park in Australia. The Kakadu National Park is also a scenic paradise, with rainforests, wetlands and cascading waterfalls which are sure to captivate you.

Skiing – Even in winter, the adventure doesn’t end. For some, it becomes even better because the mountain slopes are coated with lots of snow, making them perfect for skiing. Victoria and Tasmania are especially known for their excellent ski resorts. In fact, Tasmania enjoys one of the greatest snowfalls, since it is the southernmost island of Australia and the last stop before Antarctica. Aside from skiing, Tasmania also offers a winter wonderland suitable for snowboarding and dog sledding.

Rock climbing and rappelling – Australia is littered with remarkable rock formations, especially on the eastern side, which make it a perfect place for rock climbing and rappelling – two of the most popular activities in Australia which you should give a shot at for more exciting adventure holidays in Australia. These rock formations vary in rock type. Some are made of sandstone while others are made of limestone, granite or rhyolite. They vary in difficulty, too, so whether you are a beginner or an expert climber, you should be able to find your own favorite rock to climb. After enjoying the view from the top, you can take your time rappelling or abseiling down.

Bungee jumping – Australia is also a great place to go bungee jumping. In fact, it is easy to find a bungee jumping establishment in Australia, particularly in Queensland. You can choose from a variety of tourist packages, too, some of which offer unlimited jumps so you can make the most of the experience. If you are truly adventurous, you can try doing reverse bungee, too, on the Bungy Bullet, which shoots you up into the air instead of suspending you in mid-air.

Skydiving – As for air activities, there are also plenty to choose from, such as hang gliding, paragliding and hot air ballooning, although the most popular is skydiving where you can plunge down from up to a height of 10,000 feet. Indeed, with all the fun activities you can choose from, whether on land, water or air, you’re sure to enjoy every minute of your adventure holidays in Australia.

Isabella Olsen is a travel writer who has toured major destinations worldwide, including Australia. To book your cheap car hire in Australia, or learn more about hiring cheap cars worldwide, visit Zencarhire.com.