Australia History
The Kimberley, Visit the Bungle Bungles
OK, The individual who pointed out it is a LOOONG way between electrical power points in the Kimberley is absolutely right. Durning my last couple of weeks up there, I have to admit, I was forced to drink a few marginally Kimberley cold beers from my cooler at the end of the day. Any hooo, the real story here today:
The Bungle Bungles in Purnululu National Park are a World Heritage listed natural attraction. They are soooo cool. A freaky natural process has caused red and dark stripes to surround the gigantic beehive like structures in a totally unique rock formation. A bit like having to go see the Grand Canyon, takes awhile to get there, but worth it.
Slingair and East Kimberley Tours are an excellent option to the huge international conglomeration of APT. The staff at APT were incredibly unhelpful and downright rude when I was trying to book a tour with them. They kept me on hold for 35 minutes! They were going to require FULL payment up front BUT they would not tell me if they could even get me on a tour UNTIL I paid in full. After I gave them my money- then they MIGHT have a tour for me to go on- if not- regardless that my vacation plans had been ruined- would then issue a REFUND. DODGY!
I called the Kununurra YHA. Even though I wasn’t staying there, their friendly staff had me booked onto a tour within about 5 minutes and only required a standard deposit. They booked me onto Slingair and East Kimberley Tours who are the original tour operators in the area.
A family run business their staff and facilities were all very clean, professional, efficient and helpful. Some of the highlights of their service:
Date: May 14th, 2007 | 1 comment
Northern Territory Jet Setting
Ha Ha Ha! what a great title if I do say so. The concept of Jet setting in the NT is funny all in its own. Well, at any rate, my recent silence is attributed to the lack of Internet Facilities and Mobile Phone access I have experienced while tromping about in the bush of the Northern Territory this week. The Territory is HUGE on experience, not so hot on Connectivity.
I absolutely love coming to the Territory. It is a little bit dangerous, a little bit romantic, a little …
Date: May 2nd, 2007 | No Comments
Lightning Ridge, Easter Celebration Tips #3 Food and Accomodation
The Easter Celebrations in Lightning Ridge are one of the must do outrageous country town festivals. Right up there with the Parkes Elvis Festival, Lightning Ridge has made a name for itself with their annual Great Goat Race!
Accomodation- Motels book out a year in advance- so start calling now! If you don’t mind camping or staying a bit out of town, there are several options available. We ended up on short notice- finding a bunk house on the very hospitable Lorne Holiday Station. The owners were so lovely and welcoming. During the festivities we kept running into them all over town. Peter, one of the owners, also doubled as the Horse Racing Announcer!
We stayed in the Sheep Shearers Bunk House. The rooms were basic, but quite good for the price. When you throw in the hospitality, the free live entertainment on Saturday night, the free community bus into town, free walking tour of the property, and the stunning views, this place was an amazing value for money spent.
Date: April 25th, 2007 | 3 comments
Happy ANZAC Day!
April 25th is ANZAC Day. The Day that Australia and New Zealand celebrate, or rather use to commemorate, the the Service Men and Women who have fought in campaigns around the world. The day officially commemorates the battle of Gallipoli, the ill fated charge of a Turkish beach where thousands of young Anzacs fought and died gallantly. Marked with many parades, Rememberance Services, and the game of Two Up. RSLs, or Returned Service League’s Clubs become a hotbed of activity throughout this very special day.
A National Holiday, most businesses are closed.
Now on …
Date: April 24th, 2007 | 3 comments
Australian Lifesaving, an Exhibit in Darling Harbour
Come on Come on, Come on Come on… you know you’ve got a thing for those Aussie LifeSavers! You see them on the beaches-cute little yellow and red swim caps, authoritative swagger and all. For over a 100 years before Australia’s newest Reality TV show Bondi Beach Patrol (or something like that), The Aussie Lifesavers have been not only an icon to the world, they’ve actually helped save lives and create the beach culture in Australia.
The National Museum of Australia Canberra is hosting an exhibit entitled Between the Flags- …
Date: April 16th, 2007 | No Comments
Northern Territory, Lake Bennett Resort
Peace and tranquility combined with modern amenities mean you can get away from it all without having to rough it…unless you want to. I’d also like to point out that the photo is the view from my room…not processed or touched up…from a cameraphone. Two words: Magnificent Sunsets.
About an hour south of Darwin just off the Stuart Highway,the road to Katherine, is a Wilderness Resort and Oasis. Catering for budget through high end travelers, they have bungalows sleeping up to 6, lake view spa suites, Motel rooms, Camp-o-tels …
Date: May 14th, 2007 | No Comments
Sydney Opera House, Free Stuff in May
I love it when there is free Culture Vulture stuff, and what better venue than the Opera House. As Part of Sorry Day, The Opera House is hosting an Indigenous Film Festival.
Message Sticks Indigenous Film Festival
12 - 14 May
Presenter: Sydney Opera House in association with the Australian Film Commission and Indigenous Screen Australia
Venue: Playhouse
Message Sticks Indigenous Film Festival is a Lexus Inside Film Awards accredited film screening. All current Australian content screening in the festival is eligible for the Lexus Inside Film Awards 2006.
This year Message Sticks brings the best new Indigenous films from Canada, The Philippines, America, Russia, South Africa, New Zealand and of course Australia. Indigenous film-makers from around the world continue to deliver passionate work that looks into their worlds and shares fresh perspectives with audiences.
One of the most successful of these films is our opening night film The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros which premiered at Sundance, Rotterdam and Berlin Film Festivals where it won an unprecedented three awards. We also present the world premiere of four Australian documentaries, featuring both experienced and new directors’ visions.
Date: May 2nd, 2007 | No Comments
Lightning Ridge, Easter Celebration Tips #2
The town of Lightning Ridge really pulled out all of the stops for their Easter Celebration. In addition to their Great Goat Race, There were several other events that if you attend- you should know about.
The Carnival- to keep the masses of tourists…about 2000 of them busy and the locals entertained, there was a carnival complete with rides, games, fried stuff and Carnies! This year it was set up next to the Bowling Club.
The Rodeo- The culmination of a weekend of good country revelry could not be complete without a Rodeo. A $10 entry fee got you in to see cowboys rope calves, and broncos and bulls to buck them off. Dirt and “go sons” were flying. There was also a band that played afterwards. There were a couple of food booths selling good ol’ Aussie Sauso sandwiches and cups of chips. If you are watching your figure- eat elsewhere. To supplement the oh so healthy food offerings there was also a designated bar area where they fenced in the drinkers, gave them bleachers to teeter off of, and parents could walk their children by the zoo and point out- “you don’t want to end up like THAT”! Eh- It was all good fun! If you’ve got boots and a hat- here’s your chance to wear them.
Date: April 25th, 2007 | No Comments
Oz Survival Guide to Food- Pizza
MMMMMMELT PIZZA! Yummm! The exception to the rule. (Gluten Free Pizza also Available!)
Pizza in Australia is generally pretty uninspiring to those of us from other corners of the globe. For starters they don’t really put sauce on their pizza, there isn’t much salt content, which while it isn’t that good for you, it is what makes pizza tasty. The crust isn’t amazing, and the toppings are generally just down right weird. That said, many people do manage to choke down the occasional big doughy piece late at night from those Kebab shops in Kings Cross….dodgy…..
Late night binging aside, the pizza thing has me, and most of my internationally born buddies, down right disgruntled.
UNTIL! Two weeks ago- I discovered Melt Pizza! Theirs is quite honestly probably the best pizza I have ever had- weird ingredients and all. That is a HUGE call to make coming from a native Chicagoan.
On the North Shore of Sydney in Neutral Bay, across from the notorious Oaks, their pizza is out of this world. Creative and absolutely delicious, they have been winning awards in Australia for years- but also just went to an international pizza competition in Las Vegas. While there, they managed to sweep up a Best Pizza Award with their Morrocan Lamb. Here are a few of their AMAZING pies on offer.
Date: April 19th, 2007 | No Comments
Tour Sydney- Kings Cross
Most people only manage to make it to Kings Cross in Sydney when they are a poor backpacker and in need of cheap accomodation, or- late at night after you’ve already had too much to drink. While Kings Cross has tamed down somewhat from its colorful past. There is still a lot that even Sydneysiders don’t know about his crazy Red Light Disctrict. With the right guide,just below the surface behind a few doors in Sydney’s infamous Kings Cross are stories that would shock and enthral every visitor. To really delve into the seedy past, take a …
Date: April 16th, 2007 | No Comments