Australia History
Accomodation Options in Australia- Caravan Parks
If you are traveling or planning to travel around Australia, an extremely reliable, often overlooked and great budget option for accommodation are the local caravan parks. I would be so bold as to say 95% of Australian towns have a local caravan park. I know many of you are groaning with visions of hippies in combi vans in a run down circle- but fear not! The parks I have stayed at have all been well run, clean, organized, and come fully loaded with amenities.
Accommodation options: The Parks I have stayed at have featured, most importantly for those of you non campers, Cabins or stationary caravans. These often times are far better than a motel room- they usually have more than one bedroom- accommodating large groups, a bathroom, sitting area, kitchen and a fridge. I have experienced prices from $65- $85. They also offer the namesake- Caravan or Winnebago style sites- that come with power and water for around the $25-$35 range, and finally the trusty tent sites with and without power- $8-$18 ish. If you are traveling during popular events without having booked accommodation in advance- the tent sites can be a god send! Cheap and there always seems to be room for one more.
Amenities:
The kitchens: have featured the very popular Aussie Gas Grill, communal fridges and a washing up area. If you are going to use the grill make sure you are prepared to clean it afterwards. These are a flat grill type of cooking surface- the grease hangs around if you don’t clean up after yourself. This will not endear you to your neighbors. A wet kitchen type towel, some water and a pair of tongs does wonders. Sponges will melt.
Date: April 15th, 2007 | 1 comment
Momentary Time Out
Hi Guys! Just a quick note that I will be off the blog for a couple of days for a reshuffle at work. Fear not, I will be back on with gusto with loads of fun information about the Australian Outback on my trip to Lightning Ridge, Bourke, and Cobar to hopefully see The Big Beer Can in my never ending quest to see all of the Big Australian Attractions.
See you again verrrry soon my pretties!
FYI: The Big Beer Can at Cobar in western NSW, in 1991 was recognized by the Guinness Book Of Records …
Date: April 2nd, 2007 | 1 comment
Lightning Ridge, NSW Easter Weekend, Wheelie Bin Races and Goats?
This is a picture of Amigo’s Castle in Lightning Ridge. Quirky and independent, Lightning Ridge has long been known as a… ahem…shall we say…unique place? I’ve been told by one long time resident of Wellington that Byron Bay used to be considered drop out country but now it was just a big tourist spot. He went on to say that Lightning Ridge is the current “Drop out country- the place you go to avoid the sheriff and alimony.” Another man from Wellington told me that …
Date: March 28th, 2007 | 3 comments
Northern Territory Safari's, Pungalina- check out 4 new caves
If your are headed to the Northern Territory, the operators og Pungalina Safari’s have discovered 4 new caves. The new caves have been discovered on the Pungalina Station which is in the Northern Trritories gulf country. In total, 19 caves have been discovered on the 202,000 hectare cattle property. Four, however, are now accesible to visitors. One of the caves features a crystal clear swimming hole. Brrrr! Click here to check out their other activites at the wildeness safari camp. or phone 03 9882 4236 …
Date: March 27th, 2007 | 1 comment
Backpackers, Skiers, and Travellers, 1Cover Insurance for All
The Following is a Paid Review
Are you a backpacker, Business Traveller, organizing a group holiday or going to the Snow? As I’ve mentioned a few times previously on this blog, it is extremely important to get good travel insurance. 1Cover is an insurance company providing coverage for Australian Citizens and Residents to cover short term and Long Term holidays. They have an option for everyone!
If you are a backpacker, They have a policy that covers the basics like your overseas Medical/Hospital/Dental expenses as well as a personal liability clause that covers you in case some one sues you should you, oh, wreck a car, or crash into to someone on the ski slopes.
If you are a Business Traveller, they have long and short term comprehensive coverage that not only covers the above, but also covers things like rental car insurance, lost luggage, and emergency accommodation due to trip delays.
Check out all the different policies available, Medical only, Group travel, single trip in Australia, and Multiple trip coverage. If you are planning several holidays this year, their annual travel insurance policy will save you time and money. It covers unlimited trips abroad over the year and travel up to a maximum of 90 days per individual trip. Travellers of all ages are eligible for coverage, and many pre-existing conditions are automatically covered with no waiting period. Policies are good from 5 to 365 days.
Date: March 26th, 2007 | No Comments
Oz Survival Guide To Food- Ketchup
It goes without saying that The Aussies are a saucy bunch, however, for your own safety, there are a few things you need to know about their management, preferences and presentation of the local food and condiments. First in yet another series of Survival Guides.
First off- Ketchup- they don’t really have it. They have a similar substance called Tomato Sauce. (say it with the snobby tomahhhhto) Tomahhto Sauce, while it is different- it is basically Ketchup without the thickeners and the sugar. Not bad….most times. (You can get Ketchup in grocery stores if you …
Date: April 12th, 2007 | 2 comments
Driving In Australia, Survival Tips #2
Hello folks! It’s that time again! How to Survive while Driving in Australia! I’m putting together a multi-part guide to conditions and issues you need to be aware of while driving in Oz…. If anyone can explain the Melbournian J-turn in the comments section, it would be greatly appreciated. The take home message from today’s blog- READ the SIGNS!!!!!! Road Signs, Oh boy where to start.
Street Name Signs, Just because you are at an intersection, do not assume there will be street name signs to tell you what both roads are called. Occasionally there will be a street name for one of the roads, but not the other. Occasionally there will be no name signs at all. This can be a tad bit frustrating when trying to navigate and you are not sure what road you just ended up on by accident at that last round-a-bout.
No Turn Signs Just because you see a HUGE No Right Turn sign does not actually mean you can’t turn right there. You have to look underneath the Big Sign to the little sign that is printed in 12 font, while you are driving 40 km/h which qualifies what they mean. It might mean that trucks over 3 tonnes can’t turn there, or you can’t turn from 8:30 am to 10:15 am Monday through Friday, or only busses are allowed to turn there.
Clearway Signs This concept drives me CRAZY! OK- imagine if you will- a MAJOR road in your town. A Main thoroughfare. Now imagine people being allowed to park in the outside lane…randomly. You are driving along… and wham… parked car. No Warning. This concept makes people learn to swerve while driving. (Yesterday I about blew my lid when I saw a BUS swerving around a parked car! What is this world coming to?!) Again- the Australian RTA can’t figure out why there are so many wrecks…maybe because there are PARKED CARS on the Highway!!!?????? Anyway- back to the Clearway Signs. SOMETIMES it is OK to park on MAIN ARTERIAL ROADS, and sometimes it is not. These friendly little signs, and I do mean physically little, have a picture of a tow truck on them and the times (printed in 12 font) stating at which hours it is prohibited to park in an otherwise perfectly functioning lane of a road. Do yourself a favour and almost NEVER drive in the outside lane. It will either end with no warning, or there will be a random parked car. I’d LOVE to hear back from any of you who have experienced this bizarre phenomenon.
Date: March 29th, 2007 | 2 comments
April in Oz, Festivals around the Country
So you are travelling around Australia, or maybe you live here and are in desperate need of a unique get away. check out a few of these festivals in a State near you!
Northern Territory
Tiwi Islands Football and Art Sale April 1
Alice Springs Cup Carnival April 21- May 7
Queensland
Ridley Polocrosse World Cup April 23-29
Australian Gospel Music Festival Toowoomba, April 6-8
Western Australia
Fremantle Street Arts Festival April 7-16
Quit Forest Car Rally April 28-29
New South Wales
Autumn in Sydney
Festival of the Blades, Hay …
Date: March 27th, 2007 | 1 comment
Melbourne, See it all at the new Eureka Skydeck
Are you going to be in Melbourne anytime after April? If so do you like to walk on the trippy side? The new Eureka Skydeck is scheduled to open next month. Yeah Yeah, you’ve done the skydeck thing before, what makes this one trippy and worth a look? Well first you’ll be in the world’s tallest residential building and you’ll have 360 degree views of Melbourne through it’s floor to ceiling glass windows.
But…and here comes the fun part…to access the deck visitors must ride the fastest lifts in the …
Date: March 27th, 2007 | 1 comment
McLaren Vale, South Australia, d'Arenbergs Winery
A couple of months ago I flew to Adelaide for the U2 concert. Since I was headed to the area, I was on a mission to try and experience some of the local produce both in eaten and imbibed forms.
I have to relay a funny but relevant story first. This past week a van full of girls went on a trip. As we drove past a vineyard, one of the girls eyed the vines laden with fruit, rubbed her tummy, smacked her lips and stated- a few of you are going to have to die tonight…
While I’m guessing the grapes in the wines we tried on the trip to d’Arenbergs had given up their lives and been sent to the smasher a few years before, their sacrifice was not in vain.
d’Arenbergs prides themselves on doing things just a little bit differently. Whatever it is they are doing I heartily approve. Desperate for food, we showed up to the winery a bit road weary and not in our Sunday finest (on a Sunday at that). Fully expecting to be turned away as we had been from another local restaurant, we pulled up to d’Arenbergs. A beautiful country space and a gourmet restaurant, we were graciously and warmly welcomed. Huge acolades for the very kind and thoughtful staff !
A bustling Sunday afternoon in the popular McLaren Vale, we were not surprised that they were completely booked out. With a genuine smile, the Maitre’d said she’d see what she could do and directed us to go enjoy ourselves in the tasting room while she could figure something out.
Date: March 22nd, 2007 | No Comments