Best of Australia

Rundle Mall

Rundle Mall is the shopping heart of Adelaide. It was created in 1976 as Australia's first pedestrian mall. You'll find more than 600 retail stores, three major department stores and 15 arcades there. There are also outdoor cafes and bars to relax in. 

The mall is renowned as a venue for performances, promotions and events, from fashion parades, to buskers and street performers. The Rundle Mall Discovery Trail allows you to experience the pedestrian strip's many quirks and features, from sculpture and art to the history of its buildings. Highlights include the mall's 19th century buildings such as Beehive Corner. You can also learn about the ghosts of beautiful Adelaide Arcade. 

Public art is plentiful in Rundle Mall, from classics such as Bert Flugelman's Spheres (or more commonly known as the Mall's Balls) and four resident bronze pigs - Truffles, Oliver, Horatio and Augusta. Children love to clamber over them.

Kangaroo Island Penguin Centre

Join us for personalised, guided tours of both the Fairy Penguin Colony and our Saltwater Aquariums and understand more about the fascinating sea life of Kangaroo Island's rock pools, sea gardens, reefs and open seas.

Our evening tour consists of feeding the fish in the aquariums as our guides give an informative talk about each tank. Weather permitting a brief talk about the evening stars follows and then the guides take our visitors on a walking tour of the foreshore colony, explaining some of the interesting habits of the Fairy Penguin.

During daylight saving, tours start at 8.30pm and 9.30pm and during winter time the tours begin at 7.30pm and 8.30pm. Pelican feeding takes place daily at 5pm, at the waters edge behind the Kangaroo Island Penguin Centre on the Kingscote Wharf.

We have a retail area and the artwork of Jenny Clapson is on display and for sale in the front of the building.

Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve

The township of Alice Springs obtained its name from the waterhole at this historic Telegraph Station. This historical reserve marks the original site of the first European settlement in Alice Springs. Established in 1872 to relay messages between Darwin and Adelaide, the Alice Springs Telegraph Station is the best preserved of the 12 stations along the Overland Telegraph Line.

The Telegraph Station features the original buildings of stone which have been restored with house furnishings and artefacts from the early 1900s. Set against the magnificent MacDonnell Ranges, the reserve also offers opportunities for walking, picnicking and wildlife observation. Located four kilometres north of the new Alice Springs, the reserve is easily accessed by conventional two-wheel drive vehicle. Alternatively, there is a walking or cycling track into the reserve from the highway and the Todd River.

Entry to the Historical Reserve is free but an entry fee applies to the Historic Precinct which includes a guided tour.

Alice Springs Reptile Centre

The Alice Springs Reptile Centre houses the largest reptile display in Central Australia.

Come and visit the extensive range of reptiles, including the huge perentie goannas, frill-neck lizards, thorny devils and many other fascinating reptiles. Also on display at the Alice Springs Reptile Centre are large and small pythons and some of the world's most venomous snakes such as inland taipans, brown snakes, death adders and mulga (king brown) snakes.

Don't miss the saltwater crocodile exhibit featuring underwater viewing. Watch the lizards feed or play with a python. The Gecko Cave houses a large selection of Northern Territory geckos which by nature are secretive and rarely seen in the wild.

The Alice Springs Reptile Centre is open from 9.30am to 5pm daily, closed on Christmas Day and New Years Day. If you are visiting during the cooler months of May to August, the recommended viewing times are between 11am and 3pm when the reptiles are most active. Talks are conducted daily at 11am, 1pm and 3.30pm.

MacDonnell Ranges

The East and West MacDonnell Ranges stretch out for hundreds of kilometres on both sides of Alice Springs. The traditional owners of the Alice Springs area, the Arrernte people, believe giant caterpillars called the Yeperenye became the Ranges - they entered this world through one of the dramatic gaps in the escarpments of the area. 

The panoramic landscapes of the West MacDonnell Ranges are easily accessed from Alice Springs. Each of the West MacDonnell's chasms and gorges has its own unique character and scenery. Simpsons Gap sports a permanent pool and rock wallabies live in the gap's rocky ridges. Standley Chasm lights up in fiery colours reflected by the overhead sun at midday.

Picturesque swimming holes such as Ellery Creek Big Hole, Ormiston Gorge, Glen Helen Gorge and Redbank Gorge offer refreshing relief on a scorching day. It is also possible to visit the Ochre Pits that desert Aboriginal people once used as a quarry for ochre pigments.

The East MacDonnell Ranges, while not as well known as the West MacDonnells, do provide beautiful scenery for bush walking, camping and four-wheel-driving. Visit Arltunga, a ghost town that was the site of a gold rush in the 1930's. Other places of spectacular natural beauty like TrephinaGorge, make a trip to the East MacDonnells more than worthwhile.

Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre

The Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre is a great starting point for visitors to the park. The centre offers information about activities and the park as well as an introduction into Anangu culture. Because of the deep spiritual nature of the area and what is contained within the Cultural Centre, please do not photograph or video inside the building or precinct. This is to respect the wishes of the traditional owners, and protect Anangu's cultural and intellectual property.

This award-winning Cultural Centre, a stunning example of contemporary Australian architecture. Dynamic displays, video and artwork explain this world heritage landscape from the perspective of the traditional owners, Anangu. Learn about Tjukurpa, creation stories and laws, which explain the spiritual meanings of the surrounding landscapes.

To enjoy the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre you must enter Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.

Nourlangie

The walls of the Nourlangie Rock Art Site, in World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park, have served as a shelter and canvas for thousands of years, providing windows to a rich spiritual tradition. Paintings such as Namarrgon, lightening man, explore the relationship of the people to their country and beliefs. The paintings at the base can be reached by the circular 1.5 kilometre Nourlangie Rock Art Walk.

During the months of April until October, Park Rangers invite visitors to join them and share their knowledge of this ancient gallery. There is a lookout that is well worth the climb for sweeping views of the escarpment. For the more adventurous, there is also a moderately steep climb to Gunwarddehwardde lookout which provides impressive views of both Kakadu's escarpment and Nourlangie Rock.

To enjoy Nourlangie Rock Art Site you must enter Kakadu National Park.

Warradjan Cultural Centre

'Our Land is Our Life' - The people from Murumburr, Mirrar Gun-djeihmi, Badmardi, Bunitj, Girrimbitjba, Manilakarr, Wargol and other clans have combined to create an exciting and memorable exhibit. The exhibit touches on hunting techniques by the clans over different seasons, the recent history of the park, blood lines and marriage rights, tribal elder stories and the effects of white settlement in the Top End. 

'Come Look and Feel Our Culture' - The Aboriginal traditional land owners (Bininj) of Kakadu National Park have wanted to tell the story about their culture for a long time. Through the displays and exhibitions you can gain an understanding of the Bininj and their country.

After you have journeyed through the display and explored the many facets of Bininj Culture, you can browse through a gallery of arts and crafts from Kakadu, Arnhem Land and Katherine regions, displayed for sale. The majority of artworks are produced by local artists of this country.

Warradjan Cultural Centre is open from 9am to 5pm daily and is located two kilometres from Gagudju Lodge Cooinda and Yellow Water Billabong.

Anbangbang Billabong

Anbangbang Billabong is situated atthe base of Nourlangie Rock, 30kilometres north east of Cooinda. It isa haven for birdlife with MagpieGeese, Jabirus and Brolgascommonly spotted. There are severalpicnic areas for travellers.

Crocodylus Park

One of Darwin's premier tourist and educational attractions is Crocodylus Park. Surrounded by Northern Territory bushland, the park is only five minutes from Darwin Airport and 15 minutes from the city centre, and hosts 10,000 crocodiles ranging from 30 centimetres to a massive five metres long and weighing half a ton.

The world class crocodile museum is packed full with interesting artefacts, photographs, cultural items and fascinating displays revealed by decades of scientific research and providing amazing facts about the crocodile's biology, killer instinct and their attacks.

Within the elevated 20 hectares of land, with views across Holmes Jungle Nature Park, are the Australian animals - wombats, dingos, wallaroos and more. There are also exhibits of lions, tigers, monkeys, iguanas, snakes and much more.

Join one of the guided tours at 10am, 12 noon, 2pm or 3.30pm, where you'll get a close-up view of their snapping jaws, while you have the chance to feed a five metre jumping crocodile. Don't forget, before you go, hold and smile at a baby crocodile.

Please check Crocodylus Park's website for public buses details (route 5 and 9), from Darwin City or Palmerston.

Sydney Harbour

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The Sydney Opera House

Considered by many to be one of the modern wonders of the world, the Sydney Opera House is one of Australias most famous landmarks. Louis Kahn said “The sun did not know how beautiful its light was until it was reflected of this building”. Jorn Ultzon’s competition winning design is said to have been inspired by orange segments, palm fronds and Maya temples. Inside,there are six auditoriums where opera, concerts, dance and theatre are staged. The internal aesthetics are like the belly of a whale and the acoustics are superb.

Royal Botanic Gardens

The Royal Botanic Gardens are just a short walk around the water's edge from the Sydney Opera House and is one of the most breathtakingly beautiful settings you will see anywhere, with gardens filling an area of land between the harbour and the eastern part of the central business district. The harbour views from up on the hill are superb  and the gardens sit on the side of an undulating piece of land.

A walkway skirts around the harbourfront at the lower part of the gardens and is popular for lunchtime walks or jogs. There are large trees with a wonderful shade canvas and this makes the best spot imaginable to stop and have lunch - sitting on the grass and taking in the harbour views. The gardens have more than one million specimens and there is even a hop-on hop-off "train" for those who are feeling lazy. The gardens are an excellent place to escape the noise of the city and are situated quite close to some of the major city hotels around Hyde Park.

Entry to the gardens is free.

Sydney Harbour Bridge

Affectionately known as the 'Coathanger', the Sydney harbour Bridge was opened on March 19th 1932 after six years of construction. The bridge is made of steel and contains 6 million hand driven rivets. The surface area that requires painting is equal to about the surface area of 60 sports fields. The Bridge has huge hinges to absorb the expansion caused by the hot Sydney sun. You will see them on either side of the bridge at the footings of the Pylons.

Bondi Beach

Bondi Beach is a favourite visitor destination for the thousands of British Tourists that visit Australia every year who annually gather on its sands for a Southern Hemisphere Christmas in the sun. It is not uncommon to hear Norwegian, French, German, Dutch, Swedish, Danish or Spanish while walking across the beach or through the cafes.

Sydney Bridge Climb - Day Climb

A memorable and exhilarating adventure, climb one of the world's most iconic modern structures and enjoy stunning 360° views of glorious Sydney Harbour.After meeting at the Harbour Bridge, this unique and unforgettable experience begins with a comprehensive briefing and safety demonstration where you will be given a bridge suit, communications equipment and safety harness.Then, with your harness linked to a static line, you start the exciting ascent accompanied by an experienced climb leader. Zig-Zag your way through catwalks, up ladders and then onto the upper arch for your final ascent to the top of the Bridge and a wonderful sense of achievement.