Wildlife of Australia

Posted on Monday, October 25, 2010

Koala:

The famous face of the koala is synonymous with Australia; koala is an Aboriginal world meaning "no drink," which refers to the long periods of time they spend in the eucalyptus trees, where they both dine and extract water from the leaves.  The koala is a mammal, related to the kangaroo and the wombat; warm blooded, they have extremely sharp teeth and claws.

Kangaroo:

The kangaroo, and his smaller cousin the wallaby, come in all colors, shapes and sizes - about 60, give or take a few.  They might be dusky gray or rust red, weigh anywhere from 2 pounds to 200 pounds, and live in the tropics or the red desert, but they all have one thing in common, powerful back legs and large feet.  Marsupials, they have a great eyesight and excellent hearing. Their ears swivel in different directions to hear sound.

Crocodile:

Survivors from the "Age of Reptiles," Crocodiles are about the closest living thing to a prehistoric creature, dating back about 200 million years.  There are two varieties in Australia, saltwater and freshwater.  You can tell them apart by the shape of their snout, and their behavior is a sure-fire giveaway.  Saltwater crocodiles are aggressive, large and carnivorous, while the freshwater diet is primarily fish.

Duckbill Platypus:

One of the most interesting facts about the platypus is that they are the only mammals who lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young.  The shy duckbill platypus is found only in eastern Australia.  With their oddly-shaped snout that looks like a duck's bill, it's often thought they are smiling, a mistake not to be made, as they are the only venomous mammal in the world.

Australia Tours: Various Regions of Australia

Posted on Wednesday, October 06, 2010

Australia tours offer one of the most diverse travel experiences around.  Australia may be the world’s smallest continent but, it features many of Mother Nature’s biggest feats. From the world’s largest coral reef, the Great Barrier Reef, to the world’s largest monolith, Mount Augustus, as well as mammoth stretches of outback, Australia is one colossal adventure.

Since Australia is quite a long flight from the U.S., particularly from the East Coast, we recommend when taking an Australia tour that you allow a minimum of 14 days, ideally around 21 to get a taste of various regions in Australia.

40,000 years before Europeans settled in the 18th century, Australia was inhabited by indigenous people, and thankfully these Aboriginal cultures can still be experienced across the country. In Cairns, you can visit the award-winning Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park to learn of Aboriginal history and dance theatres, or you can follow the meandering Adelaide River deep into Kakadu National Park to find Aboriginal art at Nourlangie Rock. Also visit the unique outback town of Alice Springs where you could be greeted by a local Aboriginal Guide who'll show you the park from the traditional perspective of the Arrente people.

Canberra may be the capital, but most visit Sydney first, to stroll through the Royal Botanic Gardens, Bondi Beach and iconic Opera House. For unbeatable views of the Sydney skyline including Sydney Harbor Bridge, head to Mrs. Macquarie's Chair or Milsons Point come dusk. Sydney also has ample culture to spoil yourself with, such as the Art Gallery of New South Wales which houses both global and Australian collections.

You won’t have to go far to escape urban Sydney. Beyond Bondi, beach lovers should head north of Sydney to the popular Manly Beach. Families will be amused by Sydney Aquarium and Sydney Wildlife World; here you’ll meet one of Australia’s national icons, the very cute koala bear! The towering Blue Mountains are also close by and even more of Australia's native wildlife can be spotted at Featherdale Wildlife Park.

Head into the outback to Alice Springs, to stand in awe at the striking color changes of Ayers Rock at twilight, and admire the mystical 36 domes of the Olgas. Stop at Simpsons Gap with its lovely red river gum scenery and take a walking tour down the stony watercourse of Standley Chasm to really experience Australia’s natural landscape.

For more city sightseeing try Melbourne where St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Shrine of Remembrance and much more can be seen. The Twelve Apostles along the Great Ocean Road are also a spectacular sight. If you take an excursion to Phillip Island in the evening you might witness the nightly ritual of the little penguins returning from a day of fishing! Animal fans should also hop to Seal Bay Conservation Park on Kangaroo Island, where you can walk amongst Australia’s most accessible colony of Sea Lions as they doze in the celebrated Australian sunshine.

Australia Travel 2011

Posted on Tuesday, August 17, 2010

With bustling big cities, mammoth stretches of outback, monolithic rock formations, vast rainforests and the world’s largest coral reef, Australia is one colossal adventure.

Head into the outback to stand in awe at the striking color changes of Ayers Rock (Uluru) at twilight, or admire the mystical domes of Kata Tjuta (the Olgas). Go crocodile spotting on a river cruise in the northern wilderness of Kakadu.  Discover an underwater world teeming with colorful wildlife on the Great Barrier Reef and be amazed by this unique natural wonder.  Venture south to the Great Ocean Road to see the majestic limestone pillars of the Twelve Apostles jutting out of the sea. Or, take an excursions to witness the famous nightly parade of Little Penguins on Phillip Island.

You’ll find Australia’s cities are just as captivating.  Sydney beckons with world-famous landmarks like the Opera House and the harbor Bridge as well as natural treasures like the beautiful harbor itself and magnificent surf beaches.  Cuddle a koala, shop till you drop, dine in style or lose yourself in the city’s art galleries, museums and theatres.  Cosmopolitan Melbourne has a distinctive charm all of its own, with its multicultural cuisines, designer fashions, thriving arts community and rich colonial history. We just received all the new and exciting itineraries for Australia and New Zealand tours for 2011.