Australia, The Land Down Under

 

There are so many different ways to experience and explore Australia that I cannot just recommend one.  Australia is a large country, but unlike the United States, the vast majority of its citizens live along the coast leaving the center of the country quite sparsely populated.  This makes exploring the country a bit more challenging, but it is so worth it.

 

Because I am an Australia Specialist, I was invited by Tourism Australia to go Down Under and spend some time learning about Australia and meeting with many of their top vendors of travel.  This was an exciting experience on so many levels that it is hard to express.  The main thing that I learned was this; Australia is a country that just can’t be missed and you need time to explore.

 

Explore by Train:

 

With so much of the population of Australia located along the coastline, it leaves a lot of open area that is remote and not easily traveled, which is why exploring by train is such a wonderful option.  Two major train lines run through  Australia's vast outback.  

 

The first train runs from north to south and the train that runs on this track is called the Ghan.  This luxury train is like a traveling hotel with a fine restaurant.  The Ghan runs between Darwin in the north and Adelaide in the south and is one of the iconic train journies of the world.  The Ghan is an all-inclusive experience for those booked in the Gold and Platinum categories.  Meals, drinks, and excursions are included.

 

The train that runs from east to west is the Indian Pacific.  This train runs from Sydney in the east to Perth in the west.  The most beautiful section is through the Blue Mountains outside of Sydney.  Again, this luxury train is like a traveling hotel with a fine restaurant and is an all-inclusive experience in the Gold and Platinum categories.  They even have rooms for solo travelers.  These are small and intimate but do provide you with privacy and wake up service!  To read more about our experience on the train, click here to read our blog.

 

Self Drive:

 

Of course, you can take your time and explore by car; however, you need to keep in mind that Australia is huge.  Think about a road trip through the United States.  You would probably explore in sections.  Australia is much the same.  It would be best to explore sections of the country and focus on the ones you want to see and explore.  If you want to do this, you either need a lot of time or make several trips Down Under.

 

Escorted Tours:

 

This is probably the best way to see Australia.  You get the best of all worlds.  You have the focus of a driving tour but have the ease and convenience of a train tour.  With an escorted tour all of your logistics are taken care of for you and you get to sit back and enjoy.  These tours are artfully crafted to help you get the most out of your trip to Australia.  Again, you will probably see one specific area unless you have a lot of time to spend.

 

Cruise:

One of my favorite ways of exploring is by cruising and Australia lends its self nicely to cruising.  Because most of its population is located along the coasts, most of Australia's iconic destinations are easily accessible via a cruise to nearby ports of call.  There are cruises that circumnavigate the continent making cruising the perfect way to really see the majority of Australia.  With all of your logistics taken care of for you, if you have the time, cruising is the best option for getting the most out of your trip to Australia.

 

What About Getting There?

 

Airline Flights:

I was concerned about the flights, I will admit that freely.  The longest flight I had been on before this trip was a flight from Seattle to Amsterdam.  That was long but not as long as the non-stop flight from Los Angeles or San Francisco to Sydney.  This flight lasts about 15 hours.  The great news is the flight departs at night.  Usually between 11:00 p.m. and midnight.  They serve dinner once at cruising altitude and then they turn down the lights and do everything in their power to not disturb you.  About two hours before arrival in Sydney they will serve breakfast.  For more information about our experience flying to Australia, click here to read our blog.

 

Cruises to Australia:

There are also options to sail from the west coast of the United States to Australia.  These passages usually take about 30 days with lots of stops along the way to the exotic and stunning islands of the Pacific.  These cruises usually include stops in New Zealand as well.  If you wanted to see as much as you can and you have the time, a cruise from the west coast of the United States through the Pacific islands to Australia would be a dream way to see it all.  Of course, you would need to leave time to explore Australia once you get there.

 

Explore the Outback

 

I had the wonderful experience to take the Indian Pacific train to Broken Hill.  Though this is not completely the outback of Australia, it is very close.  The area is rugged, sparsely populated, and full of wonderful sights and intriguing wildlife.  I spent a couple of days here with a guide who drove our small group around the area and explained its history and its lifestyle.  Kangaroos were everywhere and remarkably difficult to catch on camera since they were usually bounding away.  If you would like a little taste of the outback of Australia, Broken Hill is a great option.

 

Explore the Blue Mountains

 

I had the unique experience of taking an escorted private drive through the Blue Mountains.  The Blue Mountains are located just outside of Sydney and hold marvelous small towns, majestic vistas, and glorious waterfalls.  If you are going to be in the Sydney area, I highly recommend spending some time in the Blue Mountains.  For more information about my experience there, click here to read our blog.

 

Exploring Sydney

 

There are so many wonderful things to see and do in Sydney.  The beautiful harbor city is full of things to do and places to explore.  This bustling metropolis is easy to navigate and safe to roam freely.  One option you should consider is getting a hop-on/hop-off water tour.  We used this as a shuttle service to the different places we wanted to go.  It also provides some pretty spectacular views of Sydney from the water.  To read more about things to do while in Sydney, click here to read our blog.

 

Byron Bay

 

Byron Bay is located in the far north region of New South Wales and is reached by either a local regional airport or by Brisbane Airport.  Either way, you will have a short though beautiful drive to Byron Bay.  This bay is stunning and has some wonderful beaches.  The town of Byron Bay is fun and eclectic with a bit of a bohemian feel.  You will not find chain stores or restaurants here.  The local flavor and feel is what makes Byron Bay so special.

 

Australia is one of those locations that many travelers wait a lifetime to experience.  Why not get the most out of this journey?  Contact us, your premier Boise Travel Agency and Australia specialists to help you plan your perfect vacation to Australia.

 

Phone: 208-996-3269 or Email: cal.lindsay@cruiseplanners.com