New Zealand Travel – Wai-O-Tapu Champagne Pool

I honestly can’t think of weirder place I have visited.  New Zealand travel is famous for it’s breathtaking landscape, but Roturoa, on the North Island, is like it’s own little planet. This country has everything from glaciers and snow capped mountains to rumbling volcanos and black sand beaches.

Roturoa stands out as a popular hot spot for it’s geothermal activity.  I didn’t really know what this meant before going but I was told to brace myself for a weird smell.

New Zealand Travel – Sulphur steam vents

And let me tell you, they weren’t kidding. From the moment we saw the sign “Welcome to Roturoa” it was like an egg explosion had gone off.  Or maybe just 100 year old egg sandwiches… Roturoa has so much geothermal activity that the natural sulphur of the earth leaks absolutely everywhere around the city.

Seeing these puffs of steam rising randomly out of the side walk, is up there with the oddest things my eyes have seen.

I’d like to say I got used to the smell but let’s just say the beauty of the place made up for the pong.

Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland

With such names as Devil’s Pit and Devil’s Bath, Wai-O-Tapu is certainly an other-worldly place to visit.  This park is a natural wonderland with a three hour walk unlike any other walk you’ll ever do.  We literally saw the Earth bubble, burp and hiss right before our very eyes.

New Zealand Travel – Roturoa – Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal pools

Steam vents pop up all over the place and the trees seem to have an orange build up of the sulphur and goodness knows what else is in the air.

New Zealand Travel – Wai-O-Tapu walkway

It’s quite eerie, but phenomenally beautiful.

New Zealand Travel – Wai-O-Tapu Devil’s pit

Probably the most famous sight here is the stunning Champagne Pool where build up these natural chemicals and minerals, float around a huge pit of almost boiling water. The air is thick and the steam from the pool washed over us as the wind changed.  Slightly claustrophobic, but exhilarating.

There are few places in this world where you can be truly humbled by nature. Visiting this bizarre yet stunning place was one of the best things I’ve done during my New Zealand travel.

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Ok, I didn’t actually see a show at the Opera House.  My backpacker budget didn’t quite cover that.  What I did do was stand from afar and gaze over a building so iconic, it’s up there with the Eiffel Tower, Houses of Parliament and the Petronas Twin Towers.  When you travel Australia your mind conjures up images of the dusty outback and always the Sydney Opera House.

Australia Travel – Sydney Opera House

Australia Travel – Getting to Sydney Opera House

Seeing the icon yourself couldn’t be any friendlier on a backpacker budget.  The generous Aussie council gifts us tourists with a free shuttle bus that travels through Sydney Central, ending up at the Harbour.  Watch out for the free green bus 555, it runs in a circuit through the Central Business District. The whole area is jam packed with shops, restaurants and galleries and you can hop on and off as you please. If it’s a beautiful hot day, like it was for us, you don’t even need the bus, as Sydney is an exciting and scenic city to discover by foot.

Sydney Harbour

Walking down towards the Opera House we were rather tickled to find the truly gargantuan Queen Elizabeth Cruise Ship docked in the harbour.  This magnificient ship, built in my home country, was right here in Sydney towering above us. It had the usual pensioners disembarking for a day in the city.  I couldn’t help but fantasise about taking this luxury liner when I’m old and grey.  This ship is one of the most decadent in the world with a taste of 1930′s high society and glamour. How wonderful!

Australia Travel – Queen Elizabeth Cruise Ship next to the Sydney Opera House

Sydney Opera House

The grounds around the Sydney Opera House are immaculate. Joggers whisk past, despite the heat and humidity, doing laps around the country’s symbol.  The building is a feat of engineering and it is a wonderful example of late modern architecture.  It is a perfoming arts centre like no other.  The gliding lines of each section’s structure are completely unique.

Australia Travel – Sydney Opera House

I definitely felt very small as I climbed the stairs towards the towering entrances.

Australia Travel – Kiri at the Sydney Opera House

Often, visiting landmarks such as these can be frustrating with boisterous crowds and an overkill of tourist traps, but I have to say the Sydney Opera House was a pleasure to see.  Just like the Aussie way of life, it was chilled, relaxing and a happy tick off my things to see when I travel Australia.

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All Images Copyright © Roscoe Duncan 2012

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Made famous by the tv show Bondi Rescue, Bondi Beach is one of the top things to see when exploring Australia travel.  I wanted to head down there to see what all the fuss was about and prove that not all tourists are destined to be crappy swimmers and in need of rescue.

Australia Travel – Bondi Beach, Sydney by Gabes1982, on Flickr

Australia Travel – Bondi Beach Surf Rescue

 Getting to Bondi

It’s too easy getting to Bondi from city central.  We jumped on at Town Hall and it took around ten minutes on the double decker metro system. Once in Bondi Village, we took a bus through the town to get to the beach. The whole journey was done in about half an hour.  The town is charming and the beach itself is a lot smaller than I had imagined. This wasn’t a bad thing at all, it was just the right space.

Surfing at Bondi Beach

Bondi beach is always busy in good weather and the surfers were out in force .  We caked on the suncream as we’d already learnt our lesson about how quickly you can burn in Australia.

I approached the water fully intending it to be warm but it was seriously cold.  I guess I’d been spoiled spending the last six months living in Thailand in fabulous warm azure waters… I had a quick bracing dip before hypothermia kicked in.

Australia Travel – Roscoe Surfing at Bondi beach

Roscoe was keen to surf so borrowed our friends vest and off he went to try his hand at it.  He must have been out there for an hour or so and the colour of his lips when he returned said it all!

Surfing, I hear, is seriously hard first time and despite Roscoe being very sporty he found it challenging.  Just finding space amongst all the other surfers was a real effort.

Knowing when to go for a wave was equally hard. Despite this he loved it, of course, and I’m sure he’ll be doing it again somewhere else around the world.

Watching the surfers at Bondi is really rather special. We watched whole generations of families passing on their tricks and advice, sharing a picnic and playing in the sand.

Having a beach like this a stone’s throw away from a vibrant city like Sydney is a real treat. It’s little wonder that Sydney is such a sought after place to live.

Eating at Bondi Beach

What does anyone want whilst enjoying a day on a beach? Fish n chips! There are so many cafes and fancy restaurants along the beach but on our backpacker budget we craved for little more than fresh fish and chunky chips.

This wasn’t a sore substitute though as the place we went to had a queue well outside the door and dozens of satisfied customers munching away. Always a good sign. This sort of lunch was perfect on our budget and with the freshest ingredients going, it was enough to rival the fish n chips of back home in the UK. And that’s saying something!

Australia Travel – Surfers at Bondi Beach

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If you’re travelling around Australia it’s likely that you’ll end up in Sydney, the country’s unofficial capital, at some point – in fact, you will most likely be flying into the city. And if Sydney isn’t featured on your itinerary, it should be! Yes, it can be expensive, but discount accommodation in Sydneyabounds and there are plenty of cheap, or even free, attractions in this cosmopolitan, harbourside city. You will always find backpackers in Sydney.

Syndey by neal_mcquaid, on Flickr

Don’t miss out on enjoying all that Sydney has to offer because you’re worried about blowing the budget – it’s perfectly possible to spend little but live a lot in this sunny Aussie city! Below are a few hints and tips to saving as much money as possible, and some ideas for great things to do that won’t cost you a single cent.

Book Accommodation Early

Many hostels have early-bird deals, so the earlier you book, the cheaper your stay could be. In the peak summer months (December-February), the best hostels will get booked up well in advance, so if you wait until the last minute you may find yourself having to stay on the outskirts of the city or somewhere more expensive.

Attend a Festival

Sydney holds world-class festivals and events throughout the year.  Whatever month you’re in the city you should find something going on. From the flamboyant Mardis Gras parade in February, to the more refined Good Food & Wine Festival in July, to the fun Festival of the Wind (a kite flying competition on Bondi Beach) in September, there’s something to suit every taste and most are completely free of charge. Check out http://whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/ for details.

Sydney Light Festival by jdelard, on Flickr

Chill Out on Bondi Beach

Synonymous with laidback Aussie fun, spend a day on the famous Bondi Beach.  You’ll be sharing an experience many Sydneysiders have every weekend (lucky them!). Pack a picnic, jump on the bus from the city centre and you’ll be lying in the sun within half an hour. Surfers fill the waters as surf lifesavers, in their iconic red and yellow budgie-smugglers and hats.

People swim in both the sea and the saltwater swimming pool at the south end of the beach. While games of cricket and frisbee are played, walkers hike the 6km along craggy cliffs between Bondi and Coogee beach. All you’ll have to fork out for is your bus ticket.

Bondi Beach, Sydney by Gabes1982, on Flickr

Gaze at Iconic Landmarks

Think of Australia and chances are images of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House will pop into your head. Gaze at the white sails of the Opera House and the coathanger-like bridge and you’ll have to pinch yourself to be sure that you’re actually in Australia – they are quite a sight.

Sydney Australia by Chris Breikss, on Flickr

It is possible to take a paid guided tour of the Opera House and climb to the top of the bridge, but the best way to appreciate these great icons is simply to look at them – from as many different angles and at as many different times of the day as possible. Silhouetted against a dark red sky, the Opera House is stunning when viewed at sunset, and looking back across the city whilst walking across the bridge as night falls and the lights start twinkling is an image you’ll never forget.

Sydney Harbour Australia by iljimae, on Flickr

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Outback Adventure

The great Australian outback is one of the world’s final frontiers. Outback travel offers spectacular scenery, the chance to get away from it all, and an incredible adventure guaranteed. However, it is essential to be prepared when travelling to unfamiliar, isolated spots in extreme weather conditions. Unlike a beach holiday, it is incredibly unwise to throw a few things in a bag at the last minute and hope for the best.

Travelling in the outback

The Outback offers experiences and memories that will stay with you forever, but unless you are prepared for its harsh environment, your adventure could turn sour. Be prepared and armed with knowledge and you will have the holiday of a lifetime. The list below should help when it comes to preparing for your outback adventure but check out the Good2Go travel checklist for further hints and tips.

Outback Landscape

What to bring

• A good map of the area. Plan your route in advance and check out where each rest stop is.
• Plenty of water and food. Keeping hydrated is essential and you will need, on average, up to a litre of water per hour, per person (more if you are walking in the heat). Always bring extra in case you break down or get lost. The same goes for food – you’ll be glad of the extra sandwiches as you’re waiting for the recovery vehicle to make the several-hours-long journey!
• Sturdy walking shoes and adequate clothing. The terrain in the outback is harsh and sensible hiking boots are essential. Breathable fabrics will keep you cool under a fierce sun but the temperature can often drop considerably in evenings in the winter months so also bring warm clothes.
• Sun cream and a hat. Be sun smart and protect yourself from the sun with a hat and high factor sun block.
• A first aid kit and insect repellent. In isolated areas you may be a long way from help so it is also advisable to attend a first aid course.
• Camping gear. Accommodation options are few and far between in the outback so you will likely need to camp in one of the national parks. A tent, sleeping bag and roll-mat will be all you need if on an organised tour but if you’re travelling on your own, camp chairs, simple cooking equipment, a lighter, torch and an esky will also be needed. Camp in official grounds and check that there aren’t fire restrictions before lighting a fire.
• An HF radio. Mobile phones and CB radios won’t work in truly isolated areas of the outback so it is advisable to carry a high frequesncy radio in case you need to call for help.
• Extra fuel. Fuel stations might be hundreds of miles apart so it is essential to take a jerry can filled with petrol or diesel. You don’t want to run out in the middle of the outback!

Be aware of outback wildlife dangers

• Venomous snakes and spiders. They do exist but it is actually very rare for someone to die from a spider or snake bite. As long as you are sensible, look out for them and avoid them if you see them you will be fine.
• Crocodiles. Saltwater crocodiles are a real and present danger in northern parts of the country so pay attention to signs and advice from guides – if a crocodile has been spotted by a beach, swamp, river or billabong, do not swim there.
• Kangaroos. Australia’s most famous animal doesn’t attack humans but they present a threat when driving, especially at dawn and dusk when they are most active. Crash into a ‘big red’ on the road and you car could be written off.

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Blue Mountains – A Panorama by t3rmin4t0r, on Flickr

Many people have heard some of Australia’s most popular destinations — Sydney, Cairns, the Gold Coast, Melbourne, the Great Barrier Reef, Tasmania, and Blue Mountains — to name just a few. Meliha
from Travel Adventures of a Desi Blonde shares her tips for visiting the Blue Mountains of Australia.

Blue Mountains

Blue Mountains is a mountain range about 1.5 to 2 hours outside of Sydney. Its area is 11,400 km², and its highest point is about 1,190 meters above sea level. Its name comes from the bluish color of the range when viewed from far away (according to Wikipedia). Since it’s so close to Sydney, visiting the Blue Mountains can easily be a quick day trip or an overnight excursion.

There are several popular sites to see in Blue Mountains, including a rock formation known as Three Sisters and tourist attraction Scenic World, both of which are located in the town of Katoomba.

Scenic World

Blue Mountains by Travel Adventures of a Desi Blonde, on Flickr

At Scenic World, there are multiple ways to take in the beauty of Blue Mountains. Scenic World’s Scenic Skyway travels across the mountains 270 meters above the ground, and their Scenic Cableway and Scenic Railway both travel down to the valley floor. Once on the valley floor, visitors can then take their Scenic Walkway around the rainforest.

At Scenic World, visitors can purchase different experiences. A single or round trip ticket of the same activity, or multiple trip tickets of different activities combined into a single visit. A single round-trip ticket for the Scenic Skyway costs $16 for adults and $8 for children ages 4-13, or a family ticket can be purchased for $40. A combined ticket that includes all four attractions (Scenic Skyway, Scenic Railway, Scenic Cableway, and Scenic Walkway) costs $28 for adults and $14 for children ages 4-13, or a family ticket can be purchased for $70.

Scenic Skyway

During our visit to Scenic World, my husband and I decided to take the Scenic Skyway. Though my slight acrophobia issue nearly talked me out of the ride (after we’d already bought the tickets), I powered through and everyone in the cable car (except me, I think) seemed to enjoy sweeping views, including the view of Katoomba Falls out the side windows and the valley floor through the Electro-Scenicglass floor.

Katoomba Falls

Katoomba Falls by Travel Adventures of a Desi Blonde, on Flickr

After only a few short minutes, the cable car was already on the other side where there are lookout points a short distance away as well as a trail that leads down to a section of Katoomba Falls. On the day we visited Blue Mountains, the weather was hot (over 40 degrees Celsius!) and humid. Several people were cooling off from the hot weather in the waterfall.

In and Around Blue Mountains

There are multiple ways to get to Blue Mountains Australia:

• Tour companies offer day trips from Sydney
• Sydney’s rail system also goes to the Blue Mountain area
• Cars can be rented at the Sydney airport

Planning a Trip to Blue Mountains

Visitors should plan for not more than one or two activity-filled days (unless the laid-back, slow atmosphere of the small towns around Blue Mountains is preferred) and avoid major holiday timeframes since a lot of businesses are completely closed, or have limited operating hours on national holidays.

Though we didn’t take a day trip through a tour company, if we had to do it over again, we may have gone that route instead. When you consider that the cost of not paying for a hotel in Blue Mountains may balance out the cost per person (through a day trip), it might be well worth it.

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