Jamieson is a small country town in rural Victoria with a population not more than 250 making it a perfect destination for our summer vacation and digital-detox! Located in the High Country, it’s beautifully situated on the Jamieson River where it meets the Goulburn River which flows into Lake Eildon.

There are plenty of remnants of it’s past dotted around the town and I took great pleasure in leaving my camp site to take early morning walks by the river and around the town.

Juddy's Hut, an early miner's cottage by the Jamieson River

The view from behind Juddy's Hut

Jamieson Post Office Circa 1872

St Peter's Anglican Church Circa 1865

St John's Catholic Church Circa 1863

...and the not so historical but still delightful 'Perkins & Grey' Cafe

Map

TravelTipsPlus Google Map of Jamieson

One Great Reason to Visit Jamieson

One great reason to visit this travel destination is to enjoy the peace and quiet by the Jamieson River and if you score some warm weather, grab a tube and float downstream from Brewery Bridge to Finns Bridge.

For More Information

• Wikipedia
• Jamieson Historical Society

No matter your level of surfing expertise, Australia is the destination to enjoy all of the most excellent fun, sun and water imaginable. Australia is a premier global surfing location; primarily due to the more than 37,000 kilometers of gorgeous coastline. The coastline is filled with challenging reef as well as point breaks in abundance for the experienced surfers; and more than enough soft swells where beginners can feel safe while having fun. Join people from around the world who enjoy the finest beautiful, sun drenched coastlines in Australia.

Crescent Head, New South Wales

The coastline of Crescent Head in New South Wales starts north of Port Macquarie for 25 kilometers. Along the coastal road are a wide range of spots for surfers of all levels. New board riders as well as long board riders can enjoy one of four right hand point breaks that generate 200 meter rides. Crescent Head’s point break is adored by boarders worldwide. It is the location of the filming of “Hanging Ten”. Another brilliant spot in the area is Delicate Nobby, which is a rock formation located halfway between Crescent Heat and Point Plomer. The wedge shape of the formation, which starts near the beach and juts into the ocean, creates fantastic beach breaks on either side for endless surfing pleasure.

Photo url: http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5149/5657055691_608f5a3953.jpg
Photo by: andy_tyler

Snapper Rocks, Queensland

This point break, located in the state of Queensland, is a globally popular Gold Coast surfing location. It is situated at Rainbow Bay, also known as “Super Bank”; the consistently longest hollow on the planet. The swell at Snapper Rocks commonly reaches from 6 to 8 feet. Surfers constantly enjoy the thrill of riding a clean wave to a near two kilometer distance; from Snapper Rocks to Kirra. This popular location is the host for some of the world’s most elite surfing events including Rip Curl Masters, MP Classic and Quicksilver. Local world surfing champions including Stephanie Gilmore, Joel Parkinson and Mick Fanning stop by their hometown surfing spot whenever they are in the area.

Photo url: http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4099/4910001028_6b2a58de19.jpg
Photo by: thinboyfatter

Lennox Head , New South Wales

One of Australia’s largest and longest surf breaks in warm water is found in Lennox Head, located in the northern region of New South Wales. Surfers find that the point is best with a southwest wind and south-southeast swell. Board riders cannot say enough about the long right hand peeling break that has been known to exceed four meters. Lennox is now a national surfing reserve. The management of the reserve is done by a Board of Management which represents the surfing community in the area. This Board gives a voice to the community as relates to custodial responsibility of the reserve, maintenance of historical records and sustaining the cultural significance of the area surrounding the reserve.

Photo url: http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2184/2073310542_7a3ddd0602.jpg
Photo by: jsrobinson132

Secret Harbour, Western Australia

Secret Harbour rests on the West Australian coast between the cities of Mandurah and Rockingham. The secluded village feel of the area attracts people from around the world. The area provides fun challenges for experienced surfers and excellent opportunities for beginning surfers to master the sport. It is the home to the Big Wage Surfing School, a Surfing Australia accredited school, which has provided lessons for board riders of all ages and experience at Secret Harbor and other Perth areas for many years. In addition to superb surfing, Secret Harbour offers unbelievable bush land, lakes and other natural beauty for visitors to enjoy.

Photo url: http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6128/5979287124_fb6aeab41e.jpg
Photo by: Thomas Depenbusch und Marina Depenbusch-Zharova

North Narrabeen, New South Wales

North Narrabeen in Sydney offers a unique surfing experience because of its distinctive configuration. Narrabeen Lake creates a run-off which forms a sandbank. Classic sets are formed by the sandbank, which break with the help of the deeper water offshore. The deep channel that is created by the lake flowing into the sea is instrumental in the creation of this surfer’s paradise. The quality of the powerful breaks at North Narrabeen has led to its reputation among the greatest surfing destinations in the world. While there are other popular beaches along Sydney’s north coast, North Narrabeen stands out as a board rider favorite because of these more powerful breaks.

Photo url: http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6187/6107189861_5449a7008b.jpg
Photo by: StephEvaPhoto

Boomerang Beach, New South Wales

Boomerang Beach in Pacific Palms is a top pick for surfing and swimming. It is situated along the lovely pristine Forster-Tuncurry coast. Knowledgeable, experienced surfers swear that the swells at Boomerang Beach make it one the absolute best surfing spots in the NSW area. The barrels formed for beach breaks, with consistent quality waves, draw surfers from everywhere to enjoy the challenge and exhilaration of the sport. As an added treat, swimmers and surfers have the opportunity to visit with local dolphins in the ocean at the northern headland of Boomerang Beach.

Photo url: http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5048/5362901409_3f9f2e9aef.jpg
Photo by: joe.lipson

Torquay, Victoria

The town of Torquay is the home of Bells Beach, an internationally renowned surfing destination. Bells Beach is located approximately 100 kilometers southwest of Melbourne in Victoria, Australia. The surf rises to more than 5 meters with the help of steep Southern Ocean swells over shallow reefs; taking surfing to the next level of amazement. Bells Beach is the historic home of the Rip Curl Pro, the most prestigious and oldest professional skilled surfing event. To this day, proud winners of the event are presented with the clanging bell trophy, which is the traditional award for the well known surfing event.

Photo url: http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2771/4485862679_6f6dd97f2c.jpg
Photo by: surfglassy

Kristy is a road tripping adventure seeker and freelance travel writer for Drive My Car Rentals Australia. When she is not on the road she is helping people find incredible deals on car rentals in Bondi and beyond.

But we believe the best journeys are sometimes those which are slightly more off the beaten track. Here are three driving route suggestions for those of us who want to see Australia in a completely new way.

Freemantle to Newman

1,200km, 13 hours

Checklist:

• Visit the RAAF Base Pearce in Bullsbrook, constructed in 1935.
• Visit the Bullsbrook Nature reserve
• Stop off at Lake Chittering and Lake Needonga
• Overnight in the small town of Dalwallinu
• See what’s left of salt water Lake Austin and Lake Anneen
• If you’re brave, visit the old abandoned ghost town Nannine
• Visit Collier Range National Park

Once you get to Newman, be sure to stop for a swim at the Ophthalmia Dam. The closest thing you’ll find to an oasis in the middle of the desert, it’s a popular swimming and recreation spot amongst the locals.

Esperance, WA to Alice Springs, NT

3,136 km, 1 day 10 hours

The true journey through the red centre of Australia, this trek will take you from Esperance through every kind of landscape Australia has to offer – coast, bush and desert. Stay overnight in Ceduna and Port Augusta West to break up the trip in to thirds, as it is a whopping 25 hour drive from start to finish. There are plenty of huge nature parks and reserves along this trip, including Nullarbor National Park, Wahgunyah Conservation Reserve, Yumburra Conservation Park, Yellabinna Regional Reserve, Pureba Conservation Park, Koolgera Conservation Reserve, Pinkawillinie Conservation Park and Lake Gilles Conservation Park.

Checklist:

• See the Australian Arid Land Botanic Garden in Port Augusta West
• Visit Monalena Lagoon and Lake Hart
• Stop over at Coober Pedy, the famous Opal Capital of the world

Broome, WA to Darwin, NT

1,945km, 1 day 1 hour

If you prefer to drive between two locations you’ve more than likely heard of. Perfect for those who love big, long stretches of road, this drive from Broome to Darwin will take you all the way through the north end of Australia. Overnight in Fitzroy Crossing and Katherine to break up the trip, and tick of our checklist of suggestions along the way.

Checklist:

• Bungle Bungle National Park at Halls Creek (Australia’s version of the rocky landscapes of Arizona)
• Keep River National Park
• Manton Dam Recreation Area
• Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin

Remember, when you’re travelling such long distances, it’s important to have the right vehicle. Your tiny little car that you use to zip around the city just won’t survive on the wide open road and rugged terrain of the Australian outback. Consider browsing used car websites to find dealers or private sellers where you can pick up an affordable and reliable 4WD or van for your trip.

]]> http://traveltipsplus.com/take-a-road-trip-off-the-beaten-track/feed/ 0 http://traveltipsplus.com/10-little-gems-in-sydney/ http://traveltipsplus.com/10-little-gems-in-sydney/#comments Wed, 08 Jun 2011 15:30:35 +0000 kirsty_wilson http://traveltipsplus.com/?p=3775 10 Little Gems in Sydney as Suggested by a Local

Born and bred Aussie, Isobel Daly has lived in Sydney most of her life: “It’s such a vibrant city, with so much on offer, one moment you can be sunbathing at the beach, yet just round the corner you can be lost in beautiful gardens or immersed in the business district; and this isn’t even touching on the harbour or attractions such as the hundreds of bars, cafes, restaurants and shops Sydney has to offer!”

Here, she spills the beans on her favourite hidden gems for eating, drinking and generally relaxing, resulting in some great advice for people going on Australia holidays.

My favourite hang out
I love hanging out at Icebergs at Bondi Beach. It has large balconies and windows from which you can see some amazing views across the beach. The place is stylish, sophisticated and relaxing making it a very popular hangout. I like to go there for evening drinks but if you fancy eating in there, I would advise you to book a table as it often gets really busy.
Tip: Try to visit around sundown as it’s a great spot to see some amazing sunsets across the beach
1 Notts Avenue, Bondi Beach 2026, Australia +61 2 9365 9000 ‎

My favourite bar
The interior of the Ivy Bar is amazing; in fact the whole building is gorgeous and it’s worth going there just to see the bar alone. Through eight zones and on different levels, the décor’s influence is a mix of very modern with very grand and all the soft furnishings and muted colours help to still give a sophisticated, yet homely feel. If you’re there early evening, I’d recommend their cocktails but it’s also a great place to end the night as they throw some awesome parties so you can dance the night away.
Tip: It’s more of a standing/dancing establishment so wear appropriate shoes and if you want a seat or there’s a group of you, you may want to phone ahead to book an area.
330 George St, Sydney, NSW, 2000 +61 2 9240 3000

My favourite restaurant
Tetsuya’s is a great place to go if you’re celebrating something special like an anniversary. Be prepared for a lot of courses as the degustation (set menu) has nine courses of fine food for you to devour, with influences from France, Japan and modern Australia. While eating you can enjoy views across a Japanese-inspired courtyard of maples and waterfalls which results in a really relaxed atmosphere. You don’t need to take my word for this one as Tetsuya’s has been included in The S.Pellegrino World’s 50 Best Restaurants for years!
529 Kent Street, Sydney 2000, Australia +61 2 9267 2900 ‎

Where to share cheap and cheerful drinks with friends
Zanzibar rooftop bar is beautiful for early evening drinks while the sun goes down. The joint has a vibrant chatty atmosphere, making it a great place for a relaxing night catching up with friends. It’s the type of place where the night seems to fly by when you’re sharing some sangria and yummy tapas style tasting plates.
Tip: They have great cocktail happy hours on Friday and Saturday night.
323 King Street, Newtown NSW 2042, Australia +61 2 9519 1511 ‎

Where to grab brunch with friends
To have a lazy Sunday morning, to get over a hangover, or just to catch up with friends, Vargabar is a cute and cosy café which is great for brekky or lunch. Whilst they have an extensive drinks menu, milkshakes, smoothies and so on, their coffee is always good and highly recommended. You can find it on Wilson St in Newtown. Being a converted old second hand clothing store, it has a funky vibe and stands out from other cafés.
Tip: The café is quite small and often busy. If you arrive mid morning you may have to wait a little while for a table but it’s worth it.
10 Wilson St, Newtown NSW 2042, Australia +61 2 9517 1932 ‎

Where to head for the perfect day out
My perfect day out, as stereotypical as it is, is a BBQ at the beach. If you visit Australia you have to throw at least one shrimp on the barbie! My favourite beach to recommend is Coogee beach. It’s less touristy than Bondi and if you fancy a walk, there’s a path from Bondi to Coogee. The walk takes about two hours, weaves around the cliffs of the coast and has fantastic views, rock pools and small beaches all the way.
Arden St, Coogee 2034, Australia

Where to escape from the crowds
When I really want to escape the crowds, I head off to the Botanic Gardens. Despite being in the centre of Sydney (just opposite the Sydney Opera House), it’s one of the most beautiful urban gardens I have been to. You can wander through; lose yourself in the exotic trees and spot wildlife such as cockatoos and fruit bats. There are also numerous lakes and benches which are great for relaxing with a picnic. From the gardens you can still see the Sydney skyline which looks fantastic, yet the gardens are so peaceful you’ll feel far away from the city.
Tip: Enthusiastic volunteers conduct free walks every morning at 10.30 which last 90 minutes and they teach about the vast flora and fauna of the gardens.
Mrs Macquarie’s Road, Sydney 2000, Australia +61 2 9231 8111

Where to find a relaxing cup of coffee
If I want to get lost in a crowd, I love to sit in one of the many coffee shops in the Queen Victoria Building and watch the world go by. Once a concert hall, the QVB is such a beautiful, elegant building which was built back in the 19th Century. It still keeps its elaborate Romanesque architecture, which was designed to resemble a Byzantine palace, has a cast iron circular staircase and you can’t miss the central copper dome and the glass roof.
455 George St, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia +61 2 9264 9209 ‎

My favourite bookshop
I love browsing the bookshops of Sydney and my favourite has to be Kinokuniya. In the centre of town, the enormous shop stocks every book you can imagine; from foreign or obscure to graphic novels or new releases, the knowledgeable staff can always find what you’re looking for. And of course, no bookshop would be complete without lots of comfy couches and armchairs to relax in while you browse the books.
Tip: Pop into the coffee shop where they often have art galleries and exhibitions.
Level 2, The Galleries Victoria, 500 George St, Sydney, NSW, 2000

Where to go for shopping
For mainstream shopping I tend to go to Bondi Junction – there’s a huge Westfield shopping centre there with over 300 shops so you’re bound to find what you’re looking for. However, if you prefer browsing boutique shops for unique gems, try the smaller shops in Queen’s Street in Paddington.
Westfield: Bondi Junction 2022, Australia and Queen’s Street, Woollahra 2025, Australia

If this has whet your appetite to visit Sydney, Austravel has some great deals on flights to Australia at the moment, with prices available from as little at £679pp.

Backpacking in Australia is many a young travellers dream, however, many people find themselves overwhelmed with options and potential plans, so much so that they find themselves getting put off making the trip altogether!

When considering going on a backpacking tour of Australia, there are a few things to contemplate: the first of these is exactly when in the year to go. Although Australia is indeed a wonderful destination to visit all year around, there are certain benefits to be had by visiting at different periods; the different times of the year also dictate which are the best parts of Australia to visit (after all, Australia is a rather big country!).

Spring is considered to fall between September and November in Australia; this is an ideal time to check out the country’s national parks and gardens, which are jam-packed with some of the most exciting and varied species in the entire world. It is generally considered to be an off-season as far as tourism is concerned, however, many companies still operate during this time and can, therefore, offer some fantastic deals and savings.

December to February is Australian Summertime and is complete with some of the highest temperatures you could ever hope to encounter. It is the perfect time to hit the beaches and indulge in the famous Australian BBQ on the beach, or catch a few waves surfing. It can be a notorious busy period, so booking is advised well in advance. If you do decide to head down under this year, then get your flights to Australia from Cheapflights.co.uk.

March to May is Autumn season; it is another quieter period – although temperatures are not sweltering, it is consistent and a great time to check out the more cultural aspects that Australia has to offer.

June to August is Winter and the majority of visitors are only interested in what winter resorts and cities can provide – this can be an especially cheap time to check out Australia’s countryside (provided you have no problem coping a slightly colder climate than you would usually expect!).

Guest post by Cheap Flights

Boxing Day is the day the Christmas tree comes down, the house is tidied and bags are packed for us to head off the following day on our annual summer vacation. This year we drove 3.5 hours east of Melbourne and based ourselves at a tiny town called Nicholson. Nicholson has the push-pin marked on the map below. This was our base for the following week to explore the region. So I have now compiled a list of the 7 places we visited and most enjoyed.

1. Buchan Caves

Buchan Caves

From Nicholson we drove north through rolling hills dotted with farms, followed by National forests before arriving at Buchan Caves. There are two main chambers being the Royal and Fairy Caves. We took a 45 mins walking tour through the magical wonderland of the Fairy Cave. Frank Moon discovered the Fairy Cave during 1907 which was opened to the public later that year. The Royal Cave was discovered in 1910 by Frederick Wilson and after an entrance tunnel was excavated, it was opened to visitors in 1913. The Caves Reserve was set out and planted mostly in the late 1930s. The stalactites, stalagmites, helictite, shawls and twinkling of water droplets make for a wonderful display from a different world.

2. Marlo

From Buchan Caves we drove south through the logging town of Orbost to the coastal town of Marlo. At Marlo the great Snowy River meets the sea and is a popular place for boating and fishing in both the river and estuaries. The historic Marlo pub is a great spot to grab a drink and admire the river and sea views.

3. Nicholson River Winery

This lovely family owned winery was just down the road from where we were holidaying and I surprised myself by only stopping in there the once! After enjoying the tastings, we pulled up some chairs in the garden with a glass of the NR Chardonnay and enjoyed the views over the Nicholson River.

Leaving Metung!

4. Metung

Metung is a delightful town attracting many city dwellers to own holiday homes in the area. The town has two focal points being the water ways of the lakes, and the village green. A number of cafes and restaurants cater well for the visitors making it a trendy destination! From Metung we enjoyed an afternoon cruise on the water to Lakes Entrance. The return trip took nearly 3 hours and we were spoilt with a complimentary glass of wine and nibbles. I did notice it also attracted a number of international visitors also. It was a very pleasant afternoon!

5. Paynesville

Another coastal town we visited was Paynesville and is a little larger than Metung so it had more in way of services and shops. There were a number of jetties for all the boating and water activities. A car and pedestrian ferry took people across to Raymond Island which only has a small population of no more than 500 people. I’m not sure if this population are permanent residents or holiday makers in their holiday homes!

6. Nyerimilang Heritage Park

Nyerimilang Heritage Park

Nyerimilang Heritage Park is on the shores of the Gippsland Lakes and has divine views of waterways, islands and the ocean beyond. The land was first owned by Mr A Murray in 1884 and he later transferred it to Frank Stuart of Melbourne who built a home as a base for fishing and shooting holidays at the Gippsland Lakes. During the early 1930s, his son Frank Jnr extended the house, developed the surrounding gardens and lived in style at Nyerimilang complete with housemaids and a gardener. A display featuring the history of Nyerimilang and the natural resources and history of the Gippsland Lakes is on display in the homestead and is extremely interesting.

7. Narkoojee Winery

Yes, we are wine lovers and on the way home from our week away (and my digital-detox) we stopped at one of our favourite wineries. Not that we’d been there before but we do enjoy their wine and all the more reason to detour off the Highway for a visit. Narkoojee produces two of my favourite Chardonnay’s, the Lily Grace and Reserve. Narkoojee is located just north of Traralgon at Glengarry.

Map

TravelTipsPlus Google Map of Gippsland

Gippsland, Victoria

For More Information

A hot New Year’s Eve was enjoyed at Lakes Entrance during our summer holiday to the Gippsland region. After an early dinner, we made our way to the beach where the children enjoyed the sand, shallow water and sandbanks. We all waded for sometime cooling our feet as the sun began to drop for the last time for 2010. The images the sun-rays created behind the boat silhouettes, was so peaceful. Let’s hope that’s a sign for what 2011 will bring to our world.

We’d like to wish all our readers a very Merry Christmas and a happy new year. Thank you for your support during 2010!

We thought we’d share a Christmas Poem as retold by June Williams in Australian style and based on the traditional “The Twelve Days of Christmas” which is a cumulative song, meaning that each verse is built on top of the previous verses. There are twelve verses, each describing a gift given by “my true love” on one of the twelve days of Christmas. Each gift being an Australian bird or animal.

On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me an emu up a gum tree.

On the second day of Christmas my true love sent to me two pink galahs.

On the third day of Christmas my true love sent to me three jabirus.

On the fourth day of Christmas my true love sent to me four kookaburras.

On the fifth day of Christmas my true love sent to me five kangaroos.

On the sixth day of Christmas my true love sent to me six platypuses.

On the seventh day of Christmas my true love sent to me seven koalas climbing.

On the eighth day of Christmas my true love sent to me eight possums playing.

On the ninth day of Christmas my true love sent to me nine wombats working.

On the tenth day of Christmas my true love sent to me ten lizards leaping.

On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love sent to me eleven numbats bagging.

On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love sent to me twelve parrots prattling.

These photos portray the sense of calm and quiet as you float by without disturbing anyone, not even the clouds below. The flight took off from Balgownie Estate winery in the Dandenongs east of Melbourne in the southern State of Victoria. We had to arrive for a 5am meetup, then travelled for an hour away from the winery. It’s very hands on and everybody mucks in. We took off at 6.30am and landed in the middle of a pony gymkhana just 10 minutes from the hotel. Where, once we had packed everything up, we returned for a Champagne breakfast. Our pilot had 2,500 flying hours, and says they are very short of pilots, so if you know anyone, feel free to leave a comment below!

Photos courtesy of Robyn from Personnel Relocations.

Heading Down Under on your own? Australia is one of the easiest countries to navigate solo – with plenty of accommodation and activities that make it easy to make new friends – or just enjoy your own company. Meanwhile, if your day-to-day routine has got you wound up, it might be the perfect time for a solo getaway to recharge those waning batteries.

There’s plenty to be said about the solo adventure – here are some ways to really make the most of your trip:

• Indulge – travelling by yourself doesn’t have to have to be about staying in hostels and dorms. If you have the budget to spend, there’s much to be said about splurging on your own hotel room. It doesn’t have to be a five star luxury – even the modest double bed can feel like decadence.
• Be spontaneous - on your own, you have no obligation to communicate decisions and itineraries – you’re free to go on a whim. Make the most of those occasions when something takes your fancy and you can do that “about face” in the middle of the street.
• Be open-minded – one of the best things about travelling alone is seeing the world unfiltered, without the influences of a travel mate. We spend so much of our time within our circles that we may be conditioned to think and believe a certain way. Solo travel offers greater independence and the chance to learn more about yourself as you learn more about the world.

Great ideas for the solo Australian holiday

Townsville - the perfect coastal getaway, Townsville is a great destination for singles looking for a relaxing time to enjoy the surf and sun. Magnetic Island offers a unique natural sanctuary as over half the island is a National Park. Try out your favourite water sports – what better way to spend your holiday than kayaking amongst Townsville’s brilliant waters? You can find Townsville accommodation that caters for singles as well as families.

Darwin – if you’re looking to meet fellow travellers and make new friends, Darwin is one of the best destinations for single travellers. Backpackers mingle with locals in the many pubs and night spots while the Mindil Beach markets are a spectacle to marvel at. You can also join a tour to visit nearby Kakadu and other nearby national parks.

Brisbane – enjoy a night out on the town in style. Brisbane has a number of great entertainment venues and vibrant hot spots. You’ll enjoy the many singles’ events and travel groups where you can meet fellow travellers. Or just spend a day wandering aimlessly through the eclectic streets of the city.

Author Bio:
This article is supplied by Quickbeds.com. With no booking fees and great rates – you’ll have no trouble finding cheap accommodation – Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne – Australia awaits you.