Travel Photos of the Week: Ballooning from Balgownie Estate

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.

Travelling around Australia Solo

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.

Travel Photo of the Week: Grafton, New South Wales, Australia

Grafton, also known as the Jacaranda City due to its many Jacaranda tree-lined streets. The town folk celebrate the Annual Jacaranda Festival which is held from the last weekend in October to the first weekend in November. The Festival has been running since 29 October 1935 and attracts visitors from all over the country and globe.

Photos courtesy of Katrina Murray

Travel Photos of the Week: Sunsets over Magnetic Island, Australia

Magnetic Island is one of my favourite travel destinations having visited there twice now. It’s the perfect destination for a relaxing family holiday in Queensland. Both times we stayed at Arcadia by pretty Alma Bay where it’s an easy 5mins walk to the beach. One thing we notice about visiting during May, is it’s off-peak and very peaceful but more than that, there are sensational sunsets like these to enjoy.