Posted by admin on December 22, 2008
Visiting the Whitsundays? Why not take a trip out to one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World – the Great Barrier Reef!
Departing daily from several ports throughout the Whitsundays area (including Hamilton Island, Daydream Island, Long Island and Airlie Beach), Fantasea Cruises offers a fantastic day tour out to their own floating pontoon, called Reefworld, which is located on the outer Great Barrier Reef.
Reefworld
Whilst out on the crystal blue waters of the reef, enjoy unlimited snorkelling time with the colourful fishes, take a tour in one of their semi-submarines and feast on the tantalising buffet lunch and morning & afternoon tea (including bottomless tea and coffee!)!
Travelling with the kids? Why not join them up to ‘Club Seahorse’? With face painting, activity books and game boards just some of the activities offered by the experienced staff at Reefworld, the kids will have a great time while you get some quality time in the water!
Reefworld is definitely a destination that will leave the whole family with priceless memories of the beautiful Whitsundays!!
Posted by admin on December 19, 2008
If you ever want to visit a bustling city, why not try Wellington. You have an amazing choice of Cafes located through out the City itself, the larger rugby groundsd home for the Hurricanes!!!, Beautiful Botanical Gardens a short Cable Car ride from Lambton Quay, Horse Riding in the Valley and many many more.
Courtney Place is the home to most of the local Nightlife, and the Embassy Theatre – owned by the wolrd known Peter Jackson. While in Wellington, you can also do a range of Lord of the Rings tours, which take you to different filming locations and also Weta Workshop who designed the Costumes and Sets.
Located at the bottom of the North Island, you also have access to the Interislander Ferry which transfers you down to Picton (South Island) where you can also take your vechile with you.
Posted by admin on
This year I decided to book a surprise weekend to Sydney for my boyfriend for his birthday. As I was able to get super cheap flights direct from Fraser Coast to Sydney I thought it was a great idea. I kept the trip a secret for 3 months, and finally had to spill the beans a week before his birthday because he told me he couldn’t get the time off work the day we were supposed to leave 
! It didn’t matter because he was really excited.
We flew out on Friday morning, caught the train to the city from the airport, and walked to Paddy’s markets. After browsing for a while we decided to head to our hotel. We stayed at the Oaks Goldsbrough Apartments in Darling Harbour. Our room was fantastic! It was only a studio but it has all the mod-con’s including a full kitchenette.
Sydney Harbour Bridge
In such a great location we had the flexibility to walk straight down to the cosmopolitan area of Darling Harbour. We found a great bar to sit at, and managed to stay there well into the night!
On Saturday we did the tourist thing and visited the Opera House, the Power House Museum and Luna Park. So much walking involved, but a great time for both of us!
Our Saturday night was spent out on the Rhythm Boat Comedy Cruise which took us out onto the harbour. There were a few other people sitting at our table, and we all enjoyed our delicious 3 course dinner. After dinner we had a comedian give us a few giggles 
, and a magician show off his slight of hand 
!
After waking up nice and early to catch our flight home on the Sunday morning, we were back in Hervey Bay with enough time to head down to the beach for a barbecue 
Posted by admin on
The Beach Club Resort, Mooloolaba is a small privately run resort set one street back from the esplanade. The property caters for couples and single rather than families. The maximum room is 1.5 bedroom and this has a Queen and a very small bunk – designed only for children.
Although it is not on the esplanade with the rest of the apartments, It really is the prime location. It is a 1 min walk to everything but also quite and private.
My partner and I stayed in a resort room. This room had partial ocean view and pool views. It has extremely comfortable for a couple. We enjoyed sitting on the balcony chatting over a couple of drinks.
The property managers are beautiful people, very friendly and welcoming.
The resort also has a roof top spa and bbq area that is open to all guests. The pool on the roof top has a glass bottom which you can see straight down into the main foyer. You decide whether that is a good thing or not
The design of the property is a unique style with balcony walk ways winding, either side is beautiful palms soaring high and making you feel as if you are within a rain forest.
This peaceful property is actually one of the cheapest properties in Mooloolaba, but still as beautiful as the rest.
Posted by admin on
A few times over the past couple of years my partner and I have driven the 3 hours from Hervey Bay to Agnes Water & 1770. The reason this area is so appealing to us is that it feels like you are so far away from the rest of the world. It is a small surfside community with only a few shops and restaurants, a surf live saving club, great beaches and lookouts, and a pub 
!! What more do you need for a relaxing weekend getaway??
1770 Lookout
Each time we have headed to this little piece of paradise, we have stayed at the fantastic Mantra Pavilions Mirage on 1770. Their 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments are huge!! Each of them has a corner spa in the master bedrooms’ ensuite, a huge balcony with BBQ facilities, full kitchen and laundry facilities. Having these self-contained facilities allows you to stay for as long or short as you wish! The resort itself has a 25m lap pool, heated outdoor pool, children’s wading pool and outdoor spa! With my partner being a surfer we normally take advantage of the resorts’ private beach access so he can hit the surf and I can soak up the sun!
Whilst in the area you can’t go past a trip out on the LARC! The LARC is a pink amphibious vehicle (half boat/half car) that takes you across crystal clear waterways, along endless stretches of sandy beaches to the isolated Bustard Headland. This is such a fun experience!
If you are able to stay for a while in 1770 you can also do a full day trip out to Lady Musgrave Island with 1770 Great Barrier Reef Cruises. With full lunch and morning and afternoon tea included and opportunities to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, this is a tour which can’t be missed!!
With such an array of things to do over a weekend (or longer!) I will certainly be heading back there for many years to come!
Posted by andrea on
The stinger season is from around November to May. During this time you need to swim inside the stinger enclosures at the beaches or wear a stinger suit.
Stingers aren’t overly energetic animals and have not caused any problems around the Reef, Whitsunday Islands and Far North Queensland islands however jellyfish are prevalent in the waters around the mainland.
Stingers are a very dangerous jellyfish. There are two main types of “stingers”, they are the Box Jellyfish and the Irukandji Jellyfish.
Box Jellyfishes are typically large, with substantial bodies and numerous tentacles on each corner. Their stings can cause death in previously well humans in as little as 3 minutes.
Box Jellyfish
Box jellies can be quite common in certain locations and in certain conditions.
All box jellyfish species have medium to large, box-shaped bodies, with multiple tentacles on each corner (up to a total of 60 tentacles). Different species reach different adult body sizes, ranging from about 10cm tall to about 1/3 meter! The body is transparent, and usually difficult to see in water.
Box jellyfish stings cause immediate severe pain, often likened to an iron or hot oil burns. The tentacles are often left on the skin, and will cause additional stinging if not neutralized by vinegar.
Severe box jelly stings will have a “ladder-like” appearance, and will “frost” the skin. Substantial stings covering half of one limb can be fatal.
Irukandjis are a group of small jellyfishes whose stings can cause serious illness in previously well humans.
Irukandji
Irukandjis are rare, but the stings can be life-threatening. It is worth taking some simple precautions so that you can enjoy your holiday with peace of mind.
All Irukandji species have small, box-shaped bodies, with a single tentacle on each corner (a total of 4 tentacles). Different species reach different adult body sizes, ranging from only 1cm tall to about half a metre! The body is transparent, and usually impossible to see in water.
The initial sting from most Irukandji species is quite mild, feeling like sea lice or a mosquito bite. There is often no mark, or perhaps small red “goose pimple” marks. Often, Irukandji stings will sweat profusely in the immediate sting region only.
So remember, it is worth taking some simple precautions so that you can enjoy your holiday with peace of mind.
Posted by cody on
The Gold Coast is one of the most famous places in Australia, and millions of people visit the Gold Coast every year. There are alot of reasons behind this strong trend of people visiting The Gold Coast. Australia is a beautiful continent. Some parts of Australia are extremely beautiful and attract the attention of the travelers and visitors coming from all parts of the world. The Gold coast is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Australia. The popularity of the Gold Coast as a popular tourist destination in Australia is dependent on a number of factors. One of the important reasons of the popularity of the Gold Coast as tourist resorts is that it is possible for you to enjoy your life fully as a tourist while in the Gold Coast. There are alot of activities which you should do while in the Gold Coast. The top five are listed below:
Surfing: The beaches of the Gold Coast are known for surfing and other water sports. People from all parts of the world come to visit the Gold Coast due to this reason. The Gold Coast beaches are naturally suitable for surfing. While visiting the Gold Coast, this is something which you must not miss. Go surfing. Even if you are new to this field, there are life guards and other surfer’s services from where you can ask help to get started.
Dining: The second best thing about the Gold Coast is the variety of cruises which are available here. You will find Chinese, Italian, Thai, Japanese, Indian and Mediterranean cuisines served here along with the traditional Aussie food. A variety of Gold Coast Dining options make dining out on the Gold Coast a nice experience and one you’ll truly enjoy.
Night Life: Another popular thing which you should do while staying at the Gold Coast is to enjoy the night life here. There are alot of Gold Coast Nightclubs and bars, some of these bars are known for the collection of drinks which are available to customers, while others are known for the strip dances.
Shopping: Being one of the most visited regions of the world, there are alot of Gold Coast shopping centers for locals and tourists alike. The Gold Coast region is a very populated and prosperous one. You can find some nice Aussie souvenirs here.
Visit Places: There is alot to see and do on the Gold Coast. You can visit the land marks and the famous theme parks on the Gold Coast. There are many natural parks here as well. There are many Gold Coast entertainment options for visitors to the region. You can also visit the art galleries.
These are few of the activities which you should undertake while in the Gold Coast. The place is full of life and it offers you alot more than that.
Posted by cody on December 18, 2008
Sightseeing in Brisbane can be a pleasure that hardly costs anything. Brisbane is a historically modern city that has no dearth of heritage buildings and modern skyscrapers.
Some of the best Brisbane sights include Anzac Square, Customs House, Old Government House, Parliament House, Old Windmill and architectural marvel – Brisbane Casino. Leisure walks around the Brisbane River are always soothing for the body and the soul. You can also relish the Botanic Gardens situated along the river, which are open 24 hours a day with free tours. There are special annual events and festivals you can look forward to and which are absolutely free to enjoy.
The suburbs of Brisbane boasts of pristine beaches and stunning scenic beauty that would hold you captive for many days in the region. With so much on offer for free in Brisbane, you can look forward to an inexpensive holiday at one of the most exotic locales in Australia.
Posted by cody on
Surfer’s Paradise is full with fun activities for the whole family. Perhaps the best thing about this area is its ability to please absolutely everyone.
Given its name, surfing is, of course the order of the day here in Surfers Paradise. You can take lessons, head out on your own, or join a group lesson for abit of fun. Consider going fishing, or on a dinner cruise.
If golf is you interest, consider heading off to a golf course to play a few holes – there are 40 to choose from in this outdoor paradise.
There are more than 70 km of beaches, so there’s plenty of space to just hang on the beach without being crowded. From the beach, check out the activities on the water, and plan your evening or next day of activity.
If you have kids with you go out an have fun at Sea World or Dreamworld. Who knows? The kids might even enjoy a visit to the Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Museum.
The Wax Museum is also a popular draw, though there’s are a few sections of the museum that is abit graphic – perhaps a better option for teenagers and adults. The celebrity section is always a winner.
At the end of the day, when you’ve had enough with sightseeing and outdoor activities, there’s always the Gold Coast nightlife.
Posted by cody on
The beautiful city of Sydney has some splendid attractions to keep the visitors hooked to this place. Some of the not-to-be-missed Sydney attractions include:
- The iconic Sydney Opera House is an aerial landmark of this beautiful city. Situated on the Sydney Harbour at Bennelong Point, the Opera House is considered by many as one of the wonders of the modern world. The Opera House houses The Australian ballet, Australian Chamber Orchestra, The Bell Shakesperare Company, Ensemble Theatre, Musica Viva Australia, Opera Australia, Sydney Dance Company, Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, Sydney Symphony, and Sydney Theatre Company.
- Sydney Aquarium features over 11 500 aquatic animals’ collection to leave you dazed at the rich natural heritage of Australia. Sydney Aquarium is home to The Seal Sanctuary, Open Ocean Oceanarium, and the Great Barrier Reef. Get up, close and personal with diverse Australian marine life at Oceanworld Manly with over 4-million litre aquarium. If you dare to challenge your fears, then Shark Dive Extreme is you destination with massive grey nurse sharks, giant stingrays, sea turtles, wobbegong sharks, moray eels and a vast array of marine life to explore.
- Sydney is well known for it’s Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is the largest steel arch bridge in the world with dimensions of 134 metres high, 49 metres wide and a curve of 503 metres. The bridge has six million rivets in total, and weighs 52, 800 tonnes. It spans from Dawes Point on one side of the Sydney Harbour to Milsons Point on the other.
- Sydney Tower brings you to the highest point (250 metres) in Sydney for a bird’s eye view of the entire city and its famous landmarks, like the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. It’s height is two times that Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Everything Sydney has to offer is in walking distance when staying in the Sydney CBD.
Reefworld – Whitsundays
