Taking On The Sydney Harbor Bridge Climb

For those on an Australia tourist visa and vacationing in the country, the city of Sydney is one of the places that you definitely must visit. The city boasts of a wide array of attractions that will surely suit any type of tourists. And one of the popular sites that many people visit yearly is the Sydney Harbor Bridge.

The Sydney Harbor Bridge is an arch bridge that connects the city's central business district to the North Shore. It is actually a three-purpose bridge that carries vehicles, a railway, and pedestrians across the harbor. The bridge was completed in 1933 and is considered as the fifth longest spanning arch bridge in the world. Oddly enough, because of its arched designed, many Sydney locals have nicknamed it “The Coathanger”, due to its resemblance to the thing that you hang your clothes with.

Even from afar, the Sydney Harbor Bridge is a magnificent structure to look at. It fact, it has become so widely known, that many people easily associate it with not only Sydney, but also the whole of Australia. However you will really never get to see the real beauty of the bridge without getting close to it. And what better way to get close to the bridge than by actually climbing it?

You are probably thinking right now, “What? Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge? That's crazy!” For some it definitely would seem to be a crazy idea indeed. However, as it turns out, climbing the bridge is actually very legal. In fact, it is one of the top tourist attractions being promoted to visitors by the Sydney city government.

If you are still wondering how this happens, here a little sneak peek. Basically the climb starts at the eastern end of the bridge. Here, climbers are provided with the proper clothing to use during the climb, they are also secured to a safety line and ascend to the top of the arch. Don't worry though, as there is actually a flight of stairs to make your climb much easier. At the top, you will be able to get a spectacular view of the Sydney Harbor, as well as the central business district. You then continue your walk until you descend to the western end. Oh, and by the way, the climb will take about three and a half hours to complete, so be prepared for an intensive workout.

The Bridge Climb is open all day. And if you don't want to feel the sun during your ascend, night climbs are also also available. Another alternative that the operators have offered since 2008 is for you to climb down the bridge, instead of up the arches. Here you will be able to catch a glimpse of its internal structures.

All of the tourists who have tried it have agreed that it is indeed an exhilarating experience. But don't take just any word for. You should try it yourself, and you will surely know that it is indeed a worthwhile experience. 

Sources:

Yahoo Travel

http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-2754902-bridgeclimb_sydney-i;_ylt=A0S0z0aT3nNL0jsBEB2bItAF

Do Something Different.com

http://www.dosomethingdifferent.com/experiences/sydney_bridge_climb

Image Source:

http://www.flightstosydney.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/hbwalk.jpg

 

Gold Coast Travel

When going to Australia, tourist visa holders would definitely want to know all about the place they are heading to. And one of the most popular places that many visitors go to yearly is the Gold Coast in Queensland. And so, here are all the things that you need to know when getting into and going around the Gold Coast. 

Heading to the Gold Coast from overseas is very much straightforward, as the city is serviced by the Gold Coast International Airport, also known as the Coolangatta Airport, located in the Billinga suburbs. The airport is serviced by a large number of major international airlines, like Qantas and Japan Airlines. Also, the airport offers numerous domestic flights to and from other parts of Australia. And for those on a tight budget, the airport is a hub for many low cost airlines that service Australia.

For those who plan to go by land, there are many ways for you to get to the city. Coming from Brisbane, the Gold Coast is just a 40 minute drive if you take the Pacific Motorway. There are also several routes that will lead you directly from Melbourne or Sydney.

Buses are also another popular means of getting into the Gold Coast. And there are several companies that offer passenger a whole trip coming from as far as Sydney. Though not as popular as buses, trains also enjoy a large amount of passengers daily.

And for those that want to take a more scenic route, you can always take to the waters. Many ferries traverse the Nerang River, which is the major water system that crosses the city, on a daily basis. These ferries offer either a direct transport to several points within the city, or simply as a means of tourist cruising.

 

Overlooking the Gold Coast

Once inside the city, you have plenty of options to get around. Perhaps the most cost effective means of traveling in the Gold Coast (or any place for that matter) is by walking. This is useful if you live in the suburbs, where distances are short. Also, if you are in the central business district, where most of the hotels and commercial centers are close together, you can also easily go around on foot. And the Gold Coast's climate is rather mild, making it ideal for such travel.

But of course, you can't go all over the city just by walking. Thus, you might want to take the public transportation system. Buses and trains are the major ones that you can use to get to most of the places here. And if you are on a hurry, a taxi cab is just a call away.

For those looking for a healthier alternative, why not try cycling? The Gold Coast prides itself for having a large network of dedicated bicycle lanes that will get you anywhere on two wheels. Also, there are numerous bike rental shops that offer all kinds to suit every rider, so you really don't need to bring your own just to get around. 

Sources:
Queensland Government official site
http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/t_standard2.aspx?PID=106
Gold Coast, Wiki Travel article
http://wikitravel.org/en/Gold_Coast
Image Sources:
http://www.goldcoastairport.com.au/images.php
http://www.needtoescape.com/qld/queensland-gold-coast-8R34.html 

Getting Into And Around Brisbane

When in Australia, tourist visa holders would surely want to visit the city of Brisbane. The Queensland capital definitely has many interesting things waiting for tourists to see. Thus, many travelers would want to know more about getting to and going around Brisbane. 

For starters, Brisbane is located in the southeastern coast of Queensland, in the mouth of the Brisbane River. It is known as the third most populous city in the country after the cities of Sydney and Melbourne. The city got its name from Sir Thomas Brisbane, a former governor of New Southwales from 1821 to 1825 (the city and the state itself was still part of NSW during that period).

Visitors can enjoy a year long sunny atmosphere, as the city's (as well as the state's) climate doesn't really change that much compared to other cities. However, do watch out for the summer seasons as they can be quite hot and humid. On the other hand, thunderstorms are quite frequent in the afternoon during the period from November to May.

Being the capital of Queensland, Brisbane is very accessible to visitors. Those people coming from other countries can directly land in Brisbane Airport, which is just 20 kms away from the city's central district. On the other hand, people coming from the Gold Coast can travel low cost to the Coolangatta Airport. And since Queensland has an integrated transportation system, you only need to secure a single ticket to fly to the airport and travel to Brisbane via bus or train.

Those people traveling on land also have several options to get to Brisbane. Those using private vehicles have many access points coming up from Sydney and Melbourne. There is also the public transportation system that links Brisbane to other cities. Premier Motor Services and Greyhound Australia are two of the major bus services that offer travel to and from Brisbane, these also take travelers to key points in the city.

Finally, when inside the city, are other means of travel aside from the public transportation system. Those wanting to cut down on costs can easily navigate the city's inner districts on foot. As have been said earlier, the city's climate is not that harsh, so you can enjoy traveling under the sun. And to avoid getting lost, you can easily purchase roadmaps from nearby bookstores. Another mode of transportation getting popular in the city recently is traveling using bicycles. In fact, dedicated bicycle lanes have been put up in the city's streets, so you need not to worry when going this way. Also, there are several rental companies offering bike use within the city.

And for those wanting to go around by car, rental companies are also quite plenty in Brisbane. They offer very affordable rates and have a wide range of vehicles to suit your needs. Some actually offer even scooters and motorbikes for inner city lane travel. These can be easily prearranged by the the tourist even before he sets foot in Brisbane.

Sources:
Brisbane, Wiki Travel article
http://wikitravel.org/en/Brisbane
Brisbane Travel Guide
http://www.brisbanetravelguide.com/  
Image Source:
http://cache.virtualtourist.com/913098-Brisbane_Australia-Brisbane.jpg 

Looking For Aussie Adventure

One of the places that many tourists would want to go is Australia. The country has plenty wonderful places to go to and things to do. And there are things that will suit every adventurer's wants. Thus, one will surely have a great time exploring the country.
So what does Australia has to offer? Well, for starter (or for those who don't want to get out in the sun) the major cities have plenty of places to visit. Sydney, in particular, has the has the breath taking Sydney Opera House and the Harbor Bridge, and if you want to have a bit of adrenaline rush, you can actually try to scale the bridge.
For those who are more into art and sight seeing, there are plenty of galleries and museums that you can visit. These cover anything from high class art to those made by indigenous artists. And there are plenty of monuments to visit, each chronicling a part of Australia' wonderful history. To witness these Aussie Adventure, apply for Australia tourist visa. However, Australia's true allure for tourists is not in its cities. Rather, you need to get out (and a bit dirty) to experience the Australian outdoors. And luckily, there are plenty of things to do here that will surely satisfy your craving for adventure.
For starters, the country has plenty of nature parks that you can visit. In fact, most of the major cities have at least one nature park near it. And they are quite accessible too, this means that you really don't have to go far to get in touch with nature. Here, there are plenty of things that you can do in one day, from having a picnic to actually hiking up the numerous trails scattered in the parks. One such park worth visiting is Blue Mountains National Park near Sydney. One thing that hikers will definitely like about the park is that it has plenty of camp sites for them to stop in.
And speaking of hikers and backpackers, Australia is definitely one of the best places for them to go to. One of the most popular adventures that they can try here is traveling the whole country on foot. The best thing about doing it this way is that you have greater freedom in exploring Australia as you like. And this will surely be an interesting trip, as it will take you to many places. You will also be able to encounter some interesting wildlife along the way, like kangaroos and camels (yup, the country does have plenty of camels). One of the trails worth trying out for this one is the Bibbulmun Track near Perth. This is a thousand kilometer trip that will take you across the continent.
And lastly, no Australian adventure will be complete without taking a dip in the country's waters. Fishing is one recreational activity you can try out first, the many rivers and the surrounding seas have plenty of game fish that you can target. And if you really want to get a little closer with the marine wildlife, then you can get on your wetsuit and go diving to explore the Great Barrier Reef.
As you can see, Australia has many things to offer the adventure seeker. All you have to do is look and you will surely find one that will surely fit your taste. 

Sources:
100 Things You Can Do In Australia
http://www.australia.com/campaigns/100_things/aus-traveller/index.html
Tourism in Australia, Wikipedia article
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_Australia 
Image Source:
http://www.fishquest.com 

The Heart And Soul Of Australia

When going to Australia, tourist visa holders frequently would want to get to Central Australia. The region is indeed packed with attractions, making it an interesting place for tourists. In fact, it has become very popular now that many people have dubbed it “the heart and soul of Australia”.

One thing that you might not know is that there is, in fact, no area in the country officially called Central Australia. Rather, it is a common designation used by locals in referring to the city of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory and its surrounding areas. Oddly enough, recent calculations have shown that the exact center of the Australian continent lies some 200 kilometers off the south of Alice Springs, making the name still pretty much appropriate. In fact, Alice Springs residents often refer to themselves as Cetralians, further referencing this one.

So what is there to see in Alice Springs? As have been said, there are a lot of attractions that tourists can go and activities that they can get their hands on. The city itself offers many places that you can go to. The Aboriginal Art and Culture Center is the best one to start if you want to appreciate the aboriginal people more. In fact, aside from the center, aboriginal culture is very much celebrated in the city (as is in all of Australia). There are numerous festivals celebrated each year in commemoration of the Aboriginal people.

One place that you would definitely want to go to here, especially if you are bringing the kids along, is the Alice Springs Reptile Center. The sanctuary features the largest reptile collection in the Northern Territory. You will be able to see familiar types here, likes snakes, some unusual ones such as horny devils or the gigantic perentie goanna.

However, the true allure of Central Australia lies in the outskirts of the towns. Here, the large open plains serves as an inviting attractions for tourists to explore. Hiking is the preferred way of travel when going out to see Alice Spring's natural wonders. One of the most popular attractions here is Ayers Rock, located some 300 kilometers from the city. It is frequented by visitors yearly, who tour around with the help of Aboriginal guides. Another famous attraction nearby is the famous Devil's Marbles, with its vast amount of boulder formations.

For car enthusiasts, the Finke George National Park will be your right stop. Here, you will be able to hone your driving as you take on the various off road tracks located in the park. You might also be lucky enough to catch the Finke Desert Race held annually in the region.

And there is yet more to discover in Alice Springs. And after having a great time, you will certainly agree that it indeed is the heart and soul of Australia. 

Sources:
Central Australia Tourism
WikiPedia
Image Sources:
www.wayfaring.info
www.australiantouristpublications.com.au