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"In some ways, I think travel is about learning how to see, learning how to pay attention. It's an alarm clock in some ways, and it's a jumpstart to putting our senses on the setting where they're universally receptive. I think theoretically we could do that at our homes, and yet somehow, surrounded by familiarity and the routine we know too well, our eyes tend to close and we don't notice the things that are so wondrous for a visitor. But as soon as we physically start moving we awaken to the beauties around us." --Pico Iyer

Australian Traveller - October 2006

Sydney Fish Market

October 29th 2006 23:29



I am a lover of seafood so this is a great afternoon adventure. Jump on the tram and within minutes you are walking into the Fish Markets. Once you get over the smell it`s quite fascinating to see all the weird and wonderful catches displayed on the ice.

Grab yourself a cold brew, get some seafood freshly cooked up and head outside to one of the tables that overlook the harbour. It`s a great way to spend the afternoon.
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Posted By: Ash - Category: Travel
   


Freycinet National Park

October 29th 2006 00:20


The Freycinet National Park is located on the island of Tasmania. The beaches are strill pretty untouched in some places and there is a bountiful array of breathtaking scenery to keep any traveller in paradise.
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Posted By: Ash - Category: Australian Beaches
   


Happy Valley, Caloundra

October 27th 2006 06:23
Today the wind is whipping wildly at the sea, creating white caps on all the waves as they thunder on to the beach. It`s definately not one of the days that give the Sunshine Coast it`s name. However, its the perfect day to be down at Happy Valley (or Bulcock Beach) and watch the windsurfers and kiteboarders. These two sports have become more and more popluar over the past couple of years. The Pumistone Passage, which feeds from the sea into a channel along which is Bulcock Beach, is the perfect place to strut your stuff. If you fancy yourself as a pro you can tackle the open water that lies along the channel mouth or if you prefer to make a fool of yourself out of the prying eyes of every passer-by you can travel a little further along the Passage to the back channel of water.
This spot along the Promenade of Caloundra is perfect for people watching in one of the many water front cafe`s and restaurants or perhaps you would like to lick your cares away with one of the mouth watering ice creams on offer and watch the fishermen try their luck from the broadwalk.
If you are more adventurous why not don your goggles and flippers and take a jump into the clear channel waters and be carried along by the swift current and chance your luck at spotting some of the local underwater wildlife. Start at the top of the beach, nearest the lifeguard house, step into the water and the current carries you all the way down to the channel mouth - it`s great!
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Posted By: Ash - Category: Aussie Sightseeing
   


Glass House Mountains

October 25th 2006 23:16


The Glass House Mountains on Queensland's Sunshine Coast are an amazing sight. All completely different shapes and sizes they stand tall and proud and create a spectacular line on the horizon. When Captain Cook first saw them he said they reminded him of the shapes that he saw in the glass blowing factories in his homeland of England and hence named them so


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Posted By: Ash - Category: Aussie Sightseeing
   


Travel Passes

October 24th 2006 07:07
Before heading off on your tour around the world it`s a good idea to check out travel passes. They are not for everyone and will depend on how far and how frequently you travel, but they could end up saving you a lot of money. If you are a student you will get even cheaper deals. A lot of these passes are available only before you leave home and not in your destination country so make sure you ask your travel agent when you are booking your ticket.

However, there are a few choices available to you once you are in Australia. If you check out the YHA website they have some great offers from specific town to town deals or kilometre based deals. http://www.yha.com.au/traveldeals/traveloz.cfm


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Moffat Beach

October 24th 2006 07:01


Moffat Beach is located on the Sunshine Coast 1 hour north of Brisbane. The nearest town to Moffat Beach is Caloundra.
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Why do we travel?

October 23rd 2006 08:04
"When I was very young and the urge to be some place else was upon me, I was assured by mature people that maturity would cure this itch. When years described me as mature, the remedy was middle age. In middle age I was assured that greater age would calm my fever and now that I am fifty-eight perhaps senility will do the job. Nothing has worked. Four hoarse blasts of a ship's whistle still raise the hair on my neck and set my feet to tapping. The sound of a jet, an engine warming up, even the clopping of shod hooves on pavement brings on the ancient shudder, the dry mouth and vacant eye, the hot palms and the churn of stomach high up under the rib cage. In other words, I don`t improve; in further words, once a bum always a bum. I fear the the disease is incurbale."

John Steinbeck, Travels with Charley

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More BIG things

October 23rd 2006 05:45
So more research has yielded even more BIG things around Australia

The Big Milkshake Container - Tongala, VIC
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Hunger on the road

October 21st 2006 22:26


It seems in a world gone food mad we often find our little travel vans patiently queuing in some drive thru window of a fast food chain. While in Australia there is no excuse for unhealthy eating. Along most roads around the country where there is a farm there will be a farm stall, and let`s face it there are a lot of farms


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Beaches of Australia

October 21st 2006 07:43


The beaches in Australia are just as diverse as the country itself. I hope to put up lots more. This is the first and was taken at Coolum Beach, Sunshine Coast during the wild storm season of 2005. The beaches had been totally washed away and a thick foam like what you would find on a cuppacino lay there instead.
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Cheap transport ideas

October 21st 2006 07:26
Transport is a killer for the budget when you are on the road, however there are a few things you can do to try and cut down on these expenses. Although the coach and train network is rather extensive around the country investing in a car often works out much cheaper if you plan on travelling far and for a long time. The added advantage of this is that you can stop when you like and go where you like. There is nothing worse than being on a train or coach and seeing the perfect holiday snap shot and not being able to stop to capture it. “Wicked Campers” will provide you with a funky kombi camper van. These are affordable and the exterior painted in their own unique designs. In purchasing them you can kit them out really cheaply and make sure your accommodation needs are taken care of at the same time. By buying your own car you can also sell it upon your departure and go home with a few dollars in your pocket as opposed to nothing for your used train and coach stubs.
If rentals are more your thing quite often rental companies will charge from $1 a day for you to relocate their campers from one place to another – you will just need to pay for your fuel. Although you have to keep within a certain timeframe it’s a quick and cheap way for you and a few others to get from one place to another. To find these simply log onto www.waywardbus.com.au and check out their site for various camper van relocation deals.
If public transport is more on your agenda make sure you check out with your travel agent before you leave and find out about Backpacker Travel Passes. Quite often these cannot be purchased once you arrive in the country so it`s important to think about it before you set off


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Camping on the Sunshine Coast, Australia

October 19th 2006 23:01
Just an add on from yesterday`s post. I recently went camping near Rainbow Beach, Fraser Coast, Australia. THey have what they call Honesty Bins along the beach where you pull up on your arrival and grab an envelope, put your money in for your stay and then stick the envelope into the bin. It`s a great system and shows there is still some honesty out there, of course there are wardens patrolling so don`t think you can get away with a free night`s accommodation.
This was a wonderful way to spend the weekend. WHat more can you ask for than ocean views, the wind rustling in the trees above you and at night so many stars above that you couldn`t count them even if you wanted to.
Beach driving is also very popular along this stretch of the coast. They have speed limits and patrol cars on the beach to make sure you dont overdo it, but it acts like a proper road, just on the beach


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Some ideas on accommodation while on the road in Aus

October 19th 2006 01:22
Accommodation is really just a bed to sleep in at night and let’s face it when you’re out on the road you don’t spend a lot of time sleeping at night anyway. If you are feeling really adventurous head into one of the cheaper shops like “Crazy Clarks” or “The Warehouse” and hunt through their stock to kit out your car in cheap camping equipment. What better way to spend your time in Australia than sleeping under the stars and waking up to the relaxing sounds of surf crashing on the beach? You won’t need to worry about disturbing your neighbours after having a few and you can stumble straight into your bed. Camping costs from around $4 a night and in some places you can even stay in the empty car parks near the beach and make use of the local public amenities which often include showers.
If camping is not your style Backpacker Hostels are the next best thing if you are a budget traveller. Hostel accommodation has long been haunted by the name of dirty beds, stinky corridors and all that’s bad and let’s face it there are a lot of them out there. However, more and more budget accommodation providers are beginning to tap into this market and backpacker facilities are improving. Private rooms with en suite bathroom facilities are more readily available, as well as Male and Female only dorms. Groups like “YHA” will do prepaid accommodation deals where you can buy blocks of accommodation in advance of your arrival in a town. This will give you peace of mind and allow you more time to enjoy your trip, knowing you have somewhere to check in to when you are ready. As well as this they will normally have a bar downstairs where you will be able to meet up with like-minded travellers and enjoy a cheap few drinks and a decent budget meal. Remember the more the merrier so these places are the perfect place to meet up with other people who are heading in the same direction as you. Don’t be afraid to talk to others – you are all in the same boat and want to make the most out of your holiday experience. Some hostels will even provide free nights accommodation in return for a few chores around the place so make sure to ask!

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Welcome to myself!

October 18th 2006 12:55
So here we go a new day, hopefully new ideas to flow freely and hopefully some conversation started on today's modern traveller.
The world is becoming a scary place to roam these days and I often find myself hesitating before clicking that final "CONFIRM" button before proceeding with any bookings. However, as the old cliche goes - 'You could get hit by bus' - therefore, with a little more over-the-shoulder-peering I find myself venturing out into the unknown, always ready for the next adventure. And in doing such I am always on the look out for some bargains that will stretch the cash just that little bit further. So if anyone out there has any advice or questions, in that matter, don't hesitate to get in touch.
Cheers -
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Wanted: photos of one of the Aussie BIGS

October 18th 2006 06:50
So I`m always up for a challenge and see this as the perfect place to set one. Australia is known for many things - its diverse culture, its white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters, but what about all the "Big"s that lie around the country? The BIG Pineapple, The BIG Banana etc? According to my research there are over 52 of these babies around the country and the challenge that I prospose is a collection of photos of people with ones of these in the background.
So if you have been to any or you know anyone who has been to any and you or they are in a photo of them please email them through so I can get the collection going. In case you can`t find my email address on here it: mindlessorbler@yahoo.com.au
Here is a list of the ones that I can find - do you know any more? Drop me a line


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Posted By: Ash - Category: Aussie Sightseeing
   


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