Saturday November 21, 2009
If you start your Melbourne sightseeing at Flinders St Station, you'll find close by the imposing Anglican cathedral, St Paul's, whose foundation stone was laid in 1835.
The cathedral's architecture is described as a revival of the style known as Gothic transitional, partly early English Gothic and partly Decorated Gothic.
Melbourne, Australia's second largest city and the capital of the state of Victoria, is a fascinating blend of old and new. There is much of Australia's past in the Victorian and Gothic architecture in many Melbourne buildings even as they sit alongside more modern steel and glass structures in a city that is, as well, a mixture of styles.
St Paul's Cathedral is one of Melbourne's most distinctive landmarks.
Photo: St Paul's Cathedral © Tourism Victoria
Thursday November 19, 2009
Drive north from Brisbane and all along the north Queensland coast, you'll find jump-off points to many coastal and island attractions.
From the Capricornia Coast, for instance, you can head across the water to Heron Island, one of the coral sand islands at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef.
North of Capricornia lies the Whitsunday Coast where you find Mackay, gateway to Eungella National Park, Hatton Finch Gorge and, across the water, Brampton Island, another of those popular Queensland island resorts.
Drive further north and you reach Airlie Beach and Bowen. From Airlie Beach you can take a ferry to Hamilton Island. The town of Bowen is noted for being a film location for the Baz Luhrmann epic Australia starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman.
Then there's Townsville, Queensland fourth largest city. And not too far north is Cairns, Australia's most popular jump-off point to the Great Barrier Reef.
Photo: Finch Hatton Gorge near Mackay © Tourism Queensland
Tuesday November 17, 2009
Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is accessible through Tasmania's network of roads from major towns and cities on the island.
If coming from outside Tasmania, you could take the ferry from Melbourne, sail in your own boat to Tasmania, or fly.
Photo: Cradle Mountain © Australian Tourist Commission
Sunday November 15, 2009
In the tropical Australian north, fly or drive down from Darwin to visit one of the Northern Territory's visually stunning national parks, Katherine Gorge, also known as Nitmiluk.
Or take the Ghan from Adelaide (or down from Darwin). Katherine Gorge is a stop on the Adelaide-Darwin rail line.
Swim, canoe, cruise, fish, walk, go on a scenic flight — there are a number of activities to tempt you at the Gorge.
Photo: Katherine Gorge © Australian Tourist Commission
