Australia — where does one begin? I don’t know whether to start with the ancient history, work east to west, note extreme adventurous activities, find the beaches, dig deep into the rainforests, go offshore to one of the other islands in the archipelago. Obviously, to do even a smidgeon of justice to the continent and attractions, a three-part story is going to be necessary.

Let’s begin with some airline news: V Australia, a new international carrier from Virgin Blue, is beginning transpacific flights in November 2008 between eastern Australia and the West Coast of the U.S.. Go to for more on that. Whatever you find there today, bear in mind could change somewhat as plans gel.

Australia oozes a friendly reputation, and the welcome is always warm, but things have changed somewhat as the continent moves from being a laid-back Anglocentric bit of the British Empire, to being an independent powerhouse in the Asia-Pacific region.

Climate changes have created some stressors, from the scorched earth of the Outback to the Ireland-like fertile topography of the island of Tasmania, just off the south shore. The famous Great Barrier Reef is facing some challenges to do with climate change, and we’ll look at that later in the series.

Your trip should include both the unique countryside plus intriguing cities, since that gives you a better grasp of the various peoples and lifestyles of the region you choose to visit. You will need to divvy up your trip(s), since the area is vast and would need weeks or months to see it all.

Aussies have a great sense of humour. If you’ve caught their latest tourism and Qantas airlines ads on TV and in publications, you’ve figured that out. One goes like this: “We’ve made the beds. Filled the bath. And given the crocs the night off. So where the bloody hell are you?” The first time I saw that on TV, my mouth fell open, then they got the exact response they’re hoping for: my hoot of laughter and full attention.

I’ll admit to not knowing exactly how many world heritage sites Australia boasts, but it’s more than you’d expect in one country. And that’s a good place from which to organize our series. Most of the places we’ll explore are WH sites, and I’m going to give you lots of references from which to glean more detail as we go along here.

Let’s jump right into the centre of the continent, to take a peek at a world-famous landmark Some 400,000 visitors come to Uluru-Kata Tjuta national park, and most of those are on a daytrip. These folks are short-changing themselves — the area is worthy of more viewing than that to get the most out of the experience. This park contains the famous Ayers Rock (actual name Uluru), that famous glowing red formation that is two miles long and over 1,100 feet high. It’s a geological marvel that towers over all the scrub-land surrounding it, changing its beautiful shades of red with the shifting sun.

Eighteen miles from Ayers is another rock, Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), which is taller than the other by 650 feet, and the base is 16 miles in diameter compared to Ulutu’s five. Each of these magnificent rocks is the remains of an ancient mountain, once covered by the sea, then compressed by heat. Only three per cent of both Uluru and Kata Tjuta is seen; below ground the rocks extend down for three miles. The rocks are sacred to the Anangu people, and when you visit please respect the no-climbing restrictions on the Kata; there are no such official rules for Ayers, but tourists are asked to refrain from climbing it as well.

To visit Ayers and the national park, you can fly into Ayers Rock Airport, or do the 5.5-hour drive from Alice Springs. Daytime temperatures are a lovely 70 degrees in June and July but it’s chilly at night, so go prepared. This is better than the inhumane heat that bakes the region at other times of year. For accommodations and tours inquire at Longitude 131 — they offer memorable five-star tenting with meals and tours included (61-2-8296-8010; ) or for more modest rates and digs try the Lost Camel Hotel (61-2-8296-8010; ).

At Longitude 131 guests are provided polar-fleece ponchos to wrap up in as you dine under the stars with the magnificent red hulk right at your door. At Ayers Rock Resorts they have a popular buffet-dinner-under-the-stars complete with didgeridoo player, while watching the sun set on the famous monolith.

Just to give you some idea of the distances of the country, Brisbane, Australia’s easternmost city, and Perth, its westernmost city, are more than 2,700 miles apart. That equates to the distance between Boston and Las Vegas, roughly. And Perth, on the west coast is closer to Singapore (at 2,424 miles away) than it is to Sydney on the east coast.

The world’s largest sand island is found just off the mid-eastern coast of the mainland, and is called Fraser Island. No, it’s not just a desert landscape, but pleasantly thick with coast-to-coast rain forests, freshwater lakes, and creeks that run out onto golden beaches before swishing into the ocean.

Seventy-Five Mile Beach, on Fraser’s east coast, is such a smooth ride on a vast flat, that it actually draws more four-by-four drivers than sun worshipers and swimmers. Also here, is the Maheno, stranded on the beach since 1935, when the ship ran aground in a cyclone. She was at one time a proud luxury liner, then conscripted as a First World War hospital ship, but the gaping holes where she was used for target practice during Second World War are an eerie reminder of her total demise. When the sun sets, this is a photo-op as the rays dance off her tilting decks, and her silhouette almost conjures up images of her former glory.

Still on Fraser Island, from August through October, Platypus Bay (in the Hervey Bay Marine Park) plays host to migrating humpback whales. They often come within yards of your touring vessel, and seem to play their tail- and pec-slapping games that can generate lots of excitement and awe, plus a good splashing. Contact Kingfisher Whale Watching Tours, for half-day catamaran trips .

Don’t feed the dingoes — wild canines — on Fraser. They are descendents of packs brought over by the Aborigines, roaming freely and often raiding campsites looking for food. Officials dislike you deliberately feeding these critters so much that they impose heavy fines.

Source :- blocalnews