Travelers Best

A Once in a Lifetime Opportunity:

Lake Eyre Basin is the lowest point on the continent of Australia, situated 50 feet below sea level.  This basin is normally deserted to most life forms.  This otherwise ordinary and deserted area, however, reawakens roughly once every 50 years when this empty basin that is twice the size of Texas fills itself with water.  It is at this point that this area turns into a world phenomenon and fills itself with water.  Currently, there are travel packages available in order to see this wonder first hand.

The package to see this natural wonder begins on September 11th and ends on September 22nd with a price of $6,099 per person.  This package includes a roundtrip airfare, accommodations, park entry fees, meals and nine days of touring with an experienced tour guide.

This Eyre Basin normally has very little or no water that usually does not host any form of life.  When it fills up, it becomes a flourishing oasis and serves as a breeding ground for up to six million birds.  Some of these birds travel all the way from Japan and China.  Other species come out of 50 years of hibernation including frogs and other amphibians.  Wild camels are even drawn to the Eyre Basin.  This serves as an excellent sight for tourists who are able to enjoy the beauty of the lake in addition to the vast assortment of wildlife that you won’t ever find come together anywhere else.

In the last 150 years, Lake Eyre Basin has only filled itself to capacity three different times.  This year, the high waters are making this basin a must-see for travelers to see a whole new side of Australia. 

While traveling to Lake Eyre Basin, there are many sight-seeing opportunities to help to gain an even greater appreciation for Australia.  This includes the isolated mining city known as Broken Hill.  Mutawintji National Park is also a must-see area with beautiful gorges and serves as a historical site with Aboriginal rock Art.  Another notable park is Sturt National Park with breathtaking red sand dunes.  Other notable places to explore that are included in the Lake Eyre Basin include the towns of Innamincka, Diamantina River, Birdsville, the old settlement of Marree, the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary, and the Gammon Ranges National Park.

M.A.H.

Large sandy beaches, a wide variety of wildlife and speed boats, make it obvious you have left the familiar environment of your home. Sydney is a unique city, with lots of attractions suitable for the whole family. Australia with its unique flora and fauna will never seize to amaze, providing breathtaking scenery, along with a lively nightlife and plenty of sites to visit, it is a place where children as well as the parents are set for a great time during their holidays.

Where there are beaches there is water, and at the Sydney Harbour you will find many different vessels ranging from private yachts to a fully fledged destroyer and submarine from the Australian military. It is also the home of the famous “Spirit of Australia”, which ranks amongst the fastest ships in the world.

A ride on the ferry will take you to Manly, passing each of the gorgeous golden beaches and pines. Once there, be sure to tag along with the others to the main beach and avoid the smaller ones next to the ferry terminal. Also while you are there, be sure to take a walk over the Harbour Bridge. You will see scenery that will take your breath away, and when you feel up to it, participate in a three hour climb organized by BridgeClimb, that will take you to the highest point which is over 400ft above the water.

The Taronga Zoo was built on a large hill that provides a view over large parts of Sydney, just like the Harbour and the Opera House. The Zoo itself contains plenty to see with an excellent selection of wildlife, including facilities where one can observe the nocturnal wildlife of Australia up close, providing a sight rarely seen otherwise. It is also the home of Australia’s official Easter Bunny.

Sydney also houses one of the largest interactive museums of the world, with many exhibits all related to the technological accomplishments of mankind. Allow yourself to be fascinated by the many wonders of technology as the trip will be well worth the time.

Of course a trip to Sydney would not be complete without visiting at least one of the wildlife reservations it holds. The animal selection is nothing short of awesome and all the animals are well treated. Surely you would not want to pass up the opportunity of going on camera with Australia’s most famous animal, The Koala.

Besides wildlife and museums, Sydney offers plenty of opportunity to shop and of course excellent waves for surfers at Coogee Beach.

M.A.H.