The Blue Mountains are situated within a short driving distance of Sydney - approximately 1 hour, and are a ‘must-see’ if you are planning to stay in the area during your Australian holidays experience. An organised tour to the Blue Mountains will often feature a visit to mountain villages such as Leura and Katoomba where you can experience a slower pace of life that is refreshingly different from the hustle and bustle of the big cities. Other highlights include a visit to the famous Three Sisters rock formation, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside, and the Featherdale Wildlife Park where you will see many of the country’s native animal population.

Sightseeing in Sydney or Melbourne
Both of these cities are fantastic destinations to experience, and if possible try to stay in each for a couple of days. Each of these cities has its own unique character. Melbourne is considered quite arty and cultured, and some say, a little snobbish. Whereas Sydney is bold and bright and likes the world to sit up and take notice – it is also crammed full of world famous landmarks including the Opera House and the suspension bridge! Both areas are also famous sporting venues, and if your timing is right you could see a test match at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) or at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) (maybe an Ashes spectacular against the Poms) or some ‘Aussie Rules’ football.

Eat at the Sydney Tower
If you are looking for a breathtaking experience whilst enjoying a nice meal, you should head for the stars in the Sydney Tower restaurant. Formerly known as Centrepoint Tower, the Sydney Tower Restaurant is the tallest building in the city, and the highest revolving restaurant in the country. The Sydney Tower Restaurant Buffet is the ‘bees knees’ and worth the vertigo as it offers a great all-you-can-eat menu whilst also offering you a unique view of all the famous landmarks.

Snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is the largest of its kind in the world, and is still the only natural living organism that is viewable from space. It is not a well known fact, but most of the damage to the reef has been caused by global warming and low-level pollution from rivers, and not by numerous quantities of tourists. It is estimated that the human footprint is relatively small as the accepted access points for tourists account for approximately 7% of the total reef area. If you have concerns over the environment, ensure that you choose your tour operator wisely and remember that it is a fantastic place to visit and to experience and all you really need is your snorkel and a pair of flippers.

Brisbane River Cruise
Whilst on the east coast, your experience would not be complete without taking in the sights and sounds of cosmopolitan Brisbane. One of the most pleasurable experiences in this city is to take a gastronomic treat onboard a river dinner cruise ship. These vessels are beautiful and remind me of the Mississippi steam ships of the early twentieth century. The river cruise generally involves a 3 course seafood buffet dinner and also includes some on board entertainment with some quality Aussie live music.

Ayers Rock tour
If you are interested in spending some time in the rugged bush areas of Australia, you should head for Ayers Rock, located close to Alice Springs. There are plenty of organised tours to this region – the small operators carrying 10-15 people are generally the best options. Your tour group will be carried in a 4 wheel drive vehicle and will generally visit the three key areas of Uluru (Ayers Rock), Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) and Watarrka (Kings Canyon). Part of the attraction of these types of trips is the companionship that inevitably develops when you experience driving on dirt roads, sleeping in bush camps under beautiful clear southern skies and eating fresh food cooked over a campfire. For those interested in Aboriginal culture, it is possible to see and hear how the indigenous people have developed and maintained their intimate relationship with the landscape.

Tour of the Great Ocean Road
Whilst in Melbourne, your visit would possibly not be complete without a tour of the Great Ocean Road. This is a perfect opportunity for a hire car, or an organised tour which will take you along Victoria’s picturesque winding coastal road. Whilst on the road, keep an eye out for the wildlife that is evident including the Koalas in the trees and the numerous colourful birds that can be found in the rainforest. It is worth taking a guided walk through the rain forest to visit the famous Twelve Apostles rock formations. If your budget can stretch to it, you can take a helicopter ride over the rock formations, which is an unbeatable experience!