If you plan to be one of the  300,000 annual visitors to the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, you can now enjoy panoramic views of Uluru from a newly opened AUD$21 million tourism facility.

The viewing area is 3 kilometres from Ayers Rock and offers spectacular views.  It incorporates 11 kilometres of roads; 1600 metres of walking tracks; traditional shade shelters; coach and car parking; bathroom facilities and an area which can be used for outdoor performances.  The project will cater for 3,000 visitors, whereas the existing dawn viewing area can attract over 1,200 people daily.

The viewing platforms are landscaped into the dunes offering views over the desert oaks to both Uluru and Kata Tjuta.  Spectacular viewing is available  from sunrise throughout the day until sunset.  Named Talinguru Nyakunytjaku which means ‘place to look from the sand dune’ in Pitjantjatjara, the traditional Aboriginal language of the area; the project is the largest infrastructure investment in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and the first major upgrade since the Cultural Centre was built in the mid 1990’s.

Aboriginal elders are hoping that this new viewing platform will offer an alternative for visitors who want more than a base view of the monolith, as well as discourage tourists from climbing the sacred rock.

Ayers Rock Resort is the perfect place to base yourself when touring the area.  There is a variety of accommodation options from campground through to five star luxury; apartments for families to romantic hotel suites for couples.

The four star Emu Walk Apartments are located minutes from the hub of the resort, the Town Square, which features mini-supermarket and shops.  You can stock up on essentials to cook in the fully self contained apartments which feature one or two bedrooms with separate kitchen and lounge area. 

Named after the iconic sails that crown its roof, Sails in the Desert Resort is pure five star luxury.   The interior decor focuses on the Aboriginal art, heritage and culture of the area with displays in the lobby and public areas.   Award winning dining is available from the Kuniya Restaurant, or sip cocktails and enjoy tapas-style cuisine by the pool at Rockpool.  

Longitude 131 offers a uniquely Australian outback experience.  With just fifteen luxurious, eco-sensitive and romantic tents, this resort offers the opportunity for intimate viewings of the sunrise and sunset over Uluru.   The nightly tarrif includes all meals and premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages; transfers and a touring program exclusive to resort guests.  Enjoy a three-course meal outdoors at Table 131, under a spectacular desert night sky twinkling with thousands of stars.

Getting to Ayers Rock or Alice Springs is easy and convenient, with flights from most major capital cities on a range of Australian domestic airlines.

Most people planning to travel to Vietnam are attracted by images of the country’s natural beauty.  The green rice fields are dotted with the conical hats of the local farmers; there are 3000 Kilometres of picturesque coastline; the bustling pace of Ho Chi Minh City; the relaxing atmosphere of the Mekong Delta.  Read more »

With so many action packed and adventure activities on the Gold Coast – theme parks,  waterparks, skydiving, jetboating  - it really doesn’t need a ‘fuel injection’ , but each year in October thousands of petrol heads descend on the region for the Gold Coast Indy 300.

The four day event begins with practice and qualifying rounds on Thursday for the Porsche and Formula 3 events, continues with the V8 Supercars Challenge, culminating on the Sunday with the IndyCar Series Race.  Promoted by tourism authorities as ‘96 hours of non-stop excitement’  the Gold Coast Indy 300 is 4 hot days and 4 cool nights of sensory overload – the smell of race fuel, the sound of cheering crowds, the feel of the roaring engines reverberating through your body, the feeling of excitement and tension of the traditional Ford vs Holden V8s… the taste of victory!

Even if you aren’t into Motorsports, there are plenty of Offtrack Events such as street parades, driver parades, family days, Miss Indy competition, Gala Ball and charity lunches plus bands and entertainment galore.

Accommodation can be scarce over this period – especially hotels inside the ‘race precinct’ between the Gold Coast Highway and The Esplanade.  If you do find somewhere, expect to pay a huge premium for the convenience and the race views.  You will also need to purchase an ‘On Track Accommodation Access’ ticket if you are staying in or visiting accommodation within the race precinct.  All tickets are available through Ticketek Australia.

The local Surfside Buslines network offers reliable local transport so you can confidently stay anywhere along the Gold Coast coastline – from Rainbow Bay on the Queensland/NSW border up to Main Beach and The Spit.  I like the area around Broadbeach as the beaches are safer and the streets not as crowded.  There are a lot of family resorts and restaurants around the area, plus easy access to Pacific Fair Shopping Centre.

The Belle Maison Apartments are fantastic if you are travelling with the family or a group of friends.  Located just 200m walk to the beach, the apartments feature a fully equipped kitchen and the resort boats a heated pool and spa, tennis courts, gym, sauna and even a billiards table in the guest lounge.  A 3 bedroom apartment caters for 6 adults at around $60 per person per night.

Number one rule for booking hotels on the Gold Coast is book early as there is always something on – Indy 300, Schoolies, Magic Millions carnival, the nostalgic Wintersun Festival, Gold Coast Marathon, Triathlons, Surf LifeSaving Carnivals, Horse Racing.  Something for everyone!

The historic township of Broome is known for its Pearling industry, beautiful Cable Beach and as the gateway to Western Australia’s Kimberley region.  There are some fabulous historical sites such as the Japanese cemetery which is the largest Japanese cemetery in Australia and dates back to the early pearling days.  At Ganthaume Point you can view dinosaur footprints believed to be around 130million years old.  If you are after some bling, head for the Pearl Showrooms along the main street.

There are around 20 art galleries showcasing works by local Aboriginal artists.  Dining out is a treat with a few hip and funky cafes in town featuring a blend of local ingredients with Asian inspired flavours.  Head to Matsos Brewery for a refreshing Ginger Beer and a hot Indian curry.  Sit out on the verandah and enjoy the views over Roebuck Bay.  A couple of upmarket eateries are featuring pearl meat – similar to abalone flesh found in the oysters which cultivate the pearls.

Cable Beach is a 22km long stretch of beautiful white sandy beach.  Don’t walk too far north from the car park or you might find yourself at the nudist beach!  You will know when you get there.  If you want to kick back and sip on a cocktail while watching a fabulous sunset, head to the Sunset Bar and Cafe in the Cable Beach Club Resort. 

Catch a flick at Sun Pictures, the world’s oldest picture gardens established in 1916 and recently restored.  Sit outdoors on a deck chair and watch the latest release.  Dont be alarmed if you hear aircraft roaring overhead – they are situated right in the Broome Airport flight path.

For a bit of adventure, take a Turtle Bay Kayak Adventure and try to spot a sea turtle from your kayak.

Try to time your trip to Broome to co-incide with the natural phenomenon of Broome’s ‘Staircase to the Moon’ which occurs between March to October.  The full moon reflects off the mud-flats of Roebuck Bay at extreme low tide and creates the illusion of a staircase heading to the moon.  If you cant make it in time, take an Astronomy Experience Tour and use powerful telescopes to view the moon, planets and stars accompanied by educational and entertaining commentary.

If you want to stay in the city area of Broome – close to the shops, theatre etc try the Mercure Inn Continental Broome.  It is walking distance to central Broome, and a few minutes drive to Cable Beach.  Rooms from around $130 a night.

For a family resort close to the Cable Beach area, try the Seashells Resort Broome.  The resort has a large free-form heated swimming pool with separate heated spa,  and a childrens’ paddling pool and play area. Stay in a 2 bedroom self-contained apartment for 4 for around $230 a night.

With an activity for every type of holiday maker – beach lover, historian, shopaholic, photographer – Broome is a pearler of a place to visit!