Fraser Island is truly an extraordinary place to visit, bursting with white sandy beaches, thick greenery, and sapphire blue waters.

Guests can spend time in this unspoilt region, trekking through the bushland and dipping into the refreshing waters. Seeing an explosion of wildlife, with glorious landscapes free of any urban development. However, once visitors have seen all they can on this picturesque island, where to next? Here are our top picks on places right nearby Fraser Island for an even greater adventure in this tropical region of Australia!

Brisbane

By far the most popular spot guests go to when also visiting Fraser Island, with many using Brisbane as a base point. The city is renowned for being constantly sunny and bustling with activities. Home to iconic landmarks, stunning parklands, award-winning eateries, and immaculate views, Brisbane city is truly a worthwhile spot on your Australian adventure. Learn about the city’s history and culture at the galleries, museums, and art centres dotted about. Or enjoy a beach day at the country’s only city man-made beach! Once the sun sets you can stroll along with South Bank and see the bright purple flowers covering the arched boardwalk ceiling, while you choose which restaurant or bar you want to park yourself at for the night!

Moreton Island

After Fraser Island, this attraction is one of the most popular day trip adventures from Brisbane. It is known as the third-largest sand island in the world, a haven of wildlife and paradise island scenes. On the island, Tangalooma Island Resort is one of the main hotspots, offering a range of activities and attractions for the whole family. Visitors can snorkel at Tangalooma Wrecks, a group of fifteen junk ships purposely sunk into the shallow shores of the island to create a safe harbour for small ships. Over time, the marine life has overtaken these ships, with green moss, and darting fish surrounding the rusting metal. Visitors can snorkel the ships and see how the wildlife has taken over the vessels, creating a brilliant contrast of marine life and rusting metal! After these visitors can hop on a canoe and explore more of the island, heading around the sandy beaches in search of the unique wildlife hidden about. To see some of the best wildlife up close and personal, guests can head to the Tangalooma Resort’s world-famous dolphin feeding extravaganza! Allowing visitors can stand waist-deep in the water and feed the local dolphins! Truly a once in a lifetime experience!

Gondwana Rainforest

Get lost in an ancient world of greenery, at one of the oldest rainforests in existence. Known as the Gondwana Rainforest, named after its original home in the supercontinent Gondwana, which was around 180 million years ago. This rainforest is a World Heritage-listed site, home to rare plants and animals, as well as extraordinary natural wonders!

Related article: Is Moreton Island worth visiting?

Recommended Brisbane Tours: https://brisbanetour.com.au/
Recommended Fraser Island Tours: https://fraserislandtoursaustralia.com.au/
Company: https://sightseeingtoursaustralia.com.au/

This post was originally posted on https://sightseeingtoursaustraliaonline.wordpress.com/2020/08/25/where-to-travel-to-after-fraser-island/

Australia is home to a number of fantastic cities, with Melbourne famous for its night scene and Sydney known for its iconic landmarks, but what makes Brisbane so famous?

Brisbane, the state of Queensland’s capital, is known for its sunshine and culture, is the perfect mix of both Melbourne and Sydney. It is Australia third most populated city, an eclectic hub filled to the brim with some of the best attractions and activities Australian can offer.

Its Culture

Melbourne is typically known for being Australia cultural hub, but Brisbane is a close second. Home to excellent museums, galleries, and performance venues. Brisbane’s buildings host award-winning architecture which creates stunning scenery nearby the Brisbane River and picturesque parklands. and you’ll find plenty of things to do here for the whole family. Visitors can browse through the collections of the State Library of Queensland, be inspired by the treasures found in Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art and learn about the history of the are at the Queensland Museum. If you come at the right time, you may even get the chance to see world-famous shows such as opera, ballet, or comedy shows at the region’s Queensland Performing Arts Centre.

Its Weather

Brisbane is renowned for being a city endlessly drenched with sunshine, with 80% of the year blistering hot days! For those looking for both city adventures and the true Aussie weather, Brisbane offers both! Giving you the perfect weather for beach days, walking tours, and afternoon cocktails!

Its Attractions

Scattered about the city is an astounding amount of attractions, from bustling markets, boutique shops, and exciting events. South Bank is jam-packed with these attractions, known for its award-winning restaurants and bars, as well as its pop-up festivals and events along the riverfront. For sunny days, locals head to the man-made beach of Brisbane, featuring soft sands and sapphire waters to cool off at without having to leave the busy city centre. The Wheel of Brisbane lets visitors see the entire region, allowing you to marvel at the view either in the bright sunlight or during the stunning sunset.

Inner-city beach

Yes, it’s a little strange that Brisbane has a man-made beach in the middle of the city, but it’s a bit of a novelty that not many cities have so we’re taking it as a win. In the middle of a Brisbane heatwave, you’ll be thankful for bodies of water anywhere you can find them.

Its Activities Adventures

Brisbane is home to a number of exceptional activities within the bustling city, but one of the greatest adventures is found outside the city borders. With picturesque spots such as Moreton Island, North Stradbroke Island, and the Tangalooma Wrecks all less than an hour away. Visitors can explore the reef spots, the warm waters, and historic spots Brisbane’s outer regions have to offer! Being perfect for those that want to escape the bustling city crowds of Brisbane’s for a breath of fresh air!

Related article: Guide to Brisbane

Recommended Brisbane Tours: 1 Day Moreton Island Tour
Price: $99
Company: Sightseeing Tours Australia

This post was originally posted on https://sightseeingtoursaustraliaonline.wordpress.com/2020/08/06/what-is-brisbane-famous-for/

From theme parks to mountains, beaches to glow worms the Gold Coast has an entire world of fun for you!

Surfers Paradise

The Gold Coast is known for its stunning beaches, particularly a large stretch of surfing beaches known as Surfers Paradise. Home to some of Australia’s best local and international music festivals, bustling nightlife, and fantastic high-end accommodation and shopping facilities, Surfers Paradise is an icon of the Gold Coast.

Head to the sand and join a surfing lesson or lay down a towel for a relaxing afternoon in the sun. With 16 lifeguard towers lining the 16km stretch of beach there’s plenty of space between the flags to splash in the water and play in the crashing waves.

If you’re a keen fisher, Surfers Paradise is a fantastic place for beach fishing, with many locals lining the shores hoping to catch a bite. Walk the beach and set yourself up near local fishers as they’ve found all the best locations for reeling in a fish or two for dinner.

With temperatures rarely dropping below 20°, even in the middle of winter, it’s always the perfect time of year for a trip to the beach!

Mount Tamborine

From the sea to the sky, Mount Tamborine is less than an hour’s drive from the Gold Coast’s beautiful beachfront.

Mount Tamborine is home to an astounding array of native flora and fauna. The lush forests protect wildlife from the nearby hustle and bustle of the city and provide humans with an outlet to get close to nature and unwind.

Take a trip to the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk. Set 30metres above the ground in the rainforest’s canopy, the walk is perfect for thrill-seeking nature lovers. In the Eco Gallery, you can learn all about the local animals and plants of the region and uncover the history of its Indigenous community.

Glow Worms

Some of the world’s most fascinating creatures call the Gold Coast home. Arachnocampa Flava, or Glow Worms, are endemic to Queensland. These captivating animals literally glow in the dark. Tucked away in caves or hidden under lush canopies, these small bugs emit a blue-green glow to attract mosquitos which they eat.

Join a guided tour of the caves where the glow worms live and learn more about these incredible creatures. Be careful to not shine any light at them or use flash photography since these tiny bugs are incredibly important to Australia’s eco-system and bright lights can stop them from doing their job!

Theme Parks

It’d be wrong to not mention that the Gold Coast is the theme park capital of Australia. It has no less than four fantastic parks, all boasting state-of-the-art rides and attractions.

Head to Hollywood on the Gold Coast by visiting Warner Brothers Movie World. With classic movie-themed rides and adrenaline-inducing rollercoasters, Movie World is perfect for visitors young and old. Cool down in the hot Gold Coast weather at Wet’n’Wild! With ten sides and attractions, there’s something for the thrill seeker to the relaxed swimmer. Or splash around in the wave pool for some contained water fun!

At Sea World Marine Park, you can learn all about marine animals and get up close and personal with the behind-the-scenes adventures. Get seats to the Thunder Lake Stunt Show and see water stunts like never before! Rounding out the selection is Australia’s biggest theme park, Dreamworld. Soar through the sky at 75km an hour on The Claw, one of Dreamworld’s best adrenaline-inducing rides!

The Gold Coast has an array of adventures waiting for you and the whole family!

Recommended Gold Coast Tours: Natural Arch & Springbrook Tour
Price: $98
Company: Sightseeing Tours Australia

Related article: Guide to Gold Coast

This post was originally posted on https://sightseeingtoursaustraliaonline.wordpress.com/2020/05/08/top-attractions-in-gold-coast/

You don’t have to miss out on this region if you’re stuck with the kids, as there is plenty of fun family activities on offer!

 

Exploring the lush bushland of the Blue Mountains is a glorious experience. The region features an endless amount of attractions, such as stunning rock formations, unique wildlife, and epic lookout points. However, kids may find the endless bush and steep stairs a lot less cool than their parents, ending in some unhappy holiday moments for the whole family. However, we’ve made it a bit easier for you, listing our top favourite family-friendly attractions in the Blue Mountains, so everyone leaves happy!

Featherdale Wildlife Park

It doesn’t matter what age you are; Featherdale Wildlife Park is a true gem to visit. Featuring an array of local native wildlife, this park is conveniently just outside the Blue Mountains region. Making for the perfect stopover on the way from the big city. The park is jam-packed with natural bush, incredible enclosures, and friendly wildlife to make the whole family happy!

Treetop Adventure

What better activity is there for kids than scrambling up and down treetops? Blue Mountains’ Trees Adventure is Australia’s premier eco-adventure experience, which features an adrenaline-inducing course in the bushland’s tree canopy. Perfect for those thrill seekers, with endless swings, flying foxes, and leaping to tire even the most spirited kid!

Jenolan Caves

Hidden within the lush greenery of the mountains is a truly unique site! A limestone cave system that is listed as one of the world’s oldest and finest caves in existence. This underground labyrinth is the perfect place to visit with the family, with a long history for the adults to gasp over, and a mysterious feel to make the kids impressed. You can stroll through the caves, or even rock climb some regions, getting an up-close view of this underground world of limestone chasms, underground rivers, and a unique form of wildlife.

Scenic World

It is the biggest tourist spot in all of Blue Mountains. Known as the perfect lookout point to see the entire region at its best! Offering views of the mountains and bushland at every angle, featuring the iconic rides of the Scenic Railway, Cableway, Walkway and Skyway. Kids will love going on the steep railway, listed as the fastest passenger railway in the world. Where adults will be in awe of the fantastic skyway that raises you above the canopy to see the glorious bushland below!

Recommended Blue Mountains Tours: 1 Day Blue Mountains Tour
Price: $75
Company: Last Minute Day Tours

Related article: Where to go in the Blue Mountains?

This post was originally posted on https://lastminutedaytoursaustralia.blogspot.com/2020/04/how-to-enjoy-blue-mountains-with-kids.html

With over 25 thousand kilometres of coastline, there are bountiful opportunities to spot whales in Australia.

So where are the best places to see these fascinating marine mammals and when should you go?

The waters of Australia offer plenty of opportunities throughout the year to observe whales as they migrate along the coast of the country during their annual migration. Travelling from Antarctica, the whales will follow their food to the warmer waters over the winter months as far north as the Kimberley and Great Barrier Reef. After the females give birth and prepare their young, the whales return to the Antarctic waters where they spend the summer months.

There are plenty of places to view whales along the Aussie coast, but their presence is seasonal so check when they are usually in the area before you plan your trip. Many coastal towns offer lookout points and viewing platforms to view whales from the shore, or enjoy a whale watching tour for an up close encounter.

Port Stephens

When: May – November
Migrating humpback and southern right whales can often be spotted from vantage points on the mainland including from the Tomaree Head summit and the whale-watching platform at Fingal Bay Beach. If you are after a closer experience, whale-watching tours depart from Nelson Bay, and day tours to Port Stephens from Sydney offer this as an optional extra during the whale-watching season. Bottle-nosed dolphins also inhabit the region year-round.

Moreton Island

When: June – October
Moreton Island, close to Brisbane, sits smack bang in the middle of the Humpback Highway, the migration path taken by the whale on their journey up and down the Australian coast. Enjoy a day trip from Brisbane to the island and include a three-hour boat cruise to observe humpback whales as they play in the warm Queensland waters. Last year over 1000 whales were spotted during the season from June – October.

Hervey Bay

When: July – October
Heading another 300 kilometres north of Brisbane and close to Fraser Island, you’ll find a town that’s home to the Hervey Bay Whale Festival. While whales can be spotted here from around July – October every year, visit during July and August to join in the festivities celebrating the marine mammals.

Esperance

When: May – December
Set on the Bay of Isles, Esperance offers opportunities to view whales from the mainland as they take shelter in the calm waters close of the bay. Lookout points along the coast offer great vantage points to spot humpback whales as they play in the water. Mothers will often use the sheltered water to give birth, so you may even be lucky enough to spot a calf with its mum.

Exmouth

When: July – November
Exmouth offers visitors not only a chance to spot humpback whales, but also to swim with them. Tours operate out of the town, and neighbouring Coral Bay, which allow snorkellers to swim within 30 metres of the gigantic marine mammals for an unforgettable experience.

Warrnambool

When: June – September
Travel to the end of the Great Ocean Road and arrive at the town of Warrnambool for amazing whale watching opportunities during the winter months. Here, southern right whales take advantage of the calm waters of Logans Beach to give birth to their calves. Whales can be observed in the ‘whale nursery’ from the viewing platforms on the shore, and often come within a hundred metres of shore.

Recommended Australia Tours: 1 Day Moreton Island Tour
Price: $99

Related article: The Best Places for Whale Watching in Australia

This post was originally posted on https://sightseeingtoursaustraliaonline.wordpress.com/2020/04/19/where-are-the-best-places-for-whale-watching-in-australia/