There are lots of ways to holiday in Australia, though some styles of travelling seem to cut you off from discovering the real highlights of the places you are visiting. As with any trip, to experience the ‘real deal’ you need to take your cue from the locals. This is a brief guide to the highlights of the ‘real Australia’.
The Beaches
It’s true, there really are thousands of beaches in Australia, and part of any real Australian experience should include a lot of time on these gorgeous beaches. From Tasmania’s Bay of Fires and Queensland’s Dunk Island, to Western Australia’s Monkey Mia and of course Sydney’s Bondi beach, the options are endless and amazing, so be sure to check out the beaches wherever you are down here; they truly are something special.
The Outback
The Outback is the spiritual home of Aboriginal people in Australia, and home to some of the world’s most breathtaking scenery. If you can, make sure you get out there for a look. Outback Australia is also home to some of the world’s oldest known Aboriginal cave paintings, with some over 50,000 years old. These cave paintings represent just one of the cultural highlights out here that can help you to learn about Aboriginal people and their culture from their point of view.
The People
While Australians come in all sorts of varieties, as a whole the people down here are some of the friendliest in the world. The cities are extremely multicultural, the small town and country people will do anything for you, and the original inhabitants, Aboriginal people, have been here forever, and have a culture as rich as it is fascinating.
The Sport
Aussies absolutely love their sport, so to see the real Australia you should check out a game or two. Some sports down here are played almost nowhere else, so make sure you check out a rugby league game, a cricket match or an Iron Man event, because you haven’t seen a thing until you’ve seen sport Australian style.
The Alcohol
Australia is well-known as a beer-loving country, and there are world-class beers here for you to enjoy. However, for many it is the wine that you will be writing home about. Blessed with ideal growing conditions, Australia produces some of the world’s finest wines in regions such as the Barossa and Hunter Valleys. For a taste of some real Australian delicacies, check into a comfy B&B or other local short-term accommodation among the vineyards for a few days, and enjoy wines that have the world raving.
The History
Australia has a dark history to say the least, but also one full of colour, and if you hope to understand even a little of what makes Aussies tick, learn about what has happened here. There is history everywhere, so make sure you read the signs and learn as you go, because you’ll get far more out of your Australian adventure with a little bit of context.
