Living in the Great Southern Land automatically gives us bragging rights to world’s best holiday destinations. Ask anyone, anywhere in the world; where their ideal holiday will be, and you’ll always find Australia right up there on the must-go list. Let’s face it, we’ve got the lot, and we really don’t need to go anywhere else for a satisfying, fulfilling and thoroughly enjoyable holiday; without the flight and foreign exchange hassles.
If it’s an action packed break in a world-class city-that-never-sleeps tugging at your heart strings, slip your party shoes into Sydney, Melbourne or Bris-Vegas. Cosmopolitan, sophisticated but relatively understated, our big cities pulse with a lifebeat that’s uniquely our own. Our restaurants, bars, casinos and coffee culture are the envy of the globe; world-class theatres, concert halls, galleries and museums; mainstream and off-beat, we’ve got the lot covered.
Compared to many other offshore destinations, our beaches rock and it’s estimated there are more than 7,000 on our coastline. From the postcard perfection of Whitehaven in the Whitsundays to the rolling surf of Bells and state icons like Bondi, Cottesloe, Glenelg and St Kilda, there’s an individuality and culture pervading all our coastal resorts. From the six star decadence of a Hayman spa resort to an on-site van on the Portsea back beach, the waves, sand and sunshine lure us with the memories of innocent youth.
Head inland and hit the country’s heartland; the range of holiday destinations and options is as wide as our brown land. Adventure trekking in the Kimberley or the Tarkine trails, walking up Sydney Harbour Bridge or clambering up Mount Arapiles, skiing on the Hawkesbury, or across the Bogong High Plains, rafting the white waters of the Mitta Mitta or the theme parks of the Gold Coast, whatever holiday you desire, it’s here and waiting in our own back yard.
What we love about Australia
It might be our back yard, but this sunburnt country is our home, and every square kilometre harbours something special to explore.
Our youthful, friendly, outgoing nature and multicultural community give us a vibrant melting-pot feel that is uniquely and distinctly ‘Aussie’.
We all speak the same language, have the same currency and drive on the sensible side of the road; how cool is that?
MS Amsterdam
Wednesday 10th February 2010
Travel Counsellor: Rosemary Metcalf
A great part of my job are the opportunities given to me to update my knowledge and refresh my own travel desires with such things a “ship inspections”!
Cruising has always been a passion of mine and I have been lucky to have sailed on quite a few ships of different sizes and shipping lines. So of course I was going to accept a lunch invite and an inspection onboard the MS Amsterdam when it called into Melbourne as part of a visit to Australia. Holland America Line is one of many cruise lines to frequently visit Australia, but also offering a variety of destinations and at very competitive prices.
I was very impressed with the MS Amsterdam, which only carries 1,380 guests, but has the feel of a smaller ship. The facilities and cabins that we inspected were very impressive, as was the lunch that we were served.
From the Spa & Salon to the theatre, the 3 restaurants, 2 pools, the practice tennis court plus the coffee and cakes, I could really see myself and more importantly, my clients,... view full story
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