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Traveling Noosa, Australia: White Sands & Lush Hinterlands

When you think of Australian beaches, you think of a destination that visually epitomizes pearl white sands and azure blue sea-sides, as well of the stereotypes that reside within it – surfers, bikini-clad women and golden brown tans. But do these places really exist?
Welcome to Noosa, Queensland. This place is located about 130 kilometres north of Brisbane, Australia in the Sunshine Coast region of Queensland. When it comes to the Australia beach culture, this place encapsulates everything you once imagined.

A history of Noosa

The shire of Noosa was founded in 1910, after long being used as a settlement driven by timber logging it began to grow into a township after a port was established at Tewantin, just north of Noosa. The town of Noosa was originally a fishing village, with an initial population of approximately 2000 however it was not until the mid 20th century that it began to be recognised for its natural beauty, subsequently developing into a popular tourist destination.

Before European settlement, the Noosa region was home to several Aboriginal enclaves – with the dominant tribes including the Undumbi tribe to the South, the Dulingbara to the North, and the Gabbi Gabbi to the West. To this day, Noosa still displays remnants of a strong ancient cultural presence, with markings, carvings and burial sites prevalent throughout conservation areas. The origin of the name ‘Noosa’ is derived from the local Aboriginal word ‘Noothera’ (or ‘Gnuthuru’ in the Kabi Kabi language), it’s ubiquitous translation meaning ‘shadow’ or ‘shady place’. Aside from its pristine beaches, Noosa is renowned for being home to a dense amount of uniquely Australian flora and fauna within the natural beauty of the hinterland.

Noosa’s Natural marvels..

Upon visiting Noosa, you will encounter scenes of lush forests, tropical plantations and white beaches. If you’re looking to explore Noosa’s natural environment, it is suggested that you take a wander through the gorgeous green surrounds of the Noosa Hinterland.

The ranges in the Noosa hinterland were created by volcanic eruptions 25 to 30 million years ago, and changing sea levels shaped the coastal waterways and beaches you see today. If you take a look at the Noosa hinterland from the air, you will see a patchwork of tranquil lakes, lush forests and pastures, guarded by the striking volcanic formations that offer stunning mountain top vistas of the hinterland and the coast beyond.

If you want to soak in the entire atmosphere of the hinterland, look for the pristine Lake Weyba located behind the ocean dunes and drift along the lake and everglade style creeks by kayak and gaze at the water reflecting amazing mirror images of the tree canopy and sky above. For those looking for even more adventure, why not explore the mysterious volcanic formation of Mt Tinbeerwah, and take in the view from atop it’s treacherous rock faces? Abseiling and rock climbing activities run all year round. As for the golfers out there… Have you ever hit 9 holes with a mob of kangaroos? These fury critters will make you feel more welcome as you putt for par on the Noosa golf course.

Noosa, Queensland is the essence of both Australia’s beach culture and natural beauty… If you’re looking to travel abroad, this is definitely one place you do not want to miss. For more information on Noosa visit the official Tourism Noosa website for details.

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Posted 9 days ago by Mark 

Sydney, Australia - Why Is It So Expensive?

According to Mercer Human Resource Consulting and a review published by the Sydney Morning Herald, Sydney Australia ranks at a cool number 19 on the world's top 50 most expensive cities to live - and living here myself, I can totally see justification with regards to why Sydney is so expensive to live in....

Feel like a beer? No worries, whether it's a highly prestigious bar you go to or a quiet, run-down pub, you'll be paying on average around $6-$7 for a bottle of beer with a minimum of $4.50 for your average schooner. Fancy dining out for the night? No problem - just make sure you have a couple of 50 dollar notes with you and try to avoid tipping the waiter. When you live here however, you get used to it... That being, not getting value for your money... But if you're traveling to Sydney on the fiscal rations of a backpacker, you might want to be a little more conservative when it comes to the placement of your dollar in the hands of a product or service of little value, especially if you're coming from the likes of Wellington, New Zealand - not only will you be up against the poor exchange rate against the Aussie dollar, but you will also struggle to come to grips with the expenses of living in Sydney with your beloved Wellington ranking at number 105 on the expensive cities list.

So where does this leave you? You desperately want to bask in the sunshine and warmth of Sydney but can't quite seem to muster up the money to meet the demands of a financially vacuous holiday destination.

There is now a solution.

Turtle Passport discount cards offer huge discounts and savings on a myriad number of products and services Sydney-wide. Discounts range from 10-50% off and cover a diverse consortium of goods and services from popular entertainment venues, tourist attractions, bars, restaurants, accommodation, transport, hair and beauty, shopping... You name it, and it's there. Finally someone is offering a solution to get around the expensive costs of living in and exploring the city of Sydney, Australia. For a complete list of participating goods and services, check out the Turtle Passport website.

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Posted 2 months ago by Mark 

London, London, London

I normally write these posts myself, but I think this article sums up London's best features:

"No visit to London would be complete without a pint or two of real ale. It's hard to go more than a hundred meters without stumbling across a pub, but two neighborhood favorites include Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese (145 Fleet Street, Blackfriars tube) and the Charles Lamb (16 Elia Street, Angel tube). The first is haven of old dark wood, open fires and flagstones that's been around since just after the Great Fire of 1666; the second is tucked into a quiet street in Islington, a newly popular residential area just north of the financial district. Don't be surprised if pub dog Masha arrives at your table asking for a chin scratch.

Several ways to see the city

If you're on a corporate travel trip and your days are packed with meetings and conference calls, try an evening tour. London by Night offers nightly tours of the city starting at Victoria Rail Station and taking in Oxford Street, Trafalgar Square and St Paul's Cathedral. Open-top buses are used, weather permitting. See www.london-by-night.net for a list of pick-up points.

If you're a photo buff and have brought along your camera, London Photo Tours offers weekly walks focusing on views of Westminster Bridges, the London Eye and St Paul's Cathedral. The tour goes at a slow pace to allow time to compose well-considered photos. www.londonphototours.co.uk.

Fancy a bit of grub?

English gastronomy is enjoying an extraordinary renaissance, fuelled on the one hand by a renewed interest in seasonal, local ingredients and by an influx of exciting culinary influences from abroad. You'll be hard-pressed, for example, to find better Indian restaurants outside of Delhi and Mumbai (but stay away from the tourist traps on Brick Lane!). For many Brits, in fact, a good curry is a national staple! Classic English specialties include the "full English breakfast" or "fry-up" (with sausages, bacon, eggs, fried bread, baked beans and grilled tomatoes and mushrooms); smoked fish (from salmon to kippers); pies and Cornish pasties; and fish and chips. High tea, complete with scones and clotted cream, can still be enjoyed at many of London's top hotels; the Dorchester is a classic afternoon destination."

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Posted 6 months ago by Mark