Rotorua is a city on the southern shores of the lake of the same name, in the Bay of Plenty region of the North Island of New Zealand. The city is the seat of the Rotorua District, a territorial authority encompassing the city and several other nearby towns. Rotorua city has an estimated permanent population of 56,200, with the Rotorua district having a total estimated population of 68,900. The city is in the heart of the North Island, just 60 kilometres south of Tauranga, 80 kilometres  north of Taupo, 105 kilometres  east of Hamilton, and 230 kilometres  southeast of the nation's most populous city, Auckland.

Rotorua is a major destination for both domestic and international tourists; the tourism industry is by far the largest industry in the district. The city is known for its geothermal activity, and features geysers – notably the Pohutu Geyser at Whakarewarewa – and hot mud pools. This thermal activity is sourced to the Rotorua caldera, on which the city lies. Rotorua is home to the Waiariki Institute of Technology.

Geothermal areas

Thermal activity is at the heart of much of Rotorua's tourist appeal. Geysers and bubbling mud pools, hot thermal springs and the Buried Village (Te Wairoa) —so named after it was buried by the 1886 Mount Tarawera eruption— are within easy reach of the city.

In Kuirau Park, to the west end of the central city, hot bubbling mud pools dot the park. Visitors can soak their feet in hot pools.

Rotorua has the nickname Sulphur City, because of the hydrogen sulphide emissions, which gives the city a “rotten eggs” smell, as well as rotten-rua combining its legitimate name and the rotten smell the city gives.

The especially pungent smell in the central-east ‘Te Ngae’ area is due to the dense sulphur deposits located next to the southern boundary of the Government Gardens, in the area known as ‘Sulphur Point’.

Lakes

The Rotorua region has 17 lakes. Fishing, waterskiing, swimming and other water activities are popular in summer. The lakes are also used for event venues; Rotorua hosted the 2007 World Waterski Championships and Lake Rotorua was the venue for the World Blind Sailing Championships in March 2009. Lake Rotorua is also used as a departure and landing point for float planes.

Other activities

Rotorua is also home to botanical gardens and historic architecture. Known as a spa town and major tourist resort since the 1800s, many of its buildings hint at this history. Government Gardens, close to the lakeshore at the eastern end of the town, are a particular point of pride.

Another of Rotorua's attractions is mountain biking. Whakarewarewa Forest has been described as 'the Disneyland of mountain biking and includes mountain bike trails, where the UCI Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships were held in August 2006.

What to see here:

• Kuirau Park
• Lake Rotorua
• Whakarewarewa Forest
• Government Gardens

Where to stay:

Distinction Rotorua Hotel. Website

Queenstown is a resort town in Otago in the south-west of New Zealand's South Island. It is built around an inlet called Queenstown Bay on Lake Wakatipu, a long thin Z-shaped lake formed by glacial processes, and has spectacular views of nearby mountains.

William Gilbert Rees, along with fellow explorer Nicholas Von Tunzelman, were the first Europeans to settle the area. Rees was in search of pastoral land, and after an initial visit returned in 1860 to establish a high country farm in the location of Queenstown's current town centre. However the Rees’ farming lifestyle was to be short-lived. In 1862 gold was discovered in the Arrow River, a short distance from Queenstown at which point Rees converted his wool shed into a hotel named the Queen's Arms, now known as Eichardt's.

There are various apocryphal accounts of how the town was named, the most popular suggesting that a local gold digger exclaimed that the town was "fit for Queen Victoria". It is now known for its commerce-oriented tourism, especially adventure and ski tourism. It is popular with young international and New Zealand travellers alike.

The town is the largest centre in Central Otago, and the third largest in Otago. According to the 2006 census, the usually resident population of the Queenstown urban area (including Fernhill, Frankton and Kelvin Heights) is 10,416, an increase of 22.1% since 2001.

Its neighbouring towns include Arrowtown, Wanaka, Alexandra, and Cromwell. The nearest cities are Dunedin and Invercargill.

The Queenstown-Lakes District has a land area of 8,704.97 km²  not counting its inland lakes (Lake Hawea, Lake Wakatipu, and Lake Wanaka). It has an estimated resident population of 28,700 (June 2011 estimate).

Tourism

A resort town, Queenstown is a centre for adventure tourism. Skiing, jet boating, whitewater rafting, bungy jumping, mountain biking, skateboarding, tramping and fly fishing are all strong promotional themes.

Queenstown is a major centre for snow sports in New Zealand, with people from all over the country and many parts of the world travelling to ski at the four main mountain skifields (Cardrona Alpine Resort, Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Treble Cone). Cross country skiing is also available at the Waiorau Snow Farm, located near the village of Cardrona.

A coal fired steamship that is nearly 100 years old, called the TSS Earnslaw, provides tourist trips on the lake.

In recent years, Queenstown's hostels have become a popular destination for tourists from all over the world. Queenstown provides adventure tourism during the day and a vibrant nightlife scene during the evenings. Queenstown is also gaining popularity as a honeymoon destination.

Locally, Queenstown has a reputation as one of New Zealand's wine and cuisine centres. Neighbouring, historic Arrowtown also features excellent restaurants and bars, and Queenstown lies close to the centre of a small wine producing region, reputed to be the world's southernmost. Pinot noir produced in this area fetches premium prices.

Queenstown also now hosts an annual International Jazz Festival. Recent international performers include Anika Moa and Di Bird.

Queenstown also has a reputation for being the 'Adventure Capital of the World'.

Queenstown Airport is located 10 km from town and has scheduled flights to Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

What to see here:

• Lake Wakatipu,  Lake Wanaka, Lake Hawea
• Cardrona Alpine Resort, Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Treble Cone
• International Jazz Festival

Where to stay:

Hotel St Moritz . Website

Milford Sound (Piopiotahi in Māori) is a fjord in the south west of New Zealand's South Island, within Fiordland National Park, Piopiotahi (Milford Sound) Marine Reserve, and the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage site. It has been judged the world's top travel destination in an international survey (the 2008 Travelers' Choice Destinations Awards by TripAdvisor) and is acclaimed as New Zealand's most famous tourist destination.

Rudyard Kipling had previously called it the eighth Wonder of the World.

Wildlife

Lush rain forests cling precariously to these cliffs, while seals, penguins, and dolphins frequent the waters and whales can be seen sometimes. The sound has been identified as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International because it is a breeding site for Fiordland Penguins.

The beauty of this landscape draws thousands of visitors each day, with between 550,000 and 1 million visitors in total per year. This makes the sound one of New Zealand's most-visited tourist spots, and also the most famous New Zealand tourist destination, even with its remote location and the long journey from the nearest population centres. Almost all tourists going to the sound also take one of the boat tours which usually last between 1–2 hours. They are offered by several companies, departing from the Milford Sound Visitors' Centre. There is also the option of extended overnight cruises on Milford Sound.

Tramping, canoeing and some other water sports are also possible. A small number of companies also provide overnight boat trips. There is otherwise only limited accommodation at the sound, and only a very small percentage of tourists stay more than the day.

An underwater tourist observatory found in one of the bays of the sound provides viewing of black coral, usually only found in much deeper waters. A dark surface layer of fresh water, stained by tannins from the surrounding forest, allows the corals to grow close to the surface here.

In rainy and stormy days tourists can admire the play of the wind with the numerous waterfalls in Milford Sound. When meeting the cliff face the powerful wind often goes upward and waterfalls with a vertical drop get caught by wind, causing the water to go upwards.

What to see here:

• Milford Sound fjord
• Fiordland Penguins
• Lush rain forests

Where to stay:

Whistler, The Chancellor. Website

Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's third-largest urban area. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of Christchurch.

The city was named by the Canterbury Association, which settled the surrounding province of Canterbury. The name of Christchurch was agreed on at the first meeting of the association on 27 March 1848. It was suggested by John Robert Godley, who had attended Christ Church, Oxford. Some early writers called the town Christ Church, but it was recorded as Christchurch in the minutes of the management committee of the association.Christchurch became a city by Royal Charter on 31 July 1856, making it officially the oldest established city in New Zealand.

The river that flows through the centre of the city (its banks now largely forming an urban park) was named Avon at the request of the pioneering Deans brothers to commemorate the Scottish Avon, which rises in the Ayrshire hills near what was their grandfathers' farm and flows into the Clyde.

The usual Māori name for Christchurch is Ōtautahi ("the place of Tautahi"). This was originally the name of a specific site by the Avon River near present-day Kilmore Street and the Christchurch Central Fire Station. The site was a seasonal dwelling of Ngāi Tahu chief Te Potiki Tautahi, whose main home was Port Levy on Banks Peninsula. The Ōtautahi name was adopted in the 1930s. Prior to that the Ngāi Tahu generally referred to the Christchurch area as Karaitiana, a transliteration of the English word Christian. The city's name is often abbreviated by New Zealanders to Chch.

What to see here:

• Garden and parks: Botanic Gardens, Hargley Park, Mona Vale, Riccarton House and Bush
• Canterbury Museum
• Ferrymead Heritage Park
• Orana Wildlife Park
• Willowbank Wildlife Reserve
• Royal New Zealand Air Force Museum
• Southern Encounter Aquarium and Kiwi House closed
• International Antarctic Centre
• Christ Church (the Anglican cathedral), the centre of the Church of England settlement was built between 1864 and 1910. closed and damaged
• Christchurch Art Gallery (A new gallery opened 2003 to replace the 1930 Robert McDougall Art Gallery situated in the Botanic Gardens).
• The Christchurch Arts Centre, formerly Canterbury College and the site of "Ernest Rutherford's Den". closed and damaged
• Canterbury Provincial Council Buildings, 1858–1876. closed and damaged
• The Lyttelton Timeball Station. Gone
• The New Brighton pier.
• Heathcote (Christchurch) Gondola
• Punting on the river Avon
• The Summit Road along the top of the Port Hills and Godley Head Road provides numerous spectacular views of the area and features the buildings created as wayside rests, the Sign of the Takahe (now a function centre) and Sign of the Kiwi. The Mt Pleasant Trig offers 360° views from Lyttelton Harbour back over the hills to the southern alps and the city, and out over Pegasus Bay.
• Walkways including Victoria Park, the Bridle Path and Whitewash Head, a bird sanctuary.
• Mountain biking on the Port Hills and Bottle Lake Forest. Christchurch Mountainbiking
• There is a large nesting colony of Spotted Shags immediately south of Christchurch.

Where to stay:

Rendezvous Hotel Christchurch . Website

The Bay of Islands is an area in the Northland Region of the North Island of New Zealand. Located 60 km north-west of Whangarei, it is close to the northern tip of the country.

It is one of the most popular fishing, sailing and tourist destinations in the country, and has been renowned internationally for its big-game fishing since American author Zane Grey publicised it in the 1930s.

The bay itself is an irregular 16 km-wide inlet in the north-eastern coast of the island. A natural harbour, it has several arms which extend into the land, notably Waikare Inlet in the south and Kerikeri and Te Puna (Mangonui) inlets in the north-west. The small town of Russell is located at the end of a short peninsula that extends into the bay from the southeast. Several islands lie to the north of this peninsula, notably Urupukapuka Island to the east and Moturoa Island to the north. The Purerua Peninsula extends to the west of the bay, north of Te Puna Inlet, and Cape Brett Peninsula extends 10 km into the Pacific Ocean at the eastern end of the bay.

The Bay of Islands is one of New Zealands great holiday destinations – enjoyed by 'Kiwis' and international visitors alike. This is authentic New Zealand – both stunningly beautiful and historically significant.

With a sub-tropical climate, you can enjoy beach and water activities, go exploring one of the many nature walks, swim with dolphins, charter a boat to go fishing or to explore the 144 different islands in our bay.

The Bay of Islands was where the first European settlers arrived, and where they forged the first relationships with local Maori – not always a friendly experience! The famous Treaty of Waitangi became the founding document for our new nation, and is celebrated every year here in the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. 

Each town in the Bay of Islands has it's own unique culture and lifestyle – from the more up-market lifestyle focus of Kerikeri, to bustling Paihia with its focus on providing a great visitor experience, to the calming historic atmosphere of Waitangi and the Haruru Falls, and the beautiful and sometimes quirky sea-side town of Russell.

Further afield is Kawakawa with its famed Hundtertwasser toilets and Gabriel, its lovingly restored steam train. And you will gain a completely different perspective in Kaikohe, which is the farming and commercial 'hub' for the district and has its own Pioneer Village museum. 

The Puketi Kauri Forest is a conservation estate just a few minutes by car north of the Bay of Islands. Here you can walk through our Kauri Forests looking as they did when the settlers first arrived. After the loss of much of the native bird life as the result of introduced pests, our native birds are once again returning to thrive in their natural habitat.

The Bay of Islands is a great base for exploring all of the Far North. Further west is the Waipoua Kauri Forest, home of Tane Mahuta – often described as the 2,000 year old 'Lord of the Forest.' You can travel north to Cape Reinga – the light-house where the Pacific ocean and the Tasman sea are in collision – the place the 'spirits' in Maori legend depart to return to their ancestral home in Hawaiki.

What to do here:

• Explore the 144 different islands in bay
• See Waitangi Treaty Grounds celebtration
• Explore the Puketi Kauri Forest
• Travel to a Cape Reinga light-house

Where to stay:

Chalet Romantica.

Official Website : http://chaletromantica.homestead.com/accom1.html

The Auckland metropolitan area in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with 1,377,200 residents, 31 percent of the country's population. Auckland has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world. In Māori Auckland's names are Tāmaki Makaurau, and the transliterated version of Auckland, Ākarana.

Auckland lies between the Hauraki Gulf of the Pacific Ocean to the east, the low Hunua Ranges to the south-east, the Manukau Harbour to the south-west, and the Waitakere Ranges and smaller ranges to the west and north-west. The central part of the urban area occupies a narrow isthmus between the Manukau Harbour on the Tasman Sea and the Waitemata Harbour on the Pacific Ocean. It is one of the few cities in the world to have harbours on two separate major bodies of water.

What to see here:

• Auckland Civic Theatre – a famous heritage atmospheric theatre in downtown Auckland. It was renovated in 2000 to its original condition.
• Harbour Bridge – connecting Central Auckland and the North Shore, an iconic symbol of Auckland.
• Auckland Town Hall – with its concert hall considered to have some of the finest acoustics in the world, this 1911 building serves both council and entertainment functions.
• Auckland War Memorial Museum - a large multi-exhibition museum in the Auckland Domain, known for its impressive neo-classicist style.
• Aotea Square – the hub of downtown Auckland beside Queen Street, it is the site of crafts markets, rallies and arts festivals.
• St Patrick's Cathedral – the Catholic Cathedral of Auckland.
• Britomart Transport Centre – the main downtown public transport centre in a historic Edwardian building.
• Eden Park – the city's primary stadium and a frequent home for All Blacks rugby union and Black Caps cricket matches. It was the location of the 2011 Rugby World Cup final.
• Karangahape Road – known as "K' Road", a street in upper central Auckland famous for its bars, clubs, smaller shops and red-light district.
• Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World – a well-known aquarium and Antarctic environment in the eastern suburb of Mission Bay, built in a set of former sewage storage tanks, showcasing penguins, turtles, sharks, tropical fish, sting rays and other marine creatures.
• MOTAT – Auckland's Museum for Transport and Technology, at Western Springs.
• Mt Smart Stadium – a stadium used mainly for rugby league and soccer matches. Also the site of many concerts.
• New Zealand National Maritime Museum – features exhibitions and collections relating to New Zealand maritime history at Hobson Wharf, adjacent to the Viaduct Basin.
• Ponsonby – a suburb and main street immediately west of central Auckland known for arts, cafes, culture and historic villas.
• Queen Street – the main street of the city, from Karangahape Road down to the harbour.
• Sky Tower – the tallest free-standing structure in the Southern Hemisphere, it is 328 m  tall and has excellent panoramic views.
• Vector Arena – events centre in downtown Auckland completed in 2007. Holding 12,000 people, it is used for sports and concert events.
• Viaduct Basin – a marina and residential development in downtown Auckland, the venue for the America's Cup regattas in 2000 and 2003.
• Western Springs Stadium – a natural amphitheatre used mainly for speedway races, rock and pop concerts.

Where to stay:

Auckland City Hotel Website:  http://www.aucklandcityhotel.co.nz/ 

The Ayers-Rock is located in the Uluru – Kata Tjuta national park in Australia's center in the federal state Northern Territory in the southeast of the village Yulara. 

The rock, that attracts many nations and races and is the biggest sanctuary of the Aborigines, shows a growing popularity in the course of the times. The nearby located airport grasps 5.000 tourists per day, who can live in the luxury hotels. Thanks to the modern technology everything is possible. But there are problems, too:

The social collision of the Aborigines and the tourists should not be underestimated. If you want to climb the Ayers Rock via the footpath (named "The Climb"), you "tramples around" on sacred ground of the natives! The Rock is very interesting and beautiful to climb to enjoy the performance of Nature, but this is a kind of "Desecration." A comparable situation are Aborigines jumping in a church on the altar.

A lot of sacred places on and around the Ayers Rock are closed for tourists. Please note this rules! This areas are intended and reserved exclusively for the Aborigines. If you nevertheless want to step into this areas, you can get a permit. Please respect the interests of the natives!

Furthermore tourists should keep in mind if you want to contact Aborigines, that only women speak to the women and only men to the men! There could be difficulties otherwise because of misunderstandings.

Regardless of where you stay while you're at Voyages Ayers Rock Resort, from the sanctuary of one of the five hotels, or the intimacy of Voyages Ayers Rock Resort Campground, you can experience the beauty of the living cultural landscape of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, in Australia's Northern Territory.

With over 65 tours, local activities and attractions within the Resort and the Uluru (Ayers Rock) – Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) National Park, your days will be action-packed. Ride a camel across the desert dunes. Hop on a Harley, or embark on a base walk of Uluru (Ayers Rock).

If you're looking for relaxation and pampering after a day of discovering the outback, make sure you visit the beautiful Red Ochre Spa. The Red Ochre Spa has been designed with total indulgence in mind – a sanctuary where guests exchange stressed states for tranquillity. The Red Ochre Spa is located within Sails in the Desert Hotel, at Ayers Rock Resort.

By night, dine under a canopy of stars at the award-winning Sounds of Silence buffet barbeque dining experience. See the sun set behind Uluru, and after dinner, tour the southern night sky with a resident startalker.

Ayers Rock Resort provides a variety of accommodation options for every possible taste and budget – from the premium Sails in the Desert, and Australian Tourism Award winning Desert Gardens Hotel, to the self contained Emu Walk Apartments, the modern Lost Camel Hotel, the authentic Outback Pioneer Hotel and Lodge, and the Ayers Rock Campground, offering powered campsites and air conditioned cabins

What to see:

• Ayers Rock
• Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
• Red Ochre Spa
• Yulara

Where to stay:

Sails in the Desert hotel . Website

Willandra is a national park in New South Wales, Australia, 582 km west of Sydney.

Willandra National Park was established in 1972. It is relatively remote, being located about 150 km northeast of Griffith, and 64 km by road from Hillston. It consists of 13.85 km² of flat grassy plain bounded to the north by Willandra Creek, which is a distributary of the Lachlan River. The surrounding district is used primarily for extensive grazing of sheep and cattle. Most roads in the area are unsealed and become slippery and unusable after only moderate rainfall. The climate is semi-arid, with very hot summers and cold winters. The park is situated on the northern edge of the Riverina Plain of the Murray Basin lowlands.

The park is very flat with few elevated features. For the most part it is grassland, with trees only along the watercourses and around the normally dry lakes and depressions.The low woodland is dominated by black box (Eucalyptus largiflorens) and River Cooba (Acacia stenophylla). Before European settlement saltbush, cotton bush and native grasses are likely to have been the main plant cover on the plains. However, over 100 years of grazing and some pasture improvement have modified this and the plant and animal communities do not represent the environments that existed prior to European settlement. Despite this, Willandra is important habitat for many native species, including the emu, the threatened Plains-wanderer, red and grey kangaroos, echindas and a variety of reptiles, such as Gould's Sand Goanna and the Mulga Brown Snake.

Climate

Willandra National Park is located in a semi-arid area. The park has an annual rainfall of about 300–350 mm mainly falling over the winter months, with the occasional summer storm. Extreme temperatures range from minus 3°C to 48°C. Winds are predominately from the south west.

The park’s climate makes visiting during Autumn and Spring the most pleasant. In spring you’ll find fantastic birdwatching opportunities and wildflower displays.

What to do here:

• Cycling
• Fishing
• Canoeing
• Walking
• Lookingout
• Car tours

Where to stay: 

Camping . Information

Whitsunday Coast starts from Mackay in the south continuing north until Bowen and the Mt Aberdeen National Park. Off the coast are the 74 Whitsunday Islands, all offering something slightly different for the visitor.

Mackay features a number of beaches, as well as offering trips out to the Great Barrier Reef. It is a great place to stay, with plenty of attractions and places of interest nearby.

North along the coast from Mackay are a number of small bays and beaches leading upto the Cape Hillsborough National Park. There are some pretty beaches within the park backed by beautiful forest, as well as a number of coastal walks around the area.

If you head north west from Mackay you can also visit the wonderful Eungella National Park, which offers spectacular views and some fantastic walking trails. On the way you will pass several small towns, including Marian, which features a sugar plantation, Mirani and Finch Hatton, which is home to the spectacular Finch Hatton Gorge.

Continuing north along the highway you can stop at Proserpine, which is a small rural town, with a large sugar mill. Just south of Proserpine is the turn off for Cathu State Forest which offers some wonderful scenery, as well as the Palm Tree Creek Picnic Area, which is a good place to stop for a rest. North from Proserpine is popular Airlie Beach.

Airlie Beach is a fantastic place to stay if you are interested in heading out to the beautiful Whitsundays. It is a lively and colourful area, offering excitement, as well as relaxation. Airlie Beach is surrounded by attractive park and bushland where yo will find a number of walking trails.

Just south of Airlie Beach on the southern tip of the small peninsula is the Conway National Park, which is also worth visiting. The National Park is made up of thick rainforest, and home to the magnificent Cedar Creek Falls. There are a number of good walking trails through the park, with magnificent views out to the ocean.

Further north along the coast is Bowen, which has a major fruit growing industry and so is perfect for travellers looking for fruit picking work. On your days off there are also a number of glorious beaches along the coastline surrounding Bowen and numerous wall murals around the town. Just south from here along the Delamothe Highway is the rugged Mt Aberdeen National Park.

The Whitsunday Coast enjoys a tropical climate of hot summers, warm winters and bright spring and autumn days. Average daily temperatures range from around 22 – 23 degrees celsius in the winter months of June and July, and up to 29 – 30 degrees celsius in December and January during the height of summer. Water temperatures remain a welcoming 25 degrees celsius most of the year round.

What to see:

• Airlie Beach
• Gear Barrier Reef
• Whiteheaven Beach
• Beaches of Bowen

Where to stay:

Whitisunday apartments . Website

Kings Canyon is part of the Watarrka National Park in Northern Territory, Australia. Sitting at the western end of the George Gill Range, it is 323 km southwest of Alice Springs and 1,316 km south of Darwin.

The walls of Kings Canyon are over 300 metres high, with Kings Creek at the bottom. Part of the gorge is a sacred Aboriginal site and visitors are discouraged from walking off the walking tracks.

Two walks exists at Kings Canyon. The 2 km (return) and approximately 1 hour Kings Creek Walk traces the bottom of the gorge. At the end of the walk is a platform, with views of the canyon walls above. The 6 km (loop) and 3-4 hour Kings Canyon Rim Walk traces the top of the canyon. A steep climb at the beginning of the walk, which locals call "Heartbreak Hill" (or "Heart Attack Hill", due to its steepness), takes visitors up to the top, with spectacular views of the gorge below and of the surrounding landscape. About half way during the walk, a detour descends to Garden of Eden, a permanent waterhole surrounded by lush plant life. The last half of the walk passes through a large maze of weathered sandstone domes, reminiscent of the Bungle Bungle. A slow descent brings the visitor back to the starting point. The loop can also be done in reverse (anti-clockwise), but the National Park Rangers encourage visitors to walk in one direction.

The 22 km Giles Track connects Kings Canyon to Kathleen Springs and is popular with more adventurous hikers.

The Canyon Rim Walk is certainly one of the best and most varied walks you can do in central Australia.

Information for visitors

As with many tracks in the central Australian desert, visitors are advised to avoid walking during the middle of the day when the temperature is the highest and the sun most direct. Sunscreen, a hat, water (at least 1 litre per hour at the hottest time), and a fly net (in the hotter months) are essential.

The Kings Canyon Resort operated by Delaware North 6 kilometres to the west offers camping, budget rooms, standard hotel rooms and spa suites. Kings Creek Station, 38 kilometres to the east run and owned by Ian and Lyn Conway offers alternative accommodation, and also provides camel rides and quad bike tours.

What to see here:

• Watarrka National Park
• Kings Canyon
• Sandstone domes called "The Lost City"
• A very sheltered valley with a permanent water hole, called "The Garden of Eden"

Where to stay:

Kings Canyon Resort Hotel 

Website: http://www.kingscanyonresort.com.au/Resort-Hotel.aspx

Walls Of Jerusalem national park in Tasmania, Australia, 144 km northwest of Hobart. It forms part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. The park takes its name from the geological features of the park which are thought to resemble the walls of the city of Jerusalem in Israel. As a result many places and features within the park also have Biblical references for names, such as Herods Gate, Lake Salome, Solomons Jewels, Damascus Gate, the Pool of Bathesda.

The most prominent feature of the park is King Davids Peak.

The Walls of Jerusalem National Park will mesmerise you with its contrasts – the drama of its Jurassic peaks, the rich textures of its conifer forests, the delicacy of its cushion plants and the stillness of its tarns and lakes.

You must be a bushwalker to enjoy this park, as a four-hour walk is the only way in. During summer, when the days are long, you may be able to walk in and out on the same day, provided the weather is good, but it would be a shame not to stay longer and bask in the splendour.

Undara Volcanic is a national park in North Queensland, Australia and is notable for its lava tubes and gem fossicking. Minerals found there include topaz, moonstone, peridot, aquamarine, garnet, quartz and gold. The park contains the remains of the Earth’s longest flow of lava originating from a single volcano.The park is remote, and accessible from the regional centres of Townsville or Cairns.

The area is situated within the McBride volcanic province and contains 164 volcanoes, vents and cones. The lava tubes are regarded amongst the largest and longest on the planet. The word Undara is aboriginal in origin and means a long way.

The volcanic activity that formed the tubes occurred approximately 190,000 years ago and the volcano Undara expelled massive amounts of lava onto the surrounding Atherton Tableland. In total it was estimated that over 23 billion cubic metres of lava that was released covering an area of 55 km².

Bayliss Cave is the remains of a lava tube that was once over 100 kilometres in length. The cave itslf is over 1,300 metres (4,265 ft) in length, 11 metres (36 ft) high and 22 metres (72 ft) wide. It is described as a "bad air cave" with Carbon Dioxide levels having been measured as high as 5.9%.

In Undara Volcanic National Park, ribbons of emerald-green vine thicket contrast with surrounding dry savanna woodland to mark the courses of some of the world's longest lava tubes. Up to 45 kilometres in length, these enormous, hollow rock tubes formed about 190,000 years ago. Channelling rainwater, they provide a habitat for intriguing communities of plants and animals. Visit the lava tubes on an organised tour. Walk around the rim of Kalkani Crater. Explore the self-guided walking trails. Watch the sunset, while clouds of bats exit the caves. Accommodation and a camping area are available at the nearby resort.

What to see:

• Wildlife at Sunset
• Archway
• Volcano
• Campfire activities
• Animals

Where to stay:

Undarra Lava Tubes Wilderness Lodge . Website

The Sunshine Coast is a most popular holiday destination for local Australians and is now extremely popular with visitors from all around the world as they discover the natural unspoiled  beauty of its  tropical rain forests, miles of white sandy beaches, holiday resorts, scenic tours and a myriad of other local attractions. Eco-tourists will find many unspoiled locations with native flora and fauna existing as nature intended. Australia Zoo the home of the Crocodile Hunter, is a twenty minute drive from the coastal strip. While the Noosa Everglades can be explored by boat and road tours.

Boasting a total population of around 200,000  the region is divided into three distinct areas, Noosa  in the North, Maroochy  in the middle and Caloundra  at the Southern end. The Sunshine  Coast stretches for some 50 Km from end to end with major tourism areas mainly on the narrow coastal strip, and on the Blackall Ranges. We have included Mooloolaba as a separate area due to the fast growing tourist area adjacent to the very popular and safe  Mooloolaba Beach. Although most are aware of the Noosa region long regarded as the playground of the rich and famous, the entire Sunshine Coast contains a complete range of attractions and accommodation facilities from 5 star to Backpacker.

Beaches

Several stretches of the Sunshine Coast are lined with unbroken beaches – from Sunshine Beach near Noosa to Coolum Beach (17 km (11 mi)); the coast from Point Arkwright to Mudjimba (11 km (6.8 mi)); the Maroochydore–Mooloolaba stretch (5.6 km (3.5 mi)); and from Buddina past the Caloundra CBD to Pelican Waters (22 km (14 mi)). Notable beaches include: Noosa Main Beach, Coolum, Maroochydore, Alexandra Headland, Mooloolaba (the spit) , Kawana Waters ,Kings Beach in Caloundra

Tourism

The Sunshine Coast is a centre for tourism, containing attractions such as Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo, UnderWater World marine park, Aussie World with the Ettamogah Pub, The Buderim Ginger Factory, The Big Pineapple and the Majestic Theatre at Pomona.

National parks

The Sunshine Coast region is home to more individual national parks than any other region in Queensland. The natural biodiversity of the area has been protected by five separate parks in both coastal and inland regions, including Mapleton Falls National Park, Kondalilla National Park, The Glasshouse Mountains National Park, Noosa National Park, and the Great Sandy National Park, which includes sections on Fraser Island and in Cooloola near Rainbow Beach.

What to see:

• Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo
• Ginger Factory
• The wharf marina
• Underwaterworld
• Theme parks
• Gold coast theme parks

Where to stay:

Sunshine coast hotels. Find one here

The clear, crisp air and a magical landscape of magnicient karri, marri and tingle forests, vine clad hillsides, fertile orchards, dramatic cliffs and white sandy beaches with exhilarating views across the vast Southern Ocean. All this awaits you on a visit to the Southern Forests region.

The Southern Forest region is about 307km from Perth in the beautiful southwest corner of Western Australia. The region begins just outside Manjimup, where agricultural land dotted with tall stands of magnificient karri trees. Further south is the timber town of Pemberton where the forest is more established, with many karri trees well over 300 years. Towards the southern coast lies the small town of Northcliffe surrounded by towering forests and rich coastal plains and wetlands. On the south coast of the state surrounded by the Walpole Nornalup National Park, is the idyllic town of Walpole, an ideal location from which to explore the beautiful forests and beaches of the area.

The Southern Forests begin around Manjimup where agricultural land is dotted with tall stands of magnificent Karri trees then journey further south towards the timber town of Pemberton. The forests get thicker here and you will see virgin Karri trees up to 300 years old protecting an amazing collection of forest flora and fauna.

Towards the southern coast lies the small town of Northcliffe, surrounded by towering forests, rich coastal plains and wetlands. It’s the gateway to the D’Entrecasteaux National Park and the spectacular cliff-tops of Point D’Entrecasteaux.  Travel further to the town of Walpole, enjoying the dappled light of the forests, and stop to take a nature walk to delve further. The Walpole/Nornalup area is ‘Valley of the Giants’ country, known worldwide for its Tree Top Walk that rises almost 40 metres above ancient Tingle trees.

Beautiful coastline

The Southern Forests coastal scenery is striking in its contrasts, with beautiful Karri forests meeting the rocky cliffs as they are pounded by the relentless Southern Ocean. It has 140km of the most magnificent coastline, from beautiful white sandy beaches to rugged sea cliffs and spectacular dunes.

Festivals and events

Festivals and events embody rural WA’s hospitality and sense of community.  Southern Forests host many notable events, including the Pemberton Autumn Festival first Saturday in May, Manjimup Moto Madness in June, the  JB Ipsen Golf Classic in October, and the Cherry festival in December, to name but a few.

What to see:

• Magnificient forests
• Mediterranean ecosystems
• Beatiful coastline
• The Bibbulmun Track
• Tranquil Lakes
• Pemberton Autumn Festival
• Manjimup Moto Madness
• Cherry festival

Where to stay:

Diamond forest cottages . Website

South West Rocks is located on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, Australia, near the mouth of the Macleay River. It is approximately 40 km from Kempsey. Jerseyville is located nearby.

The population of South West Rocks is 4,069 people, though the town maintains a steady growth rate, the tourist population of South West Rocks increases markedly during the holiday season. Beautiful scenery, numerous beaches, and man-made attractions such as Trial Bay Gaol and Smoky Cape Lighthouse are published as local tourist attractions.

Trial Bay is one of only a few north facing bays on the Australian East Coast.

Brief history

Whilst Arakoon was originally established as the township on Trial Bay in 1866, by 1889 South West Rocks had established itself as a popular bathing resort with people of the Macleay Valley. South West Rocks got its name most likely from the captains of passing ships, who claimed it was safest to moor vessels near the rocks, south west of Laggers Point (the point on which Trial Bay Gaol is built). Another theory is that their moorings would be safe if they kept the rocks to their south west. Trial Bay was named after a brig, The Trial, which was stolen and wrecked by convicts in 1816 in the bay that now bears its name.

On 13 May 1770, Captain James Cook observed smoke from a fire on a mountain which he named Smoky Cape. The headland in front of the mountain is now the location of Smoky Cape Lighthouse.

In 1972, a Sydney Harbour showboat, Sydney Queen, and the former Newcastle car carriers Lurgurena and Koondooloo, were wrecked on the Main Beach after breaking free from their moorings in heavy storms. Elements of all three vessels were salvaged, but the hull of Sydney Queen filled with sand and could not be removed. It was eventually burned to the waterline to remove the obstruction from the beach.

Fish Rock Cave is Australia's best ocean cave dive, and voted among the top ten dive sites in Australia, Fish Rock is located just over two kilometres off Smoky Cape at South West Rocks on the New South Wales Mid North Coast. 

The thrill of entering a 125 metre long cave and travelling right through the centre of a small island is one dive that you will not want to miss. As well as the cave itself, Fish Rock is home to such an amazing array of marine life that you will easily understand how the island came to be named. This is a dive location that must be included in your dive itinerary!

Fish Rock and Green Island are critical habitat areas for the Grey Nurse sharks, which live here in large numbers all year round.

Created by a fault in the island, Fish Rock Cave runs from the deeper seaward entrance at 24 metres, 125 metres through the rock emerging into the blue, fish filled, silhouetted shallower entrance fringed by pink gorgonian corals at 12 metres.

What to see here:

• Fish Rock Cave
• Australian East Coast
• Trial Bay
• Smoky Cape Lighthouse
• South West Rocks Country club

Where to stay:

Superior Waterfront Villa .

Website: http://www.southwestrockstourist.com.au/site/accomm-superior.php