Travel guide Queensland for Art & Craft

Often when we think of holidays, we think of sparkling sands and pristine waters. However by thinking only of beach holidays, we are missing many of the glorious treasures that nestle in the hinterland behind the beaches. They offer a different type of holiday, but one still within close proximity to beaches, if that is what you are looking for. The hinterland behind the Sunshine Coast hides many treasures, such as The African Cottage and The Rondawel. These African-inspired cottages are the brainchild of Matilda, who came to Australia from South Africa over 20 years ago. She spent many years running a restaurant that served traditional South African food as well as developing a range of sauces, chutneys, marinades and spices. These Gourmet Afrika products are still available, however M... Read more

12 Barang Street Kuranda QLD 4881 This fully equipped, clean, bright, charming property is located a stone’s throw from the main street of the lovely rainforest village of Kuranda, 40 minutes out of Cairns. The villa comes with everything you need for a relaxing holiday. The easy access parking (for unloading the car) means that you feel relaxed from the moment you arrive. Each of the self-contained villas features an outdoor seating and barbecue area, the optimum way to enjoy the small lush garden. The charming owner, Melissa, greets you with a smile on arrival and helps you settle in. Overall rating?    Great    What makes Kuranda Villas different? The proximity to the main street of the village and the little extras  (champagne, coff... Read more

Those of us who live in Australia grow up understanding the joys, dangers and safety rules that make it such a great place.  However, many visitors to our country find Australia an alien, but starkly beautiful country, and they have little or no understanding of the best way to stay safe and enjoy their time here. A few very simple rules can help to make a visit to Australia a safe and pleasurable experience, and Tourism Australia has a brochure available for download that lists safety tips in a variety of languages. Driving tips One of the first things to remember is that speed limits are strictly enforced in Australia, more so than in many countries overseas.  Generally, when driving in urban and suburban areas, the speed limit is between 50 and 60 kilometres per hour. When ... Read more

The closest point north of Brisbane to the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef, the Town of 1770 is a haven for exploring the magnificent Queensland coastline and surfing its most northern surf beaches. 1770 is also an ideal place to escape the winter chills of more southern points in Australia. The Town of 1770 was named after the year that James Cook landed on nearby shores. As a result, it is claimed as being the 'Birthplace' of Queensland. Things to Do and See Surfing Agnes Water, 6 km to the south of 1770 is home to the northern-most surf beach in Queensland. Both surfboards and bodyboards are available for hire and there's even a surf school to accommodate beginners. Fishing Both estuary and reef fishing are possible in the area, either in Round Hill Creek or on the ... Read more

For many, it is a dream to travel to the Land Down Under.  The Great Barrier Reef is a natural phenomenon many long to see for themselves, as is the giant Uluru (formerly known as Ayers Rock) sitting smack in the middle of the country. Seeing kangaroos in the wild, the chance to cuddle a koala, and just experience the laid-back attitude for which Australians are famous, may seem like an impossible dream. Happily, it takes only a day to travel to this great island continent, and with flights more reasonably priced than ever, and plenty of deals available throughout the year, you could soon be chatting with the locals while marveling at the mixed-up features of a platypus. Getting there Plenty of airlines travel to Australia, including their main carrier, Qantas. How much you pay to t... Read more

  The speedo is already clocking 150km/h, yet a little voice in my head still screams "accelerate" as I lap my Ipswich locale, V8 engine howling. No, I'm not participating in the time-honoured tradition of "doing laps" - the car decidedly bereft of fluffy dice - but a V8 supercar driving experience at Queensland Raceway, 20 minutes from the heart of Ipswich. This is adrenalin - with a capital A. Under a new tourist venture, would-be rev-heads can take the passenger seat or steering wheel in a V8-powered racecar on one of Queensland's premier race circuits. For $199, tourists are promised five laps of pedal-to-the-metal excitement around Champions Way, including an intensive instruction session where you discuss, among other things, the dynamics of a corner. ... Read more

  Dreaming of dreamtime travel? One of the great attractions of outback travel is the contact with the rich and ancient history and culture of indigenous Australians.  But did you know that it is not just the outback that offers you the opportunity to learn more about the cultures of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples? The establishment of Indigenous Tourism Australia (ITA) has seen a cohesive approach being applied to the 300 or so Indigenous Tourism operators that are working energetically towards making a sustainable indigenous tourism experience available around Australia.  ITA was founded as part of Tourism Australia and is funded by the Australian Government as part of its commitment to grow quality indigenous niche tourism businesses in Aus... Read more

If you visit the Sunshine Coast, you may never want to leave. The stretch of towns from Caloundra to Rainbow Beach boast exceptional weather, sunrises you'll actually want to wake up to watch, beaches perfect for surfing as well as beaches ideal for people who hate surfing, vineyards, scenic vistas of Glasshouse Mountains and even dolphins. The list of reasons to visit has barely started. The truth is, the Sunshine Coast is the perfect holiday destination for honeymooners, families, retirees, singles, mates, couples, professionals, blue-collar workers, domestic gods and goddesses, dogs, SCUBA divers, yobbos, fishermen, bush-walkers, wine connoisseurs, greenies, and even accountants. It should be illegal to go there and not have a good time.   Family fun If your family needs more... Read more

It’s so massive, astronauts can see it quite clearly from space, however the Great Barrier Reef is much more impressive down low and up close. The largest reef system on earth is so huge (bigger than Italy!), you could dive, snorkel and sail around it for a lifetime without seeing everything. And you’d never lose your sense of wonder, as vast displays of coral, colourful fish, various shell shapes and designs fill three dimensions of ever-changing beauty.  Extending 2000 km and covering an area of 35 million hectares, 2800 living reefs combine to make The Great Barrier Reef, which today remains the largest-ever World Heritage Area. These reefs form an extensive eco-system teaming with around 1500 species of fish, 4000 species of molluscs, 400 varieties of sponge and count... Read more

Rockhampton, Tidy Town's 'Friendly Town' award for QLD in 2006. Rockhampton sits astride Queensland’s largest and most picturesque river, the Fitzroy.  The magnificent Berserker Ranges and Mt Archer provide an imposing backdrop to this city. Rockhampton, known as the Beef Capital of Australia, is different things to different people, and a gateway to adventure. Rockhampton is located on the Tropic of Capricorn and is approximately 40 kilometres drive inland from the Capricorn Coast on the Pacific Ocean. History and Culture Rockhampton was founded in 1855, soon after the pioneering Archer Brothers settled at Gracemere, 6.5 km to the west.  It was named by Queensland’s first Land Commissioner, Mr W. Wiseman, who was inspired by the rocks in the river. You will f... Read more