Planet Oz

Yet Another Reason Why You Should Go to Australia Quick

2007-02-12T12:39:00.000+11:00

Okay, let's be blunt. Not that Australia is suffering from any major tourism low point right now, but we just want you to get there quick. There's no better place for that holiday vacation than in Australia. If you have never been here before, then don't let Australia be just something you read in books or see in the Discovery Channel. Discover it for yourself.

It's so easy to lose yourself in Australia. The first thing you'd probably be amazed to discover here is that you arrive not knowing a single soul, but only for a few seconds. Aussies are a friendly bunch, you can bet on that. Watch out for mates asking if you could kindly stop by at their table to share a beer or a cafe au lait with them, because the next thing you know, you'll be toasting with them for the nth round while you talk about both meaningful and meaningless things.

And the rest of the world is in here too. Greeks, Chinese, Indonesians, Brits, Italians, Vietnamese; the attendance sheet goes on. Walking along any of Melbourne's kaleidoscopic streets, you get the feeling you're in some kind of movie, with high-powered action, all-star cast, and grand production design. And the story goes on well into midnight, as caffeine-awake folks bounce from theater complexes to museums to parks to restaurant and back to cafes. There really is no need for a plot to the story; you just need a willing suspension of disbelief.

Of course, the most interesting part of any journey is the detours. Take a hike in the outback and discover the ancientness of Australian soil like a true aborigine. Be in your own National Geographic episode. Be your own director and photographer and plain witness. Be awed by the sky and sun and nature seen at a new and upside down (if you will) perspective.

So make Australia your holiday destination now, while you still have good knees.

Skilled Migrants May Face Tougher Visa Tests

2006-10-18T23:16:00.000+10:00

OVERSEAS students seeking to remain in Australia as permanent residents may face strict new visa conditions as part of a government rethink of the skilled migration program.

A discussion paper being circulated by Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone flags the likely imposition of a higher English language requirement for skilled migrants to ensure they do better in the Australian job market.

It also points to the likely creation of a temporary visa category targeting overseas students studying in Australia to make sure they get skilled work experience locally before they become eligible to migrate.

The Immigration Department has appointed an outside panel of labour market experts from Monash, La Trobe and Flinders universities to assess the performance of skilled migrants in the workforce.

The evaluation of the General Skilled Migration program will focus on areas where large numbers of recent graduates with permanent resident status have flooded job markets already in oversupply.

The report will be handed to Senator Vanstone early next month for presentation to cabinet.

Changes to the skilled migration program are expected to be introduced in May.

One of the report's authors, Monash University's Bob Birrell, said that although the evaluation looked at the entire skilled migration program, it focused on onshore visas granted to students.

"There are problems, particularly with the overseas student group, because they are the most rapidly growing group," Dr Birrell said.

"The enrolment of overseas students has been mainly driven by the potential for permanent resident outcomes. So we are looking at how they are doing in the Australian labour market, and I think it's fair to say that there are some problems."

Three Things Only Australia Can Throw At My Face

2006-09-13T18:25:00.000+10:00

Some days you just know it's all worth it.

It's only six thirty on my watch, and the coffee is percolating in its pot, and I've taken off my trainers, and I still have some time to go back to bed and sleep. But I'm too awake for that. I know the sun is good outside, perfect for just about anything.

Yikes, have I gotten too optimistic and sunshiny now? This is what Australia does to you; I've been living here for little over a year now, and I love it. It's seeping in my skin. It's an in-my-face kind of bliss.

Here are three things only the land down under can throw at me.

1. Fishes: Lots of them and all kinds. Barramundi, flathead, cobbler, gummy shark, lungfish, the list goes on. And they're always fresh! I can never figure out how to cook them properly, but I try my best, and they still come out tasting good. It helps that Australia has countless restaurants with cuisines from all over the world because when I'm feeling lazy, I just leave it to the experts.

2. Mornings: Jogging is almost a religion for me. It makes me sweaty and short of breath. If I don't jog in the morning, I'd be guilty the whole day. Haha. But seriously, I know for a fact that the Australian air and sun is the healthiest. And you have to admit, there's simply nothing like being the first to see the sunrise, hearing birds chirp, making friends with other joggers, and knowing you're alive. Simply put, in Australia, I learned how to run for my life.

3. Market Days: Which is to say, everday. Australia has lots of good and exciting markets. Exciting because you never know what you're going to see and get. It's a hodgepodge of everything: Chinese incense, German sausages, Italian herbs, New Zealand pavlova, Greek cheeses. To shop here is to take a trip around the world.

At the end of the day, it's never really about what kind of stuff you're going to bring back home. Not jade bracelets, or rutabagas, or cocoa tablets, or Japanese lanterns for that matter. Whether I'm on the beach or in the outback, or a sushi bar, or a football stadium, I'm always sated when I get back to my house. Sated with the friendship of people. It's about participating, it's about involving one's self. I'm in Australia, and it's all that matters.

Neoli Marcos

Australian Food: You say Australia, I say Yummy

2006-09-06T19:53:00.000+10:00

Not that we're saying the Brits are bland and boring just because their legacy of cuisine to Australia is the standard lamb chop and three vegetables (or meat and three veg). After all, that was during the 1830s, a time when English immigrants had to live modestly. Simple, inexpensive, and easy-to-cook dishes was the style then. If the recipe book suddenly asked them for 350 °F in the oven for an hour, they simply turned to the next page.

But Australia is more mouth-watering now than ever. The wave of migration of Asian countries, the Greeks, Italians, Germans, Africans, and who else, has brought their native cuisine to Australian shores. What results then is a blissful chop-suey of worlds, a lovely fusion of gastronomy.

And why not? Australia is surrounded by pristine waters, has rich pastures for cattle and sheep. And there's plenty good sunshine for vineyards and farms. Australia can never run out of fresh lemon aspen, barramundi, abalone, yabby, and sparkling Olive Grove Chardonnay. No reason at all for chefs not to come up with sinful creations such as Grilled Tuna with Lime dressing or Kingfish fillets served with Macadamia Sauce or Oysters Kilpatrick. Then top it all off with the equally sinful Australian dessert Pavlova, a fluffy meringue decorated with whipped cream and fresh fruits.

Of course, we can go on forever praising the culinary wonders of Australia, but it's about time you came over here to experience it yourself.

Travel Tips: Travel Magazine Subscription

2006-08-18T16:28:00.000+10:00

Do you want to explore different activities and places to visit but lack the information needed to locate these places? Look at some of out Travel Magazine to provide information to you on restaurants, hotels, cruises, shopping, spas, driving, and much more. These magazine will provide you with hot travel deals, romantic places to visit, and gorgeous beaches.

Travel Magazine Subscriptions

Wonders of Oz: Devil's Marbles/Karwekarlwe

2006-06-05T23:05:00.000+10:00

The Devil's Marbles (or its Aborigine name Karwekarlwe) can be located near Wauchope which is 114km south of Tennant Creek in Australia's Northern Territory. These are spectacular mass of boulders that rise up to 4 metres high and 7 metres wide piled up on each other. The Marbles are located in a traditional Aboriginal sacred site and are important to the local tribe. The Arrente people believe that the Karwekarlwe are eggs of the Rainbow Serpent.

The remarkable geological formations have been formed by spheroidal weathering. Signs along the pathways describe how the boulders were formed by a combination of mechanical weathering (which cracked the rocks) and chemical weathering (which flaked the surface off). The boulders were originally part of a solid mass of coarse grained granite which formed deep within the earth's surface about 1640 million years ago. Erosion has since stripped away the overlying material, and weathering processes have shaped them into the "marbles" as they appear now. As the molten magma cooled and hardened to form granite the mass shrank and cracked and these cracks known as joints effectively split the granite body into a series of tight fitting blocks.

The temperature ranges in the Northern Territory outback range from sub-zero temperatures at night to over 40°C during the day - meaning that the erosive processes are still very much at work and the boulders continue to evolve into new shapes.

One of the Marbles were removed from the site and was placed on the top of the grave to John Flynn who was the founder of the Flying Doctor Service in Central Australia. At the time, this was seen as a way of remembering his link to the outback, but in later decades it was a source of great controversy because the rock was removed from a sacred site without the direct permission of the tribal elders. In the late 1990s, a boulder swap was arranged, and the missing marble was removed from the grave, cleaned, and returned to its original place. The grave is now marked with a similar boulder donated by the local Arrernte people.

Wonders of Oz: The Twelve Apostles

2006-05-25T18:08:00.000+10:00

The 12 Apostles are a collection of rock formations on the coast and towering out of the sea. It can be found near the town of Port Campbell, Victoria, just a few hours drive west of Melbourne.

On the Great Ocean Road, aside from these awe-inspiring limestones, you'd also find the Gibson Steps, the Loc Ard Gorge, The Arch, the London Bridge and the Grotto (all of which will be posted here soon).

The Twelve Apostles are great limestone rock outcrops separated from the cliff shore by wind and waves. You won't be able to see all 12 of these at once, as they say some are hidden from view from any vantage points. Some say that they no longer are 12 outcrops because one or two (or more) may have been eroded away.

These group of rocks were once called the Sow and Piglets but who would travel so far just to see a pig and her brood?

Anyway, to find the Twelve Apostles if you're from Melbourne, get on the Princes Highway, which then becomes the Princes Freeway, head southwest to Geelong. (At Geelong you might want to stop and visit the National Wool Museum and other town attractions). From Geelong, get on the Surf Highway (100) until you reach Torquay. Follow route 100 which becomes the Great Ocean Road after Torquay. Eighty-nine kilometres to the southwest, stop for a break if desired at Apollo Bay. Within the next 90 kilometres you should find a number of viewing points on your left (south). At any of the viewing points for the Twelve Apostles, you'd be able to see several of the Apostles.

Time required for travel: 2 hours 30 minutes

Tips:
- Have a detailed map of the area. If you take any of the side streets at Geelong, you could get lose your way.
- Time your trip to avoid heavy traffic particularly during school holidays and long weekends.
- you can choose to return to Melbourne via the Princes Highway by turning on C163 after PortCambell or at Allansford.

directions and tips courtesy of Larry Rivera
photo taken last January 1 2001

Wonders of Oz: The Three Sisters

2006-05-20T19:44:00.000+10:00

The Three Sisters can be found in The Blue Mountains. They stand 922, 918 & 906 metres tall, respectively. The photo is the view you'd see on one part of Echo Point.

The three sisters are swathed in Aboriginal legend: The story goes that a witch doctor had three beautiful daughters ('Meehni', 'Wimlah' and Gunnedoo') who fell in love with three chaps from a rival tribe (Nepean) - a taboo in their culture. The chaps decided that culture could swing - so they tried to take the sisters away by force. A fierce battle ensued, and to prevent his daughters being captured, the quack turned them to sandstone.

The brothers chased the old chap in a bid to get his magic stick and he got caught by a couple of their spears and fell into a fire where he died - he was resurrected as a bird in the ashes with a long twin spiked tail (representing the spears) - this bird is the Kookaburra which scratches the ground looking for its magic stick to turn itself back into a man and to return his daughters to life.

You can view the Three Sisters from the edges of the cliff or you can cross over to the massive rock formation and climb up its sides through defined walkways and on giant stairs.

Warning: Here, as elsewhere on the mountains, keep to the track, let people know where you're headed, keep your bearings, and don't get lost. You'd be surprised how easy it is to lose your way in the bush. There have been deaths as a result of hypothermia, starvation, injuries or other causes.

Experience the Sounds of Silence

2006-05-20T19:13:00.000+10:00

This is one fine dining that should not be missed when in Australia - Sounds of Silence - a truly unique Outback experience where the best of the Red Centre is distilled into four magic hours.

This experience starts at Ayers Rock Resort which forms the township of Yulara, (the only accommodation and town anywhere near the park) but the dinner actually takes place in the Park. A special location chosen where guests are escorted shortly before sundown.

Enjoy your champagne and canape while the sun sets in a blaze of reds and oranges, and well into the starlit night, you feast on array of the Northern Territory's culinary delights, including barramundi, kangaroo, emu, crocodile, bush salads, and classic Australian desserts.

Attention then turns to some of the world's best stargazing, with the assistance of our resident astronomer. As you wind down, coffee or tea are served. In winter, guests gather around a campfire to savour a special treat of hot mulled wine.

A dining treat under the Outback sky!

Tourist Sites: Sydney Aquarium

2006-05-19T18:23:00.000+10:00

The Sydney Aquarium is regarded as one of the world's best. Visitors can "walk on the ocean floor" through 145 metres (480 ft) of acrylic underwater tunnels. These tunnels pass through the underwater exhibits so you see fish and sharks swimming around and above you. In some places, even the floor was glass. But not to worry -- if the glass were to break, you'd drown before the sharks could eat you. :)

It has more than 5000 residents of 350 species, including the uniquely Australian platypus which lives in river banks and is very difficult to find in the wild.

The aquarium is open 9.30am-9pm daily, with the last admission at 8pm. If walking, easier access is through Market Street or King Street. If riding a bus, use the Sydney Explorer Bus and drop off at Stop 21. There's a ferry stop right on the dock for ferries from Circular Quay. On monorail, stop at the Darling Park Station and it's just straight ahead.

Admission prices differ depending on how many are coming along with you. But for a single adult it's AUD$24. For students, it's AUD$17 and you must show your student ID. For more information, you could also visit their website at http://www.sydneyaquarium.com.au

Wonders of Oz: Ginninderra Falls

2006-05-16T19:34:00.000+10:00

The falls are located on Southern Cross Drive 21km from the city centre and are a great spot to picnic or to go cycling on one of the many cycle tracks in the area. The spectacular falls can be found on Ginninderra Creek just upstream from its junction with the Murrumbidgee. They are on private property and a charge is made for admission. Canoes, kayaks, mountain bikes are available for hire. Abseiling, and canyoning courses are also available. There are jumps all around. BUT CHECK THE POOL LEVEL! Jumps range from 5m to 25m.

Directions:
11 metres (approx) Go NW of the city centre, on belconnen way, turn right onto kingsford smith drive, left onto southern cross drive and keep going till the end, park in the carpark, follow the track to the falls.

Wonders of Oz: Uluru

2006-05-12T22:37:00.000+10:00

Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, is a large sandstone rock formation in central Australia, in the Northern Territory. It is located in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, 350 km southwest of Alice Springs at 25°20'41"S, 131°01'57"E. Uluru is sacred to the Pitjantjatjara (Aboriginal people of the area) and has many springs, waterholes, rock caves and ancient paintings.

Uluru is 346 metres high, 8 km (5 miles) around with a hard exterior compared to most other large rock formations which has prevented formation of scree slopes, resulting in the unusual steep faces down to ground level.

Uluru is often referred to as a monolith, and for many years it was even listed in record books as the world's largest monolith. However that description is inaccurate, as it is part of a much larger underground rock formation[1] which includes Kata Tjuta (also known as The Olgas) and Mount Connor. The world's largest monolith is Mt Augustus in Western Australia, which is more than 2.5 times the size of Uluru - it stands 858 metres above the surrounding plain, 1105 metres above sea level and covers 47.95 km².

Uluru is notable for appearing to change colour as the different light strikes it at different times of the day and year, with sunset a particularly remarkable sight. The rock is made of sandstone infused with minerals like feldspar (Arkosic sandstone) that reflect the red light of sunrise and sunset, making it appear to glow. The rock gets its rust colour from oxidation. Rainfall is uncommon in the area around Uluru, but during wet periods, the rock acquires a silvery-gray color, with streaks of black algae on the areas serving as channels for water flow.

Kata Tjuta, also called Mount Olga or The Olgas, literally meaning 'many heads' owing to its peculiar formation, is another rock formation about 25 km from Uluru. Special viewing areas with road access and parking have been constructed to give tourists the best views of both sites at dawn and dusk.

On 26 October 1985, the Australian Government returned ownership of Uluru to the local Pitjantjatjara Aborigines, with one of the conditions being that the Anangu would lease it back to the National Parks and Wildlife for 99 years and that it would be jointly managed.

The Aboriginal community of Mutitjulu (pop. approx. 300) is near the western end of Uluru. From Uluru it is 17 km by road to the tourist town of Yulara (pop. 3,000), which is situated just outside of the National Park.

Climate

Central Australia enjoys sunshine all year-round and is famous for its clear blue skies. Rainfall, when it does come, is unpredictable and can occur at any time of the year depending on southern weather patterns, and caution should be taken during any rain in case of flash flooding.

Summer December to February, produces a dry heat and glorious sunshine, with temperatures reaching over 35C during the day, and dropping to around 20C at night.

Autumn March to May the climate is starting to cool down and day time temperatures drop to around 28C. Night temperatures also drop to a pleasantly cooler 13C during the evening.

Winter in this desert June to August offers glorious 20C days, but night time is chilly with temperatures dropping to 0C or below.

Spring September to November, brings out a carpet of colourful desert wild flowers as temperatures begin to rise towards the 30C mark during the day. Temperatures at night remain cool at around 14C.

Restrictions for Tourists

Climbing Uluru. The local Anangu request that visitors not climb the rock, partly due to the path crossing an important dreaming track, and also a sense of responsibility for the safety of visitors to their land. In 1983, then Prime Minister of Australia Bob Hawke promised to prohibit climbing, but access to climb Uluru was made a condition before title was officially given back to the traditional owners.

Climbing Uluru is a popular attraction for visitors. A chain handhold added in 1964 and extended in 1976 makes the hour long climb easier, but it is still a long and steep hike to the top. Over the years there have been several deaths mainly due to heart failure, as well as non-fatal heart attacks and other injuries.

Photographing Uluru. The Anangu also request that visitors not photograph certain sections of Uluru, for reasons related to traditional beliefs (called tjukurpa). These sections are the sites of gender-linked rituals, and are forbidden ground for Anangu of the opposite sex of those participating in the rituals in question. The photographic ban is intended to prevent Anangu from inadvertently violating this taboo by encountering photographs of the forbidden sites in the outside world.

Photography had formerly been permitted within these sites, and historical photographs of these formations continue to circulate through the world population at large. Signs have been posted around the restricted areas, to ensure that visitors will not violate the ban by mistake.

Aussie Offbeat Facts

2006-05-11T22:04:00.000+10:00

Ideal place for travel

Known for blue skies and sunshine and with a climate that’s generally pleasant without any extremes in temperatures, Australia is the ideal place to visit any time of the year. From winter skiing in the Australian Alps between June and September, to year round beach holidays in Queensland, Australia’s varied range of pleasant climates makes it an ideal holiday destination. Sydney winters find an average of 16 degrees centigrade, whilst the balmy summers in the Australian interior can reach as high as 45 degrees. Average annual rainfall is between 200 and 400 mm with lows in the central deserts of 100 mm and highs in Cairns and the east coast of up to 3000 mm.

Wide Open Spaces

Australia is the sixth largest country in the world. It's about the same size as the 48 mainland states of the USA and 50 per cent larger than Europe, but has the lowest population density in the world - only two people per square kilometre.

World's Longest Reef

Australia's Great Barrier Reef holds the Guinness World Record for the Longest Reef. The Great Barrier Reef, situated off the coast of Queensland, Australia, stretches a total distance of 2,027 km (1,260 miles). Corals on the reef are occasionally devastated by the crown of thorns starfish.

My Precious

Australia produces 95 per cent of the world's precious opals and 99 per cent of black opals.

Opal Capital

Coober Pedy in South Australia is known as the opal capital of the world. Its population is made up of more than 40 nationalities and, with year-round extremes in temperature, more than 50 per cent of the population live in below-ground 'dugouts'.

Golden City

Kalgoorlie in Western Australia is not only Australia's largest producer of gold, but has the world's largest political electorate - covering a mammoth 2.2 million square kilometres.

Aussie Icon

The kangaroo is unique to Australia and one of our most easily recognised mammals. There are more kangaroos in Australia now than when Australia was first settled. Estimates suggest around 40 million.

Long Haul

The longest stretch of straight railway track in the world crosses the Nullarbor Plain. From Nurina in Western Australia to near Watson in South Australia, the track is dead straight for 478 kilometres.

Long Drive

The Eyre Highway at Caiguna in Western Australia has the longest stretch of straight road in Australia - 148 kilometres. Crossing the southern edge of the Nullarbor Plain, it is the only sealed road from Perth to Adelaide, a 2700 kilometre drive.

Long Fence

The world's longest continuous fence known as the 'dingo fence', runs through central Queensland for 5,531 kilometres. It is 1.8 metres high and is designed to keep sheep safe from Australia's native dog.

Australia at a Glance

2006-05-10T18:07:00.000+10:00

Australia is a land which possesses a remarkable diversity and beauty. It is rich in a variety of dense tropical rainforest, chilly southern beaches, interesting flora and fauna, rivers and lakes, age old mountains, extensive snow fields, and endless sunbaked horizons. Scattered along the coasts, its cities blend a European enthusiasm for art and food with a laid-back love of sport and the outdoors.

Visitors expecting to see an opera in Sydney one night and meet Crocodile Dundee the next will have to re-think their grasp of geography in this huge country. It is this sheer vastness that gives Australia - and its diverse population - much of its character.