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How to Make the Most of Your Long Australian Vacation

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A view of Sydney Harbour and the Sydney Opera House at night

Have you decided to take the plunge and plan a long Australian vacation in this beautiful faraway country? Well, that’s excellent considering Australia is one of the most gorgeous countries in the world. And while most tourists will say that it’s simply too far away, it’s definitely worth the time, cost and the long flights. However, if you’re considering going to Australia for a vacation you need to make a serious plan because it’s simply impossible to see all there is to see in a week. Two weeks is the least you should spend traveling across Australia and even then, good organization is the key. Read on to learn some tips on how to make the most of your long Australian vacation and this trip of a lifetime.

How to plan a longer trip

Koala bears sitting on a tree in Australia

The first thing you need to take into consideration once you start planning your nice long vacation in Australia is that the country is huge. This means that it’s basically impossible to see the whole country by simply driving from one end of the country to the other. A better way to spend your vacation in Australia is to focus on one type of vacation. So instead of lots of packing and unpacking, spending time in airports, bus terminals and long road trips simply decide whether you prefer an adventurous trip, a beach vacation, or maybe something else. While it’s difficult to accept the fact that you won’t be able to see everything, with time constraints and budget limits, it’s definitely better to start planning your trip with some focus in mind.

Places to visit

The skyline at night in Australia

As already mentioned, there are plenty of places to visit in Australia and this is why it’s important to prioritize the things you really want to see. If you don’t like going to the beach, skip Bondi beach in Sydney and visit all the museums you’re interested in. Before you start planning your trip, think about your vacation preferences. Do you enjoy finding a good place to relax or you are more interested in parties? Do you want to visit historical sites or  you prefer adventurous vacations? Would you like to see the cities or maybe the coastal or outback areas or do you just want to enjoy Australian food and wine? By defining what you want to see, it’ll be easier to plan your trip. And make the most of your Australian trip by doing the things you enjoy.

Types of travel experiences

When it comes to vacationing in Australia, there is something for everyone. From busy, vibrant cities, quaint and cute small towns, superb wine regions, to amazingly beautiful ancient rainforests, enchanting mountains, amazing reefs, gorgeous beaches, vast deserts and stunningly unique wildlife. One thing is for sure; you’ll never be bored in Australia.

Think about flights and accommodation

A man looking at sunset from a beach in Australia Once again, organization is the key to having a full experience once on a vacation. Some of the things you need to pay attention to are accommodation and how you’re going to get to Australia. It’s best to choose the destinations which are the closest to your origin in order to save time and not spend too much of it on commuting. Another important thing to think about is accommodation. If you’re staying longer, and you should stay as long as possible, avoid hotels and hostels if you can. Something that you should take into consideration is renting a place while you’re on your vacation. One of the frequently asked questions by travelers is “Can you pay rent with a credit card?” and not only is the answer YES but you might even get rewarded for it by earning points for future travel. So renting a place for yourself can be practical both money-wise and organization-wise.

The flag of Australia imposed on a brick wall

Stop just looking at the pictures of Australia! Instead book those airplane tickets, start planning and packing and go on the best vacation you’ll probably ever have in your life.

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Kitesurfing in Australia: Feel the Power of a Breeze

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Kite surfer in the waters of Australia
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Kitesurfing in Australia is the ultimate way to feel the power of a breeze. It’s a water sport where you essentially strap yourself to a surfboard, launch a kite and hold on for dear life. It can be a bit dangerous to surfers and even to swimmers who get in the way. What you ought to know is that kitesurfing involves trying to control something that is typically uncontrollable. However with the ideal advice, you might just transform it into the very best time you can ever have.

If you are preparing to kitesurf in Australia, you might want to talk to AKSA for numerous spots which supply ideal conditions for kitesurfing in Australia. After all, it’s not a sport that you can do just anywhere.

The Association also supplies services associated with the safety of the kitesurfer. They, for example, spread understanding about the different guidelines that a specialist of the sport ought to follow in order to stay safe. They also can provide insurance coverage, along with security gear.

Respect the power of the breeze and surf and constantly keep in mind everything you discover.

A woman kite surfer looking for her next big wave
Photo by Jean van der Meulen on Pexels.com

Taking up kitesurfing seriously will need you to invest your money in equipment costing something in between $1000 and $3000. This includes your standard board, kite and safety devices such as a flotation gadget and discount surf gear. You will clearly need to take some lessons if you wish to take part in this activity safely.

Winds represent an amazing force of nature that man has continually made every effort to harness. Thus, we have windmills, sailboats, and other wind reliant devices that make use of the power of the wind. Today, this power is likewise utilized for home entertainment. And helps to explain the recent popularity of kitesurfing in Australia.

Through training, you will learn how to navigate your kite in such a way that you will be able to utilize the wind to move in any direction you want. You will also find out about the different security treatments that you should always keep in mind in order to prevent accidents while you are having fun.

All in all, kitesurfing is a genuinely extreme sport which offers the thrill of being moved by air and the feel of speeding across water. It is likewise an activity which requires considerable skills, training and fitness. The bottom line is that if you wish to enjoy this activity, you must keep the risk factor to a minimum and the fun aspect to a maximum.

If you plan to get the best out of your kitesurfing experience, you must ensure that you stay safe. You’ll ensure that you have the most fun by getting the ideal type of devices and the best type of training. After all, you are handling an unpredictable element of nature here.

A kite surfer busting through the waves
Photo by APG Graphics on Pexels.com

Australia is more frequently recognized for Koalas, Kangaroos, the Wilderness, the Sydney Opera Home, and the Great Barrier Reef. The entire design of the continent has a big capacity for diverse activities. Kitesurfing is among those activities that happen in the water side of Australia.

The efforts of AKSA or the Australian Kite Browsing Association made kitesurfing significantly popular in Australia. They hold numerous competitions to check the ability of kitesurfers, along with promotion of the sport.

A kite surfer getting some air above the waves
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Journey from Canberra to Alice Springs

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If you are planning a trip to the heart of Australia, you’ve come to the right place! We are going to tell you everything you need to know for this 2500 km long journey. By the time you finish reading this article, you will have a better idea about which form of travel suits you best.

Flights

There are two things you need to be aware of. First, only Qantas Airways and Virgin Australia (best connections to New Zealand as well) fly to Alice Springs. Second, there are no flights to Alice Springs in Canberra. In other words, you will have to go to the Sydney Airport if you want to get there by plane. The average one-way adult ticket costs about 240$ and the flight lasts around three hours.

Airport tips

If you opt for travel by air, you should know that the Alice Springs airport is 15 km south of Alice Springs. To put it simply, you can’t see the town from the airport. The airport is very small and has two sets of toilets. We will tell you one secret: instead of going to the first lot of toilets, go through the security area and turn left. There you will find the toilets that the locals always use, and they never have a queue in front of them (you’re welcome).

You can book a shuttle drive at the airport’s shuttle desk (at the front of the airport near the baggage carousel area) that will transport you directly to Alice Springs. If you are a backpacker, many backpacker hostels offer free shuttle drives from the airport. There are also plenty of private car hires and taxis. But if you want to hire a car, it will be much cheaper to hire it in town rather than at the airport.

Driving

This is probably the best way to get to Alice Springs. You will have an a great time and see amazing scenery, such as Stuart Highway , Port Augusta, Uluru, Coober Pedy, etc. In other words, you are going to live and experience the full size and beauty of Australia (and it will be cheaper than flying).

But driving also has its downsides. The travel itself is going to be a bit more exhausting because you will need to add 3 extra days of travel time, and the fuel costs are going to be big. Along the Stuart Highway fuel costs from $1.80 – $2.30 per liter.

Train

If you are an Aussie you probably already know about the legendary Ghan train service. With the train, you will experience the pleasure of meeting new and different people, and enjoy the cheerful service and comfort of the train itself.

Bus

There are many different options for buses, but if you are in a group, you should check charter bus rental in Canberra. Just imagine you and your family and friends traveling alone in a spacious and fully equipped bus, relaxing and enjoying the view. Grab some playing cards, beer and food and you will experience the best possible road trip.

If there are only a couple of you, or you are travelling alone, there is actually a regular Greyhound bus that goes up and down the Stuart Highway directly to Alice Springs. Consider getting a kilometer pass since they last for a year and you can hop on and off the bus whenever you want until you run out of kilometers.

Rental Car

This is definitely the cheapest option for those that just need to get to Alice Springs, or get out of Alice Springs. Basically, you rent a car at one location and your rental finishes at your final destination. In other words, you don’t have to worry about returning your car to the original rental office. The cost can be as cheap as 1$ per day hire plus fuel. The downside is that sometimes the rental company can give you a really short time limit between the two locations so you won’t have time to look around. They book very fast and if you are travelling alone, you have a lot of driving to do in a very short period of time.

That would be it for Alice Springs tips. We would love to hear about your Alice Springs experience, so feel free to share it with us in the comment section. You can never get too much information and advice.