The Highway One Travel Companion Book shows you all the country towns, historic interests, attractions etc that have been bypassed and may have been forgotten.

The book is highly detailed with maps and step by step text  for every section you drive, every town or attraction is described so you can visit the things you want to. The book includes beautiful hand drawn illustrations of local buildings or attractions.

 Volume One  is the first of a series of Five books

Melbourne to Tweed Heads in New South Wales on the East Coast

To find out more about the book go to the website

http://www.highwayone.net.au/

I have been to Sydney several times, seeing the bridge, harbour and the Opera House are always the highlight. Every New Years Eve the Sydney Harbour Bridge is centrepiece for the fireworks display.

If you are visiting Sydney and want to the best view of the Harbour be adventurous and do the Bridge Climb.

This website link below has all the information about the Sydney Harbour Bridge being built and some excellent photos of its construction.

http://www.sydneyharbourbridge.info/

Sydney Harbour Bridge

Each book has a link so you can check out more details about each book, remember to check info like how many pages and size as they all vary.

Travel Australia book from Readers Digest

Explore Australia by Caravan and Motorhome

1000 Great Places Travel with Kids in Australia

Explore Australia 2012

Budget Camps and Stops Australia

Free postage to Anywhere in Australia

I have been told it is a real photo, what do you think?

The Story Bridge is an icon in Brisbane that goes over the winding Brisbane River. The bridge was built in the Great Despression to boost morale and employment and it remains to be the largest steel bridge in Australia. It was designed and built mostly by Australians from Australian materials.

Sydney Harbour Bridge has an adventure climb and so does the Story Bridge. The climb takes and 2 and half hours, along the way you will learn about the bridges and Brisbane’s history. At the highest point of the bridge you will enjoy stunning views of the city, the winding Brisbane River and the mountainous landscape beyond Brisbane.
www.storybridgeadventureclimb.com.au/

 
Brisbane Botanical Gardens at Mount Coot-tha

The Brisbane Botanical Gardens are at the foothills of Mount Coot-tha which is about a 8 kilometre drive from the Brisbane city centre. The gardens where started in the mid 1970s and it has over 20,000 specimens of plants. Which include many native Australian plants, exotic herbs, shrubs and trees. the garden has many interesting features to see like a Japanese garden, a Tropical display dome, a lagoon and bamboo grove, a fern house, a National Freedom Wall which celebrates 50 years of peace.

There is also a Planetarium, you will see stunning views of Brisbane, the river, More and Stradbroke Islands, the Glasshouse Mountains, there are also walking trails and picnic areas for a great day out. www.brisbane.qld.gov.au

 
Treasury Casino & Hotel

The Treasury Casino and hotel is in the heart of the city, both the casino and hotel are in beautiful heritage buildings. The Treasury Casino occupies the historic Treasury Building and the hotel is located in the Lands Administration Building.

Both buildings are just a short walk away from the inner city botanical gardens, historic walks and bikeways, department stores, specialty shops and cinemas. Also the airport is only 25 minutes away.

The Casino is open all day and night with more than 100 gaming tables and more than 1,000 gaming machines, with several restaurants and bars to keep all visitors entertained.
www.treasurybrisbane.com.au/
Not everyone can get to a casino easily as they are usually only in the cities so a fun alternative is to try online casinos from home.
www.onlinecasino.com.au and if you want to play on a Mac
www.onlinecasino.com.au/mac   
The Heritage Treasury Hotel is luxury accommodation at its best, the casino is a few steps away and so is the Queen Street Shopping Mall. The Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, the Performing Arts Complex, CityCat ferry terminal, South Bank Parklands, the City Botanic Gardens, the Performing Arts Complex are all very close to the Treasury Hotel.  http://www.treasurybrisbane.com.au

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary was started in 1927 is one of Brisbanes most visited tourist attraction. It doesn’t just have koalas, it has many Australian native animals like Kangaroos, possums, dingoes, emus, Australian birds and reptiles. The park has over 100 koalas and you can get your photo taken with a koala for a small fee.
http://www.koala.net/

Hanging Rock Picnic Races, Festival of Sydney, Australian Tennis Op Melbourneen melbourne , Country Music Festival Tamworth, Midsumma Festival, Tunurama Festival, Australia Day Concert, Chinese New Year, Cricket Test Match Sydney.

FEBRUARY

Festival of Perth, Leeuwin Estate Winery Music Concert, Adelaide fringe, Adelaide Festival of the Arts.

MARCH

Australian Formula One Grand Prix, Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival, Yarra Valley Grape Grazing, Begonia festival Ballarat, Moomba festival Melbourne, Easter Fair Maldon, International Flower Garden Show Melbourne, Bright Autumn Festival, Anzac Day.

APRIL

Melbourne International Comedy festival, Royal easter Show Sydney, Rip Curl Pro Surfing Competition Bells Beach.

MAY

Australian Celtic Festival Glen Innes, Kernewek Lavender Cornish Festival, Torres Strait Cultural Festival.

JUNE

Three Day Equestrian Event Gawler, Sydney Film festival, Laura Dance and Cultural festival, Darling Harbour Jazz Festival.

JULY

Yulefest Blue Mountains, Brass Monkey Festival Stanthorpe Queensland, Alice Springs Show, Cairns Show, Melbourne International Film Festival,  Camel Cup Alice Springs.

AUGUST

 Almond Blossom Festival Mount Lofty, City to Surf Race Sydney, Shinju Matsuri Festival Broome, Melbourne Contemporary Art Fair, Mount Isa Rodeo.

SEPTEMBER

Open Garden Scheme, Mudgee Wine Festival, Festival of the Winds Bondi Beach, Royal Melbourne Show, Australian Football League Grand Final, Tulip Festival Bowral, Carnival of Flowers Toowoomba.

OCTOBER

Melbourne Fringe Festival, Australian Rugby league Grand Final, Melbourne International Arts Festival, Henley on Todd Regatta Alice Springs, Melbourne marathon, Lygon Street Fiesta.

NOVEMBER

Sculpture by the Sea Bondi Beach, Great Mountain Race of Victoria Mansfield, Melbourne Cup.

DECEMBER

Carols by Candlelight Melbourne, Christmas at Bondi Beach, Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, Boxing Day Test Match, New Years Eve.

Budget Camps and Stops Australia

Camping Around Tasmania

Cool Camping Australia: East Coast

Camping Around Northern Territory

1000 Great Places Travel with Kids in Australia

Back Roads Australia (DK Eyewitness Travel Back Roads)

Travel Australia

Explore Australia by Caravan and Motorhome

West Coast Australia Footprint Handbook (Footprint Handbooks)

Pet Accommodation on Australia’s East Coast

Explore Australia 2012

To the Top End: Our Trip Across Australia

Complete Caravan Chef

Holiday in South Australia

Holiday in Western Australia: Free and Low-cost Stops

Great Gift Ideas For Anyone Who Loves Camping and Travelling Australia

BIG4 Holiday Parks announces Australia’s BIGgest night of charitable camping.

Keep Friday 11 November free to give camping a go and support a local community cause with BIG4 Holiday Parks. Join thousands of happy campers for one night of charitable camping under the stars,
and pay just $20 to secure a site at participating BIG4 Holiday Parks, with all proceeds going to local causes.

BIG4 Holiday Parks is proud to launch Camp and Care with BIG4, a
charitable night of camping held at a wide range of Parks across Australia. The event encourages families and friends to try camping for the first time and to explore a new holiday destination close to home.

Ray Schleibs, CEO of BIG4 Holiday Parks, says Camp and Care with BIG4 allows families and friends to enjoy a quality weekend together, whilst also supporting a local community cause.

“BIG4 Parks are integral members of their community and Camp and Care with BIG4 gives everyone the opportunity to enjoy a night of camping at a flat fee of $20 per site, with the added bonus of knowing the Park has donated this money to a local person, group or organisation in need,” Schleibs says.

 BIG4.com.au/comecamp

“For the past six years, BIG4 has run a free night of camping known as Come Camp with BIG4 to reintroduce people to the best holiday park accommodation on offer in Australia. As the event and our Parks continue to grow in popularity, we decided to use this popularity to assist local charities and other community causes,” says Schleibs.

Many Parks will be hosting additional activities over the weekend to celebrate the event such as pancake breakfasts and face painting, in-park concerts and BBQs to name a few. The event will no doubt be a date marked in all Australians’ diaries, just as it has been for the last six years.

BIG4 Holiday Parks is well known for being located at key tourism destinations across the country with a variety of different settings and Park experiences to choose from. Whether the Park where you choose to camp is situated on a famous coast or beach, set amongst lush bushland or close to a world-famous winery, there are over 180 locations Australia-wide to choose from depending on your holiday style – majority of which will be taking part in this great event. Each individual Park
offers a unique experience and showcases impressive facilities ranging from resort style pools and adventure playgrounds, through to giant
jumping pillows and bike hire to keep the whole family entertained.

Keep Friday 11 November free and reserve your powered or unpowered
camping site at BIG4.com.au/comecamp

Details
on participating parks and their selected community causes will be made
available within the next few weeks.

What: Camp and Care with BIG4

Where: BIG4 Holiday Parks across Australia

Date: Friday 11 November 2011

Cost: $20 per site (All proceeds go to
a local charity
or fundraising cause of the individual Park’s choice)

Booking: BIG4.com.au/comecamp

If you visit Australia you won’t struggle to find place to relax and sit on the beach. Indeed, you can go to the Whitsundays to visit the world’s best beaches, or head to Sydney to sit on the famous Bondi Beach.

But if you want the whole package you should check out Byron Bay, one of the best places in the world for some seaside relaxation. It is worth taking a flight to Australia just to visit this amazing spot!

Byron Bay is a town located a few hours north of Sydney, and a bit below Surfer’s Paradise on the Gold Coast. The weather is great all year round so this is a nice place to visit no matter the season.

There is a wonderful golden beach that stretches for kilometres and you can have an amazing time surfing, swimming, playing on the beach and sitting on patios that overlook the seaside.

Yet it isn’t just the beach that makes Byron Bay appealing – the town is absolutely amazing and it is chock full of lovely cafes, fun bars and interesting stores.

This community has long been popular with thoroughly alternative folks who have covered their hometown with great things to see and do – so you can spend pleasant hours away from the beach browsing galleries and stopping to drink expresso coffee and thoroughly complicated sandwiches.

Byron Bay manages to combine beach side living with a thoroughly charming town – this is quite the accomplishment, especially when you consider places like Surfer’s Paradise. So if you want some perfect, seaside relaxation in Australia look no further than Byron Bay.

The Weather

If you like hot weather you will love Sydney – it is generally quite hot there and there are great beaches at Manly and Bondi Beach. Indeed, there are few big cities so well set up for those who like to laze by the seaside. The same cannot be said for Melbourne and though there is a nice beach at St. Kilda’s the weather is less than ideal. The city sees a fair bit of rain, and you may never get the warmth you can expect further north.

Nightlife

Sydney certainly has some great nightlife with many bars and great clubs, yet Melbourne has a more interesting scene with alley-way bars and fun clubs everywhere. Section 8 is a particularly fun place to visit, as this former car park is one of the trendiest spots in town.

The Food

Both Melbourne and Sydney have access to great eateries. Restaurants like Aria in Sydney provide haute cuisine which leads the charge of Australia’s newly gained reputation for culinary greatness. Melbourne has a slightly different feel as many people like to head to China Town to sample cheap and delicious fare.

Travelling On

Of course there is more to see in Australia than these two cities, and it is important to fly into one which is surrounded by things that interest you. If you head to Sydney you can drive north up to the Gold Coast to enjoy the lovely beaches and the serenity of Byron Bay. If you base yourself in Melbourne you will be able to drive on to Adelaide and Kangaroo Island via The Twelve Apostles in Port Campbell National Park.

If you are looking to fly into Sydney and Melbourne you should be able to choose between these two great metropolises. Then again, the best situation would be to take in both cities as they are both truly exciting, in their own unique ways.