The Great Red Centre

When you think of the Australian outback you visualise kangaroos, red earth and baking under the hot sun. The sheer scale of the desert is overwhelming but for a long time has been a strong pull for travellers.

So what to see?

Depending upon your budget here are some Lazyshark suggestions on how to spend your time and Aussie dollars whilst you're there:

Money to burn?

Flying there - Avoid spending a day on the bus and arrive in style. You also get spectacular views of the Rock when you fly over it. Definitely worth it if you are running short on time or are developing bus sores!

Helicopter flights - Sunset at Ayres Rock and Kings Canyon are the most popular and breathtaking

Aboriginal tours/overnight camp-outs – What better way to experience the true outback than in the company of the natural custodians of this wonderful land? Camping out under the night sky with the whole of the southern hemisphere stars for company. Watching the satellites move on their slow trajectory overhead was an eerie yet wonderful experience. One of the best things I did in Australia.

On a shoestring budget?

Greyhound - You can see the lot by public transport at a fraction of the price. What you lose in comfort you gain in sense of camaraderie with your fellow bus travellers and a feeling that you have ‘done it proper’!

Walks - The Kings Canyon, the endless question of up or around Ayres Rock, the Rock at sunset, The Olgas – just get up there and amongst it all – although remember to take plenty of water…

Harley-Davison bike rides - An alternative mode of transport for those who like to combine seeing their sites with an adrenaline rush. Reasonably priced for something a bit different.

Crazy Sporting Events

Took part in the 5km Santa Dash in Brighton at the weekend. 500 people all dressed as Santa Claus converged at an ungodly hour in the morning on Brighton promenade. The weather was foul – rain falling so hard it stung your face and wind so strong it blew us backwards. You might ask why anyone would inflict this on themselves?! The answer: - To keep fit, a personal challenge, raising money for charity but mostly for FUN!

This got me thinking about what crazy sporting events were happening in Australia. Looks like it is mainly the Northern Territory that is responsible for organising the wackiest races in the world! Found these gems:

Imparja Camel Cup - Alice Springs
Welcome to the wacky world of camel racing!
Darwin Beer Can Regatta - Mindil Beach, Darwin
A day of madcap events including thong throwing, tug of war and the infamous Henley-on-Mindil, where crews lift up their boats built totally from beer cans and run with them Flintstones style-all washed down with the odd stubby!
ASSA ABLOY Henley-on-Todd Regatta - Alice Springs
Yes – a regatta 1500kms from the nearest water! The course - the dried up River Todd. Let battle commence with teams competing in flour and water cannon boat battles/races. A unique spectacle!
2009 Dirt & Dust Festival 2009 - Julia Creek
Renowned Australian triathlon event with the main race encompassing an 800m swim, 25km bike and 5km run which now forms part of a larger festival weekend with lighter events including bull riding, bog snorkeling and not forgetting Australia’s best butt all accompanied by live music. An event not to be missed!
Tunarama - Port Lincoln
Festival with competitions, parties and processions including the famous world championship tuna tossing
Outback Festival - Winton
5 days of crazy and wacky events including the Australian dunny derby and the U-beaut-Ute competition. You’ve got to be there to believe it!

Knowing your Chardonnay from your white Burgundy…?!

Just returned from a friend’s wedding (Congratulations Tim and Kim!) where we consumed plenty of Australian red and white wine. This got me thinking about the merits of Aussie wine and how all us Brits should be thankful to their wine producers for providing us with high quality but affordable wine over the last 25+ years.

The Aussies were pioneers in simplifying the wine market. In the 1970’s the French dominated the market with each of their wine regions and vineyards having its own old fashioned labelling system. This required the consumer to be a bit of a connoisseur in order to know what they were buying. No wonder our parents used to buy Blue Nun and Black Tower!

The Australians were responsible for introducing ‘variatel labelling’. In other words the grape variety is displayed prominently on the bottle e.g. Merlot, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon etc… Therefore by knowing just a very little about the grape varieties you can have a reasonable idea of what the wine is going to taste like. This is what we are all now used to and take for granted but in its day it was revolutionary.

So I raise my glass in toasting the Aussie wine industry for helping me and thousands of other wine novices choose a quality bottle of wine by the name of the grape our palates take a liking to.

Cairns

A common stop over on the well trodden East Coast backpacker trail there is more to Cairns than initially meets the eye. When you first arrive it seems small, ugly and beachless – and it is! But a few evenings out at some of its legendary nightclubs and bars will soon change your opinion and you may well end up spending longer here than initially planned!

So what to see? Depending on your budget here are some Lazyshark suggestions on how to spend your time and Aussie dollars whilst you’re there:

Money to burn?

· Great Barrier Reef – A great place to go diving or even do your PADI course. Cairns has easy access to some fantastic reefs.
· Bungy – If you are not going on to New Zealand and Queenstown in particular Cairns is the best place in Australia to take the leap.
· Port Douglas - Some of Australia’s top hotels are located in this resort. If you are fed up with sharing your shower and listening to strangers snore then why not pamper yourself for one night…!
· Cairns Reef Hotel Casino – For all you card sharks out there…! However they also run regular promotions for those less hardened gamblers who just want to have a bit of fun or catch a show.

On a shoestring budget?

· Meal deals/Free drinks – Cairns is a real backpacker town and the local hostels have developed many ways of making you part with your dollars. There are always promotions and these can work out to be great value – e.g. Free transport to and from the bar plus discounted/free first drink. Ask at your hostels reception or check its notice board for the best current deals.
· Cairns swimming pools – Beachless, Cairns makes up for it by having some great outdoor pools where you can go and sunbathe and swim to your hearts content.
· Great Barrier Reef snorkelling trips – A much cheaper option than diving and you still get to see plenty of fish.
· Rainforest walk – If your mates are doing the bungy and you don’t fancy it/can’t afford it then get the free bus out to the bungy site with them but then go for a walk. There is a well maintained rainforest trail and if you not going north to Cape Tribulation it is well worth doing.

Terrorist attacks in Mumbai

We have all been shocked and appalled at the recent events in Mumbai.

Media coverage has largely focused on the tragic events at the luxurious Taj Mahal Palace and Oberoi hotels. However what has been less well publicised is the indiscriminate shooting at the popular backpacking bar Leopold café. Well armed terrorists in the busy bar started spraying bullets around the premises. Shockingly what has emerged from survivor accounts is how they started aiming their bullets at floor level as either people sought refuge on the ground under tables or lay wounded and in certain cases dying or dead.

Interestingly there has been evidence of terrorist activity for some time in Mumbai with smaller, less well documented attacks taking place. The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office had a high level warning in place warning travellers of the potential risks. However I wonder how many people actually knew that… Unless the event is big enough to make it onto the Nine O’clock news it is easy to be unaware.

Although I strongly believe that this atrocious attack should never stop us living our western life the way we want, it is wise to be aware of local conditions before making travel plans in today’s uncertain world.

Sydney

Sydney is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Although not the capital of Australia (a common misconception amongst many a traveller!) it is the top destination for any backpacker visiting the country. One of the greatest cities in the world – alongside New York, Rio de Janeiro and London – it has an instantly recognisable skyline. In what other city in the world can you go surfing before your day in the office…? (Answers on a postcard please…!)

So what to see? Depending on your budget here are some Lazyshark suggestions on how to spend your time and Aussie dollars whilst you’re there:

Money to burn?

· Slip on your glad rags and see a production at the Sydney Opera House.
Lazyshark tip: Try to see something in the main amphitheatre. There are many smaller venues within the opera house that don’t have quite the setting and amazing acoustics of the main arena.
· Sydney Harbour bridge climb
For the best views of the city look no further. Book your climb here
· Sail around the harbour
One of the highlights of my last visit to Sydney. Chilling on a sailboat in the middle of the harbour with the sun beating down and a stubby in my hand – does life get any better…!?
· Grab a bite at one of the many world class restaurants in Sydney. Australian cuisine has a reputation for being experimental often combining influences from South East Asia with their own fresh produce.
· Sport – Sydney is packed full of stadia where you can catch a game of anything from Aussie rules to rugby league, rugby union, cricket, or even soccer. Saw a pre-season game of Aussie rules the last time I was there and a fight broke out even before the whistle went to start the game. There is no such thing as a friendly in Australia!

On a shoestring budget?

· Scenic walks
Explore the Bondi to Coogee coastal path, stroll around Sydney and Darling harbours or get lost exploring the old town. There is plenty to see at your own pace.
· Museums and Galleries – soak up a bit of Aussie culture (yes it does exist!)
Lazyshark tip: There are often free entry days. Find out more here
· Free events
I have never lived in a city that puts on so many free concerts, outdoor film screenings, fireworks, festivals, etc….Keep your ears to the ground for upcoming events. One of the top venues is Darling Harbour. For their programme of events click here
· A trip to the Sydney fish market
Where the locals shop – is a great way to feel part of the city.
Lazyshark tip: The best place to buy sushi – just make sure you go early
· The Royal Botanic Gardens
A great place to picnic, meet up with mates and sometimes catch live music all set amongst Australia’s flora and fauna