Cairns

Most backpackers leave Darwin off their list of destinations to visit whilst travelling around Australia. It is in the middle of nowhere and takes a long time to get to.

Alot of Aussies I know questioned why I wanted to go to this 'back water town' - but for me Darwin was true Australia. With a frontier town feel, Aboriginal influence and fantastic natural reserves on its doorstep Darwin is definately worth a detour.

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?

Guided tour of the National Parks - You can spend as much money as you want with a huge choice of trips to pick from. Highlights include Sunrise at Yellow River - you go out in canoes paddling through swampy mangroves silently waiting for the wildlife to come to life at first light. Truly breathtaking.

Aboriginal Rock painting - The Kakadu National Park is a way out of Darwin but worth seeing. You could combine this with a trip to the Yellow River.

Fishing - Go out big game fishing for barramundi. The coast off Darwin is renowned for it and attracts visitors from afar.

Jewellery shopping - South Sea Pearls are the jewel of Darwin - literally. If you enjoy trying on fab jewellery for hours then this is something not to be missed. Beware though - your credit card could take a hit!

On a shoestring budget?

Mindil Beach Sunset Markets - Open-air asian food markets that run from April to October. Fabulous - worth going for a wander even if you don't like asian food as the atmosphere is excellent

Lightning storms - The climate in Darwin often leads to the most amazing lightning storms. The harbour front offers front row seats to some spectacular sunsets and lightning strikes. Pick up a few 'cold ones' and enjoy the show!

Botanic Gardens - Free admission to the 42 hectare George Brown botanic garden with over 450 species of palm tree on display alongside other equally exotic rainforest vegetation to behold and relax in. Remember to take some insect repellant in case the mozzies like you!

Australia Day

In 1788 a fleet of 11 ships carrying convicts from England landed at Port Jackson, New South Wales and set about the important business of founding a new nation or as us Poms like to remind all Australians a penal colony!

Generations later this is celebrated as Australia Day - a time for this fledgling nation to look back and see how far it has come.

More liberal Aussies question whether they should be celebrating the invasion of Australia by white settlers. However the majority just see it as a great excuse to party and boy do the Aussies know how to do that in style. Celebrations are not just limited to mainland Australia with as many as 1 million Aussies scattered around the globe at any one time your local Australian themed pub will no doubt be packed to the rafters with partying Aussies singing Waltzing Matilda on the 26th....

Why not enter into the spirit with them!? Dress Code: Flag drapped over shoulders, shorts and thongs - Aussie sporting jersey and painted face optional!

Public versus Private Transport

Off travelling and weighing up the pros and cons of what form of transport to use to get you from place to place?

Check out Lazyshark's top tips:-

Public Transport

1. Cheaper - If you are travelling on a tight budget this is the only way to do it.

2. Meet more people - A huge part of any trip is the friends you make/people you bump into whilst travelling. Definately the more sociable option.

3. Less hassle - Reduce the aggravation and stress by letting other people do the hard work! e.g. Private hire car v Public bus/coach -Travelling by coach means no parking worries plus let someone else take care of the driving whilst you sit back, relax and take in the scenery.

4. Easier to find accommodation - When arriving at larger bus terminal stations most coaches are met by an entourage of representatives from backpacker hostels or owners of B&B's or private accommodation all vying for your business. Just make sure you haggle over the price!

Private Transport

1. Greater independance - Travelling by private hire vehicle allows you to do exactly what you want when you want to your own personal timetable.

2. Blend in with the locals more - By going it alone you can see the destinations between the favoured stopping off points used on guided tours.

3. Ease of access - Ensure you can get to those more off the beat and track places that have been less impacted by the constant flow of tourists.

4. Security - There is certainly safety in numbers when you travel with other travellers on public transport whereas travelling privately alone does mean you stick out from the crowd more and are at greater risk of being targeted by unscrupulous individuals.

5. Distances - If you are sharing the driving with one other person often the distances involved when travelling between places are vast. e.g. South America - The pros of having your own independance can be outweighed by the hard work and concentration needed for the drive.

Bragging about your holiday

Holidays can be the best time of your life but when you get home your friends can seem totally disinterested in your holiday anecdotes. This is probably because they are jealous!

Here are some Lazyshark top tips on how to brag about your holiday without alienating your friends.

Whilst Away

1. If you happen to be sunning yourself on a beach when the UK is suffering a particularly cold snap why not advertise it to everyone you know by sending out a group email and perhaps even attaching a photo illustrating your beautiful tan...!

2. When emailing work colleagues ask them how their week has been and commiserate with them about the extra work they are having to do in your absence before casually mentioning you have to go now as you are off to go scuba diving/have a massage/relax on the beach!

3. Constantly update your Facebook profile with ever more exotic sounding places/things you are doing - e.g. Steve is surfing in Tahiti or Lizzie is tired of drinking mojitos in Cuba.

Back Home

1. Ensure that it is obvious you have been away somewhere by showing off your outrageous tan/Maasai beads/new tattoo so that others ask where you got them from without you constantly having to hijack the conversation.

2. Photos - People rarely want to wade through your photo album so perhaps introduce the photos by stealth - e.g. digital photo frame/mobile phone picture/screensaver/mouse matt!

3. Buying exotic souvenirs for friends and family that of course have a funny and unusual story attached - e.g. I bought this that day we went swimming in shark infested waters...!

4. Posting reviews - Try Lazyshark or Tripadvisor. This is the best format for bragging as you are sharing your stories/experiences with people who are actually genuinely interested and want to know all about the finer details.

Seeing in the New Year

So where were you to welcome in the New Year?

Capital cities currently competing as the best to be in when the clock strikes 12 are:

New York: Times Square is the place to be (along with another 1 million people) to watch the giant illuminated ball descend to welcome in the start of 2009.

London: In recent years a great party atmosphere has developed along the Thames culminating in an awesome fireworks display off the London Eye. Plus we all get to use the Tube for free once a year!

Sydney: Still the most spectacular display in the world and as one of the first cities in the world to welcome in the New Year it never disappoints. Alongside the fireworks there are always a day of parades and parties to kick the new year off in style.

Rio de Janeiro: Join approximately 2.5 million fellow revellers all dressed in white to watch the fireworks on the Copacabana beach and participate in the numerous parties, events and shows along the beachfront.

Edinburgh: Join the 100,00+ partygoers who always brave the bitter cold and gather for a concert and to sing Auld Lang Syne. Plus watch a great fireworks display set against the beautiful backdrop of Edinburgh Castle - all washed down with a drink or two (the Scots sure know how to drink!)

Christmas on the beach

People from the Northern hemisphere tend to celebrate Christmas with a hot roast (turkey or goose), a Christmas tree and a roaring log fire. Things are done very differently down under...

As Christmas falls in the summer Aussies (and tourists on holiday) are just as likely to be found on the beach. Currently Bondi Beach in Sydney is the place to be seen on Christmas day. Dressed in your swimming cossies with obligatory santa hat and armed with a hamper carrying your cold turkey and trimmings plus the odd stubby! Even the Christmas cards feature surfing Koalas wearing santa hats!

Traditionalists may say it is not the same but especially after the recent cold snap we had in England over the Christmas period I would have loved to have seen in the New Year with a cold one on the beach...!