Perth

In recent years Perth has been transformed from a sleepy backwater to a vibrant international city. The large numbers of Asian and Indian immigrants have swelled the population and added to the diversity and sense of culture. Perth is an unashamedly youthful city and whilst it lacks the glamour of Sydney or the sense of history of Adelaide it has its own unique charms.

So what to see?

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

Money to burn?

Swan River - A great way to see Perth is from the river. We hired a small motor boat and careered around the many smaller waterways and coves.

Margaret River - Depending upon your budget there are many vineyards to visit and wines to sample.

Science Museum - One of my memories of the museum is attending a special exhibition they had in the run-up to the Sydney Olympics. They allowed you to pit yourself against Olympic greats (although naturally with an Australian slant!) in boxing, rowing and long jump. I'm sure they have just as good exhibitions on presently...

Restaurants - Many great culinary establishments in Perth. One way of making it more of an experience is to take a ferry from Central Perth to Matilda Bay where there is a strip of restaurants across the bay with great views of Perth's skyscrapers (and the food isn't half bad either!)

Rottnest Island - A short ferry ride from Hilary's Boat Harbour in north Perth, Freemantle in the south or Barrack Street jetty in the city centre, Rottnest Island is where the locals go to cycle. A picturesque island with many quaint bays the best way around is by bike. This differs somewhat to friends we have who live in Perth who view Rottnest as a party island, somewhere to go over for the day, have a barby and a few beers and play "quocca soccer".

On a shoestring?

Royal Botanic Gardens - On a hill overlooking the bay with fantastic views. Large and well maintained botanic gardens. Free entry.

The Perth Mint - A collection of the largest number of gold nuggets uncovered in Australia is one of its many charming and unusual exhibits.

The Pinnacles - Look into the many backpacker tours that take you south of Perth. You can often combine The Pinnacles, Rainforest Walk and Margaret River in order to stick within a tight budget.

Art Gallery of Western Australia - Free entry (apart from the Special exhibitions). Not all of it was top quality but lots of hidden gems for all you art enthusiasts out there.

Freemantle Market - On every Friday until Sunday. It is nice to get a tram down to this bohemian district of Perth, have a wander and soak up the atmosphere. In the evenings the district of "Freeo" comes alive with bars and nightspots.

Australia for a Tenner

STA Travel have recently launched an advertising campaign which seems too good to be true - fly to Australia for a tenner. Like most things that seem too good to be true it probably is. Most people will unfortunately not be able to take advantage of this promotion. One of the restrictions is that you have to be between the ages of 18-30.

However for the eventual lucky 150 this is the deal:

1. Register online here

2. Queue up outside one of STA's 8 select branches on Wednesday 5th August at 8am (or to guarantee you will be one of the lucky ones start camping outside a few days before!)

3. Hand over your tenner

4. Get a working visa (STA are charging £149)

5. Start packing for an adventure of a lifetime down under.

Good luck!

Great Natural Sights in Australia

They don't call it "Australia Fair" for nothing. Australia is a stunning country. The countries low population together with their relatively good environmental policies help protect the many areas of natural beauty. Amongst the more spectacular are:

Uluru (or Ayres Rock) - You have seen it depicted on a thousand postcards but it is so much more spectacular to visit in person. Its many changing colours at sunrise or sunset give you the perfect holiday snap of your own! Although costly to get out there in both time and money (so much so that we almost left it out) in hindsight thank goodness we didn't as we would have regretted it in a big way. Its sheer size is jaw dropping and you can understand why it is so important to the Aboriginal people.

Great Barrier Reef - Does breathtaking natural beauty get any better than this? Maybe, but as far as colours, sights and diversity of sub aquatic life it is unsurpassed in my experience. The first time I just snorkelled around the inner reef. The second time I went on a diving holiday and explored the outer reef in more detail. If you have the time, inclination and budget try and dive - it is so much better.

Kings Canyon - Protected from the harsh desert climate by the steep sides of the canyon are pre-historic ferns and rainforest fauna. I didn't really expect to be so impressed by the sheer size and beauty of the canyon. I guess you prepare yourself for Uluru and just think of Kings Canyon as a side-show...something to break up the journey on the way to the coast. This couldn't be further from the truth. A visit is a must.

Blue Mountains National Park - The Mountains look blue from a distance due to oils released by all the eucalyptus trees creating a blue haze. (Now you know!) Conveniently located a short drive from Sydney the Blue Mountains provide welcome respite from the summer heat. Go there to walk, climb or just sit back and admire the views. Just remember to take plenty of water!

Jenolan Caves - The biggest and best caves I have ever seen (not that I am a cave expert!) If stalactites and stalagmites are your thing I am sure you will love them...!

Twelve Apostles - You can see these monolithic limestone stacks whilst driving along the Great Ocean Road between Melbourne and Adelaide. Sadly they will not be around for ever due to coastal erosion. Within recent years one collapsed and the famous London Bridge caved in.

Whitehaven Beach, The Whitsunday Islands - Do beaches get more pure white than this? Australia has its fair share of beaches but this is the one that always tops the charts.

The Pinnacles - Perhaps not as impressive as the other sights listed here but certainly the West Coasts most bizarre natural beauty. If you have an interest in geology then you will have a greater understanding of how they were created by tectonic plates. For the rest of us this multitude of limestone stacks in the middle of the desert provides the perfect opportunity to take lots of ridiculous photos!