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Top 5 Reasons to Visit Australia

Australia may seem like a world away, but that does not mean you should skip out on traveling to this magical place. The short-term hardship of a long flight will be worth it when you experience the childlike wonder of seeing a hopping kangaroo. Here are five points of inspiration to start planning your trip:

Australia’s Unique Climate:
Located in the Southern hemisphere, Australia has opposite seasons as the Northern hemisphere. This can be a travel bonus for Americans and Europeans wanting to escape from winter temperatures. Australia is currently having one of their hottest summers on record. While Australia’s seasons are typically milder than the U.S., Australia’s local climates vary greatly, from wet and humid rainforests to the dry deserts of the outback. You can be chilly wearing a coat in Melbourne on the same day as being comfortable in Cairns wearing shorts with flip-flops. For strategic packing, zero in on where you want to go and research that location’s weather.

Activities to Please Everyone:
Australia is a big place, which means you couldn’t possibly see and do it all in one quick trip. You can go from a five-star dinner with a view of the Sydney Opera House, to an invigorating trek through the mountains, to relaxing on the hottest beaches. Australia has activities for everyone, such as:

• Scuba dive or snorkel at The Great Barrier Reef.
• Spend a few days in Sydney seeing the sites, including a Harbour boat trip to Manly Beach.
• Take the train to the Blue Mountains for some trekking and lunch.
• Visit one of the wine regions and do a tour.
• Fly to Alice Springs and visit the Outback.
• Sail to the Whitsundays and check out Whitehaven Beach.
• Enjoy one of Australia’s other metropolitan cities like Melbourne or Brisbane.

Oceanic Fun for Travelers:
Most of Australia’s population is scattered along the coastlines, making the sea a focal point of a lot of cities and towns. The Gold Coast is known for its spectacular beaches. To escape the crowds of New South Wales and Queensland, consider flying to the more remote cities of Western Australia. This coast sees less tourism, and you may have entire stretches of sandy beaches to yourself. It is also worth a flight to Cairns to visit The Great Barrier Reef, which is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Be sure to find a reputable tour company that is eco-friendly and doing their part to protect the reef.

Find Exceptional Fauna:
Australia’s exotic animals are incredibly unique. What animal lover doesn’t dream of seeing koala bears, kangaroos, and wallabies? Can you believe they also have crocodiles swimming in the ocean? Signs at Australian beaches warn swimmers of their presence. Other scary animals include box jellyfish and Eastern brown snakes, which you should avoid. Take time to plan where and how to enjoy the wildlife.

Interesting Foods to Taste:
Australia boasts unique and delicious foods for visitors to try. Top of the list of must-try foods would be meat pies. Street vendors and pubs often serve these tasty, flaky pie-crusts filled with meat. If you are an adventurous meat-eater, some restaurants serve crocodile and kangaroo steaks (both considered as delicious). With most of the population living along the coast, fresh seafood is readily available in markets and restaurants.

Finally, it would be impossible to discuss Australian cuisine without mentioning Vegemite. The yeasty spread is often used like butter. Depending on the person you ask, Vegemite is either loved or despised. Try it to see which side you fall on when you take a trip to the Down Under.

Have we piqued your interest to plan the trip of a lifetime to Australia? Do you have additional Australian travel tips? Tell our team at Eat, Heal, Travel via our Twitter or Facebook page.