7 Awesome Reasons why You Should Travel to Australia
By Marie Nieves
When visiting Australia, the worst thing you can do is staying at one place the entire time. Not because certain cities are uninteresting or not worth seeing, but because there is so much out there – literally out there! Here are seven reasons why you should come here.
1. Big Cities
Australia has always been special since most of its population is concentrated in certain small regions where big cities worth visiting are located. When staying in Sydney, for example, you will be mesmerized by the harbor, the Opera House and the nearby bridge, as well as the Royal National Park and other attractions. It surely offers as much as other most popular tourists destinations, but with so much less tourists.
2. Festivals
For those who like partying and enjoying culture, various festivals are the way to go. From music festival in Canberra to the Biennale of Sydney where you can see the best contemporary art has to offer, there is something for everyone. I enjoyed the Writers’ Festival in Sydney the most – with names like Breaking Bad’s Vince Gilligan, Irvine Welsh and even Alice Walker visiting last year, you cannot go wrong if literature is your thing.
3. Food
Australia’s cuisine includes plenty of meat – even infamous kangaroo meat which is more popular with the tourists than the locals – and tasty dressings from berries and vegetables found in the bush. While the Australian cuisine is now more international-oriented with influences from all over the world, the absolutely best thing to try are deserts: oats/coconuts-based Anzac biscuits and the Pavlova, a meringue cake garnished with fruits.
4. Wellness and Spa
A visit to a wellness center is a relaxing and enjoyable activity – there is nothing better than being pampered and massaged after a long day of sightseeing. With a wide offer including everything from spa treatments to physical therapies – I could stay at the facial treatment all day long, if you ask me – a mental health retreat at the Gold Coast represents the opposite of city rush and is definitely a health tourist destination worth visiting.
5. National Parks and Nature
Australia is so much more than big cities and when it comes to national parks, Queensland is full of them. Noosa, Tewantin, Mapleton Falls and Conondale National Park present a different Australia from what one expects and after going there and experiencing the untouched nature they offer just once, you are going to want to come back – trust me!
6. Beaches
Sometimes you just want to lie under the Sun and do nothing, and that is why beaches are ideal for a relaxing holiday. Whether you want to swim, dive, surf or get a tan, you will find plenty of options at numerous beaches of the Sunshine Coast. Ultimately, they are the best way to relax after a couple of tiring day spent parading through Sydney.
7. Islands
This continent has over eight thousand islands including Tasmania, Melville Island, Kangaroo Island and the famous New Year Island – a reserve for endangered wild animals. While not all are suitable for a soothing afternoon swim, many can become a part of your vacation and only after visiting them can you grasp this country’s entire beauty.
In Conclusion
After a fortnight in Australia – a week in Sydney and a week in the Sunshine Coast – I was left with nothing by awe for this place. Its size ensures versatility and those who, unlike me, like to spend their holiday physically active will have a blast here. On the other hand, beaches, culture and good food ensures a good time for more peaceful types of tourists as well.