The Real Salzburg

From the outer courtyard of Festung Hohensalzburg which guards over the historic city below, the awnings, spires and monuments each adorned with a turban of snow, Salzburg appears as an artist’s impression of itself. Walking the winding path that alternates from asphalt to cobblestone under foot it all feels real enough.

Nonnberg one of the world’s oldest functioning convents, made famous in “Sound of Music, the cold hard bricks as stoic and ancient as its inhabitants prove to be nothing more than a façade to the warmth of the nuns worshipful song that emanates though its doors and windows.

This is not the only façade in Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart. 47 percent of the city was destroyed during 15 bombing raids during World War 2, when the Allies weaponry was not as pinpoint accurate as today’s military. Despite architects and stonemasons recreation of the city showing amazing attention to detail, the city is an artist’s impression of its former self.

A forgery. Replica.

Reminiscent of the codes in a Dan Brown novel the city keeps its secrets by putting them out in full view. One just has to pay attention to the details. Interpretive signs include phrases such as “copy” or “print” guides will tell you that artefacts are “of the period” or “in the style”.

Another sign of the lack of authenticity are the prices. While in other European cities museums, palaces and galleries all charge admission. Salzburg the vast majority have free entry. The subtleness of this clue is in its audacity.

Mozart, arguably Salzburg’s most famous son has his own museum. Mozart Geburtshaus, his birthplace, in keeping with the Salzburg style is full of artefacts that represent the history of Mozart and his family. The violin, has been confirmed by Mozart’s sister to be the same make and size as the actual violin Mozart received for his 6^th birthday – without being the actual violin Mozart received for his 6^th birthday. Similarly there is a piano that is described as “similar to the one Mozart owned”.

The four locks of hair sealed in Perspex cubes are accompanied by a sign declaring that DNA evidence proves that three of the samples do indeed come from the same person, but can not confirm that they came from the famed composer’s head or the head of any of his relatives. By omission this sign also tells visitors that at least one lock of hair is nothing more than, well just a lock of hair.

What is real is the hot drinks served at the Geburtshaus café. The hot chocolate is served with a spoon that can stand up in the “drink”. More like a meal than a drink it is like warm pudding mix just before it sets.

Reality can also be found in the much shunned and slightly kitch Sound of Music tour. Although not geographically fitting together as they do in the multi Oscar© ward winning movie, the rotunda, the fountain, the abby (both the actual abby-Nonnberg and the church shown on film Mondsee Cathedral) Leopolskron Castle (Captain von Trapp’s home) and so much more. The laughs and singing are all real on this tour. Apple strudel at St Gilgen will become one of your favourite things.

The residents of Salzburg are also real and so is the beer and the Augustinerbräu Kloster Mülln is a real mix of both. Consisting of three halls each the size of a basketball court furnished with rows of long wooden tables where patrons can sit with approximately 200 of their new best friends on equally long wooden benches – Hogwarts dining hall except the magic here is real. In total this is a mammoth beer hall hosting up to 2000 guests at a time The menu is simple: bread, dip, cheese, roast chicken and sausage. And beer. Beer is sold by the litre in steins patrons wash for themselves in a fountain. There are people in traditional costumes, chinking of steins, singing of traditional folk and dancing. This beer hall is everything Hollywood producers tell us European beer halls once were. Regardless of age or language, the social connection in this place is real

Salzburg was once an extremely wealthy principality, due mainly to its salt mines, and its wealth is evident, in the quality of its replications; its boutique retail strip, RezidenzPlatz, its fortress or Rezidenz Palace.

Although many of the furnishings and fittings are replicas and recreations, Rezidenz the former home of the Prince Archbishops of Salzburg is pure opulence. Now one of Austria’s premier art the the furnishings and décor make the Marriott Renaissance Hotel Royal Suite in Dubai look like a shack. The ornate heaters alone would be worth more than a modest inner city apartment in many of the world’s capital cities.

To escape your own reality venture to Salzburg for a few days to experience reality of a different kind.

Same But Different

The world never ceases to amaze me. International technology designers have come together to agree on the shape and size of USB ports. The computer companies agree the manufacturers of external gadgetry agree, everyone agrees. They are all the same.

Their also appears to an international agreement about the size and shape of batteries. Whilst the agreement is inclusive of a wide range of battery sizes and differences in the amount of power they contain, there is still universal acceptance of these differences.

Airlines have also managed to agree on the size and shape of boarding passes and the basic information they must contain. A Qantas boarding pass fits into the scanning system for FinAir.

Visa, I would never leave home without it because again amazingly it works in every country, even countries that have a GDP lower than my personal credit limit.

Coke can get its brand, packaging and flavour the same all around the world. The consistency of MacDonalds although slightly alarming is also reassuring. When in a country where it is important to learn the word “testicle” just in case it appears on a menu it is comforting to know that $10 of fat and sugar is in the shape of a burger and fries. Supersized of course.

What amazes me most though is that despite all of this consistency we cannot agree on electrical sockets. I carried three different adaptors on my recent holiday, only to discover I was one short. How hard can it be to agree on the number and shape of a few holes in the wall.

While I am on the subject it was most disconcerting to discover “Vienna” is really spelt “Wien”. When did the English speaking world decide that Austrians were not clever enough to either spell or pronounce the name of their capital correctly? Who are we to decide that what the name really needed was an extra n and a? And who is to say that we have these letters spare that we can be giving them away so freely?

Surely if it is “Wien” then that is what the whole world should call it? There are plenty of other cities that suffer this same challenge. I do not mean mispronunciations like Americanised “MelbORne” or “UStralia” I mean changing the name to something similar but completely different.

Also why do Europeans change their computer keyboards, swapping the positions of the “z” and the “y”? Perhaps they are just getting us back for the whole Vienna/Wien debarcle.

Oh the humaitz!

A Right Royal Pain

My grandmother describes cold weather movement similes; most frequently nippy or brisk. If that is the case then Austrian winters are like an Olympic sprinter. Gloves designed for Australian winters are only suitable for indoors when visiting the Continent. Australian beanies are no better.

It is so cold in Austrian winters, and as I will discover later on my journeys in other areas of Europe, that I would not be at all surprised if maternity wards at the end of each summer/beginning Autumns were closed.

The weather causes a lot of shrinkage, even inside thermals. Getting ready for a shower I scared myself when catching a glimpse of my mangina in the mirror. Most alarming was that I had not tucked anything between my legs! How a man stays “upright” in such chilled conditions is unimaginable – even having seen the beauty of their women?

It could be argued that sex is of course a great way to keep warm in such extreme conditions. Exercise and sharing body warmth are both proven ways of staving off the cold. Emperor Joseph proved this to be true siring eleven children.

Making this reproductive feat all the more impressive his wife was originally his cousin and she did not love him. Throughout the duration of their marriage his wife acquired her own apartment within the palace, earned her own income and spent her life travelling abroad leaving the Emperor to hear of her whereabouts through the press.

Despite his own intestinal marriage - traditionally the way of English royalty and Tasmanians the Austrian Empire expanded its territories through marriages not war. Maria Antionette, wife of Napolean was the favourite daughter of Joseph. Of course she did not enjoy the same favour in France where she was ultimately beheaded. This marriage did not acquire new land for Austria it did however prevent losing some land.

Other marriages expanded the Austrian borders into Hungary and Bulgaria and saw it gain favour with the British Empire. Whilst Joseph was busy earning the favours with the marriages of his children the Empress was gaining favour of her own, mainly with Bulgarian aristocracy and royals. The death of one Bulgarian prince reportedly caused her much personal grief. Now if only New Idea was in existence then to record the lurid details and saucy photographs of their affair.

The Austrian Imperial family, in its history also played a part in bringing down the Roman Empire, a marriage here a divorce there. Either way you know the Romans blamed it on the in-laws.

Mozart played for the Empress in her private suite, her court, within Schloss Schönbrunn. A grand palace which once housed over 1600 people with opulent interior design and extensive grounds including Europe’s first zoo and a guard tower from which one can see all of Vienna.

Mozart first performed to the royal court at the age of six. At the age of six I had not yet mastered the building of a Lego car good enough to show my own mother let alone compose and perform arias to royal houses.

Embarrassingly I injured my foot within the palace. The balls of the big and little toes on both feet, nothing specific just general soreness and tenderness. Just from walking around the palace and its grounds. Not even extreme power walking, more of a meandering wander. In the last four years I have trekked the Namibian desert and South African savannah and climbed the Inca trail in Peru. I do not own a car so travel everywhere within my home city on foot, all without incident. I spend a lazy afternoon strolling through a palace and am left lame for days.

Roommates

Throughout my holiday I had more than one moment of concern about my own levels of personal hygiene. In the first 48 hours of arriving in Austria I had five different roommates. One of those only shared the room for six hours.

Is there something people are not telling me? Do I have spinach in between my teeth? Do I have BO?

Talking of which I did share with one Iranian man who did suffer from the worst BO I have ever experienced. It hung in the air like ash from an Icelandic volcano and caused just as much disruption.

This man’s BO you could tell when he was in the room from the moment you walked through the front door of the hostel. Despite the fact our room was on the second floor right at the end of the corridor, it was easily detectable. Over the aromas emanating fro the kitchen. Over the stench of stale cigarette smoke from the smokers pit in the foyer. Over the combination of sweat, hormones and cheap deodorant worn by the teenagers on school based ski camps. This man’s offensive perfume was detectable throughout the three storey four winged hostel.

His perfume was a mix of four ingredients; sweat, feet, halitosis and faeces.

I should not complain too much as his BO did have two positive effects. Firstly it successfully replaced my with a feeling of constant nausea, so although not pleasant it was effective in helping me lose a little weight. Secondly as a long time insomniac the gaseous emissions did knock me out. Cold.

I wonder if this is what the coalition of the willing meant when they talked about WMDs? Whiffs of mass destruction.

The other recurring problem I had throughout my vacation was snoring. The antidote to the slumbering affect of BO snoring can keep one awake for hours.

The worst snorer I came a cross was in St Moritz. It was a noise that sounded as though he had inhaled some of his bedding and piece of linen was still stuck in his throat. Ironic considering my head was full of thoughts of forcing the entire duna/quilt/duvet down his throat. I tried making loud noises. I tried lobbing items at his person I even resorted to yelling, all in a vain attempt to wake him up slightly to break the snoring pattern.

It worked to a point. He did wake up slightly and he did roll over. Unfortunately he snored equally loudly whether he be on his back, side or stomach.

I barely survived one night with the one man freight train, asking to swap rooms for the following night. The hostel staff obliged, without telling me the jack-hammer was departing that day. I readily changed room leaving my one snoring companion forever behind me only to move into a room with three snorers.

Interestingly they operated like a gang of schoolyard bullies. The leader snored, and as if in an attempt to intimidate their victim, (me) the other two echoed the snore of their captain. Bullies get their sense of power from the cowering of their chosen victim. Research has shown that if people stand up to the bully there may be an initial elevation in the violence but it soon subsides and the bullying ceases as the leader loses their sense of power.
I did yell and raise the ire of the lead snorer as I woke him. After a few cross words and what I can only assume were profanities – it is very hard to maintain a verbal argument whilst laying horizontal in bunk beds on opposite sides of a darkened room when the two protagonists speak different languages. It worked though. He stopped snoring and very soon after the exhaling rumblings of his stooges also ceased.

Stories and Silliness from the Snow - Back to the future

Travelling from Australia is unusual in as much that to get to most destinations a traveller must travel back in time. Travel west and the time travel is incremental usually in one hour blocks. Even Perth finds itself up to three hours in the past compared to the cities on the east coast. Travel east and not soon after New Zealand and suddenly a traveller loses an entire day as the international dateline is crossed.

On a previous holiday time stood still when I had three flights from three different countries and they all departed at 3pm on the same day. Don’t worry about jetlag, this sort of experience does your head in. Coming back to Australia from the east is no better as a 24hour flight takes up to 48hours by the clock. Coming back across the dateline and a n entire day just completely disappears.

In both examples I am left with the worrying philosophical dilemma “did I actually exist”. If I completely missed a day am I really one day younger. If I take off at 3pm arrive at 1pm on the same day did I have a “Groundhog Day” moment? Did I get a do-over? If a plane lands before it takes off did it ever fly at all?

I suggest this problem of the time-space continuum should be investigated more thoroughly, particularly as part of any carbon emissions debate. If the plane never really flew then it never really emitted any carbon.

On the upside, for business people with poor time management taking a flight to Perth every once in a while is a creative way of getting an extra few hours into your dairy to finish a task or two.

If travel was a classroom, then travelling west is like a teacher who gives you a few extra minutes to finish the page of maths, only to take the time away again (travelling back east) by keeping you in at lunchtime.

Travelling east is more like when the whole class does not understand the concept as so the teacher decides to start over from the very beginning – just before surprising the class with a surprise Saturday detention. Your weekend inexplicably disappears.

Stories and Silliness from the Snow - Lost!

I do not have good sense of direction at the best of times. Put me in a region where all of the signs are in German, in cities I have never seen before where the traffic is all on the wrong side of the road and I am hopeless. Agreed if the language on the signs is the same as the language on the map then it should not matter. It does.

I spent weeks going the opposite direction than intended. Every time.

In Vienna I visited Zentral Friedhof (Central Cemetery). It has a lot of Jewish graves and a lot of graves in general. It is a dauntingly large cemetery. Big enough that graves are themed, by religion, profession, birthplace. It is big enough to warrant three tram stops all on the same route to cover the distance between the different sections.

On the same day having visited the cemetery I planned to have lunch at Schilzelwirt Schmidt, home of the worlds best schnitzel, before visiting Mozarthaus.

Due to my poor sense of direction on this particular day I also had unscheduled viewings of
• St Stephen’s Cathedral
• Imperial Palace
• Spanish Riding School (twice)
• Museum of Fine Arts
• Folks Garden
• Austrian and European Union government offices

Having accidentally seen these places whilst in transit did not do anything to increase my ability to find them again when it came time to tour these places of interest.

For the record

Schilzelwirt Schmidt: truly delectable schnitzels. Mammoth portions, my meal included three full sized schnitzels, 7 full potatoes, layers of ham and cheese and enough cheese sauce to drown a small child. My heart and stomach hated it but my taste buds were in Bavarian heaven. Yes that was all one serve. This meal also commenced my stomachs preparation for the portion sizes of America, which were yet to come.

Mozarthaus: this building was definitely owned by and lived in by Mozart and his family for two and a half years. After this fact the rest of the museum and tour is based on conjecture, rumour and hearsay. The “facts” presented in Mozarthaus is based on out-of-context quotes from letters and journals. Any furnishings in the house were replicas, merely representing the furniture of the era. Not even the furniture Mozart actually owned but merely representative of the type of furniture he might have owned. The museum could not even say with certainty which room was which. “This room is likely to have been used as a bedroom.” In reality this museum is simply an inner city apartment with Mozart’s name on the sign hanging on the front door and a CD of his music playing in what may have been the room he wrote his music. This experience cost Euro4.50. I tried paying with replica money, representative on the money a tourist might actually use.

Europe - people are dying to get in

Living in backpackers is a great way to meet interesting people. Interesting because of their countries of origins, interesting because of their holiday plans – past, present and future, interesting because of their smell (more about this in later blogs) and interesting because of their jobs – past present and future.

Staying at Hotel Hütteldorf in Vienna Austria I shared with an Austrian male who was currently unemployed and homeless – and yes unfortunately the later is as a result of the former condition.
He was travelling throughout Europe searching for gainful employment in his field of speciality.

Cemetery design. In his words “he brings energy to the holes”. Ignoring the obvious and disturbing connections to German defecation porn or the more disturbing possibility of necrophilia I think it means he designed crypts and mausoleums.

I was surprised he was unemployed as despite all of the advances in medical science and downturns in economies people continue to die. In Europe where there are so many people squashed into every decreasing amount of spaces I would have thought the need for effective and space efficient disposal of corpses would be at a premium.

Apparently the global financial crisis means that although the people are still dying leaving their relatives in need for appropriate holes, they can no longer afford holes that are energetic.

Stories and Silliness from the Snow - Time To Go

My holiday almost started with a bang, literally. At Southern Cross Station to board the airport shuttle for my 11.30pm flight a 77 year old American was threatening to shoot out the tyres of the bus.

He had arrived just as the previous bus was pulling out and obviously could not wait the ten minutes till the next one and having seen episodes of Airline thought it imperative that he make a scene.

What was more surprising than his outburst was his surprise that the staff at a major transport hub serving Australia’s second biggest international airport would become quite anxious and aggressive toward a passenger threatening to shoot live ammunition. He could not believe they would even consider calling the police and banning him from travelling on the next bus.

If anyone should know about how over-the-top airport security can get it should be an American.

They did not ban him and I had the dubious honour of sitting next to him to the airport where he retold his story, proudly though still dumbfounded at the staff reaction. Thankfully our shared journey would end at Melbourne airport as he was on route to Hobart, Tasmania. Not that he had purchased a ticket. This late at night his chances of there being a flight to Hobart was slim at best, let alone there still being tickets available. I can only wonder what his reaction would have been if ticketing staff told him he had to wait until the next flight which would be not in 10 minutes time but the following morning.

I enjoy flying. As a former insomniac I have used long-haul flights to catch up on new and recently released movies. However I am over the worst of this debilitating condition, which meant I got to see the first 20-30 minutes of the new and recently released movies. Or maybe I am just getting old. Dad has only ever seen the first 20-30 minutes of every movie he has seen for more than 30 years. My Dad has never struggled from lack of sleep. He can dose off standing up or mid conversation – when he is the one talking!

When an aeroplane serves cereal, juice and fresh cubed fruit for breakfast why do they give you salt, pepper, knife and fork.

Arriving in Hong Kong I was confronted by numerous Honk Kongians/Hong Kongansese/Honk Kongisians/Hong Kongish with face-masks that have been shown to not only not reduce the risk of infection but actually increase the chance of infection as they create a warm moist environment for viruses to breed close to the nose and mouth. I was also confronted by urinals that either prove the rumours are false – Asian men are in reality very well endowed – or that the rumours are true – Asians are short.

The urinals were so low to the ground I had to check I had actually walked into the adult amenities. As it turns out the urinals were the perfect height for me, and I am 182cm tall!

Two more things about the Hong Kong Airport. The warnings about keeping bags in view are authorised by the Hong Kong Police Crime Prevention Authority. This only raises concerns about how serious police corruption in this country is if they have had to create an authority of police crime.

The other thing was I wanted to buy a fridge magnet just to prove I had been in the country. Such tacky items are not available from the international airport though. There was no room for a souvenir stand in amongst Versace, Armani, Hugo Boss and Prada. Ironic really that a province of China – home of the tacky souvenirs sold in every other country – does not have souvenirs of its own.

Boarding my flight to Finland I was concerned about the three children under the age of 5 sitting in the row in front of me and two others in the row behind me. I need not have worried though. The drunk guy who fought loudly with his girlfriend throughout the entire 10hour flight, broken only by him calling out to his equally drunk mates eight rows back made the perfect distraction from the gurgling and chatter of the children..

Helsinki airport offers overpriced souvenirs and regular height urinals to its travellers.

Thirtyfour hours, three flights, 4 lunches, 2 dinners, 1 breakfast, 2 buses, 1 train 3km of walking, a gun wielding American 3 kids and a drunken domestic later I arrived in my first destination

Mr Sandman

International sand sculptors have set up camp at Docklands Melbourne. Opening Monday 11 January the artists have literally created their sculpture on site. Visitors will be able to see the artists at work early on during the exhibition as they put the finishing touches on their work.

Workshops are also being held for children aged 4-12 years, and there is not a small brightly coloured plastic bucket in sight. This is an art workshop and parents will not have to pretend to know what the work is or how masterful their offspring’s artistic skills are. After all if an artist makes a mistake with sand they just smooth it down and start again.

Visitors need to know that as impressive as the sculpture is, there is only one piece. Parents looking for something to entertain their children in the last days of school holidays will need to think of other activities if they want to fill in a whole day. Luckily there are lots of things to see and do at Docklands in the CBD and along Southbank.

Dates
11 – 31 January
Location
Waterfront City Piazza
429-437 Docklands Drive, Docklands
Cost
Free
Workshops
11 – 17 January
10.30am, 11.15am, 12noon and 12.45pm
Bookings essential 9658 9658

20ten Walks

Walking in Australia can be dangerous due to the elements and native fauna. Always be prepared wearing appropriate clothing, sun protection and provisions including water. The Australian environment is fragile so follow the old adage of taking nothing but photographs and leave nothing but footprints.

1. HEYSEN TRAIL, SA
The Heysen Trail goes from Cape Jervis on the Fleurieu Peninsula through to Paranchila Gorge in South Australia’s north. There are numerous mapped walks that cater for all needs from the casual day trip to the serious bushwalker. There are accommodation and camping sites along the path.

The Heysen Trail is marked by red and white markers however they can be hard to see in some areas. It does close during summer due to the high fire danger.

Web
www.heysentrail.asn.au

2. MELBOURNE’S GOLDEN MILE, VIC
This walk will take visitors to all of the historic sites in Melbourne. Guided tours will explain the heritage and stories of each site. The trail is approximately 4km and can take 2-3hours to complete. Guided tours are 2hrs in duration. The trail focuses on the business and political districts of Melbourne’s CBD.

Web
www3.visitvictoria.com

Costs
Tour $20/$15
Tour book $8
Location
Tour starts in Federation Square, it is marked by gold medallions embedded into the footpath

3. JINDABYNE, NSW
Jindabyne is perhaps better known as a ski resort during the snow season however it offers spectacular bushwalking throughout spring and summer. The walks are through the outer edge of Kosciusko National Park, the wildflowers are spectacular and the wildlife unique. Walkers have the opportunity to see to of the Australian animal icons and the wombats if you see them are huge!

Even in the height of summer the average maximum temperature is 10 degrees Celsius. Maps of walking trails area available.

Web
www.walkthru-jindabyne.com
Cost
Park entry June to October $27/vehicle
Rest of the year $16/vehicle

4. INTERNATIONAL WALKING WEEKEND, ACT
This annual walking event raises funds to local community organizations, in 2010 the money raised will go to the Lions Club of Canberra. The program includes 5km, 10km, 30km, 30km and 42km routes that pass some of Canberra’s natural and built environment landmarks.

This organisation offers four other walks throughout the year around Capital Hill and each of Canberra’s three lakes.
Web
www.aussiewalk.com.au
Dates
27-28 March
Cost
Registration from $25/$20
Year round walks $5 per walk
Location
Cnr Kings Avenue and Blackall Street Barton

5. BIBBULMUN TRACK, WA
The track goes from Kalamunda near Perth to Albany, one of the most southern points of mainland Australia. The track has 48 campsites along its length and numerous lookouts. Boot cleaning stations are also located along the track to help prevent the spread of “die-black disease” carried by spores in the soil. The entire track is nearly 1000km in length and can take up to 8 weeks to traverse. However is it possible to undertake shorter walks including day trips.

A number of group walks of differing lengths are organised throughout the year.
Web
www.bibbulmuntrack.org,au

6. KAKADU NATIONAL PARK, NT
There are 25 different walking trails throughout Kakadu, all of them will take visitors to some of the most beautiful and rugged terrain in the world. Kakadu is somewhat of a tropical oasis in the northern outback. Choose your walk according to length and difficulty as well as preferred scenery; rain forest, wetlands, bushland, desert. Most of the walks are free.

Be sure to take your camera, and be aware of the wildlife that may not be as thrilled to see you as you are to see them.

Web
www.en.travelnt.com
Cost
Entry into Kakadu National Park $25/person

7. GREAT OCEAN WALK, VIC
The walk is designed to be step on-step off allowing visitors to walk as much as they want to along the 91km beach trail between Apollo Bay and Glenample Homestead near the 12 Apostles. There are 11 “decision points” along the trail, and the different sections are of different difficulty. There are seven hike in and four drive in campsites along the walk.

Web
www.greatoceanwalk.greatoceanroad.com.au

8. CRADLE MOUNTAIN, TAS
Simply put there are 60 walks mapped out across Tasmania, around its coastline, inland and Bass Strait islands. The most popular is arguable Cradle Mountain Summit. This walk is approximately 8hours return. It is graded as a level 3 walk meaning that a good level of fitness is required as the track is steep and has rough surfaces. The walk takes visitors from 900m to 1545m at the summit, the view are worth the effort. The weather conditions can change rapidly and in winter walkers may experience ice and snow on the track.

Web
www.parks.tas.gov.au
Cost
Park Entry $16.50/$8.25
Location
Lake Dove Road, Dove Lake

9. WALLAMAN FALLS, QLD
Wallaman Falls is part of Girringun National Park in Queenslands Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. There are eight different mapped walked within this area ranging from half to three days with campsites maintained along their length. These walks will take visitors into the heart of Australia’s tropiccal rain forests

Some walks ma be closed during the wet season, September to May

Web
www.derm.qld.gov.au/parks_and_forests/great_walks/wet_tropics/walks_from_wallaman_falls
Costs
Camping permit from $5/night
Walk entry $4.50
Location
Drive along Abergowrie Road 51km south west from Ingham then follow the signs from Trebonne, part of the road is unsealed.

10. WATERFALL GULLY, SA
The perfect walking trail for a family walk on a pleasant Sunday afternoon. It is a relatively easy walk with the reward of a picnic at the base of the falls. Chidlren will love exploring the falls themselves, under adult supervision - of course. There is also a tea room.

The walk starts just 8km east of Adelaide in Cleland National Park. The park consists of seen waterfalls. The walks are of varying difficulty but handrails have been installed.

Web
www.burnside.sa.gov.au
Location
Waterfall Gull Road, Waterfall Guly

20ten Islands

1. ROTTNEST ISLAND, WA
Rottnest Island is just 19km offshore from Fremantle. Perfect for a day trip or a longer stay. Rottnest is the home of the quokka. When discovered the quokka was considered to be a big rat. It is for this reason the island got its name, originally “Rotte Nest”, Dutch for “rats nest”.

Visitors wanting to take their own vehicle (car or boat) to the island must complete an application form. For visitors without their own water vessel there are ferries operating daily from Fremantle, Hillary’s Boat Harbour and Barrack Street Jetty. The Rottnest Air Taxi operates out of Jandakot Airport. Flights are on demand during daylight hours and cost from $80/person return. The 12minute flight gives passengers the perfect view of Perth and Rottnest Island.

The island offers visitors 63 beaches, scuba diving and snorkelling, bicycle riding, wildlife, a fun park golf and loads of European and Aboriginal History.

Web
www.rottnestisland.com

2. GROOTE EYLANDT, NT
This is the largest island in the Gulf of Carpentaria (between the tops of Queensland and Northern Territory). Located 50km offshore from Arnhem Land, Groote Eylandt is the home of the Anindilyakwa people. It was named s Dutch for “Large Island”

There is a large manganese mine on the island operated by BHP. It is also a great location for sport fishing. Groote Eylandt is the site for some of Australia’s best examples of Aboriginal rock paintings.

Visitors to Groote Eylandt will need to book a flight with either Bluebird Cargo or Airnorth, which both offer limited flight schedules.

3. MAGNETIC ISLAND, QLD
Magnetic Island is just 8km offshore from Townsville. Passenger ferries, water taxis and car ferries service the island regularly throughout the day. Flights are also available through Virgin Blue from Brisbane.

Activities are cram packed onto the island and in its bays. Sea kayaking, sailboards, catamarans, aqua-bikes and jet-skiing are all available along with scuba diving. On land visitors can hire trail bikes, scooters and bicycles. The most popular activity is exploring the island in a Moke, hireable on the island.

Restaurants, souvenirs and accommodation make Magnetic Island the complete tourist destination

Web
www.magnetic-island.com.au

4. HAYMAN ISLAND, QLD
This privately owned island is located amongst the Whitsunday Islands, on the Great Barrier Reef. Its location and climate means that it is home to some of Australia’s most unique tropical fish and plant life.

The island is a 5 star resort so it is all landscaped with gardens, bushland and rainforests making it great for pleasant walks. Hayman Island has diverse fauna including the endangered Prosperine Rock Wallaby.

Getting to Hayman Island is easy, with most airlines servicing Great Barrier Reef Airport. From the airport seaplanes, helicopters and luxury cruisers service Hayman Island. It is a resort and therefore offers everything one would expect an island getaway to provide; golf, spa, aquatic sports and activities walking tours, cooking classes and retial therapy – all for a price. Rooms start at $850 per person per night.

Web
www.hatman.com.au

5. FRASER ISLAND
This island is 123km long and 22km wide making it the largest sand island in the world. It is heritage listed. Amongst is beautiful natural features are the sand cliffs over 200m tall and the 100 freshwater lakes of varying colours, and of course the white sandy beaches.

Fraser Island is also the only place in the world where rainforests grow on sand. This means many of the plants, birds, animals and insects can only be found here. Snorkelling and scuba diving from Fraser Island will give swimmers the opportunity to see dugongs, turtles and tropical fish. It is a great location for fishing and four-wheel driving.

Drive or fly to Hervey Bay and then take the Fraser Island Ferry, which departs three times daily. It costs $150 return per vehicle (driver and 3 passengers). Accommodation and tours are available.

Web
www.fraserisland.net

6. FORT DENISON, NSW
This unusual island in Sydney Harbour used to be 15m high peak of sandstone rock. Convicts quarried it for construction work being undertaken in Circular Quay, gradually flattening the island over time. It was also used to gibbet convicts’ bodies after execution to deter future would-be criminals.

It was fortified to help protect Sydney from foreign waterborne attack, with construction commencing in 1839 but not completed until 1857. It includes the only Martello tower built in Australia, and the last one built by the British Empire.

It is now a museum with function room. Ferry’s depart Circular Quay regularly throughout the day, with tours available.

7. GRANITE ISLAND, SA
Granite Island is 630m offshore from Victor Harbor and is accessible by foot over the wooden causeway a horse drawn tram also services the island departing every 20minutes. The 1.5km Kaiki Walk takes visitors around the island perimeter. With many stops and lookouts along the way it is definitely worth taking the camera.

As well as Australia’s first ever breakwater, Granite Island is also famous for whale watching and the little penguins that have their rockeries on the island. Join a dusk penguin tour to see the Little Penguins return to their nests after a day’s fishing.

Guided tours and café are available.

Web
www.graniteisland.com.au

8. PINE ISLAND, ACT
This is not a permanent island. It only appears when the Murrumbidgee River floods the area around the suburb of Tuggeranong in Canberra. The area is popular for swimming and bushwalking when not in flood. The surrounding reserve is also a popular picnic spot with BBQ facilities.

It is named after the black cypress pines that grow in the area.

9. PHILLIP ISLAND, VIC
Phillip Island is arguably the most visited island in Victoria it is also home of the Australian Moto GP. The most famous attraction is the Penguin Parade (see 20ten Wildlife). It is 140km south east of Melbourne and is accessible by car. Tour companies offer day trips to the island.

Visitors to the island can also visit a day spa, koala conservation park, golf courses, fishing, cruises, helicopter rides, chocolate factory and a maze. Philip Island is also the location for the National Vietnam Veteran Museum.

Web
www.phillipisland.net.au

10. ALBATROSS ISLAND, TAS
Albatross Island is in Bass Strait off the NW corner of Tasmania. It is a rock island with no notable beaches. The strong winds can make it difficult to get ashore.

It is a breeding ground for the white capped albatross and is such a nature reserve. Visiting this island is for the brave as no tour groups service the island which means visitors will need to sail, kayak to the island through one of the most treacherous stretches of water in Australia. As it is a nature reserve visitors are limited. The island is managed by Parks Tasmania.

Web
www.parks.tas.gov.au

20ten Structures

1. SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE, NSW
This landmark bridge has a total span of 1149m. It was six years in construction and was officially opened in 1932. It now carries in excess of 160,000 vehicles a day one its eight lanes of traffic. It also has two train lines, bicycle and walking paths.

It is possible to climb the bridge with a number of different climb experiences available. The climb lasts from 2 to 3.5hours. This includes preparation; dressing into authorised clothing and safety equipment. Climbers will be given a radio headset so that the guide can provide commentary about the bridge history, structure and views.

Web
www.bridgeclimb.com
Cost
From $188/$118
Location
Sydney Harbour Bridge Visitor Centre, 3 Cumberland Street The Rocks

2. ADELAIDE OVAL SCOREBOARD, SA
This heritage-listed scoreboard was first used in 1911. Architect Kenneth Milne designed the Edwardian structure. Inside the scoreboard is four levels connected only by stairs. It’s manually operated mechanics still use mainly original machinery. It takes up to si people to operate the scoreboard.

Tours of the historic Adelaide Oval commence at 10am on weekdays all year round and again at 2pm during the summer with no tours on match days The tour lasts approximately 2hrs and includes a tour of the scoreboard.

Web
www.cricketsa.com.au
Costs
Tour $10/$5
Location
War Memorial Drive, North Adelaide

3. EUREKA SKYDECK 88, VIC
It is the highest viewing platform in the southern hemisphere. It is located on the 88th floor of the world’s tallest residential building at 285m above the ground. There are numerous scope permanently fixed on key locations in Melbourne and its surrounding areas.

Whilst most of the viewing is enclosed there is an external cage in which visitors can experience the view from outside the building. For an additional charge visitors can also go on the Edge, which is a transparent cube, which extends out from the side of the building.

Web
www.eurekaskydeck.com.au
Costs
Entry $16/$11/$9
The Edge $12/$10/$8
Location
Riverside Quay, Southbank Melbourne

4. OLD MELBOURNE GAOL, VIC
Now, no longer in active service, the complex’s most famous inmates include Ned Kelly, who was hanged at the prison and Mark “Chopper” Read. The prison operated from 1842 and 1929, the city watch house was still operational until the 1994.

The goal, now open to the public offers guided tours and interactive experiences in the watch house and Magistrates Court.

Web
www.oldmelbournegaol.com.au
Costs
Entry $21/$16/$11
Hangman’s Tour $30/$22.50
Ghost Tour $140
Location
Cnr La Trobe and Russel Streets, Melbourne

5. ALLAN TANNOCK WEIR, QLD
The weir provides for a great family outdoor experience, there is a picnic area and BBQ facilities. There is a boat ramp and swimming and fishing is allowed 100m from the weir wall.

The surrounded area is full of Red River Gums, Tea Trees and Coolibahs. Visitors can re-enact scenes from Banjo Patterson’s Waltzing Matilda. The trees attract an abundance of bird life. It forms part of the historic Keane’s Crossing Stock Route.

Web
www.poroo.info
Cost
Free
Location
Cnr Louise and Garden Street, 5km south of Cunnamulla

6. RICHMOND BRIDGE, TAS
This is one of Australia’s oldest bridges. It was built between 1823 and 1825 by convicts. It consists of 6 stone arches that spa the Coal River. This heritage listed bridge forms part of the B31 Convict Trail. It is still in daily use.

Cost
Free
Location
Coal River Richmond, Tasmania

7. DAYDREAM MINE, NSW
This mine was operational before Broken Hill was discovered and still has the original 1884 smelter. The underground tour will take visitors through three levels of the silver mine. At its prime the Daydream mine created a settlement of around 500 residents. The mine opened in 1882 and finally closed in 1983. It did close twice before during its history

Web
www.daydreammine.com.au
Costs
Underground Tour $20/$19/$8
Surface Tour $7/$3.50
Location
19km north of Silverton, Broken Hill

8. SWAN BELLS, WA
The Swan Bells are a set of 18 bells hanging in a 82.5m high copper and glass campanile. Twelve of the bells are historic bells from St Martin-in-the-Fields church in Trafalgar Sq in London.

Inlaid into the path surrounding the tower are ceramic tiles created by nearly every school in Western Australia. The tiles are laid in alphabetical order by school name and contain the names of the schools’ students in 1999 when it was laid. The tower includes a viewing platform overlooking the Swan River and Perth skyline. The bells are rung everyday except Wednesday and Friday, between 12noon and 1pm.

Web
www.ringmybells.com.au
Costs
Entry $11/$8
Location
Barrack Square Riverside Drive, Perth

9. COOBER PEDY, SA
The town is known for two things; it is the opal capital of the world and the majority of the 2000 residents live underground. Australia currently produces about 95% of the worlds opals and Coober Pedy is the biggest opal mine in the world.

Averaging a year round maximum temperature of 28 degrees Celsius, during the summer months it can get as hot as 48 degrees. Underground housing provides a cooler and constant temperature.

The golf course, which is usually played at night with glowing balls has no grass, instead players carry a piece of turf with them for teeing off.

Web
www.cooberpedy.sa.gov.au
Location
846km north of Adelaide on the Stuart Highway

10. DEEP SPACE COMMUNICATION COMPLEX, ACT
This satellite station is critical to NASA’s Deep Space Program and has major roles in the Apollo missions including the moon landing and the failed mission made famous in Apollo 13.

The tour of the largest antenna complex in the southern hemisphere includes a piece of the moon surface that is aged at being more than 3.8billion years old. Visitors will also see spacecraft models and space flown hardware and learn about the life of an astronaut whilst on a mission.

Web
www.cdscc.nasa.gov
Location
421 Discovery Drive, Tourist Drive 5 Tidbinbilla,

20ten Murray

The Murray River is the longest river in Australia stretching 2,375km (1,476mi) from the Australian Alps to Lake Alexandrina and the Murray Mouth in Goolwa, South Australia. It forms the border between New South Wales and Victoria.

The river currently attracts a lot of political and environmental attention as it is considered to be dieing. The reliance on the river for domestic and industrial water use as well as commercial irrigation has dramatically reduced the water flow. This has increased the salinity of the lower lakes. Dredging is also required to keep the Murray Mouth open.

Enjoy it while you can.

Web
www.rivermurray.com.au

1. WATER SKIING
Visitors to the river wanting to water ski will find it easier to make friends with someone who owns all of the equipment than hiring it. The ski season is unofficially from September to April, traditionally ending on the Easter long weekend. Head to Albury, NSW for the Australian Junior Masters 16-17 January, or Bridgewater VIC for the Australian Masters 30-31 January.

2. CRUISES
There are numerous operators providing river cruises of various length, style and budget. The cruises start from a number of locations along the length of the river, Coorong, Murray Bridge, Mannum, Waikerie, Kingston-On-Murray and Renmark in South Australia, Mildura, Echuca, Barmah and Yarrawonga in Victoria and Albury in New South Wales. Step back in time a cruise on a paddle steamer, boats once used to haul timber, machinery and supplies between towns.

3. KAYAK/CANOE
A great opportunity to explore the waterways and wildlife of the river at your own pace whether it be for an hour, day or week. Finding a hire place along the river is relatively easy with hire companies in most towns. Guided tours are also available.

Kayaking/Canoeing the river does require some preparation; the advantage of joining a guided tour is that much of this preparation will be done for you. Consideration must be given to food and water provision, sun protection, personal safety (in and out of the water). Make sure to think about waterproofing anything that will not enjoy getting splashed or capsized as much as you.

4. FISHING
Makes sense, river equals fish, fish means fishing. There are numerous species of fish to be found in the river and there I not space to list them all here. Here are but a few.

Murray Cod: Australia’s largest fresh water fish growing to 1.8m and 113kg. It is a bottom dweller that generally feeds in the evening. Best caught from a boat in deeper water

Callop: also a bottom feeder, unlike the cod, the callop is a strong fighter can be caught from the banks. Be careful handling the callop do to the razor sharp cover to the gills

Catfish: a protected species and must therefore be returned to the water, a bottom feeder that prefers slower moving water. The catfish has poisonous bony spikes along its dorsal and pectoral fins.

Carp: considered a delicacy in some countries, in Australia it is considered a pest. If you catch one of these (and you are certain to do so – more than any other species) it must not be returned to the water.

5. BUNYIP
The Bunyip is a creature from Aboriginal Dreaming, or is it. Although noone has claimed to see the Bunyip for decades it is Australia’s answer to the Loch Ness Monster. Descriptions of the beast include being like an enormous starfish and being dog-like with a horse-tail, tusks, horn and flippers. It is believed to posses supernatural powers.

Murray Bridge, South Australia has a mechanical Bunyip located in Sturt Reserve. For $2 the beast comes to life rising out of its watery home. Thankfully Murray Bridge has so much more to offer as you would not go there just for this attraction. It does however give parents the opportunity to tell children their version of the Bunyip myths.

6. MONASH ADVENTURE PARK
Located in Monash South Australia (12km out of Berri) this playground first opened in 1921. It has always been a family park though the rides were once more suited to teenagers and young adults with flying foxes, roller coasters and large spinning cages. Changes in public liability insurance lead to changes in the park. It is now more geared to younger children; slides, lawned areas, leaning towers, slides and a maze. Picnic and BBQ facilities are also available.

7. HOUSEBOAT
The list of houseboat companies is endless as is the price range. Houseboats can cost as little as $30 per person per night, but can cost as much as you can afford. Be warned you get what you pay for. Some of the boats are as big and opulent as the penthouse suite of a 5 star hotel – and as expensive. Houseboats can be a great holiday to share with family or friends. Visitors will have to pilot their own houseboat, not experience necessary. Pilots will have to have a valid drivers licence, a minimum age also often applies. All the necessary tuition will be provided at the time of hiring. All catering supplies are BYO.

Mannum hosts a houseboat open day on the first weekend of May for people who want to check out the options prior to hiring. Winter is considered off-peak and therefore cheaper for rent. Although the range of outdoor and water activities might be limited the river will also be much quieter, camp fires might be allowed and the river should be higher and faster flowing.

8. NATIONAL PARKS
There are a number of national parks along the length of the river either directly on its banks or a short distance in land. The diversity of the parks reflects the changing country side through which the river winds. Lush and green at its start in the Snowy Mountains to scrub/barren throughout the Mallee.

Murray Sunset Park is Victoria’s second largest national park and contains four designated wilderness areas; wetlands, native pine woodlands, mallee dunes and saltbush flats. Camping is welcome in designated camping areas.

In all camping areas be aware of conditions, which may change daily, fire bans if in place will be strictly enforced this includes use of certain types of BBQs. Take all waste with you and ensure you bring enough fresh water as not all camping areas have drinkable water. Protect the environment, stick to paths don’t damage living flora and fauna.

9. COORONG
The Coorong is located near the Murray Mouth in South Australia. It is accessible from the Princess Highway. There are numerous marked walking trails many of which are looped bringing walkers back to their start point. There is also a 2 day, 27km one way walk, so consider pick up at the end. The 100km lagoon is home for countless fish species and numerous water sports. Four-wheel driving is also very popular along the Coorong as is bird watching. The beach is closed in certain areas throughout the year to protect the breeding season of certain bird species. Camping is allowed on the beach all year round between the high and low water mark – consider the tides so that your tent does not become a boat while you sleep.

The 1976 movie adaptation of Collin Thiele’s Storm boy was filmed along the Coorong.

10. ALTERNATIVE WINE SHOW
This a chance to taste over 600 varieties of the best boutique wines from Australia and New Zealand. The festival includes a number of different ticketed events including the dinner, wine tasting, education lectures and of course the awards ceremony, with prices ranging from $10 to $150 per head.

Web
www.aavws.com
Dates
3 – 6 November
Location
Mildura, VIC