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