Sydney Harbour is a portion of Port Jackson, which is the natural harbor of Sydney, Australia. The entirety of Port Jackson is known for the beauty and as the location of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. It was where the first European settlers came in Australia and it continues to play a significant role in the development of Sydney.

Sydney Harbour is the longest arm of the three harbors which comprise Port Jackson. It stretches to the west, extending as far as Balmain where it meets the estuaries of the Lane Cove and Parramatta rivers. The central business district and the inner suburbs are centered on Sydney Harbour, joining with North Harbour (which is the shortest arm, a large bay stretching to Manly Cove) and Middle Harbour (which extends to the northwest). Port Jackson extends inland from Tasman Sea to Cockatoo Island. Over it are Sydney Harbour Bridge and the ANZAC Bridge (formerly Glebe Island Bridge). Sydney Harbour Tunnel passes underneath to the east of Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Shark Island, Fort Denison, Goat Island, Clark Island, Cockatoo Island, Snapper Island, Spectacle Island, and Rodd Island are several of the islands within the harbor. Other former islands have been linked subsequently to the shore through land reclamation, and they include Bennelong Island, Berry Island, and Garden Island.

Sydney Harbour’s commuter and visitor ferry services are provided by Sydney Ferries. For a tour of the sights in and around the Sydney Harbour, it is recommended that you take a ferry to enjoy a view of Sydney from the water. A small number of water limousine and taxi operators are also active on the harbor for individuals or groups not willing to travel by ferry. Unlike ferries, they do not have specified timetables or routes, so if you already know your way around by water, you may want to try this mode of transportation instead.

Gigantic bee hive-like stone towers stood proudly, dashed with the dramatic colors of the sun displaying a contrast of orange and black stripes. Visitors will always wonder in amazement how nature was able to build such a view.

A place born out of geological changes millions of years ago, adventurers and nature lovers will adore the unusual but very outback Australian setting of Purnululu National Park. Fondly called as the Bungle Bungle by the locals, Purnululu is a native term which means sandstones. Whereas the most famous site inside the park, the Bungle Bungle Mountain ranges, got its name from the incorrect jumbled word of the bundle grass found in the area. Sounds like a folk joke? Well, this area is seriously recognized by the World Heritage Site and is considered as one of the most wonderful and impressive landmarks of the land down under.

The area is vastly covered by sedimentary formations that form amazing landscapes with sandstone towers, plateaus and cliffs as high as 578 meters above sea level. It offers a sun-burnt outback setting. Other parts of the park include the wide sand plains, the grassy Ord River Valley and the limestone ridges. The wide sand plain is a barren land with only a few scattered trees whereas the limestone ridges and Osmond Ridges have more abundant vegetation. A mix of arid-desert, grasslands, and rocky land formations, Purnululu is balanced by creeks and rivers that provide life for the existence of its flora and fauna.

Tourist can have a view on the park through scenic flights. It is available through the park and is the best way to get the panorama of the massive Bungle Bungle Ranges. Trail walks and camping can also be done in order to have an in-depth exploration of the place. Tourists should be well-prepared, as the park offers few facilities and no accommodation. The dry season (April to December) is the best time to visit, as the park is close during the wet months.

Embarking on a train journey with a view of the lush wildlife and savannah is a treat made exclusive for a traveler’s delight. Indian Pacific is an extraordinary rail service operated by the Great Southern Railway of Australia. Traveling twice a week, the train crosses borders of three states, tours the vast continent of Australia and let’s you cross two oceans in a single journey, all within the longest straight railway track ever present in the world. A journey that takes 65 hours on board, the train travels an overwhelming 4352 kilometers, starting from Perth to Adelaide down to Australia’s capital, Canberra, and back.

The Indian Pacific is a great route for people who favor speed and comfort while exploring the beautiful scenery. The National Geographic-like episode presenting the natural outback is a luxury given to the passengers. Crossing the continent provides a spectacular view of Australia’s landscapes ranging from the Blue Mountains, the empty Nullarbor Plain, and back to the modern cosmopolitan cities.

The train also offers stops in between the journeys for people to stretch their legs while enjoying some sightseeing. The Indian Pacific will stop allowing passengers to visit the Broken Hills, Kalgoorlie, which is a gold mining area, and Adelaide.

The rail service offers different facilities and services for passenger’s comforts. Divided into three classes, it’s very similar to an airline service. The Platinum Service which is the highest service provides the finest quality of travel. It is followed by the Gold Kangaroo or the service compared to the business class of airlines. The last one is the Red Kangaroo service, the least expensive service offered by the train. All includes a restaurant car, with sleeping rooms for the two higher classes. With its Class A travel facilities and the privilege of touring the outback, the city and the two oceans, no wonder the Indian Pacific is dabbed as one of the world’s greatest journey.

Rocky and dry, orange to red, many tall cliffs and steep gorges, walks and more walks – these are what tourists should expect at Kings Canyon National Park. Located inside the Watarrka National Park, Kings Canyon overshadows its mother park as everyone refers to it, from the tour packages down to resort names rather than the original Watarrka. The park houses the George Gill Range and offers outdoor experience for adventure hikers.

The park is almost reddish due the over abundance of sandstone in the area. With its burnt valleys and cliffs, the scenic spots will most likely be dominated by two hues, red for land and blue for the sky.

Activities include walking, hiking and driving around the rocky hills. Popular walks include the King Creeks Walk and the King Canyon Rim Walk. The first one is an hour of easy walks while exploring the vegetation and wildlife of the canyon. Meanwhile the King Canyon Rim Walk is the opposite. It is a difficult walk that requires much experience and strong fitness while trailing the steep steps. Other notable walks include the Kathleen Springs Walk which is the easiest of all and the Giles Track, which needs a straight two days with overnight camping to finish. Scenic spots and walking stops for picturesque view include the Garden of Eden and the Lost City, both a natural wonder of rocky formations in the park.

To visit, it is advisable to use a car. However, for a better and satisfying outdoor exploration, an off-road vehicle is advised to be able to climb the rocky and steep curves of the canyon. In no time you will be stopping to set foot on the canyon’s floor. The best season to visit is during the cool months, from April to September, to avoid the scorching heat of the sun in the arid land.

Home to a diverse number of flora and fauna, a vast landscape filled with majestic waterfalls and riverbanks, Kakadu National Park is an environmental and cultural sanctuary. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kakadu National Park is a main tourist destination in the Northern Territory of Australia that covers more than 4.8 million acres.

Like the popular Bungle Bungle Ranges in the west, Kakadu got its name from the incorrect pronunciation of an Aboriginal word, Gagudju, which is literally the lingua franca of the people.

Kakadu is home to a very rich and diverse ecosystem. Major rivers surround and flow in to the area. The East, West, and South Alligator River and the Wildman River are home to a variety of reptile species including the famed Fresh and Saltwater crocodiles. The park also has six different landscapes which underwent a lot of geological changes millions of years ago. A shallow sea 140 million years before, the Stone Country, or the Arnhem Land plateau was the only landform above the sea during that time. The southern hills and basins have its volcanic origins while the estuaries and tidal flats becomes the habitat of its flora. Other land parts include the outliers, the lowlands and the floodplains. The park also contains the biggest uranium producing mine in the world, the Ranger Uranium Mines.

Kakadu is also rich in history. Rock paintings made by the Aboriginal people are still present in the area of Ubirr and Nourlangie and are considered exceptional. Occupied and cultivated by the Aboriginal people dating 40,000 years ago, big portions of land still belong to them.

Visitors will be pleased to have a view of its waterfalls. The famous ones are Maguk, Gunlom, Twin Falls and Jim Jim Falls. Kakadu’s wildlife is also extensive. Rare species survive in the Yellow Water Billabong, Mamukala Wetlands, Alligator Rivers, Anbangbang Billabong and on the park’s forest. Australia’s pride, the kangaroo, together with wallabies, dingoes, crocodiles, frogs, birds, and insects live in those areas. With hundreds of varieties of birds, Kakadu is the best site for bird watching. Activities at Kakadu National Park include walking and wandering along the park, fishing and cruising on the waters, learning the history through the Aborigines art, but definitely not hunting of wild animals.

Toasted heads resting on the vast land, the Olgas or the Kata Tjuta is one of the two major attractions of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, together with its equally stunning Uluru. Kata Tjuta, which literally means many heads, is a group of massive domed rock formations. Commonly known as the Olgas, it is named after the Queen of Württemberg and is the name of its tallest dome. Soaring high in its personal view, Mt. Olga proudly stood 1066 meters above sea level, even higher in its counterpart in Uluru.

The Olgas, which totals a number of 36 heads, are red-colored rocks divided by valleys on the side. The flat top rocky domes were formed millions of years ago by very harsh winds. The boulders consist of sedimentary rocks and sandstones. With its rocky terrain, it’s difficult to know when it is the best time to visit during the temperate months. Spring or fall is the best season where the outdoor climate does not reach the scorching heat or freezing cold.

The desert-like feel of the park made it suitable for an outdoor walk. Tourist can choose two different trails in the Olgas. The Walpa Gorge Walk is an easy stroll, while the Valley of the Winds more difficult. The walk follows the narrow and steep slopes of the park, requiring careful attention so not to injure yourself. It also has two lookouts, the Karu and the Karingana. Much difficult then it may seem, but the scenery and effort is more rewarding than the Walpa Gorge Walk.

Kata Tjuta also has a spiritual and cultural significance. Aborigines often made traditional ceremonies there that resulted to closure of some walking trails in respect and preservation to the environment and customary beliefs.

The Olgas offer a view of outback scenery, with its red domes standing tall against other rock formations. It gives an ever changing display of colors from the suns constant rise and fall from daybreak to sundown. From orange to deep magenta, to the top blue and white sky, down to the green countryside, the Olgas are definitely a sight to behold.

The symbol of the Australia’s uniqueness, the outback, refers to the arid regions of Australia with mostly plants and animals ruling the wilderness. It is the home of Australia’s unique animals. Kangaroos, dingoes, native dogs, wild camels and horses live in the savannah and forests. Crocodiles live inside the rivers of the outback, together with other common reptiles. Birds of different types dominate the air.

The outback is a rainbow represented by its rustic scenery. From tall domes to steep hills, the color red dominates the rocky landscapes. Meanwhile, its parks and forest varies from green to purple, due to the combination of different flora. The waterscapes are blue, with changing hues depending on the sky. The sun is striking bright to golden yellow, shines and reflects through the rivers. Its animals, in their monotonous black and brown, provide the sense of wilderness.

With its vast area, covering mostly the parts of the Northern Territory and West Australia, the outback contains an endless choice of tourist attractions. Environmental friendly tourists will enjoy the national parks with its forests and falls. Animal lovers will love the grasslands and rivers for its kangaroos and crocodiles. Both will love the beauty of the Kakadu and Purnululu National Park. Adventure seekers will be thrilled with the rustic hills and cliffs suitable for hiking. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, the Kings Canyons and Flinders Ranges offer the majestic view and exciting activities. Other notable destinations include the mining areas in Coober Pedy, Broken Hill and Kalgoorlie. For history-lovers, Aborigines art sites, dinosaur fossils and other archaeological sites are also situated in the outback, mostly inside the national parks.
The outback requires a fit physique and a reliable four wheel drive in order to be well explored. If one would like to have a view of its photogenic attractions, one has to walk and climb the cliffs, drive the rocky hills, wander in its natural parks, swim in its waterfalls and catch a rare glimpse of its kangaroos. Sounds difficult, but truly worth the effort too visit Australia.

Breezy air, splashing waves plus dramatic sky equals impressive roadside scenery on the 243 kilometers stretch of road along Victoria’s cities. One of Australia’s best coastline roads, the Great Ocean Road was built in the memory of the soldiers who died during World War I. Born out of mass labor of up to 3000 returning soldiers; the road was completed on 1932.

People often visit the road for a relaxing drive while tourist are invited to experience and explore the coastal vista. Short and long walks are designed for tourists who want to gaze and discover the natural marvels of the coasts. Such walks vary and cover the view of pristine beaches in Lorne overlooking the Louttit Bay, the Lookout Walk on Aire River for some kangaroo and wallaby sightseeing, and a historical treat over the Wreck Beach, with a view of ancient ships’ anchors ruined by the angry sea.

Walkers who want to immerse themselves along the countryside scenery can spend a night at the hiker’s camp. Camping areas are designed with amenities like toilets and shelters for easy living.

The Great Ocean Road covers a lot of towns with nearby beaches as a common destination. Some of the great beaches include the Apollo Bay which is a swimmer’s paradise, Blanket Bay in the Otway National Park, Castle Cove for its dinosaur fossils and Johanna Beach for its surfing waves.

Natural parks which contain rainforests walk trails and waterfalls also surround the area. These include the Otway National Park, Angahook-Lorne State Park, Melba Gully State Park and Port Campbell National Park which boasts the famous Twelve Apostles rock formation. Helicopter flights are also available in the visitor’s center near this majestic limestone.

To complete the experience on the Great Ocean Road, a road trip along the breezy seaside is definitely worth a try. Travelers are encouraged to drive slowly as the road has steep edges, curves, and cliffs. A day of relax driving is enough to get a view and stop at the major attractions. Recommended is a full two to three days driving plus lodging at night is the best way to enjoy and explore the towns, natural parks, and beaches along the way.

Crystal clear waters, undisturbed beaches, sheltered coral reefs and a fascinating view of the Pacific made this subtropical island a paradise for any potential tourist. A jagged crescent-shape island, this earth’s heaven is the closest island near Australia’s capital, Sydney. It is a part of the New South Wales but is on no geological account a part of the continent. Considered as the most beautiful island in the Pacific, it is the only UNESCO World Heritage Site listed, outshining the other three islands in the Lord Howe Island Group. This unexplored island was first discovered on 1788, but remained uninhabited until 1834 when the first settlement arrived.

Visitors will delight in its beauty, having a large variety of different sceneries in just one small location. Two mountains stand on the south like lighthouses guarding the island. Both Mount Lidgbird and Mount Gower also have volcanic origins. Together with the whole island, they are the remains of a volcano and its past activities. The island itself serves as guards protecting its beautiful coral reefs and lagoons, as the moon-shaped land embraces the beauty of its underwater structures.

A place that was never part of Australia’s main land, Lord Howe Island has a distinct variety of animal and plant life. It has similar plant species native to its neighboring island and continent. The island’s plants are considered rare and unique, while a number of its native species became extinct due to the influx of other domesticated animals. With its tropical vegetation, the island serves as the breeding ground of different species of seabirds. Native species include bats and terrestrial reptiles. A large number fish species are also found in the waters, with over 80 kinds of corals under its coast.

Its clear waters please everyone as it is suitable for family outings, swimming and surfing. This island also gives the luxury of privacy. Its mountain provides adventure trips through hiking and walking, with Mount Gower’s walk regarded as the finest daytime walk. Its tropical forest will give the feel of a lush wildlife and its coral reefs, the reflection of its secluded serenity.

The Sydney Opera House is situated in Sydney, Australia. The opera house was made a part of the UNESCO, World Heritage Site in 2007 and is said to be the world’s most distinct 20th century buildings. It is also considered one of the most famous performing art centers in the world. The Sydney Opera House was built by an architect Jorn Utzon and also received the Pritzker prize in the year 2003. The synopsis of the quotation that was written on it said that the opera house is one of the masterpieces designed by this architect and will be considered the icon of the 20th century not only for this city but also for the country & continent of Australia.

The Sydney Opera House is located on the Sydney Harbor, which is very close to the Sydney Bridge. The opera house serves as a venue for art performing center rather than just the opera theater. To name a few, it became a major presenting venue for Opera Australia, The Australian Ballet, the Sydney Theatre Company and the Sydney Symphony. It is maintained and administered by the Sydney Opera House Trust.

The interior of Concert Hall, which is the home of Sydney Symphony with 2,679 seats
Photo by: Jason7825, Creative Commons

The opera house has a concert hall with a seating capacity of 2,679 seats, the Opera Theater with a seating capacity of 1507 seats, a drama theater that can accommodate 544 seats, a play house, a studio, Utzon Room and a Forecourt. The opera house covers a total are of 4.5 acres. It is 605 feet long, 388 feet wide and is made up of concrete frame, precast and ribbed roof. Its construction got completed in the year 1973.

View of Sydney Opera House during the Day
Photo by: Corey Leopold, Creative Commons

Sydney Opera House very dark at night
Photo by: Corey Leopold, Creative Commons

Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House at Night – Panorama View
Photo by: IaRuth, Creative Commons