9 Most Colorful Places In Australia (And New Zealand) - TravelAwaits
9 Most Colorful Places In Australia (And New Zealand) - TravelAwaits |
| 9 Most Colorful Places In Australia (And New Zealand) - TravelAwaits Posted: 08 Apr 2021 12:00 AM PDT  Fourth in the series, after The Most Colorful Cities In The World, The Most Colorful Cities In North America, and The Most Colorful Cities In Europe we are now heading down under to Australia and New Zealand. And the format for this installment changes a little because there are some really colorful places here, but they are not necessarily cities. Unlike in Europe, in Australia, we are looking at amazing landscapes, quirky sights, wonders of nature, and yes, some cities and towns, but all definitely qualify as colorful. I was lucky enough to call Australia home for a few years and have traveled extensively throughout this country-continent. It's a long way from everywhere, so once you find yourself in the so-called Land Down Under, you have to make the most of it. Here are my favorite colorful spots to stick on your to-do list for your trip to Australia. 1. Uluru, Red Centre, Northern TerritoryThe monolith Uluru, formerly known as Ayers Rock, lies in a region called the Red Centre in Australia's Northern Territory. Just as the rock itself is a deep earthen red, displaying various shades of red to glowing orange depending on the angle of the sun, the entire region is covered in red sand — with a few green shrubs dotted throughout, but not enough to distract from the red color. The best way to appreciate the red expanse is by scenic helicopter flights, but you also get a great view from your window seat if you are flying into the small local airport. The entire Red Centre is a landscape unlike any other, with many more natural attractions besides Uluru, so be prepared to spend a few days exploring. Pro Tips: One of my most magical experiences in the Red Centre was the Sounds of Silence, an alfresco dinner of top-notch food accompanied by champagne and wine pairings, at sunset with Uluru on the horizon. You listen to local lore, music, and experience quite a magical evening. Hooked on monoliths? Here are nine monoliths around the world.  2. Hosier Lane, Melbourne, VictoriaOne of the first things I did when I moved to Melbourne was to go on a walking tour taking in the famous street art displayed in the city's ever-changing laneways. The city center's walls are a colorful art gallery exhibiting some of the world's best-known street artists. Not only are the laneways the best place to learn about Melbourne, find great little restaurants and individual shops, but they also make for a special atmosphere, and there are constantly artists at work updating the city's canvas. The most special is Hosier Lane, in which not a single brick has been left unsprayed or pasted. Whether you are a street art fan or not, this urban way of expression is very much part of Melbourne and should not be missed. Pro Tip: While in Hosier Lane, make sure you pop into MoVida, probably my favorite restaurant in Melbourne, and that is saying something. Great location, fun setting, and superb Spanish food.  3. Brighton Beach, VictoriaJust down the road from where I lived were the gorgeous Brighton Bathing Boxes lining the beach of the Melbourne suburb of Brighton. Eighty-two wooden huts stand in a row, each one painted differently. Probably the most often photographed one is the one painted in the Australian flag, but each one is just lovely. Dating back to 1862, the huts are thought to have started as storage and shelter for fishermen, but when the Victorians took to swimming in the sea, they soon became huts in which to get changed and rest with a cup of tea. A huge outcry was heard around the globe when one of the huts sold in 2015 for a staggering $337,000 — and it is not even legal to live in them. Pro Tip: Down along the beach by the pier and yacht club is the Middle Brighton Baths, a great restaurant with views right across the bay and of the Melbourne skyline.  4. Kuranda, Far North QueenslandSnuggled into the mountains near Cairns in northern Queensland, just south of the Daintree Rainforest, lies the small town of Kuranda. Originally settled by the indigenous Djabugay people, who called the place Ngunbay, or "Place of the Platypus," in 1888, Kuranda became a vacation and honeymoon hotspot after it was connected to the railway. Even Alexander Graham Bell spent a holiday here back in 1910. Today, Kuranda is an artistic community leftover from the 1960s. It's a thriving art hub that attracts visitors from around the globe. The town is colorful in so many ways: from the artists who live and work there to the art itself, from the bustling arts and craft markets to the small houses lining the high street. It makes for a great and vibrant day out from the coast of the Great Barrier Reef, and you'll come back with lovely souvenirs. Pro Tip: By far the best way to reach Kuranda is by Skyrail Cableway, setting off from the Caravonica terminal some 15 minutes by road from Cairns and then returning on the lovely Kuranda Scenic Railway. Treat yourself to the Gold Class on the train and enjoy the views over some snacks and a glass of wine.  5. Paddington, SydneyPaddington is a dream neighborhood in Sydney, full of old Victorian lace buildings painted in an array of pastel colors. It also has great little restaurants, cafes, boutiques, and, if you are in the right spot, fabulous views across Sydney Harbour. Alas, the painted houses come at a steep price, but there is nothing stopping you from meandering the streets and dreaming about how you would decorate your house, right? Walking around, you get the distinct feeling of being in a village far away from the big city, yet, Paddington (or Paddo, as the locals call it) sits neatly between the city center and Bondi Beach, with easy access to both via the 380 or 333 busses, which run along the main drag of Oxford Street. Pro Tip: Pop into Paddington Alimentari, a deli/cafe where you get not only good coffee but some superb Italian snacks, perfect for a picnic on Bondi Beach.  6. Mount Martha, VictoriaJust along from Melbourne, down the Mornington Peninsula famous for its beaches and vineyards, lies Mount Martha. And Mount Martha, a beach community with stunning views across the entire Port Phillip Bay to Melbourne, has more bathing boxes. Not to bore you, but there are two different types of bathing boxes — both colorful and picturesque, especially set against the turquoise water. There are those similar to the Brighton Bathing Huts, but also more square bathing boxes that are slightly raised off the ground and reached by stairs. If you are a keen photographer, you can get some great pictures here, with the pops of colors on the white beaches. And don't just look around Mount Martha, roughly the midpoint on the coastline, because there are boxes to be found all along the Port Phillip shore between Mount Eliza all the way down to Portsea, but not on the opposite side of the peninsula. Pro Tip: Make it a road trip, setting off from Melbourne, driving past Brighton, all the way down the Mornington Peninsula, across the small opening of the nearly circular bay by ferry from Sorrento to Queenscliff, and up along the Bellarine Peninsula back to Melbourne. You can easily do it in a day, but if you can stay the night along the way, even better.  7. Hobart, TasmaniaThe island of Tasmania is one of the hidden spots of Australia that few tourists make it to. Those who don't are missing out. You can either take a short flight between Melbourne and Tasmania's capital, Hobart, or take the overnight ferry from Melbourne (but be warned, the crossing can be rough at times). Once you reach Hobart, you will find a city reminiscent of Reykjavik, full of colorful residences, a small but perfect fishing harbor, a great weekend market, and a gateway to the rest of this still very wild island. Pro Tip: While the colorful buildings of Hobart are evident throughout, if you climb Mount Kunanyi (Mount Wellington), you will have the entire city — and, in fact, the entire island — at your feet. There is also a hop-on, hop-off bus tour, if you are pushed for time.  8. Adelaide, South AustraliaThe first time I flew into Adelaide was during jacaranda season in November, i.e., spring in Australia. Looking down on the city, I spotted countless streets highlighted in purple. I later found out that these were streets lined with jacaranda trees, all in magnificent bloom, turning the entire city purple. An amazing natural spectacle with a little help from town planners. You will spot them everywhere as you explore this lovely city, the capital of South Australia, but especially around the southern suburbs of Millswood, Goodwood, and Unley, and along Grote Street. Pro Tip: For some more man-made color, pop into Gay's Arcade and the Adelaide Central Market  9. Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, Rotorua, New ZealandWhile you are in Australia, you really should hop across to New Zealand to spend some time. For some unusual colorful sights, head straight to the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland. This is a truly otherworldly place, a site of volcanic activity with bubbling mud, sulphuric springs, strange pools, and the ever-lingering foul-egg smell in the air. Lovely. But seriously, it is amazing. And colorful. The Devil's Bath, for example, is a neon yellow, while Lake Ngakoro is more a really shrill green. The more-subtly colored champagne pool is, well, champagne colored, complete with bubble action, but with a deep orange hem. Colors and smells galore. Pro Tips: Obviously, you are not only popping over to New Zealand to see this. Don't miss the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, which stun you with their glowing subtle blue light in the dark caves. And if you're staying a while, here's a great 14-day itinerary through New Zealand. |
| The Iconic Australian Rail Journeys You Must Experience - TravelAwaits Posted: 28 Nov 2020 12:00 AM PST  I've traveled across Europe, the UK, and the U.S. by train, but nothing compares to Australian Outback rail journeys. They are amongst the world's longest routes and showcase amazing ochre scenery and brazen sunsets. Of the following three journeys, the first two are luxurious. The third is put in as the outback ring-in — Australian slang for substitute — to balance the offerings.  The Ghan, Darwin To AdelaideOne of the world's greatest rail journeys — a bucket list item. The Ghan runs 1,852 miles from the top of Australia to the bottom through the Red Centre on a 3-day, 2-night journey. There's a touch of pioneer spirit traveling through Australia's red heartland, in the tracks of the Afghan cameleers who once led their camel trains through this desert. The train is named after them. The Ghan is roughly a half-mile long. You don't board along a platform; instead, catch a taxi to your carriage. From the outset, a sense of camaraderie and adventure. The original line was opened in 1929, and legend has it the Old Ghan was once stranded for two weeks, and the engine driver shot wild goats to feed passengers. These days it's an air-conditioned luxury, with ensuite cabins. The Orient Express style art deco dining car evokes the golden era of rail travel — silver service dining and fine Australian wines. No goat but Australian produce — barramundi, Australian lamb, tropical fruits, and native tucker such as wattle seed damper and bush tomato chutney. The Ghan whizzes past cattle stations the size of small European countries. Looking out, I saw the carriages twisting through the desert like a snake. We met travelers from all over the world over games of Scrabble. Just like the cricket, the English wanted a rematch.  The Ghan offers whistle-stop tours. We chose a cruise down Katherine Gorge in the traditional land of the Jawoyn people. Gulp! Crocodiles lined the banks. Alice Springs offers a short immersion in Indigenous art, a visit to the Royal Flying Doctor Service, and the old Telegraph Station that once helped connect Australia with the world. Some passengers upgrade to a scenic flight over Uluru (Ayers Rock). Southbound trains stop in Coober Pedy, an opal mining outpost, so hot residents have homes, churches, and even hotels underground. Shared cabins have private bathrooms. Platinum class has a double bed. Gold class has two single pull-down beds — discreetly made up for you while you're at dinner. Fares are inclusive of excursions. Red class is comfortable, but has reclining seats and a snack bar rather than meals. No excursions.  The Indian Pacific, Sydney To PerthThe Indian Pacific is one of the world's longest train journeys. The 2,704-mile, 4-day/3-night experience crosses Australia from Sydney on the East Coast to Perth on the west. Great Southern Rail operates both the Indian Pacific and The Ghan, so there's the same fare structure and silver service meals. The Indian Pacific takes in the towering majesty of the Blue Mountains and the grand sweep of the Nullarbor Plain, which means "no trees" in Latin. Experience the straightest train track in the world, no corners for 298 miles! The desert is endlessly flat but mesmerizingly beautiful. At dusk, it's a soft lilac moss color. Easy to spot a wild camel or a bounding kangaroo. Other times you go for hours without seeing anything. Then suddenly, there's a willy-willy swirling dust or a wedge-tailed eagle scooping up a rabbit kitten. Australia's largest bird of prey is also the train's mascot — the 6-foot wingspan symbolizing this epic journey spanning the continent. The trip filled me with nostalgia. My mother drove across the Nullarbor in 1957 with me — a toddler by her side. Having recently arrived from England, she had to reach the East Coast to meet up with my father. Now a modern highway, her drive was a 6-day haul on a rough track where we slept in the car. Looking out at the adjacent highway, I was reminded of her grit and determination. I'd brought my teenage son along — not banking on the lack of travelers in his age group. As he pointed out, his presence brought the average age of the passengers down by 60 years. Luxurious train journeys suit mature travelers as it saves an arduous drive as well as ticking off bucket list trips. When he asked me why everyone was so old, I said it was because they had the money and time to travel. "No, they have less time, Mom," he replied. Our compact cabin was ingenious. The handheld shower was over the toilet, but it worked well, with excellent water pressure. There was a spacious lounge car with a bar and comfortable seating. An almost total digital detox. No Wi-Fi and sporadic phone coverage. New pastimes became card games and turning strangers into friends. One person set out a jigsaw, and passerby would fill in a likely piece. Clever conversation starter! Like The Ghan, this journey is based on personalized service. Stewards politely knock on the door, show you how everything works, and discuss dietary requirements. Their friendliness, train knowledge, and passion for the early explorers and bush characters helps make this journey. Guests are shuffled at dinner, so it was good for my son to meet so many interesting 'older' people. He soon changed his tune about how interesting they were. We worked off the fine food by walking the length of the train — a journey of half a mile. The corridors were so narrow that when squeezing past someone, I'm sure it counted as carnal knowledge.  A stop at Broken Hill with an excursion to the Living Desert Reserve (think sculptures in Mad Max territory). In Adelaide, there's a city walking tour or a trip to the Barossa Valley. Along the Nullarbor, there's a whistle-stop rest at the tiny town of Cook, in the middle of nowhere, and a trackside dinner at Rawlinna, a remote sheep station. At Kalgoorlie, a bus tour takes passengers to view the open-pit gold mine where the mine's scale makes gigantic dump trucks look like Tonka toys. This is a wild-west town. The bus cruises past the brothels in Hay Street, and the guide fills us in on folklore — tales of greed, murder, and revenge.  Spirit Of The Outback, Brisbane To LongreachAfter those first two train experiences, I was hooked. So I decided on a third. The Spirit of the Outback leaves Brisbane to travel 1,045 miles to Longreach, an outback town in the far north of Queensland few Australians get to visit. While the previous journeys were with a private company, this 25-hour trip was with the government-run Queensland Rail. To be fair, it cost a few hundred dollars while the others cost thousands. My cabin was minuscule. A day lounge chair folded down into a narrow bed. A shared toilet at the end of the corridor. When I shut my door and lay in bed, my feet touched the far wall. It felt like a mobile coffin. Others might call it cozy, but I suffer from claustrophobia. To sleep, I kept my blind open for outside views. Somewhere during the night, we pulled into a station. Looking out, I realized my bed was slowly being paraded past a whole platform of onlookers. I quickly rolled over, pulling down my nightdress — goodness knows what body bits they saw. Like the other two train journeys, the food was excellent. This time hearty fare such as lamb shanks, Bushman's Beef Salad, and sticky toffee pudding with Bundaberg rum ice cream. Dining booths were named after cattle stations — Wellshot, Bowen Downs, and North Delta. Exploring, I discovered the economy section. There was only one passenger! She had a whole carriage to move around in and a bathroom to herself. While no lavish meals, this would have been a more comfortable way to travel. A brief stop at the outback town of Barcaldine, the site of an 1891 Shearers' Strike that kickstarted the trade union movement. But this is an A-to-B journey without side excursions.  As we neared Longreach, my heart lurched. City bred, I'd never seen the effects of a drought. The piteous lambs ran from the train, their docked tails wobbling as they kicked up great plumes of dust from the parched earth. In retrospect, I found this journey a novel way to reach an isolated destination. Longreach gave me a stronger sense of outback life than I'd experienced on the luxury trains. They were tasters, but this train deposited me in the Outback — dust and all. Longreach is a study in the tyranny of distance with a swag of tourist experiences. Qantas started here in 1922. A rickety bi-plane was used to deliver mail to outback stations growing into the national carrier. The Qantas Founders Museum offers hangars full of social history and planes. The Stockman's Hall of Fame is another huge museum devoted to outback history. Tourists can tour the School of the Air (a radio school for one of the world's largest classrooms — kids on cattle stations), plus ride an original Cobb and Co Stagecoach with dust and dogs trailing behind. There are also good restaurants, especially if you like steak. Pro Tip: For luxury, take The Ghan or the Indian Pacific. For brochures, click here. If you want a more full-blown outback experience, the Spirit of the Outback is the way to go. |
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