Bondi Beach

Bondi Beach is one of Australia's most famous beaches and well-known worldwide. It has probably featured on more postcards and more television shows and films than any other in Australia. Each year tens of thousands of people, from backpackers to billionaires, take to the golden sands of this wide, one-kilometre long city beach expanse to walk, jog, or just soak up the sun. Being only 10 kilometres from the city centre, Bondi Beach is one of Sydney's busiest beaches. There's a host of events held here all year round from community art shows to city to surf running marathons. Bondi Beach is one of Sydney's most visited beaches.

Throughout the year the beach hosts many local and international events from the annual City to Surf fun run to the Festival of the Winds kite flying festival. On Christmas Day, at the height of the Australian summer, it has become a tradition for families and travellers to meet and celebrate on the beach. It's a special place to be on New Year's Eve with thousands of revellers watching the local fireworks. You may have to buy a ticket to these events because of their popularity. Bondi Beach is also fun in winter, with an ice-skating rink built as part of the Bondi Winter Magic Festival. Events often centre on the heritage-listed Bondi Pavilion Community Centre which has a theatre and exhibition gallery and an outdoor amphitheatre. Check out the Marine Discovery Centre inside and learn about Australia's amazing sea creatures.

Bondi is also the home of Australian surf-lifesaving. The Bondi Life Saving Club, formed in 1906, is Australia's oldest. In summer it is patrolled by volunteer lifesavers, making sure swimmers stay between Australia's iconic red and yellow beach safety flags. On Sunday mornings in summer you can watch the ‘Nippers', Australia's future life-savers, learning the ropes from a very young age. The calm protected waters are also a perfect place to learn to surf with a number of local surf schools to teach you how.

The main street along the beachfront is Campbell Parade, where you'll find a range of stylish surf and fashion shops, outdoor cafes and bars. It's a popular meeting place for Sydney's cafe society. The main streets leading back from the beach are Hall Street, Roscoe Street, Curlewis Street and Beach Road. Hall Street has cool fashion and designer labels while Curlewis Street has many art galleries. Every Sunday, the grounds of the local public school host the Bondi Beach Markets, a flea market where you may pick up some bargains including locally produced jewellery, handicrafts and vintage clothing.

Dine at the upmarket restaurant, Bondi Icebergs, named in honour of a group of dedicated locals who swim at the beach all year round, and where local celebrities can often be seen. To discover more stunning beaches nearby, take the trail to Tamarama, Bronte and Coogee via the scenic coastal walk. From the cliffs on the six-kilometre Bondi to Coogee Walk you can see the entire expanse of Bondi Beach. Each spring, the Bondi to Tamarama Beach section of the walk is transformed by the Sculpture by the Sea exhibition with works by local artists.

So if you are coming to Sydney you can't miss a visit to Bondi Beach, about 30 minutes by public transport from the city centre.

Republished from: Australia.com

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The Great Barrier Reef

Explore the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, which stretches for more than 2,000 kilometres along the Queensland coastline. Snorkel, scuba dive or take a scenic flight over the reef.  Sail the palm-topped Whitsundays, trek the ancient Daintree Rainforest or relax on luxurious tropical islands such as Hayman and Lizard. Island-hop or stay in one of the many coastal getaways like Cairns, Hervey Bay, Missions Beach or Port Douglas.
The 2,300-kilometre Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system in the world. Home to diverse marine life of the most vivid colours, experiencing the Reef is a life-changing adventure, whether you do it in luxury or on a budget. See the Reef by scuba, snorkel, glass-bottom boat, jet ski, semi-submersible, sail boat, from the air or even skydive to completely immerse yourself in this wonder of the world. you can doing many activities in there.
1. Snorkel Magnetic Island on the Great Barrier Reef

Hire a mask and snorkel to explore the island’s colourful reef. Magnetic Island is just a 25-minute ferry ride from Townsville. This is just one of the many places from which you can access the Reef and there are just as many tourism operators eager to help you experience this underwater wonder.
2. Seaplane over Heart Reef

Create the perfect romantic surprise for a loved one by flying over the world-famous natural wonder that is Heart Reef. This scenic flight is just one of the tours offered by Air Whitsunday and GSL Aviation with the white silica sand of Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island is also on the menu. It’s a great opportunity to see from the amazing beauty of the Great Barrier Reef.
3. See the Turtles at Townsville’s Reef HQ Aquarium

See the sights without getting wet at this educational, interactive coral reef aquarium. Perfect for young children and non-swimmers who want to understand the majesty of the coral kingdom, Reef HQ boasts a Turtle Hospital, where sick and injured turtles are rehabilitated. It also offers sleepovers, where you can observe the nocturnal habits of reef creatures.
4. Cruise Michaelmas Cay and Snorkel Paradise Reef

Visit the Reef in style on board this 25-metre, high-performance catamaran. Sailing daily from Cairns to Michaelmas Cay and exclusive Paradise Reef, you can dive and snorkel the Reef among the turtles and colourful fish, or just lie on the deck and soak up the sun. You can even join a glass-bottom boat tour at Michaelmas Cay.
5. Skydive above the Whitsunday Islands

You’ll take home bragging rights and lifelong memories when you see the Great Barrier Reef from this mind-blowing perspective. Skydive into the most picturesque drop zone in the world and experience the greatest reef thrill there is. The experienced tandem instructors will handle the parachute, so all you have to do is enjoy the incredible view.
6. Stay on a Luxury Catamaran on the Great Barrier Reef

Join a sleepover on the Reef aboard the luxurious Reef Encounter, a superb, 35-metre catamaran based at Cairns. You’ll enjoy gourmet meals and a spacious stateroom with private bathroom and air-conditioning. Enjoy two days diving, snorkelling, fishing and glass-bottom boat tours without having to return to land. Add to the excitement by joining Reef Encounter by helicopter.
7. Indulge Yourself on the One & Only Hayman Island

Explore, relax, enjoy – you can do it all on Hayman Island, located in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. Wake up to incredible natural beauty before taking advantage of a range of services and activities, including bushwalks, snorkelling, private dining and wildlife experiences. If that’s not enough, how about a massage while you float in the sea?
8. Get up Close to Stingrays at Daydream Island

Wade into the man-made Living Reef and hand-feed the debarbed stingrays. Experienced marine biologists will explain the life cycle of these amazing creatures, as well as show you local coral and how to handle starfish and sea cucumbers. Daydream’s 2,650 square-metre Living Reef is home to more than 140 species of marine fish and 83 species of coral.

Republished from : www.australia.com

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