There is an island off the coast of South Australia that operates by its own rules. No traffic lights. No public transport. No McDonald’s. What Kangaroo Island, Karta Pintingga to the Ngarrindjeri people, does have is one of the most concentrated wildlife encounters on the planet, a coastline that looks as though it were designed by a committee of romantics.. Roughly the same size as Bali and just nine miles off the South Australian coast, …
Browsing: Australasia
If there are places on Earth that make language feel inadequate, Milford Sound, or Piopiotahi, as the Māori knew it long before any European saw it, is one of them. Tucked into the remote southwest corner of New Zealand’s South Island, this glacially carved fjord is a destination of sheer cliffs rising out of dark, mirror-like water, waterfalls that appear and then disappear, and a silence so complete it feels almost sacred. Rudyard Kipling famously …
While visions of Australia often contain pictures of the Great Barrier Reef or the Sydney Opera House, South Australia is often overlooked. This area may be the best find of all, offering an abundance of activities in and out of the water.
Rich History
It was in 1836 that the first British settlement was established in Kingscote, Kangaroo Island, and Adelaide would be founded a few months later, but evidence of mining and rock art …
Milford Sound is located on the southwest corner of New Zealand’s South Island. It lies within the Fiordland National Park, part of the Te Wāhipounamu World Heritage Area. This UNESCO classified site encapsulates and raises the bar of the word dramatic. Steep, rounded mountains rise up with a sudden break from valleys filled with water created by glaciers over unimaginable periods of time.
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Known as the “City of Sails,” Auckland is the most populous urban area in New Zealand. It sits on the North Island, surrounded by beautiful harbors and volcanic landscapes. Nearby Auckland is an island of vineyards and beaches. This multicultural city has a food and art scene to rival some of the more cosmopolitan cities around the world—and is always close to natural wonders.
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A road trip around the South Island of New Zealand with my partner was a fun-packed adventure. From breathtaking scenery to amazing wildlife, not to mention the friendly (and occasionally quirky!) locals, our road trip provided us with an abundance of incredible memories. Here is my pick of ten highlights from our South Island escapade.
Jet Boating at Buller Gorge
For a thrilling jet boat ride through pink granite rock canyons, head to Buller near …
Opals, a brilliant gemstone celebrated for its kaleidoscope of color, are notably prominent in Australia, which produces around 95% of the world’s opals. While this shimmering treasure is not unique to Australia, notable deposits are found in South Australia’s Coober Pedy, Andamooka, and Mintabie, as well as Lightning Ridge and White Cliffs in New South Wales, and Queensland’s Quilpie and Winton districts. Many gemologists consider Australian opals to be the world’s finest.
The Coober Peddy …
Australia shows up on more people’s bucket lists than most other destinations and for good reason. This continent-nation offers an amazingly wide mixture of landscapes, wildlife, and adventure, providing a veritable palate of opportunities for anyone wishing to enjoy an exhilarating travel experience in ever-changing locales: there is no single “Australian itinerary.” With that said, and knowing Australia has so much to offer, here are my five top reasons to visit Australia.
The variety of …
Brrr, it’s getting cold outside! The temperatures are dropping, the days are getting shorter, and keeping warm inside the house has become a top priority. But fortunately for travelers who are seeking a winter vacation, there are destinations where temperatures are well above freezing.
So, where can you go? Well, there are five continents to choose from that can easily fulfill the two essential components of a good winter getaway: sun and beautiful beaches. Here …