Where Do We Suggest?

Image courtesy of lxsocon/flickr.com

Whether you’re an amateur or pro photographer, you can easily mix your hobby with pleasure while travelling the gorgeous landscape in Australia. From deep valleys and impressive gorges to jaw-dropping sunsets and beautiful wildlife, Australia is the ideal place for picture-snapping Aussies to get down under and capture the land’s innate beauty through the lens. Here’s a list of some of the best places in Australia where you can take a snapshot of Mother Nature’s treasures.

Hotspots for Amazing Sunrises and Sunsets

Lord Howe Island is an island where 70 percent of the land is protected reserve. All of the beaches along the island’s coastline offer superb vistas of the sun rising and setting out of the Pacific Ocean. Capture the rainbow of colours and ever-changing mood of sunrises and sunsets with vibrant pinks and hues of blue. Ned’s Beach is a popular haunt for photographers, and you can also enjoy a cool swim or scenic snorkel after you’re finished with your camera-happy shots. From sunrise to sunset, the colours of Uluru range include rusty orange and brown to inky purples and deep reds. The best shots are from a distance from the monolith, and there are also viewing platforms around this national park. In addition to photographing sunrises and sunsets, you can also take snapshots of this expansive sandy desert and Kata Tjuta. At the Three Sisters rock formation in the Blue Mountains, there are also magnificent sunrises and sunsets. These three peaks jut out from the bush and rise up to 900 metres above the valley. Light bounces off in multiple directions and creates sky shades of gold and pink. There is a visitor centre with great vistas of the Megalong Valley. You can even climb the Golden Staircase and get a bird’s eye view of the Three Sisters.

Best Locations for Landscape Photos

Nestled in Morton National Park, the Budawang Ranges are close to Canberra and Sydney. This location is a wonderland of photographic opportunity. You can capture impressive shots of the beehive-style monoliths, open heath, massive cliff faces and Tolkien-like ferny grottos. The best times to photograph are during the spring and autumn, and you’ll likely want to spend at least two days there to take in all the scenic sites. Stradbroke Island features a gorgeous coastline of impressive beaches, rocks and gorges. It’s truly a magical place for photographers. At the Gorge Walk, you can also get great shots of pods of whales as well as sharks, turtles, dolphins and rays.

Devils Marbles in Central Australia holds a special fascination for many photography geeks. The formations stretch around one square kilometre consisting of boulder clusters and granite tors that majestically emerge from ghost gums and spinifex. All in all, these formations are truly exotic and beautiful. Along the track to Devils Marbles, there are also worthy photos to be taken of footprints in the sandy ridge and dusty lines of corrugated track.

Native Animals at Kangaroo Island

There’s plenty to do and photos to take at Kangaroo Island. You can capture great shots of wildlife in their natural habitat. At Kingscote and Penneshaw, you’ll find kangaroos, brush-tailed possums and tammar wallabies. The little penguins waddling to the shore in Penneshaw are picture-perfect. Bushwalk past the waders and swans along Murray Lagoon and get pictures of over 200 species of birds. There are also great shots to be taken of the picturesque coastline and stunning sunsets. In addition to snapping your favourite scenes, you can also swim with the dolphins and enjoy some caving adventures at Kelly Hill Conservation Park.

Camera outings in Australia are filled with days of fun adventure, but did you ever consider what you would do if you lost your treasured camera or luggage while travelling? Even costly travel delays at the airport can cause you headaches and money. Having travel insurance is the best way to avoid problems that may arise from unforeseen circumstance. You can easily compare travel insurance rates online and select a package that suits your budget. Get smart and protect yourself and your gear so you can enjoy your picture-taking adventures with peace of mind.

Where is Wadi Rum?

Wadi Rum also known as The Valley of the Moon is a valley cut into the sandstone and granite rock in southern Jordan 60 km to the east of the port of Aqaba; it is the largest wadi (Wadi is the Arabic term for valley) in Jordan. Wadi Rum’s highest elevation is Mount Um Dami at 1,840 metres.

The Bedouin people that inhabit the area still maintain their semi-nomadic lifestyle. They are hospitable and offer a friendly welcome to visitors, often inviting them to sit and enjoy a coffee or if you’re lucky, a meal.

Sadly, when I travelled through Jordan during 1989 I didn’t have the knowledge of just how incredible the place is and from Aqaba, travelled straight to Petra and and on to Amman. Wadi Rum was added to the Bucket List some time ago and I can’t stop kicking myself for missing it.

Treks and Climbs in Wadi Rum, Jordan

Map

TravelTipsPlus Google Map of Wadi Rum

One Great Reason to Visit Wadi Rum

One great reason to visit this travel destination is for the vast, open and very scenic desert valley.

Wadi Rum, Jordan

For More Information

• Wikipedia
• Official Website of Jordan Tourism Board

Where Are The Roots Bongo Band From?

The Roots Bongo Band are from The Gambia and are the first Reggae band with a female German singer. On January 7th 2012 the band released their debut album ‘Leaders of Tomorrow’, reviewed as ‘Emotional, psychological and musical medicine for the masses. Their message with the album cover and the title: Leaders of tomorrow should be interpreted as follows: By bringing Africa and Europe closer together, to live in ‘peace and love’ we will be the ‘Leaders of tomorrow’!

Their music is meant to inspire people and make them realise their inner potential and strength, and to ‘Never give up’ however hard times may be!

The Roots Bongo Band – Nanding

Leaders of Tomorrow

For More Information

• Official Band Website

As a gateway to major attractions like the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree National Park, the city of Cairns is easily one of the most visited destinations in all of Australia. While Cairns is home to a number of wonderful things to do, see and explore, many visitors are eager to get out of the city for a few days and see a different side of Queensland. One of the most popular adventures is a road trip to the nearby town of Malanda. Since Malanda is just 90 minutes away from Cairns, it is simple to rent a car from Europcar Australia and begin this scenic journey on your own terms and according to your own schedule. Tours are available for this road trip, but setting out on your own gives you a lot more freedom, and it also allows you to enjoy getting behind the wheel on a truly scenic road. Here are the top five things to do in Malanda and the surrounding region.

Image courtesy of robstephaustralia/flickr.com

1. Malanda Falls

There is no question that the top attraction in the area, and truly the big reason for making this journey by car, is for the opportunity to see the beautiful Malanda Falls. The word Malanda itself was once an Aboriginal word for waterfalls, and the town today is known almost exclusively for the breathtaking collection of waterfalls in the area. The best way to see the falls is to stop in at the Malanda Falls Visitor Centre. They can give you a map and help you decide on the perfect trail to see as much wildlife as possible on the way to the falls themselves. If you are in a rush, you can actually drive almost directly above the top of the waterfalls, which gives you a spectacular view of the water crashing down below. If you want to relax and you have more time to enjoy the area, try swimming below some of the falls with the locals.

2. Millaa Millaa Waterfalls Circuit

Just 20 minutes south of Malanda is another collection of amazing waterfalls known as the Millaa Millaa Waterfalls Circuit. These three falls are all within walking distance of one another, but there is also a paved road to drive between the three if you are in a hurry. If the waterfalls look familiar to you, it might be because you have seen them before featured in advertisements or films. The Millaa Millaa Waterfalls can be found in the Peter Andre video called Mysterious Girl, and it is also featured in the Timotei Hair Swoosh advertisement that you have undoubtedly seen before.

3. Lake Tinaroo

Although this man-made lake is just a few miles north of Malanda, the drive along the winding roads can take about 30 minutes. However, the journey itself is a beautiful one, and the time will pass quickly as you admire the view from your car window. Once you arrive at Lake Tinaroo, you will want to enjoy all of the outdoor recreation opportunities in the area. Fishing, hiking, swimming and even waterskiing are popular pastimes that you can enjoy on the lake.

4. Mount Hypipamee Crater

It will be another 30 minute drive to get from Malanda to the Mount Hypipamee Crater, which is commonly known to residents as simply The Crater. This amazing crater in the Tablelands was only discovered in the late 19th century when explorers nearly fell into the chasm, which measures in at over 180 feet wide and almost 300 feet deep. Visitors can hike around the edge of the crater, and you can also explore the surrounding Mount Hypipamee National Park and its impressive rainforest.

5. Curtain Fig Tree

Nature lovers will definitely appreciate the sheer size of this incredible tree, which is located between Yungaburra and Malanda. The aerial roots of the tree are on display, and you can walk along the wooden boardwalk next to the tree to get a closeup view of this enormous natural landmark in the Tablelands.

Since the Malanda Falls as well as the rest of these incredible attractions are just a short drive from the city of Cairns, it is the perfect option for an extension of your holiday. Spend a day touring the Tablelands, or make a full weekend of waterfall-hopping throughout the region.