Travel Photo of the Week: Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory, Australia

I visited Kakadu National Park back in 2000. It was early June and the wet season was only just finishing up but there was plenty to mark the wet season had been! Many roads were still under water and a good portion of the Yellow Water Billabong car park remained submerged. So much water laying about together with ‘Beware of Crocodiles’ signs, you couldn’t help but feel a little apprehensive. During the Yellow Water Billabong tour by boat, these water lilies were captured. Photos of the crocs will come another time! Stay tuned!

Where is Ballarat?

Ballarat is a quaint little city located about 117 kilometres west of Melbourne, Victoria. By car, it would take you about an hour and a half to reach your destination.

Ballarat’s roots are embedded deep in the region’s, not to mention the country’s, history and it only follows that a lot of the city’s attractions.

Apart from the historical attractions, the city’s mild weather makes it an ideal venue for various cycling events, and music and art festivals.

Spring is the best time to visit as this is when the flowers are in full bloom and everybody is outside to enjoy the weather.

Map

TravelTipsPlus Google Map of Ballarat, Victoria, Australia

One Great Reason to Visit Ballarat

Your Ballarat experience will never be complete without a visit to the city’s most famous attraction: Sovereign Hill. Sovereign Hill is a man-made open air museum that showcases life in the 1800s when the gold rush was in full swing.

Have fun exploring over 60 historically accurate buildings all across this complex while interacting with the costumed personnel to get the most out of your experience. Dig for gold, explore the mines, visit the tents, and buy souvenirs at the shop.

Before you leave, make sure to watch the multi-million dollar production Blood on the Southern Cross. This lights and sounds extravaganza centres on the events leading up to the Eureka uprising which most experts credit as heralding the birth of democracy for all of Australia.

Ballarat: Discover Your Own Backyard

For More Information

• Wikipedia
• Visit Ballarat

Melbourne is a city with plenty to offer, but you don’t have to bankrupt yourself to have a good time. Here are 8 ways to enjoy Melbourne on a budget.

1. Avoid taking taxis

Melbourne has the some of the highest taxi fares in the country so try to use alternative transport. Arrange for a shuttle bus pickup from the airport and research public transport routes in the city. Book in advance to get good deals on train tickets or, if you are planning on doing a lot of travelling, rent a car for the duration of your stay. It is fairly easy to get around the city so you can save money by walking or cycling to most of the tourist spots.

2. Look out for deals on attractions

If you want to visit a lot of tourist sites then you can often save money by purchasing a package which includes entry to more than one attraction. There are usually many different packages available: some are only one day passes and others can be used for up to a week.

3. Make the most of the free sights

There are plenty of great free things to do in the city. Take a walk along the Yarra River and you will find plenty of interesting art installations and sculptures along the way. If you are still there near the end of the work day you will see the rowing clubs go past in their dragon boats. If you are looking for a fun free indoor activity then head to the Australian Centre for the Moving Image which hosts a range of exciting exhibitions from the history of the moving image to collections of the latest screen-based art.

4. Look for deals on food

There are always plenty of deals on food in Melbourne restaurants so look online or in travel guides for the latest restaurant coupons. If you are looking for cheap fresh food then wander around the Queen Victoria Markets. The markets have everything from food to souvenirs at very affordable prices. Go at the end of the day when vendors are keen to get rid of the last of their stock by dropping all their prices.

5. Spend a day at St. Kilda

St. Kilda is one of Melbourne city’s only beaches and relaxing by the sea is a great way to spend a day for free. The beach has a boardwalk and a pier that you can explore, as well of plenty of grassy areas perfect for having a budget-friendly picnic on.

6. Sign up to be part of the audience for a television show

If you are looking to do something a bit different then keep a look out for free tickets to a television show. Become a member of the audience and watch a live taping of a popular show. If you show plenty of enthusiasm and energy you may even get given a free movie pass!

7. Spend an evening watching live music

If you are looking for cheap evening entertainment then see if any local bars are hosting a free live band. Brunswick is the best place to find local musicians and a lot of the bars have spacious beer gardens which make a nice place to relax in on a warm evening.

8. Head to Federation Square

There is always something going on at Federation Square. From fashion shows to comedy acts you are sure to find some great free entertainment. There are usually people handing out vouchers to local events or restaurants, as well as free goodies – make sure to make the most of them!

By researching the best deals on travel and food and keeping an eye out for free attractions, it’s easy to enjoy exploring Melbourne while sticking to a budget.

Travel Photo of the Week: Serenity on the Farm, Yea, Australia

This was the most serene view of the neighbouring farm from ‘Wood Duck Cottage‘ where we recently took a little break. On one side of the cottage there were a couple of horses, on another, sheep and here we have some cattle lolling about under a large shady tree by the farm pond. It was almost picture perfect but the ducks on the pond insisted they remained out of sight! I had hoped they may have swum into view but they didn’t.