Travel

Upcoming Events in Brisbane

The article is written by Kelsa McIntyre

Fish Lane Festival
Fish Lane Festival is a yearly event that features signature dishes from local Brisbane eateries. Expect some smooth tunes and yummy temptations from the likes of the Chu the Phat, Julius Pizzeria, Gelato Messina and many more.

When: Saturday 12^th May
Where: Fish Lane, South Brisbane.
Price: Free Entry
What to Bring: Your dancing shoes and an empty belly.

Chicken Nugget Festival
Yes, you read that right. There is going to be a weekend dedicated to chicken nuggets. Expect normal juicy nuggets to crazy nugget burgers and everything in between. Apart from some delicious nuggets to be had the laneway in which the festival is held is also an awesome new Brisbane hangout where there are heaps of weekly events so keep an eye out!

When: Saturday 26^th to Sunday 27^th May
Where: Welcome to Bowen Hills- Gregory Terrace, Bowen Hills.
Price: Free Entry
What to Bring: some fingers ready for some lickin.

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Queensland Music Awards
The Queensland Music Awards is a celebration and recognition of the artists, industry leaders, festivals and live music venues that promote and encourage local music. So if you’re a fan of local music or just interested to network and meet other music lovers the Queensland Music Awards is the place with all ticket holders also receiving access to the official after party.

When: Monday 14^th May
Where: Royal International Convention Centre, Brisbane Showgrounds.
Price: Tickets from $55
What to Bring: listening ears and dancing shoes, expect performances from May Lyn, WAAX and many more.

Rom Coms and Nom Noms
Now, let’s give props where props are deserved RomComs and Nom Noms, YES PLS. Every Wednesday night in the month of Many romantic comedies are shown at a pop-up cinema in Post Office Square. So grab your partner or get on Tinder to find someone to take for an awesome date night. Enjoy grazing boxes from Isles Lane for as little as $20 or bring along your own cute picnic basket for a romantic night under the stars.

When: Wednesday 16 May-Home Again, 5pm
Wednesday 23 May- Crazy Stupid Love, 5pm
Where: Post Office Square.
Price: Free!
What to Bring: Picnic blanket.

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Guinness World Record Attempt
Ever wanted to be part of a Guinness World Record Attempt? Well now’s your chance. Join hosts Dr Karl from the ABC and Jimmy Giggle in attempting a new Guinness world record for stargazing. Enjoy free entertainment and goodies from local food trucks as you (hopefully) make Guinness World Record history.

When: Wednesday 23^rd May
Where: Celebration Lawn, Roma Street Parkland
Price: Free
What to bring: Binoculars or a Telescope.

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Brisbane Lions Game
If you haven’t been to an Australian rules football game yet, you’re missing out. Even if you don’t know what’s actually going on in the game the atmosphere of being at an Australian sports event makes up for it. So grab a snag and settle up for an evening of good old-fashioned sport.

When: Brisbane Lions v Hawthorn Hawks, Sunday 20^th May
Brisbane Lions v Sydney Swans- Saturday 26^th May
Where: The Gabba.
Price: General Admission is $27.
What to bring: Enthusiasm and Brisbane Lions merchandise.

Sydney’s Best Views

The article is written by Paige Murphy
Cover photo by Bernard Spragg

Situated on the east coast of Australia, Sydney is blessed to have so many stunning views throughout the city. Whether you’re here visiting or if you’re a local just looking to be a tourist in your own city, we have compiled the best spots in Sydney with the best views for you.

Climbers heading up the Sydney harbour bridge

Photo by Jimmy Harris

The Harbour Bridge
Maybe not for those scared of heights, but we definitely recommend doing the Bridge Climb. It’s a great way to see the whole city and you can tell everyone you have climbed Sydney’s most famous landmark. The climb takes about 3.5 hours but if you’re strapped for time or not ready to go to the top you can choose the Express or Sampler options which are shorter. Prices vary depending on the climb you choose, but it is definitely an experience you cannot miss! For more information, visit this link.

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Sydney Tower
Visit Sydney’s tallest building and enjoy immaculate 360-degree city views. Higher than the Harbour Bridge, the Sydney Tower’s SKYWALK tour takes you out on to the observation deck to see all the way around the city. If you’re not up for making the walk outside (or you love to dine with a view), make sure you stop by the revolving Sydney Tower Buffet restaurant where you’ll be able to enjoy all the views as you eat. The Sydney Tower also holds different events, including a silent disco for Vivid which starts soon if you’re looking for a unique and fun experience. We recommend booking tickets online in advance before you go to avoid the queues for this popular attraction.
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Circular Quay
Right down by the harbour, Circular Quay has a number of spots to see some spectacular views. Obviously, the Sydney Opera House is a must! Visit the famous landmark up close and personal or if you’re looking to get the whole building in your photo we recommend heading over to the other side of Circular Quay for the perfect pic. Here you can also find the Museum of Contemporary Art which has a rooftop café where you can dine whilst take in the views. There are also plenty of cafes, bars and restaurants on the walk in between the two buildings, including Opera Bar which has prime position to view Sydney’s amazing harbour.
Mrs Macquarie's Chair - Kay Adams Photo by Kay Adams

Royal Botanical Gardens & Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair
See views of the whole harbour from the Royal Botanical Gardens and Mrs Macquarie’s Chair. A great spot for walks and picnics (and AMAZING photos). The gardens are open all year round and are free to visit. See some beautiful flowers in the garden, before you head down by the water towards Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, a sandstone rock carved into the shape of a chair. With the Harbour Bridge and Opera House in full sight, this is definitely the money shot.

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Bondi Icebergs
Bondi Beach is the most famous beach in Sydney, and for good reasons! Stop by the Bondi Icebergs club to get full views of the beach and vibrant, blue water. One of Sydney’s most captured spots after the Harbour Bridge and Opera House, at Icebergs you can swim in the pool, dine upstairs in their restaurant or just stop by to snap this stunning view whilst in Bondi.

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Taronga Zoo
Meet some furry friends and learn about some of Australia’s native species, all while taking in the views of the harbour from the north side of Sydney. Taronga Zoo is a must whilst you’re here, and they offer student discounts for tickets (just make sure you bring your Student ID along). To have an extra special experience and take in more of the view, try out their high ropes course or stay the night and do the Roar and Snore where you can wake up with the animals overlooking the harbour.

gabriel-ben-yosef-395606-unsplash Photo by Gabriel Ben-Yosef

The Manly Ferry
Now you have to take a ride on the Manly ferry (and visit Manly Beach of course!). Get on at Circular Quay and make sure you get a seat outside, so you can wave goodbye to the harbour as you make your way to Sydney’s northern beaches. You’ll get to see some beautiful spots on the journey over. On your return, try to come back for sunset. There is nothing more beautiful than seeing it set over the city skyline.
watsons bay - mark hobz Photo by Mark Hobz

Watson’s Bay
A magnificent spot in Sydney’s east, the views at Watson’s Bay are a must-see. Easy to get to via public transport, Watson’s Bay is located on the South Head peninsula next to Vaucluse and not too far from Bondi. Here you can take your pick of activities, with the beach, walking trails, waterfront restaurants and bars, tours to learn about the Aboriginal culture of the land and the Dunbar lighthouse, there is something for everyone.

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Luna Park
Head over the bridge to Milson’s Point for some fun at Luna Park. Ride roller coasters and Ferris wheels whilst taking in the beautiful views. It’s free to enter the park, you’ll just need to pay for the rides (which are SO much fun). Fun to visit at night, you can see this city skyline light up. With Vivid coming up, the park will light up at night, along with other parts of the harbour. It’s a sight you don’t want to miss!

HOW TO MEET NEW PEOPLE WHILE STUDYING ABROAD

Leaving family and friends behind and pursuing your dream and future in a strange country can be a pretty tough task. However, the entire process of getting the hang of your surrounding is not that difficult, especially when you’re moving to Australia where the friendly locals never fail to make you feel at home.

By further following these tips you can get an idea how to approach new people and make some amazing friends.

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1. Look out for new friends in your class
There is no need to hesitate in making an approach or fearing rejection as usually at the university level, many students sitting around you are equally nervous. In fact, you will be surprised at the enthusiastic response you will receive once you make the friendly move.
Being a loner never helps whether you’re a quiet person or a chatterbox. It’s beneficial when you have many friends around to talk to about various subjects. You can start by discussing your assignments, projects or even class lectures with the Australians students around you.

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2. Join the campus clubs
The best part about studying in Australia is that you have enormous opportunities to socialize with students studying with you and making new friends. Joining a club at your campus could be of great help as it provides you with the chance to mingle with people with common interest.
Also, with having nothing to do at your hostel than to study, these campus clubs could be a tremendous extracurricular and fun activity that you could indulge in.

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3. Spend more time outdoors
It’s easier to avoid the alienated surroundings and people and hide away in your homestay. However, that does not help you to progress any further. Although studying indoors is important, spending some time out is also beneficial to drive away the loneliness.
Hang around the Playfair Café or the famous Bourke Street Bakery for its yummy sausage rolls. These places are both cheap and a perfect pool of your potential new friends!

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4. Explore the city
If you are going to spend the next few years in Sydney, you might as well explore the city too. Whenever you have long weekends, make sure you plan your trips to the Bondi Beach with your friends or better yet, see the iconic Sydney Opera House. Places like these are always crowded and filled with opportunities to socialize to the fullest.
So if you are planning to study in Sydney, then remember these tips to make new friends and get more comfortable and accustomed to the new city.

Upcoming Events in Sydney 2018

We put together interesting events worth to see while in Sydney. Fashion, Art, Music, Ideas and many more.

Vivid Sydney: Light, Music, and Ideas I 25 May to 16 June

Vivid Sydney is an annual outdoor lighting festival with immersive light installations and projections in Sydney. Part of the lighting festival also includes performances from local and international musicians and an ideas exchange forum featuring public talks and debates from leading creative thinkers.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia I 13 May to 17 May

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia is Australia’s only international fashion platform, with a focus on providing Australian designers with a platform to connect with a global audience of buyers, press, and consumers. A week-long schedule of runway shows, presentations, and key industry events will provide the Australian Fashion Industry with outstanding opportunities to maximize business outcomes!…

TEDxSydney I 15 June 2018

TEDxSydney event is a unique and vital day of talks, films, music and debate, and is one of the largest TEDx events in the world. This first announcement has been made featuring an incredible group of speakers and performers promising to inspire you with a day of talks, performances, films and debate about this year’s TEDxSydney theme, HumanKind.

Biennale of Sydney I 16 March to 11 June

SUPERPOSITION: Equilibrium & Engagement, curated by Artistic Director Mami Kataoka, presents the work of 70 artists and artist collectives from 35 countries at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Artspace, Carriageworks, Cockatoo Island, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Sydney Opera House and 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art.

The Biennale of Sydney is located on the traditional lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora nation. We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land and pay respect to Elders, both past, and present.

Source: Internet

How to Experience the Royal National Park

This article is written by Olivia Inwood

A Royal National Park adventure is the perfect opportunity to explore the natural beauty surrounding Sydney! From open bushland, beaches and stunning clifftop views, the Royal National Park has a wide range of landscapes to explore. This guide will show you how to make the most of your time at this beautiful national park and experience the best sites.

Getting There
Make sure you leave super early in the morning and take plenty of water and food! For an extensive trip like this, you’ll need to do some planning! Although it’s easy to drive to the park, catching the ferry from Cronulla offers picturesque views of the area. The ‘Curranulla’ Australia’s oldest commuter ferry, will take you to Bundeena in just 20 minutes.

Bundeena to Jibbon Beach
Once you reach the Bundeena wharf, follow Loftus St and make your way to Jibbon Beach. If you travel along the Jibbon Loop track, you’ll get to see the Dharawal Aboriginal Carvings Site; a 1000-year-old artwork engraved into stone. As you’ll be walking along the coast, there are also many opportunities to spot whales in the ocean!

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The Balconies
After weaving your way through the Jibbon Loop track and seeing the native wildlife, you’ll reach the Coast Track. The Coast track will take you to The Balconies, a spectacular sandstone clifftop, providing an amazing view of the rugged coastline.

Wedding Cake Rock
Moving on, the Coast track will take you along the side of a ravine and up to Wedding Cake Rock; the most photographed site of the park. This magnificent rock formation forms an almost perfect cube shape and its pristine white colour is caused from thousands of years of exposure to the sun.

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Marley Beach
Nearby Wedding Cake Rock, you can walk to Marley Beach. This beach is a remnant of the ancient super-beaches that used to exist along the cliffs, with many sand dunes now surrounding it. From Marley Beach, you can re-trace your steps and return via the same trails or return to Bundeena via the Big Marley fire trail, if you need to take a shortcut.

Wattamolla Beach and the Curracurrong Falls
For the very adventurous, there are further tracks leading to Wattamolla Beach and the Figure 8 Pools. If you decide to go further, you should plan to stay overnight in the North Era Campground. Wattamolla Beach separates the salty Pacific Ocean from the freshwater lagoon and is a great place to relax and have a swim. The beach is also close to the stunning Curracurrong Falls, a unique waterfall that empties into the ocean.

Figure 8 Pools
The Figure 8 Pools is another major attraction of the park but beware the track there is steep and rocky. It’s best to see the Figure 8 Pools in the morning to get the best photos and for your safety, to only go when there is a low tide.

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Author of the picture @trilhasemergulho

Make sure you carefully plan your trip and check the conditions beforehand. Enjoy!

Best Picnic Spots in Sydney

This article is written by Olivia Inwood

Needing a picturesque location for your next social outing? Enjoy all the comforts of a packed outdoor feast with friends, at one of these superb picnic locations in Sydney!

Royal Botanic Gardens

Mrs Macquaries Rd, Sydney CBD

The Royal Botanic Gardens is a great location for a picnic, with many peaceful spots right in the heart of the city. Mrs Macquaries Point provides panoramic views of the Opera House to the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The gardens themselves feature many exotic flowers and trees, so make sure you also have a walk around and immerse yourself in nature!

Fun Fact: Opened in 1816, The Royal Botanic Gardens is the oldest scientific institution in Australia and has over 8000 different plant species!

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Wendy’s Secret Garden

Lavender Bay

Wendy’s Secret Garden is a unique place with a fascinating story. The garden was created by Wendy Whiteley, the wife of the famous Australian artist Brett Whiteley. After the death of her husband, Wendy purchased wasteland from the NSW Rail Corporation and channelling her creativity and grief, transformed the area into a beautiful, secluded garden. With a gorgeous harbour view, this garden is the perfect secret picnic place.

Fun Fact: Wendy’s Secret Garden has a multi-layered landscape, with zigzag paths leading you through an array of sculptures, plants and overarching Moreton Bay Fig trees.

Barangaroo Reserve

Hickson Rd

Barangaroo Reserve is Sydney’s newest Harbour foreshore park with many great lookouts and activities. There are quiet spots for a picnic, as well as extensive cycling and walking trails. If you don’t feel like bringing your own picnic food, Barangaroo also has a food and drink precinct, with many options to choose from.

Fun Fact: Using innovative technology, Barangaroo Reserve was created by transforming a concrete container terminal into a naturalistic rocky landscape and planting over 75,000 native plants!

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Centennial Park

Centennial Parklands, Eastern Suburbs

Centennial Park is one of Australia’s most famous parks and is a heritage listed site. Spread across 189 hectares, there are many spacious picnic spots to choose from! Centennial Park also has bookable picnic sites, if you want to have access to BBQ amenities and uninterrupted views.

Fun Fact: On 1^st January 1901, Centennial Park was the site where the Federal Constitution was proclaimed, officially establishing the Commonwealth of Australia.

Cockatoo Island

Sydney Harbour

Cockatoo Island is the largest island in Sydney’s Harbour and is a nice place for a short getaway. There are many scenic picnic spots and opportunities to explore the island’s historical artefacts. If you want some entertainment, Cockatoo Island also hosts the Sydney Biennale and Haunted History Night Tours.

Fun Fact: Cockatoo Island is a UNESCO World Heritage listed island and was a convict penal establishment in the 19^th century.

App-solutely amazing! Seven must-download apps for life in Australia.

The article is written by Bronte Segota

Made the big move to Australia? Don’t forget to Aussie-fy your phone! There are plenty of apps out there that make settling in in Australia that much easier. We’ve rounded up eight essentials to help you have the best experiences down under!

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Deliveroo
Hungry? Don’t walk all the way to the kitchen! Deliveroo brings you food from all your favourite places in just a hop, skip and jump! Simply order from the Deliveroo app on your smartphone for delivery straight to your door. It’s a lot like UberEats, but the kangaroo logo has us smitten!

Available to download on Android or iPhone

BOM
Don’t rely on temperamental pre-downloaded weather apps to get you through the day. With many Melbourne cities experiencing four seasons in one day. The Bureau of Meteorology app is a saviour. Providing accurate, government-sourced weather forecasts with an easy to use interface, it is Australia’s most reliable weather app. Bonus points for including a real-time rain radar, so you can know exactly when you’ll be needing that umbrella.

Available to download on Android or iPhone

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Australian Slang
Don’t know your Barbie from your Bottle-O? Australia has more slang words than the entire Oxford Dictionary, and for newcomers, it can feel a whole other language to learn! This App has a comprehensive list of uniquely Aussie words and phrases, so the next time you hear someone say that they’re going on a Macca’s run, you’ll know exactly what they mean.

Available to download on Android and iPhone

Gumtree
The perfect place to buy, swap and sell goods online with people in your locality. It’s like eBay, but much more community focussed, meaning you won’t have to pay international shipping costs on items you can buy from vendors in your neighbourhood. Gumtree also has a ‘jobs’ section on their website, where you can search for, and post, jobs in your area.

Available to download on Android and iPhone.

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ABC
Stay up to date with Australian and International news with the ABC App. The ABC itself sets out encourage awareness of Australia and an international understanding of Australian attitudes on world affairs, which makes it the perfect news app for international citizens new to Australia. Unlike many other news apps, it also allows you to customise your news and stories so you can read about what interests you.

Available to download on Android and iPhone

Triplify
Triplify is dubbed ‘the travellers what’s on guide’ and is the perfect app to find events and experiences available around your locality. Listing everything from beach parties to local markets, make sure you don’t miss out on the most exciting events with Triplify. It provides the perfect opportunity to get out and explore your city in social situations.

Available to download on Android and iPhone.

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Party With A Local
This app, partners you up with real-life locals to provide a unique, local experience within the party and entertainment scene of the city. This App is especially good if you’re new to the city and keen to make friends and expand your social circle. Party with a local is a wholly different way to discover your city, with a knowledgeable guide, and potential new acquaintances along the way.

Available to download on Android and iPhone.

48 Hours in: Coober Pedy

The article is written by Taryn Feldmann

City life can get tiring after a while, and a small town is just what the doctor ordered for relaxation and experiencing new things. The perfect place is Coober Pedy, a small town in the Australian outback in South Australia, 846 km north of Adelaide on the Stuart Highway.

@tamaramerino_photography

Author of the picture @tamaramerino_photography

It’s filled with dust in a barren landscape but what this small outback town does offer is an adventure, Australia history and most importantly you get to experience doing everyday activities underground.

There are so many tours to choose from but as it’s a limited time there’s only so much you can do. Here are my options for the best tours, which will offer you everything you’re looking for: Opal mining tours, Oasis tours, historical four-wheeled drive dune tours and desert cave tours.

It’ll be exciting, and you’ll learn so much. The 48 hours will be filled with picture worthy memories, and you’ll have amazing stories to tell your friends and family.

eevgum

Author of the picture @eevgum

Getting there

You can go by plane, bus, or train. Coober Pedy’s airport, located five km from the town centre, and regional express has flights between Adelaide and Coober Pedy. More information about the transportation you will find here.

Want to experience the Ghan railway, you can take a train from Adelaide to Coober Pedy. It’ll be a fun experience, plus you can look at scenery along the way, or you can go by coach on a bus which departs from Adelaide at 7:25 pm and arrives in Coober Pedy at 6:15am. More info here.

Accommodation

The best place to stay will be underground, as it’ll be a once in a lifetime experience. It’s not a regular thing that we do every day, but it is for residents who live in Coober Pedy because temperatures can soar into the 50’s. Plus, you will make your friends jealous with your endless selfies of you in your room underground.

There are quite a few options to choose from, and it’ll depend on how much money you can spend so here’s a link which can help.

danielle_jessie

Author of the picture @danielle_jessie

Opal mining tours

Coober Pedy is a mining town, and it’s famous for its opals. It’s a tourist attraction, and a must do. It could be the high light of your trip. Once again, you’ll be underground, and you’ll follow the guides on an informative tour and learn Coober Pedy’s history.

You’ll learn about mining, learn everything there is to know about opals in their underground museum, and you’ll enjoy a documentary in their underground theatre. The high light of your trip will be seeing firsthand how stones are cut. Helpful links about everything this tour has to offer.

Oasis tours

Love thrill-seeking adventures? This oasis tour will be for you. Experience the barren landscape of Coober Pedy at sunset, which will make it even more spectacular. It’s a two and half hour tour, and it’ll leave you breathless.

You’ll get to experience the Breakaways, a massive dune via The Moon Plain Desert and you’ll be able to see Australia’s famous fence, the Dog Fence to keep out the Dingo’s, Australia’s famous wild dog. What makes it so popular worldwide is the length, a staggering 5.614 million miles. Even more spectacular you can watch the sunset on top of the Breakaway with a nice glass of wine or a refreshing beer. Interested in some tours? Check this link.

Mail Run Tours

You need to do this tour as it sounds like fun and unique. You get to go on a tour with the postman by travelling with him as he delivers mail to the historic towns of Oodnadatta and William Creek and most importantly you’ll get to experience five cattle stations, including the largest, Anna Creek Station. Australia is well known worldwide for its cattle stations.

More amazingly go on a historic trip down memory lane like Australia’s famous explorer, Charles Sturt, the namesake of Australia’s most famous highway, The Sturt, which stretches for miles from Darwin to Adelaide. Stop over at the old Ghan Railway line and enjoy the arid landscape. Don’t forget to take photos as this is a memory you’ll want to keep.
Check this link for more information.

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Desert Cave tours

This four-hour tour lets you go down a mine and witness Coober Pedy’s jewels, opals still embedded inside the sandstone. You’ll also get to go on a Serbian Underground Church, where you’ll experience an archaeological excavation and get to see amazing architecture.

Want to see how the locals live? Don’t despair; this tour lets you witness a unique local underground home, which they refer to as a ‘Dugout’. It’s not to be missed and once again you can take selfies galore and post them all on your social media. What makes it even more special is your family and friends will be able to experience a new culture.

This town has so much to offer, and it’ll be an experience which you won’t be able to get anywhere else. Have fun!

Fun Summer Day Trips Out of Sydney

The article is written by Olivia Inwood

Wanting to venture out of the city this summer? These day trips are a perfect chance to explore the wonders that are just out of Sydney and not spend a fortune on transport! Here are our top 5 summer day trips out of Sydney:

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Hunter Valley
(2.5 hours north of Sydney)

The Hunter Valley is Australia’s oldest wine region and produces some of the best wine in the world. You can drive along the M1 highway and stop at the many wineries in the area for some cellar-door wine tasting. Many bus tours also depart from the Sydney CBD in the early morning, providing affordable wine tasting opportunities and tours of the region.

Fun Fact: The Hunter Valley has over 150 wineries, with some of the most famous including Brokenwood, Scarborough Wine Co Tasting Room and Tulloch Wines.

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Jervis Bay
(3 hours south of Sydney)

Jervis Bay is located on the NSW South Coast and is known for its white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters. Besides spending a relaxing day by the beach, you can go scuba diving along the bay or join the dolphin watching cruise from Huskisson Wharf. And if you don’t see any dolphins, you get a free return cruise!

Fun Fact: Jervis Bay has over 20 kilometres of the whitest sand in the world.

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Kangaroo Valley
(2 hours south of Sydney)

Kangaroo Valley is part of the Southern Highlands and features picturesque mountain views. There are plenty of bushwalking opportunities and the Mortan National Park has a trail leading to the popular Fitzroy Falls. The only pub in Kangaroo Valley ‘The Friendly Inn’ was built in 1892 and is one of the oldest in the region, with a beer garden that provides breathtaking views of the rolling valleys and mountains.

Fun Fact: ‘Kangaroo Valley’ refers to the region and village, both named after the surrounding Kangaroo River.

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Grand Pacific Drive
(2-hour drive along the South Coast)

Travel along the 140km of the Grand Pacific Drive; one of Australia’s best-known driving routes. Starting from the Royal National Park, this road heads south along the coast through Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama. Don’t forget to see the Blowhole, a natural rock formation that spurts water 20 metres into the air.

Fun fact: The engineering highlight of the Grand Pacific Drive is the Sea Cliff Bridge. From the viewing platform located near the bridge, migrating whales can occasionally be seen!

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The Blue Mountains
(2.5 hours west of Sydney)

The Blue Mountains is an easy escape from the city, with the option of driving, catching the train or going on a group tour. Although there are many bushwalking tracks and sights to see, the highlights for a day trip are Katoomba and Leura. Katoomba features The Three Sisters rock formation, a legend of the Aboriginal Dreamtime, that can be viewed from Echo Point. The town of Leura is also a popular stopover point, with many boutique cafes and a well-known candy store.

Fun Fact: The Scenic Railway located at Katoomba, is the steepest passenger railway in the world, offering 360-degree views of the Blue Mountain ranges.

Must See Aussie Big Icons

The article is written by Olivia Inwood

If you love road trips, selfies and experiencing the quirky side of Australia, consider seeing some Aussie big icons! Located along highways all over Australia, many of these big things have become pop culture icons and tourist hotspots. Here are our top picks for must-see Aussie big icons:

Big banana

Author of the picture @narissa_campbell

The Big Banana in Coffs Harbour, NSW

The Big Banana claims to be Australia’s ‘first big icon’. Originally created to promote a banana stall, The Big Banana is now an amusement park featuring a downhill toboggan ride, laser tag and an ice skating rink. So, there’s enough entertainment for the whole day!

Big pineapple

Author of the picture @amymacsouthbne

The Big Pineapple in Woombye, QLD

The heritage-listed Big Pineapple is located along the Sunshine Coast. You can climb The Big Pineapple and explore the pineapple museum and observation deck. The area also boasts a train through a pineapple plantation and a Wildlife HQ.

Big merino

Author of the picture @patrickashby_

The Big Merino in Goulburn, NSW

The Big Merino celebrates the wool industry of Goulburn and is often a stopover destination for those travelling to Canberra. You can climb to the top of the Merino sheep and look out through its eyes to see a panoramic view of the local area. The Big Merino also has a gift shop on the ground floor and a wool display!

Big guitar

Author of the picture @geemcv

The Big Golden Guitar in Tamworth, NSW

The Big Golden Guitar is in the heartland of Aussie country music and is over 12 metres high. It was unveiled by Australia’s most popular country music star, Slim Dusty. This Aussie icon is now one of the major attractions at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, held every January.

Big lobster

Author of the picture @kornienko_001

The Big Lobster in Kingston SE, SA

Known locally as “Larry the Lobster” this creation stands at 17 metres tall. It houses a restaurant and gift shop underneath. Kingston is a well-known port and is also famous for its real-life lobsters!

The Big Wave in Newhaven, VIC

The Big Wave is a popular photo spot, where you can pretend you’re riding a wave. Its located at the Island Surf Experience in Newhaven on Phillip Island. This area is a popular resort place and has hosted various surfing competitions in the past.

Pig penguin

Author of the picture @m_szek

The Big Penguin in Penguin, TAS

Only 30km away from Devonport, the coastal town of Penguin is a popular tourist attraction and home to hundreds of fairy penguins. The Big Penguin is located in the beachfront park and is the largest penguin sculpture in the world!

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